A Little Trick, the Scumbag Dad Can’t Hold the Knife After Understanding Love

A burst of mocking laughter erupted around them.

Yu Ying’s eyes reddened with fury.

"You should go take care of that," the surrounding students suggested tactfully, pinching their noses.

In reality, they were on the verge of passing out from the stench.

Watching the commotion from a distance, Lu Jinghuai rested his chin on his hand, his eyes shimmering with amusement, the darkness in them diluted like ink dispersing in clear water.

Of course—Ji Nian was never one to let herself be bullied.

Humiliated, Yu Ying clutched his backside, too ashamed to use the restroom on the same floor. Terrified of running into anyone he knew, he sprinted several floors away, tears streaming down his face in a breakdown.

He prided himself as the scion of a wealthy family, always quick to criticize others for being crude. Now, he had soiled himself and even been mocked by Ji Nian—his composure shattered completely.

But when he finally stumbled into a bathroom stall, every cubicle he pushed open was already occupied.

Yu Ying: "……"

God, are you messing with me?

...

Ji Nian had come to request leave. Though exams were approaching, her teachers, aware of her family situation, granted it without hesitation.

Even now, while many seemed absorbed in their own tasks, their gazes kept flickering toward Ji Nian.

As she stepped out of the office, she spotted Lu Jinghuai standing outside, engaged in conversation.

His gentle appearance matched his temperament—when listening, he would tilt his head slightly to accommodate the speaker’s height.

A few girls said something to him, but he only shook his head with a faint smile.

Disappointed, they eventually walked away.

Ji Nian wondered if this was the right moment to slip past, but Lu Jinghuai had already noticed her.

The moment their eyes met, his expression brightened noticeably, even carrying a hint of… shyness?

Blinking, ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‍Ji Nian approached. "What’s up?"

His gaze flicked to the leave slip in her hand, but he showed no surprise—as if he’d anticipated this all along.

"This."

Only then did Ji Nian notice the paper bag in his hand. She’d been too focused on his face to register anything else.

Inside the pale green bag was a small box.

"Chocolate cookies," he said, then turned his head slightly. The dampened golden strands of his hair, now darkened, fluttered in the breeze, revealing a slender, pale neck.

"I made them."

Ji Nian’s gaze lingered on his neck—barely concealed by his hair yet impossible to ignore—before she smiled in surprise. "What a treat."

She recalled the onion incident at his place, its skin still intact as he’d haphazardly chopped it. Amusement flickered in her eyes.

Still, she accepted the gift.

"Thanks," she said lightly.

"If you get hungry on the way, have one," Lu Jinghuai murmured, watching the silky bag handle settle into her palm, his eyes tender.

...

Ji Nian hadn’t informed Ji Tingzhou about her leave, but the moment she stepped out of school, the family car was already waiting.

The door slid open automatically, and she stepped inside.

"Home."

Her phone remained oddly silent the entire ride—no calls, no messages.

Her attention drifted to the pale green bag resting conspicuously on the side table. On impulse, she reached for the box of cookies.

Opening it, the rich aroma of chocolate enveloped her. Despite the onion fiasco, Lu Jinghuai’s baking skills were undeniable.

The cookies were topped with pistachio cream and sprinkled with colorful chocolate chips—perfectly baked, not a single one burnt.

But that wasn’t what caught her eye.

It was the slip of paper that fluttered down from the lid when she opened the box.

...

By the time she arrived home, a servant stood waiting with an umbrella, shielding her from the rain as she stepped out.

Unlike the morning, the atmosphere at home felt strangely tense.

"Where’s Zhiliao?" she asked. Usually, Zhiliao would be waiting for her.

The servant lowered her voice. "In the tea room. Mr. Chen is here."

Ji Nian nodded and headed upstairs to change out of her uniform before making her way to the tea room.

After a few knocks, the door swung open on its own. She stepped inside.

Ji Tingzhou and Chen Mo sat facing each other, Wei Yang and Zhiliao flanking Ji Tingzhou’s side.

The room was crowded—Zuo Yi, a stiff-looking Manager Huang, Yang Huayu with her stern expression, Bruce scratching his head in dejection, and Chen Mo’s subordinates.

Ji Nian’s gaze instinctively sought Ji Tingzhou.

As expected, he was seated as far as possible from everyone.

"Why the full house?" she asked, walking over and taking the empty seat beside Ji Tingzhou.

Chen Mo shot her a glance, his eyes faintly reproachful—why hadn’t she chosen to sit by her uncle?

Her arrival didn’t ease the tension. Only Bruce looked up, offering a smile that resembled a grimace.

Eager to connect with the elusive pharmacist behind the Ji family’s remedies, Bruce had spent years buttering up—no, building rapport with Ji Nian.

Chen Mo broke the news first.

The restorative formula had been stolen—right after Bruce and the Chen group finalized the last adjustments.

The good news? The stolen version was the affordable, mass-produced one.

Expecting outrage, they were surprised when Ji Nian showed no reaction. Instead, she nibbled on a chocolate cookie (where had she gotten that?) and gestured for her father to pour her tea.

Yang Huayu’s eyelid twitched as she watched her notoriously temperamental boss effortlessly serve his daughter.

Chen Mo sighed. "I’ve already apprehended the culprit—a researcher from Chen Corp. This is our oversight, and I’ll take responsibility."

But the damage was done. The stolen formula was already in someone else’s hands.

The team had poured endless hours into this project. Their efforts had now become another’s gain.

Yet, everyone here was seasoned enough to keep their emotions in check. Their immediate focus was damage control.

Then Ji Nian spoke, addressing Manager Huang. "Has Haitian already submitted the formula for inspection?"

Such formulas required regulatory approval before hitting the market.

At her question, Ji Tingzhou’s eyes flickered with realization.

"From what we’ve gathered, not yet. They’re preparing to."

They hadn’t even passed inspection, yet their promotional campaign was already in full swing.

Ji Nian smiled. "Perfect."

Under the puzzled stares, she continued lazily, "We anticipated this. So Uncle and I made… a few adjustments."