Chapter 169

Words : 1499 Updated : Oct 9th, 2025

Ji Nian understood Ji Tingzhou's concerns, but precisely because she understood, she was even more confused. Ji ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍Tingzhou clearly knew she wasn’t an ordinary child and had abilities far beyond the average person. So why did he reject her suggestion so firmly? Concern was good, but wasn’t it a bit excessive? This was clearly a great opportunity. If they didn’t take advantage of it, how long would it take to uncover the mastermind behind everything? “Nian Nian.” Chen Mo, for some reason, suddenly looked at her with a face full of worry, as if he had imagined something. “You’re right, but that’s a matter for the future.” “At least while we can protect you, we don’t want you to face even the slightest danger.” Chen Mo suddenly felt he understood Ji Tingzhou a little better. Shouldn’t real children be like Shen Rushan’s daughter? But Ji Nian, at such a young age, was constantly worrying about this and that, even putting herself in danger to deal with ill-intentioned people. This wasn’t something a child should be doing. Ji Nian didn’t insist on her point of view any longer. Arguing was pointless. “I understand, Uncle Chen.” As the car entered the Chen Family estate, Wei Yang, who had been following them, spoke into his earpiece, “They’ve gone in.” There was no response from the other end. Wei Yang brought out a few items Ji Nian usually used at the Ji Family and had them delivered to the Chen Family. That night, Ji Tingzhou didn’t stay at the Ji Family. Instead, he flew to a country he rarely visited. Before leaving, he sent all of Ji Nian’s belongings to the Chen Family in one go. The next day at school, the child’s eyes were red, clearly showing that something had happened. During Teacher Li’s class, he called Ji Nian’s name several times, but she seemed lost, no longer as composed as she usually was. After class, Teacher Li noticed He Xiang frequently glancing in Ji Nian’s direction. “I’ve noticed Ji Nian doesn’t seem to have any close friends in class. He Xiang, if you’re worried about her, why don’t you go and talk to her?” He patted He Xiang’s shoulder and looked over at Ji Nian, who was slumped on her desk. Hearing Teacher Li’s words, He Xiang instinctively retorted, “Ji Nian is very well-liked.” It’s just... Everyone, like him, was too afraid to get close. During P.E. class, after finishing a game of badminton, He Xiang glanced over at Ji Nian, who was sitting there lost in thought. In his hometown school, P.E. class was just doing farm work. He Xiang had never played sports like badminton, let alone swimming, horseback riding, or golf. At first, because he didn’t know how to do any of it, the other students would laugh at him. Now, perhaps because they were used to the “outsider” in their class, and because of the bond formed when he helped collect bottles, no one really talked about him anymore. Kids’ interests come and go quickly. Even though He Xiang swung the racket like he was swatting a mosquito, no one laughed anymore. Sometimes, a classmate would even say, “He Xiang, you actually hit the ball this time!” Wiping the sweat from his forehead, He Xiang caught his breath and then walked over to the steps where Ji Nian was sitting, holding something he had prepared. Ji Nian was lost in thought but noticed He Xiang approaching out of the corner of her eye. The boy didn’t say a word, just sat down next to her, pulled out a piece of paper, and started folding it. At first, Ji Nian didn’t pay much attention, but then she saw He Xiang’s nimble fingers turn the ordinary piece of paper into a little cat with perked-up ears and a raised tail. Her eyes were immediately drawn to it. He Xiang kept his head down, his nose straight and his lips pressed tightly together, his expression serious as he folded the paper. After finishing the cat, he carefully straightened its ears. Then he turned slightly, holding the cat by its tail, and handed it to Ji Nian. He lowered his eyes and softly said, “Meow.” It was a very quiet sound. Even his slightly tanned skin couldn’t hide the fact that his ears were burning red. His thick eyelashes fluttered, as if he were utterly embarrassed. Ji Nian paused. Then she desperately tried to suppress the corners of her mouth from curling up. [Don’t laugh... if you laugh, you’ll scare him off. Absolutely can’t laugh, Ji Nian. A real woman doesn’t laugh at times like this.] Seemingly sensing Ji Nian’s struggle to hold back her laughter, He Xiang felt like running away. Back in his hometown, when the neighbor’s little sister wouldn’t stop crying and her parents didn’t care, He Xiang would fold paper for her and mimic animal sounds. The little girl would stop crying immediately. This was one of He Xiang’s few experiences in comforting someone. “Thank you.” After all, it was He Xiang’s heartfelt gesture, and the little cat was adorable. Ji Nian took it and gave him a small smile. Seeing her smile, He Xiang’s tense shoulders relaxed. “...Did something happen?” It was clear he wasn’t great at small talk. Most people would ease into the topic, but He Xiang went straight to the point. Luckily, Ji Nian wasn’t one for beating around the bush either. She placed the little cat on her lap and poked its face. At He Xiang’s question, her expression darkened. “My dad... seems like he doesn’t want me anymore.” He Xiang’s first reaction was, “How could that be?” You’re so wonderful. How could he not want you? Ji Nian sighed and shook her head. “I hope it’s not true, but...” Then she forced a bitter smile and changed the subject. “I heard you’re going to participate in a competition...” Overhearing their conversation through a listening device, Teacher Li took off his headphones. A thoughtful expression crossed his face. No wonder Ji Tingzhou had suddenly left S City last night. And Ji Nian hadn’t gone home yesterday—she had gone to the Chen Family instead. ... “He Xiang, come here. Help me call Ji Nian over.” Teacher Li, standing at the back of the classroom, tapped He Xiang on the shoulder as he was returning from fetching water. For a brief moment, He Xiang thought he smelled something strange, but it was gone as quickly as it came. He didn’t think much of it, placing the cup on his desk before turning to find Ji Nian. Though Teacher Li often struck up conversations with him, every time they spoke, it gave He Xiang a chance to get closer to Ji Nian. “Ji Nian, Teacher Li wants to see you.” He Xiang walked over to Ji Nian’s desk, his eyes catching the little paper cat next to her pencil case. His fingers on the side of his hand curled slightly. “Oh, okay.” Ji Nian got up and walked to the back of the classroom, her expression as calm as ever. But her emerald-green eyes still lacked their usual spark, her gaze somewhat distant. “Teacher, you wanted to see me?” She looked up at Teacher Li. Teacher Li nodded. “You’re the class representative for Chinese. I’d like you to take charge of the blackboard newspaper. You can ask classmates who are good at calligraphy or drawing to help you.” “The theme for the blackboard newspaper is...” He spoke softly, and Ji Nian listened carefully. To anyone watching, the interaction between teacher and student seemed perfectly normal. But beneath the surface, both were harboring their own secrets. After receiving the task, Ji Nian instinctively thought of Shen Qingtang. Shen Qingtang got along well with everyone in the class and knew who was good at writing and drawing. But when Ji Nian turned around, she saw an empty seat and remembered Shen Qingtang was still at her grandparents’ house. Feeling a bit frustrated, Ji Nian suddenly remembered the letter she had received. A simple, sincere letter, its handwriting as neat as printed text in a textbook. She turned to look for He Xiang. “He...” Before she could finish calling his name, she noticed He Xiang’s face suddenly flush with an unnatural redness, his eyes glazed over. Ji Nian called his name several times before he slowly turned to look at her. “What... is it?” Noticing his odd behavior, Ji Nian asked, “He Xiang, are you okay?” [Heh, I admit it. You’ve provoked me.] Failing to get to her directly, they were now using He Xiang, who seemed close to her, to test her, weren’t they? Without showing any hint of her true emotions, Ji Nian helped him up. “You seem to have a fever. Let’s go to the infirmary.”

Chapter 169

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