Chapter 187

Words : 1498 Updated : Oct 11th, 2025

Old Lady Chen was a sharp woman and immediately picked up on the underlying meaning of the child's words. Her heart warmed. What a good child, so thoughtful, just like her own Xinxin. Though, why did she have green eyes? She didn’t look much like someone from the Chen family. "Do you know the way? I could have Chen Jianguo go instead. It’s so hot outside." Chen Mo nodded in agreement, especially since he had just suggested that Ji Nian come inside to avoid heatstroke. Ji Nian’s first thought: Who is Chen Jianguo? Her uncle’s younger brother? Or some other relative? Having spent enough time with Ji Nian, Chen Mo instantly understood her confusion and turned to Old Lady Chen for clarification. "Who is Chen Jianguo?" Old Lady Chen let out an "Oh" and explained, "The old ox we keep at home." Ji Nian: "......" [At this moment, she really wanted to say on behalf of Big Egg: Ji Tingzhou, you really didn’t raise me well.] "Then let it rest. I’ll go find it myself!" Just as Chen Mo reached out to stop her, Ji Nian twisted away like a slippery piece of mucus-coated stool that refuses to stick to the toilet, and she was gone. Wei Yang tilted his chin at Chen Mo and then obediently trailed after Ji Nian like a loyal lackey. Chen Mo: "......" Well, now he had to face everything alone. "Xiao Mo, come in and sit." Meeting Old Lady Chen’s hopeful gaze, Chen Mo lowered his eyes and nodded. After all, he still needed to explain Ji Nian’s situation to her. As he stepped over the threshold, Chen Mo casually glanced at the wall and saw the stick figures he had drawn as a child. After years of weathering, they had faded to mere outlines. He remembered drawing them after his grandfather confiscated his candy. He had cried and squatted in the corner, drawing his grandfather struggling to poop. The abstract art was something only he could understand. Every year during the New Year, his grandfather would proudly bring the villagers over to admire his masterpiece, introducing it as his grandson’s artwork. The old man never knew what was actually drawn on that wall until the day he closed his eyes for the last time. Feeling guilty, Chen Mo averted his gaze. When he visited his sister, he’d bring a bottle of wine for the old man too. ... Ji Nian and Wei Yang walked down the stone steps, Ji Nian hopping as she looked at the weeds growing between the cracks. Wei Yang kept a close eye on her movements, ready to catch her if she stumbled. "What do you think Dad’s doing right now?" Ji Nian asked without thinking. Wei Yang pondered for a moment. "Probably soaking in the hot springs." The Ji family had a famous hot spring, and Ji Tingzhou loved to soak in it whenever he visited. "Though the Lu family’s servants probably aren’t having a good time..." They had to clean the entire area meticulously beforehand, and then endure Ji Tingzhou’s nitpicking, from the color of the bathrobes to their style. But they were probably used to it by now. This happened every year, and the Lu family even had a special protocol for receiving Ji Tingzhou. And it was updated annually because Ji Tingzhou’s preferences changed every year. While Wei Yang was ranting, Ji Nian took the initiative and video-called Ji Tingzhou. The call connected after a few rings. Ji Nian leaned closer to the small screen, using her other hand to shield her eyes from the still-bright sunlight that hadn’t fully set. The screen was foggy, making it hard to see clearly. Just as Ji Nian was about to speak, a small yellow rubber duck floated into view, wobbling slightly. A pale, slender hand, still wet with water droplets, reached into the frame and poked the duck’s beak, pushing it underwater. A soft, triumphant chuckle followed. Ji Nian rolled her eyes. "Dad, you’re so childish." Ji Tingzhou turned the camera to face him. His face appeared on the screen, his hair casually swept back to reveal his smooth forehead. His refined features were fully exposed, his expression lazy and relaxed, making it hard to look away. "Did Chen Mo go bankrupt? Taking you up the mountain to dig dirt." And just like that, he ruined the moment. "No, don’t jinx Uncle Chen. We’re in Yudu Village to visit Grandpa and Grandma." Ji Tingzhou already knew, of course. The moment they had set off, the news had reached his phone. But now, he was suddenly fixated on something else. His deep, mature emerald-green eyes narrowed, and a hint of displeasure flickered across his face. Ji Nian, noticing his expression, stopped in her tracks and warily pulled the camera back. "What now, my prince?" "Whether it’s Chen Mo or his parents..." "You’re quick to start calling them family." The implication: You weren’t so eager to call me "Dad" back then. Ji Nian instinctively retorted, "Well, Dad, you should reflect on what you did back then." As soon as the words left her mouth, both of them froze. The long-avoided topic had suddenly been brought to light, leaving both father and daughter momentarily speechless. Ji Tingzhou’s sudden silence left Ji Nian at a loss for words. If he apologized, she couldn’t just say it was fine. The suffering had been endured by the original owner of this body—she had no right to forgive on their behalf. Then it hit her: Ji Tingzhou wasn’t even her father in the spiritual sense. She had accepted this fact before, but for some reason, thinking about it now made her feel a pang of sadness. "Remember to wear sunscreen when you come back on Monday." Ever the practical one, Ji Tingzhou shifted the topic. Ji Nian quickly caught on. "Sure." "And bring me a gift. No bathroom products, please." With that, they ended the call. Though Wei Yang didn’t fully understand the tension between the father and daughter, he could sense the shift in mood. "The ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍sun’s almost down. Are we still going to find the old man?" Ji Nian, shaking off her earlier discomfort, regained her energy. "Of course! Let’s go!" She quickened her pace as they descended. Five minutes later. "Wei Yang, look! What’s this?" Yudu Village was bustling in the evening, with shops open and people milling about. Ji Nian wandered over to a stall selling local specialties. Wei Yang, tall and intimidating with a fierce gaze, naturally made people step aside, clearing a path for him. Hearing Ji Nian’s voice, he looked down to see her pointing at a black, sealed bag. The shopkeeper, a cheerful woman, eyed Ji Nian curiously and reached over to hand her the bag. "Sweetie, is this what you’re looking for?" "This is the last bag. It’s delicious! Have your family fry it up when you get home. It’s super fragrant." Hearing that it was edible, Ji Nian reached for it. But just then, a hoarse voice interrupted. "Wait." Ji Nian turned to see an elderly man standing there, panting. Though "elderly" might not be the right word. Despite his white hair, he looked quite young—a handsome man, albeit too thin and slightly hunched, as if a strong wind could blow him away. "Kid, let me have this bag. You can buy from another shop." Ji Nian blinked. "Why?" The old man brought the bag closer for her to see. Ji Nian squinted and let out a surprised "Oh!" The so-called fragrant, fried, black clumps were actually a bunch of shiny, curled-up—big black bugs. "You eat cicada larvae?" Expecting the child to be scared, the old man was surprised when Ji Nian didn’t react at all. In fact, she even swallowed hard. Ji Nian: "I mean, I could try it." Wei Yang, who had taken a step back in disgust at the sight of the densely packed insects: "!!?" NO!!! If your brother finds out, he’ll scrub your mouth with a steel brush! The old man, disappointed, thought he wouldn’t get the last bag of cicada larvae. Without Chen Xiaohua, Mrs. Chen would be upset. He had planned to buy this to cheer her up—she loved this shop’s cicada larvae, plump and flavorful. But now, the last bag had been snatched up. Just as he was about to leave, the green-eyed child handed him the bag. "Here, you take it." Old Master Chen was taken aback, meeting Ji Nian’s gaze. Oddly enough, those green eyes, which resembled the droppings of a bird with avian flu, now seemed quite pleasing to him. Satisfied, the old man tucked the last bag of cicada larvae under his arm and left. Wei Yang spoke up. "Why’d you give it to him? That old man..." didn’t even say thank you. Ji Nian shrugged. "He looks like one cough could snap his spine. Let him have it." Old Master Chen, who hadn’t gone far and had heard everything clearly: "........."

Chapter 187

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