Chapter 189

Words : 1705 Updated : Oct 11th, 2025

Ji Nian: "......" Wei ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍Yang was about to pull out his phone to call an ambulance when he caught a glimpse of Ji Nian's expression, which showed no surprise at all. It dawned on him belatedly. Could it be that Ji Nian already knew who the old man was? No wonder she had been teasing him so happily earlier. Given the intelligence of his little genius, it was highly possible. Moreover, when the old man had entered earlier, Ji Nian hadn't shown the slightest bit of surprise. "There's no need to call an ambulance!" Old Lady Chen, with practiced ease, stopped the young people from making the call. She crouched down and whispered into Old Master Chen's ear: "Chen Huahua has been stewed." The old man sprang up like a carp leaping out of water. Ji Nian was even afraid that his shrimp line might snap. "Huahua, my Huahua." Thinking of the missing hen, Old Master Chen was heartbroken. "Don't worry, the chicken has been found. It was Ji Nian who caught it and brought it back to us. This child is really capable." Old Lady Chen glanced at Ji Nian and couldn't help but pat the child's head. Ji Nian smiled at her. Seeing the little girl's radiant smile and her curly hair, Old Master Chen finally remembered what had happened before he fainted and clutched his chest. "What on earth is going on..." "Xinxin's child isn't..." Thinking of how his daughter had died, the old man averted his gaze from Ji Nian. He shouldn't have agreed to the IVF back then. If she hadn't gotten pregnant, his daughter might not have— "What exactly is going on, Chen Mo?" He sat there for a while, recovering without anyone's help, then stood up and looked at Chen Mo in front of him. The father and son exchanged glances, both taken aback by how each other had aged when they saw each other up close. One was lamenting how haggard the other looked, while the other was thinking how much older he had become. Then, with remarkable synchronicity, they both remembered that rainy day many years ago, not long after Chen Yueling had passed away. "Let's sit down first." Chen Mo gestured for him to sit and returned to his own seat. He glanced at Ji Nian, intending to call her over, but Old Lady Chen was holding the child tightly, clearly reluctant to let go, so he remained silent. Old Master Chen sat down on his favorite Eight Immortals chair, his eyes downcast. He didn't spare Ji Nian a single glance. Chen Mo repeated what he had just told Old Lady Chen. During this, Ji Nian noticed that Old Master Chen didn't seem to like her much. But she didn't pay much attention to it. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Old Lady Chen's eyes redden as she listened to the topic again, so she patted her back. She wondered what gift Ji Tingzhou would send her, since she had already said she didn't want toiletries. While her mind was wandering, Chen Mo succinctly explained Ji Nian's background. Upon hearing about the twins, Old Master Chen's body trembled. Xinxin had indeed gone against his wishes and had two children. Since it was IVF, she could decide how many to have. Initially, Old Master Chen had told her to have just one, fearing that having two might lead to favoritism and harm the children. Wasn't Chen Mo the perfect example? He had received so little care and love that he had rebelled, dropping out of high school to mess around with a band. Who would have thought that Chen Yueling had agreed to his face but secretly decided to have two? But now it was too late for regrets. He could no longer scold his beloved child. After listening, Old Master Chen remained silent for a long time. The first thing he said was: "Her surname is Ji? Her father is Ji Tingzhou?" As he spoke, his body visibly shook, his voice tinged with stress, as if he had been deeply affected by something. Old Master Chen wasn't aware of Chen Mo's misunderstanding of the Ji family. His strong reaction to the name "Ji" stemmed from the psychological trauma he had suffered from dealing with the Ji family in his business dealings years ago. "Yes, the rumors outside aren't to be believed. At least Ji Tingzhou has been decent to Ji Nian." With Ji Nian present, Chen Mo didn't utter a single complaint. After all, the child didn't like people speaking ill of her father. Despite Chen Mo's explanation, Old Master Chen snorted, "So what?" "The Ji family is full of scoundrels, and that Ji Tingzhou is the worst of them all—raised in the infighting of the Ji family, ruthless and heartless, no different from a beast!! How could you be so foolish as to get involved with someone like that—" Before he could finish. *Thud.* The sound of a cup being set down on the table echoed softly, yet somehow everyone in the room heard it. Ji Nian placed the bowl of red bean soup with small glutinous rice balls that Old Lady Chen had served her to cool her down on the table. She looked at Chen Mo with an expressionless face: "Uncle, I want to go back." Old Lady Chen snapped out of it and glared at Old Master Chen: "The child is still here! What are you saying all this for?!" Old Master Chen, chastised, perhaps realizing he had spoken out of turn, lowered his head. It was unclear how he had managed to do business in the past, as he stubbornly muttered, "I wasn't wrong." His tone was harsh and unyielding. "Ji Nian, it's too late. Stay here for the night." Old Lady Chen watched helplessly as Ji Nian walked away from her. However, the child clearly didn't hold a grudge, still smiling at the old lady: "Grandma, I'll come see you again next time, okay?" The child's tender voice carried a firm resolve. She was determined to leave. Chen Mo sighed inwardly, glancing at Old Master Chen, whose personality hadn't changed at all over the years. He stood up and led Ji Nian away. He thought leaving was for the best—consider it an act of filial piety. He didn't miss the change in Wei Yang's expression. From what Chen Mo knew of the family, Wei Yang, who had grown up in the chaotic Liuxing Street, had no respect for elders. If he wanted to fight, he wouldn't care about the other person's gender or age. Old Lady Chen hurriedly stood up and followed them. As she passed Old Master Chen, who remained seated and motionless, she shot him a fierce glare: "That mouth of yours..." "Ji Nian, next time you come, let me know in advance. I'll make you something delicious." Old Lady Chen, who hadn't had a proper conversation with Ji Nian, looked at the little girl with reluctance as she followed Chen Mo. Ji Nian waved at her and agreed. Before they had even descended half the steps, footsteps suddenly sounded behind them. Chen Mo, who had been about to speak to Ji Nian, paused and turned around. Old Lady Chen came running over, carrying something in her arms, as if she had just gone back to her room to fetch it. Chen Mo stopped in his tracks and was caught off guard when the old lady shoved a large bundle into his hands. "How did you get so thin?" "These are the steamed buns and rice cakes I made myself, and some pickled vegetables. If you can't finish them, share some with Xiao Yi and Xiao Er. I heard from your father that those two kids are staying with you now." "And this, don't be put off by the fact that it's insects—they're really tasty when fried." Seeing that Chen Mo's hands were full, Ji Nian reached out and took the plastic bag from her grandmother. Inside was a large bag of black, squirming insects—the cicada nymphs Ji Nian had earlier given to Old Master Chen. After going around in circles, they had ended up back in her hands. "...I understand." Chen Mo's lips moved, and after a long pause, he finally managed to say this. "Will you come again?" Old Lady Chen seemed to have been holding this question in for a long time, finally voicing it with a cautious look in her eyes. "I will. Ji Nian said she would come too." Hearing this, the old lady visibly relaxed. "You know how your father is—he's got a sharp tongue and a temper as stubborn as a rock in a latrine." "After he kicked you out that year, he was miserable too. He even sent Chen Jianguo out to keep an eye on you, afraid you'd get hurt." Chen Mo finally understood why that old ox had been butting him back then. "Ji Nian, this is your home too. Don't mind your grandfather. He speaks harshly, but next time you come, just let me know, and I'll make sure he's not around." Ji Nian chuckled. Old Lady Chen gently stroked the little girl's hair, her eyes filled with nostalgia and a touch of joy. This was the child her daughter had fought so hard to bring into the world, the child who carried her blood. Under Old Lady Chen's watchful gaze, Chen Mo led Ji Nian away into the night, leaving Yudu Village behind. Looking at the items from Old Lady Chen in the car, Chen Mo couldn't help but wonder. The woman who had once avoided the kitchen and hated the smell of oil had somehow learned to make steamed buns and rice cakes. The truth was simple. When people are in pain, they find ways to distract themselves to keep from being overwhelmed. It's called—self-preservation.

Chapter 189

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