Chapter 212

Words : 1126 Updated : Oct 13th, 2025

There’s an old saying that goes: You can dodge a poop, but you can’t escape the runs. In the end, Ji Nian was still caught by Gu Xiuyuan after school. "I get it... you’re so naggy." After being lectured and promising not to doze off during exams again, Ji Nian sighed. Gu Xiuyuan sounded exasperated: "Ji Nian, if you just cared a little more about your grades, He Xiang wouldn’t keep ranking above you." The poor guy was so worked up he even blurted out Ji Nian’s English name. Ji Nian: "......" Shen Qingtang chimed in with a smile: "Alright, Gu Xiuyuan, how’s that basketball practice you mentioned the other day going?" Gu Xiuyuan stiffened. His lips pressed into a thin line as he stared at Shen Qingtang’s smiling face. This was just bizarre. As a kid, he couldn’t beat her at tennis. Now, even after growing so tall, he still couldn’t outplay her at basketball. "Suddenly remembered I have to stop by the principal’s office." "You two go ahead. Just give my bag to the driver." Adjusting his tie, Gu Xiuyuan’s expression shifted from that of a disappointed father to his usual cold, professional student council president demeanor. Shen Qingtang waved him off. Ji Nian secretly gave her a thumbs-up. That’s our Tang-jie for you. "Coming over tonight?" "Yeah, my grandparents are in M visiting my aunt." She linked arms with Ji Nian, smiling. "After homework, we’re watching anime, okay?" Ji Nian thought about it—her research wasn’t urgent these days, so she nodded. The two found the Ji family car and tossed Gu Xiuyuan’s bag into the back. "Ji Nian! Tangtang!" (Ji Tingzhou forbade calling her "Niannian"—it reminded him of the detestable Chen Mo.) Wei Yang, who’d been waiting in the car, spotted the two most striking girls in the crowd. Seven years had passed, and Wei Yang had grown more composed, his muscular build even more intimidating. No one dared meet his gaze. Yet the moment he got in the car, the "composed" man started whining to the girls: "Lately, my pants keep feeling tight. They’re squeezing my butt." "Pretty sure my brother kicked me so hard it swelled up, wuwuwu." He looked resentful but didn’t dare say it to Ji Tingzhou’s face—unless he wanted his backside even more bruised. Ji ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍Nian patted his muscular shoulder: "A perky butt is a man’s best dowry." Shen Qingtang leaned against Ji Nian, still smiling: "Yeah, Uncle Wei Yang, yours is so perky now you could probably lift Uncle Ji with it." Wei Yang shuddered at the mental image. Then, meeting Shen Qingtang’s crescent eyes, he shuddered again. Was it his imagination, or had Shen Qingtang grown more like her dad over the years? As they neared home, Shen Qingtang’s phone rang. Glancing at the caller ID, she told Ji Nian: "I’ll take this. Go ahead inside." Ji Nian noticed Shen Qingtang had been getting frequent calls lately but assumed it was her grandparents, so she didn’t ask and went in first. Once Ji Nian was gone, Shen Qingtang stood by the fountain, her smile vanishing in the mist. She stared at the ringing phone until it stopped. Then a text popped up: Too trashy to answer? Why don’t you die like your parents? Stealing my grandparents—you think you deserve them? I know you saw this. Quit pretending. You should’ve rotted out there. Why come back? Slutty face matches your whore heart. Without waiting for more, Shen Qingtang expressionlessly screenshotted the messages, blocked the number, and deleted the chat. Heading inside, a servant greeted her: "Welcome back, Miss Shen." She responded normally, showing no trace of what had just happened. "Where’s Ji Nian?" "Young Miss went to the tea room to see the Master. She asked the kitchen to prepare your favorite almond milk tea earlier." Shen Qingtang nodded eagerly: "I’ll go change first." ... Tea Room Ji Nian found Ji Tingzhou sitting cross-legged on the floor, sipping tea. Because of Ji Nian, Ji Tingzhou had gradually replaced alcohol with tea over the years, only drinking occasionally. He had fully embraced the health-preserving lifestyle. "Dad, I’m home." Ji Nian kicked off her shoes and walked in. Ji Tingzhou turned at the sound of her footsteps, his silhouette framed by swaying bamboo shadows. Time had been kind to him. Seven years later, his face bore no signs of aging—if anything, his features had only grown more striking. Dressed in a silver-embroidered traditional robe, the high collar covering his neck, he rested his chin on his hand and lazily watched Ji Nian. "Come here." He called her like summoning a dog. Used to it, Ji Nian trotted over and plopped her report card on the table. "Got my grades back." Spotting the emerald-green Tibetan-style bracelet on the table, she picked it up happily: "Why’d you take this out?" The bracelet, adorned with silk ribbons, jade beads, and decorative plaques, was far more intricate than ordinary ones. Ji Nian had made it for Ji Tingzhou’s 30th birthday, polishing each jade bead herself from raw stone. Ji Tingzhou, still scanning her report card, said offhandedly: "It matches today’s outfit." Ji Nian grinned. "I thought you’d lock it in a safe forever." Ji Tingzhou gave her a sidelong glance. Ji Nian blinked innocently. "Good job. Two points higher than last time." Without asking about her ranking, Ji Tingzhou offered rare praise. After crossing into his thirties, Ji Tingzhou’s temper had mellowed—or rather, become even more inscrutable. Seeing his calm demeanor, Ji Nian couldn’t resist teasing him. She wiggled her toes at him. "Dad, I stepped in poop today." Ji Tingzhou: "......" "Stepping in poop means you have feet. How impressive." His tone was flat. "Really? Then can I use my feet to step on yours?" Ji Tingzhou’s eye twitched. He took a deep breath. Finally, he pointed at the door: "...Get out." Ji Nian grabbed her report card, stood up swiftly, then suddenly spun back and stomped on Ji Tingzhou’s leg before bolting: "No need to thank me, Dad! Just being helpful!!" "JI NIAN!!" His furious shout made her laugh all the way out. After several deep breaths, Ji Tingzhou regained his serene composure. Then he frowned. Had he forgotten something? Whatever. If he forgot, it couldn’t be important. ... Country O "Ah Huai, I’ve already spoken to your Uncle Ji about your transfer. Ji Nian will probably wait for you at the school gate herself." Lu Zhi, still as enchanting as ever in her thirties, circled her fourteen-year-old son once. The boy, trying on the uniform of S City's No. 1 High School, blinked his faintly colored lashes. His fair, poreless hand rested on Lu Zhi's shoulder. His calm, soothing voice reached her ears. "Father, you're blocking the mirror."

Chapter 212

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