Chapter 239

Words : 1156 Updated : Oct 15th, 2025

The person Ji Nian called out to paused for a moment. A gust of wind happened to sweep rain toward the entrance, forcing him to take a step back—just as he turned around. His pale golden, shoulder-length hair and silver-gray eyes seemed veiled in shadow under the rainy sky, only brightening slightly when they reflected Ji Nian’s figure. "Ji Nian?" "What are you doing here?" A faint smile curled at the corner of his lips as he stepped toward her. Ji Nian noticed he was holding a bag printed with the hospital’s logo. She couldn’t quite make out what was inside, but it looked like medicine. "I’m visiting a friend. Are you sick or something?" He’d seemed perfectly fine earlier. Lu Jinghuai pulled out a bottle from the bag and showed it to her. "Just vitamins." Ji Nian glanced at it—sure enough, it was vitamins. "Oh~" "What a coincidence." Who’d have thought they’d run into each other here? "It’s raining. Did you come alone? If you don’t have an umbrella, you can ride with me. I’ll take you back." Ji Nian looked around just in time to see Wei Yang approaching with an umbrella. Hearing her offer, Lu Jinghuai didn’t refuse. "I’d appreciate that." Wei Yang didn’t even need to get close before spotting that golden-haired guy standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Ji Nian, chatting away. Wei Yang: "......" Why is he here too? "Wei Yang-ge, let’s have the driver drop Lu Jinghuai off on the way," Ji Nian said, taking the umbrella Wei Yang handed her. Once she put it like that, how could Wei Yang say no? Right now, the only person in the world bold enough to refuse Ji Nian’s requests was Ji Tingzhou. "Come on, come on, let’s share this one!" Opening the wide umbrella, Ji Nian beckoned Lu Jinghuai closer. The umbrella was spacious. Lu Jinghuai glanced at it, then reached over to take the handle from Ji Nian’s hand. "Let me." He was taller than her, so holding the umbrella would be easier. Still, he kept a slight distance between them as they stepped into the rain. Ji Nian couldn’t help feeling lucky today—she got to see the "Little Imperial Grandson" in casual clothes! Just then, his voice, clear as a spring yet softened by the rain, drifted into her ears, making her want to poke her little finger in to scratch an itch. "Why do you call me 'Little Imperial Grandson'?" Ji ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍Nian blinked, turning her head toward him amid the rhythmic pattering of rain against the umbrella. Utterly baffled, she asked, "Did I call you that?" Lu Jinghuai watched her wide-eyed expression, barely suppressing a chuckle. "Mm. Twice." Ji Nian scratched her head. She’d gotten too used to calling him that in private and slipped up. "Well, explaining it is a bit complicated, but basically..." She repeated the same explanation she’d once given Shen Qingtang. After listening, Lu Jinghuai nodded. "Makes sense." "When I was born, my grandfather was still on the throne." "In O-country’s context, the children of the monarch’s sons and daughters aren’t distinguished as grandchildren or nephews like in Hua Country—they’re all called grandchildren." "So, technically, I am an imperial grandson." His gentle explanation surprised her. She’d made up the nickname on a whim, yet he not only accepted it but even clarified it for her. Pleased by his approval, Ji Nian grinned. "As long as you don’t hate it." "Can I keep calling you that, then?" Lu Jinghuai smiled in silent agreement. Once in the car, ignoring Wei Yang’s glare fixed on Lu Jinghuai, Ji Nian noticed the "Little Imperial Grandson’s" clothes were slightly damp—he must’ve gotten hit by the rain earlier. She handed him a towel. "Dry yourself. Your hair and clothes are wet here." "Thank you." Lu Jinghuai accepted it with a soft word of gratitude. Turning slightly, he draped the towel over his hair, gently patting it dry. His profile was elegant, his golden lashes fluttering like little fans. Watching him, Ji Nian suddenly felt an itch in her fingers, squirming in her seat. "Can I try?" Unable to resist, she blurted it out. Lu Jinghuai paused, turning to meet her eager gaze before realizing what she meant. Cute... Meeting her expectant eyes, he shook his head, his voice light but firm. "No." As Ji Nian stared in confusion, he suddenly reached over, gripping her wrist through her sleeve. He pulled her hand toward him, then placed something soft and fuzzy in her palm. "In O-country, only couples help each other dry their hair." "So, you can play with this instead." Ji Nian looked down. In her hand was a golden, fluffy little dog keychain—its eyes squinted in blissful contentment, looking adorably silly. The fur was incredibly soft, a delight to touch. Even through her sleeve, his grip had left her wrist warm, almost burning. Clutching the little golden retriever, Ji Nian absentmindedly ran her fingers through its fur before mumbling an "Oh." Across from them, Wei Yang narrowed his eyes at Ji Nian, who was now lost in thought while fiddling with the keychain. Then he glanced at Lu Jinghuai, who was also seemingly deep in thought—except the faint curve of his lips suggested he was in a rather good mood as he watched Ji Nian. Wei Yang stretched out his hand. "I want one too." Ji Nian: "......" Lu Jinghuai offered an apologetic smile. "Sorry, Wei Yang-ge. There’s only one." Wei Yang pouted in disappointment. No mask, no dog keychain—life was so unfair. Might as well go ask his brother for five million to buy some overpriced ice cream. Sigh. Lu Jinghuai lived in a nearby villa area. With the rain still pouring, he declined Ji Nian’s offer to escort him, borrowing an umbrella instead before saying goodbye. Watching his figure gradually disappear into the rain, Ji Nian tugged at the dog’s ears. Where did he even buy this? Such a goofy-looking dog was hard to come by. Seeing Ji Nian lost in thought, Wei Yang couldn’t take it anymore. "Stop thinking about the Little Imperial Grandson. Look at Wei Yang-ge instead—I’ve got something nice for you too!" Ji Nian turned to him, eyes sparkling. "Really? What is it?" Wei Yang rummaged around before pulling out a packet of orange-yellow snacks with a little cat printed on it. Upon closer inspection, the once-plump packaging had gone flat, all the air seemingly squeezed out. "Huh?" Pinching the snack, Wei Yang chuckled sheepishly. "Ah, I put the 'Mimi Shrimp Crackers' in my back pocket. Must’ve sat on them." Then, after a moment of thought, he corrected himself, expression turning serious. "Wait, no." "Pretty sure the family head stomped them flat." Before leaving, Ji Tingzhou had kicked him square in the backside. Silently, Ji Nian accepted the bag of shrimp crackers that had been flattened by Ji Tingzhou’s foot—via Wei Yang’s back pocket. "...Thanks, Wei Yang-ge." Wei Yang laughed heartily. "No problem at all!"

Chapter 239

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