A Little Trick, the Scumbag Dad Can’t Hold the Knife After Understanding Love

Ji Nian had previously explained to Shen Qingtang the reason for her drastic change in personality.

Upon hearing her story, Shen Qingtang didn't question it like Gu Xiuyuan had. Instead, she was utterly amazed, even remarking that Ji Nian seemed like a protagonist straight out of a manga.

The two of them sat on a bench outside the school's grove of trees.

This season, the trees had shed their autumn attire, standing bare as they waited for the snow months later to cloak them in white.

It was the brightest time of the day, and staying outside wasn't cold at all. Basking in the sun with a gentle breeze, it was utterly relaxing.

Ji Nian said, "In that other world, whenever we didn't want to eat at the cafeteria and brought food from home, we'd come here for lunch."

As she spoke, she turned and pointed at the large tree behind them. "We even hid a few tables there—old ones we took from the gym after they were discarded. When we came here to eat, we'd drag them out."

"There was an orange tabby that loved napping on that tree. The Shen Qingtang from that world would occasionally bribe it with cat treats to keep an eye on the tables so no one would take them."

As Ji Nian spoke, a vivid image unfolded in Shen Qingtang's mind.

Ji Nian went on to list many more things, and Shen Qingtang listened with great interest.

But after a while, Shen Qingtang noticed something peculiar.

"Over there, Xiuyuan and I…"

Ji Nian's words trailed off as she met Shen Qingtang's skeptical gaze. She then said dryly, "You two weren't a couple."

In fact, they were constantly at odds, always challenging each other to competitions.

Shen Qingtang found it all rather fascinating.

When Ji Nian talked about things unrelated to Gu Xiuyuan—especially her adventures with her friends—Shen Qingtang's eyes sparkled with longing.

"What was the Shen Qingtang from that world like?"

She had heard Ji Nian mention before that, in that world, Shen Qingtang had found her grandparents through Ji Nian's uncle when she was young.

Shen Qingtang guessed that version of herself must have been happier.

Ji Nian thought to herself, You and Gu Xiuyuan really are a match—asking the same questions.

Noticing Ji Nian suddenly smile, Shen Qingtang tilted her head in confusion.

Ji Nian began, "The you from that world…"

"Was just as clever and kind as you are here. She was the first to notice the stray cats and dogs around the school. Once, someone tried to pose as a representative from an animal rescue center to take them away, but she saw through their lies in just a few sentences."

"She was amazing at sports—tennis was her favorite and best, followed by basketball. Even Gu Xiuyuan couldn't beat her. She was also an excellent swimmer and had won gold in competitions. One year, she even saved a boy who fell into a river, and his parents came to the school with a banner to thank her."

"She was really popular, the class monitor, and everyone adored her."

Hearing this, Shen Qingtang—who had spent her whole life buried in studies—felt like she was listening to a stranger's story. She couldn't even imagine someone who looked exactly like her having such hobbies.

Ji Nian grinned at her reaction. "She also loved anime. On weekends and holidays, she'd often go to conventions, cosplay, make wigs, and was amazing at makeup. Her fan account had over a million followers, and she was frequently invited as a guest to conventions."

Unfortunately, Shen Qingtang never had the time—nor the inclination—to turn it into a career, so she usually declined.

Once Ji Nian started talking about Shen Qingtang, she couldn't stop. It wasn't until her throat felt dry that she realized she'd been rambling and quickly wrapped up the topic.

Shen Qingtang didn't find it annoying at all. Instead, she said wistfully, "You really loved her."

Ji Nian nodded openly. "She was my family and my best friend."

"Will you go back?"

Shen Qingtang didn't want her to leave, but she also didn't want her to never return.

If Ji Nian couldn't go back, she'd be heartbroken.

Ji Nian gave her a mysterious smile and answered ambiguously, "I'll go back… but I'll also stay."

...

The winter Ji Tingzhou fully recovered,

One morning, a servant suddenly informed Ji Nian that a friend had come to see her.

Ji Nian wondered who it could be.

Gu Xiuyuan was currently fighting with his father over protesting his study abroad plans. Shen Qingtang was off at swimming lessons… and He Xiang? Ji Nian had visited him just days ago—he was still adjusting to his new prosthetic arm, so it was unlikely to be him.

Puzzled, she stepped outside.

Sparse snowflakes drifted down as a slender figure in a wheelchair glided closer along the covered walkway.

A thick blanket covered his legs, and he was bundled in heavy clothing, the fluffy white fur around his collar making his face look even smaller.

Ji Nian stood still, watching as the figure approached.

The boy's face was entirely wrapped in bandages, save for the small area around his eyes. His pale gold lashes fluttered slightly as his silver-gray eyes locked onto Ji Nian.

She's even more beautiful than I imagined.

From the moment those emerald-green eyes landed on him, his heart began pounding wildly, as if trying to break free.

At first glance, Lu Jinghuai knew—

This was Ji Nian.

After a long pause,

The boy offered a faint smile.

"Hello, Ji Nian. My name is Lu Jinghuai."

A small turtle plushie swayed gently from the armrest of his wheelchair.

Though it was snowing, the sunlight was bright today.

Warmer, even, than the day she had arrived.

Ji Nian's voice was soft with emotion.

"You came, Ah-Huai."

"Mn. Thank you for the turtle. I love it."

He spoke slowly, his voice hoarse, but Ji Nian didn't mind at all, listening patiently.

"I'm glad you like it."

She had always known about his condition—Lu Zhi often updated her.

Hearing that this boy, who had spent over a decade confined to a bed, was now recovering well filled Ji Nian with relief and gratitude.

Unlike the Lu Jinghuai she knew, this one, though smiling, carried a shadow of melancholy in his gaze—fragile, like a lingering raincloud.

They sat shoulder-to-shoulder, chatting for a while, but Lu Jinghuai's strength waned quickly. Before long, Lu Zhi—who had arrived unnoticed—took him away.

"We'll be staying here for a long time. You'll have plenty of chances to talk later. It's time for his IV."

Lu Jinghuai clung to Ji Nian's hand, refusing to let go, and only released her after she reassured him.

As he was wheeled away, he kept looking back, his eyes lingering on her until he disappeared from sight.

Ji Nian sat alone for a while.

[System, I think it's time for me to go.]

She ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‍had stayed here long enough.

Even though time in her original world was frozen, she missed her family and friends dearly.

Just then, the system let out a sharp alarm—

Identical to the one from when Ji Nian had been ambushed before.

Fool me once…

Ji Nian bolted upright and spun around.

A man in a sweater, barefoot, stood behind her, watching silently.

Though younger, cleaner, and far more put-together than the one in her memories, the madness in his eyes as he stared at her was the same.

It was the man who had once pushed her soul out of her body.

The man stood frozen in place, his eyes gradually flooding with thick crimson streaks.

"No... My experiment couldn't have failed! Who allowed you to come back? Get out of this body!! Where's Qianqian? My Qianqian!"

His expression twisted into something monstrous as he suddenly lunged forward.

The momentum was fierce, but it was all empty bravado. Ji Nian merely lifted her foot and effortlessly kicked him to the ground.

The man collapsed onto his knees, his face a portrait of devastation.

"My experiment couldn't have gone wrong... That fool Mu Xiu thought my soul-transfer experiment failed, but I'd already succeeded in placing my beloved Qianqian into that infant girl's body!"

"...My Qianqian must live a life of luxury, basking in the Ji family's wealth and glory."

His voice then turned ragged with fury as he glared at her, spitting out the words like blood: "Who let you come back? How dare you return! This body was meant for Qianqian! Get out! GET OUT!!!"

Ji Nian's expression shifted as his deranged words sank in. A realization struck her.

When he charged at her again, she didn't hold back this time—her kick sent him flying.

His head slammed against a rock, knocking him unconscious instantly. Even then, his lips still mumbled deliriously, "Qianqian..."

Ji Nian paid the madman no further mind.

Standing there, she suddenly recalled a dream from many years ago—a woman's gentle yet firm voice assuring her that she truly was her child.

And then, long-forgotten memories resurfaced with startling clarity.

A moment from her childhood in her original world.

Back when her parents were still together, they had taken her to an old Taoist temple in their hometown. A Taoist priest had looked at her once and told her parents, "This child does not belong here. One day, she will return to where she was meant to be."

Terrified that Ji Nian might meet an untimely end, her parents had begged for a protective charm and made her wear it at all times.

But as time passed and their family fell apart, no one cared about it anymore. The charm, too, had long been lost.

A dazed expression flickered across Ji Nian's face.

The system let out a quiet sigh.

[Ji Nian, have you ever wondered why an infant in the Ji family was ignored for five years, as if she didn't exist... yet the moment you arrived, you instantly drew everyone's attention?]

[Was it really just because you were clever, sweet, and 'naive'?]

Ji Nian's lips parted slightly.

After a long pause, her voice came out hoarse.

"Because... that was always meant to be mine."

[Exactly.]

[You and he are bound by fate as father and daughter. Even if you truly inherited the Ji family's madness, he would still love you.]

[This is a bond of blood that cannot be severed.]