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

Ji Tingzhou's untimely appearance made Ji Nian think to herself: The rhythm's been disrupted.

He looked better than before—though still thin and pale, he could now stand normally and had even dyed his hair black. The fact that he was making an effort to take care of himself suggested his health was relatively stable.

Before this, Ji Nian hadn't been entirely confident. The medicine she'd prepared was an enhanced version of the formula Ji Xi had developed in her past life, refined through repeated experimentation.

After all, she couldn't accurately gauge Ji Tingzhou's physical condition the way she had in her previous life.

Even conservatively estimated, the medicine should have at least 70% effectiveness in temporarily suppressing his symptoms.

But to cure him completely, she still needed to obtain the second essential ingredient—

The flower they later nicknamed "Little Plum," which You Er had brought back from Mu Xiu's base.

Ji Nian's original plan was to use the medicine Gu Xiuyuan had taken back as proof of her capabilities, then contact Bruce and have him send people to retrieve "Little Plum."

She'd even prepared an excuse for helping Ji Tingzhou—claiming it was an apology to Shen Qingtang.

But now, Ji Tingzhou had suddenly shown up, throwing her off completely.

Fortunately, she recovered quickly. "Your eyes look like green-headed flies," she remarked.

Ji Tingzhou scoffed. "Yours are worse."

"...My eye color is lighter than yours."

"You're blind."

"You're the blind one!"

To an outsider, it would've looked like two identical people—save for their gender and hair—arguing in the street.

Realizing how ridiculous this was, Ji Nian thought, Am I insane? Arguing with Ji Tingzhou in public? And why did he seem so calm? Didn't he have any curiosity about her face?

Feeling like she'd lost the upper hand, Ji Nian's expression turned cold. She stopped debating whose eyes resembled green-headed flies more and walked away.

The Lu Family bodyguards assigned to protect her, though surprised by the man's uncanny resemblance to Ji Nian, didn't ask unnecessary questions and dutifully stayed by her side.

"Miss, he's still following us," one of them informed her.

She didn't need the reminder—she could hear the footsteps herself.

"Let him be," Ji Nian said casually, though inwardly, she wasn't as composed.

She was puzzled.

What's Ji Tingzhou's deal now?

The overlooked, insignificant figure from before had suddenly transformed overnight. She'd come to Country O, persuaded the Lu Family, solved a problem that had remained unresolved for over a decade, and even developed a medicine that could temporarily suppress his condition.

Wait, no— Ji Nian corrected herself. Not just overlooked. He probably didn't even know someone like me existed in the family. He might not even know my name.

After all, ever since bringing Shen Qingtang home, his health had been unstable. When her investigations revealed the Ji Family wasn't as powerful as she remembered, she'd guessed he no longer had the energy to concern himself with anything else.

And…

If he'd truly had any strength left, Sister Zhi wouldn't have died.

Taking a deep breath, Ji Nian refocused.

This is so annoying. I can't figure out what Ji Tingzhou is thinking at all.

Fortunately, Ji Tingzhou didn't follow for long. Just being able to go out was already an achievement for him—years of physical decline meant he couldn't walk too far. After a while, his face paled.

When she saw him stop to disinfect a spot and sit down to rest, Ji Nian finally relaxed.

Why is no one with him? Did he sneak out?

Pretending to browse at a storefront, she stole glances at Ji Tingzhou. Even as he sat there catching his breath, no one came for him.

Has the Ji Family run out of people? How could they let him go out alone?

The shopkeeper, noticing she'd been lingering without buying anything—and that her entourage looked intimidating—asked impatiently, "Are you going to buy anything?"

Realizing she was blocking the way, Ji Nian replied, "Pack up all of these for me."

Before leaving, Lu Zhi had given her a hefty sum of money.

Ji Nian accepted it without hesitation—after all, as a child visiting Country O when Ji Tingzhou wasn't around, she'd always gone to Lu Zhi for pocket money. It was a habit.

The shopkeeper, thrilled by her bulk purchase, beamed with delight.

Meanwhile, her bodyguards stared at the pile of Hu Dayu Hemorrhoid Ointment (International Edition) she'd bought, visibly struggling to hold back their comments.

After lingering a little longer, someone finally appeared by Ji Tingzhou's side.

Now fully reassured, Ji Nian continued her shopping spree before returning to the Lu Family residence that evening.

As soon as she entered, the butler informed her they had a guest.

Ji Nian initially intended to stay out of the way, but the butler unexpectedly invited her to join them.

Huh? Isn't this a guest visit?

Confused, she was led in—only to see the last person she expected.

Seated across from Lu Zhi, with the same thick, jet-black hair, was none other than Ji Tingzhou.

Hearing her footsteps, both men turned.

Ji Tingzhou's expression was unreadable as ever, giving nothing away.

Lu Zhi, however, looked delighted and waved her over. "You're back. Come, sit."

The way he spoke made it seem like Ji Nian was his daughter, called over to help entertain a guest.

Unclear about Lu Zhi's intentions but obedient nonetheless, Ji Nian moved to sit beside him.

"Did you have fun today? Was the money enough?" Lu Zhi asked warmly.

Ji Nian nodded. "Very fun. I visited a lot of sights and even got a massage."

"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself." Lu Zhi's peach-blossom eyes softened.

Ji Nian then handed him a bag. "I bought you a gift."

Even if it was with his own money…

Lu Zhi didn't seem to mind. He accepted it gratefully, thanked her, and eagerly unwrapped it.

Inside was a bottle of soothing essential oil, which pleased him.

But when he noticed something else in the bag, he assumed she'd bought more and opened it—

Hu Dayu Hemorrhoid Ointment (International Edition).

Lu Zhi: "…………"

Well… it was the thought that counted, right? Even if he didn't have hemorrhoids.

Oblivious to what she'd accidentally included, Ji Nian smiled demurely.

Suddenly remembering his guest, Lu Zhi turned back to Ji Tingzhou with a chuckle. "Ah, I got so caught up talking with my child that I forgot about you."

"Let me introduce you."

"This is my child, Ji Nian."

"Ji Nian, this is Ji Tingzhou from Huaguo. You can call him Uncle Ji—though it's fine if you don't remember, since our families haven't interacted in years."

System: Wow. That was brutal.

Moreover, having Lu Zhi introduce two people who looked exactly alike—this scene was downright bizarre, no matter how you looked at it.

Ji Tingzhou, clearly picking up on the sarcasm in his words, smirked. "Your kid?"

As he spoke, his gaze shifted to Ji Nian, who was sitting quietly nearby. Taking in the obvious differences—the curly hair and green eyes that bore no resemblance to Lu Zhi—he glanced back at Lu Zhi.

"Does your wife know you secretly had a child for me behind her back?"

Lu Zhi: "……"

Damn, ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‍he couldn't out-snark this guy.