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

This time, the soul transfer didn't come with the usual sensations. In the blink of an eye, she felt consciousness return, like a fish slipping back into its familiar pond—utterly at ease.

Ji Nian thought to herself, Please let there be no issues this time.

Then, cautiously, she opened her eyes.

Car horns, chatter—it was lunchtime, and crowds of people were out searching for food. A group walking past her burst into laughter, casting curious glances her way.

They seemed puzzled. Why was such a pretty girl standing dazed on the roadside?

A traffic officer who had witnessed the earlier incident hurried over, eyeing the disheveled, beggar-like man before turning to Ji Nian. "Little miss, are you alright?"

Ji Nian glanced down at the time on her phone, then looked up with a dazzling smile.

"I'm fine!"

The officer found it odd—how could this kid be in such high spirits after being shoved?

"Officer, that man has mental issues. Be careful," Ji Nian said, watching as the officer called the relevant authorities before walking away.

She wasn't worried about the man escaping.

After all, he wasn't physically strong. The push had been more about aggression than force—less impactful than a child bumping into her. She'd only stumbled off the sidewalk when she first opened her eyes. No scooter would ride that close to the curb anyway.

Putting it all aside, Ji Nian had no time to dwell.

She turned and headed in a familiar direction.

Her steps quickened, then broke into a run.

...

Chen Corporation.

Chen Mo mused that Ji Tingzhou had managed to anger Ji Nian—what excellent news for him.

Since Ji Nian lived close to his company, she might already be on her way to have lunch with him.

"Kids and their love for surprises," he thought, preparing to feign ignorance later. A good guardian should play along.

But before Ji Nian arrived, a message popped up on his phone:

Uncle, I miss you.

...

Ji Nian was sprinting.

Halfway there, she realized relying on her legs alone would take forever.

Her system, witnessing this foolishness, laughed at her without mercy.

Ji Nian brushed it off. You wouldn't understand. This is called 'nervous excitement upon nearing home.'

She checked her bank balance on her phone, sighed in satisfaction, and splurged on a luxury car ride home for 720 yuan.

Until she saw it with her own eyes, she couldn't relax.

But when she reached the Ji Family estate, she stopped outside, hesitating.

From the outside, the architecture was identical to the other world's.

She remembered how, in that world, her first visit had required scaling a wall. How pitiful—not even able to return home openly.

"Ah, Young Miss, you're back!"

A maid, Chun Chun, who was leaving on personal leave, spotted a lone figure outside. At first, she paid no mind—until she recognized Ji Nian, who had run away just yesterday.

She rolled down her window.

Ji Nian waved. "Chun Chun-jie!"

Seeing a familiar face warmed Ji Nian's eyes.

Noticing Ji Nian was alone and without a car, Chun Chun offered her a ride inside.

During the drive, Ji Nian learned Chun Chun had taken leave due to her father's illness. "What's wrong with him?" she asked.

Chun Chun waved a hand dismissively. "Nothing serious. Just an old heart condition."

Heart issues were no small matter, but Chun Chun showed no distress. "The Ji Family's employee benefits are excellent. If I weren't working here, I'd be drowning in worry."

The Ji Family provided free medical care for employees and their families. Those with sick relatives could take leave and receive full coverage for treatment at Ji-owned hospitals—including food, lodging, and travel.

No wonder people fought tooth and nail to work here.

Ji Nian smiled.

One of Ji Tingzhou's virtues: generosity.

Zhiliao was puzzled when she heard Ji Nian had returned.

She'd just run off yesterday—was she done playing? Or had something happened?

Ji Nian hopped out of the car, waved goodbye to Chun Chun, and headed inside.

Then, spotting a familiar figure standing under the corridor, watching her, her restless heart finally settled.

Her steps quickened—then broke into a run.

Seeing her charge forward, Zhiliao instinctively opened her arms, catching Ji Nian as she flung herself into the embrace.

Ji Nian stood on tiptoe, nuzzling against her. "Zhiliao-jie."

Zhiliao chuckled, stroking her hair. "Since when do you come home just to act spoiled?"

Then, like when Ji Nian was a child, she lifted her effortlessly. Ji Nian wrapped her legs around Zhiliao's waist and buried her face in her neck.

As Zhiliao carried her inside, she sensed something amiss. A flicker of murderous intent crossed her eyes.

"What's wrong?"

Who dared upset her child?

Lu Jinghuai?

"Nothing. Just a bad dream," Ji Nian mumbled.

Relieved—knowing Ji Nian wasn't one to bottle up grievances—Zhiliao patted her back soothingly.

"Don't be afraid. It wasn't real."

Listening to Zhiliao's steady heartbeat, Ji Nian thought, How wonderful. She's still here.

Wei Yang rushed over upon hearing Ji Nian was back—only to find this scene.

He hovered anxiously. "What's wrong? Did that punk bully you?"

Hearing his voice, Ji Nian lifted her head.

Seeing his hale and hearty face, she reached up and patted his head as he bent to check on her.

"Good boy. I'll buy you a sausage skewer."

Wei Yang: "???"

Ji Tingzhou didn't budge when he heard Ji Nian had returned.

What's she back for? Yesterday, she dared to date. Today, is she getting married?

Did she think he'd compromise?

Not unless he lost control of his bowels.

Just as he stewed, his door was knocked.

He stayed silent.

The visitor let themselves in anyway.

Recognizing the footsteps, Ji Tingzhou didn't even twitch an eyebrow, calmly flipping a page of his fashion magazine.

He refused to speak.

Mentioning that punk would only lead to another fight.

But ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‍after a while, Ji Nian still hadn't moved or spoken.

Suspicious, he glanced over—then froze.

It was indeed Ji Nian.

But instead of the defiant, hands-on-hips glare he expected, she just stood there, eyes red, tears rolling down her cheeks in fat drops.

Ji Tingzhou tossed the magazine aside and stood, frowning.

"You—"

Before he could finish, Ji Nian lunged forward, wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug.

And then—she wailed.