The mastermind behind it all, Ji Nian, was certainly being intentional.
She held grudges deeply.
On the surface, she showed no sign of noticing the brief change in Ji Tingzhou's expression, her eyes timidly observing the man before her.
【Even though Dad is bad, he's indeed handsome】
His usually neat hair was sticking up in several places, a crease still visible on his right cheek, and several buttons of his silk pajamas were undone, revealing a hint of collarbone and a portion of his chest.
It was at this moment that Ji Nian realized that the sturdy-looking man was actually quite thin, his bones clearly visible.
Thinking about how he apparently suffered from chronic insomnia, which affected his appetite and led to his thinness, it didn't seem so strange anymore.
After calling out that one time, Ji Nian remained silent.
Ji Tingzhou watched the little brat who was clearly on guard against him, but he couldn't be bothered to argue with her.
He turned around and pressed a button, and soon Zhiliao walked in.
"Take her temperature," he said before stripping off his clothes to take a shower.
Zhiliao nodded.
The previously quiet little girl immediately burst into cheerful, bird-like sounds when Zhiliao entered.
Zhiliao sister!!
Ji Nian wobbled to her feet, jogging on the quilt towards Zhiliao.
Ji Tingzhou, who hadn't left yet: "………"
The difference in treatment was stark.
Zhiliao scooped the child up in her arms, seeing the obvious signs of illness on her face. She touched Ji Nian's forehead and couldn't help but speak up for her employer.
"You had a fever yesterday. It was the master who brought you back, and he took care of you all night."
Hearing this, the child was obviously taken aback.
After hesitating for a moment, she said to Ji Tingzhou, who hadn't left yet, in a shy manner, "Thank you, master…”
Then she looked up brightly at Zhiliao, as if saying, 'I said thank you, I'm so polite, praise me!'
The bedroom door was slammed shut with a 'bang'.
Zhiliao's eyes showed helplessness, and she rubbed the little girl's flattened curls: "Ji Nian is so good."
Ji Nian smiled very happily.
Although she was awake, Zhiliao found that she still had a slight fever after taking her temperature. The doctor who came said there was no need for more injections, just physical cooling, and she would be completely fever-free by tomorrow.
Ji Nian was listening obediently when a group of servants suddenly came into the room and carried her downstairs.
Someone placed a footbath tub, putting her little feet inside, while others tidied her messy hair. Before Ji Nian could react, she was fed a spoonful of honey lemon water, and a small table was set in front of her.
On it was a small bowl of shrimp and egg custard, with a few broccoli embellishments, refreshing sour radish, and sliced fruit arranged on a cute little rabbit plate.
Just looking at it made Ji Nian's mouth water.
I told you, hugging a thigh is useful.
Playing the naive role can upgrade you from the treatment of a toad's second urine to this level.
Then she could act like an abstract fool for a lifetime.
Taking a bite of the shrimp and egg custard, Ji Nian shed tears of happiness.
It's too delicious, sob sob sob, long live shrimp paste steamed eggs.
The cook soon learned that her food had made Ji Nian cry from happiness.
The passion ignited was no less than when she had imagined her future while taking her chef certification exam.
“Wah wah wah, this family finally has someone who understands me.”
Because Ji Tingzhou had a poor appetite and only took a few bites before pushing his plate away, the cook, who had gone from panic to numbness, was deeply moved to see the plate completely empty, not even a sprig of mint left.
Unknown to Ji Nian, she had gained another supporter.
Zhiliao sister, when can I go back?
After finishing her meal, Ji Nian looked at Zhiliao, who was bringing her medicine.
Zhiliao calmly replied, "That depends on the master."
She looked at Ji Nian encouragingly, hoping she would go talk to the master.
But as soon as she heard those two words, Ji Nian fell silent.
Because her fever hadn't fully subsided, she spent the whole day in bed, during which she didn't see Ji Tingzhou.
The system couldn't help but speak up: 【It's been a day, the scummy dad isn't really angry, is he?】
【Are you just going to sleep? What if you're sent back tomorrow?】
Lying on the soft, faintly scented bed that still carried a hint of Ji Tingzhou's scent, Ji Nian closed her eyes and slowly raised a finger.
The system: 【An hour later?】
She shook her finger.
【I'm not the kind of person who works hard just because you provoke me. Provoke me more, and I'll jump off a building】
The system: 【………】
Password, such a powerful threat.
Cowardly, but effective.
At least the system didn't say another word.
The room was quiet, with only her breathing audible. Ji Nian turned over and drifted into a hazy sleep.
She dreamed of the report she hadn't finished in her previous life, of her parents breaking up and leaving with their suitcases, and of her best friend's face.
When she woke up again, the lights in the room had been turned off by the smart butler, which recognized that the owner had entered a deep sleep.
Ji Nian rubbed her eyes and sat up, thinking of the name Ji Tingzhou had used to call the smart butler in the morning.
"Pink Red Turtle."
The deep, magnetic voice echoed overhead: "Hello, master, I'm here."
"What time is it now?"
"Dear master, the current time is ten thirty-six PM."
Ji Nian said thank you, and the Pink Red Turtle gently replied, "You're welcome," before falling silent.
She turned on the bedside lamp, holding the pink little pillow that the cicada had specially prepared for her, and ran out with a patter.
Even at night, the corridor was dimly lit with wall sconces.
Ji Nian's fingerprints couldn't unlock the elevator, so her movement was limited to Ji Tingzhou's floor.
Of course, she had no intention of running out. Holding her little pillow, she wandered aimlessly.
Eventually, she found Ji Tingzhou in the area designated for relaxation.
Unlike his usual preference for Chinese style, this area was entirely American vintage, with a warm tone and lighting that made one feel drowsy, creating a slightly tipsy atmosphere.
Behind it, separated above and below, a whole wall with recessed compartments displayed a variety of dazzling wines.
Ji Tingzhou sat at the bar near the full-length window, offering a view of the entire lake where they had first met.
Almost as soon as Ji Nian stepped in, Ji Tingzhou noticed her. His sharp, irritable gaze swept over, turning into a piercing weapon that stabbed into the intruder's chest.
However, upon seeing that the intruder was a harmless, short, and silly little kid holding a shabby pillow, the irritation instantly vanished.
Ji Tingzhou didn't ask her why she came or tell her to leave. Instead, his unusually clear green eyes quietly watched her.
Unlike his previous gaze filled with malice or intent to kill, there was no emotion in his gaze.
Unexpectedly calm.
Ji Nian tightened her grip on the pillow and walked towards him.
"Will you send me to… an orphanage?"
She hadn't forgotten what the doctor had said before.
Ji Tingzhou lowered his gaze as she approached.
"Do you want to go?"
He asked back.
Before, it was because she didn't know who she was and thought they were alike that she refused.
So, this time, knowing I'm your father, what's your answer?
Ji Tingzhou looked at the face that was almost identical to his own when he was young, hoping Ji Nian would nod. But there was a tiny, tiny part of him screaming, 'Stay! Stay and keep me company!!', which he completely ignored.
Ji Nian scratched her butt.
"I don't want to go…"
Ji Tingzhou raised an eyebrow in slight surprise: "Why not?"
Because if I go to the orphanage, I'll never see Sister Zhiliao again.
Ji Tingzhou: "………"
He pushed his wine glass aside and stood up, intending to walk past Ji Nian.
As they brushed past each other, the child suddenly reached out and grabbed his pant leg.
Zhiliao sister said you took care of me last night.
Ji Tingzhou glanced down at her, seemingly saying, 'So what?'
Didn't you already say thank you?
That thank you, as if to a stranger passing by.
"You're different from what they said. You're a good person."
I had a really good day today. I ate delicious food and had a cake. The bed was soft, and... um, it was very smooth.
"Thank you."
