"Master."
This "thank you" was significantly warmer than the one in the morning, although the title "Master" remained unchanged.
The child, though naive and not very sharp, understood that her living conditions had improved because of someone.
She tugged at Ji Tingzhou's pants, fished out a small biscuit, and, standing on her tiptoes, stuffed it into his hand.
"Auntie gave it to me, it's so fragrant."
Children are simple creatures; if they like or want to thank someone, they will give them what they consider the best.
Ji Tingzhou looked at the small biscuit in his hand, its packaging adorned with cartoon characters, and thought of his own childhood.
He had gotten into a fight, been beaten bloody by someone a full cycle older than him, yet still fiercely protected half a moldy bun in his hand.
That day, his luck was terrible. He was beaten so badly that he couldn't get up. Just when he thought he was going to die, a girl older than him dragged him back.
Back then, the emaciated girl with a sallow complexion didn't have the frightening scar on her face. She looked thoroughly annoyed as she tossed Ji Tingzhou to a large dog that was barking nonstop at her.
Ji Tingzhou was lucky; a few days later, he recovered.
He gave two-thirds of the half bun he had fought for to the girl, who was as skinny as he was.
It seemed like a gesture of gratitude, but in truth, he didn't want to owe her anything.
"Got it, go back to sleep."
Ji Tingzhou's face showed no extra emotion, but Ji Nian somehow felt his mood had improved.
She obediently nodded and left, hugging her small pillow.
It seemed she had run over in the middle of the night just to give Ji Tingzhou the small biscuit she had secretly hidden.
...
The next day, Ji Nian, finally recovered from her fever, was back to her full energy!
Without anyone telling her, when Ji Tingzhou sat down to breakfast, his face still carrying the weariness of a sleepless night, Ji Nian appeared at the table on her own.
"Good morning, Master~"
She still called him Master, but compared to her earlier state of barely daring to look at him, she was much better now.
Seeing her cheerfully greeting everyone, Ji Tingzhou's gaze shifted to her braided hair.
Noticing his attention, Ji Nian eagerly showed off: "Isn't it pretty? Sister Zhiliao helped me make it."
Zhiliao is amazing, she can do everything. She's beautiful and skilled, and she styled my hair like a fairy, looking gorgeous.
Ji Nian didn't hold back her praise, twisting her body to give Zhiliao a thumbs up.
Ji Tingzhou said indifferently: "Looks like a bird's nest."
With a bow on it.
He wondered where Zhiliao got the bow; he remembered she was a pragmatist, not the type for such fancy hairpins.
Zhiliao, on the other hand, smiled faintly at Ji Nian and said: "I learned it from Master earlier. It's quite ordinary, Miss. Why not ask Master?"
"He can do everything, he's omnipotent."
In front of others, Zhiliao addressed her as "Miss," only calling her by her name when they were alone.
Hearing this, Ji Nian widened her eyes and looked at Ji Tingzhou in disbelief.
Seeing the child's surprised expression, Ji Tingzhou seemed to find it amusing and curved his lips slightly.
"What?"
Her watery emerald-green eyes blinked, and she asked expectantly: "Can you really do everything?"
Ji Tingzhou modestly replied with an "Mm."
Unexpectedly, Ji Nian's next question was: "Then can Master's butt whistle?"
"Cough... cough cough cough..."
Ji Tingzhou, caught off guard, choked on his water.
A servant quickly came over to clean up.
Everyone was on edge, expecting Ji Tingzhou to lose his temper—
But instead, Ji Tingzhou, his cheeks flushed from coughing, looked at Ji Nian: "Can't you ask a more decent question?"
Everyone: Is that the real issue here?
Well, no wonder you two could pass as father and daughter.
After breakfast, the servant brought Da Dan.
As soon as the dog and the child saw each other, they both started barking.
Da Dan: "Woof woof woof! (It's a pup!)"
Ji Nian: "Woof woof woof woof woof! (Meaningless barking)"
Da Dan, being Ji Tingzhou's dog, was very intelligent. Knowing his size could knock the child over, he stopped just before reaching her, his tail wagging so fast it left a blur. It seemed to say: "Pet me, pet me! My fur is super fluffy, pet me!"
Ji Nian happily obliged, stroking his fur: "Good dog, good dog."
Zhiliao was startled.
What kind of dog is this?
Normally, this dog, who was indifferent to everyone except Ji Tingzhou, would bare its teeth and even lift its leg to pee on people it didn't like. Where had that bad dog gone?
Seeing it in person was far more impactful than watching the surveillance footage.
Da Dan, who used to have eyes only for Ji Tingzhou, now seemed to ignore his owner completely, heading straight for Ji Nian.
He even rolled onto his back, exposing his soft belly to the child, humming and asking her to pet him.
Tripping over her ill-fitting slippers, Ji Nian didn't care and happily buried her face in the dog's belly.
"Hehehehe."
She laughed like a fool.
Meanwhile, quietly watching the playful interaction between the child and the dog, Ji Tingzhou found himself eating the pastry Zhiliao had slipped into his hand without even realizing it.
Zhiliao smiled faintly and, without a word, slipped him another piece.
Ji Tingzhou's gaze landed on Ji Nian's outfit and he raised an eyebrow.
"Haven't the new clothes been delivered yet?" he suddenly asked.
Zhiliao, understanding immediately, replied: "I'll notify them right away."
Children's clothing, big purchase!
The man Ji Nian called a "hermit" would never go out to buy clothes; he wouldn't even move his butt.
Seasonal, occasion-appropriate casual, sports, and small formal wear, as well as all the latest and upcoming children's fashions, Zhiliao had them all delivered.
She even arranged for various lifestyle items, picture books, and toys suitable for a child Ji Nian's age.
When the truck loaded with goods arrived at the Ji household, at the same time, in a small villa in City B next door—
The door was opened from the outside.
The little girl sitting and watching TV suddenly jumped up with a 'thump' and ran towards the door, shouting: "Uncle Ji! Uncle Ji!!"
But seeing that it wasn't the person she was expecting, she did not hide her disappointment.
The little girl pouted: "Why isn't it Uncle Ji? He hasn't come to see me in so long."
Thinking of the news that Master had recently ordered many children's items, the secretary sighed inwardly.
He could only comfort her: "Master is a bit busy."
The little girl pouted and said aggrievedly, "Then, Uncle, you must tell Uncle Ji that I miss him very much."
The secretary nodded: "I will."
After calming the little girl's emotions, the secretary stepped outside and, thinking of Ji Tingzhou's previous concern, made a phone call.
"Hello, Master, about Tangtang's matter—"
