The system scanned the area and let out a curious "Huh."
Really?
The angle was different from before she left.
Perhaps due to her profession, Ji Nian had a bit of an obsessive-compulsive tendency when it came to the placement of objects like vessels. For instance, her water cup had to be positioned at a 35-degree angle facing her.
And now, it was clear that the cup had been moved.
Of course, it could have been accidentally bumped by another student, causing the angle to shift.
However, deep down, she couldn't shake the feeling that someone had opened it.
Ji Nian, maintaining her usual composure, picked up the cup and opened the lid.
"Can you scan it to see if there's any saliva inside?"
The system: "………What's in it for me?"
Ji Nian thought for a moment.
"I'll buy you the limited-edition collaboration merchandise from Desperate Dad and Tea Wanda."
Desperate Dad—yes, that was the TV series Ji Tingzhou had been watching, all 180 episodes of it, still updating to this day.
As mentioned earlier, Ji Nian had an incredibly sharp sense of perception, one that didn't discriminate. She had even noticed that the system enjoyed watching Desperate Dad.
The system, tickled in just the right spot: "………"
Damn, this was truly irresistible.
"Deal…"
It scanned the cup and informed Ji Nian that there was no saliva or any other disgusting substances inside.
Then, using the promise of multiple purchases as leverage, it generously shared the detailed analysis of the contents.
After listening, Ji Nian confidently drank the water in one go.
As long as there wasn't anything gross, she was fine with it.
It was just poison, after all.
The system: "………"
You know it's poison, and you still drank it???
After finishing the water, Ji Nian pretended to be tired and rested her head on the desk, though her fingers twitched with excitement.
Based on the system's analysis, the poison wasn't one she was familiar with.
What effects would this poison have?
Her eyelashes fluttered with anticipation.
Unbeknownst to Ji Nian, after she laid her head down, a figure stood at the classroom door, using a conversation with a student as cover while subtly observing her.
Seeing her motionless, he said to the child in front of him, "I heard from your Teacher Liu that Ji Nian was the previous class representative. Could you call her for me?"
The student immediately nodded. "Sure."
He turned and walked over to Ji Nian's seat. Seeing her lying there, he cautiously called out, "Ji Nian?"
"Ji Nian, the Chinese teacher wants to see you."
Ji Nian silently retracted the blood-drawing needle she had just used and wiped away the tiny drop of blood that had spilled.
Then she lifted her head, pretending to be drowsy. "Hmm?"
The student repeated the message.
Understanding, Ji Nian nodded, thanked him, and got up to head toward the door.
Her face was slightly flushed, a stark contrast against her pale skin.
Teacher Li feigned concern. "Why is your face so red? Are you feeling unwell?"
Ji Nian replied slowly, "I think… a little…"
"A little what? Do you have a fever? Let me take you to the infirmary."
Looking at the seemingly dazed child, a hint of glee flickered deep in his eyes.
The next moment, the previously groggy child said, "It's a little smelly, Teacher."
"Do you smell poop?"
Teacher Li, visibly shaken by the mention of poop: !!!
He almost lost his composure.
When he looked again, Ji Nian no longer seemed out of sorts. She looked as if she had just woken up, fully alert, her emerald-green eyes bright and sharp.
If it weren't for the child's innocent gaze, he might have suspected she was messing with him!
"...Is there?"
Remembering how he had soaked in something for five minutes that morning, he quickly ended the conversation and walked away.
Judging by the direction, he was heading to the restroom, likely to clean himself again.
Ji Nian watched his retreating figure and snorted inwardly.
So eager to check on my condition—it's obvious who's behind this.
Fingering the small lipstick-shaped antidote hidden in her pocket, Ji Nian's expression turned cold.
Though she was curious about the effects of the poison, her small frame couldn't handle it.
Besides, if Ji Tingzhou found out she had deliberately delayed using the antidote, he'd probably spank her hard.
The system: That's the real reason, isn't it?
After school, Ji Nian rushed into the house as soon as she got out of the car.
Ji Tingzhou was back.
"Dad!!"
The child called out for her father before even seeing him.
Ji Tingzhou, who had just finished showering and hadn't dried his hair, walked out. He was wearing a loose, lightweight shirt, his hair damp and falling over his forehead. His emerald-green eyes still carried a faint mist, giving him a relaxed, languid air.
[Wow, our dad's still got it.]
Ji Nian couldn't take her eyes off him, so absorbed in his face that she barely watched where she was going.
"Go take a shower before hugging me."
Ji Tingzhou declined Ji Nian's embrace and even took a step back, as if afraid the child would pounce on him.
Ji Nian pouted, clearly displeased, but obediently turned around to go shower and change.
By the time she was done and came back downstairs, Ji Tingzhou was scolding Da Dan.
Ji Tingzhou had only been away for two days, and upon returning, he found that the dumb dog had trampled one of the flowers he had planted.
"Stupid dog, if you're going to trample something, go to the left. Can't you tell the difference?"
By the way, the left side was where Ji Nian had planted her flowers.
Ji Nian: "………"
"…………That's because before Dad left, he thought Da Dan was too fat and took away his snacks."
The dog, growing more petty by the day, had secretly urinated in the flowerbed after Ji Tingzhou confiscated his snacks, accidentally trampling a plant in the process.
The gardener responsible for the flowers was devastated and immediately checked the surveillance footage, exposing the guilty dog.
Then Ji Tingzhou changed his tune and started calling Da Dan fat.
"If I picked you up with chopsticks, I'd think it was a slab of pork."
Da Dan, too scared to lash out at Ji Tingzhou, whimpered softly.
Then he looked to Ji Nian for help.
Ji Nian signaled that she couldn't do anything.
Buddy, do you realize he'd probably scold me too…
But her poor friend was in such a pitiful state, almost poisoned by Ji Tingzhou's sharp tongue.
Ji Nian decided to step in.
"Dad, someone tried to poison me at school today."
This bombshell instantly freed the dog.
Ji Tingzhou's gaze shot over.
"Someone poisoned you?"
His emerald-green eyes filled with a chilling, bone-deep coldness.
The six words were uttered with such menace that Ji Nian, facing his murderous aura, felt like she might collapse.
