Although Ji Tingzhou got a slap on the chin, he didn't care after getting a solid night's sleep by bringing Ji Nian back to his room.
For him, nothing was more important than sleep.
Facing the child's confusion the next day,
he boldly told her, "You sleepwalked and ended up on my bed."
Ji Nian: "………"
Are you a princess or something? Acting all haughty.
When Ji Tingzhou was torn between two shirts that looked the same to Ji Nian, she couldn't help but sing, "I can tell he's a prince~"
Hearing the song, Ji Tingzhou turned his head and said, "If you're hungry, go eat."
Ji Nian eagerly jumped off the stool and said to Zhiliao, who was combing her hair, "Thank you, Sister Zhiliao!"
Then she dashed out excitedly.
Zhiliao watched her back and thought, I hope things remain this peaceful after Shen Qingtang arrives.
But before Shen Qingtang could come, something happened.
It started when Ji Nian was playing with Da Dan and envied how the zookeeper could carry Da Dan around.
The zookeeper generously patted his strong shoulders and asked if she wanted to sit on them.
Of course, Ji Nian agreed, and her laughter spread far and wide as she sat on the zookeeper's shoulders.
Ji Tingzhou was attracted by the noise but stopped in his tracks before he could get close. He heard the child happily say from afar, "Brother, you're so amazing! Can you be my dad?"
Ji Tingzhou halted.
Looking at the carefree child, and then thinking of her usually polite smile towards him, his chest felt like it was clogged with something disgusting, making it hard to breathe.
He had never needed anyone's approval and didn't care about others' opinions.
But at that moment, hearing Ji Nian call someone else "dad," he couldn't help but feel hurt.
He couldn't tell if it was possessiveness or something else, but the doubts he had long since extinguished about Ji Nian resurfaced, making him wonder if the little girl had been enduring disgust and fear, pretending to be nice to him.
After all, he was from the Ji Family, and it was natural for people not to like him.
If you don't want me to be your dad, then forget it...
Ji Tingzhou's eyes turned cold, returning to his usual expressionless state, and he turned to leave.
Meanwhile, Ji Nian and the zookeeper...
The wind was too strong earlier, and the zookeeper hadn't heard what Ji Nian said, so he asked, "Huh? Miss, what did you say?"
Ji Nian had to repeat herself: "I said, brother, you're so amazing! Can you carry me to the bathroom?"
"I need to go to the toilet."
Flattered by the child's compliments, the zookeeper immediately nodded and took Ji Nian to the bathroom.
Though he looked strong, he wasn't very bright, often called "Big Fool" by those around him, good for nothing but taking care of animals.
But today, Ji Nian kept praising him as amazing!
Big Fool had never been praised like this before and was floating on cloud nine all day.
"Thank you, brother! You're not even out of breath over such a long distance; you're too amazing!"
What an incredible physique, a natural-born athlete!
Waving at the zookeeper, Ji Nian ran into the bathroom.
If she had known Ji Tingzhou misheard her, she would have sighed, not only is the prince a neat freak and a shut-in, but he also has selective hearing.
...
Ji Tingzhou was in a bad mood.
And it was all because of Ji Nian.
Everyone noticed.
This left the staff, who were already preparing to welcome the new young lady, feeling at a loss.
"From now on, don't report anything about Ji Nian to me."
When Zhiliao was about to ask about the room decoration, Ji Tingzhou coldly interrupted her.
His dark green eyes were unusually cold.
Zhiliao was taken aback.
She realized Ji Tingzhou was serious.
"…Alright."
If she doesn't want me to be her dad, then why should I care about the extra stuff.
"Get the zookeeper's information for Da Dan and bring it to me."
With Wei Yang unavailable, Zhiliao had to temporarily take over some of his duties.
"Okay."
Ji Nian entered the restroom, planning to take a nap, but was informed by the maid that her little blanket had been returned to her bedroom, and she no longer needed to sleep here.
She was initially puzzled but then nodded.
【Something's off, this is strange…】
Ji Nian keenly sensed that the atmosphere was strange.
Usually, the maids would greet her warmly as they passed by, but today they were unusually silent.
Has the female lead arrived? Why the sudden change in attitude?
【No, these people aren't the type to flatter the powerful and step on the weak; something must have happened】
She gave up on her nap and decided to find Zhiliao.
But she was told Zhiliao was not around.
Just as Ji Nian was about to go look for Ji Tingzhou, a commotion broke out outside.
"Be careful with our young lady's luggage; everything inside was bought by Mr. Ji and is very valuable, thank you."
"Oh, and could the cook come over? Our young lady has some health issues and many dietary restrictions."
"Oh my! What a big dog! Our young lady is afraid of dogs; get it out of here quickly!!"
Someone helplessly said, "That's the head of the household's dog."
Hearing it was the head of the household's dog, the woman's tone immediately changed: "Oh, the head of the household's dog, no wonder it's so big and majestic; only the head of the household could raise such a dog."
Wow.
That tone shift was as sharp as a pig's intestine.
Before she could go see the newcomer, the person had already entered with a girl slightly taller than Ji Nian.
Ji Nian ignored the woman beside her and looked directly at the girl.
Just as described in the original text mentioned by the system, the girl had shiny, well-groomed hair tied with two bows, wearing a blue and white dress with a fluffy skirt. Though young, her features were delicate and pretty.
Unlike the loud nanny, she smiled at everyone who looked her way.
As the female lead, she naturally had a halo effect, and even the usually indifferent maids couldn't help but show loving expressions when they saw her smile.
Not to mention them, even Ji Nian felt dizzy the moment she saw her, thinking how adorable she was.
"Who's child is this blocking the way!"
The nanny holding Shen Qingtang didn't even notice Ji Nian's presence, catching a glimpse of a little bean sprout and frowning, using her leg to push the child aside.
Ji Nian's body was too small, and her attention was on the female lead, so she didn't dodge in time and fell on her bottom.
Right behind her was a potted plant, and her hand hit the vase's edge, immediately drawing blood.
"Ouch——"
"Are you okay?"
The first to notice was Shen Qingtang.
Arriving in a strange place, she was always mindful of being kind and friendly, knowing that being a good child would make people like her. Seeing Ji Nian fall, she let go of the nanny's hand and walked over.
"Oh no, you're bleeding."
Shen Qingtang's small face turned pale with fright.
Ji Nian looked at the wound on her palm bleeding and shook her head: "It's okay, it doesn't hurt."
She comforted the female protagonist and even forced a silly smile.
But as she looked up, she met Shen Qingtang's shocked gaze, staring at her face in disbelief.
"What's wrong?"
Ji Nian asked, puzzled.
Shen Qingtang looked helplessly at the nanny behind her.
Since her parents' death, the nanny had always taken care of her, and the little girl was very dependent on her.
And the nanny also saw Ji Nian's face, especially those uncommon dark green eyes.
Her expression suddenly changed.
"Who are you!?"
