They say enemies are bound to cross paths.
Ji Nian realized it was getting late and decided not to linger any longer, pulling someone along as she headed back.
Along the way, she kept catching sight of a familiar old man walking ahead, carrying a plastic bag.
It suddenly dawned on Ji Nian: "Oh no, weren’t we supposed to be looking for someone?"
Wei Yang looked down at her and met her gaze. "Oh, right."
They had completely forgotten.
Seeing Ji Nian stop in her tracks, Wei Yang said, "At this point, the old man might have already gone back on his own."
Ji Nian thought about it and agreed.
Maybe he had already returned, and besides, her excuse for coming out to look for someone was just that—an excuse.
She picked up her pace, scurrying up the road.
In no time, she had overtaken Old Master Chen, who was walking ahead.
Seeing Ji Nian with her short legs huffing and puffing as she ran, the old man thought to himself, "Oh, challenging me, are we?"
Immediately, he utilized his height advantage, stretching his long legs and quickly overtaking her.
Ji Nian hadn’t noticed at first, but when she realized that no matter how fast she ran, the old man kept overtaking her, she began to catch on.
Her competitive spirit was ignited.
The old man and the young girl marched forward, their eyes locked on each other, barely paying attention to the road.
Until Ji Nian suddenly widened her eyes, looked away, and pointed at the bag in his hand in surprise: "Your bag’s torn!"
Old Master Chen instinctively glanced down.
He had already reached out halfway when he realized he’d been tricked—the plastic bag was perfectly intact!
He turned his head and, sure enough, Ji Nian had seized the opportunity to sprint ahead, even turning back to give him a provocative smirk.
How outrageous!!
What a sly little brat, showing no respect for her elders, daring to deceive an old man!
Ji Nian didn’t stay in the lead for long. Seeing Old Master Chen falling further behind, she guessed his age might be catching up to him, and he probably couldn’t run anymore. She couldn’t help but slow down.
Just as she hesitated, the old man behind her suddenly stopped, bent over, as if he couldn’t go on.
Ji Nian was startled.
What if he had overexerted himself?
She quickly turned back and approached him: "Are you okay?"
Just as she got close to help him, the old man slowly raised his head and gave her a mischievous grin: "Almost snapped my shrimp line, that’s all."
Then, while Ji Nian was still in shock, he darted off like he had oil on his feet, rushing ahead in an instant.
Ji Nian: "……"
"Hahahaha, can’t catch me now, can you?"
Old Master Chen laughed heartily, occasionally glancing back at Ji Nian, enjoying the sight of the little girl’s frustration.
Wei Yang, noticing Ji Nian’s expressionless face, asked, "Do you want me to help you take down the old man?"
Ji Nian: "……" You do realize he’s an old man, not a wild boar, right?
"No need, we’re home."
She pointed to the house nearby.
Wei Yang followed her gaze and, sure enough, they had arrived without even realizing it.
"Let’s go in then, forget about the old man."
"If you’re mad, I can tie him up for you to vent your anger."
Ji Nian: "……No need, peace and love, okay, Wei Yang?"
Wei Yang paused while opening the door, his brow furrowing: "Peace? Can’t you say it properly? Should I go grab a doctor for you?"
Ji Nian: "……"
"Let’s just go home, kid, let’s go home."
As they went inside, Old Master Chen, who had run far ahead, muttered, "How boring."
He was about to continue walking when something suddenly clicked.
Wait a minute.
"Isn’t that my house?"
Did the kid go to the wrong place???
He turned back, carrying his bag, thinking he should hurry home. Kids were the worst—always touching things they shouldn’t. He hoped they hadn’t broken anything or hurt the little chicks.
Speaking of which, there was that big oaf with her.
Were they tourists?
Old Master Chen walked quickly and soon arrived home.
But after searching the yard, he didn’t see the kid. Had he been mistaken?
Maybe the kid and the big oaf hadn’t come in here after all?
"Getting old, my eyes must be failing me," he muttered to himself as he pushed the door open. "Wife, let me tell you about this snot-nosed kid I ran into—"
As soon as he stepped inside, he saw Old Lady Chen standing in the front room, holding a little girl in her arms.
Old Master Chen nodded: "Yes, yes, she looks just like that."
Everyone: "……"
It took Old Master Chen a moment to realize what was happening, and a look of confusion spread across his face.
"Why are you in my house?"
As he spoke, his eyes flicked to the big oaf who had been with Ji Nian earlier, and then—
To the man sitting on the chair, looking at him with a face that bore a striking resemblance to his own younger self.
Old Master Chen was completely stunned.
It was Chen Mo.
The same person he had seen on that broken TV just this morning.
Chen Mo met his gaze and called out, "Dad."
Then he waited for the old man to grab a stick and chase him out.
While waiting, he even took a sip of the tea Old Lady Chen had brewed.
But Old Master Chen didn’t react for a long time.
Instead, he quickly shifted his gaze to Ji Nian.
Old Lady Chen held Ji Nian close, not minding the summer heat, and fanned the girl with her other hand, saying gently, "Are you hungry, dear? Is there anything you’d like to eat? I’ll make it for you."
Looking at Ji Nian’s delicate little face, she couldn’t help but tear up, thinking about how this child hadn’t even known who her real mother was. She held back her tears, her eyes reddening.
Old Master Chen seemed to vaguely understand something.
He spoke slowly, "Don’t tell me… this is my granddaughter."
Then he turned to Chen Mo in disbelief: "You got married without telling us!? And the kid’s already this big!?"
Chen Mo: "……"
Is that really the point here?
Before he could explain, Old Master Chen filled in the blanks himself.
"No… no… that can’t be…"
Chen Mo wouldn’t keep something this big from them.
There had to be another explanation.
His eyes shifted to the big oaf who had been staring at Ji Nian, and a sudden realization hit him like a thunderclap.
"You’re with a man…"
This child must be adopted!!!
Wei Yang, the man in question: "……"
He glanced at Chen Mo, who was almost choking on his tea, as if to say: Buddy, there’s a reason your family’s fortunes fell.
This old man is something else.
Finally, Old Lady Chen reluctantly let go of her granddaughter and slapped Old Master Chen: "Get a grip!"
"Ji Nian is Xinxin’s child! Not Chen Mo’s."
The three people in the room watched as Old Master Chen stood there, dumbfounded.
But instead of reacting, the old man just stared blankly at Ji Nian and then fainted—
