As the female lead, Shen Qingtang naturally had a radiant aura that easily won over the servants' affection.
Ji Tingzhou, who had been absent for some reason, also appeared.
Upon seeing Ji Tingzhou, Shen Qingtang's eyes lit up, and she excitedly ran over: "Uncle Ji!"
Since the death of her parents, Shen Qingtang, who was still young but in possession of a large inheritance, resembled a child carrying gold through the market. It was Ji Tingzhou who stepped in to fend off the wolves and jackals.
The child didn't understand much, but she knew that with Ji Tingzhou around, life would be much calmer, and she would have someone to take care of her. Moreover, people naturally admire the strong, even children.
Even without the nannies' prompting, Shen Qingtang was very reliant on Ji Tingzhou. When she learned that Ji Tingzhou was going to be her father, she was so excited that she couldn't sleep for several nights.
Ji Tingzhou scanned the surroundings before finally landing his gaze on the little girl in front of him.
"Hmm."
"If you need anything in the future, ask Zhiliao."
After saying this, he casually patted Shen Qingtang's head and left.
In his heart, he couldn't help but think: Her hair is so smooth, I prefer the dry, fluffy feel.
When he thought of who the "dry, fluffy" feel came from, Ji Tingzhou's expression instantly darkened.
Because of his previous words, "There's no need to report anything about Ji Nian to me anymore," no one would inform him about what had happened in the morning.
Everyone naturally assumed that Ji Nian had truly been "abandoned" by Ji Tingzhou. After all, the head of the family had always been unpredictable, moody and inconsistent.
"Ah, does that mean I can't give the young lady candy anymore? She always says she likes the flavors I pick for her."
Another servant also sighed: "Don't mention it, I'm also worried. I had promised to make her a bamboo dragonfly last time. Those shoddy things I make, only she would like them, treating them like treasures."
The two sighed, and when they looked up, they met the curious eyes of a little girl.
Shen Qingtang knew they were talking about the girl she had met before, who looked exactly like Uncle Ji.
She still thought about the girl's injured hand and really wanted to go see how her wound was.
But remembering what the aunt had said, not to go find Ji Nian, her eyes dimmed.
"Miss Shen, what's wrong?"
Noticing the little girl's unusual mood, the servant saw her dejected appearance and felt a pang of heartache.
"What's a bamboo dragonfly?" she asked softly.
The sudden emotion dissipated a bit, and the servant scratched his head, feeling a little embarrassed: "It's just a little toy I make myself. Nothing special."
After saying that, he suddenly had an idea: "Hey, I can sneak the bamboo dragonfly and leave it outside her door."
The other servant quickly nodded: "Yes, yes! I heard her hand got hurt. You should go quickly, maybe seeing the bamboo dragonfly will cheer her up a bit."
The servant who had been speaking softly to her suddenly started talking to himself and turned around to leave quickly.
Shen Qingtang stood there, her fingers fiddling with the bow on her skirt, her eyes a bit dazed.
Meanwhile, Ji Nian's hand had already been bandaged.
"Sister Zhiliao, I'm fine, you go take care of things."
Knowing that Zhiliao managed the entire Ji household and was especially busy now that the female lead had arrived, Ji Nian didn't keep her.
Zhiliao looked at the tightly wrapped white gauze on her small hand and gently touched her little face with some concern.
"Don't get it wet, I'll change the medicine for you tonight."
"If you're hungry, go find Aunt Liu. I asked her to make your favorite coconut cake."
Hearing about the food, Ji Nian's eyes lit up.
"Hehe, my hand suddenly doesn't hurt anymore!"
Seeing her like a little glutton, Zhiliao reached out and rubbed her nose.
Standing up, she was about to leave but hesitated and squatted down again.
Zhiliao looked at Ji Nian, her expression serious as she asked: "Did something happen between you and the head of the family...?"
At this question, Ji Nian understood that the source of her earlier unease was Ji Tingzhou.
Ji Nian looked innocent as she shook her head at Zhiliao.
"After breakfast, I went to play with Dadan. I didn't see him."
After breakfast, Ji Tingzhou's behavior had also been normal.
So what exactly had happened to make Ji Tingzhou so angry...
Zhiliao's eyes were filled with confusion.
After Zhiliao left, the system, which had been silent, finally spoke: [Thank you for not driving the nanny away...]
Feeling the previous anger from Ji Nian, the system's voice was filled with guilt.
Ji Nian snorted coldly: [You're my system, you're not allowed to plead for others in the future, understand?]
It wasn't that she wanted to let the nanny off, but the female lead had looked too pitiful at the time.
She was trembling in fear but still stood in front of the wicked nanny.
The female lead is good, the nanny is bad.
[Ji Tingzhou seems to be angry, aren't you curious?]
Ji Nian lay lazily on the sofa, swinging her bandaged hand.
[If he's angry, so be it.]
After all, her goal had already been achieved. The rest was just a warm family scene between father and daughter, and she had no part in it. Why bother putting in the effort to appease the princess?
Moreover, Ji Nian planned to follow Ji Tingzhou's example and become a recluse.
Staying out of the public eye.
[I have my Sister Zhiliao enough, hehe.]
Ji Nian gave a silly yet cunning smile.
The system hesitated, wondering whether to mention that Zhiliao was the female lead's person.
In the end, it decided not to say anything. After all, Zhiliao would surely be captivated by the female lead, and if not, there was still the wild dog Wei Yang.
...
Because Ji Nian's hand was injured, Zhiliao's mood wasn't high, and even when facing Ji Tingzhou, she had no good expression.
It was as if she was pouting in a fit of anger.
Ji Tingzhou was really amazed.
He didn't know Zhiliao could even pout like this.
The reason was nothing more than the matter of Ji Nian, but if that was the case, he felt even more wronged.
Looking at the replies under a help post titled "What should I do if a child wants to call someone else dad?", Ji Tingzhou directly smashed his phone to pieces.
If they want to, let them. Blood relations don't change; the host is just a bit too sensitive.
"That must mean you did something wrong."
"Agree with the above, it takes two to tango. Why doesn't anyone else have this problem, but you do?"
Seeing Ji Tingzhou suddenly lose his temper and smash his phone, Zhiliao calmly ordered someone to clean up the mess and left.
After taking a few steps, she saw a little girl standing by the window, staring longingly outside.
Zhiliao followed her gaze and saw Dadan chasing insects.
Sensing something, the little girl suddenly looked up and, seeing it was Zhiliao, gave a flattering smile.
To be honest, it was a very cute and likable smile.
"Sister, your eyes are so beautiful."
Shen Qingtang said shyly.
Her sincere eyes overlapped with another pair of emerald green ones.
Having been sincerely complimented before, Zhiliao's heart didn't waver, and she politely nodded at the little girl.
"Thank you."
Then she walked around her and left.
"I wonder if Ji Nian's hand still hurts, maybe she's crying in secret..." Zhiliao muttered softly.
Shen Qingtang stared blankly at her departing back, thinking about what she had just said, and stood still in place.
Wei Yang, dusty from the road, walked over and almost kicked her.
"Tangtang, when did you get here? I should have picked you up."
Shen Qingtang was picked up by him and ruffled her hair.
Wei Yang had been in a hurry and still carried a sweaty smell, which wasn't very pleasant, but Shen Qingtang still hugged him back, giving a sweet smile: "Uncle Wei Yang."
Shen Rushan was his best friend since childhood, and he had practically watched Shen Qingtang grow up.
"Tangtang has grown taller, if you need anything, just find Uncle Wei Yang."
Putting the child down, Wei Yang patted her head again and quickly said, "Uncle Wei Yang has something to do first, I'll accompany Tangtang next time."
Shen Qingtang pressed the spot where he had touched her head, encouraging herself: It's okay, Uncle Wei Yang likes me.
As he entered Ji Tingzhou's room, Wei Yang's eyes instantly reddened, his previous ease vanishing.
"Head of the family, my mother... has passed away..."
...
Late at night, enjoying the large bed all to herself, Ji Nian was sleeping when she suddenly heard faint sobs.
The low, muffled cries carried unspeakable sorrow.
Ji Nian opened her eyes, rubbed them, and sat up. Turning her head, she vaguely saw a dark shadow crouched outside the floor-to-ceiling window.
