Ji Nian, unaware that an invitation to the male lead's birthday party was about to arrive, was currently touring her new laboratory.
She had thought it would take at least a month to prepare, but it was completed in just ten days.
It was right after dinner.
Ji Tingzhou had hired a professional nutritionist to help Ji Nian improve her health. Although it was a diet meal, it was still delicious, and she ate to her heart's content.
Rubbing her full belly, a drowsy Ji Nian was about to head upstairs with her big egg when Ji Tingzhou stopped her.
"Let's go for a walk," he said casually. "You ate like a little piggy."
Ji Nian, who had just recovered from her illness, was feeling lazy and didn’t want to move. She just wanted to lie down.
But Ji Tingzhou, for some reason, was dressed as if he were going to a fashion show, complete with a necklace.
It was silver, with a wolf's head design, the eyes adorned with emeralds—a stark contrast to the usually flashy jewelry he wore.
The effect was immediate. Ji Nian's eyes were instantly drawn to it, and whatever Ji Tingzhou said, she followed obediently, trotting behind him.
As Ji Tingzhou watched the little girl's eyes follow him wherever he went, his feelings were mixed.
If she’s this easily swayed now, what will happen when she grows up?
But then he thought, this was the perfect time to cultivate her taste. If she developed a discerning eye, she wouldn’t be easily lured by just any handsome man in the future.
Suddenly, he wasn’t worried anymore.
Not that Ji Tingzhou was vain, but he had yet to meet anyone more attractive than himself.
If Ji Nian ever fell for someone less handsome than him, or even on par with him, Ji Tingzhou wouldn’t allow it.
As for someone more handsome? Well, how many of those could there possibly be in the world? And what were the chances Ji Nian would even meet one?
With that thought, the old father's heart was at ease.
He sighed to himself, "I was just scaring myself."
Ji Nian: ?
As they got into the car, Ji Nian noticed a new building behind the main house, surrounded by bamboo groves and guarded by patrols.
Then, she watched as Ji Tingzhou led her inside. First, they went through facial recognition, then fingerprint and iris scans, and finally voice authentication.
After a series of complicated procedures, they finally entered. Ji Tingzhou, in a tone as if showing off a pile of cabbages, said to Ji Nian, "Here’s your laboratory."
Ji Nian: Stunned.
She looked up, her eyes wide as she took in the spacious, fully-equipped lab, complete with state-of-the-art equipment she had only heard of but could never afford.
Seeing her standing there dumbfounded, Ji Tingzhou tapped her little head with his knuckle. "Are you dumbstruck?"
As if a button had been pressed, Ji Nian suddenly jumped up.
"This is amazing!!"
Instead of rushing to touch the equipment or exploring, she turned and hugged Ji Tingzhou's leg, climbing up with a big grin.
If he let her continue, his clothes would be wrinkled. With a look of "what am I going to do with you," he lifted her up.
Before he could hold her properly, Ji Nian cupped his face with her hands and planted a loud kiss on his cheek.
"Thank you, Daddy!"
With that cheerful thank-you, the little girl wriggled out of his arms and jumped down, running off to explore her new laboratory—her secret base, known only to her and Ji Tingzhou.
Meanwhile, Ji Tingzhou was still processing the sudden kiss.
It was soft, with the sweet, childlike scent unique to little kids.
He touched his cheek, his other hand, which had been about to reach for a handkerchief, paused and then dropped back to his side.
"Really…"
His tone was half-exasperated, but the corner of his mouth curled into a faint smile.
...
The truth about the laboratory was known only to Ji Nian and Ji Tingzhou. Everyone else thought it was just a playroom the family head had prepared.
Wei Yang even complained about it, saying that a playroom shouldn’t be so secretive, making it impossible for him to visit Ji Nian.
Wei Yang had transitioned from being Ji Tingzhou's bodyguard to Ji Nian's, becoming her constant companion alongside her big egg, like her left and right guardians.
Ji Tingzhou didn’t say anything about it, seemingly allowing Wei Yang to follow Ji Nian around.
Ji Tingzhou casually tossed the just-opened invitation aside and told his secretary to decline the Gu family’s invitation.
As soon as he finished speaking, the study door suddenly opened.
"Did you wash your hands and rinse your mouth?"
Ji Tingzhou asked without looking up.
In the entire Ji household, only Ji Nian would barge in without knocking.
Sure enough, a cheerful voice followed his question. "Yes, I did! I even changed my clothes!"
After a brief pause, another voice chimed in, though softer. "I washed my hands, rinsed my mouth, and changed my clothes too."
Ji Tingzhou lifted his gaze.
It was Shen Qingtang.
Pulled along by Ji Nian, she met Ji Tingzhou’s eyes and quickly looked down, shyly greeting him. "Uncle Ji."
Shen Qingtang’s condition had improved significantly.
According to her nanny, when she first arrived, Shen Qingtang spent only two hours a day playing, with the rest of her time devoted to studying. Despite her young age, her self-discipline surpassed that of many adults.
Now, she was slowly changing, becoming much happier.
Though she still spent time studying every day, most of her time was spent playing with toys, reading picture books, or being dragged around by Ji Nian.
Ji Tingzhou didn’t comment on Shen Qingtang’s presence.
He silently allowed the two children to chatter away.
Finally, Ji Nian stepped forward, leaning her head on Ji Tingzhou’s lap and poking his stomach.
"Daddy."
Ji Tingzhou, who had been focused on his screen, looked down. "Hmm?"
Compared to her previous thin and sickly appearance, Ji Nian was now plump and rosy-cheeked, her face soft and pinchable.
Thinking this, Ji Tingzhou didn’t hesitate to pinch her cheek.
"What is it?"
It was almost time for a break anyway, so Ji Tingzhou leaned back, his tone relaxed.
"Gu Xiuyuan invited Qingtang to celebrate his birthday. Can I go too?"
Ji Tingzhou’s gaze shifted to the desk, where the invitation had been buried under other documents, only a corner visible.
"You want to go?"
Ji Nian, of course, had no interest in the male lead’s birthday party.
But for some reason, the female lead seemed to have taken a liking to her and wanted Ji Nian to accompany her.
Faced with the beautiful little girl’s hopeful, lake-clear eyes, Ji Nian couldn’t bring herself to refuse.
Besides, she also had her own reasons for needing to go out, so she agreed.
Ji Tingzhou twirled her little braid, his tone ambiguous. "Oh."
Then he fell silent.
The atmosphere suddenly grew tense, and Shen Qingtang began to feel nervous.
Was Uncle Ji not agreeing?
Or was he angry?
Shen Qingtang’s hopeful expression dimmed, and she took a step forward, about to call Ji Nian back. She didn’t want to cause any trouble between Ji Nian and her father because of her.
Before she could speak, Ji Nian let out a silent sigh.
Then, with a bright smile, she grabbed Ji Tingzhou’s hand and shook it, pleading, "Daddy, can you come with us?"
"Please, Daddy~ I’ll be so lonely without you~~"
Ji Tingzhou’s emerald-green eyes softened with a hint of helplessness. He shook his head and sighed. "You’re impossible."
"Just this once."
Shen Qingtang: ?
Ji Nian: Mission accomplished.
