As for how Ji Ruochu knew about the couple's status...
It all started when one day she pushed open the door and was met with the sight of the married couple sitting on the sofa facing the study, resting their chins in their hands and gazing longingly at the door.
Even someone as unflappable as Ji Ruochu was taken aback for a good while.
By the time she regained her composure, her cup had already been refilled with honey water, and the Stone couple had returned to their vigil on the sofa.
How to describe this feeling... simply put - surreal.
To be honest, the couple's occasional rowdiness and stronger presence during her study sessions might have annoyed her.
On the contrary, they were excessively considerate... No, docile... Hmm, that's not right either.
Anyway, Ji Ruochu ended up leaving the study door wide open.
She was rarely disturbed during studying anyway, and this way she could find things for them to do in her spare time, which led to the current situation.
"Have the plane tickets been booked?"
Ji Ruochu changed the subject as she ate the boneless chicken leg that her old father had carefully deboned for her.
"Huh?" The couple was taken aback. "Go where?"
"A trip, didn't Grandpa, Grandma, Grandfather and Grandmother say they were free this year? We can go together."
Seeing the silent couple, she asked again, "What's wrong? Wasn't this agreed earlier that we'd travel at least twice a year? Did you guys forget?"
"We didn't forget, but-"
When we said that, we didn't know you'd skip a grade in high school straight to senior year after freshman year! We were thinking of going in your sophomore year. Now...
"Then that's fine. Last year we had New Year's Eve dinner at Grandpa and Grandma's place, so let's go to Grandfather and Grandmother's this year.
We can set off for the airport to pick up Grandpa and Grandma early on New Year's Day, then come back on the 6th."
Perfectly timed - school starts on the 7th. She can report to school the next day.
"But darling, won't you be too tired like this?"
"Yeah, we can go after you finish the college entrance exam too."
It wasn't that the couple was excessively worried, but that their daughter planned every trip, leaving no room for them to help.
To put it bluntly and wound their pride, their best way of helping was to tag along obediently.
Thus, they avoided mentioning trips this year, hoping their daughter could rest properly.
"Tired?" Ji Ruochu looked puzzled as she sipped soup through a small straw. "No way, traveling is relaxing. I'm worn out from studying too."
With that said, the couple stopped trying to dissuade her and happily started making arrangements - booking plane tickets, informing both sets of grandparents, and...
On the 30th of the lunar calendar, Ji Mochen took his wife and daughter to the old Ji family residence to accompany his parents for the reunion dinner.
Early on the 1st, the family of three set off with the four elderly members.
Considering Ji Mochen's fame domestically and Ji Ruochu's school enrollment on the 7th, the family of three went to a small city in the south this year.
Since it wasn't a famous tourist destination, there weren't many people around.
They didn't expect to run into fans on the 5th though.
The other group was also a family on vacation. At first when they saw the graceful Ji family, they only stole a casual glance and marveled at their good looks before minding their own business - clearly not the star-chasing type.
It was only when their older daughter returned to her seat with fruits from the buffet and followed her family's gaze to the Ji family who had just sat down that...
"Ah! It's you-"
The girl stopped herself in time when she recognized the celebrity at first glance, barely remembering to cover her mouth to avoid attracting the other diners' attention.
By now, the Ji family was also looking her way.
"Must be a fan." Ji Mochen put down the menu, regretting coming here a little.
If not for the restaurant's famous cuisine, they wouldn't have specifically chosen tea time to have a meal here.
"Should we leave then?" Ling Chujin asked.
"Probably not needed." Ji Ruochu eyed the phone and stationery the girl had placed on the table and the bag she was rummaging through. She guessed, "Since she didn't make a scene, and looks college-aged, Daddy just needs to sign an autograph later and ask her not to post photos these few days."
Ji Mochen nodded, his face filled with resignation.
As expected, being too popular had drawbacks - running into fangirls everywhere.
Just as they were talking, the startled girl from before ran over with a pen and paper in hand, discreetly checking her surroundings.
The evergreen king felt a surge of gratification at his fan's tactfulness for recognizing this wasn't an appropriate place for fanfare, hence coming over quietly for an autograph-
"Wahhh, Ruoruo darling, sign for Mommy, I watched you grow up on variety shows!"
Ji Mochen: Huh?
His official wife beside him, Ling Chujin: What??
Ji Ruochu, who was so shocked by being called someone's daughter that she nearly dropped the menu: What???
On the other side, the girl's father spit out his tea.
What daughter? Whose daughter? Your daughter with who!!!
A family storm was brewing.
Fortunately, the quick-witted Ji Ruochu laughed as she accepted the stationery, asking the girl's name specially to write a personalized message: "Thanks for your support, big sis!"
One minute later.
After making the girl promise not to post any photos, Ji Ruochu sent her off contentedly clutching the autographed message.
Her bewildered family got up to apologize on behalf of their eye-catching daughter out of habit. Their familiarity with the routine was heartbreaking.
By the time Ji Mochen regained his senses, his daughter had already happily gone back to ordering dishes.
Shortly after, the other family paid and left after their fruit.
If not for Ji Ruochu specifically nodding farewell to her "mommy fan" and seeing her off in a daze, Ji Mochen might have believed it was his imagination.
But clearly his worries were unnecessary, because—
"Oh my, causing such a ruckus. Anyone who doesn't know better would've thought our Ruoruo was the veteran celebrity instead of the one who's been in showbiz for over 20 years."
Older Ji laughed amusedly as he lifted his teacup for a sip.
Ahh good tea, such fine tea!
Although amused, Ji's Mother still nudged her partner to hint that he rein it in before provoking their son enough to stop bringing them on trips.
Seeing his parents' body language, Ji Mochen thought...
Great, looks like there's no place for him in this family anymore!!
