A Little Trick, the Scumbag Dad Can't Hold the Knife After Understanding Love-Chapter 258

"The public opinion has escalated. Ten hospitals have already terminated their cooperation with us."

"And a group of workers showed up at the company building with banners, demanding justice for their fallen comrade. According to our investigation, they were Wang Zhiping's coworkers. They’ve been dispersed."

Chen Mo listened to the voice on the phone and let out a cold snort.

"Wang Zhiping was introverted and quiet. Since when did he have such passionate coworkers willing to go this far for him?"

"Investigate. Find out who’s behind this."

The call had effectively shattered any lingering drowsiness. Besides, Chen Mo still had something to discuss with Ji Tingzhou.

"Where’s your family head?"

Taking the damp towel handed by a servant, Chen Mo wiped his face before asking.

When ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‍Chen Mo arrived, Ji Tingzhou was seated in the study, as if anticipating his visit—the door had been left open.

"The Crow has returned."

He cut straight to the point, his gaze briefly flickering over the two small dogs standing side by side on Ji Tingzhou’s desk before settling on Ji Tingzhou’s face.

Tch. He really wanted to punch that arrogant expression. A right hook would suit Ji Tingzhou’s smug face perfectly.

Ji Tingzhou glanced at him. "Finished?"

His tone suggested he’d already guessed as much, so Chen Mo saw no need to elaborate further.

As long as Ji Tingzhou understood, that was enough.

"Then this matter won’t be handled so simply."

A hint of killing intent flashed in Chen Mo’s usually indifferent eyes, his voice dropping to a near whisper.

Ji Tingzhou tapped his fingers lightly on the desk, his gaze drifting to the two small dogs beside the monitor.

"No need."

Chen Mo immediately grasped his intention. "Excluding the Crow’s involvement, isn’t this a bit too challenging for Ji Nian at her age? Have you no mercy?"

Ji Tingzhou crossed one leg over the other, then—remembering Ji Nian’s recent remark about it being bad for his spine—uncrossed it again.

"She’s far more capable than you think. Do you really expect us to protect her forever?"

Chen Mo fell silent.

As someone who had narrowly escaped death, he understood this truth better than Ji Tingzhou.

The agony of watching death approach helplessly, wishing you could pour every ounce of your experience into a child—it was unbearable.

The issue with the medication could’ve been resolved easily. Chen Mo had spent two days preparing to handle it himself, but if Ji Tingzhou insisted on using it as a training opportunity for Ji Nian, so be it.

A sudden smile curled his lips. "In that case, why not raise the difficulty a little more?"

His expression was all springtime warmth and gentlemanly charm, but his words might as well have come from the devil himself.

Ji Tingzhou almost wanted to summon Ji Nian right then, just to show her the true nature of the man she constantly praised as "the kindest uncle in the world."

The kid would probably be so furious she’d smear dog poop on his face.

The mental image was oddly satisfying—if a bit disgusting.

"Also, as effective as the universal antidote is, knockoffs have already flooded the market, driving prices down. Those hospitals were probably looking for an excuse to terminate their contracts. This incident just gave them the perfect opportunity."

Chen Mo leaned casually against Ji Tingzhou’s desk, as relaxed as if he were in his own home—a habit formed over years of visits.

Ji Tingzhou’s lips curled into a faintly mocking smile. "Is that so?"

But he didn’t take the bait.

That old fox Chen Mo—did he really think Ji Tingzhou hadn’t caught his underlying meaning?

He was implying that the Ji family’s pharmacist had run out of ideas, that there were no new breakthroughs.

If Ji Tingzhou responded, the conversation would inevitably steer toward the pharmacist—a topic Chen Mo had been obsessed with ever since his repeated defeats at the pharmacist’s hands. For years, Ji Tingzhou had guarded the pharmacist’s identity fiercely, letting no information slip.

Chances were, Chen Mo’s concern for Ji Nian’s training was only half-genuine. The rest? A ploy to get closer to the pharmacist.

Seeing Ji Tingzhou refuse to engage, Chen Mo feigned disappointment with a click of his tongue before turning to leave.

After all this time, he still hadn’t found a way to uncover the truth behind the Ji family’s pharmacist.

The tighter Ji Tingzhou guarded the secret, the more Chen Mo burned with curiosity.

"Protecting them so fiercely… one might think it was Ji Nian," he muttered under his breath, half-joking.

...

Accompanied by Wei Yang and Zhi Liao, Ji Nian burned the paper gold ingots folded by He Xiang, along with a few other items, for Da Dan. She even wrote a prayer note, worried that other spirits might steal them or that they wouldn’t reach her beloved dog.

After finishing, she stayed a while longer, talking softly to Da Dan before slowly making her way back.

The pain in her heart hadn’t faded. Passing by Da Dan’s old spot, seeing its photos and favorite toys, still made her mind go blank for a moment, her chest aching dully.

But if Da Dan saw her moping around in private every day, it wouldn’t be happy either.

The grief wouldn’t vanish, but it could soften, soaked in the warmth of family and friends.

...

"The Gu family sent me an invitation, but I think I’ll skip it. We can surprise Gu Xiuyuan at He Xiang’s place instead."

During a break between classes, Shen Qingtang, He Xiang, and Lu Jinghuai gathered around Ji Nian’s seat to discuss Gu Xiuyuan’s upcoming birthday that weekend.

Shen Qingtang nodded, hesitating briefly before glancing at Ji Nian’s expression and lowering her voice. "I think Gu Xiuyuan probably doesn’t want you there either."

Da Dan had passed away the day after its birthday. With Gu Xiuyuan’s birthday so soon after, what had once been a joyful coincidence now carried only sorrow.

Gu Xiuyuan was afraid Ji Nian would be overwhelmed by memories.

Ji Nian waved a hand. "I’ll be fine. Da Dan’s birthday was nothing like Gu Xiuyuan’s rigid, formal affairs."

Gu Xiuyuan’s so-called birthday celebrations, ever since he turned twelve, had been little more than networking events—forced conversations with his father’s business partners and their children. Dull beyond words.

Ji Nian had attended every year, always welcomed warmly by Gu Jing and Gu Xiuyuan’s grandmother. But the moment she spotted classmates, she’d slip away after the bare minimum of socializing. freewebnøvel.coɱ

"Then let’s pretend we’re not going and surprise him at He Xiang’s place," Shen Qingtang declared, slapping the desk.

But soon after, Ji Nian changed her mind.

Chen Mo’s "Number One" had sent her a message.

A key witness who knew Wang Zhiping’s true identity would be attending Gu Xiuyuan’s birthday party—a real estate tycoon, according to the details.

Ji Nian’s eyes gleamed with a new plan.

"I’ve decided I’m going after all. Did you pick a dress yet? Help me choose one too."

She sought out Shen Qingtang and reversed her decision.

With Ji Nian and Shen Qingtang now attending Gu Xiuyuan’s party, the small group’s private celebration fell to He Xiang and Lu Jinghuai.

The two exchanged a glance before looking away, their expressions suggesting anything but familiarity.