Chapter 78 I can't accept so much money from my aunt!
Now, Ji Yining's smile was truly one of helplessness.
"Fine, you've given the order, how dare I refuse?"
As she spoke, she pulled out the wad of cash she had just been about to give to the kidnappers from her bag.
Ji Yining generously stuffed the item into the little cub's arms, squatted down, and affectionately nuzzled the child's face. "I let you call me 'Auntie,' so I can't just leave it at that, right? Here you go."
Xiao Zhizhi stared blankly at the heavy stack of banknotes in her hand.
One thousand, two thousand, three thousand... ...No!
How did she count it again? She couldn't keep up; this was a huge sum of money!
Zhizhi instantly felt it was burning hot. "I can't take it, Auntie, take it back!"
"Yes, yes." Jiang Anchao also felt it was somewhat inappropriate. "Commander, we are already very grateful that you asked Comrade Ji to help us find our child. We really can't give you this money!"
Although I had heard that the Ji family's children were all successful, I was still surprised when such a large stack of money was handed to me.
He was still terrified.
Is dealing in scrap steel in Northeast China really that profitable these days?
Ji Yining frowned slightly. "Keep it. I'll treat Zhizhi as my own daughter. From now on, she'll be my niece. If all else fails, I'll let her change her surname to Ji. Anyway... ...um!"
Before she could finish speaking, her father covered her mouth and told her to leave.
Ji Zeguo noticed that Jiang Anchao and his wife looked a little off. He pressed his temples and explained, "She's not married. She's just affectionate with the children. She doesn't mean anything by it. Please don't misunderstand."
Jiang Anchao reacted quickly and nodded immediately.
"Oh, I see. It's alright. Good fortune is always in the future. I also waited and waited for a long time before I finally met my love. Otherwise, I wouldn't have such a happy and fulfilling family."
He noticed the suspicion and unease in Deng Qiu's expression, and took the initiative to take her hand and pat it.
"Yes or no?"
Deng Qiu's face turned pale, and she managed a weak smile.
"right... ..."
Her concerned gaze remained fixed on Zhizhi. Even if she was foolish, she had at least understood some of what Miss Ji had said earlier.
The Ji family may be related to Zhizhi's biological mother, and they must have confirmed this through some means.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have directly referred to her as their niece.
Based on Commander Ji's previous reactions during his visit to our home, it should be... ...that's it.
A hint of hesitation flashed in Deng Qiu's eyes. She mustered her courage and looked at Commander Ji. "I have a question for you."
"Oh, go ahead."
Commander Ji was approachable and had no airs at all.
This attitude made Deng Qiu even more embarrassed to speak.
But for her daughter's sake, she was willing to risk it all. "Do you know Sang Lao Er? Or have you been to Sangjiapo?"
The atmosphere fell silent instantly upon hearing this.
Ji Zeguo's expression changed, and he remained silent for a long time.
After a while, just as Jiang Anchao realized something was wrong.
The old commander finally sighed. "Why do you ask that?"
Deng Qiu clenched her hands and finally asked nervously, "When I married into the family, I heard that Zhizhi's mother died in childbirth. But judging from your attitude towards Zhizhi, it doesn't seem like simple liking for her, but more like the affection between family members. So I want to ask you... do you know something?"
Ji Zeguo understood the implication in her words.
Actually, she wasn't asking if she knew Sang Lao Er, but rather if Zhi Zhi's mother was her daughter.
This problem put him in a dilemma.
If he answers yes, it will undoubtedly frighten Jiang Anchao and his wife, making them think that he will come and snatch the child away.
What about Zhizhi?
Does she genuinely like her grandfather, or is she afraid, or does she feel that she is only close to him because of blood ties?
Or perhaps, Zhizhi's status in the Jiang family would be even more awkward, since she has a maternal grandfather who is always watching over her.
Will it affect her relationship with her parents?
This is also the thing that bothers Ji Zeguo the most.
After a long, long time, Ji Zeguo spoke in a deep voice: "I did send people to Sangjiapo, but I didn't see Sang Lao Er. Don't worry, nothing you're worried about will happen. Since Zhizhi chose you as her parents, that fact will never change."
Deng Qiu's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled back into her stomach.
That's actually what she was most worried about.
It turns out I was overthinking things.
Commander Ji doesn't know Sang Lao Er, so he must... have no blood relation with Zhi Zhi.
Zhizhi listened in a daze, but with the intelligence of a three-and-a-half-year-old, she couldn't quite understand the adults' cryptic words.
What are they even talking about?
Why does Mom seem relieved?
Little Zhizhi stepped forward and took her mother's hand, trying to explain, "Grandpa is good to Zhizhi, it's from the bottom of his heart. We made a pinky promise to be best friends for life. Mom, don't worry, Grandpa is definitely not with bad Dad."
When Ji Zeguo personally denied having any blood relation with Zhizhi, his heart was practically bleeding.
But seeing the little cub talking to him, he felt gratified, and this bittersweet feeling kept pulling him back and forth.
This left him momentarily speechless.
Jiang Anchao wasn't stupid; he naturally noticed the complex emotions in everyone's expressions.
He simply stepped in to smooth things over, saying, "It's getting late, we should head back."
As he spoke, he picked up his eldest child and gestured for his wife to hold their daughter's hand.
"Commander, please take good care of yourself. We won't disturb you any longer. We still have a child at home."
"Okay, you can go back now."
Ji Zeguo forced a smile.
As he watched the family leave, Grandpa Ji stood in the hospital corridor, feeling the cold wind howling at his heart, chilling him to the bone.
Ji Yining sat on the bench with her legs crossed, and said nonchalantly, "You can't bear to part with him? If you really can't bear to part with him, then just accept him. Our Ji family isn't so poor that we can't support a child."
"Shut up." Ji Zeguo didn't listen to his daughter at all. His gaze was deep. "I have two sons and two daughters. Apart from Zhizhi, who survived outside, your sister-in-law lost both of her babies. What would I do with her if I brought her home?"
Perhaps the Ji family was never good at raising a child.
He only needs to know that Zhizhi is living happily in the Jiang family, why should he try to take her away?
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