Chapter 20 Is your father...?
Chapter Nineteen
Lu Yu Nian could never be this little boy's stepfather, and he had absolutely no interest in his father.
Strangely enough, he was always cold-hearted and never paid attention to things outside of his plans. He could have easily left, but he was willing to protect the little boy's innocence and talk to him for so long, not wanting to hurt him.
But that doesn't mean the mistake should continue; he had to stop it before things got any worse.
"How about I take you to see a policeman? He'll take you home. Your dad will be very worried about you being out for so long."
When Ji Yanyan saw her stepfather about to run away, she immediately panicked. Her chubby little hands tightly gripped the man's fingers, and she snuggled into his arms. "Uncle, please wait a little longer, okay? I'll find him soon!"
Lu Yunian's expression remained unchanged, his eyes devoid of any emotion, as he calmly looked at Ji Yanyan.
"Uncle, please just take a look. I really want you to be my stepfather!" Ji Yanyan's eyes darted around.
He was spoiled and pampered, and was a bit of a wimp. He liked to express his emotions in extreme ways, but at the same time, he had a smart little brain. He could clearly sense that the strange uncle in front of him did not love him. Lying on the ground and acting spoiled was useless and would only scare away the stepfather he had finally found.
He tilted his head, couldn't help but pout, and after thinking for a while, a good idea suddenly popped into his head.
Her thick, curly eyelashes trembled wildly, and she even tried to squeeze out a few tears. She pitifully tugged at the man's finger and shook it coquettishly: "Uncle, Yan Yan begs you, please begs you."
As the saying goes, "One who stays near ink gets stained black, and one who stays near tea gets stained black." Ji Yanyan had learned her brother's secret technique, but she was still too immature and her acting was very clumsy. Lu Yunian saw through her at a glance.
It's rare to see a child find their own stepfather, and even rarer to see a child faking tears and putting on a show.
Lu Yunian suddenly became curious about his father, wanting to know what kind of family environment could have fostered such a clever and brave personality.
A certain part of him was stirring, and he couldn't help but agree: "Okay, I won't leave."
Ji Yanyan's eyes lit up immediately. She completely forgot that he was acting and excitedly rummaged through her bag, occasionally stealing glances at Lu Yu Nian, as if afraid that he would run away.
"I found it!" Ji Yanyan held it up in front of Lu Yu Nian and introduced it with great fanfare: "This is my dad. Isn't he super handsome? He's the most handsome man I've ever seen!"
Lu Yunian looked down, his eyebrows twitching uncontrollably, and he squinted.
Ji Yanyan looked at him expectantly, unable to hide her excitement: "See? I wasn't wrong, was I? You really like my dad."
Lu Yu Nian remained silent for a long time before shifting his gaze and looking up at Ji Yan Yan: "This painting..."
The child's brushstrokes were immature, the lines were strange and grotesque, the person in the drawing was disheveled by the wind, his hair was sticking up, and two dark eyes stared straight at him, taking up most of his face.
It had nothing to do with being good-looking, and was even quite strange, but Lu Yu Nian, mindful of the child's feelings, simply said, "He's good-looking, he has big eyes."
Ji Yanyan didn't know what politeness was. She blinked rapidly, her emotions written all over her face, and couldn't help but rush over and hug the man's leg.
Just like him!
No wonder he carefully chose his stepfather!!
Ji Yanyan couldn't help but show off, lifting the brim of her hat and beckoning to the man with her finger, "Dad, come here."
Lu Yu Nian: "..."
The little boy was far too familiar with strangers, already calling him "Dad." He suppressed the urge to deny it and half-squatted down.
"Dad's eyes are just as beautiful as mine!" Ji Yanyan frantically blinked her eyes, eagerly awaiting the man's praise.
But all he got in return was silence.
His stepfather seemed to have gone mad, staring at him blankly. The blue-gray hue in his eyes became even more intense, no longer lifeless. Even though Ji Yanyan was still a child who couldn't read people's expressions, he could sense the fluctuation in his emotions.
Hmph, his eyes are really beautiful, aren't you captivated by his beauty?
Ji Yanyan thoughtfully moved even closer so he could see her more clearly.
"You..." When he spoke again, Lu Yu Nian's voice was somewhat hoarse.
He knew it was impossible, but those eyes made a figure uncontrollably appear in his mind.
This figure hasn't appeared for a long time, not even in my dreams. She's as resolute as she was back then; I've long been disgusted with him and don't even want to see him in my dreams anymore.
But those eyes are so similar.
Ji Yanyan's little hand was suddenly grabbed. He was willing to be close to his future stepfather, but the force was too strong and it hurt a little.
He waved his hand, but the strength of a child and an adult man were not on the same level. The man's hand was like an iron hook, not moving an inch. He was a little scared and shrank back. "Uncle, uncle, what's wrong with you?"
He was interrupted before he could finish speaking, "Those eyes...is your father...?"
Ji Yanyan could no longer hear what was being said. She bit her lower lip tightly and tried to move away.
In a moment of panic, Lu Yu Nian revealed his domineering and forceful aura, which children are quite sensitive to, stirring up their deepest fears.
"Let me go! Let me go!!" Just as he was struggling and about to cry, he suddenly heard someone calling his name.
"Yan Yan?"
Ji Yanyan turned around abruptly and ran over as if she had seen a savior: "Grandma, I want to go home, please take me home."
Lu Yunian looked up when he heard the sound and saw an unfamiliar old woman staring at him warily, her hands protecting the child behind her back in a protective posture.
He couldn't find the figure in the depths of his memory, and as far as he knew, the man's mother had passed away, so if the child was related to him, he couldn't possibly have a grandmother.
He misunderstood.
Lu Yunian realized that he had just lost his composure and frightened the little boy. In an instant, he regained his polite demeanor, walked over to greet the old man, squatted down, looked the little boy at eye level, and apologized sincerely without the arrogance of an adult, "I just frightened you. It was my fault. I'm sorry."
Lu Yu-nian's good manners were ingrained in his bones. Although he seemed distant, he didn't seem like a bad person at all. Ji Yan-yan and the neighbor lady simultaneously lowered their guard.
Ji Yanyan was a brave little boy. He timidly peeked out from behind and looked at Lu Yunian with curiosity.
I don't know who he inherited it from, but his infatuation is too obvious. The moment he saw the man's face, he forgot everything and chuckled foolishly, "It's okay, Uncle, what happened to you just now? Were you sick?"
Lu Yu Nian's tone was inexplicably bitter, "Uncle is sick, he's been sick for a long time."
Ji Yanyan blinked, her expression full of reluctance, but she still sighed deeply: "Then Uncle should rest well, and come back to be my stepfather after you get better."
Upon hearing the word "stepfather," the neighbor lady coughed violently in shock, her expression strange, her gaze shifting back and forth between the two figures, one large and one small.
This mudslinging is impossible to wash away, but fortunately, children speak without thinking, and no one really cares. Lu Yu Nian just smiled and said, "Next time we meet, after getting your father's permission, I'll buy you ice cream."
...
Ji Yanyan didn't understand what politeness meant. She only remembered that the man promised to buy her ice cream next time. Even after he had walked away, he stood on tiptoe, looking on with reluctance and waving from time to time.
The neighbor lady couldn't hold back any longer and coughed twice. "Yan Yan, why are you here all alone? Who is this person? Is your father planning to remarry, and this is his new girlfriend?"
Hearing so many questions finally snapped Ji Yanyan out of her self-absorbed reverie about finding a stepfather.
Why is he here...? He ran away secretly. Dad is still at home. Could he have already woken up? Waaaaah, I'm so scared.
****
This season, Zhi Qiu slept so soundly that she forgot everything else and was oblivious to the world around her. Although she finally woke up, she was still dreaming. She sat there for a while with drowsy eyes before feeling a little better. She rubbed her numb temples as she walked out.
He was extremely thirsty and drank half a glass of water in one gulp. Just as he was about to pour himself another glass, there was a sudden knock on the door.
Ji Zhi Qiu walked over with a puzzled look on her face. She saw through the peephole that it was her neighbor, an elderly woman, and immediately opened the door: "Auntie, is there something you need?"
The neighbor lady had a very strange expression. After giving him a deep look, she pushed the little figure hidden behind her back forward.
This scene is quite familiar, except that the last time the neighbor brought him back, it was his eldest son.
Ji Zhi Qiu suddenly realized something and looked at Ji Yan Yan in surprise.
The neighbor couldn't help but chime in, "This child has gone very far. Luckily, I ran into him when I went out to visit someone today, otherwise it would have been a real problem. Yan Yan is so young, it's easy for him to run into bad people when he's out alone."
Just thinking about that scene made Ji Zhi Qiu break out in a cold sweat. She repeatedly thanked the neighbor lady and noticed her hesitation: "Is there anything else you want to say to me?"
"I don't mean to pry into your personal life, but have you gotten a boyfriend recently?" the elderly neighbor said.
Ji Zhi Qiu was completely confused. "Huh? I have a boyfriend? How come I didn't know?!"
"..." The neighbor patted Ji Yanyan's head and advised, "Yanyan is just concerned about you. Don't be too angry. Talk things over calmly. Don't resort to violence."
"Concerned about me? What are you talking about?" Just like last time when Ji Zishen secretly slipped out, Ji Zhiqi was still kept in the dark and couldn't understand a word.
In front of the child, the neighbor lady couldn't say it outright, so she stepped forward and lowered her voice, "Yan Yan wants to find herself a stepfather."
Ji Zhi Qiu stared wide-eyed at Ji Yan Yan, who was shrinking back and hiding awkwardly behind her, a series of question marks popping into her head: "This...then...my...stepfather?!"
The two adults exchanged a glance, both with expressions of misery, and remained silent.
"It's good that the child is back safe and sound. I'll head back now." The elderly neighbor couldn't stand the atmosphere any longer and turned to leave.
Ji Zhi Qiu barely managed to maintain a semblance of composure, thanking her repeatedly and warmly escorting the elderly neighbor back home. Once the door was closed, the expression on his face vanished instantly.
"Ji! Yan! Yan!!" he said through gritted teeth, enunciating each word clearly.
Ji Yanyan instinctively sensed danger, shuddered, and tried to run downstairs, but Ji Zhi Qiu grabbed her by the back of the neck and threw her into the room.
The door slammed shut.
Ji Zhi Qiu's aura was like that of a demon. Ji Yan Yan was usually unruly and unruly, but when he realized that his father was really angry, he became obedient, twisting his fingers and looking at him pitifully, trying to launch an adorable attack.
Ji Zhi Qiu wasn't buying it. She put her hands on her hips and said, "I didn't know you cared so much about my personal life. You went out and found a stepfather yourself. Should I thank you? You're so filial, it's killing me!"
Ji Yanyan's eyes darted around, and she tentatively said, "No need to thank me. My stepfather is really good to me, and he likes you a lot. I believe you will like him too."
"..." The feeling of suffocation came in waves, and Ji Zhi Qiu almost couldn't catch her breath.
"What's going on in your little head? How dare you run out by yourself..." Ji Zhi Qiu suddenly realized something was wrong as he said this.
Ji Yanyan is purely a bully at home. She is very attached to him and always wants to hold his hand and be affectionate when they are out. It's impossible that she would sneak out for no reason and then choose a stepfather herself.
Ji Zhi Qiu suddenly calmed down, her brows furrowing: "You..."
He had just uttered a single word when there was a sudden knock on the door.
He could only swallow the words on the tip of his tongue, quickly walked to the door, and opened it without even looking to see who was outside.
Very few people would come at this time, but the person standing outside the door was someone he never expected.
"Zishen, why are you back?!"
Ji Zishen only glanced at him briefly before his gaze fell behind him, as if searching for something. When he caught sight of Ji Yanyan's small figure, his emotions shifted several times before he strode forward.
Ji Zhi Qiu was left standing at the door. He slowly closed the door and turned to look at his two eldest sons.
Calm down... calm down my ass! One ran away from home, and the other skipped school—are you trying to turn the world upside down?!
Am I not going to live like this anymore?!
His anger surged to the top of his head. Ji Zhi Qiu was about to roar when he turned around and saw his two eldest sons standing obediently, glancing at him timidly with misty eyes.
"Dad, I'm sorry."
"Dad, I know I was wrong."
Ji Zhi Qiu: "..."
His anger was forced to remain trapped in his chest, unable to rise or fall, and he couldn't utter a curse.
Ji Yanyan ran over and hugged his leg softly, tilting her little face up and starting to use her cuteness to attack him: "Daddy, I really don't dare to do it again. I'm also very scared outside."
As he was talking, he remembered something and started to feel wronged. His eyes instantly reddened, and he sobbed, trying to wipe his snot on Ji Zhi Qiu's pants.
Ji Zhi Qiu's brow twitched uncontrollably twice, and she easily pushed the sticky ball away with one finger. "Don't try anything funny with me, I'm not buying it."
Ji Zhi Qiu sat on the sofa with his arms crossed and his face expressionless, coldly scrutinizing his two eldest sons: "Which of you will confess first, and why did you do this?"
Ji Yanyan, being young and impatient, was about to speak up when she suddenly glanced at her older brother beside her, shook her head vigorously, and pulled her chin back, looking very loyal.
Ji Zhi Qiu vaguely guessed what was going on and looked at Ji Zi Shen beside him.
Ji Zishen's face was deathly pale, and he looked as if he had just been pulled out of the water. His hair was wet and stuck to his temples, and his lips trembled a couple of times, but he couldn't make a sound.
Without needing to admit it personally, Ji Zhi Qiu had already guessed the general idea: Ji Yan Yan was instigated by Ji Zi Shen to sneak out, and Ji Zi Shen did this to get revenge on him.
But why exactly?
He believed he had done his best, and had taken care of Ji Zishen's sensitive heart, trying to bring him back to the right path.
Ji Zhi Qiu frowned slightly, not wanting to continue playing games. "Just say it, don't waste time here."
Ji Zishen trembled uncontrollably, still standing conscious, but his eyes were unfocused, as if he were trapped in a nightmare. "I was wrong, don't send me away, I will be a good boy."
Ji Zhi Qiu stared blankly at his reflection in Ji Yan Yan's eyes. It was clearly him, but his face was blurry. Several different figures overlapped together, representing his previous adoptive parents, who were also the source of his nightmares.
Although Ji Zishen is precocious and can manipulate adults at such a young age, Ji Zhi Qiu knows that he is not pretending or acting. He is genuinely afraid, knows he has made a mistake, and wants to repent.
The education of children has always been a thorny issue. Excessive indulgence can lead them astray, but excessive force can leave indelible scars on their young minds.
The ultimate goal of education is to make them realize their mistakes and repent in time, rather than to vent their emotions or show off their power for a moment.
Everyone has gone through that stage since childhood. If you've been rained on, you should hold an umbrella for others. How can you tear the umbrella to pieces?
Seeing Ji Zishen like this, Ji Zhiqi couldn't bring herself to say anything harsh.
Since they both know the truth, let's not bring it up again and make things too ugly.
He took a breath and tried to calm himself down: "Alright, anyone can say a verbal apology, but what's more important is what you do afterward."
Ji Yanyan gets all excited when she gets a little sunshine, and she clings to it all the time. She says the outside world is so scary. "I will never sneak out by myself again. The uncles outside are fat and ugly, and their bellies are bigger than the pregnant aunties. I want that stepfather."
Ji Zhi Qiu: "..." Oh, still thinking about that wild man outside, no, that wild stepfather.
He said sourly, "Who is this person that you like so much?"
Ji Yanyan couldn't help but swoon over the idea after just a moment's thought. In her eagerness to win over this stepfather, she gestured with her hands, "He's tall, big, handsome, super handsome!"
Ji Zhi Qiu almost rolled her eyes.
He's so young but already a sucker for good looks, I wonder who he took after... ah, I think it's him.
But Ji Zhi Qiu didn't believe in children's aesthetics and couldn't imagine anyone being that handsome. She reached out and flicked his forehead. "Remember this: the most handsome person in the world is your dad. No one is good enough for me. Don't even think about this so-called stepfather anymore. It's impossible!"
Ji Yanyan looked unconvinced, pouting and blowing bubbles, but one glare from Ji Zhi Qiu immediately made him submit to her tyranny. He cupped his face and grinned foolishly, "Yes, Daddy is the most handsome. I have Daddy, that's enough."
Ji Yanyan made a mistake, but ultimately he was used as a pawn. Based on Ji Zhi Qiu's understanding of his eldest son, he wouldn't dare to sneak out again.
His expression remained unchanged as he turned to look at Ji Zishen, "And you?"
Adults are often ashamed to reveal their inner thoughts, and even at such a young age, Ji Zishen had erected high walls in his heart. He really didn't know how to start the conversation, so he simply said, "That envelope... I received it. I misunderstood. I'm sorry, it was all my fault, and I will never do it again."
He bit his lower lip, glanced quickly at Ji Zhi Qiu, and then lowered his head in embarrassment. "This is my home, and you are my father. I want to stay. I won't hurt you."
Ji Zishen is a master of smooth talk and deception, able to fool people completely, but he would never go to this extent.
Then there's only one possibility: he's serious.
Ji Zhi Qiu was stunned. He hadn't expected that he had unknowingly opened a crack in Ji Zi Shen's hardened heart and was able to see into his heart.
It's truly remarkable that a minor villain could go to such lengths. Pursuing the matter further might backfire. Ji Zhi Qiu took a deep breath and softened her tone, "I can sense that you genuinely know you were wrong. Remember your promises, and I'll be watching closely. Don't let me down."
***
Ji Yanyan was carefree and not afraid of being snubbed. After a while, she stuck to him, being very affectionate, like a stubborn plaster that couldn't be peeled off.
Ji Zhi Qiu had no choice but to turn a blind eye and stop making things difficult for Ji Zi Shen. Although the atmosphere at home was still strange, the matter was considered closed.
The next day was still a school day. Ji Zhi Qiu's biological clock was very strong, and she got up as usual. She wanted to make breakfast for Ji Zi Shen, but she didn't expect to smell the tempting aroma of food as soon as she opened the door.
Ji Zishen, wearing a small apron, came out of the kitchen carrying steamed buns. When he saw Ji Zhiqi, he smiled awkwardly and said, "Dad, I made breakfast. Try it and see if you like it."
Ji Zhi Qiu stared dumbfounded at the overly lavish breakfast on the table, then looked at the somewhat awkward Ji Zi Shen, and suddenly understood.
The minor villain is expressing his apology in this way, and even more so, trying to make amends.
"Okay, I'll wash my hands and come right away."
When Ji Zhi Qiu returned to the dining table, her expression was tense, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up.
He's amazing!
Having subdued the minor villain effortlessly and brought him back to the right path, changing the final outcome is just around the corner.
Ji Zhi Qiu was thrilled. She took a big bite of the bun, her eyes lighting up. "So delicious! I could eat five of them in one go!"
Ji Zishen was drinking soup when he heard this. His reaction was so quick it was almost a reflex. He brought his chin up, lifted his eyelids, and looked up at Ji Zhiqi, his shoulders slumping.
"Breakfast is made especially for Dad. I'm glad he likes it. I'm not his only son. I don't know how they do it, but I sincerely want to make things better for Dad."
Ji Zhi Qiu: "..." Was it his imagination? How could he smell tea?
He looked at Ji Zishen and inadvertently caught a glimpse of Ji Zishen closing his eyes tightly, looking extremely regretful. After noticing Ji Zhiqi's gaze, he felt as if struck by lightning, and after holding back for three seconds, he gave an awkward smile.
Ji Zishen: "..." Sorry, I'm used to it.
Ji Zhi Qiu: "..." I understand, I understand.
The two exchanged a glance, their unspoken message unspoken.
They lowered their heads in tacit agreement, and for a moment only the crisp sound of the spoon hitting the bowl could be heard. Ji Zhi Qiu's head was almost buried in the bowl.
Sigh, I was careless.
A leopard can't change its spots; he has a long way to go in teaching the three little villains well.
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