A Little Trick, the Scumbag Dad Can't Hold the Knife After Understanding Love-Chapter 262

In the end, it was He Xiang who pushed the cart, while Shen Qingtang and Ji Nian were responsible for carrying things. As for Lu Jinghuai...

Well, he was in charge of looking pretty and paying the bill.

Gu Xiuyuan sat in the car, staring down at the messages he’d sent in the group chat.

Not a single reply. His brow furrowed slightly.

After school, he’d seen Shen Qingtang sneaking off toward the school gates with He Xiang like a pair of guilty dogs. He’d called out to them, only for them to sprint away even faster.

What were they up to?

He’d also wanted to ask Ji Nian why she’d taken Lu Jinghuai and skipped class.

"Young Master, the golf instructor for tonight has been replaced," a servant informed him.

Gu Xiuyuan’s expression remained unchanged.

Yesterday, during the lesson, the coach had tried to fish for information about the Gu family under the guise of casual conversation. He’d known then that he probably wouldn’t see the man again today.

"Understood," he replied coolly, turning his gaze to the window.

Outside, a group of students in school uniforms laughed and chatted while eating ice cream by the roadside.

Gu Xiuyuan could easily guess what they were discussing—probably the latest games, anime, complaining about how much homework they had, or where they should hang out later.

How boring...

---

"Get up."

Ji Nian blinked groggily, her first sight being Ji Tingzhou’s face looming way too close.

Once she was awake, Ji Tingzhou straightened up, grabbed her phone from the bedside table where it was charging, unplugged it, and shoved the screen in her face. "What time is it?"

Nine-thirty.

Rubbing her eyes, Ji Nian yawned, belatedly remembering that she’d asked Ji Tingzhou to wake her up last night.

After all, the pink turtle alarm clock she had would only repeat the same phrase endlessly: "Time to wake up, baby."

After so many years, she’d become immune to it.

Ji Tingzhou was far more effective.

Hugging her giant egg-shaped plushie, she nuzzled her chin against its head as her brain slowly booted up. "I’m getting up..." she mumbled, her words slurred.

She’d had too much to do last night and ended up sleeping late.

"Did Shen Qingtang wake up yet, Dad?"

Another yawn escaped her as her head drooped sleepily.

Ji Tingzhou motioned for the maids to come in and help Ji Nian wash up and get dressed. Before leaving, he tossed over his shoulder, "Shen Qingtang? She’s already graduated college."

Ji Nian: "......"

The sarcasm was unreal.

By the time she went downstairs, the makeup artist she’d booked had already arrived.

Shen Qingtang was lying back, letting the woman perform a facial treatment on her.

Ji Nian decided to skip the dining room and had breakfast brought to her there instead, even asking the beautician if she’d eaten yet.

The beautician was familiar with her—her mentor often handled Ji Tingzhou’s skincare, and she’d been coming to the Ji household since her apprenticeship days.

"Yes, Miss Ji," she replied with a smile, gesturing for her assistant to pass over the necessary tools. She glanced around curiously. "Where’s Big Egg?"

The maids nearby tensed. They’d considered warning the beautician beforehand, but Ji Nian had insisted it wasn’t necessary—Big Egg wasn’t some taboo subject for her.

Still, hearing the question made them nervous, bracing for Ji Nian’s reaction.

But Ji Nian simply replied, "Still asleep."

The beautician figured that made sense, given the early hour, though she did notice the odd shift in the room’s atmosphere and smoothly changed the subject. freeweɓnovel.cѳm

By the time Ji Nian and Shen Qingtang were fully prepped from head to toe, it was nearly four in the afternoon.

In their private "Niu Niu Birthday Planning" group chat, Ji Nian was buzzing with activity.

: Lu Jinghuai, He Xiang, how’s it going over there?

A moment later, Lu Jinghuai sent a photo.

It showed He Xiang sitting on a tiny stool, diligently inflating balloons with a hand pump.

Lu Jinghuai: Reporting to the commander—all systems normal.

Lu Jinghuai: doggy begging for praise.jpg

Shen Qingtang, who was doing final touch-ups nearby, chuckled.

"Just how many memes did you send him?"

Ji Nian smirked, replying with a quick "Received," then pocketed her phone. "All of them. Seems like he’s into it."

Shen Qingtang let out an "Oh," but her reflection in the mirror wore a knowing look.

---

That evening.

Birthdays at the Gu household had once been filled with childish whimsy—back when Gu Xiuyuan was five. But after he turned twelve, everything shifted to match adult standards.

Lavish, formal, a battlefield for grown-ups.

Gu Xiuyuan stood beside Gu Jing, exchanging pleasantries with guests who warranted personal attention.

"Uncle Cen," he greeted politely, shaking the man’s hand. "Did Cen Ke not come? I heard he’s nearly finished his eighth-level Gesp exam."

Mr. Cen’s smile deepened. "Ah, yes. That boy—he’s obsessed with learning. We offered to enroll him in classes, but he insisted on teaching himself."

"I recall Father mentioning that you also taught yourself finance when you left medicine for business."

At that, Mr. Cen’s crow’s feet crinkled further, pleased. He turned to Gu Jing.

"You’ve ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‍raised Xiuyuan well. So composed for his age. Once he takes over the Gu family, you’ll have nothing to worry about."

Gu Jing chuckled, patting his son’s shoulder. "He still has much to learn."

A pause. "But yes, I’ll rest easy knowing the family’s future is in his hands."

After seeing off Mr. Cen, Gu Jing glanced at his son.

Poised, mature, speaking like an adult—over the years, Gu Xiuyuan had excelled in every aspect, growing far beyond the child he’d once been.

Good news: Under his strict upbringing, his son was shaping up to be a proper heir.

"Father, for my birthday next year, could we decorate the venue to inspire bowel movements? The lights are too bright—I feel constipated."

Gu Jing: "......"

Bad news: He might be losing his mind.

As the party filled with guests, Gu Xiuyuan kept glancing toward the entrance.

Had they forgotten to come?

Or had Ji Nian gotten stomachaches halfway and stopped to relieve herself in the bushes?

Just as the thought crossed his mind, a server approached and whispered something in his ear.

The ever-composed young master’s eyes lit up instantly.

"Tell Father that Ji Nian’s here."

That way, his sudden departure wouldn’t raise questions.

With that, he quickened his pace, heading upstairs.

The upper floor had rooms reserved for guests. Gu Xiuyuan strode straight to one guarded by attendants and stepped inside.

Inside, Shen Qingtang and Ji Nian sat on a sofa, pointing at something on the table.

"What are you two doing?"

They turned to him, grinning in unison. "Happy birthday~"

Then, as if it were nothing: "Just chatting."

"Go enjoy the party," Gu Xiuyuan said. "I’ve already spoken to Father and Grandmother—they won’t hover over you. You’ll be treated like any other guest."

His eyes skimmed over Ji Nian’s outfit, and he gave a satisfied nod.

Ji Nian beckoned him closer. "I need a favor. Let me finish this first, then I’ll join you downstairs."

She motioned for him to lean in.

---

Meanwhile, Zheng Jianjun had just taken a sip of champagne while marveling at the Gu family’s grandeur.

Out of nowhere, a man who was unmistakably a bodyguard appeared, grabbed him without a word, and whisked him away.

Zheng Jianjun’s heart lurched—but he quickly steadied himself.

No, this was the Gu estate. There was no way he was being kidnapped.

Someone must want to see him.

But who?