Chapter 12: Your Father Doesn’t Want You Anymore!

The moment the words left her mouth, Xu Zhiqiao regretted them.

She shouldn’t have insulted Ji Shou.

Ji Shou was an elder—and had treated her better than her own Father. No matter how angry she was, she shouldn’t have dragged him into it.

Ji Huailuo stared at her, stunned. “What the hell?!”

“What the hell? Hell, hell—hell your damn self!” Xu Zhiqiao snapped, swiping angrily at her tears, her voice trembling with the last of her fury. “If you’ve got so much time to come at me, maybe spend it hoping your dad and my mom don’t have a second child. Because if they do—and that baby’s carrying the Ji family name—don’t blame anyone when your dad doesn’t want you anymore!” “…” Ji Huailuo was momentarily at a loss. “Then your mom won’t want you either.”

Xu Zhiqiao shot back, “I’m not afraid. I’m already grown!”

“…” Ji Huailuo held back. “And I’m not?”

Xu Zhiqiao gave him a mocking little laugh. “You act like an idiot every day—immature as hell.”

“…”

She bent down to pick up the things on the floor, turned, and stormed into her room, slamming the door shut behind her.

The sweet scent wafting from the girl’s room felt like a slap to Ji Huailuo’s face.

The spot where Ji Shou had hit him earlier still ached faintly.

Ji Huailuo pressed his tongue to his cheek, half-agitated, half amused.

Just as he turned to leave, something caught his eye.

At the corner of the wall, where the light didn’t reach, an anime character badge lay quietly on the floor.

She must’ve dropped it when she threw her things at him.

Ji Huailuo picked it up between two fingers and sneered, slipping it casually into his pocket.

Watching Boonie Bears, hiding snacks in the couch, collecting anime merch, and crying at the drop of a hat.

And he’s the one who’s supposed to be the idiot?

—

The next day at noon, Ji Shou and Xu Shu returned home together.

It was a rare occasion for the whole family to gather at the dining table.

Er De was tied up in the Backyard. Ji Shou reluctantly gave in. “Just don’t let it near your Little Sister.”

“I won’t, Uncle,” Xu Zhiqiao quickly offered, trying to avoid more trouble. “Er De’s very well-behaved. He’s a retired military dog—super cool.”

Ji Shou smiled affectionately.

Ji Huailuo gave a cold snort.

Of course.

Always knowing just how to win people over.

Halfway through the meal, Xu Zhiqiao lifted her head from her bowl, hesitated for a moment, and spoke in a soft, cautious tone. “Mom… Uncle… I found a part-time job.”

The moment she finished, everyone at the table put down their chopsticks.

Xu Shu frowned. “What’s going on? Are you short on money?”

“No, no,” Xu Zhiqiao waved her hands quickly, “I met two new friends at the convention. Crazy coincidence—they’re also freshmen at Shenzhen University…”

Before she could finish, Xu Shu cut her off sternly. “No. Mom will give you more allowance every month. You don’t need to earn your own money.”

“…”

Xu Zhiqiao’s lips parted, but she couldn’t say anything.

“Qiaoqiao,” Ji Shou said kindly, “you’re still young. What if those friends aren’t who they seem?”

But Xu Zhiqiao didn’t want to stay in the Ji house all day.

“I already agreed to go with them,” she tried to explain. “It’s just a milk tea shop near Shenzhen University. Paid hourly…”

Xu Shu was firm. “It’s not up for discussion.”

“…”

Silence.

“But I finally made new friends,” Xu Zhiqiao lowered her head, tears slipping down without warning. “And they’re willing to include me…”

Ji Huailuo’s mouth twitched.

Xu Shu sighed, clearly torn. “Which shop? Take me there. I want to speak with the owner myself and make sure it’s safe.”

Sensing her mother softening, Xu Zhiqiao quickly wiped away her tears. Her eyes sparkled, still damp. “Okay!”

Ji Huailuo watched, stunned by the performance.

—

The owner of the milk tea shop was a recent Shenzhen University graduate. With the semester about to begin, business had started to pick up, and they needed a few student workers.

The job was light—three hours a day, fifteen yuan an hour.

Xu Shu didn’t care about the money. But Xu Zhiqiao insisted, saying it wasn’t about money; she needed the experience—and the social interaction.

Xu Shu let out a long sigh, worried about her health.

Xu Zhiqiao promised repeatedly that she could handle it. Finally, Xu Shu stroked her head, her emotions mixed and complicated. “If you ever feel wronged here at the Ji house, Mom can always reconsider things with your Uncle Ji…”

“I’m not being mistreated!” Xu Zhiqiao tensed. “Everything’s fine!”

Xu Shu stared at her. “Then why is your suitcase still lying open? You just grab clothes as you need them, wash one piece at a time?”

“…” Xu Zhiqiao pressed her lips together. “Classes are starting soon… I’ve just been lazy…”

Ji Shou treated her well. And even better, he treated Xu Shu with tenderness and care.

Xu Shu had suffered for most of her life, staying single all those years for her sake.

Now, finally, she had someone who truly loved her and shared her worldview. Xu Zhiqiao didn’t want to be the reason she lost that happiness.

Xu Shu said nothing for a long moment.

Then, her expression unreadable, she finally said, “Mom bought you a small apartment nearby. If you ever feel down, Baobao, you can go there. Mom will come keep you company—no one else will.”

After a pause, she added, “I didn’t use any of the Ji family’s money. This is something I saved for you before I even married your Uncle Ji.”

The heat around Xu Zhiqiao’s eyes was unbearable. She choked out a nod, barely holding it together.

—

The Young Master of the Zhou Family turning twenty-two was a big deal, but the old Zhou patriarch hated extravagance and refused to allow any lavish celebration.

So, the family gathered for a modest lunch. As for the evening—it was all Zhou Cong’s.

Zhou Cong lived alone, his place located at the luxurious Qili Residence in the heart of Shenzhen City’s CBD—where every square foot was worth a fortune. It was convenient for both work and life.

Though the old man was frugal, he genuinely doted on his grandson.

A whole crew of his wild friends showed up to celebrate.

“Old Master gave you his favorite racecourse? Damn, that’s serious love,” someone marveled. “Let the brothers come ride sometime!”

The front door was open. Zhou Cong glanced outside. “Where’s Huailuo?”

“Who knows? His dad just switched his position. Probably busy with work.”

“Forget the racecourse—Ah Cong has one of his own. The real prize is the Chixia Mountain inside it. There’s a saker falcon there—wild and untamed. If you could train that thing, now that would be fun.”

Hua Qingyang toyed with a jeweled dagger. “Why are there two cakes?”

“One from the Old Master,” Zhen Chuang explained. “And the other from his mom.”

The “mom” in question was Wu Shoufang, Zhou Cong’s mother.

Just then, the private elevator leading to the foyer dinged open. Ji Huailuo stepped out.

Hua Qingyang raised an eyebrow. “We still heading to Chixia later or what?”

Ji Huailuo looked worn out. “I’m skipping. If I have free time, I’d rather sleep.”

“Come on,” Zhen Chuang said, displeased. “You’re twenty-two. If you don’t party now, when will you?”

Amid the noise, Zhou Cong stood silently, watching the elevator doors close.

His gaze slid toward Ji Huailuo, expression unreadable. “You came alone?”

“Consider it a favor,” Ji Huailuo said casually. “You have no idea how busy business development is right now…”

“Where’s your sister?” Zhou Cong suddenly asked.

At that, Ji Huailuo’s mood soured. “Off working a part-time job. All for fifteen yuan an hour.”

Zhen Chuang and Hua Qingyang echoed, “Part-time job???”

The word sounded utterly foreign to them.

Ji Huailuo fumed, “I go out early and come back late every day, yet I can only make fifty yuan a day…”

Zhou Cong interrupted, “Isn’t that exactly what you wanted?”

“…” Ji Huailuo choked on his words.

A moment later, as noise filled the room, Zhen Chuang shouted, “Ah Cong, where you going?”

Zhou Cong picked up one of the cakes and headed out, leaving only his back to them. “Going to spend my mother’s day of labor with her. You guys clean up when you’re done.”

“…”