A Little Trick, the Scumbag Dad Can't Hold the Knife After Understanding Love-Chapter 264

After seeing Zheng Jianjun off and dismissing the bodyguard, Ji Nian relaxed her posture and leaned back on the sofa.

Sun Xiao...

Zheng Jianjun had only provided this name. When pressed for more details, he refused to say anything further, even showing a determination to swallow the supposed poison if Ji Nian continued to interrogate him—as if he were terrified of something.

Ji Nian quietly noted this and arranged for someone to keep an eye on Zheng Jianjun, lest he disappear into hiding later.

She then had her people investigate the name "Sun Xiao," and sure enough, they uncovered more information.

For instance, this Sun Xiao had gone missing for a year a decade ago, only to suddenly reappear out of nowhere. He had fabricated a fake identity under the name Wang Zhiping and somehow obtained a large sum of cash, which he used to build a house in his hometown, marry, and start a family.

But his good fortune didn’t last long. Before he could enjoy his newfound stability, he was swindled by acquaintances, losing all his money and falling into massive debt.

Uneducated, unskilled, and with forged identification documents, he had no choice but to flee his hometown and work as a laborer at construction sites.

Earlier reports described him as taciturn and withdrawn, likely due to the psychological scars left by betrayal.

"The investigation shows he treated his family well. Even in such dire circumstances, his wife never chose to divorce him," the voice on the other end of the phone reported.

Ji Nian stood in a corner of the banquet hall, listening.

"Mm. Find out the exact current address of his family. Detailed."

The person on the line didn’t ask why she needed the precise location, simply acknowledging the request.

After hanging up, Ji Nian pressed her fingers against the windowpane, lost in thought.

She had reviewed the autopsy report repeatedly, but nothing seemed amiss. The toxins had been cleared, yet he had suddenly died without any prior medical history. It almost seemed like the antidote had failed, resulting in his death.

Just then, the address of Sun Xiao’s family arrived.

Ji Nian glanced at it, her brow lifting slightly.

"Huh?"

She asked the person to book her a flight, then pocketed her phone and turned to face Gu Xiuyuan and Shen Qingtang, who had come looking for her.

"Birthday boy."

Hearing her call him that, Gu Xiuyuan flushed slightly in embarrassment. "You’ve finished handling your business?"

Ji Nian nodded. "Thanks for lending me your people."

Even though they knew the bottle contained nothing but water from the bathroom sink, they had acted as if it were real poison—fierce and indifferent, their acting impeccable.

Gu Xiuyuan didn’t ask what she had needed from the real estate developer, chatting with her briefly before Gu Jing sent someone to fetch him.

"I’ll head over now."

He sighed at Ji Nian and Shen Qingtang before turning away, instantly reverting to the aloof Young Master Gu.

Gu Xiuyuan’s birthday party inevitably included classmates from school. Since the three of them were close, even his classmates knew Ji Nian and Shen Qingtang.

"Ji Nian, Shen Qingtang, you’re here too!"

A group of girls approached to greet them, their gazes lingering momentarily on the two girls’ dresses.

In previous years, Shen Qingtang had attended Gu Xiuyuan’s birthday parties, but Ji Nian’s presence was rare.

Though Ji Nian’s family circumstances weren’t the best, her appearance here didn’t seem out of place. After all, she and Gu Xiuyuan were close, and receiving a personal invitation from him wasn’t unusual.

Despite her youth, she carried herself with the poise of a young woman from an established family.

"We’ll catch up later, seniors."

As the girls walked away, one of them couldn’t help but glance back and whisper, "Don’t you think Ji Nian’s choker looks familiar?"

"The one that sold for 150 million at the Wesya auction in Country C two years ago? The one bought by a mysterious bidder?"

"Yeah, that one! But Ji Nian’s family isn’t..."

She trailed off tactfully.

"It’s probably a replica. The design isn’t unique, and the ruby could be a similar stone set with comparable craftsmanship."

"I think so too. But on Ji Nian, it looks like the real thing."

"I know what you mean. She’s just so stunning—I actually noticed her eyes first before the choker..."

Shen Qingtang maintained a flawless smile as she watched them leave, then turned away and rubbed her cheeks.

"My face hurts from smiling."

She ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‍sighed to Ji Nian, "Gu Xiuyuan really has it tough, having to talk to people like this every day."

Ji Nian nodded in agreement.

"Not many people in the world can be like our Zhouzhou, who never spares a kind glance for anyone."

Shen Qingtang tugged at her hand, laughing. "Uncle Ji is in a league of his own."

"Almost time. I just called the little crown prince—he said it’s about ready."

"Oh, right, we still need to ask for a bottle of champagne."

Ji Nian stopped her. "I already got one."

"And a few other things while I was at it."

Knowing she had taken care of it, the two went to find Gu Xiuyuan.

Along the way, they exchanged polite, measured greetings with anyone who approached, their words and actions as precise as if measured by a ruler.

"Leaving already? So soon."

Gu Xiuyuan was taken aback when he heard their plans.

In previous years, the two had stayed until the end. Why were they leaving so early this time?

Well...

This place was boring. Waiting around for him wasn’t as good as going home.

He quickly adjusted his faintly disappointed expression and nodded. "Makes sense. Go get some rest—there’s still a long night ahead."

"I’ll have someone see you out."

As he watched Ji Nian and Shen Qingtang leave, he suddenly felt his weariness intensify. But when the next guest approached, he turned with the same impeccable composure of Young Master Gu.

"Hello."

The party ended, and the guests dispersed.

Gu Xiuyuan gazed at the emptying venue, an inexplicable sense of loss settling over him.

He thought Ji Nian and Shen Qingtang must have already returned home by now, probably lying in bed, chatting before sleep...

"Young Master, the gifts you received this year..."

Gu Xiuyuan tugged at the tie that had constrained him all evening, his voice cool. "Store them in the vault."

"Except for Ji Nian and Shen Qingtang’s—bring theirs to my room."

The butler hesitated.

Under Gu Xiuyuan’s questioning gaze, he lowered his voice. "Young Master..."

"Miss Ji and Miss Shen... didn’t bring anything this year."

Gu Xiuyuan paused mid-step.

"I see."

Maybe they forgot...

He continued toward his room, his steps lacking their usual energy. freēnovelkiss.com

His gaze, usually fixed straight ahead, dropped slightly today—whether from exhaustion or something else, he wasn’t sure.

He stared at the patterns on the carpet, lost in thought.

As he pushed open his door, he was still thinking:

Ah, today is finally over—

"You’re so slow, Gu Xiuyuan. Took you long enough."

"This game is really fun. How come you never shared it with me? I’m taking the cartridge, by the way."

Still in a daze, Gu Xiuyuan froze at the familiar voice.

Slowly, mechanically, he lifted his head.

What greeted his eyes were Shen Qingtang and Ji Nian lounging in his room as if it were their own home—one sitting on his bed in casual clothes, absorbed in a game, the other sprawled on the sofa with her legs dangling over the armrest.

Noticing his bewildered expression, the two girls approached him, clothes in hand.

Gu Xiuyuan found the outfit vaguely familiar—likely something from his own wardrobe.

"Hurry up, put it on! We’re running out of time!"

When he remained frozen in place, Ji Nian rolled up her sleeves and went straight for his suit jacket, tugging at it to strip it off him.

Gu Xiuyuan reacted like a flustered maiden, instinctively clutching his collar as he finally found his voice. "Wait—"