Chapter 29: Revisiting 'Nightmare' (Part Three)

He shook his head with amusement and turned to walk towards the stairs.

"Mmm."

Facing Yang Danning's enthusiasm, Ji Chicheng quietly responded with a sound, changed his shoes, and then lifted his eyelids to look at Ji Anning who had already stepped onto the stairs.

Recalling something, his sensual lips curled into a cool arch.

Danger flickered in his dark, ominous eyes.

...

The Ji Family had strict household rules, and for dinner, all members who were at home, barring special circumstances, had to sit down and eat together.

A table full, with the old patriarch at the head, everyone began to pick up their chopsticks and eat.

As usual with seating arrangements, Lin Yanqin and her daughters sat in one row, while Ji Anning and Yang Yufang sat in another.

Now that Ji Chicheng was back, he sat opposite Ji Anning and next to the old patriarch.

"Why hasn't Jingfeng come back yet?" Holding his chopsticks, the old patriarch glanced at Ji Anning's side and asked in a deep voice.

Upon hearing this, Yang Yufang hurriedly replied, "He called to say he had an experiment to do at school and won't be coming back for dinner."

The old patriarch grunted in acknowledgement and said no more.

Once he picked up his chopsticks, everyone else followed suit. While others placed food into their own bowls, the visiting Miss Yang picked up a piece of stewed beef brisket and placed it into Ji Chicheng's bowl, "Chicheng brother, I remember you love this."

This attentive gesture drew the attention of everyone at the table, each with their own thoughts.

Ji Zhengdao lifted his eyelids and glanced at Yang Danning before asking, "Danning is almost twenty, isn't she?"

Yang Danning nodded with a smile, "Yes, I turn twenty after my birthday on the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth lunar month."

"You're at the age for discussing marriage," Ji Zhengdao mused with a nod.

Blushing coyly, Yang Danning lowered her head, "Oh my, Grandpa Ji, I'm still young."

'Cough,' Ji Anning choked on Yang Danning's pretense and started coughing. She quickly picked up her cup of water to drink.

Then, she clandestinely shot a reproachful glance towards Yang Danning beside her.

This girl, really not suited for being coquettish. Others being coquettish might provoke comments, but her acting coquettish makes one want to laugh.

"I don't look that old myself; let's change how you address me in the future," Ji Zhengdao said to Yang Danning, showing a rare pleasant demeanor.

The implication was clear, and everyone's gaze naturally shifted towards Ji Chicheng.

Ji Chicheng seemed utterly unconcerned, his good-looking hand holding chopsticks, eating the food in his bowl with leisurely grace.

Ji Anning's gaze moved from his face to his bowl and she noticed the piece of beef brisket Yang Danning had placed there earlier was pushed to the side, seemingly untouched.

His pride, his cold distance, she wondered for whom it might change.

Ji Anning pursed her lips and was about to look away when the man's dark eyes suddenly turned to her.

Startled, her hand holding the chopsticks trembled slightly.

Miss Yang felt happiness come so swiftly she could almost not hold it in. Her face flushed with shyness as she looked at Ji Zhengdao and exclaimed, "Uncle!"

'Pfft'

At this "uncle," not just Ji Anning but everyone at the table, including Ji Chicheng who had been coldly watching Ji Anning, let out a chuckle.

That handsome face, rarely so openly smiling, was like the blossoming of spring.

Ji Anning could have held her laughter, but seeing Ji Chicheng laugh, she too was infected and started laughing along.

She took the opportunity to avert her gaze and added a green vegetable to her mouth.

Slowly, ever so slowly, she chewed, savoring it carefully.

Only Ji Zhengdao remained unfazed, nodding his head with an "Mmm."