Chapter 12: Her Daughter’s Mother, Not Familiar

Chapter 12: His Daughter’s Mother—A Distant Acquaintance

Zhuang Cheng went in briefly with him before re-emerging. Back in the car, Uncle Li double-checked, "Is she really Mr. Ji's daughter?"

"Yes, we even did a paternity test."

"...What exactly happened?"

Zhuang Cheng sighed helplessly. "You ask me, but I don't know either."

Uncle Li remarked, "The old man would be thrilled if he knew."

Zhuang Cheng shook his head. Not necessarily. Ji Gaozheng was no ordinary man, and Song Tan was merely a minor celebrity with no background or influence, a far cry from the chosen Miss Mu. Moreover, the child had been born in secret. Whether the Ji family patriarch would acknowledge her was still up in the air.

Just after nine, Ji Fuxi emerged.

Zhuang Cheng got out to open the car door. Once his boss was settled, he reported, "Mr. Ji, half an hour ago, Mr. Liang’s assistant sent a message saying he’s waiting for you at Changrong."

"Alright, let’s go."

Zhuang Cheng glanced in the rearview mirror, seeing the man’s face etched with weariness, more exhausted than after a full day’s work.

He asked with concern, "Mr. Ji, are you alright?"

Ji Fuxi massaged his temples, his voice hoarse. "I’m fine."

Zhuang Cheng turned off the radio, and the car fell into a silence so profound that a pin drop would be audible.

A moment later, the man in the back seat spoke again: "Prepare a few more gift sets—either Paw Patrol or panda-themed."

"...Understood."

They arrived at the Changrong Club in about ten minutes.

The moment he stepped into the private room, Liang Chuwen, who had been waiting impatiently, shot him a look. "My wife finally went to bed early for once, and here you are, pulling the VIP act."

"My apologies."

Though the words were apologetic, his face showed no hint of remorse; instead, his brow was still furrowed with a hint of worry. Liang Chuwen raised an eyebrow. "Is there truly anything in this world that troubles Mr. Ji?"

Ji Fuxi didn’t answer. "What’s the matter?"

Liang Chuwen straightened up. "One business matter, one personal matter."

"Speak."

"My old man’s ordered me to secure the cross-sea bridge project at Gulf Peninsula. I’ll need your help with that."

Gulf Peninsula, located along the eastern coast, was a key national tourist zone. The cross-sea bridge and tourism infrastructure upgrade project had recently been approved for funding and was now open for bidding.

Ji Fuxi glanced at him coolly. "I want the 30 million-ton port in Haicheng."

A port with an annual throughput of 30 million tons was considered large-scale. Liang Chuwen gasped. "Ji Fuxi, you’re reaching for the stars!"

Ji Fuxi poured himself a drink, took a sip, and said unhurriedly, as if his demand wasn’t excessive at all. "Your Liang family’s import-export business has declined these past two years. That port only collects management and service fees annually. Why not transfer it to me? You can use the funds for other ventures."

Liang Chuwen scoffed inwardly. *Typical capital power player. Ji Fuxi must have had his eye on their port for a while.*

After a moment of contemplation, he wasn’t about to make that call alone. "I’ll have to discuss it with the old man."

"Fine." Ji Fuxi looked at him again, concise as ever. "The personal matter?"

Liang Chuwen said, "My wife found out I was seeing you, so she asked me to get an autographed photo from some actress. If it’s convenient, getting her contact information would be even better."

Ji Fuxi frowned, confused.

Liang Chuwen also found the request absurd, but the wife calls the shots. "My wife is a huge fan of this actress. She lost her mind when the woman came out of retirement after five years. The actress is currently starring in a film produced by Aijia—if I’m not mistaken, that’s yours?"

By now, Ji Fuxi had a hunch where this was going. Sure enough, Liang Chuwen continued, "I think her name is Song Tan? My wife is coming to the capital tomorrow—could you arrange for her to meet her?"

"Can’t do it."

Liang Chuwen hadn’t expected a refusal. Unhappy, he said, "Mr. Ji, that’s not very accommodating."

"She’s filming."

"So what? It’d just take half a day. What kind of filming is so urgent?"

"Can’t do it," Ji Fuxi repeated. "Either wait until she returns to the capital, then I can arrange it."

Liang Chuwen caught the edge in his voice, as if he knew her. Smirking, he asked, "She’s yours? What’s your relationship?"

*What relationship? His kid’s mom—not that close.*

Ji Fuxi caught the teasing in his eyes and shot him a warning glare.

Liang Chuwen backed off. "Alright, alright. When is she returning to the capital?"

"Don’t know."

"Have someone ask."

"Can’t ask."

"The hell, Ji Fuxi!"

The man stood, taking his suit jacket from the waiter. "If it works out, I’ll arrange it. I’m leaving—too tired today."

It was Friday, and as the old man demanded, he had to return to the family estate.

By the time he got home, it was already eleven, and everyone had gone to bed.

Ji Fuxi went straight upstairs.

After showering, he couldn’t sleep.

He went back downstairs and poured himself some from an open bottle of red wine.

The night was gloomy, thick clouds hanging low—a clear sign of snow.

Standing by the window, Ji Fuxi replayed everything that happened today; it still felt surreal.

It had been an unprecedented experience. Several times, he’d been at a loss—had no idea how to interact with a four-year-old girl, how to be more approachable, how to tell whether she was happy or not.

Ji Fuxi recalled the disdainful look the girl had given him before he left and let out a dry laugh. *Just like her mother.*

He couldn’t help but second-guess himself. Was he really that bad? Did they both dislike him so much?

He caught his own reflection in the floor-to-ceiling window. The man saw the ghost of a smile on his lips, paused, and when he looked again, his face was blank once more.

His straightforward life had suddenly taken an unexpected turn. He couldn't ignore this child and was forced to sign that agreement.

If he still couldn't warm up to her after spending time together, he might only be able to fulfill his duties as a biological father.

Ji Fuxi finished the last sip of red wine, put down the glass, and turned to go upstairs.

...

Early Saturday morning, 8 o'clock.

Aunt Jiang came up personally to wake him. "Xixi, Grandfather wants you up. Miss Mu and her dad are coming over today, and your uncle and aunt are already here."

Ji Fuxi had forgotten about this. He sat up, his voice still hoarse from sleep. "Understood, Aunt Jiang. I’ll be right down."

After washing up and heading downstairs, the dining room buzzed with activity.

The Mu family hadn’t arrived yet. Ji Zhongliang and Aunt Chen Mei were having breakfast with Ji Gao, while Ji Jiangdie and Yao Peiqiu had joined them.

As soon as he sat down, Chen Mei remarked, "Fu Xi, aren't you going to dress up a bit? Miss Mu is coming soon."

Ji Zhongliang glanced at the man wearing only baggy house clothes and joked, "Fu Xi’s looks are already exceptional. If he dressed any better, Miss Mu wouldn’t know where to look."

From the head seat, Ji Gaozheng snorted. "Mu Yan is a proper young lady, just in her early twenties. The fact that she’s willing to come at all is doing this old man a favor. If she takes a liking to him, it’d be our Ji family’s lucky day."

Ji Fuxi was naturally not as lowly as described—his background, looks, and physique were all outstanding. Just being Ji Gaozheng’s grandson alone was dazzling enough.

But the Mu family had been rising in prominence lately, with both father and son holding influence in the central government. Now that the Ji family had only him left, and Ji Fuxi kept clear of politics, once he left in a couple of years, the Ji family would have no one to rely on.

Ji Gaozheng wanted to set him up before he passed, and an alliance with the Mu family was the best method.

He looked over and said solemnly, "Go clean up nicely later. Don’t embarrass our Ji family."

Ji Fuxi held his tongue in front of the family and ate quietly.

Others took it as silent agreement, and the topic shifted. Chen Mei asked, "Pei Qiu, are you going to school today?"

Ji Jiangdie answered for her son, "They say today's the first snow, so the teacher is taking the kids out to explore the snow."

"Oh, in this freezing weather? Can’t they skip it?"

Yao Peiqiu was the first to protest, whining, "No way! I'm going! I made plans with Song Chuqing! We’re going to build a snowman and have a snowball fight!"

Ji Fuxi, who had been eating, paused and looked over.

Chen Mei laughed. "Song Chuqing? That's a girl's name. Is she your little girlfriend?"

Ji Gaozheng’s face darkened, about to speak, but the man beside him had already coldly interjected, his tone edged with reprimand. "He’s still a child. Aunt, don’t joke like that."

Chen Mei froze and quickly corrected herself. "Yes, just friends. Pei Qiu, have fun playing."

The atmosphere at the table grew tense. Ji Zhongliang, knowing his wife had misspoken, tried to ease things by dropping a crystal shrimp dumpling in Yao Peiqiu’s bowl. "You'll need energy for snowmen. Eat up, Pei Qiu."

Yao Peiqiu, oblivious to the undercurrents among the adults, thanked him politely and happily continued eating.

After a couple of exchanges, the tension eased. Yao Peiqiu, eager to go out and play, jumped down from the table after a few bites. "Grandpa, I’m leaving!"

"Go ahead."

Ji Fuxi set down his chopsticks and took the small backpack from Aunt Jiang. "I’ll see you out."

Yao Peiqiu flinched at that.

Outside, snowflakes had already begun to swirl—the promised snowfall had arrived as expected.

Ji Fuxi opened the car door, waited for the boy to get in, then placed the backpack beside him. "Be careful when playing today. Don’t make the snowballs too hard, and don’t throw them too forcefully."

Yao Peiqiu stared at the serious face before him, puzzled. *Uncle was being so weird—he’d never cared this much before!*

The boy muttered, "Got it, Uncle."

"Song Chuqing is younger than you, so she’s your little sister. Protect her."

At the mention of Song Chuqing, Yao Peiqiu perked up. "Yeah, I know. I like Song Chuqing!"

Ji Fuxi understood his "like" was innocent, but he still lightly smacked the boy’s head, the ghost of a smile in his eyes. "She’s your little sister."

But Yao Peiqiu saw it and was stunned speechless. *Oh my god, Uncle smiled for real!* He stammered, "Uncle, you smiled!"

The man instantly shuttered his expression and shut the car door.

As the car drove away, snowflakes swirling, he stood there for a moment before turning back inside.

The old master had already finished eating and gone to his study. Ji Fuxi went upstairs first to retrieve something, then came back down and pushed open the study door. "Grandfather."

Ji Gaozheng, seated at the desk, looked up and recognized the expression on his grandson’s face—he meant business. "What is it?"

Ji Fuxi walked in and placed the red booklet directly on the desk.

He didn’t need a marriage of convenience, nor did he have the patience to court some stranger. He’d been struggling with how to refuse before, but now this marriage certificate made things much simpler.

"I’m married."

Ji Gaozheng’s face indeed filled with shock. "What did you say?"

"I’m married. Later, when the Mu family arrives, Grandfather, please handle the situation appropriately."

Ji Gaozheng slammed his palms on the desk and stood up. "Ji Fuxi!"

Ji Fuxi picked up the marriage certificate. He’d originally planned to leave it at that, but fearing the old man might work himself into a state, he added a few words of comfort. "Grandfather, you’ve never bowed your head in your life. There’s no need to lower it now. Our Ji family will never fall—you needn't worry."

He even quirked a faint smile. "Weren’t you always hoping I’d marry and have children? Now that it’s actually happened, aren’t you happy?"

"Is this the same thing?!"

"It is."

Ji Gaozheng was so angry he thumped his cane. "Whose daughter is it?"

Ji Fuxi didn’t answer, nor did he elaborate further. "You’ll meet her soon enough."

"Ji Fuxi!"

"You’re not getting any younger. Don’t get so worked up."

With that, he walked out, leaving Ji Gaozheng sputtering in outrage.

...

Before they knew it, it was Thursday. The capital had been intermittently snowy for days, blanketed in white, everything covered in snow.

It rarely snowed this heavily in London, and Song Chuqing was delighted, though the only regret was that her mother wasn’t by her side.

That day, snowflakes as big as goose feathers came falling down. Song Chuqing propped her chin in her hand, gazing out the window.

Li Keke noticed something was off first. "Xiao Chu, what's wrong?"

They had become good friends by now—the kind who could share both joys and sorrows. Song Chuqing pouted and said quietly, "I miss my mom."

"Is your mom not home?"

"She’s working somewhere far away."

Oh no! Poor Song Chuqing—no daddy and no mommy around. Li Keke’s heart ached for her. She climbed down from her chair and walked over, pulling out a cookie like magic. "Ta-da! This is a little cookie I saved secretly. Here, you can have it!"

Li Keke always had all sorts of snacks on her. Song Chuqing’s face lit up with a smile. "Thank you, Ke Ke."

"You're welcome, teehee."

Yao Peiqiu, who had just come back from the bathroom, saw Song Chuqing looking unhappy with Li Keke standing in front of her. Thinking Li Keke had done something to upset her, he rushed over. "Don’t bully Xiao Chu!"

Li Keke got shoved a little and got very angry. "Yao Peiqiu!"

Song Chuqing quickly tugged at Yao Peiqiu’s sleeve and whispered, "No, it’s just that I miss my mom."

Yao Peiqiu got embarrassed, his little face turning slightly red.

Li Keke pouted. "Hmph! I’m not playing with you anymore."

Yao Peiqiu was a little man and knew he was wrong, but he was too embarrassed to admit it outright. After stammering for a bit, he got an idea. "Let’s go build a snowman! Like last time."

Li Keke crossed her arms, trying to ignore him but couldn't help answering. "Teacher never said we could make snowmen today, and it’s almost time to go home."

Yao Peiqiu said, "Come to my place! There’s lots of snow in front, and the little lake is frozen. We can go ice skating!"

Song Chuqing shook her head. "No, I have to go home."

"Then let’s go to your house!"

Li Keke scoffed at him. "Yao Peiqiu, you’re so annoying. Xiao Chu already said no."

The little boy looked bummed. "Fine. Then tomorrow at school, we’ll build a snowman."

When it was time to leave, kids started leaving. Before long, Teacher Xiao Qing called from the doorway, "Xiao Chu, your daddy is here. Let’s go."

Li Keke and Yao Peiqiu were both shocked and turned to Song Chuqing. "You have a daddy now?"

The four-year-old girl just shrugged. "Mm, my daddy is back."

Mom told her that her daddy was busy with work and couldn’t be with her often. Last time he left, he had also said he’d come pick her up again in a few days, so Song Chuqing wasn’t surprised at all. She obediently packed her bag.

But Li Keke was curious. "Xiao Chu, is your daddy cool?"

Song Chuqing said right away. "No."

"Then what does your daddy do?"

"I don’t know."

"Huh? Isn’t he your daddy?"

Well, yes, but they had only met once. How would she know what he did? Song Chuqing thought he was different from other daddies. Other kids’ daddies were kind, always smiling, hugging them and holding their hands. But her daddy didn’t do any of that. He seemed like a bad guy, and he was dirty and clumsy.

Song Chuqing finished packing her bag, put on her little puffy coat, and waved. "Bye, Ke Ke, Pei Qiu."

"Bye."

Today, her daddy was wearing a mask again. Teacher Xiao Qing handed her hand to him, and he just stood there like a dummy for two seconds before finally taking it and holding her.

Song Chuqing felt a little strange. She gripped her backpack strap with her other hand, so much so that she even forgot to say goodbye to Teacher Xiao Qing.

His hand was big—bigger than her mommy’s—and warm. So warm.

Chenchen wasn't with them today. After getting in the car, he asked, "Xiao Chu, where would you like to eat today?"

"I want to go home." She didn’t like going out to play at all, especially when her mommy wasn’t around.

"Okay."

Ji Fuxi pulled out a miniature panda stuffed animal from the backseat—soft and incredibly lifelike.

Song Chuqing took it and said quietly, "Thank you, Daddy."

The little girl sat up straight. Ji Fuxi watched her for a moment before looking away and picking up his iPad to resume the work he had put off to get her.

When they got home, Song Chuqing went to open the car door, but his car was different from her mommy’s, and she didn’t know how.

Ji Fuxi set down the iPad, got out, and walked around to open the door for her.

The car was too tall for her. Song Chuqing blinked, looking at the man by the door.

Was Daddy going to pick her up?

Before, her mommy would open the door and then lift her out.

Song Chuqing thought hard for a few seconds, then held out her arms.

Mommy told her she should get along well with Daddy.

And she'd noticed—his clothes weren’t dirty today. He was clean enough to hug.

Ji Fuxi, however, just stood there, confused.

They just stared at each other.

The seconds dragged on, and Song Chuqing’s arms were getting sore!

Then it hit him—she wanted to be carried.

He'd never picked up a kid before. Not once.

After a moment’s thought, Ji Fuxi bent down, stiffly sliding his arms under the little girl’s arms.

But Song Chuqing knew what to do. She threw her little arms around his neck, nestling her chin against his shoulder, hugging him tight.

Ji Fuxi froze.

So light, so soft, her warm breath tickling his ear.

"And the schoolbag and panda."

Ji Fuxi awkwardly crouched, stiffly reaching in to grab both the bag and the panda in one stiff movement. After steadying himself, he took a deep breath and turned to enter the house.

Song Tan had given him the villa's passcode earlier. With one arm supporting the girl, Ji Fuxi used his free hand—still clutching the bag—to key in the code.

The small villa's entryway led straight to the living room.

The moment they stepped inside, father and daughter locked eyes with the woman who had emerged at the noise.

For a brief moment, the living room fell silent.

The woman's hair was half-dry, falling in disheveled strands. Her lips were a striking red, and her damp eyes glistened—clearly fresh from a bath.

Song Chuqing hadn't expected her mother to be home. She squirmed free of the man's arms and ran over excitedly, calling out, "Mom!"

Ji Fuxi hadn't anticipated her presence either. His surprised gaze drifted slowly downward from her face.

The house was well-heated, and she wasn't dressed heavily—just a silk lace camisole that revealed her sharp shoulders and delicate collarbones, with a gentle but defined swell at her chest.

The smooth, body-hugging nightgown rippled slightly with the air movement in the room, hinting at her graceful curves and an unspoken sensuality.

His Adam's apple moved slightly as he averted his eyes.

Song Tan glanced down at her own chest, and in the next second, her mind screamed: *What's he doing here?! I'm not even wearing a bra!!*