A Little Trick, the Scumbag Dad Can’t Hold the Knife After Understanding Love

Ji Nian suddenly opened her eyes, and in her drowsy state, she was startled to see a massive dark figure standing by her bed. The shadow was moving.

Her mind hadn’t fully processed it yet, but her body reacted instantly, sitting up quickly as she reached for the pink turtle-shaped lamp to turn on the light.

As the light flickered on, a large dog—bigger than the average canine, with orange-yellow fur—was crouched beside the bed, tilting its head as it stared at Ji Nian. It was so close that a few strands of its fur had already stuck to the bedsheet.

Recognizing the familiar dog, Ji Nian let out a deep sigh of relief, patting her chest. "You scared me to death."

"Da Dan, why aren’t you sleeping? What are you doing here in the middle of the night?"

Relaxing, she adjusted the collar of her crooked pajamas and scooted closer to the edge of the bed. Still half-asleep, she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around Da Dan’s head, giving it a couple of affectionate rubs.

The big dog obediently let her hold him, nuzzling his furry head against her neck before gently pulling away. Then, with his teeth, he tugged at her nightgown, trying to drag her off the bed.

Ji Nian yawned, too tired to resist, and finally gave in, stepping onto the floor.

"Someone’s full of energy tonight."

She tapped her phone on the bedside table, squinting at the bright screen to check the time.

2:00 ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‍AM.

Though exhaustion weighed heavily on her, Ji Nian allowed Da Dan to lead her out of the room.

Clutching the hem of her nightgown in his teeth, Da Dan guided her for a long while, walking alongside the familiar lake.

At this hour, even the insects had gone silent, leaving the surroundings eerily still.

Luckily, the Ji household kept its lights on through the night, so she wasn’t too afraid.

"What’s wrong, Da Dan?"

The dog wagged his tail, standing in place while persistently shaking the fabric of her nightgown.

It took Ji Nian a long moment to realize—he wanted her to ride on his back.

"I’ve grown up, Da Dan. I can’t ride you anymore—I’d crush you into dog pee."

She chuckled helplessly, ruffling the fur by his face.

But Da Dan refused to give up, nudging and insisting until Ji Nian finally relented. She straddled his back, intending to just pretend for a second before getting off—but the moment she settled, the dog suddenly bolted forward, actually managing to carry her a few steps.

Ji Nian gasped in surprise.

By the time she slid off his back, her heart was pounding.

"Aren’t you tired? Did I hurt you?"

Kneeling beside the panting dog, she stroked his fur, torn between laughter and concern.

Tonight, Da Dan was clingier than usual. He stood up, shuffled closer, and flopped into her lap.

Even now, his size was a bit overwhelming for her—but Ji Nian wasn’t the same little girl anymore. She could lift him with ease.

Half-dragging, half-carrying the big dog to a bench by the lake, she cradled his head in her arms. "What’s going on? Why did you suddenly want to carry me in the middle of the night?"

Da Dan licked her palm, his lips curling in what almost looked like a grin.

"Woof…"

His low bark was soft, his round, gentle eyes reflecting Ji Nian’s face—overflowing with unmistakable affection.

And something else.

Longing.

As if someone had pressed pause, Ji Nian slowly, very slowly, began to understand.

Her hand stilled against his fur.

The summer night breeze brushed against her skin, cool and quiet, pulling her out of her daze.

She hugged Da Dan tighter, as if afraid of the cold.

"Da Dan…"

Burying her face in his fur, she smiled. "Thank you for growing up with me."

The puppy who would knock over a cup with his paw whenever Ji Tingzhou scolded her, just to interrupt.

The greedy, food-protective dog who still sneaked his favorite treats to share with her.

The one who refused to leave her side when she was sick, resting his head on her desk no matter who tried to shoo him away.

The cheerleader who barked encouragement during her training sessions, the one who lunged to catch her when she fell.

The clever, scheming troublemaker who would pee in Ji Tingzhou’s flowerbeds after being scolded.

The dog so smart he understood human speech, eavesdropping to see if anyone talked badly about him.

"Next life, let’s be siblings again. You have to remember to come find me and Dad—don’t forget the way home."

"Don’t drink the soup the Dog Granny gives you. Find a chance to run past her."

"You never played much with other dogs, always sticking with humans. Did the others ever pick on you for smelling too much like us?"

"If any dog bullies you, come tell us right away."

As she stroked his fur, his breathing grew fainter—but Ji Nian kept smiling.

"Remember to visit me in my dreams, Da Dan."

He heard her. With the last of his strength, he lifted a paw and patted her hand, sealing their promise with a little paw-print stamp. Then, nestled in her arms, breathing in her familiar scent, he closed his eyes.

And fell silent.

Only then did Ji Nian remember—

This was where they had first met.

Back then, the big dog had bounded over, licking and nipping at her as if they’d known each other forever. He’d tugged at the clothes of the toddler who could barely walk, begging her to play, even nudging her with his head to invite her onto his back.

Proudly, he’d carried her into the main house—a place that had once seemed so far away—and brought her to Ji Tingzhou, who hadn’t yet learned to love her.

"So it’s a promise…"

"Whoever breaks it… turns into a dog."

The warmth of his body still lingered in her arms, but Ji Nian knew it wouldn’t last. Soon, it would fade, leaving only stiffness and cold behind.

She would never get to play fetch with her puppy again.

A familiar weight settled over her shoulders—a shawl carrying a scent she knew well.

Ji Nian jolted as if waking from a dream, whipping her head around.

"...Dad."

Ji Tingzhou stood there, dressed in his pajamas. She had no idea when he’d arrived.

His gaze fell on Da Dan, motionless in her arms, looking as if he were merely asleep. Wordlessly, he reached out and ruffled Ji Nian’s hair.

That simple touch was all it took. Suddenly, it was as if scalding water had been poured over her head—before she knew it, tears welled in her eyes.

"Dad…"

Her voice cracked this time, thick with unshed sobs. And when Ji Tingzhou stepped forward and pulled her into his arms, the dam broke.

"Dad, Da Dan… he… he… wu…"

The words wouldn’t come. Her throat clenched too tightly, her tears falling faster than she could wipe them away.

"I know."

Ji Tingzhou held her as she gripped his clothes, his voice soft. One hand cradled her, the other gently rubbing her back.

"He was happy. You played with him at the end, didn’t you?"

Ji Nian cried harder.

The weight of sudden loss crashed over her—the confusion, the helplessness, the sheer unfairness of it all pouring out in ragged sobs.

Goodbye was a lesson life always taught, sooner or later.