TNIBFT -Chapter 172 Simply Beastly

Ye Tian looked at the eldest, whose expression remained calm, and didn’t say much. Instead, he called out cheerfully toward the kitchen, “Time to eat!”

“All right!”

Yuan Heipang echoed from the kitchen, and the other staff immediately began tidying the tables and arranging the bowls and chopsticks.

Ye Tian’s gaze fell on the bloodstains on the eldest’s light gray cotton robe, and he fell into thought.

The eldest was not the type to meddle in other people’s business, nor was he the kind of child to help an elderly lady cross the street. Ye Yunting, this kid, would never intervene if something didn’t concern him.

In Ye Tian’s eyes, the eldest’s personality was almost cold.

Growing up in Sifang City, a place filled with all kinds of people, Ye Yunting had endured countless hardships by the age of five. Environment shapes character—first for self-preservation, second for survival. The idea of him escorting an elderly person home was simply impossible.

Duan Qingshan glanced at Ye Tian. Seeing Ye Tian deep in thought, he hesitated—should he be honest and tell Ye Tian the truth, or stay silent with Ye Yunting and just act like a dutiful cook?

When he noticed Ye Tian looking his way, Duan Qingshan’s heart skipped a beat.

Feeling uneasy, he licked the corner of his mouth and lowered his head, pretending to be casual. “I’m starving!”

“I’ll go get the rice first.”

Ye Tian smiled.

Duan Qingshan hunched his shoulders and walked forward, feeling as though Ye Tian had already seen through him. Once the meal was over, he would find a chance to talk to Ye Tian.

“Big brother!”

“Big brother!”

The sound of “duang duang duang” footsteps came from the wooden stairs.

Ye Shuangxue and Xiao Jiang raced down from the second floor. Ink was still smudged on Ye Shuangxue’s face, her big eyes darting around as she grabbed Ye Yunting’s hand. “Big brother, are we about to go to war?”

Her voice was soft and sweet, and her little face full of excitement.

Ye Tian was speechless—this kid actually cared about national affairs?

The strange thing was that the little “overbearing flower” was actively clinging to Ye Yunting today.

“Big brother, are the people of Dazhou coming soon?” Ye Shuangxue continued. “When that happens, I’ll fight the enemy with Sister Xun’er. I want to be a great hero, the number one in the world!”

“You must help me, big brother.”

Ye Shuangxue clenched her tiny fists and tugged at the eldest’s arm, pleading.

Ye Yunting furrowed his brows, looking helplessly at Ye Tian.

Ye Tian stepped forward and, with a resounding “bang!”, smacked Ye Shuangxue lightly on the head. “Not hungry for lunch anymore? What kind of hero is a little brat?”

“Ah!”

“You hit me again, Ye Tian! When I become a great hero, you’ll be the hero’s dad!” Ye Shuangxue cried, her small hands covering her forehead as she shouted stubbornly at Ye Tian.

Ye Tian stepped into the kitchen, sat down at the table, and began preparing to eat.

Seeing that Ye Tian ignored her, Ye Shuangxue puffed out her cheeks in a huff and froze in place.

Is Ye Tian really angry?

The atmosphere felt tense. The three siblings exchanged glances; Xiao Jiang pursed his lips and sat quietly and obediently next to Ye Tian.

Ye Yunting didn’t say a word either.

Yuan Heipang and the others exchanged knowing smiles. Heipang handed Ye Shuangxue a pair of chopsticks. “Xue Xue, you’re still little. If you want to make your dad proud, you’ll have to wait until you grow up. Hurry up and eat; only by eating will you grow big.”

“Hmph!”

Ye Shuangxue shot a glance at Ye Tian and huffed in defiance.

Ye Tian hadn’t even reacted and had already started eating, ignoring her completely. Only then did Ye Shuangxue take her chopsticks and sit beside him. Seeing that Ye Tian still didn’t look at her, she pinched a chicken leg with her chopsticks and offered it to him, trying to please him. “Fine, I won’t be a great hero—does that work? I won’t go anywhere from now on. I’ll just stay home and be a good kid! Wherever you go, I’ll go too.”

Ye Tian didn’t reply, instead taking the chicken leg that Ye Shuangxue had passed him and handing it to Ye Yunting.

Ye Yunting froze.

Ye Shuangxue widened her eyes, staring at Ye Tian.

Ye Tian said slowly, “Only children who don’t lie are good children. Eldest, you’re the one I trust the most.”

Ye Yunting pinched his chopsticks, quickly lowered his head, and stuffed a few mouthfuls of rice into his mouth to hide his fluster.

Duan Qingshan held his chopsticks in one hand, eating while glancing at Ye Tian’s family of four. With all their wits combined, they were eight hundred minds sharp…

Xiao Xun’er arrived a little late.

Without hesitation, she sat across from Ye Tian. While eating, she had none of the formal demeanor of a young lady, instead looking like a rough-and-tumble adventurer, one foot propped on Duan Qingshan’s chair. Holding her chopsticks, she looked at Ye Tian and said, “Ye Tian, I’ll help you educate your children. From now on, all my food and drink should be considered your tuition fee.”

She said it with such boldness, as if Ye Tian had gotten an incredible bargain.

Ye Tian looked up, giving Xiao Xun’er a disdainful glance.

Xiao Xun’er frowned. “What’s with that look? Doubt me? I was trained by a famous teacher. Educating two five-year-olds is nothing. Don’t underestimate me. If we weren’t sworn brothers, I wouldn’t teach for money either!”

Xiao Xun’er waved her chopsticks animatedly as she spoke.

Ye Tian said lightly, “Then you better not teach at all.”

It had only been a day, and his daughter was already ready to “kill”—this method of education could only be taught by Xiao Xun’er in the whole world.

“You don’t recognize a good heart…” Xiao Xun’er rolled her eyes at Ye Tian.

“Old Duan!”

Suddenly called out by Ye Tian, Duan Qingshan froze mid-bite. He quickly put down his chopsticks, his expression turning tense.

Could Ye Tian be upset that he hadn’t spoken the truth?

“These days the city is too chaotic. If Yunting goes out, you must go with him to make sure nothing happens!” Ye Tian instructed.

Duan Qingshan let out a sigh of relief, slightly turning to look at Ye Yunting.

Ye Yunting held his chopsticks in his small hands, head down, deep in thought.

These people were likely targeting Ye Tian. That person had said they would definitely try to kill him. Even now, Ye Tian was still worrying about him. Thinking this, Ye Yunting suddenly stood and said, “It’s better to have Uncle Duan go with you. I’m with the teacher every day. There are plenty of soldiers around. Nothing will happen.”

Ye Yunting’s eyes were filled with worry.

After some thought, he said, “Today we came back late. On the way, someone tried to ambush us—two groups. One group was probably after you, and the other wanted to capture me to threaten you. You shouldn’t go out alone. I’ll tell the teacher to increase patrols in the city. I lied because I was afraid you’d worry about me, and also afraid you wouldn’t let me go out. I was wrong!”

Ye Yunting lowered his little head, sincerely apologizing.

“It’s so dangerous outside. They dared to attack people in broad daylight?”

“We’re fine, but it’s better not to go out!”

“Now there are more refugees, and even more idlers…” Several staff members looked terrified.

Old Yang, squatting in the corner, glanced at them, curling his lips in disdain. Did these people really think he was just a nobody? Even if there was an ambush, they wouldn’t bother with a few useless pawns like them.

But his opportunity had come!

Thinking this, Old Yang stood and looked at Ye Tian. “Master, why don’t I go deal with these people?”

“Not even sparing the children… they’re simply beasts!”