TNIBFT -Chapter 249 Focuses on a Genuine Outpouring of Emotion

Ye Shuangxue slid off the chair, her little legs pumping furiously as she dashed toward the door.

Seeing that Ye Tian hadn’t gone far, she shouted at the top of her lungs, “Ye Tian, wait for me!”

“I want to go too!”

The little one said this while still glancing back at her older brother, her big round eyes wide, silently reminding him, “Big brother, aren’t you coming?”

Uh…

Ye Yunting’s small face remained expressionless. After a moment of thought, he put down his brush and said to Zhu Heyu, “Uncle Zhu, could you help me tidy this up?”

After saying that, Ye Yunting, like a little whirlwind, also dashed toward the door.

Watching the small figures of the two children, Zhu Heyu’s eyes glimmered, and he smiled warmly, replying, “Don’t worry, young master, hurry along, or you won’t catch up to the heir.”

Once the two children were gone, the hall was left with only Old Yang.

Old Yang munched on peanuts while scrutinizing Zhu Heyu with a sharp gaze, muttering under his breath, “Don’t let his honest looks fool you, he even manipulates children.”

He curled his lip in disdain.

Zhu Heyu’s face flushed red, and his hands paused mid-motion while tidying the brushes and ink, embarrassed and speechless.

Seeing this reaction, Old Yang, ever perceptive, immediately understood his intentions.

Old Yang said lightly, “Don’t worry. Our master is pure and upright. Forget any women from the Great Zhou, even the city lord’s daughters, Master Tao’s daughter, or some wandering heroine—our master wouldn’t even glance at them. He probably won’t have any romantic entanglements in his life…”

As he spoke, Old Yang shook his head.

Hearing this, Zhu Heyu visibly relaxed.

“Hopefully that’s true!”

But the more Zhu Heyu thought about it, the more uneasy they felt. The heir is in the prime of his life and has no interest in women—could there be some problem?

This thought brought worry lines to their faces.

…

Outside the door.

The sunlight was just right. On the street, vendors selling wontons and soups steamed their wares, and the sounds of bustling people filled the air.

The city had regained some of its vitality.

Ye Tian walked ahead, with his two children like little shadows flanking him, one on each side.

The two little ones looked around curiously.

Seeing Ye Tian frown, Ye Shuangxue stared for a long while before softly asking, “Daddy, where are we going?”

She blinked her big eyes and craned her little neck, curious about Ye Tian.

Ye Yunting looked up, waiting for Ye Tian to speak.

Ye Tian lowered his head, glanced at his children, and thought for a moment before saying, “We’re going to see Minister Meng.”

“See Minister Meng?”

Ye Shuangxue’s eyes widened.

Ye Yunting’s expression turned serious.

Seeing their reaction, Ye Tian smiled, “Actually, do you know that Minister Meng is your mother?”

Ye Shuangxue pressed her lips together and immediately looked at Ye Yunting.

Ye Yunting lowered his head, lost in thought.

Ye Tian bent down and lifted the two children, one on each side. Looking at their soft little figures, he said mysteriously, “Actually, today’s mission is a bit difficult.”

The children looked up at Ye Tian in surprise.

Ye Tian frowned, his face troubled, “The truth is, I’m meeting Minister Meng this time because I want her to stay. After all, she’s your real mother. As your father, I only want you to be happy. I can never replace your mother, right?”

His face darkened with sadness as he continued, his voice low, “If she wants you to leave with her, and if you are willing, I won’t stop you.”

Ye Shuangxue furrowed her brows, about to speak.

Ye Tian interrupted, “Although I’ll be very sad, I’ll miss you. After you leave, I won’t be able to eat or sleep… but as long as you’re happy… sniff I’ll be fine, don’t worry about me!”

“You two just be happy!”

Ye Tian winked painfully, glancing at the two children.

“I’m not leaving!”

“If Daddy isn’t leaving, then I’m not going anywhere either!” Ye Shuangxue exclaimed, cupping Ye Tian’s face in her little hands, trying to comfort him.

Even like this, if they still wanted to leave… how could they be considered human?

Ye Yunting’s face went blank. This old man really knew how to make a scene.

“I knew it… daughters are always the best,” Ye Tian said, touched, staring at Ye Shuangxue. “I don’t want to leave you either. Actually, I’ve thought of a perfect solution for everyone.”

“What solution?”

Ye Shuangxue’s big, round eyes widened, curious.

Ye Yunting’s expression was serious.

Ye Tian looked at the two children and smiled mysteriously. “We’ll find a way to keep Lord Meng here. That way, no one has to leave, and you’ll even have your mother with you. Isn’t that great?”

“Mother?”

The two kids exchanged glances, but there wasn’t much excitement in their eyes.

They had no memory of a mother. Growing up, when they were hungry or cold, there was no mother. When eating cold food or washing clothes, there was no mother. When sick and in pain, there was no mother. They had envied other kids who had mothers, but now that Lord Meng was going to live with them, the children just felt like an extra person had suddenly appeared in their lives.

Ye Tian’s eyes shone with anticipation, his excitement palpable. Ye Shuangxue pouted. “You just want a wife, don’t you?”

“You child, how can you say that?”

Caught by his daughter, Ye Tian wasn’t embarrassed and continued to justify himself. “I’m doing this for you two, isn’t that enough?”

“When you grow up, you’ll see. Kids without a mother and love end up falling for the wrong people. Then they become… suck-ups,” he added.

Ye Yunting’s face filled with fear.

Whether for Ye Tian or themselves, Lord Meng absolutely had to stay!

“Daddy will teach you. When you meet Lord Meng, first hug her legs, then…”

“Focus on genuine feelings, remember?”

Ye Tian continued instructing, and the two children nodded solemnly.

…

The sun tilted westward.

In the blink of an eye, dusk fell, and light snow drifted across the sky.

The father and his two children sat by the bridge, looking around as pedestrians thinned. Ye Shuangxue squinted her crescent-shaped eyes and stood on the stone slabs. “Why hasn’t Lord Meng arrived yet?”

“Could it be that she doesn’t want to see you?”

She gave Ye Tian a questioning look.

Ye Tian was speechless. “How could that be?”

“Let’s wait a bit longer. She promised noon… she wouldn’t have misremembered the time, right?”

Ye Tian frowned and looked at the frozen river. The water beneath the ice was unclear, and the falling snow disappeared instantly upon landing.

Pedestrians pulled their collars tight and exhaled warm breaths as they hurried along.

The weather was growing colder. Ye Yunting’s little face flushed red, and he sniffled constantly.

Seeing the two children, Ye Tian took a deep breath, patted his coat, and said, “Let’s go back.”

“Lord Meng must be busier than us. Maybe something important delayed her. Let’s wait until she has time,” he said, though his mood was clearly low.

Ye Yunting glanced at his sister and tugged on Ye Tian’s hand, his voice soft: “I’m not cold yet… maybe we can wait a little longer.”

Just after speaking, Ye Yunting couldn’t hold it in: sniff!

Sniff! He started blowing his nose.

The kids were sensible. Ye Tian smiled in relief and pinched his son’s cheek. “Alright, let’s go.”

Ye Tian bent down and picked up both children. There were only a few steps beneath them, and he felt a pang of regret. He turned to look at the far side of the river…