TNIBFT -Chapter 307 The Overprotective “Queen Bee”

“I’m afraid we won’t have time later…”

“I’m afraid Mom will leave…”

“I’m afraid Mom will find us troublesome, that she won’t like us…”

Tears suddenly welled up in Qin Fengyi’s eyes. Her throat felt blocked by something, and her stifled heart ached.

Large tears slid down her cheeks, landing silently on the pillow.

Qin Fengyi lifted the corner of her mouth and said softly, “No!”

“Mom will never leave you. Wherever you are, that’s where home is for me.” She reached out, hugging her daughter’s little legs, and kissed the soles of her feet.

The soft touch of her lips on her feet felt electric, spreading through her entire body. Ye Shuangxue stiffened, unable to move.

“Mom…”

“Mom!”

Ye Yunting and Xiao Jiang stopped pretending to sleep. Hearing Qin Fengyi’s words, the two little ones turned and hugged her arm.

Qin Fengyi smiled.

The four of them couldn’t sleep. In the darkness, they started chatting—one sentence from her, one from the children—creating a lively, warm atmosphere.

The children’s innocent laughter filled the room.

Outside, Ye Tian stood by the door. Listening to the sounds from inside, he smiled wryly and shook his head.

In this world, there is no child who doesn’t long for their parents’ love.

No one can ever replace a mother.

He had originally gone to check on the children’s room to see if their blankets were properly tucked in, only to discover that none of the three were inside. It didn’t take much thought to know that the siblings had come to find Qin Fengyi.

Ye Tian turned to leave.

Inside, Qin Fengyi’s gentle voice spoke: “I heard from Shangguan that you all suffered a lot before?”

“Every day begging, endless chores, and… even… no place to sleep at night…”

These memories were like scars in Qin Fengyi’s heart.

She didn’t blindly believe anyone, but when it came to the children, there were no trivial matters. She had met many people before coming and could roughly guess what hardships the children had endured.

Although those days were over, she still felt pain for the children whenever she thought about it.

She also hated herself—why hadn’t she woken up to it sooner!

The atmosphere instantly grew heavy.

The three little chatterboxes went silent in an instant, no one speaking a word.

Outside the door.

Ye Tian already guessed what was coming next. He didn’t want to hear it—after all, his past actions had been excessive, and no one could deny it.

“Dad loves us very much!”

His daughter’s voice rang out suddenly: “We were very poor before. Dad also suffered, and those things… we did them willingly.”

“My dad is the best dad in the world. When Mom wasn’t there, it was Dad who kept us alive. So Dad did nothing wrong. No one can speak ill of Ye Tian!”

Ye Shuangxue’s voice was firm, tinged with coldness.

Standing outside the door, Ye Tian’s nose ached, and he didn’t know what to say.

Daily punches and kicks, deliberately pouring water on her winter clothes—none of that was wrong?

Even selling her for a few dozen coins—still not wrong?

Framing her, forcing her to steal—also not wrong?

This little “queen bee”… is she too protective of her cubs?

Tears streamed uncontrollably from Ye Tian’s eyes.

Ye Yunting also said, “Dad used to be crazy sometimes. No one knows what pain he went through, so no one can blame him.”

“So in the future, we need to treat Dad even better. He’s already old; we have to let him enjoy life!” Xiao Jiang chimed in.

Qin Fengyi sighed deeply.

Hugging the three children, she nodded: “Don’t worry, Mom will also treat him well!”

“Asking these things isn’t because I dislike Ye Tian,” Qin Fengyi said softly, tears still in her eyes. “It’s because I want you to know that no matter what happened before, none of it will happen again. I will protect you…”

…

Outside the door.

Ye Tian wiped his tears and turned around, only to see Xiao Xun’er standing at the back courtyard gate, dressed in dark clothing, her face partially veiled in black.

A gentle breeze stirred, lifting the thin veil across her face.

The black veil shifted, revealing glimpses of her red lips, adding a layer of mystery.

“Ye Tian.”

Seeing him look over, Xiao Xun’er spoke. Her voice lacked its usual carefree tone and carried a hint of melancholy.

Ye Tian nodded and approached her. “By tomorrow, Doctor Qiu should arrive in Sifang City. With his skills, Xun’er, your face will be healed.”

Xiao Xun’er lowered her gaze, her emotions unreadable.

Sincerely, Ye Tian added, “As a friend, I hope you can be happy.”

“Just like before!” he added.

Xiao Xun’er immediately lifted her head, her bright phoenix-like eyes meeting Ye Tian’s, shimmering with tears.

Ye Tian paused, about to ask more.

But Xiao Xun’er quickly turned away, then met his eyes again with a slight smile. “So, you are my only friend in this world.”

Her voice regained some of its carefree charm.

Her gaze was ambiguous. Ye Tian frowned, worried she might sink into despair. Xiao Xun’er shifted her eyes toward the large locust tree in the courtyard. “My elder brother came looking for me; we just reconnected the other day.”

Ye Tian nodded.

Xiao Xun’er smiled. “You don’t even ask who my brother is. Aren’t you afraid he might seek revenge for our father’s death and use me to betray you?”

Ye Tian chuckled. “I know you’re not that kind of person.”

“If you were, your face wouldn’t be injured, and things wouldn’t have come to this.”

Xiao Xun’er lowered her head and touched her cheek.

Ye Tian trusted her!

He understood her!

But between them, there would never be a possibility—no matter if Lord Meng weren’t involved, it still wouldn’t be possible.

Xiao Xun’er laughed softly. “A drink?”

“Let’s go!”

They grabbed a wine jug and, under the moonlight, climbed to the rooftop of the second floor.

The sky was pitch black, with only a murky crescent moon hanging above.

The cold wind blew, and Xiao Xun’er quickly took a gulp of wine. She handed the bottle to Ye Tian and smiled. “Consider this a farewell drink!”

Her eyes curved into a gentle arc as she looked at him.

“My elder brother also sought Doctor Qiu’s help, and he has agreed to treat me. We haven’t seen each other for years. I want to leave with him—after all, he’s my only family.”

Her voice choked, reluctant to part from Ye Tian.

But all gatherings must end eventually!

She dared not look at him, fearing that if Ye Tian urged her to stay, she might hesitate or even harbor a tiny hope.

Ye Tian said, “I support you!”

“If things don’t go well, you can return to Sifang City. Maybe by then, I’ll have risen high and can make you a female general!”

Without a single word of protest, Xiao Xun’er felt a pang of emptiness, as if something vital had suddenly disappeared.

She forced a smile, snatched the wine jug from Ye Tian, and drank a hearty gulp without hesitation, ignoring the wound on her chin. Her movements were free and unrestrained; even drinking, she radiated heroic spirit. Ye Tian smiled at her—this was the Xiao Xun’er he knew!

“If anyone attacks the city, write to me. No matter where I am, I’ll bring people to save you!”

Xiao Xun’er thumped her chest with a bold flourish.

Ye Tian laughed. “Finally clinging to someone powerful—you better work hard!”

“By the way!”

Xiao Xun’er’s expression grew serious as she looked at him. “My elder brother was sent by the emperor. This mission is to borrow troops from nearby cities and destroy Sifang City!”