TNIBFT -Chapter 49 I Still Underestimated Her

Not only were they being excluded, but the three siblings pitifully huddled in a corner to eat.

Ye Tian couldn’t stand it anymore.

Although he hadn’t been a top student back in his own school days, and never bullied anyone, he would never have been the one excluded. How could these three little “villains” be so pathetic?

Ye Tian lifted his foot, about to step into the school.

No, he had to come up with a plan.

Being constantly ostracized would surely affect a child’s psychology. Looking at the candied hawthorn in his hand, then at the group of little brats, Ye Tian frowned and thought for a moment before finally entering the school.

“My dear eldest child!”

Ye Tian shouted extravagantly.

“Pffft!”

“Pfff…”

Many kids in the courtyard immediately spat out mouthfuls of rice, while some turned red from choking, patting their chests and coughing continuously.

As soon as Ye Tian entered, the little ones whispered among themselves:

“Who is that?”

“Seems like he’s Ye Shuangxue and Ye Yunting’s dad!”

“He’s too over the top… no, disgusting… saying stuff like that.”

“Oh no, quick, call Sister Ling’er…”

As soon as Ye Tian stepped in, the children grew restless.

The three Ye siblings, still squatting in the corner eating, only realized then that Ye Tian had come to the school.

In a daze, Ye Yunting seemed to hear Ye Tian’s voice, saying things that were almost unbearable to listen to.

He was certain of one thing: the shamelessest person in this world was Ye Tian.

“Eldest Son…”

Hearing Ye Tian’s voice, Ye Yunting turned his head. Seeing Ye Tian’s exaggerated expression and tender gaze, his pupils shrank. A piece of green vegetable hung from his lips, stuck there for a long moment—was Ye Tian really calling him?

What the heck!

Usually serious and expressionless, Ye Yunting’s little face flushed bright red, and he wished he could crawl into a hole out of shame.

Fearing what Ye Tian might say next, Ye Yunting quickly jumped up and sprinted to Ye Tian. “Y-you… why are you here?”

As he spoke, he grabbed Ye Tian’s sleeve, dragging him toward the corner.

Seeing the eldest child’s little hand, Ye Tian smiled smugly. So you do want to interact with me? Not ignoring me anymore?

“Oh, I came to check on you guys,” Ye Tian said, eyes scanning the surroundings. “Just passing by, not specifically coming here.”

Ye Yunting: …

Was that even necessary to say? Who would believe it?

Lingfeng Village and Mingfeng Village were like two parallel lines that would never intersect—there was no way he could just “pass by.”

“What’s this?”

Ye Shuangxue curiously reached for the candied hawthorn Ye Tian was holding. Wrapped in brown paper, she couldn’t see what was inside.

Ye Tian smiled mysteriously. “Something good.”

“Smell how sweet it is.”

Ye Shuangxue wrinkled her little nose, then her eyes lit up. “Candied hawthorn! Sweet and sour…”

Watching his daughter so excited, Ye Tian felt a deep sense of satisfaction. He broke off a piece of the candied hawthorn skewer he held and gave it to her. Ye Shuangxue bounced up and down with excitement, tearing open the brown paper to reveal the bright red hawthorn, its color striking. A layer of crystal-clear syrup coated the fruit, making it look irresistibly delicious. Ye Shuangxue stuck out her little tongue to taste it, and her mouth curved into a smile. “Ye Tian, you’re the best!”

“You still remembered I wanted candied hawthorn.”

Her big round eyes sparkled with emotion, her small face glowing. She had mentioned candied hawthorn at home before, and Ye Tian had actually remembered.

Ye Tian said, “Don’t feel any pressure. I just wanted some myself, and I bought one for you along the way.”

Ye Shuangxue rolled her eyes at him, then turned to happily lick her treat.

“Candied hawthorn… is it sweet?” Xiao Jiang asked, his dark eyes full of longing as he stared at Ye Tian. Ye Tian smirked and glanced at his sulking eldest son. “Ask your brother. He should know.”

Xiao Jiang turned to Ye Yunting, who remained silent for a moment before, in a huff, declaring, “Sweet!”

He was certain Ye Tian had done it on purpose. Did he really think a single skewer could buy him off?

“Give one to Xiao Jiang. Xiao Jiang, did you listen to the teacher?” Ye Tian bent down to hand the youngest son a candied hawthorn. Xiao Jiang stared at it without blinking and nodded frantically. “Yes, yes, yes! Whatever the teacher says, I say it’s right!”

Something about that answer felt off.

“Candied hawthorn?”

“Really candied hawthorn…” A group of little kids stared at the skewers in Ye Shuangxue and Xiao Jiang’s hands, their eyes shining. Suddenly, their own meals seemed less appetizing.

At their age, they were naturally drawn to snacks, and in a world where resources were scarce, children often went without meals, let alone treats. Candied hawthorn was a top-tier delicacy.

A group of kids gathered around enviously. Ye Shuangxue beamed with pride—this was the first time in her life someone had envied her.

“Slurp!” The little girl stuck out her tongue and licked a bite happily, glancing at the crowd. “So sweet… so delicious… how can it taste this good…”

Seeing his daughter showing off, Ye Tian couldn’t help but laugh. Truly a little attention-seeker.

As the children surrounded them, Ye Tian looked at the little group and waved the remaining skewer in his hand. “Why aren’t you eating with Ye Shuangxue and the others?”

“This isn’t right. You should unite and be kind to your classmates!”

“The sages said something, something, something…” Ye Tian wracked his brain but couldn’t recall. Ye Yunting sighed. “’Fellow disciples as friends, like-minded as companions,’ the teacher said.”

“Yes, yes, that’s it!” Ye Tian praised his eldest son.

Ye Yunting’s cheeks reddened. He turned his face away from Ye Tian—not because he wanted to help him, but because he didn’t want Ye Tian to embarrass him.

Ye Shuangxue’s small mouth clamped down on the skewer, her face covered in syrup like a little tabby cat. Seeing Ye Tian scold the classmates, she scoffed, “I don’t want to eat with them!”

“Whoever comes near me, I’ll hit Shi Hao!”

Shrinking in the crowd, Shi Hao’s chubby face fell, his expression one of despair. He quickly rallied the classmates. “Scatter, everyone, scatter! What’s so good about candied hawthorn?”

“Don’t crowd around Ye Shuangxue. Spread out!”

Watching the kids return to their spots, Ye Tian felt a mental facepalm coming on. He mechanically turned to the little troublemaker beside him. She wasn’t being ostracized—she was the one doing the ostracizing?

He had underestimated her!

“Right here!”

“It’s Ye Shuangxue’s father! Ye Tian’s here!” a childish voice shouted. Ye Tian was speechless. The tone sounded like the villagers yelling about invaders; how unwelcome he must have seemed in the classroom.

Tao Ling’er’s pale little face was serious as she ran behind the other kids toward them.

Seeing Ye Tian, Tao Ling’er furrowed her brows, her expression hardening. “Why are you here?”

Ye Tian looked down at his three children and replied seriously, “Just passing by. Thought I’d bring the kids something to eat.”

Tao Ling’er frowned, glancing at the skewers in Ye Shuangxue and Ye Hanjiang’s hands, then at the two in Ye Tian’s hand. Her pretty face turned chilly. “Don’t think you can bribe me just by bringing me food, Ye Tian. I’m telling you…”