TNIBFT -Chapter 50 I Didn’t Intend to Bribe You

“Bringing food for you?”

Ye Tian’s playful gaze swept over Tao Ling’er from head to toe. He curled his lips slightly and said, “Teacher Tao, did you misunderstand something?”

Teacher Tao?

Tao Ling’er’s fair little face flushed. No one had ever called her that before.

All her life, she had heard many people refer to her father as “Mister,” “Master,” or “Mentor,” and she had always felt proud. But teacher? Could this be considered a type of mentor too?

This Ye Tian sure knew how to talk, and how to flatter people!

Tao Ling’er’s large, bright eyes avoided Ye Tian’s gaze in embarrassment. She had originally planned some sharp words to belittle him, but now that he had called her teacher, she simply couldn’t bring herself to say them.

Ye Tian was taken aback.

What was up with this little girl’s reactions? Just a moment ago, she had looked at him with scorn and disgust, and now she appeared reserved… and shy?

Women changing expressions so fast is terrifying!

Ye Tian frowned and casually handed a skewer of candied hawthorns to Ye Yunting, keeping the other for himself. He turned to his three children, wearing an innocent expression: “See, one each. I’m not trying to bribe you.”

After saying that, still worried Tao Ling’er wouldn’t believe him, Ye Tian tore open the wrapping and started eating.

“You…”

Tao Ling’er’s little face flushed red. Ye Tian was definitely doing it on purpose—so infuriating!

Was he implying that she was being sentimental for no reason?

Ye Yunting’s dark eyes glanced at Ye Tian, then at Tao Ling’er. He quickly held out his unopened skewer toward her: “Ling’er sister, I haven’t eaten this yet. My tooth hurts, can you help me eat it?”

“You eat it!”

Looking at the sensible and cute Ye Yunting, Tao Ling’er rolled her eyes at Ye Tian. Out of consideration for the child, she didn’t want to argue.

Three such adorable and well-behaved kids… how could they have a father like Ye Tian? No wonder Ye Shuangxue was rebellious—it had to be because of him.

Tao Ling’er folded her hands together and lifted her little face to Ye Tian. “You’ve delivered the food. You may leave now.”

A woman’s heart is hard to read.

Yesterday, Tao Ling’er had not treated him like this. Today, she acted as if he were her father’s killer. Thinking of Shen Jie hiding under the pine tree yesterday, Ye Tian was certain that brat had applied some eye medicine on her.

Shen Jie and Tao Ling’er had known each other for years; childhood sweethearts. His words carried some weight in her heart.

No need to say more.

Ye Tian nodded. “Mm, it’s nothing. My children started school, and I was worried about them, so I came to check.”

His expression was serious.

Ye Yunting looked up at Ye Tian. In the sunlight, the mottled shadows of the trees fell across Ye Tian’s face, flickering in brightness and darkness, making it hard to discern his expression—just like it was hard to tell whether his words were sincere.

Xiao Jiang held his candied hawthorn, licking it while quietly watching Ye Tian and Tao Ling’er.

Ye Shuangxue focused entirely on her bare bamboo skewer, licking it with a delighted expression.

Tao Ling’er furrowed her brows slightly and glanced toward Shi Hao and the other children under the eaves. She then looked at Ye Tian: “You’re aware of yesterday’s incident, where Ye Shuangxue hit someone, right?”

“The children must have told you when they got home. You don’t need to worry too much. When children are sent to school, the teacher will naturally discipline them. Ye Shuangxue has already been punished by the teacher, so you don’t need to dwell on it.”

“What do you mean, ‘don’t need to dwell on it’?”

Ye Tian’s face darkened, and his gaze shifted toward the one involved.

Hearing Tao Ling’er call her out, Ye Shuangxue shivered. She turned to look at Ye Tian, expecting either a scolding or a few mocking words. But to her surprise, Ye Tian asked calmly: “A fight?”

“Did you get into a fight at school? Are you hurt? Someone must have bullied you, right?”

“Who bullied you? Tell me, and I’ll teach them a lesson!”

Ye Tian crouched down, gripping Ye Shuangxue’s shoulders with both hands, his expression serious as he examined his daughter.

Ye Shuangxue was stunned.

Tao Ling’er was stunned.

Shi Hao panicked.

Ye Shuangxue’s little face burned red. Looking up at Ye Tian’s enlarged face, she said, “No one bullied me.”

“They just falsely accused me of stealing. It was Shen Jie who stole and blamed me. But later, I hit him on the head with a bench.”

At the mention of hitting someone, Ye Shuangxue’s expression turned sheepish.

She knew it was wrong to hit someone, but Shen Jie was too devious—she really couldn’t hold back.

Ye Tian’s face was full of anger. That damn Shen Jie again! Hearing that his daughter had hit him with a bench, Ye Tian wholeheartedly approved: “Exactly right! That’s my daughter—well done!”

Tao Ling’er’s sense of morality was about to shatter. Could there really be a father like Ye Tian in this world?

The child causes trouble at school, and he doesn’t even ask questions. The child is accused of stealing, and he doesn’t care. The child hits someone, and he praises it?

Tao Ling’er almost laughed out of frustration. No wonder Ye Tian had such a notorious reputation—could such a person be normal? Could they properly educate a child?

“Ye Shuangxue is only five years old, and she dares to hit someone—and you encourage her? Ye Tian, I don’t know what you’re thinking!” Tao Ling’er, furious, scolded him. Partly, she felt the child was wrong to hit, and partly, she wanted justice for Shen Jie.

Seeing Ye Tian completely ignore her, she continued, “Are you only satisfied when your daughter grows up to kill someone?”

Kill someone?

Ye Tian’s heart skipped a beat. Looking at his daughter’s delicate little face… yes. Tao Ling’er guessed correctly. This kid, when grown, wouldn’t just kill once—she would leave a trail of bodies.

“Ahem!”

Ye Tian cleared his throat, stood up, and gently rubbed his daughter’s little head. “Everything has a cause and effect. I trust my daughter wouldn’t hit someone for no reason.”

“If someone is being bullied but doesn’t dare fight back, and waits for you or the teacher to seek justice on her behalf… do you believe that?”

Ye Shuangxue looked up at Ye Tian’s chin. The stubble was bluish, masculine, and somehow reassuring.

She lifted the corners of her mouth and lightly tugged at the hem of Ye Tian’s shirt.

Ye Tian didn’t notice at all.

The woman in front of him had clearly been blinded by love. Ye Tian didn’t want to deal with Tao Ling’er—for now, she would have her moments of crying later.

“You three need to study properly. What you study isn’t important. What matters is knowing how to learn. Having the ability to learn is the most important thing.” Ye Tian spoke astonishingly.

The little kids watching the scene were shocked, their eyes wide.

Today, Ye Tian had given them so much of a jolt. Could there really be a father like this in the world?

Not a father who believes in ‘spare the rod, spoil the child.’

Not a father who forces his children to study and achieve fame.

Not a father whose children dare not speak back to the teacher, with no ability to protect them.

The real Ye Tian was nothing like the rumors. The little kids looked at him with fiery eyes—they even found themselves secretly wishing for a father like Ye Tian.

“Eldest, tonight when we get back, you need to explain yesterday’s incident to me.”

Ye Tian left those words behind and finally departed from the school.

Watching Ye Tian’s back, Xiao Jiang’s small lips glistened with tears. “Dad was upset because we didn’t tell him what happened at school. But he still brought us candied hawthorns… he must have been heartbroken.”

After saying this, Ye Shuangxue dashed to the school gate and called out toward Ye Tian’s retreating figure, “Ye Tian…”