TNIBFT -Chapter 88 A Kiss for the Boss

Jiang Huichun held a black piece in one hand while looking up at Qiu Feibai across the board.

Qiu Feibai studied the game silently.

He wore a light-colored padded jacket, his figure tall and slender, and his long black hair fell like a dark waterfall in the dim yellow light. In thought, he slightly furrowed his brow, exuding an aura of otherworldly grace, like a sage detached from the world.

Qiu Feibai knew his old friend Jiang Huichun very well. He was calm and reserved by nature, and aside from treating patients, he never meddled in other matters.

The fact that Jiang Huichun asked this probably meant he had already formed a conclusion in his heart.

Qiu Feibai placed his white piece down and looked up. “It’s hard to give an evaluation. I’ve only met him once. This young man, charming in appearance and stubborn in speech, may not be someone I’m compatible with. But I did meet a little one whose words were truly interesting.”

Mentioning Xiao Jiang, Qiu Feibai’s eyes and lips curved into a smile.

“Oh?”

Jiang Huichun raised his head, curious. “Have you perhaps considered taking an apprentice?”

If that were the case, it would be perfect.

For the past couple of days, his daughter had absolutely refused to return to the Medicine King Valley, insisting on staying by his side to be filial. He had already agreed to her wishes but hadn’t yet figured out how to bring it up to Qiu Feibai.

If Qiu Feibai took an apprentice, there would be someone to look after him.

Back then, it had been the Jiang family pleading for Qiu Feibai to accept a disciple. Now, not going to Medicine King Valley was almost like slapping the valley in the face.

Except he only had this one daughter.

Thinking of his daughter’s words, Jiang Huichun blurted out, “Medicine King Valley is peaceful, but life there is indeed hard.”

He realized what he said and immediately blushed, glancing guiltily at Qiu Feibai.

Qiu Feibai’s expression remained calm, betraying no emotion.

Taking an apprentice?

Standing at the door, Jiang Yunxi froze, holding the teapot. Since her birth, she had been Qiu Feibai’s only disciple. She had grown up as the favored one, basking in the halo of Medicine King Valley, admired by all.

That halo had brought her many benefits. If Qiu Feibai took another disciple, the halo—and the advantages—would be split.

She would not allow it!

She had just been about to step forward and act cute when she heard Qiu Feibai continue, “Yunxi is still too young. We’ve protected her too well. Jiang, be careful that she isn’t taken advantage of by someone with ill intentions. Also, I have a feeling that Shen Jie is deliberately getting close to Yunxi Harboring ill intentions!”

“That’s not it!”

Before Qiu Feibai could finish, Jiang Yunxi, unable to contain herself, walked in holding the tea, her eyes filled with resentment as she looked at him. “Master, Brother Shen isn’t what you think. You are upright and honorable; I have never seen you speak ill of anyone behind their back.”

“Yunxi!!” Jiang Huichun scolded sharply.

Jiang Yunxi refused to yield, glaring at Qiu Feibai, her small face flushed with emotion.

Jiang Huichun awkwardly said, “Yunxi, kneel! I have spoiled you too much. You even dare contradict Master. Kneel!”

Jiang Yunxi gritted her teeth but stubbornly lowered her head.

Shen Jie’s excellence was unlike anyone else’s. He was upright and straightforward. His closeness to her came from his genuine regard, not manipulation.

Only Master could think so ill of Brother Shen.

The atmosphere grew awkward.

Jiang Huichun looked at his daughter, then at Qiu Feibai, about to speak.

“Clatter…” A crisp sound echoed. Qiu Feibai placed his white piece down, rose from his chair, and without looking at Jiang Yunxi, said to Jiang Huichun, “Brother Jiang, I will set out on a journey early tomorrow. I’ve troubled you these past few days. Farewell!”

With that, Qiu Feibai turned and left.

Jiang Huichun sighed helplessly and sat down. Jiang Yunxi bent over and poured tea for him. “Father, even without Medicine King Valley, I can still treat patients at Huichun Hall. I can still heal the sick and become a divine doctor.”

“You don’t understand!”

Jiang Chunhui sighed.

His daughter was still too young to grasp the weight behind the words Medicine King Valley.

Qiu Feibai was the head of Medicine King Valley and also held the esteemed title of the world’s greatest divine doctor. Right now, Jiang Yunxi was his only closed-door disciple; in the future, everything in Medicine King Valley would belong to Yunxi. Not to mention the endless gold, silver, and jewels in the valley, almost all imperial physicians across nations came from Medicine King Valley.

Every doctor who came from Medicine King Valley was genuinely skilled and never sought fame for its own sake. That network of connections—how could his small Huichuntang possibly compare?

Seeing her father with a stern face, Jiang Yunxi pouted and clutched Jiang Chunhui’s arm: “I don’t care, I just want to stay by Daddy’s side.”

“My daughter, that’s not happening either!”

And there was Shen Jie. If she left, what would happen to him?

Brother Shen hadn’t been recognized by his family yet, and he was alone and vulnerable, always at risk of being bullied. Thinking of this, Jiang Yunxi continued: “Daddy, tomorrow Lord Xiao of Xiao City is coming to check the Ping’an pulse. I won’t go, you take Brother Shen with you.”

“After all, they are father and son. We don’t need to worry; the blood connection is obvious, and Lord Xiao will notice himself. We’ll have done a good deed.”

Jiang Yunxi beamed with joy.

Jiang Chunhui couldn’t refuse his daughter and had no choice but to nod.

……

The next morning.

Ye Tian was woken up early by the three children. In winter, the warmth of the bed was especially tempting, but gritting his teeth, Ye Tian climbed out.

“Daddy, the face-washing water is ready for you!”

Xiao Jiang, carrying his small schoolbag, was fully prepared, just waiting for Ye Tian. Standing by Ye Tian’s bed, wearing the new fluffy scarf Ye Tian had bought for him, his little face looked adorable, paired with big dark eyes, so sweet and cute it made one want to nibble him.

Ye Tian, still half-asleep, turned to look at the washstand. Steam rose from the basin of hot water, and a towel was draped over the edge. What kind of son was this—so considerate?

A smile tugged at the corner of Ye Tian’s mouth as he got up quickly. “Now this is more like it. You’ve got some filial piety, boy.”

Receiving praise, Xiao Jiang happily snuggled around Ye Tian.

Ye Shuangxue also called out loudly, “And the eggs, the eggs are ready too.”

While dressing, Ye Tian looked up at the small wooden table. In the little bowl were two boiled eggs. His daughter’s big eyes sparkled as she rubbed her hands together, looking at him like a little puppy waiting for a pat.

“My daughter is amazing!”

Ye Tian reached out and ruffled Ye Shuangxue’s little head, then glanced at Ye Yunting.

Ye Yunting’s little face darkened, and he turned aside.

Here we go again.

He wasn’t a kid. Tiptoeing over to Ye Tian, Ye Yunting said: “Your shoes were too dirty… so I… I cleaned them for you.”

With that, Ye Yunting pulled out Ye Tian’s black cotton shoes from behind his back.

Instantly, Ye Shuangxue and Xiao Jiang both turned to look at their eldest brother.

Their little faces were shocked.

Brother had changed!

Feeling the gaze of his younger siblings, Ye Yunting’s cheeks flushed red. He looked up at Ye Tian, stammering his explanation: “I didn’t clean them on purpose… it’s just that your shoes were too dirty, and they smelled in the house…”

The more Ye Yunting explained, the redder his face became.

Ye Tian laughed. He had never heard his eldest speak such a long sentence at once. He was just too cute.

Ye Tian crouched down, facing Ye Yunting’s puffed-up little face: “Smooch!”

Soft lips.

A faint warmth.

For a moment, Ye Yunting’s eyes went wide, and his mind exploded like thunder, rumbling uncontrollably.