TNIBFT -Chapter 90 So This Is What You’re Like, Big Brother

Tao Ling’er’s voice carried a trace of tears.

Ever since she had been framed by Shen Jie last time, she avoided men like snakes and scorpions. Now, all she wanted was to stay by her aging father’s side and quietly live out the rest of her life.

She no longer longed for or dreamed about love.

Nor was she the same seventeen-year-old girl she once was. The harm Shen Jie had caused her was something that could not heal in a short time.

Ye Tian was a good man.

But her heart was filled with resentment—she simply couldn’t bring herself to marry and have children.

Tao Lichun kept a cold face and said nothing.

An awkward silence filled the study.

Tears welled up in Tao Ling’er’s large eyes as she looked anxiously at Ye Tian, silently pleading for help.

Helpless, Ye Tian stood up from his seat. Glancing at the plain porridge and pickled vegetables in front of him, he smiled and said, “Well… I already had breakfast this morning. To be honest, I’m pretty useless. Even my meals are cooked by my three kids. If Ling’er were to marry me, she’d have to take care of four people before even settling in. I’ve got a lot of demands and plenty of bad habits too—eating, drinking, gambling, all that…”

Tao Lichun’s expression darkened.

Ye Tian’s words were clearly a tactful refusal. He cut him off, saying, “I was being presumptuous.”

“I do like Yun Ting and the other children. I was hoping we could become even closer as families. You can think it over again.”

“No need!”

Ye Tian waved his hand directly. “Miss Ling’er is still young. A woman’s life doesn’t have to be defined by marriage and having children to be meaningful.”

Tao Lichun frowned.

Tao Ling’er widened her almond-shaped eyes, staring at Ye Tian in shock.

Ye Tian said awkwardly, “You might not know this, but I once read a travel journal. In that place, women go to school just like men, and they work to support their families too. They can live according to their own ideas, pursue their dreams, become teachers, become embroiderers—do anything they want. Women are no less than men.”

Tao Ling’er’s eyes lit up, and she looked at Tao Lichun with excitement.

Ye Tian’s words were like opening a brand-new door to her world.

Tao Lichun found it unbelievable. Before he could even process it, Ye Tian had already pushed open the wooden door and walked outside.

Freezing rain was falling outside.

The raindrops were like tiny, crystal-clear grains of sand, brushing against the face and leaving a faint sting on the skin.

“Dad!”

Just as Ye Tian stepped out of the school gate, before he could go any farther, Xiao Jiang’s soft, milky voice came from behind. Turning around, Ye Tian saw the little boy’s face flushed red, arms spread wide like a little penguin as he ran toward him.

Ye Shuangxue followed behind with a proud little expression, arms crossed.

Ye Yunting trailed at the very back, carrying a small schoolbag on each shoulder.

Before Ye Tian could speak, Xiao Jiang tilted his little face up and said with a grin, “After you left, Sister Ling’er and the teacher started arguing.”

Ye Tian: …

“The teacher got so angry he started coughing badly, and Sister Ling’er cried too. She told us to go home first—there won’t be any classes for the next few days,” Xiao Jiang said cheerfully, his bright eyes sparkling, his rosy lips and white teeth making him look like an adorable little boy as he spoke animatedly.

Ye Tian’s heart nearly melted.

“How is my son so cute?” Ye Tian bent down and pinched Xiao Jiang’s chubby little cheek.

Soft and squishy, it felt like elastic jelly. Xiao Jiang beamed brightly, his big eyes filled with Ye Tian’s smiling reflection.

Spreading his arms, Xiao Jiang tilted his face up and said coquettishly, “Dad, I don’t want to walk. I want a hug.”

“Alright!”

Ye Tian agreed readily.

Watching their interaction, Ye Shuangxue felt a twinge of jealousy in her heart.

This little rascal Xiao Jiang really knew how to act cute.

So fake and pretentious!

“Hmph!” Ye Shuangxue let out a proud snort, crossing her arms as she walked past Ye Tian—deliberately bumping into his leg.

Ye Tian: …

What’s wrong with this little tyrant flower now?

Seeing his daughter’s small figure looking a bit upset, Ye Tian quickly took a couple of steps to catch up.

“What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Or don’t you want to walk? How about I carry you?”

Hearing this, the pout on Ye Shuangxue’s lips immediately softened into a slight smile. Her big eyes curved happily—but the moment Ye Tian got closer, her smile vanished. She lifted her chin arrogantly and, without a word, spread her arms open.

Clearly saying: This lady is allowing you to carry me.

Ye Tian’s face darkened.

This little brat has really learned how to push her luck, huh?

Ye Yunting, who had been following behind, suddenly ran ahead of them. Without warning—

Thud!

His small body tilted, and he fell straight into the snow, sending flakes flying everywhere.

It looked like a pretty hard fall.

“Eldest!”

Seeing him fall, Ye Tian panicked and rushed over, quickly helping him up. While brushing the snow off his clothes, he checked him over anxiously.

“Eldest, are you okay? Did it hurt? Why are you being so careless today? Are you injured somewhere?”

Ye Yunting’s bright eyes darted around. He glanced at the pouting, arrogant Ye Shuangxue, then at the innocent-looking Xiao Jiang, before frowning slightly.

“Hiss…”

“Where does it hurt?” Ye Tian grew even more nervous.

Ye Yunting reached out and held his knee. “It seems like my knee can’t move anymore… I think it’s injured. I… I might not be able to walk.”

“It’s fine. Dad will carry you back.”

With that, Ye Tian immediately crouched down, turning his back toward him.

A smile flashed across Ye Yunting’s face. He turned to glance at his younger siblings, then steadily took two steps—before finally climbing onto Ye Tian’s back.

Big brother… he…

He’s pretending?

Ye Shuangxue’s eyes widened, her mouth forming a shocked “O.” She pointed at Ye Yunting, stammering as she looked at Xiao Jiang, completely speechless.

Xiao Jiang stood frozen in place.

He never expected that their big brother would be this kind of big brother.

Where did the cold, reserved, and selfless big brother go?

The two little ones stomped their feet in frustration.

Meanwhile, Ye Tian carried Ye Yunting forward. The snow was so deep that each step buried his cotton shoes completely. He turned his head to look at the two children still standing in the freezing rain.

“Why aren’t you moving?”

“Dad, my feet are freezing. I can’t walk anymore…”

Xiao Jiang started whining tearfully.

“Come here, then. Sit on Dad’s shoulders.”

Seeing Ye Tian wave him over, Xiao Jiang happily ran forward.

Ye Shuangxue’s face darkened like the bottom of a pot.

One acts cute, the other plays tricks—and she, stuck in the middle as the unloved second child. Why is life so hard?

Ye Tian lifted both boys up.

Xiao Jiang sat there gleefully and didn’t forget to wave back at Ye Shuangxue.

“Second Sister, hurry up!”

“Run faster! Can you catch up to me?”

The freezing rain hit her face, making it hard to even open her eyes. Watching Xiao Jiang sitting comfortably on Ye Tian’s shoulders, Ye Shuangxue grew more and more upset.

These aren’t her real family!

And that stupid Ye Tian—he doesn’t care about her at all!

Looking at the three figures ahead of her, she felt like none of them were good people. Her feet picked up speed as she ran forward, wanting to get them out of her sight.

Out of sight, out of mind.

Seeing his daughter dash off like a rabbit, Ye Tian quickly caught up.

“Slow down! You’ll slip!”

“So reckless—wait till I carry you!”