Chapter 149: The Mysterious Bai Tian

“Dad, aren’t we going to the restaurant today?”

Just as they were about to turn onto the road leading home, Bai Yunxing suddenly spoke up.

Bai Tian looked at his second son with a hint of confusion.

He didn’t quite understand why his usually quiet son would suddenly ask something like that, but he still answered truthfully.

“Nope! I’ve been there all day. Shopkeeper Liang wasn’t around today, and I’m exhausted!”

Bai Tian: 【So tired! I finally got off work, who’d want to go back again?】

Bai Yunxing: 【Judging by the time, Grandma’s side should be close to figuring out my general location, but they probably won’t send anyone today, right?】

Juanjuan hesitated, wondering if she should help Second Brother out.

At a time like this, even just saying she wanted to eat at Shiwei Restaurant would be enough. Dad would never say no.

It was actually quite simple.

“Dad, my dearest dad, I really want some hibiscus cakes from the restaurant. Mom said she wanted some last time too.”

Bai Yunqi suddenly chimed in, clinging to Bai Tian’s arm in a syrupy voice, then abruptly turned to glare at Bai Yunxing. “Don’t tell me you want some too!”

He looked just like a dog guarding its food.

Bai Tian couldn’t help himself. He clenched his fist and gave Bai Yunqi a light knock on the head.

(Bai Tian: It didn’t hurt! It wasn’t hard! I don’t even hit my friend’s beagle that hard!!)

The air went still for a moment.

Bai Yunqi: …

【Ugh… Have I been spoiling Dad too much lately?】

Bai Yun’an: 【Big Brother’s stirring things up even faster than I am. He probably wants to see what Second Brother is really up to.】

Juanjuan: (⊙?⊙) So that’s what’s going on!

“Ahem! Let’s go! Time to eat!”

Bai Tian glanced down at his eldest son, who was now looking at him with a wounded expression, then quickly pretended to be busy and led the kids off.

【So awkward. Why couldn’t I control my hand? But seriously, the way my eldest looked just now—he was the spitting image of a sulky husky. I couldn’t help but laugh!】

Juanjuan: …

Sometimes, it was really hard to keep feeling that awe for her dad.

The whole family arrived at Shiwei Restaurant.

Bai Tian went through the back door to grab some hibiscus cakes. He also checked in on the kitchen to see what dishes were being made and picked out a few to take home.

He did it all with a clear conscience. After all, he was a partner in the business! He had money in it, and he even got a discount!

The four kids found a place to sit. The staff here all recognized them.

“Big Brother, can you ask Dad to wait for me? I’m going to find Uncle Yang for a moment,” said Bai Yunxing.

Juanjuan: Second Brother’s off to do some secret mission.

Bai Yunqi: 【Tsk! Second Brother’s about to make his move.】

Bai Yun’an glanced at his second brother: 【That excuse isn’t even as good as Big Brother’s.】

“Oh, then hurry up!”

Bai Yunqi agreed readily, then turned to keep an eye on his younger siblings, making sure the two little ones didn’t try to follow and mess up Second Brother’s plan.

Bai Yunqi: 【Finally caught something interesting. I’m curious to see what Second Brother’s up to and what he’s planning.】

Juanjuan looked at Second Brother with a bit of pity.

He thought he was being sneaky, but she and both older brothers knew exactly what he was doing.

It was… kind of embarrassing!

Yes, that was the word.

Bai Yunxing had just made up an excuse. If someone came to the restaurant with a blueprint, they were to accept it—that was his drawing, but he’d lost it. Since it had “Shiwei Restaurant” written on it, there was a good chance it would be brought here.

Bai Yunxing often doodled and sketched at Shiwei Restaurant, and the staff all knew about it. They also knew this kid dreamed of becoming a Great General.

When Uncle Yang found out the blueprint was Bai Yunxing’s own design for a weapon, he agreed without hesitation.

Helping a kid with something this small? Of course he could do that.

All of them working at Shiwei Restaurant were grateful to Bai Tian, their boss.

The restaurant’s booming business meant their wages had gone up too.

They called it shared glory and shared loss¹.

Any suggestions or issues had to be brought up promptly. They wanted Shiwei Restaurant to keep thriving.

They still couldn’t figure out how Bai Tian, such a young man, had so many strange yet useful ideas in that head of his.

“Let’s go!”

Bai Tian came out of the kitchen carrying a food box and called the kids to head home.

Translator’s Notes