Chapter 143: Bai Yunqi – Both Younger Brothers Ran Off One After the Other?

Juanjuan had just stepped outside with her two older brothers when they ran into a few other kids who, like them, had snuck out instead of taking a nap.

“Hey! Juanjuan, wanna come with us?” one of the kids called out to the siblings.

Once someone broke the ice, the rest of the group chimed in, inviting the three of them in hushed tones.

As the eldest of the trio, Bai Yunqi felt it was his duty to find out what exactly these kids were planning.

When he asked, one of the boys clenched his fist with bravado and declared, “We’re going on an adventure! Didn’t Da Hei bring back a hand?”

“We know where Da Hei usually wanders around. Who knows, maybe we’ll find something else and make a big discovery!”

Juanjuan nodded, but something didn’t sit right with her.

“Make a big discovery? Us?” she asked in disbelief, looking at the group of kids.

Among the six of them, the oldest was Tie Zhu, who was only nine. The rest were even younger.

Bai Yunqi clicked his tongue inwardly: 【These kids all look a little too bold for their own good.】

Bai Yun’an chimed in mentally: 【Bunch of reckless brats. If they really find something, Da Hei alone won’t be enough. They’d need a whole pack of Da Heis to drag it back.】

Juanjuan silently nodded in agreement. Her brothers hit the nail on the head.

Especially her third brother—she had to replay his words a few times in her head before she fully understood what he meant.

“I’m not going. You guys—” Juanjuan started to say.

But Tie Zhu cut her off. “Coward!”

“Let’s go!” he barked, taking a few steps forward. Then he turned back and warned her, “You better not snitch!”

Bai Yunqi stepped forward, placing Juanjuan behind him protectively. He gave Tie Zhu a cold smirk.

“You lot going on an adventure? Don’t end up being the ones discovered instead. Someone might gut you and take your kidneys, heart, and lungs.”

Sure, Bai Yunqi’s words were harsh, but he was just being brutally honest.

“How could anything happen? It’s broad daylight! If something does, it’s your jinxed mouth that caused it!” Tie Zhu shot back, unwilling to be outdone.

Juanjuan peeked out from behind her big brother, clutching his shirt. With him there, she felt like she had someone to rely on.

“We’re just telling the truth! You’re the ones not listening! Even in broad daylight, there are monsters that eat kids who skip their naps and run around outside!”

That wasn’t wrong. The adults said the same thing all the time.

Tie Zhu retorted, “You didn’t nap either! How come you haven’t seen a monster?”

Juanjuan replied, “We’re right outside our house, not off on some adventure! I can call for my parents. Can you?”

Tie Zhu: …

Touché. He definitely couldn’t call his parents.

Juanjuan added, “Even if a monster shows up, my big brother can take on ten of them!”

Tie Zhu had never liked her to begin with. A neighbor girl had even whispered to Juanjuan that Tie Zhu talked behind her back, saying she was just a useless girl who still went to school.

Truth was, Tie Zhu’s family couldn’t afford to send him to school, so he resented all the kids in the neighborhood who could.

But now that Juanjuan had someone backing her up, she wasn’t afraid to argue anymore. If she didn’t like someone, she could say it loud and clear.

Everyone around them, even Bai Yun’an, thought it was just kids talking tough—empty threats with no real bite.

But Bai Yunqi felt a warm glow in his chest.

After all, his little sister had just said her big brother was strong.

Bai Yunqi grinned. “That’s right! I can take on ten at once! Let’s go!”

“Hmph! We’re leaving!” Tie Zhu turned and stormed off. He wasn’t confident he could beat Bai Yunqi in a fight anyway.

He hadn’t really wanted to invite Juanjuan in the first place, but one of the neighbor girls in their group got along well with her. He figured if Juanjuan came, Bai Yunqi might tag along too, and more people would make them look more impressive.

But now, they couldn’t argue or fight. If they made too much noise and woke the adults, the whole plan would be ruined.

They had to leave quickly. Who knew if the Bai family kids would snitch and bring the grown-ups after them?

As the group of kids ran off, Bai Yun’an yawned and mused to himself:

【A bunch of kids asking for trouble, all thinking they’re so tough.】

【But what does that have to do with me? I still need to find an excuse to go back and see what Second Brother’s up to alone at home. He’s probably messing with something weird again.】

Bai Yunqi turned to Juanjuan. “Wanna follow them and see what they’re up to?”

Juanjuan looked at her big brother in surprise.

“But isn’t it dangerous?”

“Pfft!” Bai Yunqi flashed a confident, dazzling smile. “Didn’t I just say I can take on ten at once? Wanna come with me? I’ll protect you!”

Juanjuan hesitated, then nodded.

Off to the side, Bai Yun’an thought: 【If I didn’t know how strong this guy actually is, I’d think he was just showing off. But now… tsk.】

【This feels kinda awesome. Is this what it’s like to live in peace while holding all the family’s secrets in your hands?】

【Way more exciting than those storybooks.】

Juanjuan: Huh? What’s so awesome about this? It’s exhausting! Is it just because I’m too weak?

If only she could be as smart as Third Brother… Never mind, her little brain just couldn’t manage it.

“Big Brother, I wanna come too!” Bai Yun’an suddenly called out, his tone urgent, like he was afraid of being left behind.

How could Bai Yunqi say no to such a sweet, obedient, and clever little brother?

With a wave of his hand, the big boss declared, “Let’s go!”

Juanjuan frowned. Didn’t Third Brother just say he was going to find an excuse to go back and check on Second Brother?

Why was he now so eager to come along?

Shouldn’t he be hesitating, then finding some excuse to head home?

But soon, Juanjuan understood.

“Big Brother, my stomach hurts. I need to poop. You guys go ahead, I’ll head back real quick,” Bai Yun’an said, clutching his belly. He looked torn, like he really wanted to go but just couldn’t.

【I already made it super clear I wanted to go. Now I’m only backing out because my stomach hurts. Big Brother’s ego won’t suspect a thing.】

【Advance by retreating¹. Half-truths are the ultimate move.】

Bai Yunqi frowned. “Should we wait for you?”

【Never abandon, never give up. The first two rules of our sect’s code. I remember them well. If my little brother wants to come, how could I leave him behind?】

Bai Yun’an shook his head. “No, Big Brother, I can’t hold it! You guys go ahead. I like to take my time when I poop!”

With that, he turned and ran back home.

Bai Yunqi clicked his tongue. “Tsk… Ah, still at that age where you can’t hold it in.”

【Wait! I forgot to take back that bit of spiritual power I left on him!】

【Oh well. If he wants to catch up later, I’ll know where he is.】

“Hic.”

Juanjuan quickly covered her mouth. She’d been so caught up marveling at her third brother’s cleverness that she’d hiccupped from surprise.

She hadn’t expected that Big Brother had left some spiritual power on Third Brother. That meant he could track him wherever he went!

And Big Brother had just tried to take back Second Brother’s spiritual power too. How did he forget about Third Brother’s?

Also, didn’t Third Brother say earlier that he sensed some kind of disturbance that hadn’t been resolved?

Sometimes there was just too much information flying around. Trying to keep track without slipping up was exhausting.

Bai Yunqi had no idea that his seemingly clueless little sister was already mentally overheating.

“Come on, Sis! Let’s go!” he shouted, full of energy. “Charge!”

For some reason, the “Charge! Charge! Charge!” their dad always yelled suddenly felt incredibly cool.

Juanjuan looked at her big brother, then back toward home.

She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and turned to follow him.

Third Brother would be fine. He was smart. If she couldn’t think of a solution, she’d just leave it to him!

They had barely walked a short distance when Bai Yunqi suddenly stopped.

【Huh? Why did Second and Third Brother both run off, one after the other?】

Juanjuan froze in place. Her heart skipped a beat.

The thing she’d been worried about… had finally happened.

Translator’s Notes