Chapter 203: Speak of the Devil

Faced with her father’s internal grumbling, Juanjuan silently agreed.

She didn’t want to be silly. She wanted to be smart, just as capable as her parents and older brothers.

Bai Tian said, “Jingcheng isn’t a big place, but doing business there is far more difficult than in Songyuan County. Still, the returns and risks often go hand in hand.”

Jiang Dai took a sip of tea and glanced at her three sons sitting quietly nearby. She couldn’t help feeling a little out of sorts.

“Do the three of you have any thoughts or suggestions on this matter?”

Her three sons were far from ordinary. Sometimes, one extra idea could open up a completely new opportunity.

Bai Yunqi looked up. “Want me to go check it out? Their family must be loaded, right?”

Judging by his eager expression and the way he was rubbing his hands together, it was clear that “checking it out” probably meant “scouting for loot.”

Bai Yunxing said, “I don’t know much about business, but I met a friend yesterday who does. If you need help, you could ask him.”

Bai Yun’an was nibbling on a pastry and casually handed a piece to his little sister. “You two know way more than I do about this stuff. I wouldn’t know where to begin.”

Juanjuan nearly choked on the pastry her third brother fed her.

Third Brother doesn’t know much?

She was pretty sure he knew more than anyone else in the family!

Bai Yun’an did know a lot. But when there were others around who could handle things, he usually chose not to step in.

After all, he was here to enjoy a peaceful life.

Late at night, when all was quiet, Bai Yun’an turned to glance at the now-empty room.

The two “brothers” who were supposed to be sleeping beside him had vanished.

See?

There was always someone ready to take the lead, and they even enjoyed doing it.

Before dawn, Juanjuan, who lived by the motto “early to bed, early to rise,” was already up.

She moved with practiced ease, lightly stepping over her still-sleeping parents. Quietly, she put on her shoes, opened the door, and stepped into the courtyard.

Then she saw someone in the courtyard, practicing sword forms with sharp, graceful movements…

“Eldest Brother?”

Juanjuan rubbed her eyes, wondering if she was still dreaming.

Bai Yunqi spun his sword into a beautiful flourish, then turned to see his little sister staring at him in awe. The corners of his lips twitched upward.

The sky was just beginning to lighten, the morning mist casting a soft veil over everything.

He stood tall and striking, a picture of heroic elegance.

【Tsk tsk tsk! Totally stunned, huh? Of course she is. I was absolutely dashing just now.】

【Bai Yunqi, hold it in, hold it in! Don’t smile. If you smile, you’ll ruin the cool vibe. Gotta keep it suave!】

Juanjuan, who could hear Eldest Brother’s inner thoughts: …

Yep, this was definitely her Eldest Brother. Just now, looking at his serious face, she’d almost been fooled.

He looked so proper, it had given her an illusion.

“Eldest Brother, how come you’re up so early today?”

So early, in fact, that even Juanjuan found it hard to believe.

“Oh, that?” Bai Yunqi sheathed his sword and grinned. “Naturally, it’s because your second brother had something to do today, so he asked me to join you for morning practice instead.”

Juanjuan was a little overwhelmed by the attention.

“You really didn’t have to trouble yourself, Eldest Brother. I can practice on my own.”

Getting Eldest Brother, who never got up early, to wake up just to accompany her felt a bit too formal.

Second Brother, who went out of his way to ask for this, was really kind.

And Eldest Brother, who actually got up early to be with her, was also very kind.

Bai Yunqi cheerfully pulled the little one to his side.

“Come on, Eldest Brother will keep you company.”

So, during that morning’s practice, Bai Yunqi stayed by his sister’s side the entire time.

Watching the little one in the middle of the courtyard, swinging her wooden sword with serious concentration, Bai Yunqi nodded in satisfaction.

Every now and then, he’d step in to offer a tip or two, earning himself a look of admiration and respect from his little sister.

Bai Yunqi kept a calm expression, but inside, he was practically doing cartwheels.

【Can’t help it. Second Brother was right. I, Bai Yunqi, am just too handsome, too awesome. My little sister must think I’m the greatest person ever.】

Juanjuan looked at her Eldest Brother, who was clearly on the verge of mentally exploding with joy, and couldn’t help feeling a little mischievous.

She tilted her head up at him and said, “Eldest Brother is the best!”

It was a sincere compliment, but she couldn’t deny there was just a tiny bit of teasing behind it.

Bai Yunqi, suddenly praised up close by his sweet little sister: !

Bai Yun’an, who had just stepped out the door and saw his target of affection telling Eldest Brother that he was the best: !

Juanjuan had no idea that her one teasing line had instantly charmed not one, but two older brothers.

With her back to the door, she didn’t see her third brother stepping outside.

But Bai Yunqi saw it all. A smug smile crept onto his face. If his forehead could display text, it would read in big, flashy letters: “You lose.”

Faced with Eldest Brother’s silent gloating, Bai Yun’an simply smiled politely, as if mocking his childishness.

Bai Yunqi: 【Tch! That Third Brother of mine, every time he smiles, it’s like he’s being sarcastic.】

Juanjuan turned around and saw her third brother standing at the doorway, smiling at her with a look that seemed to carry deeper meaning.

When did Third Brother come out?

Surely not… right when she said Eldest Brother was the best?

Bai Yun’an: 【Eldest Brother is the best? I don’t even rank above Bai Yunqi?】

Juanjuan: …

I’m doomed. Totally doomed!

Mother was right. People really can sense when misfortune is coming.

What you fear most is exactly what ends up happening.