Chapter 80: Because He’s Kind

Bai Yun’an truly couldn’t figure out what was going on in a child’s mind—at least, that’s what he thought.

【Hiss… don’t tell me Mom didn’t know how to handle that people-pleaser personality? She made Juanjuan cry, and now Juanjuan knows I told Mom, so she’s looking at me like that?】

【After all, the only ones who knew Juanjuan was worried Mom and Dad wouldn’t like her were me and the kid next door. Juanjuan must’ve figured out it was me who said something.】

Rather than waiting for Juanjuan to figure it out herself, he might as well…

“Juanjuan, I’m sorry. I really did tell Mom about it. I just thought Mom and Dad wouldn’t stop liking you just because you didn’t help out.”

“I really think they love you a lot. I didn’t expect it would make you upset and cry. I’m sorry…”

Juanjuan looked at her third brother, who was apologizing to her.

She quickly shook her head and waved her hands. “No, no, that’s not it.”

“Huh? Then what is it?”

Bai Yun’an was puzzled, but he held back and waited patiently for Juanjuan to say more, hoping she’d let something slip.

“It’s because Mom said she…” The little one lowered her head slightly, trying to hide the shy smile spreading across her face. “She said she likes Juanjuan too!”

Bai Yun’an: ?!

【System, open Favorability Points! Hurry up! Open it!】

For the first time, Bai Yun’an was this desperate to check the Favorability Points.

When he saw the number had clearly jumped—from 25 all the way to 39—he felt like this was the moment he’d been waiting for.

He looked at the little one in front of him. Though she’d cried earlier, she was clearly in much better spirits now.

And he couldn’t help but feel genuinely happy too.

Maybe it was because the Favorability Points had finally gone up.

Or maybe it was because he saw a silly little kid realize that even without trying to please others, she could still be loved.

【That’s more like it! Be confident. You’re doing great.】

Just as Bai Yun’an was thinking this, he caught a glimpse of Juanjuan looking at him from the corner of his eye.

The little girl looked nervous. When she saw him glance over, she clearly wanted to look away, but she still mustered her courage and met his gaze.

And then—

He saw the little one, her cheeks already a bit chubby, smiling at him with two dimples showing shyly.

She said, “Thank you, Third Brother.”

Those innocent, clear eyes locked onto his, unwavering and sincere.

All the gratitude and honesty in her heart shone through.

Bai Yun’an’s heart skipped a beat.

It was a strange feeling.

Like—

You’d been raising a delicate flower to sell, pouring all your effort into it every day, trying everything, but it just wouldn’t bloom.

Then one day, just when you were about to give up, it suddenly blossomed—and even shyly brushed against you.

You’re happy, but mixed in is a tangle of emotions: surprise, pride, and a touch of reluctance. It’s that strange feeling of raising a child.

Before Bai Yun’an could respond—

Little Juanjuan, who had just thanked her third brother, suddenly turned and bolted.

It wasn’t hard to guess why she did that.

Her shyness and embarrassment were practically written from head to toe.

Bai Yun’an stared blankly for a moment, then let out a helpless chuckle.

Just then, Bai Yunxing walked over. “What’s up with Juanjuan? And what are you laughing at again?”

Bai Yun’an leaned back with his hands propped behind him, his body relaxed as he half-lying there, legs swinging lazily back and forth. You could tell he was in a great mood.

“Take a guess.”

Bai Yunxing said, “You teased her again, didn’t you!”

Bai Yun’an: ?

Where did that come from?

Ridiculous!

After washing up Goudan—

Jiang Dai and Bai Tian each took the boys and girls back to their rooms.

In the side room, the “boys’ dormitory.”

Bai Tian said, “Goudan’s already had his bath. He’s clean now. Why are you two still avoiding sleeping next to him?”

The twins, Bai Yunxing and Bai Yun’an, fell silent.

It wasn’t because their big brother had gotten poop on himself.

It was because sometimes, in the middle of the night, Big Brother would randomly kick someone in his sleep.

When it was just the three of them, the bed wasn’t too cramped. The two younger brothers, being well-behaved sleepers, could keep a bit of distance from their eldest brother.

But now that their father had joined, someone was inevitably going to end up right next to the eldest.

So…

Bai Yunxing didn’t quite have the nerve to admit in front of his big brother that he snored, talked in his sleep, and flailed around at night.

Bai Yun’an, on the other hand, was simply afraid that if he said anything, their father might decide not to sleep next to the eldest brother—which would increase the chances of him having to do it instead.

“You two!”

In the end, Bai Tian didn’t scold his sons.

Instead, he gave his eldest son a firm slap on the shoulder and declared with great confidence, “I’ll sleep next to you!”

Half an hour later.

Bai Tian, who had once endured a college dorm roommate who snored, talked in his sleep, and ground his teeth, and had long since developed immunity to such things, was kicked awake by his eldest son.

Bai Tian: No big deal. Back to sleep!

A short while later, Bai Tian was kicked awake again.

Bai Tian: …

Staring blankly at the cracked beams overhead, Bai Tian suddenly had an epiphany.

Now he understood why Yunxing and Yun’an didn’t want to sleep next to their eldest brother.

Bai Tian didn’t get a good night’s sleep. Neither did Jiang Dai, in the other room.

Listening to Chunlai’s loud snoring, Jiang Dai glanced at the peacefully sleeping Juanjuan in her arms.

She couldn’t help but sigh—kids really do sleep like rocks.

A whisper came from the east room. “Sister Jiang, are you awake…?”

Jiang Dai replied softly, “Still awake.”

“I didn’t know Chunlai snored like that. We’ve never shared a room before.”

“Besides, I’m really good at night surveillance. Chunlai’s got high combat skills—she’s a real fighter.”

Dongqu hadn’t forgotten why she’d come to the Bai Family.

Liang Tian’er had thought it through carefully: since they were being sent to protect the Bai Family, the two girls needed to be both sharp-minded and capable fighters.

So, she’d specifically chosen one with keen senses and a delicate intuition, perfect for detecting anything unusual.

And one with high combat ability, fearless and ready to throw down at a moment’s notice.

What she hadn’t accounted for was that the fighter turned out to be a restless sleeper.

So when Juanjuan got up the next morning and stepped out of the room, she rubbed her eyes in confusion.

In the courtyard, Jiang Dai was guiding Bai Yunxing through the Five Animal Frolics. Chunlai and Dongqu were in the kitchen making breakfast. Bai Tian was wandering around the yard like a lost soul.

Juanjuan looked around at the people in the courtyard, bewildered.

She couldn’t figure out why there were so many people in her yard at this hour—normally, it was just her and Second Brother.

And among those people were the two who loved to sleep in the most: her father and mother!

“Juanjuan, you’re up early!”

Bai Tian looked completely drained, listless and bleary-eyed, like a balloon that had lost all its air.

He could only think: 【My little girl is amazing, up this early.】

“Mm. Why is Daddy up so early too?” Juanjuan asked curiously.

Bai Tian replied, “Because Daddy is virtuous!”

Juanjuan stared at her father, who looked like a ghost and was acting a little unhinged. She nodded, though she had no idea what he meant.

But that didn’t matter anymore.

If this man weren’t her actual father, Juanjuan was certain that if she saw him on the street, she’d turn and run without a second thought.

Not even a moment’s hesitation.