After Descending the Mountain, Seven Big Brothers Spoil Me - Chapter 428

Chapter 428: Fine, I Won’t Participate
“Daddy,” Zhouzhou pouted, taking the phone with both hands. She huffed, cradling the phone as she scooted to the far corner of the bed, turning her back to Ye Lingfeng. Sitting cross-legged, she stared sullenly at the screen.

On the other end, Qin Lie leaned back in his chair, gazing at his pouting daughter, whose lips were pursed enough to hang a bottle. He asked gently, “What’s wrong? Who upset you?”

Zhouzhou, embarrassed, scratched the back of her head, sneaking a glance behind her. Seeing Ye Lingfeng watching her, she quickly looked away.

She pulled the quilt over her head, covering herself tightly, and muttered, “No one, Daddy. It’s just me upset Sharp Tongue Uncle.”

She recounted the recent events, her little face showing traces of sadness as she pinched her toes in frustration.

This time, she wasn’t pretending.

She genuinely wanted to protect her Sharp Tongue Uncle.

Qin Lie understood her sentiment. Pausing, he changed the subject, “When did Uncle Zhao mention that you could participate later?”

Zhouzhou blinked, not expecting the question, and answered honestly, “Right after Sharp Tongue Daddy and I made our bet.”

They had met once during a meal and chatted briefly.

“Daddy, why are you asking?”

Qin Lie didn’t reply immediately, his fingers tapping lightly on the table.

Unlike the naive Zhouzhou, he, with his twenty more years of life experience, suspected that Zhao had anticipated today’s outcome and had planned other options for Zhouzhou from the start.

Of course, outsiders were secondary.

The most important thing was that Zhouzhou herself wanted to do this.

Even if Zhao Xinghua hadn’t mentioned it, she would have found out about it eventually.

After a moment’s thought, he said, “Give the phone to Ye Lingfeng.”

“Huh?” Zhouzhou blinked, puzzled but obediently emerged from under the quilt, repeating, “Daddy wants to talk to you.”

Ye Lingfeng, without revealing his awareness, took the phone. Looking at the man on the screen, he grumbled, “Why don’t you discipline her? You’re spoiling her too much.”

Zhouzhou pouted unhappily beside him.

Who said that? She was very well-behaved.

Qin Lie sneered, showing none of his usual gentleness towards Zhouzhou. “You want me to be the bad guy while you reap the benefits?”

Did he think Qin Lie was a fool?

Ye Lingfeng pretended not to understand, asking, “What do you want to say?”

Hearing this, Zhouzhou also perked up, listening intently with curiosity.

Qin Lie hesitated, rare indecision showing on his face. After pondering, he asked directly, “How do you plan to resolve this?”

“Easy,” Ye Lingfeng glanced at Zhouzhou and snorted. “Once she’s asleep, put her on a plane. By morning, she’ll be home. She sleeps like a log, won’t wake up no matter what.”

Zhouzhou stared in disbelief, shocked at his heartless words.

She huffed, hands on her hips, retorting, “What’s wrong with being a log? Logs can beat up tigers!”

She was fierce!

Ye Lingfeng almost laughed but composed himself, calling Zhouzhou over seriously, “If I really did that, what would you do?”

Before she could answer, he added, “And as for sneaking back, I can make sure Qi Hua and the others won’t call you anymore.”

Zhouzhou might have potential, but he was already a trained operative. If he firmly refused and threatened to quit, they wouldn’t dare approach Zhouzhou for at least fifteen years.

But he didn’t want to hurt her feelings.

Hearing his words, Zhouzhou blinked innocently, “But Sharp Tongue Daddy, did you forget? I have my compass.”

She pulled out a small compass, saying, “If I want to come back, I can find my way myself.”

Ye Lingfeng was speechless. He hadn’t considered that.

This place was isolated, and few knew of its existence. Yet Zhouzhou, with her unique abilities, couldn’t be thought of in ordinary terms.

Recalling her ingenious methods during the final trial, he couldn’t help but twitch his lips.

Sometimes, a daughter who knew too much wasn’t entirely a blessing.

He couldn’t help but sigh, furrowing his brows tightly, “Is there no room for discussion?”

Zhouzhou looked up at him, seeing his furrowed brow, and reached out to touch it.

She then kissed him softly and whispered, “A kiss to make you a year younger.”

Gently smoothing out the crease between his brows, she threw herself into his arms, nuzzling his neck.

With a resigned sigh, as if making a significant decision, she said, “Daddy, don’t worry. I won’t join.”

Grasping his shirt, she murmured, “I wanted to join to protect Daddy, not to make Daddy sad.”

Her goal was to make him happy, not to cause him sorrow.

Since Daddy didn’t want her to join, she wouldn’t.

But…

“Daddy, you must promise me that when you go out, you’ll protect yourself and not get hurt,” she said, holding his face and speaking earnestly.

Her soft voice in his ear made Ye Lingfeng’s heart ache with a mix of sweetness and bitterness.

He glanced at the screen, seeing a hint of jealousy on Qin Lie’s face, which filled him with a smug sense of satisfaction.

See, he knew it—his little girl still liked him best!

Yet, this matter was indeed troublesome.

With a deep breath, Ye Lingfeng gritted his teeth and said, “Go to sleep early. Tomorrow, I’ll take you home.”

He couldn’t let Zhouzhou stay any longer; he feared he wouldn’t be able to hold out.

“Okay,” Zhouzhou sniffled, kissed him on the cheek, and then turned to the screen, smiling brightly, “Daddy, I’ll see you tomorrow!”

“Okay,” Qin Lie’s cold expression softened instantly, “I’ll have your favorite dishes prepared.”

“Great!” Zhouzhou’s eyes sparkled at the mention of food, and she chattered away with him, her mood lifted.

Watching their close interaction, Ye Lingfeng frowned. After a few minutes, seeing them grow even more animated, he pretended to accidentally disconnect the call, mumbling, “Oops, sorry, I must have hit something.”

Zhouzhou scrunched her face at his clumsy act, wanting to say something but holding back, finally letting out a deep sigh.

She knew it—Daddy was so easy to get jealous!

How childish.

Pouting, she didn’t expose him.

Ye Lingfeng, acting oblivious, cheerfully took Zhouzhou for a meal.

With everything resolved, they planned to return home the next morning, ensuring all was well.

Zhouzhou, seeing his happiness, didn’t say much. In the future, she would help him more by predicting any dangers he might face.

Casting aside her thoughts, she grabbed Wangcai and Jinbao, running wildly around the island. Only after exhausting herself did she return, take a bath, and fall into a deep sleep.

Ye Lingfeng arranged for the plane, and early the next morning, they boarded it.

As Zhouzhou was about to wave to Qi Hua and the others, Ye Lingfeng quickly blocked her view, urging the pilot, “Go.”

He wanted to leave before any complications arose.

Zhao Xinghua, seeing through his intent, couldn’t help but twitch his lips. This guy was guarding them like they were thieves.

Watching the plane take off, Zhao Xinghua shook his head and sighed.

Ye Lingfeng, now relieved, turned to Zhouzhou with a smile.

This was how it should be—children should be carefree.

Just as he was thinking this, his satellite phone rang at his waist.

He answered it, and his expression immediately darkened at the words from the other end…