Chapter 136: Older Brother Is Not an Outsider

Ying Ningzhi saw Sui Sui not moving, and his heart sank with uncertainty.

He took two steps forward, closing the distance to Sui Sui, then leaned his head forward slightly and asked tentatively, "Younger sister, it's fine if you don't want to forgive third brother; let him first bring your hat back? Otherwise you'll feel a chill on your head."

After asking, seeing Sui Sui only stare at him without speaking, Ying Ningzhi felt even more uncertain, but what he was more curious about was: "... Younger sister, what about your hair?"

In children's understanding, everyone has hair.

Although Sui Sui now has some, it's just a thin layer of stubble, like a newborn baby.

Surely no one would have cut the younger sister's hair, right?

Thinking of this possibility, Ying Ningzhi put on a bun-like face, pretending to be fierce as he said, "Younger sister, don't be afraid; if anyone bullies you, just find third brother—his fists are hard, I'll beat him up for you!"

Ying Ningzhi proudly puffed out his little belly, almost about to proudly declare: In Jing Cheng, who does the young master fear?

Ying Zhi had originally planned to wait for third brother to apologize, then come over to comfort the younger sister and play together.

As a result, did Ying Ningzhi still show off?

Even if his fists are hard, are they as hard as hers?

They're all defeated losers; dare they act arrogant here?

Ying Zhi was the first to refuse to accept it.

So the little girl stormed over, snatched the hat from Ying Ningzhi's hands, turned her head, and when facing Sui Sui, she smiled again, as if the person who had just angrily grabbed the hat wasn't her.

Ying Zhi was still very gentle toward the younger sister: "Sui Sui, don't be afraid, I'm here; rest assured, my fists are the hardest in Jing Cheng!"

While speaking, Ying Zhi gently placed the hat back onto Sui Sui's head.

The cool breeze on her head disappeared, and only then did Sui Sui slowly react.

Raising her head, she met Qiaoqiao Jiejie's gentle gaze; looking further back, the brothers' expressions varied, but more of them showed worry.

Especially Ying Ningzhi, who now felt both regret and helplessness; Xiao Pangzi's pitiful look made it easy to soften one's heart.

Watching this, Sui Sui lightly waved her hand, her tone a bit urgent: "Third brother, I don't blame you; I just didn't react in time."

In fact, Sui Sui isn't very good at speaking; after thinking for a long time, she couldn't organize her words, and she grew so anxious her eyes turned red.

Ying Zhi, watching from the side, gently touched the little girl's cheek that had grown a bit plumper, and said with a smile, "Sui Sui, don't rush; tell me what you want to say, I'll speak for you. It's normal to blame third brother—after all, it was his clumsy hand, and he deserves it."

Sui Sui didn't know how to respond to that; she just shook her head lightly, indicating she was fine and truly didn't blame third brother.

Upon seeing this, Ying Ningzhi felt that the younger sister no longer blamed him, and instantly he felt revived.

Having just been afraid of scaring her, he had been embarrassed to get too close, but now he squeezed in, laughing as he said, "Younger sister, as long as you don't blame third brother, later I'll share my hat with you to wear—though it's the one I wore as a child, and I don't know if it will fit you."

Regarding this question, Ying Ningzhi seriously thought for a while but couldn't figure it out.

Ying Zhi, listening from the side, rolled her eyes directly: "What's so good about your smelly old hat?"

After rebutting her own brother, Ying Zhi turned her head, smiling, and said, "Sui Sui, don't worry; I have many beautiful hats that I've never worn, new ones. I'll bring them over later for you to pick—whichever you like, we'll wear that one."

When Ying Zhi said this, she especially emphasized the words "never worn" and "new".

The sarcastic intent was quite obvious.

Ying Ningzhi pretended not to hear, stubbornly sticking out his neck: "How is my hat smelly? I clearly washed it until it smelled nice, and you have a new hat—does that mean I don't have one? Mine even has jade inlaid on it!"

Ying Zhi didn't even look at him: "You talk as if nobody has one—what's so special about jade?"

Ying Ningzhi:!!!

The young man's face turned red with anger, yet he couldn't retort to Ying Zhi; finally he could only put his hands on his hips, glaring angrily at Ying Junzhi and saying, "Older brother, look!"

Ying Junzhi stood to the side, watching the younger brothers and sisters play and frolic with a smile.

Seeing Ying Ningzhi apologize, Ying Junzhi stepped forward two steps, came before Sui Sui, and asked softly, "Does your neck hurt, Sui Sui? When third brother pulled the hat earlier, did he injure you?"

After all, it was their own brother who caused the injury; the necessary follow‑up still needed to be done.

Ying Ningzhi is young and unaware, but Ying Junzhi feels that as the older brother he must shoulder the responsibility.

Although Ying Junzhi is only a half‑grown teenager, he now bears the demeanor of a gentleman, and his aura carries a touch of gentle jade‑like warmth.

If one says Ying Zhi is like the morning sun, radiant in all directions.

Then Ying Junzhi should be like the afternoon sun, warming the world.

Sui Sui feels that this older brother's words and deeds give a very comfortable feeling.

At this moment, as he gently inquired about Sui Sui, his gaze was also gentle upon her.

Sui Sui felt embarrassed under his gaze; she pressed her lips together and lightly shook her head: "It doesn't hurt, it's fine."

Seeing the little girl say it doesn't hurt, Ying Junzhi carefully examined Sui Sui's chin and the area behind her ears; finding no pressure marks, he finally truly relaxed.

He raised his hand, gently adjusted Sui Sui's hat, and then said softly, "What kind of little hat do you like, Sui Sui? When the older brother returns, I'll have someone buy one for you—would that be alright?"

After asking, feeling that this lacked sincerity, Ying Junzhi thought again and added, "Buy a new hat, just for Sui Sui—would that be alright?"

Ying Junzhi's tone was gentle like a spring breeze, lightly brushing past Sui Sui's ear and then crossing her heart.

Sui Sui thought, This older brother is really gentle.

She raised her head, curiously looking at the older brother right before her eyes; meeting his sincere gaze, Sui Sui thought……

What the older brother said should be true, right?

For a child, a new hat that belongs to them is indeed very tempting.

Sui Sui had originally intended to agree, but then remembered what Le Le told her: one must not casually take others' belongings.

Le Le said, that is courtesy.

Sometimes people are just being polite; if you accept, everyone will feel awkward.

Thinking of this, Sui Sui lightly shook her head: "No need, thank you, older brother."

Ying Junzhi watched the little girl, who had originally seemed about to nod, but finally shook her head; he felt both helpless and a pang of sympathy.

He raised his hand and lightly touched Sui Sui's head, his tone still gentle: "Sui Sui, if you like something, just say it directly—older brother is not an outsider."

Second watch at 19:00.