The sickly one in F4 was the group's darling.

Bai Luochen had already put down the journal, slowly sipped his tea, leaned back comfortably on the sofa, glanced between the two of them, and spoke softly.

"His logic is sound."

"Second brother, don't add fuel to the fire." Bai Jiheng turned his head and glared at him.

"I'm stating the facts," Bai Luochen said calmly. "You're responsible for the trouble you caused. That's reasonable."

Bai Jiheng felt he couldn't stand being in the Bai family's living room for even a second longer.

Wen Jingyao was very sensible. He lowered his head and silently arranged the fabric samples, pretending not to hear the three brothers' conversation at all.

Bai Jiheng looked at Bai Ci, and Bai Ci looked at Bai Jiheng. One was furious, the other calm and composed. One's ears were red, the other's eyes were curved in a smile.

"Third Brother."

"...What now?"

Bai Ci took a small half-step forward, tilted her head slightly to look at him, and said in a soft voice, as if asking for candy, "Will you help me buy it?"

Looking into those bright, sparkling eyes, Bai Jiheng knew perfectly well that he was being completely manipulated by the little guy. Every word he uttered was a pre-arranged trap, and he didn't need to bother with his older brother's handkerchief.

But he still pulled out his phone from his pocket, resignedly closed his eyes, and gritted his teeth, saying, "...Fine, half for each of us. How much are you paying?"

"Deduct it from my allowance."

"Your meager allowance can't even buy a scrap of fabric." Bai Jiheng scoffed. "Do you know how expensive high-end handwoven handkerchiefs are?"

"I don't know." Bai Ci shook his head honestly. "That's why I troubled Third Brother to help me buy it. I'll put it on your tab first, and pay you back when I've saved enough money."

Bai Jiheng stared at him quietly for a long time. Just a few days ago, the little guy was clutching his sleeve, looking pitiful and tearful. Now, he actually dared to openly negotiate with him and try to extort money. His progress was too fast.

"Okay, put it on the tab first. What color scheme do you want?"

"Dark blue, my brother likes dark blue."

Bai Ci smiled contentedly, her lips curving upwards: "Thank you, Third Brother."

Looking at his confident, matter-of-fact, and utterly unashamed smile, Bai Jiheng suddenly realized something.

All that talk of "half for each of us" and "deducted from my allowance" was just a prelude. From the very beginning, this kid was determined to make him pay the full amount. The so-called sharing was just to give him a way out, to provide an opportunity to "make amends for his third brother's mistake," so that he would willingly hand over his money.

He was completely outmaneuvered by a kid who had been crying in front of him just yesterday.

Bai Jiheng slumped onto the sofa, his back sinking into the cushions. He raised his hand to cover his eyes and let out a muffled chuckle.

He lowered his hand and looked at Bai Ci: "You're something else, Bai Ci. You're really capable. Where did you learn these little tricks from?"

Bai Ci pondered for a moment, then turned to look at Bai Luochen, who was watching the commotion from the side.

"It wasn't me who taught him, it was someone else who taught him, okay? Bai Ci figured it out on his own," Bai Luochen said, cutting to the heart.

Bai Jiheng was speechless for a moment, then couldn't help but chuckle.

"Alright, you've got it all figured out. But don't try to scheme against me like that again next time."

"Third Brother."

"Um?"

"The handkerchief that my eldest brother often uses to wipe his hands is made of Muyun yarn from Jinsefang. It has a plain background with subtle embroidery. Custom-made ones start at at least at fifty or sixty thousand."

Bai Jiheng's smile instantly froze: "Didn't you just say you couldn't explain the price range?"

"I didn't know at first, but I just happened to see it when I was looking through the fabric catalog." Bai Ci's expression was calm and obedient as usual.

Bai Jiheng stared at him quietly for a few seconds, then chuckled softly. There was no anger or resentment in his laughter, only a calm acceptance of being completely outmaneuvered.

He has seen through everything completely.

This kid doesn't need his attention at all. It's true that he's easily blown away by the wind, and it's also true that he's timid, but none of that matters. What matters is that this guy is incredibly clever, knowing when to be soft and when to be hard, and he has his third brother completely under his thumb.

Surprisingly, he wasn't angry at all; in fact, he seemed a little proud.

"Okay." Bai Jiheng placed his phone on the coffee table, the metal case making a crisp sound as it hit the marble surface. "The Jinsefang Muyun yarn style, have Zhao Shuo order it tomorrow, and put it all on my tab."

Bai Ci's smile deepened as he lowered his head and quietly flipped through the fabric catalog beside him, saying nothing more.

Bai Luochen turned a page of the journal, his gaze lingering for a moment on the densely packed academic papers, and casually made a comment, his tone as calm as if stating objective data.

"It seems that the hierarchy within the family is quite obvious."

Bai Jiheng: "..."

Bai Ci paused in turning the page, without looking up, and softly echoed, "Mm."

His tone was soft and indifferent, and the single word sounded like a casual, perfunctory response, but to Bai Jiheng's ears, it pierced his heart with precision, sending shivers down his spine.

This little guy actually dared to go along with Bai Luochen's words and assume that he was the one with the lowest status in the family.

Bai Jiheng chuckled in exasperation, leaning forward and stretching out his long arm to precisely pinch the soft flesh of Bai Ci's nape. It didn't hurt at all, but it carried a powerful, intimidating force: "What 'hmm'? You dare to agree with me?"

Warm fingertips brushed against delicate skin, carrying the warmth of an adult's palm.

Bai Ci's fingers, gripping the fabric catalog, curled slightly. He hunched his shoulders and spoke the truth with a serious expression.

"Second brother is right. Third brother dotes on me and is willing to be manipulated by me. He was originally the one with the lowest status in the family."

Wen Jingyao, standing to the side, pretended to organize the blueprints with his head down. The back of his shirt was already soaked with sweat, but his heart was pounding, and he was holding back his laughter.

He had truly broadened his horizons today. Everyone said that the three young masters of the Bai family were aloof, noble, and had an intimidating aura, but who would have thought that in private, the arrogant and haughty third young master could be completely controlled by his own younger brother, and couldn't even get angry when he was teased?

Bai Luochen twirled the pages of the book between his fingers, glancing at his aggrieved and helpless third brother out of the corner of his eye. In a light tone, he slowly added, "It's just the truth, no need to get angry."

"When did you two brothers become so close? Are you ganging up on me today?" Bai Jiheng released his grip in annoyance, forced to admit defeat. He raised his hand and ruffled Bai Ci's soft hair, slightly messing up his neatly styled hair. "So, I pay, I run errands, I get yelled at, and in the end, I'm the one with the lowest status?"

"Third Brother did it willingly."

Bai Jiheng sighed helplessly, completely giving up: "Fine, I did it willingly, I admit defeat."