After Giving Birth, All My Beast Ex-Husbands Suddenly Want Me Back Chapter 166: Who says we have to compete?

"You’re wrong, brother," Dian said lightly. "Sister Nina hasn’t bonded with you yet—she’s not my sister-in-law."

Which ant he had every right to pursue her.

"She isn’t now, but she will be," Lex replied, irritation creeping into his voice. "You are not allowed to chase her."

He already had more rivals than he could handle.

He had no intention of adding his own brother to the list.

"And why not?" Dian countered, unconcerned. "If you can’t win her over, that’s your problem. Why stop ?"

"I..." Lex faltered, then stiffened. "I just need more ti."

"From what I’ve seen, Sister Nina doesn’t like you at all," Dian said bluntly. "If anything, you’re the one who should give up."

"That’s only temporary," Lex insisted, though his confidence wavered. "She will like eventually. And... we have Mimi."

Dian let out a soft scoff.

"You already have a child together, and she still hasn’t bonded with you. Doesn’t that prove she finds you lacking? You really should give up, brother."

Lex’s jaw tightened.

"Our situation is complicated. You don’t understand—don’t make baseless assumptions."

"I may not understand everything," Dian replied calmly, "but I know this much—it must be your fault. Right?"

Lex looked away. He couldn’t deny it.

It was his fault.

As a male, he hadn’t cared for Nina. He hadn’t cared for Mimi.

And worse... He wasn’t a qualified partner.

"See? I was right." Dian huffed.

He knew it—his brother must have made a serious mistake. That was why Nina refused him.

A thought flickered through his mind.

Maybe I should find out what he did... so I don’t repeat it.

"Brother," Dian said, testing the waters, "why don’t you tell ? Maybe I can help."

"Not a chance." Lex’s eyes sharpened instantly.

He knew his younger brother all too well—innocent on the surface, but scheming underneath.

Before, they’d gotten along well enough.

But now?

They were rivals.

Help him?

He’d be lucky if Dian didn’t trip him up instead.

"Fine. Keep your secrets." Dian shrugged, already planning to investigate on his own. "If you’ve got nothing else to say, I’m leaving."

He stepped aside to go, but Lex blocked his path.

"Leaving? I called you here to make you give up on Nina," Lex said firmly. "Go back to Sea Blue City with Mother. Stop interfering."

"I’m not here to interfere," Dian replied, utterly unbothered. "I’m here to join you. I like Sister Nina. I’m not giving up."

"You’ve only just t her today! How can you call that love? Do you think ’liking’ soone is sothing you can just say casually?"

Lex frowned.

To him, Dian was simply mistaking admiration for beauty for love.

But the two were not the sa.

"I’m not saying it casually," Dian said, his voice steady. "I truly like her."

"I used to think love at first sight was impossible. But after eting Sister Nina... I understand. It’s not just her beauty. There’s sothing else—sothing I can’t quite explain."

Lex exhaled sharply, frustration knotting in his chest. "So you really intend to compete with your own brother?"

Dian tilted his head. "Who says we have to compete? We can cooperate. We’ll both beco Sister Nina’s mates."

He grinned. "Better than sharing her with outsiders, right?"

Lex paused.

...That actually made a strange kind of sense.

Right now, he had made no progress at all. Maybe working with Dian—with his endless tricks—would help.

"...Fine. We’ll cooperate."

But in his heart, Lex added silently:

First, beco her mate. After that... I’ll deal with the rest of them.

"That’s more like it." Dian slung an arm around his shoulder. "Brothers united—we’ll both win Sister Nina’s heart."

Then, lowering his voice, he leaned in. "So... what exactly did you do to make her angry?"

"None of your business." Lex shoved him away, still wary.

"Suit yourself." Dian clicked his tongue. "Then take to your room. I’m staying with you tonight."

And just like that, he strode off toward the stone house, with Lex following reluctantly behind.

The night passed in uneasy peace.

At dawn, the three brothers made their way into the kitchen.

Seeing Dian and Jiro join them, Odian and the others imdiately redoubled their efforts.

Today’s breakfast had to be impressive.

"Brother, teach us how to make sothing Sister Nina likes," Dian said eagerly.

"...Alright," Lex agreed, though he lacked confidence.

Truth be told, he barely knew how himself.

He started with sothing simple.

Porridge.

As Dian followed along, he secretly glanced at the others.

His brows slowly furrowed.

They know so many dishes...

We’re falling behind.

His eyes flickered. A plan began to form.

A while later, Nina finished washing up and ca to the table with the children in her arms.

Breakfast was laid out. Rosen and the others were already seated.

Just as Nina was about to begin eating, Dian approached, carrying a bowl of porridge.

"Sister Nina, I made this for you," he said, setting it down gently.

Then, almost shyly, he tucked his hands behind his back.

"It’s my first ti... I hope you won’t dislike it."

Nina noticed imdiately. "Your hands—what happened?"

"It’s nothing," Dian said lightly. "I’m just not used to fire yet."

"Try the porridge."

"Your people don’t like fire," Nina said, concerned. "You don’t have to cook."

"But I want to." His gaze lifted to hers—bright, earnest, unwavering. "Cooking for you makes happy. Don’t worry. I’ll get better with practice."

His directness made her cheeks warm. "I’ll heal you first."

"Thank you, Sister." He extended his hands.

They were pale and beautiful, but marred with red burns, so blistered.

Nina frowned. "That’s a lot of burns... You really shouldn’t cook anymore."

Dian shook his head, resolute. "I want to cook for you."

Sothing complicated flickered in Nina’s expression.

Still, she gently healed his injuries, then took a spoonful of his porridge.

Nearby, Odian and the others were practically grinding their teeth.

This damn fish knows exactly how to play pitiful.

Lex: Why didn’t I think of that...

Jiro: Fine. I’ll let him have this round.

"The rfolk aren’t suited for cooking anyway," Kith said coolly. "Don’t waste your effort. Nina’s als are our responsibility."

"Exactly," Aviel added, eyes sharp. "You should return to the sea. The land—and especially the kitchen—aren’t for you."

Dian’s lips curved faintly.

"City Lord of Flying Dragon City... if I rember correctly, don’t you already have a fiancée?"

Aviel froze.

His expression stiffened, and he instinctively glanced at Nina.

Damn it.

This fish went straight for the throat.