TNIBFT -Chapter 114 Survival Comes First

“Good news?”

Ye Tian looked at Xiao Xun’er with suspicion, his gaze sweeping over her from head to toe. That young lady’s devoted admirer had nearly gotten him killed—he needed to keep his distance from now on. Stay away from beautiful women. Staying alive came first.

Xiao Xun’er stepped closer.

Ye Tian instinctively took a step back.

She frowned at him.

“Heh heh…” Ye Tian gave an awkward laugh and kept edging backward. Xiao Xun’er rolled her eyes. “Do I look like I eat people?”

“I just wanted to tell you—the City Lord has assigned you a new shop. It’s five times bigger than this one, right on Vermilion Bird Street in the city center. I’ll take you to have a look now.” Xiao Xun’er finished irritably, her expression exasperated as she led her fine horse forward.

A shop… compensated by the City Lord?

It didn’t feel real to Ye Tian. What kind of person was Xiao Haoyang?

He, Ye Tian, was just a lowly commoner. The son of the Ironclad General had died in his shop—yet Xiao Haoyang hadn’t executed his entire family to appease Ji Zhengping, and instead chose to win him over. That alone was already surprising. And now he was even giving him a shop?

“Well? Aren’t you coming? Don’t want it anymore?”

Xiao Xun’er turned her head, strands of hair on her forehead fluttering in the wind. Her eyes narrowed slightly, long lashes casting shadows over her delicate face. With her refined nose and rosy lips, she was breathtakingly beautiful.

She lifted her hand to tuck loose strands of hair behind her ear, her gaze landing on Ye Tian’s dazed face. Her expression shifted slightly. “Let me tell you—this was something I personally asked for. If not for me, do you think the City Lord would’ve given you a shop?”

“Your shop was burned because of me. I take responsibility for my actions. From now on, I don’t owe you anything.”

After saying that, Xiao Xun’er raised her fair chin proudly.

Ye Tian nodded with a smile.

There was no way Xiao Haoyang did this because of his daughter. That man valued sons far more than daughters. Xiao Xun’er still had value—she was of marriageable age, so naturally he had to cultivate her properly. As for the shop, it was probably because Ji Zhengping had told Xiao Haoyang that Sun Wuji had stepped in for Ye Tian. Xiao Haoyang had no choice but to act.

After all, someone like Sun Wuji—if you displeased him, he could take your life without hesitation.

City Lord or Great General—it didn’t matter.

“Of course I want it!” Ye Tian grinned as he followed along. He suddenly slapped the horse’s rear. Startled, the horse reared up, letting out a couple of neighs before bolting forward.

With a flick of the reins, Xiao Xun’er made the horse spin in place. It swished its tail before finally calming down.

“First time seeing one up close—just curious!”

“Curious!”

Seeing Xiao Xun’er glare coldly at him, Ye Tian hurriedly explained, embarrassed.

The two walked one after the other down the street. People came and went, many sneaking glances at them, whispering among themselves.

“Do you think Miss Xiao has really fallen for Ye Tian?”

“What’s going on between them?”

“Why did Miss Xiao go straight to him as soon as he showed up?”

“If you ignore status and position, they actually look quite well-matched…”

The crowd murmured quietly. Ye Tian caught bits and pieces. Looking at Xiao Xun’er’s back, a faint smile appeared on his lips.

In this society, tolerance toward women was extremely low. If a woman went out and met a man, regardless of her status, she would be judged and gossiped about.

And yet Xiao Xun’er had openly confronted Ji Zhengping for his sake.

When the fire broke out, she had disregarded her reputation, using her status to suppress the guards just to save people.

With actions like these, it was impossible not to misunderstand.

Xiao Xun’er might be arrogant and domineering, used to getting her way—but that was simply how she had been raised. In this feudal society, as the City Lord’s daughter, she held a noble status. No one had ever taught her that all people were equal.

But the fact that she dared to love and hate freely, and had the courage to take responsibility—on that alone, she already surpassed ninety percent of the sheltered young ladies in this world.

A gentle breeze passed by, carrying a faint, lingering fragrance.

Ye Tian said sincerely, “Thank you.”

Xiao Xun’er paused for a moment, then replied without turning her head, “You can be serious too?”

One breath passed.
Then another.

Neither of them spoke. Xiao Xun’er felt a bit awkward, thinking she might’ve said something wrong. After all, Ye Tian was still badly injured, so she quickly added, “Just a ‘thank you’? This shop is a gift to you. Your previous one was rented—this one’s in the best location…”

“You’re not expecting me to repay you with my body, are you?” Ye Tian cut in, looking at her profile.

The tips of Xiao Xun’er’s ears instantly turned red. She turned her head and scoffed, “My future husband will definitely be a dragon among men. Look at yourself—you barely qualify as a wild chicken.”

Ye Tian: …

“Hey, jokes are fine, but don’t make it personal,” Ye Tian protested.

Seeing his face darken like the bottom of a pot, Xiao Xun’er curled her lips smugly. “Forget about offering yourself. If you want to repay me by working like an ox or a horse, I might consider it.”

“How about this—when my franchise shop opens, you bring your three kids to help out?”

Holding the reins of her horse with one hand, Xiao Xun’er glanced at Ye Tian. On the bustling street, crowds flowed around them, NPCs stepping aside as they walked. Sunlight shone brightly on their faces. From afar, they looked like a perfectly matched pair.

Ye Tian also found it easy being around Xiao Xun’er—it reminded him of his past life, living in a shared dorm with roommates.

“I can’t decide that. I’ll have to ask the kids.”

“You call yourself their father?”

“Pathetic.”

They went back and forth like this. After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, they finally reached the shop assigned by the city lord. By the time they arrived, Ye Tian’s back was already soaked with cold sweat.

As soon as Xiao Xun’er entered, a steward came forward to greet her. The process was simple—after confirming the ownership deed was handed over to Ye Tian, the two exchanged a few more barbs before parting ways.

These past few days, Fang Shenghu had been running around helping with the shop. Now that they had a new one, there was no need for that anymore.

“Brother Fang!”

Just as Ye Tian was about to look for him, he spotted Fang Shenghu and Yuan Heipang along with several employees squatting by the roadside.

Hearing Ye Tian’s voice, Fang Shenghu stood up awkwardly, glancing behind Ye Tian repeatedly.

“Brother Fang, weren’t you having a headache?”

“And didn’t you go home?”

“And weren’t you having a stomachache?”

Ye Tian looked at them speechlessly. The group felt so awkward they practically wanted to dig a hole with their toes. Fang Shenghu quickly changed the subject, “Where’s Miss Xiao?”

“She went back.”

“Oh right—no need to look for a shop anymore. The city lord compensated us with a big one. It’s the Yue Lai Inn on Zhuque Street.”

Ye Tian said it casually.

Fang Shenghu was stunned. “Yue Lai Inn? That place is in the best location in Sifang City! The city lord really gave it to you?”

“N-no way… Miss Xiao, she wouldn’t really…”

Fang Shenghu’s eyes turned ambiguous as he looked at Ye Tian.

Yuan Heipang and the others chimed in, “Miss must have feelings for the boss!”

“Definitely! Otherwise, why would the city lord be so generous?”

“The boss is amazing—he even won over the city lord’s daughter!”

“With Miss backing us, what do we have to fear?”

The group surrounded Ye Tian with envy and admiration. Ye Tian’s face darkened with exasperation, but he couldn’t explain, so he could only say, “Don’t talk nonsense. There’s nothing going on between us.”