TNIBFT -Chapter 12 Starting the Road to Wealth

No matter how hard Ye Tian racked his brain, he couldn’t find even the slightest trace of information about the children’s mother.

That was strange.

Frowning, Ye Tian noticed the little boy looking up at him. He smiled and said, “Come on, Dad will take you to make some money.”

“In the future, I’ll make you a rich second generation.”

Xiao Jiang looked confused—what was a “rich second generation”?

Seeing Ye Tian pick up his things and leave, Xiao Jiang hurried after him on his short legs. For some reason, he felt that following Ye Tian was safe… and even made him happy. He liked the current Ye Tian.

Half an hour later.

Ye Tian arrived at the city gates. The place he lived in was essentially outside Sifang City, and it took more than half an hour on foot to enter the city. Without a phone or a watch, he had no idea what time it was. The sunlight was slanted now, dimmer than in the morning. Raising his hand to shield his eyes, Ye Tian squinted toward the sun on the horizon.

Probably around three in the afternoon.

There weren’t too many people entering the city, but there weren’t few either.

This was Ye Tian’s first time strolling around in an ancient setting. The city gate was about four stories high—quite grand and imposing. Armored soldiers stood guard above; after all, this was a frontier town, so defense was essential.

Below the city walls, most people wore ragged clothes like Ye Tian—mostly in dull shades of gray, black, and blue. It wasn’t as pleasing to the eye as in TV dramas. Most were men, their faces gaunt and filled with worry.

Everyone entering the city was briefly questioned by soldiers.

Ye Tian blended into the crowd with Xiao Jiang, copying what others said and following the rules to enter the city. There was no protagonist’s halo, no sudden incidents. Ye Tian sighed helplessly—he truly was just a cannon-fodder side character, plain and unremarkable.

Inside the city, it looked similar to the ancient towns he had visited in his previous life—only much more crude. The furniture and houses were mostly made of old wood, darkened with age. The roads were largely paved with stone slabs, giving everything a dim, muted tone. Ye Tian glanced at the shops along the street. There were almost no snack stalls; most storefronts were inns, restaurants, pawnshops, or cloth stores.

“Let’s go.”

Ye Tian waved his hand. When he noticed no response from behind, he turned around. Xiao Jiang stood there with his neck hunched, like a timid little quail, not even daring to lift his head—his whole body shrunk inward, full of inferiority.

Ye Tian walked back, took Xiao Jiang’s small hand, and said, “Don’t be afraid. In my eyes, you’re the best. None of these kids are better-looking than you, and none are smarter either. You have to let people see you so they can understand your strengths.”

“Right?”

Xiao Jiang nodded lightly. Ye Tian’s words were like a warm current, easing the nervousness and unease in his heart.

The old Ye Tian had never brought him into the city. When he came with his older siblings, it was usually to sell things. City people saw their ragged clothes and lack of supervision and often bullied them. They were treated like vagrants, chased away wherever they went. Naturally, Xiao Jiang had no fondness for coming to the city.

After following Ye Tian for a while, the little boy gradually relaxed. He finally dared to look up and curiously observe his surroundings.

The streets bustled with traffic. Holding Ye Tian’s large hand, Xiao Jiang felt safe, and his courage slowly grew. When he saw the steaming, plump meat buns by the roadside, he even dared to take a few extra glances.

Seeing Xiao Jiang licking his lips and swallowing repeatedly, Ye Tian said, “Once we sell the thirteen-spice, Dad will buy you some meat buns.”

“No, no need!”

At the mention of meat buns, the little boy hurriedly waved his hands in refusal. With a family like theirs, how could they even think about eating meat buns?

Ye Tian rubbed Xiao Jiang’s head and said, “You’re helping Dad sell things, so this is your reward. If we sell the thirteen-spice, we’ll also buy two meat buns for your brother and sister. How about that?” His tone was gentle, almost negotiating.

Xiao Jiang froze in place, staring blankly at Ye Tian.

His nose tingled, and he almost burst into tears. In his whole life, no one had ever asked for his opinion. He was just a useless person—did he really matter that much?

“Th-then… what is ‘Thirteen Spice’?”

Xiao Jiang looked at Ye Tian and asked.

“Pepper powder. If you don’t give it a fancy, high-end name, how are you going to trick people into buying your seasoning?”

Ye Tian patted his bulging chest, sending a cloud of powder scattering into the air. It choked him so badly he couldn’t even open his eyes. Seeing his ridiculous appearance, Xiao Jiang’s lips curled up slightly. Amid the bustling street, the raggedly dressed pair—one big, one small—stood under the sunlight, creating a surprisingly warm scene.

After wandering around for a while, Ye Tian had basically figured out the layout of the city.

He found a wonton stall with good business, let out a long breath, and prepared to begin his journey to becoming a billionaire.

“Phew…”

His heart started racing. In his previous life, he had just been an ordinary delivery worker. Now that he had transmigrated, he even had to negotiate business deals himself—he couldn’t help but feel nervous.

At that moment, there were two tables of customers at the wonton stall. Business was average, and the owner and his wife happened to be free.

Ye Tian took a deep breath and was just about to step forward when he suddenly turned to Xiao Jiang, flashing a mischievous grin.

“How about you give it a try?”

“Just say what I taught you—guaranteed success.”

Xiao Jiang didn’t believe him. If it was that easy, why wouldn’t Ye Tian go himself?

But he didn’t dare to argue. His small body trembled with nerves, and he could barely hold onto the items in his hands. Ye Tian patted his shoulder.

“What are you afraid of? You look so handsome today—everyone who sees you will like you. If they don’t buy your stuff, then that boss has no sympathy at all.”

“I believe in you. Go on.”

“The meat buns are waiting for you.”

Xiao Jiang nodded, pressed his lips together, and glanced at Ye Tian. As if he had made up his mind, he took the two packets of Thirteen Spice and walked into the wonton stall.

“Oh?”

“Whose child is this? Such a good-looking little boy.”

Just as Xiao Jiang stood there with his head lowered—like a child returning home to accept punishment—the shop owner’s wife suddenly smiled and praised him. Instantly, Xiao Jiang gained a bit of confidence. He gripped the items in his hands and handed them over.

“This is… this is Thirteen Spice. You can add it to wontons, and it will make them taste even better.”

The owner’s wife looked to be in her forties. Her skin was rough, but her figure was still curvy. After hearing Xiao Jiang’s words, she exchanged a glance with her husband, who was wrapping wontons. She stood up, wiped her hands on her apron, and said kindly: “Little one, we don’t use outside seasonings here. Maybe you should try somewhere else?”

“This pepper powder, when added to soup, makes it delicious. It can also warm the body and even cure illness. Please give it a try, ma’am.”

Xiao Jiang grew anxious and blurted out the most fluent sentence he had ever spoken in his life.

Just as the owner was about to refuse again, Ye Tian, who had been waiting nearby, suddenly stepped forward.

“Boss, this is a secret recipe passed down in my family for hundreds of years. If we weren’t desperate, I wouldn’t sell it to you. If you don’t believe me, I can add some to a bowl of clear soup—you’ll know with just one taste.”

Ye Tian’s expression was sincere.

Xiao Jiang was completely dumbfounded.

A secret recipe passed down for hundreds of years?

Wasn’t this just ground up a moment ago?

Ye Tian was way too good at making things up!