TNIBFT -Chapter 148 Refusing Kindness

Tao Ling’er’s big, watery eyes darted nervously.

She glanced at Ye Tian, then quickly lowered her gaze in fluster, staring at her embroidered shoes. Beneath her skirt, her small feet kicked uneasily at the snow on the ground.

Ye Tian looked at the top of her head suspiciously. “Is something the matter with Master Tao?”

“No!”

Tao Ling’er shot her head up in frustration. This Ye Tian was as dense as a block of wood.

She came to find him alone—what else could it be for?

Her cheeks flushed red. Snowflakes clung to the loose strands of hair by her ears, her skin as fair as snow, pure and delicate.

“My father… wants me to get married…”

Summoning her courage, Tao Ling’er spoke. Her heart raced as she stared nervously at Ye Tian, not missing even the slightest change in his expression.

Ye Tian: …

He looked stunned, blinking as he stared at her, his mind racing.

What did she mean?

Don’t tell me this girl wants me to marry her?

That won’t do!

She’s only seventeen—back in his previous life, she’d still be a high school student. How could he possibly go through with that?

Besides, he had never thought of Tao Ling’er in that way.

Coming back to his senses, Ye Tian broke into a grin. “Master Tao is just worried about you. Now that he’s recovered, he still needs someone by his side to take care of him. You’re still young—you can look after him for a couple more years. If you really want to marry, make sure it’s someone you understand well. You must be cautious. I’ll always stand behind you like a big brother.”

A brother?

Just a brother?

Tao Ling’er froze. She stared blankly at Ye Tian, her nose stinging as tears nearly fell.

But seeing the concern in his eyes, she forced a smile. “Mm.”

“Then it’s settled. From now on, you’re my brother. If anything happens to me in the future, you’ll be responsible.”

“Alright!”

Ye Tian agreed readily.

Neither of them spoke again, but Tao Ling’er could clearly feel Ye Tian letting out a sigh of relief. To him, her feelings were nothing more than a burden.

He had never harbored such thoughts.

At that realization, Tao Ling’er could no longer hold herself together. She turned and ran, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face.

Zhao Kang, who had been waiting behind her, immediately stepped forward when he saw her. Just as he was about to speak, he froze upon seeing her tear-streaked face.

“Junior sister, what’s wrong?”

Zhao Kang followed after her, asking anxiously. Without saying a word, Tao Ling’er rushed into the kitchen and shut the door.

“Junior sister—”

Bang, bang!

Zhao Kang knocked anxiously on the wooden door. Inside, Tao Ling’er wiped her tears and said in a choked voice, “I’m fine… just let me be alone for a while.”

“Did someone bully you?”

After asking, Zhao Kang stood on the steps outside the kitchen, looking toward the courtyard. He saw Ye Tian with two children in the middle of the yard—no one else around.

Could it be Ye Tian?

Zhao Kang suddenly recalled the way Tao Ling’er looked at Ye Tian, as well as her unusual behavior whenever he was around. In an instant, he understood, and his expression turned dejected.

…

Within Sifang City, security had become extremely tight. Entry and exit were strictly inspected.

City guards patrolled all day and night, leaving the people uneasy. No one knew what exactly had happened.

Ye Tian and his group headed toward the hotpot restaurant. The heavy snow had blocked the roads, and the streets had originally been deserted—but by afternoon, they suddenly became crowded with people.

“How tragic—Huichun Hall has been wiped out!”

“The City Lord has already given the order—this matter must be thoroughly investigated. After all, Physician Jiang was the divine doctor who treated the City Lord…”

“Who knows who they might have offended?”

“I heard only Miss Jiang is missing. The other twenty-some people are all dead…”

The townspeople gathered together, whispering among themselves.

More than a hundred city guards had surrounded Huichun Hall so tightly that not even water could pass through. Several officials in uniform, along with coroners and others, moved in and out. It was clear that the annihilation of Huichun Hall had drawn serious attention from City Lord Xiao Haoyang.

Before Ye Tian could even react, Qiu Feibai had already stepped forward and headed toward Huichun Hall.

“Old Qiu, wait…”

Seeing this, Ye Tian quickly followed after him.

A few guards stepped forward to question Qiu Feibai, but one of the officials recognized him and came over to smooth things out, briefly explaining the situation. Upon learning that Jiang Huichun was dead, Qiu Feibai was in disbelief. He told Ye Tian to leave first while he stayed behind to handle the aftermath—to ensure Jiang Huichun could retain some dignity in death.

On the way back, Ye Tian walked through the snow. Ye Shuangxue sat on his shoulders, while Xiao Jiang and Ye Yunting were held in his arms.

Xiao Jiang asked, “Dad, who do you think killed the people at Huichun Hall?”

Murders were common in Sifang City—adults and children alike had grown used to such things.

Ye Tian paused briefly and said, “I don’t know.”

“But there must be a reason for killing. Maybe they saved someone they shouldn’t have. Or maybe they offended someone they shouldn’t have offended.”

Someone they shouldn’t have offended?

Could it be Master?

Ye Shuangxue’s small hands fidgeted nervously, tugging at Ye Tian’s hair. His scalp stung, and he bared his teeth. “Ye Shuangxue, if you keep pulling, your dad’s going bald! If I can’t find a wife in the future, you’ll be responsible!”

Snapping back to her senses, Ye Shuangxue replied calmly, “Isn’t Sister Ling’er going to be your wife? If you can’t find a wife later, you can just marry Sister Ling’er.”

“Who told you that nonsense?”

Embarrassed and irritated, Ye Tian snapped, “What do kids know? Stop talking nonsense, or I’ll spank you!”

“Xiao Jiang said it…”

Ye Shuangxue immediately pushed the blame onto him.

Ye Tian lowered his head to look at his younger son in his arms. Xiao Jiang’s big eyes curved like crescents as he grinned ingratiatingly. “Hehe… I—I didn’t hear anything, really! I promise I didn’t hear you talking to Aunt Ling’er!”

Ye Tian: …

After a moment of silence, Ye Yunting suddenly spoke, “If you want to find a wife, we don’t object. As long as you’re happy.”

Ye Tian looked at his eldest son and said seriously, “If that day ever comes, I’ll definitely ask for your opinions first. But right now, I don’t have such thoughts. Just surviving in Sifang City isn’t easy. I only want our family to live well together. Don’t worry.”

The three children exchanged glances, clearly relieved.

When Ye Yunting said that, he was trying to understand Ye Tian’s true feelings. Although he didn’t want Ye Tian to remarry, he also didn’t want him to be unhappy.

After all, Ye Tian loved them deeply—and they loved him too.

…

At dusk in Mingfeng Village, wind and snow raged together.

Shangguan Ning’er and her group looked utterly disheveled. They had fled from the city, pursued and attacked all the way until they finally reached this place.

“Boss, I’m certain there are at least three groups chasing us,” Zhao Mingyuan said. His arm was injured, his lips dry and pale. He clutched his wound with one hand, narrowing his eyes as he spoke to Shangguan Ning.

The others, equally exhausted, looked at her. One of them added, “Besides the people from Sifang City, there’s a group of highly skilled assassins—and another group as well.”

Shangguan Ning’s gaze turned cold and sharp. “No matter who they are—anyone who blocks me dies!”

“Let’s go. Find a household to stay in first and recover.”

After speaking, Shangguan Ning headed toward a courtyard house outside the village. The tall walls and solid blue-brick structure made it clear—it belonged to a well-off family…