TNIBFT -Chapter 164 You’re Not the Only One Who Cares About You

Shi Hao nervously shook Shi Shanxiang’s arm.

Seeing that he didn’t react, Shi Hao turned his pleading gaze to Qiu Feibai. Qiu Feibai said, “It’s nothing. Your father just got a shock—he’ll be fine in a while.”

Shi Hao frowned helplessly.

Has Big Brother really left?

Last night, when Shi Xuan shut the door and wouldn’t let them in, in Shi Hao’s heart, Shi Xuan was no longer his brother.

From now on, he had to take care of his father, find his mother, and live a proper family life.

Once arrangements here were settled, Qiu Feibai stood and headed out. Ye Tian gave Shi Hao a few reminders, then also followed him out of the medical hall.

The streets were chaotic, pedestrians running in panic.

Many people were carrying bundles, fleeing with their families through the city. The snow on the ground had been trampled into mud, and Ye Tian carefully tiptoed to avoid it.

From behind, Qiu Feibai spoke softly, “I heard that Lord Xiao fled the city overnight. He took dozens of carts of jewels and antiques. He probably won’t dare return.”

“As soon as he left, Sifang City lost its central pillar. The wealthy families who had planned to wait a few days have already decided to leave this morning. Once they’re gone, it will take another ten years for this city to recover.”

Ye Tian paused, then looked back at Qiu Feibai with a smile. “I didn’t expect Brother Qiu to care so much for the common people.”

“You flatter me!” Qiu Feibai smiled modestly and said to Ye Tian, “Our Medicine King Valley also needs a reputation. Our specialty is miraculous healing. In the next few days, disciples from our valley will come to Sifang City in shifts to treat ordinary citizens.”

Ye Tian nodded.

It’s the same in every life. Any charity group, any state-run organization—at the slightest disturbance, they’re the first to donate and show goodwill.

After all, he who wins the people’s hearts wins the world.

“Have you ever thought about keeping them in Sifang City?” Ye Tian suddenly asked.

Qiu Feibai didn’t immediately understand what Ye Tian meant and paused for a moment.

Ye Tian said, “Think about it. Your Medicine King Valley disciples can only study medicine within the valley. The place is isolated, and they rarely interact with outsiders. Sifang City is different. The environment and the human hearts here are far trickier—excellent training for the disciples. More importantly, there are more unusual and complicated patients here, perfect for practice.”

“Using it as a training hospital sounds good to me.”

A training hospital?

Qiu Feibai narrowed his eyes slightly—Ye Tian’s reasoning actually made sense.

“There’s more. If you want fame, to be known across the land, isn’t Sifang City the perfect place? They have no money for medical treatment. You treat them for free while improving your disciples’ skills. Two birds with one stone.”

“The city lord has fled, and you’re coming to save the people from disaster. Who wouldn’t praise the Medicine King Valley for its righteousness? Most importantly, when the valley becomes famous in Sifang City, everyone will come seeking medicine. Who knows what the city itself will be called then?”

Ye Tian winked at Qiu Feibai.

The prospect was enormous—Qiu Feibai was almost choked by it.

Finally realizing, he looked expressionlessly at Ye Tian and said, “You’re worried I’ll take Xiao Jiang away after some time, right? No wonder Xiao Jiang’s words are getting sweeter. So that’s where he learned it from.”

Qiu Feibai shook his head and ignored Ye Tian, walking ahead.

In truth, what Ye Tian said stirred something in him. It wasn’t that he had no such plan.

A doctor needs to constantly gain experience. No amount of manuscripts or notes can replace firsthand practice.

A training hospital.

The term felt refreshing.

“These days the city is unsettled. Brother Ye, why don’t you take the children to stay at my place for a while?” Qiu Feibai offered generously.

Thinking of Qiu Feibai’s luxurious courtyard, Ye Tian hesitated.

Qiu Feibai smiled. “This also makes it easier for me to guide Xiao Jiang. I’m not used to being apart from him for even a day. Without the kids chattering around, it always feels so quiet here.”

“Brother Ye Tian!”

Before Qiu Feibai could finish, a voice called from behind.

Ye Tian turned and saw Tao Ling’er holding a pale blue oiled-paper umbrella, a small bamboo basket hanging from one arm, standing not far away.

Her long hair was braided across her chest, the tips dusted with tiny white snowflakes. She stood gracefully, her delicate face partially hidden beneath her white fur. When she noticed Ye Tian looking her way, her big watery eyes curved into a smile. Stepping forward in embroidered shoes, she said, “I went to the hotpot shop but didn’t see you. The staff there said you had gone to the medical hall.”

Tao Ling’er walked closer.

Qiu Feibai chuckled and glanced at Ye Tian. “Looks like you’re not just cared for by me, huh?”

With that, Qiu Feibai shook his head with a smile and left first.

Tao Ling’er’s gaze returned to Ye Tian’s face. As she spoke, a mist seemed to form in front of him, blurring the scene slightly, making it hard to see clearly.

“My father said it’s unsafe in the city and wants you to take the three kids to stay at our home for now.”

Ye Tian frowned, thinking.

Just as he was about to speak, someone in the street shouted, “The city gates won’t open!”

“Right now, everyone inside wants out, and people outside want in. They’re all crowding the gates. The city guards can barely hold them back. The city lord has already fled. If we don’t leave now, should we just wait here to die?”

“Let’s go. We should all see what’s happening.”

The sparsely populated street quickly emptied as people scattered.

Ye Tian and Tao Ling’er awkwardly stood in the middle of the road.

Uh… the atmosphere was a little awkward. Tao Ling’er tiptoed, holding the oiled-paper umbrella above her, tilting it so that it fully shielded Ye Tian.

Any thought of refusing to go vanished—he didn’t say a word. After all, in both of his lifetimes, no girl had ever treated him so well.

“Shall we go see for ourselves too?”

Ye Tian finally said.

Tao Ling’er blushed and nodded.

The two of them walked down the street together. Ye Tian’s mind wandered, and Tao Ling’er spoke again: “My father’s health has only just improved. The city lord fled overnight, leaving all city affairs to my father. He hasn’t slept for two nights. If he keeps pushing like this, even consuming immortal pills won’t help. Brother Ye Tian, maybe when you have time, you could go home and persuade my father? If you say it, he’ll listen.”

Ye Tian nodded. They chatted casually as they walked, and within minutes, they reached the end of the street.

In front of the city gates, a crowd had already gathered, mostly families with children, some driving ox-carts and donkey-carts loaded with luggage. Faces flushed with effort, they jostled toward the city guards: “Open the gates!”

“The city lord has fled. Do you want us to stay and wait for death?”

“The Da Zhou troops will arrive soon. Hurry and save yourselves!”

“Open the gates! Open them!”

The crowd’s roar was overwhelming. Usually obedient and law-abiding citizens, faced with life-and-death danger, were now raging with anger, pushing forward recklessly.

The normally haughty city guards looked alarmed, turning to one another: “Send someone to fetch Lord Tao. Tell him the gates won’t hold for long!”

“Quickly!”

Watching the near-chaotic scene, Ye Tian shielded Tao Ling’er and moved to avoid the crowd.

Tao Ling’er nervously asked, “Do you think the Da Zhou troops will really come?”