TNIBFT -Chapter 179 Ye Tian’s Transformation

Before dying, Meng Qing had said that many members of the Ye family had perished at his hands.

He knew Ye Tian, and his purpose in coming this time was total annihilation. In the original story, Meng Qing just happened to be the mastermind behind the slave market, and Ye Yunting just happened to fall into it, enduring every torment imaginable. This could not be mere coincidence.

At this moment, a sense of urgency arose in Ye Tian’s heart.

He had to become stronger if he wanted to survive in this world while protecting the children.

Gaining influence through wealth was also a possibility.

…

The next three days passed without incident.

“Where… am I?”

Shangguan Ning woke up groggily, her eyes taking in the faded blue mosquito net, the simple bedframe, and the sparse furnishings of the room. She struggled to sit up, her hands pressing against the bed, feeling as if her entire body were stiff; every movement made her joints creak.

Her abdomen didn’t hurt as much as before.

She lifted the hem of her clothes and saw that her previous wounds had been stitched up again, leaving faint scars. Who had saved her?

Dressing herself, Shangguan Ning stood and opened the wooden door of the room.

Creak!

The door groaned on its hinges. Outside, the yard was empty and quiet. This place seemed to be Ye Tian’s hotpot restaurant.

Was Ye Tian dead?

What about the three children?

Thinking of this, her heart jumped to her throat, and her entire body tensed. She braced herself against the door and hurried toward the main hall.

“Eat more duck blood, Old Yuan, to replenish your blood!”

“No, Brother Yuan should eat more brain matter—his head was badly injured a few days ago.”

“Brother Yuan, will you still be able to serve as manager?”

“What do you mean? You’ve been eyeing my manager position for a long time, haven’t you?”

Laughter and joking voices came from the hall. Pushing open the wooden door, a warm scent of charcoal fire mixed with spicy aroma hit her, rich enough to even carry the smell of scallion oil. Shangguan Ning swallowed hard. Looking up, she saw several rough-looking men seated around a large square table in the middle of the hall.

They were gathered around a strangely shaped large bronze pot, steam rising from it. A layer of red oil floated atop the broth inside.

This kind of meal… was pure luxury!

Gurgle!

Gurgle!

Having lain in bed for three days, Shangguan Ning was starving. The aroma made her hunger even worse, her stomach twisting painfully.

The table was filled with all kinds of dishes—slices of meat, vegetables, and even unfamiliar items. At a smaller table nearby sat Ye Tian and the two little masters…

Shangguan Ning’s mind hadn’t yet processed this, when Ye Shuangxue’s wary gaze immediately fell on her.

She stood up at once, calling out, “He’s awake!”

The hall went completely silent.

Swish, swish, swish!

All eyes turned to Shangguan Ning. She took a confident step forward and said to Ye Tian, “I heard some noise, so I came to check.”

“Come, sit. You must be hungry.”

Ye Tian glanced at her, then, calm and composed, picked up his chopsticks and continued cooking in the pot.

This was the first time Shangguan Ning had really observed Ye Tian. He had a tall, slender frame, black hair flowing to his waist, clean and elegant. His hair was tied neatly with a pale blue cloth. His side profile was sharp, handsome. His demeanor wasn’t refined, but neither was it rough—he exuded a natural charm.

No wonder His Majesty had risked everything to sire the little prince with him… turns out he was a pretty boy.

In Shangguan Ning’s heart, no man in the world was worthy of Qin Fengyi. She had grown up alongside Qin Fengyi, who in her eyes was an idol, a presence she could never reach.

“I’m not hungry!”

Shangguan Ning said coldly, though her eyes heated as they glanced at the boiling bronze pot. Hastily, she looked away, fearing she couldn’t resist the temptation of sitting with Ye Tian.

“Mm!”

Ye Tian responded lightly.

Then he didn’t glance at Shangguan Ning again.

Watching Ye Tian take huge bites of meat, the rolls covered in thick sauce, the sauce tinged with red and green—it looked incredibly appetizing. What was all this?

It smelled amazing.

Gulp! Shangguan Ning swallowed hard. That damn Ye Tian—couldn’t he be a little polite?

Just because she said she wouldn’t eat, did he think he didn’t need to either?

“Daddy, you eat!”

Ye Shuangxue brought the sauced food to Ye Tian. The little girl held her chopsticks awkwardly, still not very precise in using them.

Ye Tian took it without hesitation, opening his mouth as soon as it reached him.

Chewing, he squinted his eyes in pleasure: “So delicious! My daughter isn’t just cute—she even feeds me delicious food.”

Ye Tian smiled warmly. Shuangxue, pleased by the praise, lifted her chin proudly and busily continued feeding him, even blowing on the food gently to make sure it wasn’t too hot for him.

That damn Ye Tian—he actually let the little princess of Da Zhou stand and feed him?

He didn’t deserve this!

“You…”

Shangguan Ning stepped forward, moving in front of Ye Tian. She had a stern expression and was about to scold him when Ye Tian looked up at her, a confused expression on his face.

The two of them locked eyes. Shangguan Ning grabbed Ye Tian’s arm, feeling the heat in her hand. She quickly let go and said, “Shameless! You make such a small child serve you food, don’t you feel any shame?”

Shame?

Ye Tian raised his hands—both wrapped in cotton bandages.

Shangguan Ning froze, still processing, when Ye Yunting, standing beside Ye Tian, put down his chopsticks and calmly looked at Shangguan Ning:

“If it weren’t for my dad, you would be dead by now. He was the one who called the divine doctor to treat you. No matter what your intentions were, you saved my dad—so recover quickly and leave once you’re healed.”

“I…”

“I am.”

Shangguan Ning blushed furiously. She wanted to explain, but countless curious eyes were on her. Frowning, she swallowed her words. Forget it, I’ll wait a few days and explain it properly to the little masters later.

But… the little master actually called Ye Tian “Daddy”?

Shangguan Ning’s suspicious gaze swept over Ye Tian. Whether it was Ye Yunting or Ye Shuangxue, during every meal they constantly attended to Ye Tian. One look from him, and the two children immediately understood, pouring water and serving tea.

Ye Tian seemed more like the pampered child.

Why was this happening?

Hadn’t the villagers of Mingfeng said Ye Tian had long abused the three children?

Shouldn’t the children harbor resentment?

Shangguan Ning secretly studied Shuangxue. The little master was adorable, chubby-cheeked, confident in every movement—not at all like a child who had been frequently beaten. And the way she looked at Ye Yunting—no fear, only affection.

Could it be that she was wrong?

Gurgle!

Gurgle-gurgle!

Shangguan Ning’s stomach growled loudly. Embarrassed, she covered it with both hands, her face flushed.

Ye Tian smiled: “Let’s eat together.”

At least you have some conscience.

Just as Shangguan Ning was about to sit, Ye Tian added, “Anyway, we can’t finish it ourselves. If you don’t eat, it’ll go to waste.”

Shangguan Ning: …

She picked up her chopsticks and eagerly tried a bite of beef. Following Ye Tian’s method, she dipped it in the sauce first. Instantly, the rich peanut sauce exploded across her taste buds, blending perfectly with the savory gravy and fresh cilantro—the layered flavors merged into something incredibly delicious.

The spicy, numbing base left her tongue tingling, and after one bite, she wanted a second.

“So good…”