TNIBFT -Chapter 2 Starting to Build Favorability

Ye Tian’s face was bruised and swollen, his hair disheveled—he looked utterly miserable. Limping, he made his way over to the three siblings. Every time he spoke, a sharp pain stabbed his chest, making him bare his teeth in agony.

Seeing his expression, the three children shrank into a tight cluster, their uneasy eyes not daring to meet his.

Noticing that all three of them were injured, Ye Tian forced a gentle smile. “How about I carry you back?”

He pulled out what he thought was a perfectly standard smile.

If I can raise their favorability a bit, maybe I won’t end up dead…

“Whooo—”

The only reply was the howling northern wind.

To the three children, Ye Tian’s smile was nothing short of a nightmare. Ye Yunting stared at him with a look of grim resolve, shielding his younger brother and sister behind him.

Ye Shuangxue pressed her lips together, glaring at Ye Tian with hatred.

Ye Hanjiang trembled all over, tears streaming down his face as if they cost nothing.

The atmosphere turned awkward. No one spoke.

“Uh…”

Ye Tian scratched his head awkwardly. Recalling what he had read in the book, this body’s original owner had spent years beating and abusing these three siblings—losing money gambling? Beat them. Getting mocked by others? Take it out on the kids. In a bad mood? Beat them to vent. In a good mood? Beat them to celebrate.

This time, he had even tried to sell one of them for drinking money.

Given all that, their attitude toward him was completely understandable. This wasn’t something that could be fixed overnight.

The kinder he acted now, the more frightened they became.

Fortunately, Ye Shuangxue hadn’t been sold yet—there was still time.

“Alright then… let’s go home.”

Limping, Ye Tian followed the path in his memory back toward the house.

Narrowing his eyes, he surveyed the surroundings. Everything was blanketed in white—the heavy snow covered everything. Only the raised outlines of rooftops could be seen, and thick flakes continued to fall from the sky.

Crunch… crunch…

Each step he took in the deep snow made a creaking sound.

This place was the Sifang City of the Great Liang Kingdom, just as described in the book. True to its name, it was a place that trapped the kingdom’s criminals—families of traitors, vicious offenders, bandits, and corrupt officials.

A chaotic mix of people, with no law or order. Weapons were forbidden. Survival of the fittest ruled here—everyone was left to fend for themselves.

“What’s wrong with him today?”

Xiao Jiang timidly raised his head, sneaking a glance at Ye Tian’s back—only to quickly lower it again, shrinking behind Ye Yunting.

Ye Tian had beaten Xiao Jiang so often that the child now had a psychological shadow. Every time he saw Ye Tian, it was like seeing a ghost. And the more afraid Xiao Jiang was, the more excited Ye Tian used to get, often beating him half to death.

Ye Yunting glared at Ye Tian’s back with hatred. “Who knows what he’s planning this time.”

“He was going to sell Shuangxue, but suddenly changed his mind and even took a beating for it. Maybe he found a buyer willing to pay more.”

“Don’t believe a word he says. He only comes up with new ways to torture us.”

The three siblings all silently agreed.

To them, Ye Tian was a demon. In his eyes, they were nothing but worthless burdens.

Shuangxue bit her pink lip, her dark eyes fixed on Ye Tian’s back. If looks could pierce through obstacles, he would’ve been riddled with holes by now.

“He got beaten today. When we get home, he’ll definitely beat us to death.”

“That scum… one day, I’ll make him pay back double!”

The three children wore solemn expressions, none of them speaking further.

Home?

It would be more accurate to call it a living hell.

They stood frozen in place, letting the snow fall onto their hair. None of them moved. Xiao Jiang clutched tightly onto Ye Yunting’s clothes, his teeth chattering softly.

“Wh-what are you standing around for? The snow’s getting heavier—move!”

Ye Tian stopped and turned to look at them.

His voice startled them into panic. Ye Yunting gritted his teeth and followed behind him—he knew the consequences of disobedience all too well.

“Don’t be afraid. In a few days, big brother will take you away from this beast.”

Ye Yunting spoke in a low voice.

At once, Ye Shuangxue and Ye Hanjiang’s eyes lit up. Quietly, they followed behind him.

Under the setting sun, golden light dyed the snow a warm orange. The four figures—father and children—limped forward, leaving behind a trail of footprints of varying sizes. Their shadows stretched long across the ground.

A family of four, silently moving through the wind and snow.

After about ten minutes, Ye Tian finally reached home.

“Tsk…”

Looking at the house before him, he shook his head helplessly. Half of it had collapsed under the weight of the snow, and the remaining half was barely standing—full of drafts and ready to fall at any moment. Even a dog in his previous life had lived better than this.

The three children followed behind him, watching his expression cautiously, not daring to make a sound.

They didn’t know when today’s beating would begin.

But they were certain of one thing—Ye Tian was in a terrible mood.

Seeing him shaking his head with a look of despair, Ye Yunting glanced at his siblings, gathered his courage, and stepped forward.

“It’s time to make dinner. I’ll take my brother and sister to Uncle Fang’s place to borrow some food.”

Borrow food?

Ye Tian froze for a moment. Were they surviving entirely by borrowing food?

Afraid that Ye Tian would refuse, Ye Yunting quickly lowered his head. “If I bring my younger siblings, Uncle Fang will give us more. You didn’t eat much today, so you can have more tonight.”

Looking at the bruised, skinny child—thin as a bean sprout—Ye Tian felt his face heat up in shame.

Hearing such words from a five-year-old made him, someone who had received nine years of compulsory education, want to crawl into a hole and disappear.

“Uh…”

Ye Tian stammered awkwardly, “I’m not that hungry… If you’re hungry, go borrow some food today. I’ll repay it in a few days…”