TNIBFT -Chapter 24 Finally Struck It Rich

As for the Shen family in the book, how could Shen Jie possibly admit that he had been raised in the household of a disgraced official? Once he acknowledged his biological father, the first ones he would turn his blade on would be the Shen family.

Since the protagonist wouldn’t die for the time being, then he’d just deal with him bit by bit.

Ye Tian narrowed his eyes, a violent glint spreading within them. In the future, the three children would die at Shen Jie’s hands—but now that he, Ye Tian, was here, he would change the plot. He would ruin Shen Jie’s reputation and make him taste what it felt like to be humiliated and falsely accused.

Since they were destined to be mortal enemies, there was no need to play nice.

Originally, Ye Tian had planned to take the three children far away from Shen Jie, avoid any interaction with the protagonist, and thus sidestep all conflict. But now, since it couldn’t be avoided, he would face it head-on.

…

After Ye Tian left—

Aunt Li sat in the snow, her aged face numb and expressionless. Twenty years ago, she had been someone of status. Once a person had lived in comfort and enjoyed others’ flattery, no matter how far they fell, deep down they would always feel superior. She had once been certain that the Shen family was destined for greatness… but now…

“Grandmother, let me help you up?”

Shen Jie stepped forward cautiously, speaking softly as he bent down to help her up from the ground.

Looking at the refined and handsome grandson she had raised like a precious treasure, Aunt Li felt a surge of anger lodge in her chest.

“Get lost!”

She suddenly exploded, shoving Shen Jie to the ground. Her eyes were red as she shouted, “How could I have a grandson like you? Even if we’re not blood-related, my Shen family has treated you well all these years! The whole family supported your education, and now, for a mother who never raised you a single day, you’re harming our entire family—stealing my heirloom jade bracelet!”

“Get out! Get out of here!”

Aunt Li trembled with rage.

The more she had loved Shen Jie before, the more she hated him now.

Shen Jie fell into the snow, his eyes darkening. The surge of irritation in him was instantly suppressed—he hadn’t finished using the Shen family yet; it wasn’t time to fall out with them. Thinking this, he put on a face full of remorse and looked toward the village chief, pleading:

“Grandpa, I know I was wrong. Seeing her suffer, I truly couldn’t bear it. I only meant this to be the last time—as a way to repay her for giving me life. From now on, I’ll be a member of the Shen family and have nothing more to do with her.”

As he spoke, Shen Jie knelt on the ground, crying bitterly.

The village chief was somewhat moved. After all, the bond between mother and child was only natural. Besides, Shen Jie had limitless potential and was the hope of the Shen family’s future. As long as his heart remained with the Shen family, everything could still be salvaged.

The village chief had just stretched out his withered hands—

Before he could even touch Shen Jie’s sleeve, someone stormed out of the house, clutching a large wooden chest that looked familiar.

Bang!

The chest was thrown onto the ground, and all sorts of items spilled out.

Various women’s undergarments came into view.

The village chief’s old face flushed red, wishing he could disappear into a crack in the ground.

Someone shouted, “Shen Jie, look at the mess you’ve made—you beast in human skin!”

“Stealing and framing a five-year-old child, forcing the child to confess, inciting everyone to bully a kid—and even stealing women’s undergarments. Someone as vile and shameless as you must be driven out of the village!”

“Damn it, isn’t that my wife’s undergarment?!”

“And my little daughter’s! Shen Jie, are you even human?”

“F*** you—!”

The more they spoke, the angrier the villagers became. One person took the lead, kicking Shen Jie while holding the undergarments, and soon a whole crowd surged forward, beating him.

The village chief was pushed to the back by the crowd, trying to pull people away here and there, shouting anxiously, “Stop hitting him! Stop!”

Aunt Li grabbed the village chief. “This is a disgrace to decency! Such a lowly wretch is not a member of my Shen family at all.”

“Don’t interfere!”

After saying that, Aunt Li pulled the village chief back into the courtyard. Shen Jie lay on the ground, being beaten mercilessly. Watching as the Shen family coldly shut their gates, fury surged in his eyes.

Today’s humiliation—he would make the Shen family, Ye Tian, and these lowly villagers all pay.

Not a single one of them would escape.

But as for Ye Tian… how did he know about the jade bracelet he had stolen?

And how did he know about the undergarments Shen Jie had secretly hidden?

Who on earth had told Ye Tian?

…

Around one in the afternoon.

Ye Tian sat at the doorway, leaning his back against the eaves, squinting as he basked in the sun.

The warm sunlight felt incredibly comfortable on his body.

He stretched lazily. As the temperature rose, a sour smell began to emanate from him. His face instantly darkened. Damn, even a zoo doesn’t smell this bad. Bath—he absolutely needed a bath.

“What are we eating for lunch?”

From behind came Ye Shuangxue’s soft, childish voice.

Ye Tian turned his head and saw his daughter standing at the doorway, chin slightly raised, looking at him with a serious expression.

“Whatever you want,” Ye Tian replied.

“Sweet potatoes.”

“And there’s still a bit of mixed flour, and some beans.”

Ye Shuangxue listed them out, clearly asking for his opinion.

Ye Tian frowned and stood up. “Is that even food fit for people?”

The moment she heard that, Ye Shuangxue immediately tensed up.

Her first thought was: Oh no, Ye Tian’s acting up again!

“We’re not eating at home today. I’ll take you all into the city to eat—and buy a couple of new outfits while we’re at it.” Ye Tian looked excited. Spending money—whether in his past life or this one—was something he loved.

Who would’ve thought he’d stumble upon such a huge bargain today?

The Shen family’s heirloom—selling it casually would normally be risky, but Ye Tian knew that in the book, Shen Jie had sold the bracelet to a jewelry shop and gotten a large sum of money. That shop had connections and backing; as long as the item was valuable, there’d be no problem at all.

Having the “script” in hand really did feel great.

“Eat… in the city?”

Ye Shuangxue looked suspicious. Did Ye Tian even have money?

Seeing her doubtful gaze scanning him up and down, Ye Tian rubbed her little head. “What are you standing there for? Go call Xiao Jiang.”

“Oh.”

The old Ye Shuangxue had been like a bristling little lion. The current one was more like a stubborn, prickly little lion.

“We’re going to eat in the city?”

Inside the house, Xiao Jiang’s surprised shout rang out.

Ye Tian stepped inside. Xiao Jiang looked up at him, his big eyes sparkling. “Are you really taking us to eat meat buns?”

“I want to eat two this time, okay?”

The little guy excitedly held up two short fingers.

Ye Shuangxue’s face turned cold. She grabbed her brother’s hand and said disdainfully, “So lacking in ambition. You had two last time, and you still want just two this time?”

“I want three!”

The little girl raised her brows, puffed out her nonexistent belly, and looked proudly at Ye Tian with her chin up.

“Hahaha…”

Ye Tian burst into laughter at the siblings’ exchange, clutching his stomach. “Oh man, I can’t take it—you two aim too low. This time, we’re not eating meat buns. I’m taking you to a proper restaurant.”

A restaurant?

The two children’s eyes widened as if they had just heard something unbelievable.

Half an hour later, Ye Tian found the jewelry shop mentioned in the book. It said that Shen Jie had sold the bracelet there for one hundred taels of silver. That money had allowed him to enter the City Lord’s residence and lie low by Xiao Haoyang’s side.

But today, Ye Tian held a heavy pouch of silver in his hands. His grin stretched from ear to ear, completely uncontrollable.

“Damn… I’ve finally struck it rich!”