TNIBFT -Chapter 25 Adults’ Matters—Kids Shouldn’t Worry

One hundred and ten taels.

That was ten taels more than Shen Jie had in the book. In this world, ten taels of silver could buy ten mu of the finest black soil—land that could be passed down for generations. In Mingfeng Village, no family even owned ten mu yet. If Ye Tian spent carefully, these 110 taels would be enough for him to lie flat and live comfortably until the end of his life.

Seeing Ye Tian come out of the pawnshop, Ye Shuangxue, who had been squatting by the wall, whispered, “He’s out.”

Xiao Jiang craned his neck for a look. The two kids brushed the dust off their clothes and ran toward Ye Tian. But when they saw him grinning like a fool, they exchanged puzzled glances, completely confused.

The purchasing power of 110 taels was equivalent to more than 700,000 in his previous life. Across both lifetimes, Ye Tian had never earned this much money.

Being a slacker—living like a salted fish—was his lifelong dream.

Lost in his daydreams, Ye Tian couldn’t stop smiling. Ye Shuangxue frowned, her little face full of confusion. “What’s wrong with you?”

“Did you pick up money or something?”

“Did the boss give you a lot of money?” Xiao Jiang asked excitedly.

Snapping back to his senses, Ye Tian looked down at the two little bean-sized kids and said seriously, “Adults’ matters—kids shouldn’t worry about them.”

Xiao Jiang’s face flushed red. Ye Shuangxue rolled her eyes at him. “Cheapskate.”

Then she turned and ran off without looking back.

Xiao Jiang glanced up and down at Ye Tian, pursed his lips, and said quietly, “It’s not safe to carry silver on you. You can deposit it in the bank across the street. I heard they even give interest.”

Seeing Ye Tian staring at him, Xiao Jiang shrank his neck. “We’ll go wait for you up ahead.”

With that, he ran off on his short little legs in the direction of Ye Shuangxue.

“That kid…”

Ye Tian shook his head helplessly as he watched him go. Having a son who was too clever wasn’t necessarily a good thing either.

It wasn’t that Ye Tian was stingy or unwilling to let the children know how much money he had. It was just that the family had always been poor. Suddenly gaining a huge sum like this could easily affect the children’s mindset—they were still too young. Even he, with two lifetimes of experience, had almost been so happy he felt like taking off flying. Let alone kids.

Ye Tian deposited 100 taels into the bank. The clerk handed him a receipt and repeatedly reminded him to keep it safe before letting him leave.

The city bustled with people.

All kinds of figures filled the streets, dressed in all sorts of ways. Some wore tattered gray cotton jackets; some children even had their bare bottoms exposed, their little feet red from the cold. There were also women riding mules, wearing tasseled hats, and delicate young ladies carrying embroidered baskets, covering their mouths as they laughed brightly. No matter the world, people were always divided into different classes.

Only sunlight was fair—spreading across every face, making the world glow with color.

At a bun stall, the vendor lifted the steamer with a shout. Scalding steam billowed out.

Xiao Jiang and Ye Shuangxue stood frozen in front of the stall, unable to move. Their eyes sparkled as they swallowed repeatedly, recalling the taste of the meat buns from last night. They anxiously searched the crowd for Ye Tian.

“Over here!”

“Over here!”

Ye Shuangxue waved excitedly at Ye Tian.

The young vendor looked the two children up and down, flicking the white towel on his shoulder. “If you’re not buying, don’t touch.”

“Go on, go on—stand farther away.”

His face was full of disdain. With two ragged children like beggars standing there, people might think his stall was unsanitary.

Xiao Jiang gently tugged at his sister’s clothes. “Let’s just go.”

Ye Shuangxue frowned, clearly unwilling, but there was nothing she could do. This kind of treatment wasn’t new to them—they had long grown used to it.

Ye Tian narrowed his eyes slightly and strode toward the bun stall.

“It’s you?”

The shopkeeper stared for a while. Seeing Ye Tian’s bruised and battered face, along with his shabby clothes, he suddenly recognized him as the big customer who had bought ten meat buns in one go yesterday. Immediately, he put on a flattering smile and greeted him eagerly:

“Brother, how many buns do you want today?”

Without even lifting his head, Ye Tian reached out and patted the two children’s heads. “What are you doing here?”

“You must be hungry. Dad will take you to eat something good.”

Ye Shuangxue and Xiao Jiang looked up at Ye Tian, then turned to glance at the bun shop owner.

The once arrogant shopkeeper was now all smiles, fawning over Ye Tian as if he were meeting his own father.

Is Ye Tian really that impressive?

Ye Shuangxue widened her eyes in confusion as she looked at him.

The bun shop owner felt awkward. Business wasn’t great today, and in the whole town there were hardly a few people who could buy ten meat buns at once. He quickly forced a smile and said: “Brother, these are your children? They’re so adorable—each one so delicate and handsome, just like the children in New Year paintings…”

Before he could finish his flattery, Ye Tian cut him off: “We’re not eating buns today. I’m taking them to a restaurant.”

What?!

The bun shop owner’s eyes widened. By the time he snapped out of it, Ye Tian had already walked away with the two children.

A restaurant?

Watching the three of them leave, the shopkeeper spat on the ground and sneered: “With that poor look, they’ll be thrown out before even stepping inside.”

“Who are you trying to fool?”

“I’ve never eaten at a restaurant in my life, and you think you can? Talking big without fear of biting your tongue…”

He muttered curses under his breath while wiping down his stove.

On the other side—Ye Tian led the two children to a restaurant. It was a grand two-story establishment, with a dazzling golden signboard hanging above the entrance. The waiter’s calls rang out from inside like a song, and the place was lively with well-dressed patrons laughing and toasting with wine cups.

“I… maybe we shouldn’t go in…”

Xiao Jiang glanced at the signboard, immediately shrinking back. His small face flushed red, his eyes filled with unease and fear.

Even when he used to beg for food, he didn’t dare come near a place like this. Standing at the entrance now, he felt even smaller—lowly and insignificant.

He felt like anyone inside could easily crush him. He didn’t belong to the same world as these people. And the food on those tables—things he couldn’t even dream of tasting in his lifetime.

Ye Shuangxue frowned, her little face serious. Holding Ye Tian’s hand, her palms were already sweating from nervousness.

“Let’s go in.”

Ye Tian spoke, holding their hands as he stepped inside.

The rich aroma of food filled the air. The lively chatter in the restaurant abruptly fell silent the moment Ye Tian entered. Many diners paused mid-bite, their chopsticks in hand, looking him and the children up and down with puzzled—and even disdainful—expressions.

Under such gazes, Xiao Jiang lowered his head even further, shoulders hunched as he stared at his toes, not daring to move.

Meanwhile, Ye Shuangxue held her head high, fists clenched nervously, like a little lion ready to fight at any moment.

“You…”

The waiter straightened slightly, his expression impatient as he looked at Ye Tian.

Ye Tian replied calmly, “We’re here to eat.”

Then he pulled out a piece of silver from his chest and said, “Find us a quiet seat.”

“Right away!”

The moment the waiter saw the silver, his attitude changed instantly. Bowing repeatedly, he said respectfully: “This way, honored guest.”