TNIBFT -Chapter 256 A Woman Who Strives All Her Life

His expression was exaggerated, and his voice cracked with sobs, instantly drawing the attention of passersby on the street.

The townspeople stopped in their tracks, gathering in small groups, curious as they looked at Shi Xuan and Shi Shanxiang.

“Father, I know I was wrong!”

Shi Xuan clutched Shi Shanxiang’s legs, tilting his face upward, his features full of urgent regret.

Shi Shanxiang’s expression was numb, letting Shi Xuan shake his legs without resistance.

At this moment, he no longer knew how to face his eldest son.

Childhood favoritism and indulgence—back then, he truly loved Shi Xuan. But as Shi Xuan grew older, he often caused chaos at home. Everyone compromised with him, and over time, Shi Xuan became lawless, seeing no one as worthy of respect.

In the end, when his legs were broken, Shi Xuan drove him out of the house.

He would never forget lying there, barely alive in the freezing snow, waiting for someone to open the door and save him, while Shi Xuan’s tone was cold, blaming him simply for seeking out Xiao Hao.

Later, his fortune was squandered by this prodigal son, and he and Xiao Hao had only each other.

Recalling everything that had happened recently, Shi Shanxiang’s eyes reddened. His voice hoarse, he said, “I am not your father.”

“On the night of the avalanche, didn’t you say we were severed beyond reconciliation?”

Shi Xuan’s expression froze for a moment.

Then realizing, he clutched Shi Shanxiang’s thighs and cried, “Father, I shouldn’t have listened to others’ slanders. Give me one more chance, just one more chance! I swear I won’t make the same mistake again. From now on, I’ll honor you properly, truly, I swear it!”

After speaking, Shi Xuan hurriedly knelt on the ground, holding up three fingers.

Shi Shanxiang shook his head.

He didn’t want to pay attention to Shi Xuan and walked toward Ye Tian.

“Father!”

Seeing this, Shi Xuan immediately lunged forward, clutching Shi Shanxiang’s thighs tightly. “How can you bear to let me sleep on the streets? I’m your own son! Do you know how cold it is outside at night?”

“Do you know how I’ve been surviving lately?”

As he spoke, Shi Xuan even began to cry with a sense of grievance.

Looking at his stubborn eldest son, Shi Shanxiang felt helpless. Seeing Shi Xuan so disheveled, emaciated, he couldn’t bear it—after all, they were father and son. “Go home for now. But from now on, I only ask that you behave and treat Xiao Hao well.”

At first, Shi Xuan was overjoyed. But hearing the second part of the sentence, his expression immediately turned fierce.

He turned to look at the simple, honest Shi Hao and fumed—so much acting!

How long would this kid keep pretending?

Shi Xuan roared at Shi Hao, “Was it you?”

“During this time, did you put something in my eyes again?”

“You already have everything—so why are you still forcing me?”

“Don’t think I don’t know. You run a pharmacy in Liuzhou, your business is huge. Shi Hao, don’t you just want to take the family fortune for yourself? Father, can’t you see that?”

Shi Xuan got up from the ground and stood beside Shi Shanxiang, raising an eyebrow at Shi Hao.

Shi Hao remained silent.

He had once longed for his family’s approval. Later, traveling with his father on business across the country, he gradually understood that some people would never live clearly in life. To earn his recognition, one had to be on the same morally corrupt path as him.

“You still have family matters to handle. I’ll be going first!”

Ye Tian said, waving toward his daughter.

“Lord of the city!”

“Lord Ye!”

Shi Shanxiang followed behind, shouting.

Shi Xuan’s voice rang out: “Ye Tian is the city lord?”

“How is that possible?”

“This is a capital offense! Father, you’d better stay away from him…”

“Smack!” Before Shi Xuan could finish, Shi Shanxiang slapped him across the face. “Shut your mouth!”

“I think you shouldn’t go anywhere—just keep begging for food!”

“Father…”

“Father!”

Shi Xuan’s voice from behind gradually faded into the distance.

Qin Fengyi glanced at both sides of the street. Over the past two days, the crowd had clearly grown larger than before. Frowning, she looked at Ye Tian: “These past couple of days, the streets are full of families, weary from travel. These people must have come from nearby Liucheng.”

“When idle people gather like this, law enforcement needs to be stricter. Spies and troublemakers might try to slip in—handle it carefully.”

Ye Tian nodded: “These are just ordinary civilians.”

“Liucheng suffered a snow disaster this year. The people are just relocating to make a living.”

“When we return, I’ll reorganize the factories.”

It seemed Ye Tian had already planned ahead. Qin Fengyi realized she had spoken unnecessarily and lowered her gaze to her feet.

Silence.

Neither of them spoke, and the atmosphere grew slightly awkward.

Qin Fengyi tilted her head slightly to look at Ye Tian—and met his teasing, half-smile. Her heart skipped a beat and suddenly began to race uncontrollably.

Cannot lose!

Cannot lose!

Qin Fengyi forced a calm expression, her anxious eyes locked on Ye Tian.

Ye Tian’s lips curved into a slight smile. In that instant, Qin Fengyi panicked, unsure how to respond. She lowered her head: “Ahem…” She coughed to appear composed, turning her face away expressionlessly.

Fortunately, she hadn’t revealed anything.

No one noticed.

Qin Fengyi exhaled heavily, keeping her neck still.

“Madam Meng, your palms are sweating!”

A soft, tender voice sounded. Qin Fengyi looked down to see her daughter’s worried face, then continued: “Are you feeling hot?”

“Did you wear too many layers?”

Ugh…

Qin Fengyi was internally rolling her eyes. She quickly looked at Ye Tian and said seriously: “Those who practice martial arts are naturally different from ordinary people.”

“Am I sweating?”

“How should I know… maybe you are?”

Qin Fengyi bent down, lifting Ye Shuangxue into her arms. Hugging her daughter, she noticed her little frown just as she was about to speak. Qin Fengyi’s eyes lit up: “Oh, you must be tired. We’ve been walking so long, you must be exhausted.”

“Come on, I’ll take you to get candied hawthorns!”

With that, she ran off holding her daughter.

Watching her flustered retreating figure, Ye Tian shook his head, smiling.

If she could stay, perhaps the three little ones could even have a younger brother or sister…

He forgot to tell Qin Fengyi that Xiao Jiang was already on the way back to the city, and she would soon see their youngest son. She would probably be very happy. That clingy little Xiao Jiang would likely become even more adored by Qin Fengyi.

…

The next morning.

Ye Tian had asked Duan Qingshan to wake him early to avoid being asleep when Qin Fengyi arrived.

He was now in the hall, eating porridge and eggs.

“This plain porridge is bland. Tomorrow we can try adding some shrimp or greens to make it savory,” Ye Tian said, offering suggestions as he ate.

Duan Yingying quickly jotted it down.

Nearby, Fang Shenghu had already changed into his military uniform, ready to go out.

Hearing Ye Tian’s words, he turned to Duan Yingying: “I also think plain porridge is bland. Ye Tian is right—add some greens and shrimp; it will help the children grow.”

“Yingying, you take so much care. The children don’t eat much, so we can’t be careless.”

“Make sure the shrimp is bought tonight.”

Listening to Fang Shenghu’s instructions, Ye Tian was dumbfounded.

With a brother like him, can he even find a wife?

Ye Tian secretly glanced at Duan Yingying. Her eyes were full of a gentle smile, staring at Fang Shenghu without blinking, radiating pure happiness.

Ye Tian thought: Another day filled with love-struck bliss.