TNIBFT -Chapter 48 Are you still going to fight or not?

Ye Tian spoke as he patted Shen Jie on the shoulder.

“Who’s your friend?”

Shen Jie immediately retorted.

He tried to struggle out of Ye Tian’s arms in disgust, but Ye Tian, as if boneless, pressed his full weight onto Shen Jie like a rascal, eyes leering at Xiao Xun’er, rubbing his chin with a sly grin. “Oh… I get it.”

Then he put on a look of sudden realization.

His gaze lingered between Shen Jie and Xiao Xun’er for a moment, and Ye Tian said seriously, “Yes, yes, yes… I don’t know him.”

“I really don’t know Shen Jie.”

“Sorry, beautiful lady, I mistook you for someone else.”

After saying this, Ye Tian didn’t forget to pat Shen Jie on the shoulder again and wink at him. That look clearly said: See? I’m being generous, right?

This kind of trick, and he dares to play it right in front of me?

Xiao Xun’er’s eyes flickered with suspicion as she looked at Shen Jie and Ye Tian. Ye Tian’s behavior was frivolous, like a complete playboy. If Shen Jie, the young master, had such a shady companion, he probably wasn’t a good guy either.

Earlier, he had looked righteous and upright; now, with his urgent gaze fixed on her, Xiao Xun’er’s excitement had already dimmed a little.

Sensing Xiao Xun’er’s change in attitude, Shen Jie felt on the verge of tears.

This was currently the best chance to enter the lord’s mansion; if he missed it, there would be no second chance.

He stepped forward, intending to explain to Xiao Xun’er.

Ye Tian immediately hooked his wrist around Shen Jie’s neck, dragging him back. Shen Jie rolled his eyes in struggle. This short-lived brat Ye Tian must be doing it on purpose.

Not enough—just wait and see how I deal with you.

A wicked smile curved Ye Tian’s lips. His eyes glanced at Xiao Xun’er beside him, and he whispered, “This girl isn’t bad. For someone like you to snag her, it’s way better than that teacher’s daughter, Tao Ling’er, from yesterday.”

Ye Tian deliberately lowered his voice.

But every word was still heard clearly by those nearby.

The content of his words was utterly scandalous!

Comparing her to a village woman?

Xiao Xun’er’s face turned iron-cold, eyes narrowing as she fixed her gaze on Shen Jie and Ye Tian.

Seeing Xiao Xun’er’s murderous glare, Shen Jie shot a killing look at Ye Tian and roared, “Shut your mouth!”

The onlookers were stunned.

He was fine just moments ago—why did Young Master Shen suddenly lose his temper?

What’s going on?

Ye Tian immediately played along, sulking and covering his mouth with a finger, whining softly, “Fine, I won’t say it.”

Like a bullied little sidekick.

The back-and-forth between the two had already drained Xiao Xun’er’s patience. Seeing Shen Jie’s ferocious expression, she felt an inexplicable annoyance, gave him a cold glance, and elegantly swung herself onto her horse.

“Miss Xiao!”

“Miss!”

Shen Jie panicked, leaving Ye Tian behind as he took a couple of hurried steps.

Xiao Xun’er pulled on the reins, looking down from above at Shen Jie. Shen Jie continued kowtowing, “I don’t know him at all! He’s crazy! This is all a misunderstanding, Miss Xiao, I…”

Xiao Xun’er raised her hand to stop him.

Earlier, Shen Jie had been arrogant and overbearing; now he was humble and servile. She had no interest in listening to any more schemes or excuses.

Xiao Xun’er said coldly, “What kind of relationship you have with him is none of my concern. But next time, if you dare offend me again, I guarantee I’ll leave you battered and bruised.”

“Y-Yes, ma’am!”

Xiao Xun’er spoke, then flicked her small whip. The cold wind lifted her cloak, leaving the onlookers with the image of a poised and aloof figure.

A few mansion guards jogged behind her horse.

The crowd watched, stunned. What was going on? This wasn’t the usual story of star-crossed lovers falling in love at first sight—how did it end up like this?

“Ye Tian!!!”

Shen Jie’s face contorted as he shouted angrily at Ye Tian.

If it weren’t for Ye Tian, he would’ve entered the city lord’s mansion long ago. By now, he might have already met Xiao Haoyang. But because of this despicable man, he missed yet another chance to enter the mansion today. He could even feel something important slowly slipping away from his life.

“Your dad’s here!”

Ye Tian, casual as ever, folded his hands together and wore a mischievous grin.

“Ah…” Shen Jie clenched his fists and charged at Ye Tian, wishing he could punch him to death.

In the book, Ye Tian was 23, while Shen Jie was 14—he wasn’t even a match. Before he could reach Ye Tian, a single kick sent him flying.

Looking at Shen Jie sprawled on the ground, Ye Tian felt no guilt at all.

This guy might look pitiful now, but in the future he would slaughter the people of Sifang City. And Ye Tian’s three children? They’d be cannon fodder for Shen Jie—the thorn in their side, stepping stones on Ye Tian’s path to success.

Since he was destined to be an enemy, why show mercy?

“Are you going to keep fighting?”

Ye Tian looked down at Shen Jie on the ground, teasing, “If not, I’m leaving.”

“I still have to pick up the kids. Unlike you, alone in the world, driven out by the Shen family… life must be tough for you, right?”

A psychological blow.

Thinking of the past few days, Shen Jie didn’t know if he was angrier at Ye Tian or just miserable. Tears and snot smeared his face as he pounded the ground in frustration.

The more Shen Jie reacted, the happier Ye Tian became. He shouted to the crowd, “Disperse, everyone, disperse!”

“What’s so interesting about this? Show some respect! Doesn’t Shen Jie deserve face?”

“Oh, so that’s Shen Jie!” someone in the crowd realized and deliberately shouted, “Shen Jie offended Miss Xiao! Will his life ever be easy from now on?”

“So young, hanging out with the wrong crowd, wasting such a good face…”

“Truly bringing shame to Tao Shenggong!”

Voices erupted as the crowd whispered and pointed at Shen Jie.

“Ye Tian, I’ll kill you!”

“I’ll kill you!!”

Shen Jie, losing all reason, glared fiercely at Ye Tian while lying on the ground. Ye Tian’s eyes were cold and contemptuous; he glanced at Shen Jie one last time before turning and leaving.

By the time they exited the city, the sun was overhead. Seeing a wonton stall by the street, Ye Tian paused. He decided not to buy soup-based food for his three kids—it would be hard to carry and probably couldn’t be eaten on arrival anyway.

He spotted candied hawthorns instead, bought four skewers, and happily headed toward the school.

There were no electric vehicles here; people relied on walking. Wealthier families had ox carts, but they were rare. Ye Tian arrived at the school, out of breath, after about forty minutes.

“This way!”

“Over here!”

Little Shi Hao, the chubby kid, squatted under the school eaves holding a bowl of rice. He waved to the other children who had just received their meals. A dozen or so kids gathered around him, chatting and laughing as they ate.

Ye Tian looked around at the entrance. Where were his three little “villains”? Were they being ignored by classmates?

Frowning, he glanced toward a large tree in the corner of the courtyard. The three kids were happily eating together. Xiao Jiang even shared chunks of meat from his bowl with his older siblings. A simple meal tasted like a full feast to them.

Ye Tian was speechless. This had to be the most pitiful “villains” in the world!