TNIBFT -Chapter 52 Ye Tian’s Pie-in-the-Sky Method

“But your health…”

Shen Jie’s expression twisted with worry as he looked at Liu Ruyan.

Seeing that her son’s first reaction was concern for her, Liu Ruyan felt a warmth in her heart. A faint smile appeared at the corners of her lips as her withered hand patted Shen Jie’s hand: “It’s nothing. I can hold on a few more days.”

Over these past ten or so years, she owed this child too much.

She had thought her son would resent her for abandoning him back then, but she hadn’t expected that her child would be different from others. Shen Jie was exceptional—so kind, so outstanding.

With such a child, she felt pride.

Even if it cost her life, she would make sure Xiao Haoyang acknowledged Shen Jie’s identity.

Shen Jie lowered his head. His face, bruised in blue and purple, revealed a trace of satisfaction.

Only by entering the city lord’s mansion and gaining Xiao Haoyang’s recognition could he obtain power. He was born extraordinary, not like the commoners around him, and with Ye Tian and his three children, he would be the first to eliminate them.

A flash of malicious intent crossed Shen Jie’s eyes.

Liu Ruyan spoke a few more words, her expression extremely weary. She leaned back against the pillow, drowsy.

…

These past few days, the hotpot restaurant was preparing to open, and Ye Tian was busier than ever.

From ordering a custom copper pot to selecting charcoal, to sourcing ingredients and preparing the broth, Ye Tian woke early and worked late every day.

Out of the 110 taels of silver he had earned selling bracelets, only 46 remained. With everything ready, the opening was scheduled for three days later. The startup fund had already been spent—this hotpot restaurant had to make money.

Ye Tian, familiar with the routine, walked up to his store. The exterior had been repainted red, and fearing the sign might not stand out, he had a colorful flag custom-made and planted on the roof. From afar, the flags were striking, depicting a steaming copper pot that drew passersby to pause and discuss.

In any era, visibility and buzz were essential. If you were different from others, you could attract attention.

Ye Tian glanced at the idle people on the street with satisfaction, then lifted his foot to enter the shop.

“Let’s talk reasonably. You’ve all worked for a few days. Leaving now—where do you expect Ye Tian to find replacements?” Fang Shenghu’s normally simple face was etched with anxiety as he held the sleeve of a stout, black-haired man, trying to reason with him: “Brother Yuan, talk it out. The opening is right around the corner. Leaving now—isn’t that unfair?”

Hearing this, Yuan Heipang’s eyes widened. He jumped up: “Unfair? Me?”

“Don’t you see what kind of shop this is?”

“You call it a restaurant, but you can’t even hire a head chef. You call it a tea house, but there’s not even tea—you make us twist and sway every day! We’re men, not slaves! Aren’t you insulting us?”

Yuan Heipang shook off Fang Shenghu’s hand and, with a grim face, turned to the other three in the hall: “Are you leaving or not?”

“If you don’t leave, you won’t even get your wages. Then you’ll have something to cry about.”

The three glanced at each other, restless.

They had no faith in Ye Tian’s hotpot restaurant. They had never seen such a strange eatery, and with Ye Tian’s questionable reputation and unreliability, they were anxious.

Yuan Heipang shook the bundle on his shoulder and turned toward the door.

The sunlight outside was blinding. Ye Tian stood in the doorway, hands behind his back, face calm, looking at Yuan Heipang.

His expression was unreadable.

“I…” Yuan tightened his grip on the bundle, glancing around nervously. “My mother is seriously ill and needs me at home. I can’t work here anymore.”

“Mm.”

Ye Tian nodded expressionlessly.

Yuan was stunned—he hadn’t expected Ye Tian to be so agreeable. Did this mean he could leave?

But the wages for these past few days had not yet been paid by Ye Tian.

Ye Tian didn’t even look at Yuan Heipang as he stepped into the shop. Fang Shenghu frowned and stepped forward to greet him: “When did you, the head chef, arrive?”

“And…”

Before he could finish, Ye Tian raised a hand to stop him.

With a serious expression, Ye Tian looked at the three people inside the shop, then cleared his throat and said, “If you have better opportunities elsewhere, I won’t stop you. If you can earn more wages outside, I’ll be happy for you.”

What?

The three people inside, along with Yuan Heipang, looked at Ye Tian in surprise.

Ye Tian then turned to the youngest, Xiao Wang, and said, “Young people like you have limitless potential. You should trust your own judgment, not just follow the crowd. From the first moment I saw you, I noticed your uniqueness. Otherwise, out of everyone in Sifang City, how could I have chosen you?”

Huh?

Xiao Wang’s face turned red with excitement as he looked up at Ye Tian in astonishment.

He had never even had enough to eat at home. He couldn’t read or write. When he worked shoveling manure at the landlord’s house, everyone thought he wasn’t capable—but only Ye Tian recognized him, saw that he was different. In that moment, a surge of pride and courage rose in Xiao Wang’s heart.

Seeing his eyes shine, Ye Tian patted his shoulder and continued, “Those who succeed are often the ones who have been tested the most. Young people shouldn’t fear hardship, shouldn’t fear work. Everything you go through is training for you, an opportunity. I’ve always believed in you!”

“Just because you aren’t good at other things doesn’t mean you can’t excel in the hotpot business.”

Ye Tian’s tone was sincere.

His eyes were earnest.

Xiao Wang was so moved he nearly cried. So all this time, the boss had been watching him.

No one had ever respected him before. Even his own father had never said words like this. Overwhelmed, Xiao Wang grabbed Ye Tian’s hand: “Can I really do it?”

“Of course. As long as you work hard. The shop doesn’t even have a manager yet.”

Manager?

Xiao Wang was stunned. The other two employees looked at Ye Tian, and even Yuan Heipang, who was about to leave, stared at him in surprise.

“Oh.” Ye Tian slapped his forehead. “The manager is basically the shopkeeper. The manager earns one guan of silver per month.”

One guan?

Everyone present, even Fang Shenghu, held their breath. Xiao Wang grasped Ye Tian’s hand gratefully: “Don’t worry, Boss. I’ll work hard, I’ll do my best, I won’t let you down.”

Ye Tian nodded.

The other two employees immediately became anxious. One guan a month—anywhere in Sifang City, that kind of pay was extraordinary.

Moreover, even someone like Xiao Wang had a chance. Wasn’t that better than themselves?

Uncle Hao and Sun Hongqiang scrambled forward, eager, pulling at Ye Tian: “Boss, we never said we wanted to leave. Our hearts are fully with the hotpot shop. I even learned the third subject [of some skill/test]!”

“I learned it too.”

Ye Tian nodded with satisfaction and looked at them warmly: “I’ve seen your efforts. Uncle Hao, you’re steady and reliable. Little Sun, you’re quick-witted. Both of you are exceptional talents.”

Talents?

Hearing this, the two of them felt a glow inside. In this world, ordinary people’s lives are like ants—rarely recognized or appreciated.

Now, they looked at Ye Tian with respect, their eyes burning with admiration, and a shared sense of camaraderie.

Ye Tian said, “You are all veterans of the hotpot shop, the real contributors. I’m considering the manager position among you, but who knows what you…”

He sighed helplessly.

At the door, Yuan Heipang immediately tossed aside his bundle and dashed over: “I’m not human! You are my reborn parent!”