TNIBFT -Chapter 62 Whether You’re Worthy or Not, I Decide

“I can’t eat anymore…”

“This is just too delicious!” Xiao Xun’er held her stomach with one hand, gazing longingly at the dishes on the table.

Her little belly was full and round—she simply couldn’t eat another bite.

While she was contentedly stuffed, Ye Tian immediately arranged for Yuan Heipang to dance for Xiao Xun’er. The once sleazy-looking Yuan Heipang twisted his waist and swung his hips, instantly becoming the highlight of the entire restaurant.

“Hahaha… I can’t stop laughing! He looks like a toad staring into a mirror!”

Xiao Xun’er’s mood soared. Watching the comically exaggerated Yuan Heipang, she laughed so hard that tears welled in her eyes.

She leaned on the table, one hand covering her stomach, the other pounding the table.

The commotion on the second floor drew everyone’s attention.

Curious, diners on the first floor stood up, peeking at Yuan Heipang’s performance. The hotpot restaurant was filled with steam; the spicy aroma made everyone feel invigorated, chasing away some of the winter chill. Add the delicious food and the never-before-seen dance, and the diners were doubly delighted.

Laughter and chatter filled the hotpot restaurant.

The atmosphere was lively.

Someone remarked, “This dance… it’s like he’s bathing? Strange… but I feel like I could do it too.”

“Even a man can dance? And it’s actually fun.”

“Do another one! The master will reward you with silver…”

“Eating hotpot is too fun! Li Gongzi must know about this!”

Voices bubbled up all around.

Once the solo dance performance was over, Xiao Xun’er on the second floor was thoroughly satisfied.

She could see the thoughtfulness of the shop owner.

The dishes were arranged with care, the ingredients and tableware were exquisite. Looking at the obedient Xiao Jiang beside her, with his fair face and high nose, she couldn’t help but think he was adorable. Xiao Xun’er asked, “Did your father come up with all these ideas? I’m curious about your father. Where is he? I want to meet him now. He must be quite an extraordinary man.”

Xiao Jiang paused with his chopsticks, looking up at Xiao Xun’er with a troubled expression. “Is… is that okay?”

“My father doesn’t like talking to women.”

He doesn’t like talking to women?

Xiao Xun’er’s desire to conquer only grew stronger; now she was even more eager to meet the hotpot shop’s owner.

At her insistence, Xiao Jiang had no choice but to take her to see Ye Tian.

At that moment, Ye Tian was busy in the back kitchen.

Thanks to Xiao Xun’er’s arrival, the hotpot restaurant was full in less than fifteen minutes. The kitchen was in chaos, and Ye Tian was helping serve the dishes.

“Xiao Jie said she wants to see you. Is that okay?”

Xiao Jiang’s childish voice rang out. Ye Tian turned and saw his son standing at the kitchen doorway, fidgeting nervously as he looked at him.

Ye Tian put down the vegetables in his hand and smiled. “Sure.”

“Xiao Jiang is the hero today. Later, Dad will reward our Xiao Jiang properly.”

Xiao Jiang lowered his head and smiled shyly, following Ye Tian toward the first-floor main hall.

The main hall was bustling with people.

In addition to hotpot, Ye Tian had prepared herbal tea. Taking a bite of the spicy hotpot and then a sip of cool herbal tea felt heavenly.

The bright red, festive decor, combined with laughter and chatter, instantly lifted everyone’s spirits.

Glasses clinked and conversations overlapped as everyone enjoyed themselves.

Xiao Xun’er grew a little impatient. For a young lady of the City Lord’s Mansion, this was her first time waiting for a chef. But the hotpot was too good—if she could bring the owner home, she could have hotpot every day.

If the hotpot restaurant were moved to the City Lord’s Mansion… she couldn’t even imagine how happy the whole family would be.

Watching Xiao Xun’er’s graceful back, Ye Tian took a deep breath.

Last time, he had pretended to be Shen Jie’s friend. He wondered if Xiao Xun’er still remembered that.

Hearing footsteps behind her, Xiao Xun’er turned around. The moment she saw Ye Tian, her expression instantly turned icy. Frowning, she said, “It’s you? Someone like you deserves to eat hotpot?”

Ye Tian lowered his head and smiled. “Sorry, I’m the owner of this restaurant. Whether someone deserves to eat hotpot… I think that’s up to me to decide, isn’t it?”

“You…”

Xiao Xun’er was flustered and furious.

Everything she had wanted to say or do just moments ago vanished the instant she saw Ye Tian.

She looked at him with cold disdain, casually tossed a coin, and said sharply, “Here’s a tip for you! I don’t owe you anything. If it weren’t for your son Xiao Jiang, I wouldn’t have even come in—and I won’t come again. Someone like you doesn’t deserve it.”

Having said that, she turned and walked away.

The last time she encountered Shen Jie, Ye Tian had interfered. Afterwards, she had people investigate both Ye Tian and Shen Jie.

She knew everything about Ye Tian.

A scumbag like him—she was only sparing him for Xiao Jiang’s sake, because the child was adorable and she liked him very much.

Ye Tian glanced at the coin in his hand—real silver.

He tucked it happily into his chest.

As for Xiao Xun’er, they would meet again. She was one of the heroines, and Ye Tian could say he knew her character better than even her own father. More stories between her and Shen Jie were bound to unfold.

“Miss.”

“Miss!”

Stepping out of the hotpot restaurant, a few bodyguards from the City Lord’s Mansion were stationed at the door, bowing respectfully.

Xiao Xun’er raised her chin, face full of anger.

At this moment, no one dared to provoke her. She cursed herself for not knowing earlier that she shouldn’t have come. She should have had two more bowls of herbal tea, and the mutton and beef tripe—she hadn’t even finished them! Such a waste of precious food!

Thinking back on the hotpot’s deliciousness, she was filled with regret.

No matter—next time, she could just send someone to pack it to go.

A sudden idea lit up Xiao Xun’er’s mind, and the corners of her mouth lifted slightly. But as she recalled the lively scene in the restaurant—the comical dances—her mood immediately sank again.

That damned Ye Tian!

“Giddy-up!”

Xiao Xun’er cracked her whip, the stallion reared, and she sped away.

Inside the hotpot restaurant, everything continued as usual. Around two in the afternoon, a few more customers trickled in, but the prepared ingredients had already run out. The four staff members were exhausted, looking like dead dogs.

Ye Tian had no choice but to close the doors.

After tidying the bowls and cleaning the restaurant, he sent the employees home to rest, then took the three children upstairs to a private room to eat hotpot.

Watching the red oil bubbling, Ye Shuangxue’s big eyes shone with anticipation.

Girls are naturally fond of food.

Her small hands clutched her chopsticks as she swallowed nervously. Ye Tian placed the lamb into the pot and looked at the three little ones. “This hotpot base is specially made by Daddy for you. There aren’t too many chilies—try it after a bit.”

“See Daddy’s cooking? Is it not the best in the world?”

Ye Yunting couldn’t help but feel speechless. This red oil soup base—forget about cooking the vegetables in it, even if he dipped the soles of his shoes, it’d probably taste good. Ye Tian really knew how to praise himself.

The red oil bubbled, the lamb changing color slightly. Ye Tian grabbed his chopsticks, excited. “Let’s eat!”

“Grab it!”

Ye Tian gleefully picked up a large chopful of lamb and looked up at the three children. They were all sitting properly in their chairs, not moving a muscle.

Ye Tian was puzzled. “Why aren’t you eating?”

“Not hungry?”

“Or is it too spicy, so you’re afraid to eat?”

Ye Tian glanced at his daughter. Ye Shuangxue licked her small lips, hesitated for a long time, then said, “I… I don’t like meat.”

After saying that, she immediately turned to look at Ye Yunting beside her.

Ye Tian frowned slightly. The little brat still had suspicious liquid at the corners of his mouth—drooling from greed—and yet he said he didn’t like it?