TNIBFT -Chapter 67 Life Is About Choices

Tao Ling’er wept tears of joy, clutching Shen Jie’s hand, afraid he might disappear in an instant again.

At this question, Shen Jie’s eyes flickered with unease.

Tao Ling’er was lost in her happiness and couldn’t notice anything unusual about him; she never doubted Shen Jie’s character or sincerity.

She continued, “I’m pleading with my father to ask someone to save you.”

“If you hadn’t come out, I wouldn’t even know what to do in the future.”

As she spoke, Tao Ling’er’s tears streamed down.

A trace of emotion stirred in Shen Jie’s heart. No one in the world had ever cared for him so completely and unreservedly. He knew what was about to happen next, and he felt a twinge of reluctance.

He craved the kindness of others.

But he wanted more.

Shen Jie’s gaze darkened slightly, yet he knew everything in life required choices. With a smile, he said, “It’s nothing. I happen to know a friend who has influence in the City Lord’s Mansion, which is how I managed to get someone to release me.”

“Ling’er, I have a favor to ask of you this time.”

Tao Ling’er paused.

She quickly wiped the corner of her eyes and said, “You don’t have to be so formal with me.”

“As long as it’s for you, I’m willing to do anything.”

Seeing Tao Ling’er’s resolute eyes, Shen Jie felt deeply satisfied.

“The friend who saved me is hosting a banquet at Guodi Lao Hotpot Restaurant. I’ve never been there, and my leg is injured. I want you to… help me walk there, and you can try the hotpot at the same time.”

“I’ve heard that everyone in Sifang City is into this right now—officials and nobles alike will go to try it.”

“Ah?”

Tao Ling’er’s cheeks flushed. She saw Shen Jie staring at her with a tender, almost watery gaze.

She was too embarrassed to lift her head.

Her mind ran wild—Shen Jie must have faced life and death and now wanted to make a solemn vow with her, introducing her to those closest to him. Otherwise, why would he invite her to the most expensive hotpot?

“Mm!”

Tao Ling’er nodded shyly, then paused to think: “Should I invite my father?”

“Of course not.”

Shen Jie waved his hand anxiously. His reaction was a bit too strong; feeling guilty, he added, “It’s not yet time to invite Master. When that day comes, I’ll make it grand and proper.”

“Alright.”

They agreed, and Tao Ling’er ignored her studies at the school, following Shen Jie directly.

Watching them walk away, Ye Yunting emerged from another corner, frowning. He was certain Shen Jie was lying.

His leg wasn’t injured. He hurried along as if nothing was wrong.

Guodi Lao was Ye Tian’s hotpot restaurant.

Shen Jie had a grudge against Ye Tian—why would he go to a hotpot restaurant?

And why not let Master know?

Ye Yunting furrowed his brows. His small, mature face looked very serious, as if pondering a solution. Since Master couldn’t be informed, he must bring Master along. If something went wrong, Ye Tian wouldn’t have to bear all the responsibility alone.

Thinking this, Ye Yunting quickly turned and ran to Master’s backyard.

At that moment, Tao Lichun was taking his afternoon nap.

In recent years, his legs had grown stiff and sore, so he rarely went out and didn’t wish to go out.

“Master. Are you there?” Upon hearing the child’s voice, Tao Lichun, who had just taken off his coat, immediately put it back on and turned his head: “I’m here.”

“Are you Yunting? What’s the matter?”

“It’s Sister Ling’er.”

Tao Lichun paused. Hearing his daughter’s name was always a headache for him.

Recently, because of Shen Jie’s situation, Tao Ling’er had been putting in both money and effort, her mind restless and anxious every day.

Tao Lichun liked Shen Jie—after all, he had been studying under him for years, and he had watched the boy grow up. Shen Jie was talented, and if the two could be happily united, he would be pleased.

But recently…

Tao Lichun got up and opened the door. Ye Yunting was standing there. He looked up at his teacher respectfully and said, “After Sister Ling’er met Shen Jie, she went with him to the hotpot restaurant in the city. Setting aside the gossip about a young man and woman being alone together, Shen Jie—he deceived Ling’er…”

Ye Yunting recounted everything he had seen and heard.

Tao Lichun instantly panicked.

He knew exactly what a man wanted from a woman.

If his daughter were to secretly conceive, her life would be ruined—and she might even be punished. “Come, we’re going into the city right now!”

Tao Lichun anxiously grabbed Ye Yunting and rushed toward the city’s hotpot restaurant.

…

In the city, inside the hotpot restaurant.

Business had been booming every day for the past few days. Ye Tian was earning handsomely.

Other hotpot restaurants had started opening in the city.

Ye Tian wasn’t worried. While taste was important, the gimmick and service were equally crucial. He was confident he could become a leader in the hotpot industry.

There were now seven employees in the restaurant, and Ye Tian barely had to lift a finger.

Outside the door.

Shen Jie looked up at the restaurant’s large, flamboyant banner and the full house of customers. The unique interior design made him long for such a place—how great it would be if it were his own!

Earning a fortune daily, he wouldn’t have to scrape by like he did now.

“Brother Shen…” Hearing Tao Ling’er’s voice, Shen Jie came back to himself and smiled warmly. “This is the place. Smell how good it is?”

“Spicy, fresh, and fragrant… nothing in the world tastes better,” Tao Ling’er said, nodding, her large eyes curiously watching the diners. The eating styles were strange—there was even a man dancing!

This restaurant—how could it be like this?

Blushing, Tao Ling’er was pulled inside by Shen Jie and directly taken to a private room on the second floor.

Ye Tian was counting the cash at the first-floor counter when he looked up and saw Tao Ling’er’s familiar figure.

Seeing the man who came with her speak a few words before entering the private room, leaving Tao Ling’er alone, Ye Tian went up this time.

The moment Tao Ling’er saw Ye Tian, her eyes widened, and she pointed at him. “Why is it you?”

“You’re here too?”

Her face turned red. She was afraid Ye Tian would see her entering with Shen Jie. If he blabbed, the academy would be full of rumors by tomorrow.

“The person you came in with just now was Shen Jie, right?”

“How do you know?” Tao Ling’er blurted out, then frowned, staring at Ye Tian. “What do you want?”

“Last time, you caused Brother Shen trouble. Can’t you just be a good person? Not for yourself, but for your three children. You have to set an example for them. Brother Shen is a good person, unlike you, Ye Tian…”

Before she could finish, Ye Tian silently raised his hand to stop her. “Enough.”

“I don’t want to talk to someone with a love-struck brain, and I don’t want to meddle in your business. This is my restaurant. You can eat here, but if you want to do anything else, please go somewhere else.”

“What do you mean?”

Tao Ling’er was furious, glaring at Ye Tian as if she could kill him.

Ye Tian looked at her with pity. “I mean, it’s not just Shen Jie in there. There’s also a distinguished young master. Shen Jie brought you here for a clear purpose. That’s all I have to say. Take care.”

Ye Tian turned and left.

Tao Ling’er’s gaze became serious. She looked toward the private room, but thinking of Shen Jie, she rolled her eyes at Ye Tian’s back.

She trusted Shen Jie!

Creak! The private room door opened from the inside.

Ye Tian, watching every move on the second floor, turned to Xiao Wang, who was wiping tables. “Change your clothes. Don’t let anyone recognize you. Go to the City Lord’s mansion and find the guards. Tell them someone committed a murder at the hotpot restaurant.”