TNIBFT -Chapter 68 Nobody Can Leave

“Got it!”

Xiao Wang glanced at the bustling main hall and quietly slipped out.

Ye Tian continued tallying accounts as if nothing had happened. After a while, he lifted his head, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked toward the private room where Tao Ling’er had gone.

Tao Ling’er’s life or death wasn’t his concern; he would never rush out to save her. The people Shen Jie brought were either wealthy or powerful—far beyond anyone he could provoke.

Yet Ye Tian didn’t want anything to happen to Tao Ling’er in the hotpot restaurant, after all, the three children still had to study under Tao Lichun.

If he ignored her in danger, it would inevitably create future tension.

…

Inside the private room.

The delicate copper hotpot had simmered long enough for a layer of red oil to rise to the surface, steam billowing and filling the room with a spicy, fragrant aroma that made mouths water.

Xiao Tianyi sat by the window, watching the snowy scenery outside while leisurely listening to a soft tune.

His long fingers tapped rhythmically on the table.

A beautiful maid beside him silently swirled vegetables with her white jade chopsticks before lowering them into Xiao Tianyi’s jade plate.

Everyone in the room held their breath, heads lowered cautiously.

“Creak…”

The wooden door was pushed open.

Shen Jie stood outside the beaded curtain, respectfully bowing his head. “Second Young Master, she has entered.”

“Well done.”

Xiao Tianyi’s lips curved slightly in a lazy smile.

Then he said, “You all may leave. Don’t want the beauty to get upset; I, the young master, still have to soothe her.”

“Yes!”

The girl singing hurriedly lowered her head and stood from her small stool. The maid who had been arranging the food also put down her chopsticks and stepped behind the beaded curtain.

Tao Ling’er stepped in and immediately saw several beautiful girls retreat from the room.

The private room was elegantly arranged. Besides the scent of spicy food, a strong fragrance of incense lingered in the air. This luxurious scene instantly made Tao Ling’er nervous; she dared not look around and, seeing Shen Jie standing behind a pillar, felt a small sense of relief and carefully approached him. “Brother Shen.”

Shen Jie glanced at Xiao Tianyi but didn’t speak.

Frowning, Tao Ling’er followed Shen Jie’s gaze toward the curtain and finally saw the person sitting at the table—it was none other than the Second Young Master of the city lord’s residence.

She looked at Shen Jie in disbelief.

Wasn’t he supposed to bring a friend?

Then why did he make her come here?

Xiao Tianyi was clearly not a good man.

Tao Ling’er suddenly panicked, remembering how Xiao Tianyi had said he would wait for her last time.

“Brother Shen, let’s go!” Tao Ling’er grabbed Shen Jie’s sleeve, her face flushed with anger, and tried to turn away—only to find that Shen Jie behind her was rooted to the spot, unmoving.

Her heart tightened, and she stared at him dumbfounded.

Shen Jie no longer wanted to pretend. His gaze was cold as he gently pushed aside her hand and said calmly, “No one is leaving.”

“Ling’er, if you still care about the love we shared as childhood friends, you should let me do this. Besides, Second Young Master Xiao has power beyond imagination. Following him, you would enjoy endless wealth and glory. Everything I’m doing is for your own good.”

“In the future, you’ll never have to work at dawn like those village women…”

“Slap!”

Before Shen Jie could finish, Tao Ling’er struck him across the face.

Holding his stinging cheek, Shen Jie dared not meet her eyes. They had grown up together, shared innocent feelings for each other, yet he had no courage to confront the truth of his own heart.

“That’s enough!”

Tao Ling’er refused to listen any longer. By now, she understood everything.

Shen Jie had only tricked her into coming here to protect himself.

She had given her whole heart to him, wishing she could tear it out and hand it to him—but what about him?

True feelings misplaced, the one she loved pushing her into the fire—could there be anything more painful in this world?

Besides, Tao Ling’er had long sworn she would marry no one but Shen Jie. The betrayal she now faced left her heart as cold as ashes, her limbs icy, her whole body trembling.

Shen Jie picked up the white jade wine cup beside him, lowered it to Tao Ling’er, and said in a low voice, “Drink it. Just treat it as a dream. If you refuse this wine, defy the Second Young Master… think of your father, think of the school, think of me…”

Tao Ling’er stared at the cup in front of her, tears streaming down her face.

She knew exactly what drinking it would mean.

Seeing Xiao Tianyi behind the beaded curtain, Tao Ling’er felt a surge of anger, her face twisted into a cold sneer. With a sharp “smack!” she knocked the white jade cup to the ground, glaring fiercely: “Even if I die, I will never obey you!”

“Then give up on dying!”

“Is that so?”

Xiao Tianyi stepped out slowly from behind the beaded curtain. Tall and imposing, he carried the aura of someone born to dominate. Tao Ling’er instinctively took a step back, fear gripping her.

He grabbed her jaw in one hand, domineering: “The women I want… none escape my grasp.”

“You all leave. Don’t get in the way of this young master’s business.”

Everyone lowered their heads, preparing to leave.

Xiao Tianyi’s eyes flicked toward Shen Jie from the corner. Suddenly he said, “You, stay.”

“Hahaha…”

Xiao Tianyi laughed heartily, while Shen Jie lowered his head, fists clenched tightly.

“Let go of me!”

Tao Ling’er, held by Xiao Tianyi’s grip on her jaw, was about to be forced to drink. Shen Jie stood to the side, listening to her helpless, pitiful cries, bowing his head and trembling with resolve. He swore that one day, Xiao Tianyi would pay back double.

Outside the room, Ye Tian listened to the clattering sounds from the second floor, his heart sinking.

Yet his expression remained calm, a roguish grin on his face. He looked at the servant descending from upstairs and asked, “What’s all that noise about? Won’t it damage my shop?”

The servant, not bothering to answer, glanced toward a corner and said coldly, “Don’t worry. Even if our young master wrecked the whole shop, he could pay for it. Keep that in mind. Ask too many questions, and you’ll get trouble.”

“Yes, yes!”

Ye Tian nodded quickly.

Just then, the eldest son came rushing in with Tao Lichun. Seeing the servants hadn’t reacted, Ye Tian quickly pulled the eldest behind the counter and whispered to Tao Lichun, “Master, what brings you here?”

“Here for hotpot, right? There’s no room left on the first floor.”

As he spoke, Ye Tian made a subtle gesture toward Tao Lichun. Tao Lichun’s face darkened. He pushed past Ye Tian, demanding, “Where’s my daughter?”

“Is my daughter here?”

Ye Tian didn’t dare speak, his eyes constantly flicking to the second floor.

Tao Lichun immediately understood. He sprinted toward the second floor. The servants were too slow to react.

“Bang!”

The private room door was pushed open by Tao Lichun.

Inside, Tao Ling’er was being forced to drink by Xiao Tianyi, her face soaked with wine, her collar stained. Seeing someone kick the door, Xiao Tianyi’s eyes flashed with anger.

An elderly man in a worn dark green cotton robe stood at the doorway, his face a mix of shock and fury.

Glaring at Xiao Tianyi as if he could kill him with his bare hands, Tao Lichun’s eyes were bloodshot: “Beast! Let go of my daughter!”

Hearing the familiar voice, Tao Ling’er turned and saw her old father, hunched, standing at the doorway. Tears surged uncontrollably, her vision blurred. She cried out, “Father!”