TNIBFT -Chapter 70 I Have a Condition

As soon as he heard the eldest speak, Ye Tian felt a shiver run through his heart.

His smile couldn’t quite hold, the corners of his mouth twitching upward.

Ye Yunting lifted his rosy little face, avoiding eye contact as he explained, “If you think I care about you, you can think that. I just want to tell you… I don’t want you to drag us down. That’s all I’m thinking.”

Having said that, Ye Yunting pretended to stay calm, tilting his little face to look at the sky.

He didn’t care about anyone else.

In this world, sincere feelings without strength are cheap, like a lowly dog.

But Ye Tian…

Thinking of Ye Tian, a warm current welled up in Ye Yunting’s heart. He was different from others. He wanted to treat Ye Tian well, yet whenever he was with him, he behaved strangely.

It was as if he were uncontrollable, saying harsh things, unconsciously showing his moods.

There must have been resentment in his heart. Ye Tian had stopped him from using his hands, made him beg, mocked him in public, stepped on his head, denied that he was his child, and when he called him “Dad,” slapped him in the face.

Back then, the little one didn’t understand and feared being abandoned by Ye Tian. He knelt on the ground, clinging to Ye Tian’s legs, calling “Dad” over and over, and got beaten until his face was covered in blood.

Once he understood, resentment settled in his heart.

Watching the eldest pass by, Ye Tian strode forward and ruffled Ye Yunting’s little head. “No matter what, I still have to thank you. But you little brat, let’s keep things straight. The way you speak to your dad isn’t appropriate. Understand?”

Ye Tian pinched Ye Yunting’s little ear.

Instantly, Ye Yunting’s temper flared. He hated being touched, especially his face and ears. The little guy’s usual seriousness vanished, replaced by a frown and angry glare at Ye Tian.

“Don’t submit?”

Ye Tian bent down to look at Ye Yunting’s small face, his voice booming, drawing curious glances from passersby.

An adult scolding a little kid on the street.

“Do you submit or not?” Ye Tian asked. “No matter what, I’m your dad. You can’t be disrespectful. Are you planning to overturn the world later?”

Ye Yunting, face stern, was about to retort.

Nearby, people watching laughed and joked, “Look at this kid, stubborn like a mule. No wonder his dad hit him. If my son had that attitude, he wouldn’t be able to get out of bed for three days!”

“Look at him rolling his eyes…”

“Hit him! If you don’t go all out, how will he remember?”

Everyone pointed and whispered.

Ye Yunting scowled. What did these people know?

Ye Tian smiled proudly, turning to the enthusiastic onlookers and agreeing wholeheartedly. “You’re right, everyone. Eldest, did you hear that? Besides me, where else in this world would you find a dad this good?”

Ye Yunting stayed silent, then slowly looked up at Ye Tian and said, “Sister Ling’er is still waiting to get dressed. Did you forget?”

“Oh, right!”

Ye Tian suddenly remembered, letting go of Ye Yunting’s little ear and bowing toward the crowd. “Everyone, you can disperse. My son is top-notch at the academy, taking care of his younger siblings from the age of two or three. Such a good son, I’m overjoyed! Why would I ever hit him? If you have time, come to my hotpot restaurant. I’ll treat everyone to side dishes,” Ye Tian said warmly, and the onlookers enthusiastically agreed.

Ye Yunting stood behind the crowd, watching Ye Tian mingling happily with everyone. He felt a little dazed. He had never seen Ye Tian like this, almost like a completely different person…

“Why aren’t you leaving yet?”

Ye Tian turned to look at his son, seeing him lost in thought, and frowned, calling out.

“I’m going to the academy,” Ye Yunting said.

He then turned and walked away, as aloof and cold as always.

Ye Tian was helpless and just about to turn away when Ye Yunting spoke from behind, “I have one more condition. Can you stop cooking from now on?”

Ye Tian was stunned.

Rejected.

Ye Yunting’s small face was serious. He looked at Ye Tian, who seemed unhappy, and explained in a calm, almost indifferent tone, “You cook very well, it’s just… don’t do it anymore.”

Then he walked away.

These past few days, Ye Tian had been the one cooking. The few extra pounds the three siblings had just gained were gone again. And the worst part was, they had to drink a lot of water at night, waking up every one or two hours to relieve themselves.

Too miserable!

Ye Tian was speechless. If this brat wasn’t his own son, who would bother with him? And yet he had the audacity to make demands?

…

Meanwhile, Ye Tian went to the tailor shop to buy clothes.

Ye Yunting walked on his own to the Lingfeng Village school.

The weather had warmed slightly in the past few days, though it was still cold under the sun. Gazing at the clear blue sky, Ye Yunting squinted his eyes. Right now, Ye Tian was perfect in every way—if only he could cook, it would be even better.

When the three siblings cooked, it was edible but basic. But when Ye Tian cooked… everything tasted awful.

“Let me in!”

“Please, let me in!”

Crying and shouting reached Ye Yunting’s ears, pulling his thoughts back. Not far away, a woman in a light green cotton robe knelt on the ground, clinging to the legs of one of the palace guards, begging desperately.

The woman was frail, as if the north wind could blow her over.

The guard holding her legs grew impatient and forcefully shook her off, scowling, “Let go.”

“Are you crazy? I’m just a gatekeeper. Do you think you can see the city lord?”

“Do you want to die, or am I looking for trouble?”

Liu Ruyan knelt on the ground, refusing to let go. She had little time left. Her son had been taken away, supposedly dragged to the city lord’s mansion by the guards.

The only way to save her son now was to go directly to Xiao Haoyang.

The token she had been given over ten years ago—these people wouldn’t even look at it. Meeting Xiao Haoyang was nearly impossible.

“Give this to Xiao Haoyang. When he sees it, he definitely won’t blame you. He will reward you, repay you…” Liu Ruyan’s words were cut off as she was kicked away by the man.

Half of the jade pendant fell with a crisp “bang!” onto the ground.

It shattered into pieces instantly.

Liu Ruyan’s eyes trembled. She crawled to the fragments, kneeling and holding the broken jade in her hands, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face.

“Damn it, where did this lunatic come from?”

“Are you sick or something? You think I can deliver a message to the city lord? If I take this, my life is over. This lunatic is clearly trying to get me killed!”

The young guard cursed angrily.

Liu Ruyan held the jade pendant in despair.

What could she do?

She couldn’t let the fools under Xiao Haoyang harm her son.

Determined, Liu Ruyan still wanted to say something, but several guards were eager to drink. Angered, they beat Liu Ruyan with fists and kicks. Already frail and suffering from illness, she was left barely alive.

Not far away, Ye Yunting watched the scene with a heavy heart. If his mother were still alive, would she have risked everything to plead for him too?

Seeing Liu Ruyan collapsed on the ground, Ye Yunting ran over.

He knelt beside her and begged the guards, “Sirs, please show mercy. My mother is mentally unwell and has contracted smallpox. She is already confused. Please, spare her.”

Mentally unwell?

Smallpox?

These were deadly illnesses. The guards, feeling uneasy, stepped back.

“Forget it. Let them go. It would be bad if we got infected.”