TNIBFT -Chapter 94 The Villain’s Dream of Becoming a Chef

A wave of heat rushed at them as soon as they stepped inside, mixed with the faint fragrance of sandalwood.

The scent carried the unmistakable aura of wealth and power.

Shen Jie followed behind Jiang Huichun, lowering his head even further. He felt insignificant, small—here, it seemed that a single wrong word could cost him his life.

The white jade floor reflected the flickering candlelight within the hall.

Shen Jie stared at his toes, not daring to look up.

Then, from above, came a firm and authoritative voice: “Divine Physician Jiang has arrived.”

Jiang Huichun, walking ahead, slightly bent his back and cupped his fists. “City Lord Xiao.”

The two had exchanged greetings.

Inside the resplendent hall, the maidservants wore thin gauze dresses, their figures graceful and alluring. Xiao Haoyang waved his hand, and more than a dozen maids lowered their heads and filed out in a line.

After the sound of footsteps faded—

Shen Jie’s emotions slowly settled from shock and fear.

Jiang Huichun had already stepped forward to take the pulse.

The hall fell so silent that even a pin drop could be heard.

Standing in a corner, Shen Jie cautiously lifted his head and glanced around. With just one look, he found himself unable to look away.

What kind of place was this?

Majestic and domineering, incomparably luxurious, bright as day—perhaps even the legendary imperial capital was no more than this.

Shen Jie’s breathing quickened.

He stood frozen, forgetting where he was.

His blood boiled, desire swelling endlessly at the sight before him. He turned to look at the elevated platform—at the very center of the grand hall, atop the steps, stood a golden chair. A four-clawed giant python was carved into it, exuding an aura that seemed to dominate all under heaven.

At that moment, he raised his head slightly, and a thought crept into his mind—

He wanted to try sitting on that chair.

Was it comfortable?

Did it suit him?

A sharp gaze suddenly locked onto him, sending a chill down his spine.

Only then did Shen Jie snap out of his thoughts. Turning his head, he met Xiao Haoyang’s eyes—scrutinizing, probing, filled with authority.

Panic gripped him. He didn’t know what to do.

Jiang Huichun suddenly spoke, “City Lord Xiao, please forgive him. This is Shen Jie. He has been at my clinic for some time. The child is intelligent and upright in character, so I brought him along to broaden his horizons.”

“It’s rare for a young man to catch your eye.”

Xiao Haoyang stroked his beard with a smile, his hawk-like eyes scanning Shen Jie up and down, as if trying to see through him.

Shen Jie cupped his fists and bowed slightly, not daring to raise his head again.

Xiao Haoyang’s presence was too overwhelming, too terrifying. At this moment, even if he wanted to rush forward and acknowledge kinship, he didn’t dare!

Seeing Shen Jie remain silent, Jiang Huichun couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea—

Jiang Huichun withdrew his hand from the pulse check and said with a cheerful smile, “Nothing serious, just the same old issue. You should rest early at night and avoid overexertion. I’ll prescribe a few calming remedies.”

“Recently, spies from Great Zhou have been running rampant. I’d like to take it easy, but the situation doesn’t allow it.”

Xiao Haoyang had known Jiang Huichun for seven or eight years. Throughout that time, Jiang had been the physician for the City Lord’s residence, and the two sides had developed some degree of friendship. Because of that, Xiao Haoyang didn’t hide certain matters from him.

Jiang Huichun looked up in surprise.

Massaging his temples, Xiao Haoyang continued, “Who would’ve thought that over the past five years, Great Zhou planted so many spies in Sifang City? Now they respond to a single call—I never expected this.”

“When the world rises or falls, it is always the common people who suffer,” Jiang Huichun remarked softly as he packed up his things.

Xiao Haoyang shook his head. “There won’t be war, at least not for now. I heard Great Zhou is searching for a child.”

Shen Jie’s entire body trembled.

Searching for a child?

He suddenly recalled Liu Ruyan’s words. Some time ago, she had also been searching for a child, though without any leads. When Shen Jie had asked about it, she brushed him off.

Could it be…

Was Liu Ruyan actually from Great Zhou?

A spy from the Great Zhou?

Shen Jie’s reaction didn’t escape Xiao Haoyang’s notice in the slightest.

After exchanging a few polite formalities, Jiang Huichun finally took Shen Jie and left.

“Bang!”

As Jiang Huichun and Shen Jie departed, the massive vermilion wooden doors slammed shut, blocking out the last trace of sunlight from outside. The amiable expression on Xiao Haoyang’s face vanished instantly.

From a hidden door within the hall, a burly man clad in armor stepped out.

It was none other than the iron-armored general who had stopped Shen Jie and Jiang Huichun at the entrance earlier—Ji Zhengping.

He clasped his fist and dropped to one knee. “City Lord, we’ve finished the investigation. Before Liu Ruyan disappeared, she was living in a rundown house on the outskirts. The locals confirm she did have a son—his name is Shen Jie.”

Shen Jie?

Xiao Haoyang frowned.

Ji Zhengping continued, “From birth, Shen Jie was sent to be raised by the Shen family in the capital. He was exceptionally gifted from a young age, possessing a photographic memory.”

Xiao Haoyang nodded. “Send trustworthy men to keep an eye on him.”

“If he truly is my son, then why didn’t he acknowledge me just now when father and son met? Could it be that Liu Ruyan instructed him otherwise? At present, Shen Jie is the only one who can lead us to Liu Ruyan. His safety must be ensured at all costs.”

“Yes, sir!”

Ji Zhengping accepted the order with a cupped fist.

The great hall fell silent once more…

—

Shen Jie and Jiang Huichun walked out of the City Lord’s residence one after the other. Jiang Huichun narrowed his eyes slightly and glanced back at Shen Jie.

“That might have been your only chance just now.”

“I know.”

Shen Jie’s expression remained calm, but his gaze was sincere as he looked at Jiang Huichun.
“When I was in the side chamber, I saw how he treated those who came to acknowledge kin. Suddenly, I understood—an unremarkable son is not a source of joy to him, but a disgrace. I have nothing. If I acknowledged him now, it would only be clinging to his power. Not only would he look down on me—even I would look down on myself. Besides, you and Yunxi have shown me kindness. I can’t abandon everything for my own selfish gain.”

Shen Jie spoke righteously, his young eyes filled with determination.

Unyielding and proud—standing tall against the heavens!

Jiang Huichun nodded in satisfaction and patted Shen Jie on the shoulder. “Your achievements will go far beyond this.”

“A golden-scaled fish is no creature of a pond—when the winds and clouds gather, it transforms into a dragon!”

Stroking his beard, Jiang Huichun laughed heartily as he turned away. The City Lord Xiao, with his lifetime of glory, would never know what he had just missed.

…

The snowstorm raged on for several days.

With no school, Ye Tian took the three children to the hot pot restaurant every day.

First, because it was warm.

Second, because it was convenient for the children to eat, and Ye Tian wouldn’t have to worry about them during the day.

Around noon.

The hot pot restaurant was already packed to the brim—every table occupied. Ever since Xiao Xun’er joined the business a few days ago, rumors spread throughout Sifang City that the restaurant belonged to the City Lord’s residence. The landlord, who had originally planned to raise the rent, suddenly lowered it instead—and even brought Ye Tian a pile of gifts, showering him with compliments.

Ye Tian didn’t bother explaining and gladly accepted.

In the past few days, business had been booming more than ever.

The three children sat in a private room on the second floor, bored as they leaned against the window and looked down.

When they saw Qiu Feibai approaching, Ye Shuangxue instantly perked up, her big eyes sparkling. “He’s here, he’s here—he’s back again!”

Ye Yunting stretched his little head out to look down at the street.

Xiao Jiang’s face fell. Just as he poked his head out, Qiu Feibai looked up, their eyes meeting. Xiao Jiang frowned, quickly pulling his head back.

“Dad, go talk to him. I really don’t want to learn medicine. All I want is to become a chef… and open lots and lots of hot pot restaurants when I grow up.”