TNIBFT -Chapter 96 Stay Away from the Young Lady

“Xiao Xun’er?”

Hearing her name, Ji Shaobai instantly sobered up a little. He looked up at Shen Jie in surprise.

With a serious expression, Shen Jie continued, “That’s Miss Xiao. This Ye Tian—he’s flirtatious, cunning, and smooth-talking. He already has three children despite not being married. Naive young girls are easily deceived by him. Even though Miss Xiao isn’t ordinary, she’s still just a young girl who’s only beginning to understand love…”

Ji Shaobai didn’t believe it.

Xiao Xun’er didn’t even think much of him—the only son of a general—so how could she possibly fancy someone like Ye Tian, a lowly nobody?

He raised his head slightly. On the second-floor corridor stood a tall, well-built man. His features were handsome, his demeanor relaxed and confident. Every movement carried an extraordinary air—nothing like the pale, timid, ordinary people of Sifang City.

Shen Jie sneered. “That hot pot restaurant belongs to Ye Tian.”

“You must have heard the rumors too—that the person behind this restaurant is Miss Xiao. That’s why you came, right?”

“This Ye Tian is using the hot pot restaurant to get close to Miss Xiao. His intentions are far from pure.”

Ji Shaobai’s grip tightened around his wine cup, his knuckles turning white.

His gaze flickered uncertainly.

Of course, he knew about the recent rumors in Sifang City. Xiao Xun’er had also opened a hot pot restaurant—and it even shared the same name as Ye Tian’s. Anyone with half a brain could tell their relationship wasn’t simple.

Killing someone like Ye Tian—powerless and without backing—would be effortless for him.

But killing him openly would damage the reputation of the General’s Manor.

Besides, what if things weren’t as Shen Jie described? What if Xiao Xun’er came after him for revenge?

“She’s here!”

Just as Ji Shaobai hesitated, Shen Jie’s voice dropped. His eyes turned toward the entrance.

Ji Shaobai followed his gaze.

A woman in a light green dress leapt gracefully off her horse. With a sharp, heroic air, she tossed the reins to a servant and strode inside.

At that moment, Ji Shaobai’s heart began pounding wildly, matching her every movement.

As Xiao Xun’er drew closer, all the guests in the hall stood up one after another.

Yet she acted as if she saw none of them. In just a few steps, she ascended to the second floor, heading straight toward Ye Tian.

Watching her retreating figure, Ji Shaobai felt as bitter as if he had swallowed gall. He could only raise his cup and drain it in one go, masking his disappointment.

Shen Jie took it all in.

As long as there was a chance to get rid of Ye Tian, he wouldn’t let it slip.

If he could make use of a fool like Ji Shaobai, that would be perfect.

“Aren’t you going up to greet her?” Shen Jie prompted kindly.

Ji Shaobai felt awkward. He glanced toward the second floor.

Xiao Xun’er and Ye Tian seemed extremely familiar with each other. When she came upstairs, Ye Tian showed no reaction—he merely glanced at her indifferently and ignored her.

And yet, Xiao Xun’er didn’t get angry.

No one knew what Ye Tian said, but Xiao Xun’er burst into laughter. The sound drew the attention of everyone in the hall.

Ji Shaobai’s heart shattered.

He had known Xiao Xun’er for over ten years, yet he had never seen her smile like that.

What was worse, she even took the initiative to hold Ye Tian’s son. Standing together, they looked like a family of three.

Jealousy surged wildly in Ji Shaobai’s heart.

So intense it made him want to cry.

Ever since he was old enough to understand things, he had revolved around Xiao Xun’er—yet he had never received so much as a glance from her.

So why did Ye Tian deserve this?

A lowly man with a humble background, already burdened with three children—how was he inferior to Ye Tian in any way?

“I think Miss Xiao’s feelings toward Ye Tian are far from ordinary. Brother Ji, you’d better be careful. Didn’t I tell you before? My junior sister and I grew up together, childhood sweethearts—but ever since Ye Tian’s three children started attending the academy, she’s gotten close to him. Now she won’t even pay me any attention.”

Shen Jie shook his head helplessly.

Pouring himself another cup of cheap wine, he sighed, “If I ever get the chance, I’d really like to kill Ye Tian.”

Kill him?

That was something Ji Shaobai excelled at.

If Xiao Xun’er ignored him and then Ye Tian got killed later, it would already be too late for anything.

Fueled by alcohol, Ji Shaobai’s eyes turned fierce. He leaned close to Shen Jie and said, “If it comes to killing… do you dare?”

Shen Jie froze.

His pupils shrank instantly, his face filled with shock and fear. Seeing this, Ji Shaobai felt a strong sense of superiority rise within him. Laughing loudly, he slung an arm around Shen Jie’s neck and said, “As long as you cooperate with me, we’ll take revenge together.”

“N-No…”

Shen Jie tried to refuse nervously, but before he could finish, Ji Shaobai covered his mouth. “You don’t have to do anything. If something goes wrong, I’ll take full responsibility. I just want you to watch—watch how I kill Ye Tian!”

“Dare to touch my woman? Let’s see how many lives he has to enjoy that!”

Shen Jie’s face showed terror, but a sinister smile flashed briefly in his eyes.

Killing with a borrowed knife… wasn’t this exactly what he wanted?

…

Hotpot restaurant, second floor.

“Sister Xiao, are you really going to teach me how to ride a horse?” Xiao Jiang wrapped his little arms around Xiao Xun’er’s neck, his chubby face full of anticipation.

His big, gem-like eyes sparkled brightly, melting Xiao Xun’er’s heart.

Such an adorable little thing.

Why doesn’t the City Lord’s mansion have one like this?

Smack! Xiao Xun’er planted a kiss on Xiao Jiang’s soft, fair cheek. The scent of her perfume lingered, along with the softness of her lips. She was the second person who had treated him so kindly. Gazing at her beautiful face, Xiao Jiang said dreamily, “Sister smells so nice.”

“Sister, Xiao Jiang likes you a lot too.”

As he spoke, the little fellow cupped her face and puckered his lips to give her a kiss.

Standing nearby, Ye Tian swallowed hard.

He could do that too!

At a crucial moment, why didn’t this silly kid think of his own dad?

His father had been single for over twenty years and hadn’t even gotten a kiss on a woman’s cheek—yet his son beat him to it.

Xiao Xun’er burst into laughter. Holding Xiao Jiang, she turned to look at Ye Tian, her expression suddenly turning cold. “I’ve already reviewed the contract, and I’ve chosen the shop location. I came to inform you—opening is in seven days. I’m leaving everything to you. Understood?”

Ye Tian was speechless.

“I asked you to join as a partner, not to become a hands-off boss.”

Before Ye Tian could finish speaking, Xiao Xun’er had somehow pulled out the small whip from her waist and pointed it at his throat.

A sudden chill ran down his neck. Ye Tian lowered his head and saw a glossy black whip pressed just below his Adam’s apple, radiating cold menace. He took two steps back and cautiously looked up at her.

Xiao Xun’er raised her chin. “Any objections?”

“None!”

“You’re the boss!”

Ye Tian shut his mouth resentfully.

Xiao Xun’er put away the whip, picked up Xiao Jiang, and started to leave. She turned back smugly and said to Ye Tian, “I’m borrowing your son. Oh, and your daughter too.”

“Yay!”

Seeing Xiao Xun’er wink at her, Ye Shuangxue jumped up excitedly, quickly stepping out from behind the pillar to follow her.

Even the eldest was dragged away by his daughter.

Watching the backs of the four as they left, Ye Tian shook his head helplessly. Kids are like that—whoever has something fun, they follow them.

“Be careful when riding horses!”

“And take good care of the animals—don’t whip the horses carelessly, or the City Lord’s mansion might extort us…”

“Don’t stand behind the horses!”

Chasing them to the doorway, Ye Tian kept nagging, adding one last line:

“Most importantly—stay away from Miss Xiao!”