TNIBFT -Chapter 98 Faster, Faster

A fire?

Seeing the raging flames lighting up the sky, even Xiao Xun’er—who had weathered countless storms—was stunned.

With such a massive fire, could anyone still trapped inside possibly survive?

The chaotic chatter around her buzzed in her ears, making her head spin.

She had been pampered and protected since childhood, never experiencing anything like this. Just at noon, the person who had been laughing and playing with her… could he already have perished in the sea of flames?

By the time she snapped out of her shock, the three children beside her had already disappeared.

Looking at their small figures rushing straight into the crowd, Xiao Xun’er felt both guilt and self-blame. If she hadn’t taken them out to learn horseback riding, at the very least, they could have seen Ye Tian one last time.

Chasing after them, Xiao Xun’er shouted, “Xiao Jiang—”

“Shuangxue, wai—”

She couldn’t finish her words, and could only run after the three children at full speed.

The street was packed with surging crowds.

The raging fire turned what should have been a peaceful evening into chaos.

Children cried in fear, women let out piercing screams, and men cursed loudly—the sounds were frantic and urgent.

Xiao Jiang ran through the crowded street. Looking at the blazing restaurant just ahead, his pale little face was lit orange-red by the flames. Reflected in his gem-like black eyes was nothing but the roaring fire. His small figure pushed against the flow of people, running forward—faster, faster…

If he ran faster, maybe he could still save Ye Tian.

Ye Tian must still be waiting for him…

He wouldn’t die!

He wouldn’t!

Thinking of Ye Tian’s face—his feigned anger, the way he kissed him—the small child, with his tiny body, forced his way forward against countless people. Something inside Xiao Jiang suddenly erupted: “Ah—!”

He roared.

Staring fiercely at the burning, collapsing restaurant, tears streamed down his face.

He shouted again and again, “Dad!”

“Dad, Xiao Jiang is here to save you! I’ll listen to you from now on—I’ll never leave you again…”

“Never again…”

He cried so hard he could barely speak. Stumbling, he was knocked to the ground, but quickly scrambled back up, charging madly toward the flames with both hands and feet.

“You can’t go in!”

“It’s already collapsing over there—you might get crushed to death!”

“The wind’s picking up! With a fire this big, going in is just suicide!”

“Poor thing… these are Ye Tian’s three children…”

Several neighbors grabbed Xiao Jiang around the waist, holding him back.

He struggled desperately.

“If I die, I’ll die together with my dad!”

“Let me go!”

“Let me go!”

The child’s cries moved the onlookers. Many secretly wiped away tears—even burly men stood with reddened eyes.

Ye Shuangxue ran the fastest.

She rushed to the entrance of the hotpot shop but was stopped by several guards. When they saw her trying to charge inside, someone immediately drew a long blade and shouted, “Step back!”

“What are you doing?”

“Get lost, now!”

Ye Shuangxue trembled with rage, her chest heaving violently. This was their hotpot shop—her father was still inside. These people stood by and did nothing, even preventing the neighbors from rescuing him.

Looking at the familiar shop before her—everything here was Ye Tian’s life’s work… and Ye Tian himself—

At the thought of him, the stubborn girl’s face crumpled as tears streamed down.

This was only the second time she had cried since she could remember.

Right now, she only wanted to save Ye Tian.

Was he afraid, all alone?
Was he still waiting for her?

With a single kick from Ye Shuangxue, a burly man over 1.7 meters tall was sent flying more than a meter away, crashing to the ground and rolling at the entrance of the hotpot restaurant.

Everyone was stunned.

Several of the mansion guards snapped out of it. One of them immediately drew his weapon and shouted, “Are you trying to rebel?!”

“Seize that child!”

The remaining dozen guards instantly surrounded her. Ye Shuangxue stared coldly at these well-dressed lackeys, her blood seeming to ignite, roaring through her veins.

At that moment, her entire aura transformed.

She stepped forward, her gaze icy with disdain. “Anyone who dares to stop me—I’ll kill them!”

“Get her!”

The small figure stood there, long hair loose, flames blazing behind her through the gaps. The firelight cast an eerie, vivid glow on the little girl’s face.

Seeing this, everyone felt a chill in their hearts. They had already forgotten that she was only five years old. That tiny figure now looked like a demon from hell—terrifying, bloody, and unnatural.

“Ye Tian’s fate today will be everyone’s fate tomorrow!”

Ye Yunting spoke coldly as he stepped forward to stand beside Ye Shuangxue. Looking at the surrounding neighbors, he said: “My father runs his business honestly and treats people kindly. Because his business is good and he doesn’t want to affect others, he even closes early every afternoon.”

“Yet the hotpot restaurant suddenly caught fire, and the doors were sealed shut. My father has been framed!”

“These guards standing here right now—they want him dead!”

“What did Ye Tian ever do?”

“Just because he lives in Sifang City, does he deserve to die?”

“Big brother, enough talk! Let’s hurry in and save Ye Tian!” Ye Shuangxue urged anxiously.

The three children stood together, their eyes firm. For the first time, Xiao Jiang didn’t cry. Instead, he looked resolutely at his brother and sister, then smiled as he turned toward the burning restaurant.

“If we’re going to die, then our whole family dies together!”

Seeing the three children’s backs, many in the crowd were moved to tears.

Several employees from the shop rushed forward immediately, raising their hands and shouting:

“Ye Tian is my boss—the best boss! Count me in!”

“Me too!”

“And me!”

“So what if we die? If my head falls off, it’s just a scar the size of a bowl—I’m not afraid!”

Countless people surged toward the guards. The buckets of water they had prepared were finally put to use, as men and women, young and old alike, began fighting the fire.

The guards were frantic, pacing in circles, not daring to step forward to stop them.

“Quick! Send someone back for reinforcements!”

“If we anger the Ironclad General and Ji Shaobai, none of us will be able to answer for it!”

“Hurry!”

Meanwhile, Ji Shaobai and Shen Jie quietly sneaked to the back door of the hotpot restaurant.

The fire had started from this side. By now, the beam had already turned into charred black wood, still glowing with embers.

Ji Shaobai looked very satisfied. Turning to Shen Jie, he said, “Even if Ye Tian were made of gold, he’s probably melted by now, right?”

Shen Jie nodded, grinning slyly.

The scorching heat made him uncomfortable, and he had no desire to linger. If someone discovered them, it would damage his reputation.

“Ye Tian is definitely dead. Brother Ji, let’s go,” Shen Jie urged.

Ji Shaobai didn’t care much—Shen Jie was always too cautious. Who was he?

The general’s only son. In all of Sifang City, who wouldn’t give him face? Even the city lord relied on his father to wage war.

Just as the two were about to leave—

Crack—!

A sharp, piercing sound rang out, and dust began to fall.

Shen Jie looked up in surprise. The beam above them split in half. His pupils shrank instantly, his soul nearly leaving his body in fright. Without hesitation, he grabbed Ji Shaobai and bolted away.

“Shen—”

Before Ji Shaobai could finish speaking—

Bang!

With a thunderous crash, he was buried beneath flaming, ember-filled wood. Dust filled the air as fierce flames erupted from the pile of charred debris.

“Ah—!”