VFGRC Chapter 38

TL: Moonlit

---

As one of the latest popular snack shops in J City, “Qiaozi Snack Store” comes with its own traffic on major online platforms and social media apps.

In the Song Qing team, the girl in charge of operations had just uploaded a food exploration video about “Qiaozi Snack Store” on their account “Light Food Journal,” which already had millions of followers. Shortly after, the video’s views skyrocketed.

In less than ten minutes, the “Light Food Journal” account received hundreds of comments related to “Qiaozi Snack Store.” At first, most of the comments were from fans of the “Light Food Journal” account.

[“Finally, Light Food Journal reviewed ‘Qiaozi Snack Shop’! I’ve been waiting for this.”]

[“Indeed, ‘Qiaozi Snack Store’ is just another ‘internet-famous’ shop boosted by online marketing. Food bloggers online praised this place, but I only trust Light Food Journal’s reviews. After all, they never accept advertising fees from businesses!”]

[“I’ve been to ‘Qiaozi Snack Store’ twice, and apart from their signature crispy chicken, the other snacks are not tasty at all! Light Food Journal’s review perfectly matches my thoughts!”]

However, not long after, the tone in the comments under the “Light Food Journal” account suddenly changed.

[“The blogger claims not to accept advertising fees, but I guess they secretly took money from the competitor to smear ‘Qiaozi Snack Store’?”]

[“Agree with the previous comment. This seems like a case of jealousy over ‘Qiaozi Snack Store’s’ success, so they bribed some bloggers… Hmph.”]

These two types of comments quickly dominated the comment section of the “Light Food Journal.”

The loyal fans of “Light Food Journal” and the netizens who had tried “Qiaozi Snack Store” and didn’t find it tasty couldn’t stand this and left their opinions below these comments.

After a back-and-forth exchange of comments among several netizens, the atmosphere under the “Light Food Journal” turned hostile, and negative vibes were evident throughout the comment section.

As the number of comments increased and the video kept replaying, the latest episode of “Light Food Journal” received an explosive increase in likes.

The exploration video of “Qiaozi Snack Store” by “Light Food Journal” made it to the trending list on Douyin.

It was 11 pm, a special time when netizens, unable to bear their hunger, reluctantly checked their phones before going to sleep, considering some late-night snacks.

At this time, even if they saw a running pig in the video, they might pounce on it and take a few bites.

Therefore, when they saw Song Qing reviewing the golden and crispy fried foods from “Qiaozi Snack Store,” their mouths couldn’t help but water.

Even if Song Qing said that the snacks at “Qiaozi Snack Store” were terrible, the netizens were too hungry.

In the eyes of hungry people, even the most unappetizing food would become delicious.

Moreover, the difference in taste among common fried foods in the market wasn’t significant, so how bad could it be?

Soon, the trend of the comments under “Light Food Journal’s” exploration video of “Qiaozi Snack Store” shifted to discussions among netizens. They debated which branch of “Qiaozi Snack Store” in J City served better snacks and had shorter waiting times.

Whether this was intentionally guided or not, “Light Food Journal’s” video triggered curiosity among netizens. They wanted to find out if the snacks at “Qiaozi Snack Store” were as bad as the food blogger claimed or as delicious as other bloggers described.

Even a few netizens from other cities, enticed by the video, expressed their opinions in the comment section. They stated that they would fly to J City tomorrow to taste the snacks at “Qiaozi Snack Store” themselves and judge whether they were good or not.

“Qingqing, these comments clearly have been manipulated by someone using a water army,” the girl in charge of operations said, “Should we stick to the original plan and release the video of the teppanyaki restaurant?”

Song Qing had previously reviewed both Yu Bai’s teppanyaki restaurant and “Qiaozi Snack Store.” Even though both establishments were in the same location, they provided Song Qing with completely different experiences.

Originally, Song Qing planned to release two videos in succession, comparing the snacks from the snack store at Sanjiaokou with those from a snack stall at the same location.

However, just as Song Qing and the post-production team finished reviewing the teppanyaki video and were ready to release it, the girl in charge of operations discovered that their previous video about “Qiaozi Snack Store” had been targeted by a water army.

Under the guidance of certain accounts, the focus of the netizens’ attention had been shifted to whether or not they should go to “Qiaozi Snack Store” to buy snacks tomorrow.

The manipulator behind these guiding accounts was obvious.

The girl in charge of operations exclaimed in frustration, “This is infuriating! The video was originally meant to remind netizens not to be deceived by the overwhelming propaganda of ‘Qiaozi Snack Store,’ yet now we unintentionally directed traffic to them!”

Song Qing responded, “They rely on clever marketing strategies to build their shop. The three of us alone can’t compete with them on the internet.”

“But can we just watch ‘Qiaozi Snack Store’ prosper because of our videos?” the male member of the post-production team said, “I can’t accept this!”

As Song Qing held the tablet, she swiped the screen while reading the comments received in the backend. Her lips curved up.

After a moment, Song Qing picked up her phone.

The girl in charge of operations asked, “Qingqing, what should we do next?”

Song Qing turned her brightly lit phone screen toward the operations and post-production team. After seeing the contents on the screen, the girl and the guy exchanged a glance, both brimming with eagerness.

Song Qing smiled, “We… will wait.”

—

In these past two days, Sanjiaokou was particularly lively.

Since the opening of “Qiaozi Snack Store,” the queue outside the shop grew longer day by day. The other stall owners at Sanjiaokou observed the customers lining up to buy snacks with amazed expressions.

The neighboring stall owners weren’t doing much business themselves, so they gathered in groups of two or three and chatted.

“Why are there more and more people queuing up? I heard from others that the food in this shop isn’t even that good…”

“Who would wait in line for bad food? I find that hard to believe.”

“You know what, the taste of this shop is just average. But who asked us, the people of J City, to be famous for loving to join the crowd? Whenever some unique and trendy internet-famous shop opens, they always like to come to our city, and some people will fall for it…”

J City was a top-tier economic city in China, and the residents’ average living standard ranked among the top in the country. People lived a comfortable life, with spare time and money to spare.

As for where these spare money and time were “spent”…

In J City, the blooming internet-famous shops became one of the places where residents spent their money and time.

“It’s not entirely accurate to say that. If I have the time and money, what’s wrong with spending it here? I don’t mind waiting in line for a while…”

“You know, the vendor who sells roujiamo is also interesting. These days, I see him not opening his stall and instead queuing up to buy snacks from that shop. I heard his stall conditions weren’t great, so why waste money buying snacks?”

“Hah, you don’t know about it? That guy selling roujiamo is quite clever. Do you really think he’s standing in line and buying those terrible snacks as a gullible customer? You’re mistaken. He actually sold his roujiamo stall a long time ago and switched to being a snack buyer!”

“Snack buyer?” The other stall owners were puzzled.

How could snacks be bought by someone else?

“Yu Dong, you were on good terms with him before. Do you know about this?” One of the stall owners asked.

Yu Dong was sitting on a recliner, stuffing a hawthorn candy into his mouth. “I didn’t know.”

In the past, he and the vendor of roujiamo were the two worst-performing stalls in the entire snack street, so the roujiamo vendor became slightly closer to him, but they were far from being friends.

So naturally, Yu Dong didn’t know that the other person had switched to being a snack buyer.

“I know about it! I asked him about it a couple of days ago,” another vendor said, “Snack buyers queue up to buy snacks on behalf of others.”

“Queue up for others? Can you really make much money from that?”

“You can make a lot! For example, this shop sells a large portion of crispy chicken fillet for forty-five yuan, but they can sell it for one hundred and forty-five yuan per portion when reselling it…”

“Lately, ‘Qiaozi Snack Store’ has become especially popular online. Many people from other cities want to come here to buy, but the plane tickets are too expensive. Some snack buyers package the snacks they bought and directly mail them to the customers’ cities. By doing so… one portion of the chicken fillet can be sold for as much as three hundred yuan!”

Make almost a thousand yuan in just a few hours of waiting?

This business venture indeed piqued the interest of the snack stall owners present.

They worked hard all day at their stalls and could only make a few hundred yuan, while someone else spent three hours standing in line and earned a thousand yuan…

Just as the snack stall owners were discussing, three or four young men and women holding photography equipment appeared at Sanjiaokou – they headed straight for “Qiaozi Snack Store.”

Seeing their appearance, their identities were quite apparent.

They were a group of food exploration bloggers.

—

Yesterday, when little Xing Xing woke up, Yu Bai had already returned after closing his stall early.

Not being able to eat crispy chicken fillet and not being able to participate in the stall setup, Xing Xing felt a bit upset.

Although Daddy couldn’t buy crispy chicken fillet because its seller, Wang Mei, didn’t open her stall yesterday, and Daddy closed the stall early due to too many customers…

These two things were what Xing Xing had been looking forward to the most today, but neither succeeded, and it was understandable that Xing Xing felt a bit upset.

In front of Yu Bai, Xing Xing was a well-behaved little child.

He didn’t vent all his unhappiness on others but occasionally turned his back to Yu Bai and pouted, with his round eyes transforming into a resentful half-moon shape.

Ji Rongyu became the target of Xing Xing’s anger, the sole object for venting his frustration.

The way he vented was…

Yesterday, Yu Bai came back early and prepared various small snacks such as xiaolongbao, wontons, and spring rolls for their dinner – a meal for him, Xing Xing, and Ji Rongyu.

After all, the Spring Festival was less than two weeks away, so Yu Bai made some extra small snacks in advance to have for the New Year.

Each person had their own bowl of wonton soup, and Yu Bai steamed several baskets of xiaolongbao and fried a plate of spring rolls.

Among the three types of snacks, Ji Rongyu particularly liked the crab roe xiaolongbao. After trying one, he couldn’t help but eat two more.

The crab roe xiaolongbao was made with fresh and tender female crab roe carefully extracted by Yu Bai. When the female crab roe is fully matured, it appears orange-red in color and has a texture similar to that of an egg – completely devoid of any fishy taste. The fresh and sweet river crab scent was the only thing left.

But here’s the problem, Xing Xing saw this scene and also waved his little chopsticks, trying to pick up the crab roe xiaolongbao.

However, as a child, Xiaoxing’s fingers were like five short and thick carrots, making it impossible for him to use chopsticks or pick up the xiaolongbao.

Compared to female crabs, Xing Xing preferred the soft and tender roe of male crabs.

However!

Xing Xing watched Yu Bai spend several hours carefully shaving crabs just to make the crab roe xiaolongbao.

He didn’t want all the delicious food his dad had worked hard to make to be devoured by someone with ulterior motives!

One basket, two baskets… Xing Xing and Ji Rongyu competed in speed to eat the xiaolongbao.

Xing Xing’s hands were sweating as he tried to pick up the xiaolongbao, and Ji Rongyu was too hasty, scalding himself several times with the soup from the xiaolongbao.

But with Xing Xing’s persistent efforts, he successfully fed himself and also made Ji Rongyu eat much less of the crab roe xiaolongbao.

Watching this fierce battle, Yu Bai said, “…Since you both like it, should I make more for you? There are still some in the fridge…”

Before Ji Rongyu could say “yes,” Xing Xing joyfully beat him to it.

“No need!”

“Dad, there are still so many spring rolls and wontons on the table that we haven’t finished eating. If we steam more xiaolongbao, all these snacks will go to waste.”

Yu Bai suddenly realized, nodding, “Right. Xing Xing makes a good point…”

Ji Rongyu: !!!

The xiaolongbao he was about to eat flew away like it had sprouted wings!

Xing Xing turned his head, smiling mischievously at Ji Rongyu, though the smile didn’t quite reach his eyes.

Xing Xing said, “Uncle Rongyu, why are you squinting? Do you think these snacks are not enough to eat? Or… do you want to waste the spring rolls and wontons that Dad worked so hard to make?”

Ji Rongyu smiled and ground his teeth, “You’re thinking too much.”

Hmph, just a plate of spring rolls and a bowl of wontons, right? He would finish them and then ask Yu Bai to steam two more portions of crab roe xiaolongbao…

Dreams are grand, but the reality is harsh.

Young Yu Bai had not developed the cafeteria aunt’s intermittent hand tremors, so the dumplings, spring rolls, and xiaolongbao he made were generously filled with fillings.

One bowl of wontons and half a plate of spring rolls were enough to make Ji Rongyu fall flat.

Yu Bai asked, “Ji Rongyu, there’s one spring roll left, aren’t you going to eat it?”

Ji Rongyu’s trembling hand moved, shaking from side to side.

He couldn’t eat anymore, really, not even one bite!

—

Although Xing Xing didn’t openly show that he was unhappy, how could Yu Bai, as Xing Xing’s dad, not see that his son was not in a good mood?

Soon, it was lunchtime the next day.

Xing Xing grabbed Yu Bai’s collar, and his soft little head rested in Yu Bai’s arms as he spoke in a coquettish tone.

“Daddy, can you not come back so early today?”

Yu Bai asked knowingly, “Why?”

Xing Xing wrapped his small arms around Yu Bai’s neck, and his little face rubbed against Yu Bai’s face.

“Because, I also want to go outside with Daddy…”

Compared to staying at home, the outside world was more exciting and appealing to children.

But Xing Xing was an incredibly clingy child. Even if he went out, he had to stick close to Yu Bai.

Xing Xing was like a fragrant and soft little rice cake, and Yu Bai was more than willing to be stuck by his son.

Yu Bai said, “Alright, alright. I won’t set up the stall today. We’ll go out and play.”

Xing Xing raised his head, and his round black eyes showed a big question mark.

Why did Daddy suddenly say he won’t set up the stall and wants to go out to play?

Yu Bai touched Xing Xing’s little head, “I didn’t take you out yesterday, so you must have felt bored at home. After your nap today, I’ll take you out for a walk. We can also go to Sanjiaokou and see if there are any sugar-coated haws and crispy chicken tenders for sale, alright?”

Xing Xing blinked his round eyes and readily agreed, “Alright!”

Yu Bai gently patted Xing Xing’s small arm.

“Then go to sleep quickly.”

Xing Xing obediently closed his eyes, and his little hands were tucked under the blanket.

After a while, Xing Xing fell asleep.

Yu Bai’s decision to cancel the stall was impromptu.

Before he could inform Ji Rongyu, Ji Rongyu had already arrived at his house.

“Sorry for the trouble, could you run another errand for me…” Yu Bai explained the situation, intending to have Ji Rongyu go back directly.

However, Ji Rongyu’s attention was somehow captured by something Yu Bai said, and he unexpectedly wanted to join them for the outing.

“I don’t have anything to do anyway.” Ji Rongyu said, “I’ll go out with you and also help you look after Xing Xing…”

So, it was settled.

When Xing Xing woke up from his nap, he saw Ji Rongyu’s sunny and radiant handsome face, and he pouted.

When they were leaving, Xing Xing tightly held Yu Bai’s right hand, staring at Ji Rongyu, not letting him get close to Yu Bai.

Seeing the little child being so guarded against him as if he were a thief, Ji Rongyu raised an eyebrow.

What actions did he take in the past two days that caused the child to misunderstand him and lead to the child’s repeated resistance against him?

Could it be because of that one sentence—how much he enjoys eating the food Yu Bai cooks?

But that was just an ordinary statement. How could it trigger the child’s wariness?

The afternoon sunlight sprinkled warmly on them, creating long and slender shadows.

The tall and the small one walked ahead, while Ji Rongyu followed behind.

Xing Xing seemed to have said something to Yu Bai, and the slightly tilted head of Yu Bai showed a suppressed smile.

His round eyes curved, revealing two charming dimples on his cheeks.

With this smile, Yu Bai looked like a young student. People who didn’t know them on the street would probably assume that he and Xing Xing were brothers rather than father and son.

The warmth that enveloped the duo, like an intangible and soft barrier, lingered between them.

Ji Rongyu felt like an outsider, unable to blend in.

However… barriers are always meant to be broken.

While holding Xing Xing’s small hand with his right hand, Yu Bai suddenly felt a strong and powerful arm pressing against his left arm.

A scorching breath spread from the palm of his left hand.

Before Yu Bai could react, Ji Rongyu raised his right hand and skillfully hooked it around Yu Bai’s shoulder—Ji Rongyu leaned in close to Yu Bai, nearly half of his body pressed against him.

“You two are walking too fast, I almost couldn’t catch up,” Ji Rongyu said with a smile.

As he spoke, Ji Rongyu turned his head to look at Xing Xing by Yu Bai’s side.

And Xing Xing… was almost about to explode with anger!

 

Author’s Note:

Xing Xing: (▼皿▼#)

PS: I’ll release the next chapter on Saturday.

I can only spare time on weekends QAQ

Weekdays are too busy, oh well.

My boss even wanted me to go on a business trip, but I swiftly declined it ●^●