Quickly, Qiao Shu stopped his train of thought because the director instructed them to start choosing their food stalls.
Jiang Jiayu and Chu Chisheng were the first to choose. They huddled together for a moment, then stood behind the stall selling fried chicken strips and French fries.
Once they made their selection, the stall owner swiftly began teaching them how to operate.
It was now Qiao Shu and Gu Chenyan’s turn.
Qiao Shu looked at the remaining three stalls, all of which he wanted to try. He tugged at Gu Chenyan’s sleeve, feeling a bit hesitant. “Which one should we choose?”
Gu Chenyan asked, “Do you have any preferences?”
Qiao Shu glanced at the three stalls and honestly admitted, swallowing saliva, “I want to try them all.”
Gu Chenyan chuckled.
Glancing at the three stalls, he said to Qiao Shu, “I’m not familiar with campus food stalls. According to the production team, the profits from these three stalls should be about the same. In that case,” he asked, “which one do you think would be easier to operate?”
Qiao Shu blinked.
He was a bit puzzled. “In terms of making money, they should all be about the same, right?”
When he was in school, he loved eating these snacks, but he never paid attention to how each stall was doing business. In his memory, after school, every food stall was bustling, crowded with students as if they had been starving for days.
Noisy and lively.
As for the easy-to-operate food stall…
Qiao Shu’s eyes lit up.
He knew this one. He took Gu Chenyan’s hand and said, “Let’s choose Oden!”
Qiao Shu: “Sounds good!”
Qiao Shu: “It’s like cooking hotpot. Just throw everything in, no need to exert too much effort.”
The other stalls required attention to timing and techniques, especially the iron plate tofu, which involved flipping tofu back and forth. While Qiao Shu could manage, he didn’t want Gu Chenyan to get tired.
Qiao Shu asked, “Is Oden okay?”
Gu Chenyan nodded.
Of course, easy operation was preferable.
Gu Chenyan glanced at Qiao Shu. Although they were filming a variety show, the premise was not to let Qiao Shu tire himself out.
The two settled on Oden.
Zhou Yanqing and the others made their choices quickly. Zhou Yanqing and Xiao Bai chose takoyaki, while the sisters could only pick the remaining stall selling iron plate tofu.
After making their selections, everyone began to earnestly learn how to operate these food stalls and prepare these snacks.
For Qiao Shu’s group, it was relatively simple.
Most of their snacks were pre-made, just needing to be thrown into the pot in advance.
Only a small portion needed to be cooked on the spot.
The students who wanted it spicy just poured some chili water into the soup.
Things went smoothly for Jiang Jiayu. He was already skilled in cooking and had a knack for controlling the heat, so frying chicken strips and potato fries was easy for him.
Chu Chisheng was like a background character.
The other two groups weren’t as fortunate. None of the four remaining members had spent much time in the kitchen before. Despite their earnest efforts to learn, they were still a bit clumsy, especially the sisters. They were particularly afraid of hot oil splashing onto their faces from the iron plate.
After a bit of chaos and confusion, they all managed to barely make it through.
The production team collected the cash they had brought with them and gave each group a basic program fund of five hundred yuan, with two hundred of it exchanged into small change for convenience in making change later.
Before heading out, the director was still concerned. So he brought out masks and baseball caps for everyone to wear.
These days, students are all into idol chasing. They can immediately recognize them even from a glimpse of their hand or their back.
The director was worried.
The eight of them set out on their food stalls.
There were no cameras following them, nor were there any other production staff from the program. For the sake of the show’s effect, the production team specially borrowed the latest unmanned aerial vehicle from Gu’s company and enlisted one of Gu Chenyan’s technicians to operate it, replacing manual filming.
Gu Chenyan rode the Oden food stall. It was his first time riding something like that, and his posture looked a bit awkward.
Qiao Shu walked alongside the cart. He was unable to hold back his laughter while watching Gu Chenyan riding the snack cart. He secretly took out his phone, opened the camera, and aimed it at Gu Chenyan.
Although the production team was up to some mischief, there were too many memorable moments to pass up!
This point had to be praised.
Seeing Qiao Shu filming Gu Chenyan, Jiang Jiayu couldn’t resist either. He took out his phone and filmed Chu Chisheng riding the cart.
Jiang Jiayu: Ahem
Commemoration.
Qiao Shu aimed the camera: “Mr. Gu.”
Gu Chenyan turned his head.
Qiao Shu immediately took the photo.
“Forget to mention,” the director’s voice suddenly sounded in everyone’s earphones, “while out, please remember the identities you drew, and address each other accordingly. One violation will result in a five yuan fine.”
Director: “Qiao Shu is exempt from the first fine.”
Qiao Shu: “…”
Indeed, it was a mischievous production team.
While riding the cart, Zhou Yanqing turned his head and smiled at Gu Chenyan and Chu Chisheng. “The director did a great job!”
“Hahaha—”
The next moment.
Xiao Bai walked up to him. “Brother, how about I ride instead? Are you tired?”
Xiao Bai: “Brother, let me wipe your sweat for you.”
Straight-laced Zhou Yanqing: “…”
He shuddered. “Can you not call me ‘brother’? It sounds strange.”
Xiao Bai looked innocent. “But the director has rules. If we don’t call each other ‘brother’, we’ll be fined.”
Zhou Yanqing: “…”
Zhou Yanqing: “Then you can call me ‘big brother.'”
Zhou Yanqing: “Just add one word.”
Xiao Bai looked aggrieved. “Calling you ‘brother’ sounds better. I’m already used to it.”
Zhou Yanqing: “…”
Qiao Shu, who had been watching the whole time, stifled his laughter.
Serves him right!
Let him enjoy being pestered by Xiao Bai!
Qiao Shu internally applauded. This was not bad. Xiao Bai pestering Zhou Yanqing was better than him pestering Chu Chisheng; it wouldn’t disturb Jiang Jiayu’s romantic pursuits.
Perfect!
Little brother, my condolences to you from your sister-in-law.
In the end, Zhou Yanqing reluctantly accepted being called “brother”. He simply couldn’t handle the arguing with “Little White Rabbit” Xiao Bai.
The school was not far from the courtyard where they came out. It took the eight of them seven to eight minutes to reach the school gate.
As it was nearing the end of the school day, besides their four newly arrived snack stalls, many other snacks had been set up at the school gate, creating a lively and tantalizing scene.
There were roujiamo1a street food originating from the cuisine of Shaanxi Province. In the US, it is sometimes called Chinese hamburger., liangpi2has the same origins as the roujiamo. It is a Chinese dish composed of cold noodles made from wheat or rice flour, egg-filled pancakes, egg burgers, grilled liangpi, hand-pulled pancakes, and jianbing3traditional Chinese street food similar to crêpes with fillings…
Qiao Shu couldn’t resist the tempting aroma in the air.
Through their earpieces, the staff directed them to park the snack stalls in their designated spots.
After parking the carts, everyone began to busily prepare.
From the cart, Gu Chenyan took down a plastic stool and placed it beside Qiao Shu. “Sit.”
Qiao Shu asked, “What about you?”
He glanced at the snack cart, noticing there was only one plastic stool.
Gu Chenyan helped Qiao Shu sit down. “I’m fine. It’s not convenient to do business while sitting. You can sit and handle the money comfortably.”
Qiao Shu sat on the stool and swung his legs. “Do I handle the money?”
Gu Chenyan nodded. “Yes.”
Qiao Shu chuckled. “You’re giving me such an easy job? Hus…”
The word “fine” suddenly attacked him. Qiao Shu quickly covered his mouth, swallowing the word “husband” back.
Gu Chenyan chuckled.
He bent down, pinched Qiao Shu’s cheek, and said, “It seems like our well-behaved child at home still needs some time to adapt.”
Qiao Shu pouted.
He glanced around and heard Jiang Jiayu whispering “Brother Sheng” to Chu Chisheng next door, Xiao Bai calling Zhou Yanqing “Brother,” and Lu Yiyi simply calling someone “Uncle”.
Hmph!
So what!
Young Master won’t lose!
Qiao Shu suppressed the unhealthy thoughts in his heart, blinked innocently, and said in an exceptionally innocent tone, “Dad.”
Qiao Shu: “You’re so good to Qiao Qiao.”
Gu Chenyan was taken aback for a moment.
Then he nodded seriously. “Good child.”
With no more unhealthy thoughts, Qiao Shu found it extremely natural to continue calling him dad.
For example.
Qiao Shu looked at the steaming skewers in the stall, feeling a bit hungry. He tugged on Gu Chenyan’s clothes and said, “Dad, I’m hungry. I want to eat seaweed.”
Gu Chenyan prepared some seaweed for him to eat.
Qiao Shu sat on the stool, holding a paper cup, and pouted slightly. “Dad, it’s a bit hot.”
Gu Chenyan: “Here.”
Gu Chenyan took the cup.
Qiao Shu acted coquettishly, “Dad, feed me.”
Qiao SHu: “Qiao Qiao is too weak from hunger to pick up the skewers.”
Gu Chenyan felt helpless, but still indulged him, “Alright.” He took a piece of seaweed and handed it to Qiao Shu’s mouth.
Qiao Shu happily took a bite.
After finishing the seaweed, Gu Chenyan asked, “What else do you want to eat?”
Qiao Shu looked around and said, “Bean curd skin.”
So Gu Chenyan continued to feed Qiao Shu bean curd skin, followed by fish balls, crab sticks…
The students hadn’t finished school yet, and Qiao Shu had already been fed seven or eight skewers of skewers.
Qiao Shu said, “Dad, I’m full.”
Gu Chenyan: “Full?”
Qiao Shu nodded, “Dad, you’re too good to me, but let’s keep the skewers to sell for money. We still want to go on a trip. Qiao Qiao wants to go on a trip.”
He was really getting into the role.
Gu Chenyan: “Okay.”
Gu Chenyan pinched Qiao Shu’s nose and said, “Good boy Qiao Qiao, Dad will work hard to earn money for you.”
Qiao Shu: “Thank you, Dad.”
Gu Chenyan chuckled.
Qiao Shu laughed along.
“Hey, can you two tone it down a bit? This is still a school,” Zhou Yanqing suddenly interjected.
Qiao Shu looked at him, unabashed: “What’s wrong with me and my dad having a pure father-son relationship?”
Zhou Yanqing: “…”
Qiao Shu: “Why don’t you hang out with your little brother?”
Zhou Yanqing shivered.
Qiao Shu curiously glanced at their takoyaki stall and saw Xiao Bai looking resentfully at Zhou Yanqing from behind the stall.
Qiao Shu: “…”
No wonder!
Although it’s… but… Qiao Shu really wanted to laugh, hahaha.
Zhou Yanqing felt wronged: “Sister-in-law.”
Ding Ling Ling~
The school bell rang.
Qiao Shu mercilessly said: “Hurry up and do business. Making money is important. Don’t come and disturb me and my dad doing business.”
Zhou Yanqing: “…”
Zhou Yanqing left with a sense of grievance.
As soon as the school gate opened, the students poured out like bees, scattering around the various food stalls.
Everyone began to busy themselves.
Only Qiao Shu remained relatively idle, just reaching into the box for change, not even needing to do any math.
Because Gu Chenyan was responsible for packing the oden into cups, handling the money, and then handing it over to Qiao Shu sitting beside him. When change was needed, he would even tell Qiao Shu how much to give.
During the busy period, Gu Chenyan would still grab some skewers from the stall and feed Qiao Shu, fearing he might get hungry. Qiao Shu, while eating skewers, would also feed Gu Chenyan a few bites.
At one point, Qiao Shu wanted to switch places with Gu Chenyan, letting him sit and handle the money, but Gu Chenyan refused.
In a building not far away,
Technicians from the Gu Group were in a room, coordinating with the photographer to adjust the angle of the drone’s shots.
Technician 1: “Wow! To witness President Gu running a stall in my lifetime, this trip is truly worth it!”
Technician 2: “Ah! Can we go buy the oden cooked by President Gu? That’s something crafted by President Gu’s golden hands!”
Technician 3: “Can we buy it? I’m going! I hope President Gu’s cooking brings me wealth!”
Technician 4: “I’m going! I want to see President Gu’s stall live in person!”
Technician 5: “I’m going! Having tasted something cooked by President Gu himself, I can boast for a lifetime!”
Technician 6: “I’m going!”
Technician 7: “I’m going!”
…
The technicians, who usually hesitated to even fetch takeout, were now scrambling and blushing just to buy the oden.
However, they didn’t argue for too long because the director ruthlessly shattered their fantasies. In order to demonstrate the fairness of the program, no member of the production team was allowed to favor any guest’s business.
The technicians: “…”
Missing out on a potential fortune!
Meanwhile, on Weibo, the hot search about “Working People, Working Spirit” remained popular after the live broadcast.
【Ah! Does anyone know where the production team is recording the show? Willing to pay a hefty sum for the address! I just want to hear Qiao Shu call President Gu “dad” live on the scene!】
【(Dog’s head) This production team is daring! They actually went to record the show in Haicheng】
【Sob, this show is so heartless. I was fine not watching the live broadcast, but now that I’ve watched it, my appetite has been totally whetted. I feel so uncomfortable, neither full nor hungry.】
【It was getting exciting, and then it just ended!】
【Willing to pay a hefty sum for the address!】
…
Around noon, the students gradually dispersed. Qiao Shu and the others had sold most of the skewers in their cart, leaving only about a dozen. Jiang Jiayu and Chu Chisheng also had nearly depleted their inventory.
Everyone except Qiao Shu was somewhat exhausted, especially the sisters, who had been continuously frying tofu and duck intestines, their hands never stopping.
At this moment, the two of them were massaging each other’s arms.
The director sent a notice: “Stall time is over. Everyone, come back for lunch.”
The mention of lunch brightened everyone’s eyes.
After being busy for so long, they were all hungry. Although there was food available at the stalls, it wasn’t everyone’s preference, and it wasn’t filling either.
The group, tired yet cheerful, made their way back to the yard rented by the production team.
But the director was relentless!
As soon as they entered the yard, the director started stirring things up again: “Every meal for the working class is precious and hard-won. Therefore, as working-class individuals, you need to fight for what you want to eat. Only then can you appreciate the value of food.”
After the director finished speaking, several staff members appeared in the yard holding plates covered with lids.
Qiao Shu’s nose twitched.
He caught a whiff of food.
The staff members placed the plates they were holding on a small table nearby, then rolled out five rows of racks from somewhere. The racks were taped with many ping-pong balls.
The director said, “There are words written on the back of the ping-pong balls. Some indicate the names of dishes. Here’s the rule: For each team of two, one person carries the other and runs to pick up as many ping-pong balls as possible within a minute. Because the dishes written on the back of the ping-pong balls will be your lunch.”
The sisters raised their hands hesitantly, “Director, but we’re girls. We don’t have that much strength.”
They had just finished selling iron plate tofu and duck intestines and were already tired. Now they had to carry someone on their backs and run fifty meters to grab ping-pong balls and then run back. They simply didn’t have the energy.
The director had already thought of this, “Don’t worry. The food you snatch at noon can be shared. As long as someone in your group grabs it, everyone else can eat.”
Lu Yiyi and Lu Jian breathed a sigh of relief. They glanced at each other and then smiled at Qiao Shu and the others, “Thanks brothers, for your hard work.”
Qiao Shu and the others didn’t mind.
They were willing to take care of the girls.
But they still had to complain about the director. How could he arrange such a physical game after they finished working!
The game began.
Gu Chenyan walked up to Qiao Shu and crouched down in front of him. Qiao Shu gently leaned onto Gu Chenyan’s back.
Gu Chenyan lifted Qiao Shu onto his back.
Qiao Shu asked, “Are you tired?”
Gu Chenyan: “Not tired.”
Gu Chenyan: “Rest assured.”
Qiao Shu tenderly kissed Gu Chenyan’s cheek. “I’ll make sure to grab more ping pong balls later, so you can have a better meal.”
Gu Chenyan replied, “Okay.”
Suddenly, he added, “Do you still remember that I promised to play these games with you before?”
Qiao Shu paused for a moment, recalling the time when he watched Jiang Jiayu and Chu Chisheng play intimate games during the recording of “We’re Here”, feeling both excited and melancholic.
Back then, he had called Gu Chenyan, expressing his desire to play such games together, and Gu Chenyan had agreed.
Qiao Shu smiled. “Yes, I remember.”
Gu Chenyan apologized, “Sorry, I haven’t fulfilled that promise.”
Qiao Shu reassured him, “Don’t apologize. You’re so busy. Besides, you’re already spending time with me now.”
Gu Chenyan smiled. “Little Mr., I’ll do my best.”
“Okay,” replied Qiao Shu.
Director: “Start!”
Gu Chenyan said to Qiao Shu, “Hold on tight.”
“Okay,” Qiao Shu responded.
With quick strides, Gu Chenyan ran towards the rack. His long legs and good physical condition, maintained through daily exercise, allowed him to carry Qiao Shu without any sign of hesitation or heaviness in his steps.
The wind brushed against Qiao Shu’s face.
Qiao Shu hugged Gu Chenyan’s neck and glanced sideways. Chu Chisheng and Zhou Yanqing couldn’t catch up with Gu Chenyan’s speed.
This made him smile triumphantly.
His Mr. Gu was the best!
Gu Chenyan quickly reached the rack. Qiao Shu tightly gripped his waist with his legs and reached out to tear off the ping pong balls from the rack.
The director was being stingy; they weren’t even provided with baskets. Qiao Shu had to use his school jacket to carry the ping pong balls. Due to the rush, he didn’t have time to read the words on the back of the balls. He just tore them off and threw them onto his clothes.
He tried his best to grab more ping pong balls.
As the time was almost up, Qiao Shu stopped. Gu Chenyan immediately turned around with Qiao Shu on his back and ran back.
Zhou Yanqing and Chu Chisheng also ran back.
The three of them returned to the starting point one after another, just in time for the one-minute mark.
Next was to count the loot.
Qiao Shu got quite a few ping pong balls, but only four of them had dish names written on them.
He was considered lucky.
Jiang Jiayu only had three with dish names, while Xiao Bai had only one.
Fortunately, when combined, they had eight dishes in total, enough for eight people.
After finishing the game, the director was considerate this time, leaving the dishes and rice behind and taking the people away.
Qiao Shu and the seven others were not polite. They were tired and hungry, so they sat down at the table and started eating directly.
After eating and drinking their fill, everyone worked together to clean up the dishes and tables, washed the dishes, and then wearily returned to the rooms prepared for them by the program team to rest.
The program team was sneaky; they only prepared four rooms for the four groups to rest.
Qiao Shu didn’t mind.
The sisters had no problem either.
But Jiang Jiayu and Zhou Yanqing were in a dilemma. Jiang Jiayu was purely shy, and the thought of being in the same room with his crush…
His face turned red even before entering the room.
As for Zhou Yanqing, he was unwilling. He looked at Xiao Bai beside him, who was calling him “brother” with an innocent face, and he couldn’t help but question his life choices.
What was wrong with him when he volunteered to participate in this laborious program?
Now he not only had to work but also had to witness his brother and sister-in-law being sweet and loving.
And…
He also had to endure the goosebumps-inducing “brother” calls…
Miserable!
He must have been out of his mind back then!
Ignoring Xiao Bai’s “brother” calls, Zhou Yanqing, with a weary and weary expression, walked into the room.
Fortunately, the program team wasn’t completely insane; they arranged for double beds. Zhou Yanqing casually lay on one of the beds, pulled up the blanket, and fell asleep.
In another room.
The program team had good foresight; they prepared a large bed for Qiao Shu and Gu Chenyan.
Gu Chenyan asked Qiao Shu to sit on the bed. He went to get the suitcase, opened it, covered the camera in the room with a piece of clothing, and then took out pajamas for Qiao Shu to change into.
Qiao Shu was already yawning from tiredness.
He had woken up too early in the morning.
Seeing Gu Chenyan approaching, with a sleepy expression, Qiao Shu directly snuggled into his arms: “I’m sleepy.”
Gu Chenyan: “Be good. Change into your pajamas and go to sleep.”
Qiao Shu coquettishly: “Help me.”
Gu Chenyan: “Okay.”
Qiao Shu: “Thank you, Dad.”
Gu Chenyan looked at the tired person in his arms and smiled helplessly.
He helped Qiao Shu take off his clothes and then changed him into pajamas. He squatted down to take off Qiao Shu’s shoes, and changed his pants.
By the time he finished changing, Qiao Shu’s eyelids were almost closed.
Gu Chenyan: “Go to sleep.”
Qiao Shu nodded drowsily, “Hmm.”
Gu Chenyan carefully placed Qiao Shu on the bed, covered him with a blanket, and then changed into his own pajamas.
After changing, he gently lifted a corner of the blanket and lay down on the bed.
Feeling the familiar scent, Qiao Shu immediately snuggled over.
Gu Chenyan reached out and pulled him into his arms.
As Qiao Shu was about to fall asleep, he suddenly lifted his head, “Kiss.” His voice was tired and soft.
Gu Chenyan asked, “Why haven’t you slept yet?”
Qiao Shu replied, “Waiting for you. Together.”
Qiao Shu: “Kiss.”
His eyes were still closed, but his lips pouted towards Gu Chenyan.
Gu Chenyan leaned down, his gaze gentle as he kissed Qiao Shu’s lips, gently savoring the moment.
Tenderly kissing.
Qiao Shu wrapped his arms around Gu Chenyan’s neck.
The kiss didn’t last long.
Because within a few seconds of their lips meeting, Qiao Shu fell completely asleep in Gu Chenyan’s embrace.
Hoo~hoo~
There was also a slight snoring sound.
Gu Chenyan chuckled softly. He released Qiao Shu’s lips, gently lifted his head, and placed a kiss on Qiao Shu’s forehead.
“Sleep now.”
“My Little Mr. Qiao.”
