VFGRC Chapter 17

TL: Moonlit

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Yu Bai didn’t consider the conditions he offered for hiring a part-time nanny to be particularly good, so he was quite surprised to receive an application email so quickly.

Yu Bai didn’t have many requirements for the part-time nanny, but he offered a wage of only 40 yuan per hour, plus a meal.

Having someone come to apply was better than having no one.

Yu Bai immediately confirmed the appointment time with the other person – this afternoon, for a three-hour trial period.

Xing Xing had taken two naps, taken medicine on time, and received an injection, so his body was noticeably less weak than yesterday.

Children’s illnesses come quickly and go quickly.

Based on Xing Xing’s recovery rate, Yu Bai estimated that in another two or three days, Xing Xing would be almost fully healthy again.

But until his body completely recovered, Xing Xing could only eat light and non-greasy food for all three meals, as eating greasy food could potentially cause gastrointestinal discomfort due to his weak body after the serious illness.

After having lunch together with Xing Xing, just as Yu Bai was preparing to play with Xing Xing for a while, the doorbell rang.

The nanny Yu Bai had arranged with had arrived.

Xing Xing tilted his little head, looking curiously toward the direction of the door.

“Daddy, who is it?”

Yu Bai didn’t have many friends in J City, and unless it was a special occasion, no one would come to his house as a guest.

So Xing Xing couldn’t guess who was ringing the doorbell.

Yu Bai said, “It’s the nanny who’s coming to our house for part-time work…”

Upon hearing the word “nanny,” Xing Xing lowered his little head and pouted.

Without Yu Bai needing to say much, Xing Xing could also guess the reason why Yu Bai hired a nanny.

Daddy invited the nanny to come to the house to take care of Xing Xing. Because Xing Xing got sick when he went to set up the stall with Daddy, Daddy definitely didn’t want Xing Xing to go to the stall with him…

Just the thought of not being able to go to the stall with Daddy and only being with the nanny made Xing Xing a little unhappy.

When Xing Xing was born, Yu Bai’s grandmother and Yu Bai raised Xing Xing together with their joint efforts.

After Yu Bai’s grandmother passed away, Yu Bai found a company where he could bring his child to work. Since then, Xing Xing had always been inseparable from Yu Bai.

The innate dependence of children on their parents was extremely difficult to separate.

Moreover, for children like Xing Xing who had grown up with their parents almost their entire lives, they were even more reliant on their parents.

On the other hand, Yu Bai also understood Xing Xing’s thoughts.

Yu Bai knew that Xing Xing was unwilling to leave him, but Xing Xing would eventually grow up.

When Xing Xing went to kindergarten and elementary school, the time he spent with Yu Bai would become less and less.

Xing Xing had his own life.

Parents were always guides and participants in a child’s life, not their entire lives.

Yu Bai made up his mind to hire a nanny to take care of Xing Xing at home, in order to let Xing Xing adapt to a life without Yu Bai by his side.

While Yu Bai was thinking about this, he opened the door.

Yu Bai was about to say “Auntie” when he saw the tall figure standing at the door, but he immediately swallowed the word “Auntie” when he saw it.

Yu Bai’s ink-black round pupils revealed a confused emotion. “You… Who are you?”

Ji Rongyu’s voice was calm. “I’m here to apply for the position of part-time nanny.”

As someone who was a food investment businessman, he definitely wouldn’t actually come to apply for a part-time nanny job.

But “disguising as a part-time nanny applicant” was the best way for Ji Rongyu, as determined by his assistant Hang Yuanshu, after searching the entire internet for information related to Yu Bai. It was the shortest way to approach Yu Bai with the most ordinary identity and taste Yu Bai’s cooking skills.

Ji Rongyu’s long and narrow ink-black pupils reflected the handsome face of the young man standing at the door.

Ji Rongyu lowered his gaze, and soft and squishy little hands, like a small meat bun, wrapped around the young man’s slender leg.

When the round and watery ink-black pupils, just like the young man’s, looked at him, they also revealed a confused emotion.

“Daddy.” The little meat bun lowered his voice, but Ji Rongyu could still hear him, “Is he the nanny? But why is the nanny a man?”

Yu Bai: “…”

He found it difficult to explain this because he didn’t know either.

The resume clearly stated that it was an experienced aunt in her fifties, so how did it suddenly become a man?

Yu Bai blinked his long and curled eyelashes. His gaze swept lightly over Ji Rongyu’s deep eyebrows, bright eyes, straight nose, and attractive thin lips…

Although Ji Rongyu was wearing a plain black down jacket that seemed “simple,” the down jacket couldn’t hide Ji Rongyu’s excellent figure that could be called a “clothes hanger.”

Such a good look and figure, and he came here to work as a part-time nanny for 40 yuan per hour instead of applying to be a model or internet celebrity? It was simply a waste of talent!

Is the job market in China so tough now?!

“Did you come to the wrong place?” Yu Bai doubted, “The resume I received was from an aunt in her fifties with extensive experience…”

“I didn’t come to the wrong place.” Ji Rongyu said calmly, “This aunt is my mother. She just had a fall at home two hours ago and won’t recover for a while. Since I don’t have much to do recently, I’m replacing her to apply for the position as a nanny here.”

The above was the seamless excuse that Hang Yuanshu and that aunt came up with after looking through all the information related to Yu Bai. It was the best way to get close to Yu Bai in the shortest amount of time with the most ordinary identity and taste his cooking skills.

Yu Bai suddenly realized, “So that’s how it is… Actually, if your mother isn’t feeling well, she doesn’t have to come, and you don’t have to come either…”

Ji Rongyu quickly retorted, “No, I must come.”

If he didn’t come, how could he taste Yu Bai’s cooking skills?

Yu Bai was taken aback, “Ah?”

Ji Rongyu added, “My mother has a strong professional ethics. If she takes on a job, she will see it through.”

Yu Bai: “…Alright then. Please come in.”

Yu Bai fetched a pair of slippers for Ji Rongyu, then turned and walked into the living room.

Xing Xing was like a little pendant, always following behind Yu Bai.

The kitchen was strictly off-limits for Xing Xing, as Yu Bai had repeatedly warned him. So Xing Xing could only cling to the doorframe, peeking his little head into the kitchen, and staring at Yu Bai inside.

Ji Rongyu, after all, came to Yu Bai’s house as a “part-time nanny,” so he took a simple tour around Yu Bai’s home.

The small house was more than enough for two people, and the walls were painted in a warm, light purple color.

However, for Ji Rongyu, who had been accustomed to living in villas and large flats since childhood, this kind of house could only be described as “bare walls.”

The small size of the house and the scarcity of furniture couldn’t be summarized with just the word “simple.”

Ji Rongyu frowned slightly, feeling a bit apprehensive.

If Yu Bai had really shown some culinary talent worth investing in, considering his current age, he would have earned his first bucket of gold in life through his cooking skills.

So why would Yu Bai and his son be squeezed into such a small and dilapidated house?

Ji Rongyu was a shrewd businessman.

He began to assess whether he had profited or lost by voluntarily canceling two days of his schedule and coming to see Yu Bai twice.

Yu Bai: “There’s nothing to drink at home. How about a cup of warm water?”

Ji Rongyu softly replied, “Okay.”

Ji Rongyu walked into the kitchen, and as he was about to take the cup of warm water handed to him by Yu Bai, his gaze inadvertently landed on the plate of salted beef shank placed on the windowsill.

The beef shank that Yu Bai bought was the freshest and best available at the market, with beautiful patterns on each slice.

But what caught Ji Rongyu’s attention about the salted beef shank wasn’t the patterns, but the thinness of the slices.

Ji Rongyu narrowed his eyes.

The thinness of each slice of the beef shank on the windowsill—this was a level that even the owner of a local braised meat shop couldn’t achieve!

“Oh, are you hungry? I’ll pour you a cup of warm water, how about that?”

Yu Bai turned around and noticed the deep and profound gaze of the handsome man behind him, fixated on the plate of the salted beef shank by the window.

Caught red-handed sneaking a glance at someone else’s salted beef shank, Ji Rongyu’s ears blushed slightly.

Ji Rongyu took the cup of warm water handed to him by Yu Bai.

While drinking, Ji Rongyu covered up his embarrassment.

“It’s fine, I’m not that hungry.” Ji Rongyu put down the cup and shifted the topic to the beef shank. “Did you make this beef shank yourself?”

Yu Bai nodded, “Yes, I made it myself. Why? Do you want to try it?”

Ji Rongyu paused.

Being seen through by Yu Bai, Ji Rongyu’s ears blushed even more.

With a hint of surprise in his eyes, Yu Bai looked at Ji Rongyu and asked, “Do you really want to try it?”

Ji Rongyu’s slender eyes blinked, and he said, “Then… can I have a slice?”

At this point, he simply revealed his desire to “try” the beef shank.

Ji Rongyu pondered.

Today was his first visit to Yu Bai’s home, and it would undoubtedly be his last.

If Yu Bai’s culinary skills didn’t meet his internal standard, then they might as well cut off all contact and never meet again.

If Yu Bai’s culinary skills did meet his internal standard… he had his assistant, Hang Yuanshu, with him. He could easily have Hang Yuanshu replace him and discuss investment strategies and plans with Yu Bai. They wouldn’t need to meet in person.

In Ji Rongyu’s view, whether they met again today or not, he could thicken his skin a bit and there shouldn’t be a problem.

“If you want to eat, of course, you can.” Yu Bai smiled and said, “Let me get you a pair of chopsticks…”

Beef shanks at the market were sold as a whole piece. However, a whole beef shank was too big for Yu Bai and Xing Xing. They couldn’t finish it in two days, and if it was left for too long, it would spoil and affect the taste.

Therefore, now Ji Rongyu took the initiative to express his desire to “try” the salted beef shank, and Yu Bai was quite willing.

More people, more power.

Yu Bai thought that it would be better if Ji Rongyu could eat more as well. This way, the remaining salted beef shank he kept in the refrigerator could be finished faster.

Yu Bai handed a pair of clean chopsticks to Ji Rongyu.

Ji Rongyu gently picked up a slice of salted beef shank with the chopsticks.

As he had expected, the salted beef shank was cut by Yu Bai into slices that were truly as thin as cicada wings. If this slice of beef shank was placed under the light, it would be transparent.

Apart from the slice of beef shank picked up by Ji Rongyu, every slice cut by Yu Bai had almost the same thinness.

Yu Bai’s knife skills could achieve this… undoubtedly, he possessed great talent and a solid foundation in cooking.

A serious expression appeared in Ji Rongyu’s ink-black eyes as he put the slice of beef shank into his mouth and chewed it carefully.

The beef shank was different from other parts of the beef. The meat on the shank had more texture and fragrance.

The transparent and tender beef tendon was distributed among the strands of beef, and the subtle saltiness enhanced the flavor of the beef.

It was a top-quality beef shank. Besides the delicious aroma of the meat itself, Ji Rongyu could even taste a hint of milkiness in the beef.

Dishes with rich flavors were undoubtedly delicious, but a chef who could turn simple ingredients into a pure and authentic taste was undoubtedly a genius!

“Dad, should Xing Xing take medicine now?”

“Yes, I’ll make you a cup of hot water.”

If it hadn’t been for the father and son interrupting Ji Rongyu, who was immersed in the aroma of the salted beef shank, Ji Rongyu would have finished the entire plate of the salted beef shank in his hands.

From childhood to adulthood, Ji Rongyu had tasted a wide variety of delicacies and the cooking skills of top chefs. He believed that even if someone placed the most delicious food in front of him now, he would only take a few bites and stop.

But now… a plate of salted beef shank was enough to break his years of pride in his “self-control.”

Ji Rongyu clenched his right hand into a fist and lightly coughed, feeling awkward near his lips.

He secretly rejoiced that he had come to Yu Bai’s home alone today.

If others had seen this scene…

“Is it delicious?”

Ji Rongyu put the plate of salted beef shank back in its original place by the window.

Ji Rongyu sincerely praised, “It’s delicious.”

Ji Rongyu thought that if Yu Bai didn’t sell teppanyaki but instead opened a salted beef shank factory, he would also earn a fortune.

“I knew it,” Yu Bai smiled and said, “Xing Xing has been sick these days and can’t eat heavy foods. He especially loves this plate of salted beef shank…”

Ji Rongyu turned his head slightly.

The faint, golden sunset outside the window illuminated a corner of the kitchen, as well as Yu Bai’s profile facing Ji Rongyu.

The halo softened Yu Bai’s brows and eyes. When Yu Bai mentioned Xing Xing, his lips involuntarily curled up.

Yu Bai’s cheeks revealed dimples identical to Xing Xing’s.

It was a clean and happy smile, even more dazzling than the afternoon sunset.

For a moment, Ji Rongyu was stunned.

As if sensing Ji Rongyu’s gaze, Yu Bai stopped what he was doing and turned his head slightly.

“What’s wrong?”

Ji Rongyu lowered his head and looked at the glass in his hand. “Nothing.”

Ji Rongyu ignored the fact that his heart, which had been silent for a long time, trembled slightly when he saw the warm and happy smile on Yu Bai’s lips. Soon, it returned to calmness.

Yu Bai and Ji Rongyu left the kitchen, one after another.

Xing Xing, who was leaning against the door frame, pouted his little mouth. His ink-black eyes turned into fierce little crescents as he glared at Ji Rongyu’s back.

Hmph! Don’t think he didn’t notice! This nanny uncle just ate several mouthfuls of salted beef shank in the kitchen!

This salted beef shank was clearly left by Dad for his dinner! So annoyed!

Yu Bai turned around and waved at Xing Xing, “Xing Xing, come over and take your medicine!”

Xing Xing immediately put away his fierce expression, and his eyes returned to their usual cute round shape.

Xing Xing walked towards Yu Bai with his little chubby legs, stepping on his small shoes with a “patter, patter” sound.

Yu Bai said with a smile, “As usual. Finish all the medicine, and you’ll get a candy as a reward.”

Yu Bai handed Xing Xing a cup of pink, strangely smelling liquid — according to the pediatrician, it was a strawberry-flavored medicine specially designed for young children.

As soon as Xing Xing smelled the unpleasant odor of the medicine, his little face turned into a bitter melon.

“Dad, I’m not running a fever anymore, why do I have to drink medicine?” Xing Xing grabbed Yu Bai’s sleeve with his small hand, tears welling up in his eyes. “Can I just take pills?”

Yu Bai smiled, “No, Xing Xing! You have to drink the medicine obediently!”

Wuu wuu, but this strawberry-flavored medicine is really bitter and hard to drink…

Xing Xing’s chubby hands tugged at Yu Bai’s sleeve, swaying left and right, and his cute little face was filled with reluctance.

Yu Bai playfully pinched his son’s tender and watery face while smiling.

Yu Bai increased his bargaining power and said, “If you take your medicine obediently, I’ll reward you with an extra milk candy!”

A hesitant expression appeared on Xing Xing’s little face.

“Well… I don’t want a milk candy! Can I exchange it for a strawberry tanghulu from the tanghulu uncle?”

The strawberry tanghulu sold by the tanghulu uncle was sour, sweet, and cold, and has become one of Xing Xing’s favorite snacks!

Compared to the quickly dissolving milk candy, Xing Xing slightly preferred the strawberry tanghulu.

Yu Bai said, “Alright. As long as you take your medicine obediently, I’ll go and buy you a strawberry tanghulu.”

Yu Bai had made an arrangement with Yu Dong. He was going to return the electric scooter to Yu Dong’s place and bring back his own snack cart. So, it was convenient for him to buy a strawberry tanghulu from Yu Dong’s place.

Upon hearing the mention of a strawberry tanghulu, Xing Xing relaxed his expression.

He extended his chubby hand and tightly held the small cup filled with the strange pink liquid. He took a deep breath.

It’s just a bad-tasting medicine! The pediatrician said that if he closed his eyes, the medicine would be all gone!

Xing Xing brought the cup to his lips and then swiftly swallowed all the medicine in one gulp.

In an instant, Xing Xing’s face wrinkled into a bitter little bun.

“Dad! I… I finished it!”

Xing Xing raised the empty cup, and the medicine was so bitter that his tongue couldn’t straighten.

Xing Xing felt that after drinking the medicine, he was turning into a bitter little baby! His mouth was bitter, his tongue was bitter, and even his flesh became bitter because of the medicine!

Xing Xing thought that after finishing the medicine and drinking water, he had escaped, but Yu Bai spoke again.

Yu Bai smiled gently and said, “You haven’t finished your medicine yet!”

Xing Xing tilted his head in confusion.

Huh? There’s no more medicine in the cup! He had already finished it! Why did Dad say he hadn’t finished it?

In the next moment, Yu Bai took the cup of medicine from Star and poured 20 milliliters of water into it.

The remaining bit of medicine in the cup mixed with the water, and the clear water took on a very light pink color.

Yu Bai shook the cup of “medicine” and handed it back to Xing Xing.

“This is the last one.”

Xing Xing took the cup of “medicine” with his little nose twitching.

Although there was only a small amount of pink medicine mixed in the water, the unpleasant smell still lingered on Xing Xing’s nose.

Xing Xing’s ink-black eyes turned watery again, and tears swirled in his eyes.

Darn medicine! Why is there another cup!

Taking medicine was indeed Xing Xing’s least favorite thing! No doubt about it!

Even if they were the most well-behaved babies, feeding them medicine was still a battle.

Yu Bai tried every means possible, coaxing and tricking Xing Xing to finish all the medicine, and by the end, beads of sweat had formed on Yu Bai’s forehead.

Yu Bai leaned against the soft chair.

He felt that even running a snack cart wasn’t as exhausting as this!

After a while, the cold medicine started to take effect.

Xing Xing became drowsy and sat on the stool, dozing off.

Yu Bai asked, “Xing Xing, are you feeling sleepy?”

Rubbing his eyes with his little chubby hands, Xing Xing replied in a soft voice, “Mm, a little sleepy…”

“Then let’s go and take a nap!”

“Mm!”

After changing Xing Xing into his pajamas, Yu Bai tucked him into bed. As soon as Yu Bai finished covering Xing Xing with the blanket, Xing Xing had already entered a sweet dreamland.

Quietly leaving the bedroom, Yu Bai saw Ji Rongyu standing at the doorway.

Since Yu Bai started feeding Xing Xing the medicine, Ji Rongyu had been observing everything like an onlooker.

The affection between Yu Bai and Xing Xing was almost impenetrable to outsiders.

Ji Rongyu could tell that this seemingly obedient little baby relied heavily on Yu Bai.

Ji Rongyu’s thin lips twitched for a moment.

Whether it was him or his siblings, they were already obedient and didn’t cry or fuss when they turned three years old.

In Ji Rongyu’s opinion, Yu Bai was spoiling his child too much.

“Xing Xing can sleep for at least two to three hours.” Yu Bai looked at Ji Rongyu. “I have something to do and need to go out for a while. Can you please stay at home and keep an eye on Xing Xing?”

Yu Bai added, “When Xing Xing takes his nap, he’s usually well-behaved and doesn’t wake up or cry. So, you only need to occasionally tuck him in…”

“Okay, sure.”

Ji Rongyu, who was impressed by the plate of salted beef, didn’t want to leave Yu Bai’s house for now.

Because according to the agreement, Yu Bai had to prepare dinner for him.

Ji Rongyu was curious about what kind of dinner Yu Bai would make.

Similarly, as a “part-time babysitter,” Ji Rongyu naturally wouldn’t refuse Yu Bai’s request for help in “taking care of the child.”

After Ji Rongyu agreed, he went to change his clothes and Yu Bai changed into something else before leaving the house. Yu Bai wasn’t worried that Ji Rongyu would mistreat Xing Xing.

Firstly, when he had the idea of hiring a babysitter, Yu Bai had already installed surveillance equipment in every corner of the house except for the bathroom to ensure Xing Xing’s safety.

Secondly, after the brief encounter with Ji Rongyu, Yu Bai didn’t think he was the type to mistreat or dislike children.

Because when someone dislikes children, they would inevitably show a disgusted expression upon seeing a child.

However, when Ji Rongyu and Xing Xing met for the first time at the doorway just now, Yu Bai deliberately observed Ji Rongyu’s expression.

At that moment, Ji Rongyu’s gaze met Xing Xing’s slender and long eyes, showing more curiosity and exploration.

—

Yesterday, Yu Bai borrowed Yu Dong’s electric scooter again and helped Yu Bai tidy up his snack cart. He brought both vehicles back home, which was a great favor to Yu Bai.

So when Yu Bai went to Yu Dong’s house today, he didn’t go empty-handed. Yu Bai brought a portion of his own homemade Eight Treasure Rice—a generous amount that would be more than enough for Yu Dong’s family of four.

Moreover, with the approaching New Year, giving Eight Treasure Rice would leave a good impression.

Yu Dong’s family lived on the first floor.

As Yu Bai approached Yu Dong’s house, he could see Yu Dong’s figure from a distance.

Just as Yu Bai was about to go forward and greet Yu Dong, he saw a woman scolding Yu Dong.

“You never lend the electric scooter either too early or too late, but you had to lend it today when our son is participating in the math competition! Do you know how important this competition is? It could potentially give Chengcheng extra points for the college entrance exam! If it weren’t for the neighbor’s help, Chengcheng would have been late and unable to enter the exam room. I swear, I’ll divorce you!”

“You’re always too kind-hearted! You help this person and that person. Others see you as an easy target, that’s why they ask for your help! The Tanghulu don’t sell well either. Instead of wasting your time on that, why don’t you go work as a laborer on a construction site and earn some money! We still haven’t gathered enough money for our son’s tuition for next semester! How are we going to handle the beginning of spring and the start of the school year? Have you even thought about it? Do I have to rely on my salary alone?!”

The woman gave Yu Dong a shove, and Yu Dong lowered his head, not saying a word.

The woman lost her momentum and angrily turned back into the building.

Yu Dong sighed helplessly. He was about to turn around and smoke a cigarette when he looked up and saw Yu Bai.

Yu Dong smiled bitterly. “I’m sorry you had to witness that.”

Yu Dong’s gaze fell on the electric scooter in Yu Bai’s hands. “How is your son? Is he feeling well?”

“He’s recovering well today and his fever has gone down,” Yu Bai said. “If you hadn’t lent me the electric scooter, Xing Xing’s illness would have dragged on for a long time before he could see the doctor!”

“I overheard my sister-in-law saying that your son needed this electric scooter to go to the math competition today. I’m sorry, if I had known about it, I would have brought it to you earlier!”

Yu Bai and Xing Xing returned home in the evening. Yu Bai didn’t want to disturb Yu Dong by returning the scooter, and since it was the weekend, he wasn’t sure if Yu Dong’s family would be up early. So he didn’t want to go to Yu Dong’s house early in the morning to return the scooter.

The two of them had already agreed on the time to return the scooter today, so Yu Bai didn’t expect that all this had happened at Yu Dong’s house while he hadn’t returned the scooter.

“It’s alright, it’s alright,” Yu Dong waved his hand repeatedly. “It was just a coincidence. My son Chengcheng had the math competition today. His alarm didn’t go off, and he almost overslept. We urgently needed a vehicle, and luckily, the neighbor lent me their electric scooter. I immediately took Chengcheng to the exam hall, and luckily, he wasn’t late in the end.”

“That’s good, he wasn’t late,” Yu Bai said.

Yu Dong said, “Your snack cart is still there. You can just push it away.”

“Okay,” Yu Bai handed the Eight Treasure Rice to Yu Dong. “Thank you for lending me the electric scooter yesterday and helping me tidy up the stall. This Eight Treasure Rice is made by me personally, with ample ingredients. Take it back and share it with your family…”

“Oh, this was just a small favor. There’s no need to be so polite!” Yu Dong wanted to refuse, but Yu Bai forcefully handed the Eight Treasure Rice to him.

“Eight Treasure Rice symbolizes good luck. I also want to wish your son a successful math competition! Please accept this Eight Treasure Rice.”

Since Yu Bai had already put it this way, Yu Dong couldn’t refuse. He could only accept the Eight Treasure Rice.

Yu Bai then said, “Actually, I have one more thing to trouble you with when I came to your house.”

Yu Dong readily said, “What is it? Just tell me!”

Yu Dong had already regarded Yu Bai as his good friend.

Yu Bai smiled. “My son is craving your strawberry tanghulu. Can you sell me a skewer now?”

“Between us, there’s no need to talk about ‘selling.’ It’s just a strawberry tanghulu. I’ll give you one! Just wait here!”

Yu Dong immediately ran into the house with the Eight Treasure Rice, and soon he came out holding a skewer of strawberry tanghulu.

Considering that this strawberry tanghulu is for Yu Bai to take back to feed Xing Xing, Yu Dong specifically wrapped the strawberry tanghulu skewer in a paper bag.

Yu Dong asked, “Is one skewer enough? If not, I can get you another one!”

“It’s enough, it’s enough,” Yu Bai said, “Xing Xing has a small appetite these days. Half a skewer of strawberry tanghulu is actually enough for him…”

As Yu Bai said this, a sudden realization flashed through his mind, and he paused.

“What’s wrong?” Yu Dong asked.

Yu Bai’s gaze fell on the long string of strawberry tanghulu in Yu Dong’s hand.

Yu Bai pursed his lips, his eyebrow raised.

“Uncle Yu, have you ever thought about why your tanghulu business is getting worse and worse?”

Yu Dong looked puzzled. “Why are you suddenly bringing this up?”

Although Yu Dong didn’t understand why Yu Bai was asking such a question, he continued, “I used to have a good business. Now it’s not doing well. I think it’s because there are more and more varieties of snacks being sold at Sanjiaokou. My tanghulu only have a few flavors, and fewer people are eating them, naturally leading to poor business.”

“The reason you mentioned is only one of them,” Yu Bai said, “but you haven’t realized the root cause of your poor tanghulu business…”

“The root cause? Is it because my tanghulu doesn’t taste good?”

“No, that’s not it. Your strawberry tanghulu taste great. Both Xing Xing and I love eating them.”

Yu Dong quickly asked, “If it’s not a taste issue, then what could be the problem?”

Yu Dong had already figured it out. When Yu Bai said this, he must have found the root cause of his poor Tanghulu business.

“It’s because… your tanghulu are too big.”

Most of the customers at Sanjiaokou are students.

Students have limited appetites. Apart from eating snacks on the street, they also need to save some room for dinner. So the snacks they eat definitely can’t be too much in quantity.

But Yu Dong sells his tanghulu in long strings. Girls who love eating snacks usually buy a long string, which already fills their stomachs, let alone leaving room to try other snacks.

In the eyes of students, giving up a variety of snacks for just one tanghulu skewer is not cost-effective.

That’s the root cause of Yu Dong’s decreasing sales of Tanghulu.

Therefore, if Yu Dong can divide one skewer of sugar-coated hawthorns into two and sell them, students can enjoy half a skewer to stimulate their appetite without filling their stomachs. After they finish the sugar-coated hawthorns, they will still have room to try other snacks…

It’s a win-win situation.

Yu Dong has been selling Tanghulu for over ten years. Although he has been unable to find the root cause of his poor business, as long as someone gives him a slight hint, he can clearly understand the reason behind it.

“So, that’s how it is!”

After listening to Yu Bai’s words, Yu Dong felt as if he had suddenly realized something, and his mind became clear.

Before leaving, Yu Bai gave Yu Dong another hint.

“Although we sell different snacks, we are on the same path as snack vendors. We always need to seek innovation while ensuring quality. Because customers always like to eat fresh things they haven’t tried before.”

“I think when you sell sugar-coated hawthorns, you might need to innovate appropriately as well. For example… try combining your existing ingredients with the tanghulu.”

“It’s getting late. I’ll go back now. Xing Xing is waiting for me to cook dinner.”

Yu Dong watched Yu Bai’s figure and muttered to himself, “Existing ingredients…”

Yu Dong looked at his own hands.

It was a portion of Eight Treasure Rice that Yu Bai had given him.

 

Author’s message:

Xing Xing: Thank you all for supporting Xing Xing~ Xing Xing will definitely live up to everyone’s expectations and firmly occupy Dad’s heart! Hmph!

Gong: Hehe.

PS: The next chapter is entering the “v” (variant)!

But today’s next chapter “v” is relatively short, I’ll release a longer one tomorrow.

The author is really drained!

—

PS: I recommend my buddy’s upcoming novel~ If you’re interested, you can bookmark it!

Title: “After the Film Emperor Falls in Love on a Variety Show, the Haters Are Envious”

Author: Zhou Mi

Synopsis:

After losing his memory, Yan Qing discovers that five years later, he is married to his marriage partner, and he has a husband out of nowhere.

The marriage partner is Wen Jue Li, the three-time Golden International Film Emperor, with a well-known reputation and an exceptional appearance, attracting a large number of fans.

Meanwhile, Yan Yan is just an unknown little white.

Just as news of their engagement is exposed, not only does he face relentless haters, but there’s also a couple’s variety show.

Yan Qing: A variety show? No, I won’t go.

I’m just an 18-year-old innocent boy. Why would I go on a couple’s show!

However, with a contract from the company, if he doesn’t go, he’ll lose money. The “18-year-old” innocent little virgin has no choice but to grit his teeth and participate.

On the eve of the show, he frantically searches for his romantic history with the Film Emperor.

“The Film Emperor, who is otherworldly, personally cooks and prepares a loving bento.”

“Yan Qing has a close relationship with other men, and the Film Emperor gets jealous, begging meekly for love.”

“The love diary is made public, and the Film Emperor has secretly loved Yan Qing for five years!”

…

Staying up late, Yan Qing finishes reading the love details posted by the marketing account.

Yan Qing: He… he loves me so much.

Wuwuwu!! Husband!!!

Wen Jue Li: ?

Before losing his memory, Yan Qing thought that Wen Jue Li was like an unapproachable ice, unworthy of his love. But now that he knows how patiently Wen Jue Li has loved him, Yan Qing feels that he should also take the initiative.

On the day the show airs, the “Kissing Husbands” hashtag skyrockets to the top of the trending list.

Yan Qing lavishly showers the show with sugar, shattering the rumors of a contractual couple and turning the haters into fans, making the CP (couple pairing) fans squeal with delight.

Netizen A: I’m in bliss. I never expected Yan Qing to be so talented, he’s a perfect match, destined for each other!

Netizen B: Kissing Husbands are so sweet, it’s worth investing in!

Netizen C: I declare Yan Qing as my new wife, the rest of you can do as you please.

Until one day, Yan Qing regains his memory and realizes…

He and Wen Jue Li are truly a contracted couple. Those so-called love details were all spread by those damn marketing accounts, and he had imagined them himself.

Yan Qing: …

This false love, I don’t want it. Divorce!

However, Wen Jue Li stands before him, his tall figure approaching, casually tilting Yan Qing’s chin, his tone lazy: Who said those were fake?