VFGRC Chapter 39

TL: Moonlit

---

Xing Xing only has contact with Yu Bai and the bad uncle actually leaned half of his body against Dad!

The bad uncle must have done it on purpose!

If it weren’t for Dad still being there, Xing Xing would have jumped in anger already!

Xing Xing stopped in his tracks and pulled his little hand out of Yu Bai’s hand.

“What’s wrong?” Yu Bai asked.

Xing Xing pouted and extended his small hand to Yu Bai, using his cute milky voice to act spoiled. “Daddy, I’m tired.”

Who could refuse such a cute and adorable little ball of fluff that wants to cuddle and act spoiled?

Yu Bai immediately bent down and picked up Xing Xing.

The hand that Ji Rongyu had on Yu Bai’s shoulder awkwardly stopped halfway.

Xing Xing placed his round little chin on Yu Bai’s shoulder.

His watery round eyes glanced at Ji Rongyu, and a smug smile appeared on his chubby face, showing off his two small tiger teeth.

Hmph! Dad likes Xing Xing the most, no matter what tricks the bad uncle uses, he will never surpass Xing Xing’s place in Dad’s heart!

Ji Rongyu’s narrow eyes narrowed slightly, and his thin lips twitched.

Tsk, he won’t stoop to the same level as the little brat.

So what if he’s being carried by someone? Only a little brat would enjoy being carried.

Yu Bai held Xing Xing in his arms, and Ji Rongyu walked shoulder to shoulder with Yu Bai.

After a while, the three of them arrived at Sanjiaokou.

Despite being a weekday, Sanjiaokou was even more lively today than the day before.

As they strolled from one end of the street to the other, Yu Bai realized that the reason for today’s crowd was because many foodie internet celebrities and bloggers suddenly came to queue up and explore “Qiaozi Snack Store.”

Whether big or small, these internet celebrities were accompanied by at least two or more team members, carrying their respective filming equipment – some were recording videos, and some were live streaming. Many pedestrians were also gathered around, making Sanjiaokou bustling and lively.

Thanks to the bustling crowd, the vendors at Sanjiaokou had their business more or less restored – most of the onlookers who came by would also buy some food from their stalls.

While Xing Xing was picking candied hawthorns, Yu Dong chatted with Yu Bai.

“Yu Bai, why didn’t you set up your stall today? The customer flow is quite good today.”

“Yesterday, I didn’t take Xing Xing out, and he felt a bit unhappy. So I promised him that after his nap, I’d take him out to play.” Yu Bai explained, “There aren’t many large shopping malls near our home, but this area has some. So we decided to stroll along Sanjiaokou and see what’s there… but I didn’t expect so many people here today!”

Yu Dong added, “They say that yesterday a popular internet celebrity came here to explore ‘Qiaozi Snack Store,’ and the video went viral. So today, several food bloggers came here to queue up and buy snacks from ‘Qiaozi Snack Store’… I also heard that these food bloggers are from other cities, and they specially bought plane tickets to fly over here.”

Since the opening of “Qiaozi Snack Store,” many foodie internet celebrities and bloggers had visited one after another.

Yu Bai didn’t think that one of the food bloggers who uploaded the video, causing “Qiaozi Snack Store” to become an overnight sensation, could be someone he knew.

After chatting with Yu Dong for a while, Xing Xing finally chose the candied hawthorns.

These days, Yu Dong’s candied hawthorn business had been affected, but even with less business, he still earned more than when his business wasn’t doing well in the past.

Although his business was down, Yu Dong now had more time to rest. He also had enough time to try making some new flavors of candied hawthorns.

Cherry candied hawthorn, fresh orange candied hawthorn, sugar-coated kumquat candied hawthorn… Yu Dong presented them one by one.

Lately, Xing Xing’s favorite was the sugar-coated kumquat candied hawthorn.

Every segment of the kumquat was sweet and juicy. When combined with the sugar shell and bitten into, the orange aroma mixed with the juice burst into the mouth.

Xing Xing could finish two small skewers in one go.

“Xing Xing, should I hold one for you while we continue walking and eating?” Yu Bai suggested.

“No, no, no, it’s not necessary!” Xing Xing declined, “The bamboo skewers are thin, and I might accidentally poke myself with it… I’ll eat them at home later!”

Even though Xing Xing was tempted by the beautiful and delicious sugar-coated kumquat candied hawthorn, he still refused Yu Bai’s suggestion.

Yu Bai and Yu Dong were used to Xing Xing’s well-behaved nature.

Ji Rongyu, who knew Xing Xing had two different sides, also appeared unfazed by the situation.

However, for those unfamiliar with Xing Xing, a well-behaved and obedient child like him was undoubtedly one of the rarest beings in the world.

The majority of children did not have enough self-control to manage their behavior and desires.

And that was what Qian Kangkang, the nearby city, S City’s foodie internet celebrity, also thought.

Qian Kangkang used to work professionally, which made his food critiques extremely accurate and sharp.

Furthermore, he never accepted any promotion fees from businesses, which gained him a large following of netizens who loved to hear “the truth.” Many netizens from outside S City also enjoyed watching Qian Kangkang’s exploration videos of S City.

Qian Kangkang took a high-speed train all the way to J City because his team requested him to release exploration videos about the “Qiaozi Snack Store” as soon as possible. Recently, “Qiaozi Snack Store” had become extremely popular online, and he didn’t want to miss out on the free exposure.

Secondly, Qian Kangkang had explored various eateries in S City, the provincial capital, over the years. If he continued exploring there, he might face the situation of having no new places to explore.

So, Qian Kangkang decided to stay in J City for a while to change his live-streaming environment and find some new inspiration for his food explorations.

Today, Qian Kangkang was using live-streaming to show his fans the entire process of exploring the snack shops.

However, “Qiaozi Snack Store” had a long queue, and if Qian Kangkang stood in line, the live stream would undoubtedly become dull.

Luckily, there were many other snack stalls nearby “Qiaozi Snack Store.”

Qian Kangkang had his assistant stand in line for him while he walked over to explore the nearby snack stalls with his live-streaming phone.

As he took a few steps, he heard a conversation between a child and the candied hawthorn stall owner.

Of course, this conversation was also recorded by Qian Kangkang’s phone during the live stream.

In the live-stream chat, viewers sent barrage messages:

[This child’s voice sounds so soft and cute every day!]

[What? He can actually resist eating candied hawthorn? Does a child with such strong self-control really exist?!]

[I don’t know, but my child would sneak into the kitchen in the middle of the night and stuff himself with milk powder when he’s hungry. I’ve caught him several times already.]

“Really? You can resist?” Qian Kangkang couldn’t help but ask.

Hearing a stranger questioning his self-control, Xing Xing pursed his lips slightly, feeling a little displeased.

He raised his little head, and his little face looked serious. “Of course, I can resist! If I say I won’t eat, then I won’t. I’m super obedient!”

As Xing Xing lifted his little head, his adorable face was also captured by Qian Kangkang’s phone.

Today, Xing Xing was wearing a down jacket that Ji Rongyu bought as one of his New Year’s gifts.

The down jacket was reversible. The front was white with two angel wings, while the back was black with two devil wings.

As for why Ji Rongyu chose this down jacket – he just smiled and didn’t say anything.

Xing Xing was wearing the front side of the down jacket, and the fluffy down filled the fabric, causing the two angel wings on the back to sway as Xing Xing moved.

Xing Xing looked like a chubby little angel with two short wings.

Combined with Xing Xing’s extremely cute face, he melted the hearts of the viewers in the live-stream chat.

[Wow! Such a cute child! His face looks so round! Like a bun!]

[Wuwuwu, this child is both adorable and has self-control and can speak… He’s so much better than my child! I want to exchange children!]

After Xing Xing finished speaking, he handed the paper box filled with candied hawthorn to Yu Bai.

“Dad, please watch over the candied hawthorn for me.” Xing Xing maintained a serious expression on his face, “I’ll eat it when we get home!”

Yu Bai smiled, “Sure, I’ll take good care of it for you. So, what else do you want to eat at Sanjiaokou? What else do you want to buy?”

“Excuse me, do you often come here?” Qian Kangkang couldn’t help but interrupt.

Only the local residents know what’s delicious on the whole of Sanjiaokou Street and in the nearby areas. The people living here are usually older and not fond of going online, making it difficult for Qian Kangkang to obtain genuine information about the delicious food at Sanjiaokou through food review apps.

If he had a local person familiar with the place to guide him, Qian Kangkang could avoid some detours and save some unnecessary expenses during his live-streaming sessions, which would also benefit his viewers.

“Well…” Yu Bai hesitated for a moment.

Qian Kangkang continued, “Could you tell me which snack stalls on this street are worth trying? My audience in the live stream is curious as well…”

As Qian Kangkang spoke, he pointed to the phone he was recording with.

Yu Bai was taken aback, “You’re live-streaming?”

Qian Kangkang explained, “Yes, I’m a food blogger. If it’s inconvenient to film you, I can avoid capturing you…”

“It’s fine,” Yu Bai waved his hand with a faint smile, “I’m here with my son to have a little stroll. After buying some of his favorite snacks, we’ll go to other places for a walk…”

“However, we don’t often buy food here. But the snacks from two stalls that my son likes are really good.”

Qian Kangkang asked, “Which two stalls are they?”

“One is the candied hawthorn stall here, and the other one is the fried chicken strips stall at the other end of the street.”

Qian Kangkang followed the direction Yu Bai pointed to.

There stood a deserted and unattended fried chicken tenders stall.

—

[Could Kangzi be deceived? With so many snack stalls at Sanjiaokou, why does he choose this one with no business? It must mean the food there is terrible! Why is Kangzi still planning to go there?]

[They are selling fried chicken strips, but they are competing with the neighboring “Qiaozi Snack Store,” known for its crispy chicken strips. That’s why business is bad… It’s normal, right?]

[Although I’ve never run a snack stall and don’t understand the competition between them… Isn’t it a problem if no customers have come to buy the fried chicken strips for such a long time?]

The viewers in the live-stream room expressed their concerns.

In their eyes, Qian Kangkang was about to become a deceived fool, as they believed that the fried chicken strips from this stall must not be good.

Upon seeing the discussions in the live-stream chat, Qian Kangkang didn’t pay much attention to the viewers’ comments. With over ten years of experience as a chef, he was accustomed to the ups and downs of the culinary world. On the path of exploring food, he had a broader perspective than most people.

Qian Kangkang knew that the quality of food couldn’t be judged by appearance or smell; it could only be determined through tasting.

Even the most unappetizing and unattractive-looking food, if prepared properly, could still provide an unparalleled sense of satisfaction when consumed.

Sometimes, some unnoticed small shops could produce dishes that were on par with those served in Michelin-starred restaurants.

So, before tasting the food, Qian Kangkang never pre-judged any stall or snack based on factors like their decor or popularity.

“Grandma, we’re here to buy fried chicken strips!” Xing Xing’s face was filled with excitement as he spotted Wang Mei.

Seeing the lively and adorable Xing Xing, Wang Mei’s heart felt a bit lighter.

Yesterday, she couldn’t come out to run the snack stall at all.

Influenced by her family situation, Wang Mei’s two sons learned to be self-reliant from an early age. Her eldest son started working part-time during the summer vacation after finishing high school, earning money for his college expenses on his own.

Now, Wang Mei’s eldest son was about to graduate from college and preparing to take the civil service exam.

However, he had an accident two nights ago.

Studying and working day and night for a long time had taken a toll on Wang Mei’s eldest son’s health. Two nights ago, shortly after he returned home from tutoring students, he collapsed.

Wang Mei immediately rushed him to the hospital. After a comprehensive examination, it was determined that her son’s health had been affected by prolonged exhaustion, resulting in several minor health issues.

Although the conditions were not severe, the treatment was still difficult, requiring a stay at the hospital.

Wang Mei agreed to it and used her entire pension to ensure her eldest son’s comfortable stay at the hospital.

Until now, she hadn’t dared to tell her two sons—her fried chicken strips had hardly sold over the past few days.

She was running out of money.

Money was always like a sword hanging over the heads of the poor.

Once that sword fell, it would inevitably lead to the tragic dissolution of the family.

Wang Mei thought about it.

If business remained so bleak for another two days, she would have to find another job.

No matter how tough and tiring the job, as long as it was legal and paid, she would do it willingly.

“I think Grandma’s pepper salt-flavored fried chicken strips and plum-flavored fried chicken strips are the most delicious…”

Wang Mei said, “Then I’ll make both for you…”

“No, no need!” Xing Xing waved his little paw.

When he arrived at the fried chicken strips stall, he had already decided what he wanted to buy.

“I want Grandma to sprinkle a little plum powder on the pepper salt-flavored fried chicken tenders… Not too much, just a little!”

“Sure.” Wang Mei agreed, “Do you want a large portion or a small one?”

“Um…”

Xing Xing poked his chubby little cheek with his short, fat finger, and his cute little mouth pouted, eyebrows twisted like a caterpillar.

Xing Xing seemed to be seriously considering whether to have a large portion or a small portion of the fried chicken tenders.

Yesterday, he ordered a small portion, but it was really too little!

He hadn’t had enough, and all the fried chicken tenders were gone!

But… if he couldn’t finish a large portion…

“I’ll have a large portion of the fried chicken strips.” Yu Bai’s warm, big hand gently rested on Xing Xing’s shoulder.

Yu Bai said to Xing Xing, “If you can’t finish it, Uncle Rongyu and I can help you.”

Xing Xing automatically ignored the words “Uncle Rongyu” that followed Yu Bai’s words. His eyes sparkled as he looked at Wang Mei.

“Grandma! Grandma! I want a large… portion of the fried chicken strips!”

When Xing Xing said “large,” he deliberately stretched the tone, afraid that Wang Mei wouldn’t hear it clearly.

Dad promised to buy him a large portion of the fried chicken tenders! He could finally eat as many fried chicken strips as he wanted!

With the freedom to eat fried chicken strips, Xing Xing’s face beamed with excitement. The corners of his lips couldn’t help but curl upwards, and his round eyes bent into a crescent moon shape.

Xing Xing’s happiness was visible to the naked eye.

In Qian Kangkang’s live-stream room, the viewers were also infected by the genuine smile of the young child.

[I don’t think this little one would lie, right?]

[He seems so proficient in ordering the fried chicken strips, like he has been here before… Now I’m curious about this fried chicken strips stall too!]

While Wang Mei prepared the fried chicken strips, Qian Kangkang focused the camera on her hands.

Having sold fried chicken strips for over ten years, Wang Mei’s actions were extremely skillful, as if each movement had been precisely calculated.

Scooping, seasoning, packaging… Wang Mei’s movements were smooth and seamless. Just by watching her, Qian Kangkang had a good idea.

Wang Mei’s method of making fried chicken tenders was unique, and coupled with the enticing aroma in the air… This was not the work of an ordinary snack stall owner; it was a snack that could only be created by someone special.

In Qian Kangkang’s opinion, Wang Mei might even have the potential to rival the chefs at internet-famous restaurants!

Could this be the snack stall that Song Qing highly recommended to him?

This snack stall seemed to be quite intriguing.

“Here you go,” Wang Mei handed the packed fried chicken tenders to Star, “They are freshly fried, be careful, they’re hot, so eat slowly.”

“I know!”

He wasn’t a silly little one who hurried to eat and burnt himself!

Xing Xing carefully took out a piece of fried chicken tender from the paper bag.

Qian Kangkang immediately focused the rear camera of his phone on Xing Xing.

The viewers in the live-stream room held their breath as they watched Xing Xing, with his chubby little mouth, getting closer and closer to the still steaming hot chicken tender…

Just when Qian Kangkang and the viewers thought Xing Xing would open his mouth and take a big bite of the fried chicken strips, Star pouted his chubby little face.

Then, Xing Xing took a deep breath, and his protruding little belly shrank.

“Hoo, hoo, hoo!”

After that, the soft murmur of the young child was heard.

“Dad said, before eating hot food, I should blow on it with my mouth. After blowing, then I can eat…”

Xing Xing took a bite of the fried chicken tender.

“Hoo, hoo! Hot!”

Xing Xing’s clear ink-black eyes were filled with teardrops.

Xing Xing raised his little head, his moist eyes looking at Yu Bai, with a mix of confusion and sadness.

Dad, even after blowing on the fried chicken tender, why is it still hot?

 

Author’s note:

Xing Xing: It’s hot! I need Dad to kiss my face; the places that got burnt will feel better┭┮﹏┭┮