Chapter Seventeen: The Price of Strength (Second Update—Please Vote for Recommendations)

"The young boss is here! The young boss is here!"

"Everyone, stay calm! Make way, give the young boss a path!"

With a swish, the two long lines shifted to one side, instantly opening a passage wide enough for the cart to pass.

Yang Qing's lips twitched. Even though he had anticipated this and mentally prepared himself, the sight of the dense crowd still made him draw a sharp breath.

This is madness!

Bai Zhijun was stunned. "Qing... Qingzi... What are they..."

Yang Qing smiled, "Buying jianbing guozi."

Bai Zhijun: ...

Damn!

Of course I know they’re here for jianbing guozi! What I want to ask is, why?!

The crowd of reporters was equally dumbfounded, some of them in disbelief.

Jianbing guozi, could it really have such allure?

I can’t believe it!

A group of people followed Yang Qing’s cart as it moved slowly toward the stall, cameras clicking incessantly.

This was the first phenomenon-level event in Yangcheng—caused by jianbing guozi!

Only our star livestream host Wang Ke’er remained unfazed. Thanks to Yang Qing and his jianbing guozi, her livestream follower count had soared past five million!

At this moment, she was broadcasting live, describing the event for her fans.

"Here comes the flour!"

"Eggs and ham are here!"

"Fresh vegetables can hardly wait!"

"Wishing the young boss prosperity and booming business!"

The three men delivering the ingredients spoke in unison, leaving Bai Zhijun utterly dumbfounded.

Yang Qing glanced at Wang Ke’er, his eye twitching, but the young lady just raised her chin with pride.

"Qingzi… will you really use all this?" Bai Zhijun, helping Yang Qing set up the stall, had finally snapped out of his shock, staring at the heap of ingredients.

Yang Qing sighed, "Look at this line. Honestly, I’m worried it’s still not enough..."

That sigh made Bai Zhijun’s face turn completely black.

Damn!

He’s just showing off now!

The stall was quickly set up, the fire lit—Yang Qing got to work.

"Brother Bai, help me collect the money."

"Alright!"

"Sister Zhang, over here, come this way!"

Occupying the best filming spot, Wang Ke’er waved at Zhang Xue, who had just finished interviewing some of the customers in line.

"Ke’er!"

Zhang Xue, with her assistant, hurried over, panting. She looked around and praised, "You’ve got a great spot!"

Wang Ke’er giggled, "Of course, I’m a VIP, you know!"

"Ha ha, well, let me work first. When I’m done, hotpot’s on me."

"Deal!"

The beautiful reporter Zhang instantly switched into work mode. "Did you send out all the footage we shot earlier?"

"All done!"

"Good, now contact the station immediately. I want to report live!"

"On it, contacting now!"

…

Yangcheng TV Station, Qin Xue’s four-person team office.

"Ah, finally done," Li Yuexi stretched, showing off her graceful figure. "Xuexue, the pitch has been approved, right?"

"It’s through," Qin Xue replied with a smile. "It’s officially a project now. The approval should come in a couple days, and then you’ll all be busy!"

"We will?" Li Yuexi was puzzled. "We’re just the planning team. The proposal’s done—what’s left for us?"

Qin Xue sipped her water, her tone calm, "Management wants to give us more responsibility, have us follow the entire production process for this program. Good training."

"Ah! That means… our internship is officially passed!" Li Yuexi was ecstatic.

Qin Xue: "Excited?"

"Absolutely! All hail Qingzi!"

Qin Xue’s gaze turned icy, shooting daggers.

"Uh, haha… Well… let me scroll through my phone for a bit…"

Li Yuexi instantly wilted.

Happily munching on chips and swiping on her phone, she was having a grand time—until suddenly her eyes flew wide open and she forgot to eat the chip at her lips.

"Impossible! This can’t be! I must be seeing things!"

She cried out, rubbing her eyes in disbelief, but it was still that familiar figure, that familiar face!

"What are you yelling about? The day’s almost over, finish up so we can go eat at Qingzi’s," Wen Xiaorou snatched a chip from her, scolding, "Don’t make me miss seeing our cutie!"

"Forget it, we won’t get to eat, won’t get to see him, Qingzi’s got no time!" Li Yuexi wailed.

"Hm? What happened?" Hearing Yang Qing’s name, Qin Xue’s head shot up from her work.

"Look!" Li Yuexi handed over her phone with a resentful look. "Your Qingzi is on TV. Didn’t you know?"

Qin Xue ignored her and took the phone. After a long silence, she was stunned.

In just a few hours apart, what on earth has Yang Qing gotten up to!

How did he suddenly end up on TV!

And the number of people in line… it’s almost scary!

Wen Xiaorou and their male teammate Fang Du immediately realized what was happening and all drew sharp breaths.

"Qingzi… is terrifyingly talented!" Wen Xiaorou couldn’t shake her shock, glancing at the dazed Qin Xue. "Xuexue, have you ever tasted Yang Qing’s jianbing guozi? Does it really have that much power?"

Qin Xue nodded with a complicated expression. "I have. It truly is unforgettable, the flavor lingers… but still…"

Unforgettable! The flavor lingers!

The three of them all swallowed hard at her words, exchanging glances, and then, with perfect understanding, spoke one after another.

Li Yuexi: "It’s almost time to leave. Let’s go to May First Street and help out Senior Sister Zhang!"

Wen Xiaorou: "Yes! There are so many people there, Sister Zhang must be overwhelmed."

Fang Du: "Exactly. Besides, we can scout the place early. Now that we’re making ‘A Taste of China,’ I think Qingzi’s jianbing guozi is a perfect candidate—just look at how popular it is!"

Qin Xue gave them a sidelong glance. "If you want to eat jianbing guozi, just say it. Don’t pretend it’s to help Senior Sister. Does she really need your help?"

The three: (ｰ̀εｰ́)

"But…" Qin Xue saw their embarrassed faces and changed her tone. "Fang Du’s idea is actually good. Now that our program’s plan is in place, the next step is to search for great food and start filming."

"And since this unique food show is entirely produced by our Yangcheng TV Station, the first episode’s featured dish must come from Yangcheng!"

Qin Xue spoke seriously. "Since Yang Qing’s jianbing guozi is the first phenomenon-level food here, he definitely deserves to be featured. So, let’s…"

"Go!" Li Yuexi pumped her fist, her face full of excitement.

"You really…" Qin Xue shook her head with a helpless smile. "Alright, let’s go."

"Yay!" Wen Xiaorou hopped up, then, with a mysterious look, took Qin Xue’s arm and whispered, "Xuexue, I have a theory."

"What is it?"

Wen Xiaorou looked around like a secret agent. "Let me break it down for you. Yang Qing came up with the idea for ‘A Taste of China,’ right?"

"Right."

"And… and just as our program got greenlit, suddenly Yang Qing’s jianbing guozi became a sensation. Think about it—really think about it!"

"Think about what, you nut," Qin Xue flicked Wen Xiaorou’s head, exasperated. "If you’re so smart, I agree there might be a connection, but I’m sure Yang Qing didn’t do it on purpose."

Qin Xue spoke earnestly. "I don’t know him that well, but I trust him. And even if there is something behind this, so what? All I know is, it’s nothing but good for you, me, and him. That’s enough."

"True," Wen Xiaorou nodded. "Yang Qing is a kind and responsible person. He’s been through so much. Just thinking of Qiu’er and the others makes me…"

Wen Xiaorou grew emotional.

She had grown up in a wealthy, loving family and had never known the helplessness and loneliness of not knowing one’s parents, nor the hardship of struggling for a meal, nor the pain and scars life can bring.

She remembered Qiu’er’s calmness when talking about her parents, Dong’er’s innocence—it was like a thorn stabbing her heart, making her choke up.

She couldn’t understand why anyone would abandon their own little angels.

Perhaps the saying was true: our joys and sorrows are never the same—don’t counsel others on goodness if you haven’t known their suffering.

Ah… life.

"Enough, no more about the past. At least now, they’re happy, living well, with a brother who loves them, protects them, and gives them everything. I think, for them, that’s happiness."

Qin Xue gently hugged the tearful Wen Xiaorou. "Don’t cry. You’re not even as strong as little Qiu’er."

Wen Xiaorou, eyes brimming with tears, said sadly, "I wish she didn’t have to be so strong."

"Sigh…" Qin Xue sighed. Yes, she wished he and his sisters didn’t have to be so strong.

Because the price of that strength was simply too high.