Famous Now

Two days after Liu Xin left, it happened to be the weekend. That afternoon, Tang Yiyi took time off from work with Xu Mingtang and arranged to meet Xiaoxiao so the two of them could go shopping and pick up some cosmetics.

Tang Yiyi called Xiaoxiao, “Did you buy your moxibustion kit yet?”

“Not yet, I haven’t had time these past couple of days.”

“I got one already, I’ll bring it to you in a bit.” On her way out, Tang Yiyi stopped by a large pharmacy, selected a moxibustion kit and some moxa sticks, and met up with Xiaoxiao.

Xiaoxiao, upon seeing her, asked, “How much was it? I’ll pay you back.”

Tang Yiyi shoved the items into her arms. “Your skincare products cost way more than this.”

Xiaoxiao glanced at her, smiling and shaking her head. “Silly girl, don’t you realize how much it’s worth to have my insomnia cured? Those skincare products are nothing. There was a promotion on the shopping site—buy one, get one free. They weren’t as expensive as you think. Next time I buy, I’ll get some for you too.”

Tang Yiyi chuckled, “Alright, this kit wasn’t expensive, so don’t be too polite.”

Xiaoxiao agreed readily, “Fine, I won’t.”

The two girls wandered through the mall until they reached the cosmetics counter. As they browsed, they noticed two salesgirls at the neighboring counter crouched below, secretly watching a video on their phones.

Tang Yiyi immediately recognized the simple drumbeat—it had to be Er Tong’s noodle shop promo video.

“Wow, the owner is really handsome,” one salesgirl exclaimed, followed by another, “So annoying, why won’t he show his face?”

“Maybe he’s ugly from the front?”

“Doubt it. Even if he is, that figure is enough.”

Tang Yiyi couldn’t hold back a laugh and covered her mouth. Xiaoxiao glanced at her, “What’s so funny?”

Tang Yiyi gestured for her to wait until they finished shopping. Once they left the mall, she explained the origin of the video. Curious, Xiaoxiao immediately pulled out her phone to watch, and when she finished, she let out a sigh of admiration, “Out of all the noodle shop promos, this one really stands out. Brother Bai is going to be famous.”

“Why do you say Brother Bai will be famous, not Qin Ji?” Tang Yiyi asked.

“After watching, I didn’t remember Qin Ji. I just remembered Brother Bai’s back.”

“You’ve met Brother Bai?”

“Of course, but that was years ago. He was even cooler back then.”

“You’ve seen him as a kid? What did he look like?” Tang Yiyi couldn’t help but ask.

“Tall and skinny, with a reckless fierceness about him. Most people wouldn’t dare mess with him.”

“Must have been when he idolized gangsters.”

“Exactly, he had that vibe.”

“You and Xu Bin were classmates in middle school?”

“Yes.” Xiaoxiao nodded.

“Then do you know who his deskmate was back then?”

Xiaoxiao turned to her in surprise, “What about his deskmate?”

“Gentle Xu Bin once challenged two boys to a fight for his bullied deskmate—one against two! I bet that was the most manly moment of his life. Aren’t you curious who his deskmate was? I know I am.”

Xiaoxiao replied awkwardly, “...I know about that. He got beaten up pretty badly.”

“But he still won.”

“Right, Brother Bai was watching nearby, so those boys didn’t dare hit back too hard.”

“You saw it? You were there too?” Tang Yiyi suddenly realized. “You were Xu Bin’s deskmate!”

Xiaoxiao smiled sweetly. “Yes, Xu Bin was my only friend in middle school. We sat together for two years. Then my dad transferred jobs, and I moved away for high school. Later, I got into a music academy, and after graduating, I came back to Yicheng. One day I ran into him on the street—I recognized him at a glance, and he immediately called out my name.”

“So you two are childhood friends. And you met Brother Bai during that fight?”

“That’s right.”

“Did your feelings for Xu Bin start back then?”

Xiaoxiao hesitated, “Maybe.” Her hand unconsciously tightened, as if she could still feel the warmth and strength of that boy’s grip.

At fourteen, not yet fully grown, his voice still changing, but already knowing how to protect a vulnerable girl.

The only time in her life she ever ran wildly was when he pulled her along. She’d been so scared she thought her heart would burst. But it didn’t—they stopped at a street corner, gasping for breath, her hand clutching her chest, feeling her heart racing.

He said, “I can’t go on, my heart’s about to jump out of my chest. Let’s rest a bit. Don’t be afraid, I’ll find time to give those two guys a beating. After that, they’ll behave.”

That day, she’d been terrified, thinking maybe she should call the police, until she saw Brother Bai standing by with his arms folded, watching the fight. Only then did she relax.

Thinking back, Xiaoxiao smiled, “Yiyi, now I really want to see what Brother Bai looks like now.”

“Then let’s just go to Qin Ji for dinner—you’ll see him there.”

At Qin Ji, preparations for the evening opening were underway. Er Tong was tending the stoves in the kitchen, where several pots simmered with pork trotter soup, beef broth, and intestine soup. Uncle Chen was slicing scallions at the counter, with freshly washed vegetables beside him.

In the lounge, Qin Baike was watching Xiao Xie hold a plank on a yoga mat. “Boss,” Xiao Xie whimpered, shaking all over, “let me go do something else. The exhaust fan needs to be taken down and cleaned.”

“Talk less, you’ll save energy,” Qin Baike replied calmly.

Xiao Xie trembled until she couldn’t hold it any longer and collapsed onto the mat with a thud. Qin Baike nudged her chubby leg with his foot. “Get up and keep going—two more minutes.”

Er Tong ran up from downstairs and poked his head in. “What was that noise? An earthquake?” Seeing Xiao Xie sprawled out, he burst out laughing, “Xiao Xie, what happened to you? Did you melt? Hahaha!”

Qin Baike shot him a cold look. “Are you done already? Come train with her.”

“...The fire’s still on downstairs. I’d better watch it.” Er Tong quickly withdrew.

Qin Baike nudged Xiao Xie’s leg again. “Alright, forget the plank. Go jump rope—five hundred skips.”

Xiao Xie struggled to her feet. “Boss, can I take it easy? Start with 250?”

Qin Baike sighed. “Fine, 250. Count them yourself.”

“Okay.” Xiao Xie picked up the rope and left.

Uncle Chen walked in carrying the prepared vegetables and, seeing Qin Baike looking glum, consoled him, “Once she starts dating, you won’t have to push her—she’ll push herself hard enough.”

“She’s got to find a boyfriend first.”

“Don’t worry. In the countryside, even the plainest girls find someone.”

The two men went downstairs to the kitchen, where Er Tong was doubled over with laughter at his phone. When he saw Qin Baike approach, he held up his phone, “Brother Bai, look! There’s a fight breaking out online.”

“A fight?”

“Under your video.”

“Why?”

“A lot of people are saying you only show your back because your face must be ugly. Others say maybe you’re just being mysterious. People who’ve seen you say you’re actually handsome. Now everyone’s demanding the boss show his face on camera.”

“How boring. Delete the video.”

“Even if I delete it, people have already reposted, downloaded, or screenshotted it.”

“Delete it anyway.”

“Bro, since the video went up, Qin Ji’s ranking has shot up to fifth place! The voting ends in a few days, and then it’s the live competition. You’ll have to compete in person.”

Qin Baike looked at him in disbelief. Er Tong said, “Don’t tell me you haven’t read the competition rules?”

“I haven’t.”

“…The top ten in public voting go to the TV station for a live showdown. Then twenty public judges pick the Noodle King. The contest is broadcast live!”

“…Qin Ji forfeits,” Qin Baike said grimly.

“Don’t! So many people support Qin Ji. Don’t ruin its reputation.”

Qin Baike glanced at him. “You’re part of Qin Ji now. You and Uncle Chen can compete.”

Er Tong opened his mouth, swallowing hard. “Brother Bai, considering I’m hiding from enemies, is it really wise for me to show my face on TV? Even if I am handsome.”

“I don’t care—it’s your marketing that got Qin Ji into the top ten.”

“It’s your noodles that taste good, not my doing.”

Qin Baike folded his arms and chuckled twice.

“Fine, I admit my marketing was good and the video was well made, but your noodles have to be delicious, right?”

“Everyone knows Qin Ji has a chubby girl—let Xiao Xie and Uncle Chen go,” Qin Baike said as he headed to open the door.

Er Tong watched his retreating back and shook his head, “With a face that could launch a career, he still refuses to go on camera. What a waste! If only my own family’s Er Tong could let go like that…”

Uncle Chen overheard and asked, “If you were your own Er Tong, what would you do?”

“What would I do? Of course I’d have Brother Bai’s babies!” With that, Er Tong stuck out his belly and put his hands on his waist, waddling out like a pregnant woman.