Live Streaming Food Stall… But in Dog-Blooded Novels – CH114

Chapter 114

Huo Ye, Huo Ran, Mu Mingqiu, Old Madam Huo, and the other big shots stood dumbfounded beneath the streetlight, staring at each other.

They pinched themselves to confirm this was reality and not some dream.

Huo Ye knelt on the ground, pale-faced, clutching his head as he muttered:

“Impossible… this can’t be… I’m a Beijing elite, Little Boss Lan’s biological father! Sure, I wasn’t around for three years, but blood is thicker than water… The novels all say that if I humble myself sincerely, Qingquan and the child will accept me… a family of three…”

His suit was crumpled, his handsome face despondent—the very picture of a fallen tycoon.

Seeing him like this, though equally devastated, Mu Mingqiu couldn’t help but sneer: “This is the real world, not some ‘secret baby’ romance novel! Who do you think you are?”

“How can you vanish for three years, then suddenly reappear and expect them to welcome you with open arms…”

As he spoke, not only did Huo Ye’s expression darken further, but Mu Mingqiu’s own face also grew increasingly grim.

Right.

Huo Ye had failed as a father, but Mu Mingqiu was even more of a stranger to Ye Qingquan and Lanlan. What right did he have to expect their acceptance?

“I was too arrogant,” Mu Mingqiu murmured, staring despondently at the engagement ring in his hand. “I’m no better than Huo Ye—thinking my wealth and status made me special…”

Mu Mingqiu had never truly loved anyone in his life.

But watching Ye Qingquan spray insecticide at Huo Ye, he had to admit—he’d felt a 1% spark of genuine attraction.

…The remaining 99%, of course, came from imagining how marrying Ye Qingquan would legally make him Little Boss Lan’s stepfather, allowing him to form a happy family of three with the father-son duo.

“What business does an outsider like you have here?” Old Madam Huo, though equally heartbroken, couldn’t resist glaring at Mu Mingqiu.

—In her heart, Little Boss Lan would always be part of the Huo family, with no connection whatsoever to Mu Mingqiu.

Anticipating that Ye Qingquan might reject Huo Ye, she had even prepared Huo Ran as a backup option to boost her chances. She had imagined Ye Qingquan and Lanlan choosing Huo Ye—or, at the very least, Huo Ran. Hell, she’d even considered the possibility they might pick Mu Mingqiu…

But the outcome was something no one had foreseen.

“Mom, at this point, arguing is pointless,” Huo Ran interjected gently, though his smile was strained. He gestured toward the long line forming at the roast duck stall.

…Following his gaze, the four of them felt their breath catch in their throats.

A queue had already snaked around the stall.

And they—so confident Lanlan would choose them—hadn’t bothered to line up. After all, once they secured custody of Little Boss Lan, wouldn’t roast duck be available to them anytime?

No one had expected Lanlan’s answer: “I choose none of you.”

Even less had they anticipated that, the moment those words were spoken, a swarm of customers would materialize out of nowhere, chatting and laughing as they jostled into line with bowls in hand—leaving the elites with no chance to even join the queue.

Now, dozens—if not hundreds—of people stood waiting. Even if they tried to line up now, they’d likely miss out entirely.

“……”

The lively crowd included families of all kinds—young couples holding hands, grandfathers with grandsons, mothers with children, even high school students in uniforms, roughhousing as they waited.

Little Boss Lan worked efficiently, slicing and packing ducks at lightning speed. The line moved quickly, and more and more people walked away with their orders.

Most customers found spots nearby to enjoy their roast duck fresh and hot with loved ones. Only a few hurried home, eager to share with family waiting there.

The rich aroma of roast duck permeated the streets.

“Your roast duck is ready—careful, it’s hot!”

Little Boss Lan smiled brightly as he handed over a freshly packed order.

Auntie Wang happily accepted the duck and, with her son and daughter-in-law in tow, pulled out small stools to sit right on the street. The bustling crowd forced the trio to squeeze close together, heads nearly touching as they gathered around the piping-hot duck.

Her son and daughter-in-law had been salivating for ages—they’d tried the processed version before, but this was their first taste of freshly roasted duck. They’d been rubbing their hands in anticipation since joining the line, and now, finally, the moment had arrived.

Steam still rose from the plump, golden-brown duck, its crisp, mahogany-colored skin encasing tender meat beneath. The glistening surface and mouthwatering aroma were enough to make anyone drool.

Yet, the young couple hesitated.

“Eat up, you two!” Auntie Wang urged. “It’ll get cold!”

“Mom, you first.” They exchanged a glance before looking at her. “You’ve been running around taking care of us since we got back—barely had time to rest. And you’ve given us most of the roast duck every time. You haven’t even had a proper bite yet…”

Whether it was the initial boiled roast duck or today’s earlier batch, Auntie Wang had saved most of it for them. They’d already agreed: from now on, she got first dibs.

Auntie Wang hadn’t expected her efforts to be so noticed.

Her heart swelled, eyes misting slightly.

…Of course, she wasn’t about to mention how she’d secretly devoured an entire duck by herself at noon, nearly bursting from gluttony.

Some truths were better left unsaid. Heh.

“You’re such good kids. Well then, I won’t stand on ceremony!”

With that, Auntie Wang tore off a drumstick and took a hearty bite.

The duck was perfection—its skin crisp and glossy from the fruitwood roasting, the meat tender and juicy.

With just a gentle tug, a generous portion of crispy skin and succulent flesh came free. The rich fat beneath the crackling skin melted on her tongue, the meat tender and bursting with flavor—decadent yet never greasy, an absolute masterpiece!

Auntie Wang was so overwhelmed by the deliciousness that she ate several mouthfuls before coming back to her senses and saying:

“It’s so good, absolutely delicious! You two eat up too!”

“Okay, okay!” The young couple excitedly rubbed their hands, put on gloves, and started devouring the duck with gusto.

Old Man Li, holding his newly purchased roast duck, watched the heartwarming scene of the three of them and couldn’t help but sneer:

“Must be nice having kids and in-laws, huh? Hmph, I’m not jealous at all. I get to eat a whole duck all by myself…”

Despite his words, the bitterness in his tone was unmistakable.

Old Man Li lived across the street from Auntie Wang, and the two were always competing over everything. Seeing Auntie Wang reunited with her son and daughter-in-law, Old Man Li couldn’t help but feel a pang of loneliness.

Both of his children worked overseas and wouldn’t return until the New Year. Though he claimed not to care, Old Man Li missed them terribly.

So whenever Auntie Wang’s son and daughter-in-law visited, Old Man Li would become even more sarcastic and competitive, using it as a way to mask his own loneliness.

This time was no different.

Old Man Li deliberately carried his roast duck over to the trio and began eating loudly, putting on a show of enjoying it immensely.

…But no matter how fragrant, how delicious the duck was, it somehow tasted bland to him.

How strange.

Old Man Li couldn’t help but rub his slightly stinging eyes.

“Old Li, you really…” Auntie Wang sighed, looking at him. “Just turn around and look behind you.”

Old Man Li froze, then turned—only to find that, at some point, a crowd of neighbors had gathered behind him.

Some had already gotten their roast duck, while others were still in line, but all of them were smiling and chatting with him:

“Old Li, my kid said he wants to give you his duck leg as thanks for the spicy chicken you made him last time! He loved it!”

“Yeah, Uncle Li, I brought you beer—trade you for a year’s worth of your spicy chicken. Don’t say I’m just freeloading!”

“Grandpa Li, let’s share the duck, okay?”

“Wanna bet who can finish a whole duck first? Loser pays for the drinks!”

They’d all been neighbors for years, familiar with each other to the point of tacit agreement. No one mentioned Old Man Li’s children outright, but they all gathered around him, joking and teasing, passing him duck legs and rolled pancakes.

“You all…” Old Man Li looked at the familiar, smiling faces and their unspoken care, his nose tingling with emotion. “You’re all so…”

…Before he could finish his sentence, someone sneakily snatched the duck leg right out of his hand!

Instantly, Old Man Li’s melancholy evaporated.

Furious, he immediately switched to battle mode: “WHO DARES TOUCH MY DUCK—”

The neighbors burst into laughter.

Some chased, some ran, families huddled together happily eating roast duck, old friends betting on who could finish first. On this ordinary yet extraordinarily lively night, happiness flowed gently amidst the aroma of roast duck.

Under the glow of the streetlights, the little boss bustled about his stall. In the warm, bustling atmosphere, every face wore a smile.

*

Ye Qingquan stood in line, watching the heartwarming scene, a smile unconsciously spreading across his face.

He had once worried and wondered—why was Lanlan so determined to set up his stall day after day, rain or shine? When Old Madam Huo recognized him earlier, he had even thought that, from today onward, he couldn’t let Lanlan sell roast ducks anymore.

But seeing this scene now…

All his confusion seemed to have an answer.