Live Streaming Food Stall… But in Dog-Blooded Novels – CH22

Chapter 22

At 4 AM, Jian Yunlan woke up right on time.

A new day—another chance to set up his food stall! So exciting!

Since he had gone to bed early the night before, he was well-rested and full of energy. Plus, he had already decided what to make today:

Choy Sum Fried Rice!

The past few days, his fried rice had been on the greasy side. But Jian Yunlan had noticed that, thanks to Wu Qiuhe, the bun shop owner’s word-of-mouth marketing, more and more local street food vendors had started buying from him.

Most of them were middle-aged, in their forties or fifties. Eating greasy fried rice early in the morning might be delicious, but it wasn’t exactly great for their health.

So today, he’d make something lighter—tasty and nutritious.

Besides, young people these days were constantly exhausted by work and had poor health. Jian Yunlan wasn’t worried about his fried rice not selling.

He loved feeding his customers delicious food, but knowing they could eat happily and without guilt made him even happier.

Jian Yunlan rode his tricycle to the market. Ever since upgrading it with an electric system, all he had to do was steer—it was much easier to ride now.

“Boss Jian, take a look at this premium local pork!”

“These eggs are fresh from my hens, still warm!”

“Boss Jian, what do you need today? How about some tomatoes?”

As soon as he entered the market, a chorus of enthusiastic vendors called out to him. Having been buying ingredients here for a week, he was now a familiar face.

“Boss Jian, check out my pickled mustard greens!” A girl in a high school uniform greeted him warmly, speaking in a Henan accent. Beside her sat a large jar. “They’re great for everything—pickled greens with glass noodles, pickled fish, pickled fried rice!”

Jian Yunlan recognized her. He had bought high-quality tomatoes from her before. Her name was Tong Ling, a hardworking girl who helped her family sell produce before dawn and still managed to bike to school by 7 AM.

Intrigued, Jian Yunlan said, “Let me see your pickled greens.”

Smiling, Tong Ling opened the jar and lifted a large stone from inside. “In Henan, we always press our pickled greens with a big rock like this.”

The moment the jar was uncovered, a rich, tangy aroma filled the air. Just the smell alone made Jian Yunlan’s mouth water.

Looking closer, he saw that the greens had a natural yellow hue. The leaves were slightly translucent, proof of proper fermentation. He pressed them gently—they were firm and springy.

This was high-quality pickled mustard greens.

“I’ll take the whole jar.” Jian Yunlan made a decisive purchase.

That meant today’s menu would have two options—Choy Sum Fried Rice and Pickled Mustard Greens Fried Rice—letting customers choose freely.

“Got it!” Tong Ling beamed. Whenever Boss Jian came by, he practically cleared out their entire stall, allowing her to finish early and get extra study time at school. “I’ve got some chili peppers too—I’ll throw them in for free.”

“Thanks.” Jian Yunlan nodded with a smile.

After strolling through the market, he picked out fresh snow greens, free-range eggs, and scallions, then returned to his villa, satisfied and ready to prep for the day.

Since the rice would be cooked on-site, all he needed to do beforehand was clean, chop, and organize the ingredients. This part of the process was actually quite therapeutic.

By the time everything was neatly packed into jars, it was already 8:30 AM.

Time to head out.

A figure in Doraemon pajamas lazily strolled into the room, yawning. “Safe travels.”

Jian Yunlan gave him a strange look. “What are you talking about? Get in the tricycle.”

No work, no free meals. Who did he think he was?

“……”

With a sulky expression, Taotie reluctantly climbed onto the back seat of the tricycle, his long legs awkwardly folded.

The housekeeper watched them go, grinning.

Ah, today, the young master and Lord Taotie are once again sweetly riding off together on their little tricycle.

Isn’t the most romantic thing in the world just him riding a tricycle, smiling gently, carrying his beloved white-haired, dark-skinned handsome guy, heading toward a beautiful life together…?

If someone could hear the butler’s inner thoughts, they’d probably grab his shoulders and shake him wildly.

Where on earth do you see a “gentle smile”?!

Jian Yunlan was clearly laughing manically—excited about setting up his stall and gleefully exploiting his employee.

Are you a delusional CP fan or what?!

*

Jian Yunlan pedaled along the road, while Taotie, now in his large dog form, lay sulking on the back seat, dozing off.

Suddenly, a stretch limousine slowed down beside them, matching the speed of the tricycle.

“Xiao Jian, what a coincidence! Where are you headed?”

Inside the limo, Gu Tiancheng’s dignified face softened into a kind smile. He looked at Jian Yunlan with admiration. Young people these days rarely wake up so early. Xiao Jian must be extraordinarily gifted. His future is boundless!

But what exactly was he doing on this tricycle?

Was he off to do charity work? Helping the community? Some other noble endeavor? Xiao Jian is so kind-hearted—it must be something like that.

“Mr. Gu, good morning,” Jian Yunlan greeted him with a smile. “I’m heading to your company’s entrance to set up my stall and sell fried rice.”

Gu Tiancheng: “……”

A brief silence. Then, he forced a compliment. “Selling fried rice is great! Fried rice… what’s great about it is… well, that it’s fried…”

His secretary, sensing the awkwardness, quickly changed the subject.

“Chairman Gu, do you remember the gift you prepared for Mr. Jian?” the secretary whispered.

By then, they had arrived at their destination. Gu Tiancheng stepped out of the limo and smacked his forehead.

“Oh, right! My memory’s getting worse.”

He pulled a gift box from his coat and handed it to Jian Yunlan. “Just a little something to show my appreciation.”

Jian Yunlan wasn’t planning to accept gifts, but when he opened the box, he changed his mind.

Inside the luxurious satin-lined box lay… a solid gold dog collar.

Attached to the collar was a dog tag, designed in the bold, authoritative style of a certain someone’s aesthetic, engraved with two strong calligraphy characters: “Mao Mao.”

“Mao Mao, wake up! Hurry up and thank Mr. Gu for this beautiful dog collar!” Jian Yunlan yanked up the sleeping Taotie.

The silver-furred beast blinked groggily—only to have the golden collar fastened around his neck.

A mighty, godlike creature now stood there, his aura powerful and divine… wearing a gleaming gold collar inscribed with “Mao Mao.”

The contrast was absurdly cute.

Taotie let out an enraged roar. “Awooo!!!”

Human, do you have a death wish?!

Jian Yunlan cheerfully said, “Look! He’s smiling so happily!”

“You’ve raised him so well! Look at this pup—so full of energy!” Gu Tiancheng praised, nodding approvingly. “Very good! He’s got real spirit!”

Taotie: “……”

His golden eyes narrowed dangerously at Jian Yunlan.

One day, he would reverse this situation. He’d be the one snapping a collar around Jian Yunlan’s neck, forcing him to kneel, his eyes red with tears, begging for freedom…

As he imagined the scene, Taotie got increasingly absorbed in his thoughts, temporarily forgetting his current humiliation.

This was known as the mental victory technique.

Jian Yunlan patted Taotie’s fluffy head. “Mao Mao, what’s with that scheming grin? Ahh, you’re so cute~”

Taotie: “Hmph.”

Laugh while you can, human.

The harder you laugh now, the harder you’ll cry in the future.

“I’ll head upstairs, then,” Gu Tiancheng said. “By the way, Xiao Jian, my chefs have prepared some fine ingredients for tonight. I’d like to invite you over for dinner at 6 PM. And you can take a look at my dogs while you’re at it.”

Seeing how well Jian Yunlan trained his “dog,” Gu Tiancheng wanted to learn from him.

[Secret plan: Steal his dog-training techniques.jpg]

“Sounds good.” As Gu Tiancheng turned to leave, Jian Yunlan casually called out, “Oh, Mr. Gu, since you’re already here, why not have a bowl of my fried rice before you go?”

There was something magical about the phrase “since you’re already here.”

Gu Tiancheng hesitated.

Fried rice?

He usually maintained a strict diet, being of a certain age and plagued with the usual ailments—high blood pressure, high blood sugar. Unless necessary, he always ate carefully prepared meals at home, made by his personal chefs and nutritionists.

Fried rice, snail noodles… greasy street food like that was strictly off-limits.

But…

Gu Tiancheng glanced at Jian Yunlan and his modest little tricycle.

This kid’s business probably isn’t doing well, huh?

Selling fried rice early in the morning, right outside an office building, and so young too—he probably wasn’t making much.

Gu Tiancheng knew that the street food scene here was dominated by the “Big Three”: the bun stall, the jianbing (savory pancake) stall, and the soybean milk & fried dough stall. Any new vendor trying to establish themselves was doomed to struggle.

Jian Yunlan might spend the whole day here and not even make 100 yuan.

“…Very well, I’ll support your business,” Gu Tiancheng finally said. “Just this once, I’ll make an exception.”

Following Jian Yunlan’s tricycle, Gu Tiancheng arrived at the spot where he had set up his stall.

To his surprise, there was already a line.

At first glance, there were at least twenty or thirty people. Among them were Lin Tianqiu and his colleagues from the company, but what was even more surprising was that the other food stall owners were also there—led by Wu Qiuhua, the jianbing (savory pancake) stall owner, along with the hand-grab pancake stall owner and the fried dough stick stall owner. Wearing aprons and chef’s hats, they were already waiting eagerly in line.

Even more absurdly, their stalls all had the same sign: [Closed from 9:00-9:30—Boss is in line for fried rice!]

Gu Tiancheng: “……”

What kind of magical fried rice is this?!

Even the other stall owners had abandoned their own businesses just to get in line?

Could it be… that these stall owners, like himself, had once been helped by Jian Yunlan and were now here to support him?

Jian Yunlan was so kind-hearted—it was entirely possible.

The more Gu Tiancheng thought about it, the more he felt this was the most logical explanation. Otherwise, how could a new stall, only two days into business, already have such a long line? That would be way too unbelievable!

Jian Yunlan asked, “Mr. Gu, would you like me to make you a separate serving?”

“No need, no need,” Gu Tiancheng waved his hand and stepped to the back of the line. “I wouldn’t want to break your rules, Xiao Jian—it wouldn’t be fair to the other customers.”

Jian Yunlan nodded and parked his tricycle at the front. Immediately, the eager customers crowded around him.

“Boss, what’s today’s fried rice?”
“I’ve been waiting forever—this is the salvation of my miserable working soul…”
“Boss, you’re so punctual today!”

Jian Yunlan announced, “Today’s options are Choy Sum Fried Rice and Pickled Cabbage Fried Rice—50 yuan per serving.”

Many people hesitated.

Two flavors—how to choose? Choy sum fried rice sounded lighter and healthier, but the tangy pickled cabbage was also tempting… so hard to decide…

But Wu Qiuhua didn’t hesitate at all. Only kids make choices! She waved her hand boldly. “Boss, I’ll take one of each! I already transferred the money.”

After all, she and her husband could each have one—perfect.

“Got it!” Jian Yunlan grinned, heating up the wok and starting with the pickled cabbage fried rice.

As hot oil sizzled in the pan, he tossed in finely chopped pork mince. The perfectly balanced fat-to-lean ratio made the meat glisten as it cooked, quickly turning tender. He then added sauce and stir-fried over high heat, letting the pork soak up the seasonings until it was golden brown, crispy, and glistening with an irresistible caramelized sheen.

The aroma of sizzling pork filled the air.

Everyone instinctively took a deep breath, swallowing their saliva as they stared at the wok.

After scooping out the cooked meat, Jian Yunlan poured in fresh oil, adding chopped scallions, ginger, and garlic. Then, he took the meat’s rendered juices and poured them back into the wok, letting the sizzling oil burst with fragrance.

With the crowd watching intently, Jian Yunlan opened a container and dumped in a generous handful of pickled cabbage.

The pickled cabbage had been pre-dried, giving it a semi-transparent golden hue. It had been finely chopped, and the moment it hit the wok, a rich, tangy aroma filled the air.

The deep, fermented sourness was even more intense than aged vinegar. The sharp yet savory fragrance mixed with the crispiness of the pork, making everyone’s mouths water uncontrollably. Their stomachs felt empty, craving a big bite of that mouthwatering fried rice.

Soon, the first portion was ready. The steaming hot pickled cabbage fried rice was handed to Wu Qiuhua.

The glossy rice was coated in oil, mixed with golden pickled cabbage and dark, caramelized pork bits. The smoky wok aroma was intoxicating.

Wu Qiuhua couldn’t resist anymore. She scooped up a large spoonful and took a bite.

The rich, tangy flavor of the pickled cabbage had infused every grain of rice. The rice was soft yet chewy, while the pickled cabbage was crisp, creating the perfect contrast. As she chewed, the sourness intensified, bursting with umami. The pork’s rendered fat added a satisfying richness, balancing the acidity and making the dish both hearty and refreshing.

Unlike heavy dishes that become overwhelming after a few bites, pickled cabbage had a unique appeal—it made you crave more. The sourness was addicting, the more you ate, the more you wanted.

Wu Qiuhua took several large bites in a row, getting more and more hooked. Her mouth kept watering, and before she knew it, she had already eaten half the bowl.

She didn’t even have time to speak—she simply gave Jian Yunlan a big thumbs-up.

“Delicious!”

The legendary Wu Jie’s seal of approval!

The customers in line, seeing her reaction and smelling the tantalizing aroma of pickled cabbage, immediately stopped hesitating.

“I’ll take one pickled cabbage fried rice!”
“Boss, me too! The sourer, the better!”
“Two pickled cabbage fried rice, please!”

The flood of orders came in, each person with different preferences, while more customers lined up at the back. Some even stretched their necks to the front, eager to place their orders.

Seeing others eat so blissfully, some people couldn’t hold back, drooling as they tried to sneak forward, attempting to cut in line.

Suddenly, from behind the tricycle, a massive silver-white dog leaped forward.

With elegant strides, it gracefully walked through the crowd, its piercing golden eyes locking onto the line-cutter with an unmistakable warning.

The moment that person met Taotie’s gaze, a chill ran down their spine, as if they had been targeted by a top-tier predator.

“I-I wasn’t cutting in line! I just dropped something and was picking it up,” the person stammered awkwardly, trembling as they stepped back to their original spot.

Only then did Taotie withdraw its gaze. It slowly scanned the line again, making sure everyone was behaving properly before lazily returning to the tricycle’s side.

The customers began whispering among themselves.

“Wow, so the boss has a dog?”
“What an imposing dog!”
“How did the boss train it? So cool!”

Lin Tianqiu, however, immediately recognized Taotie—this was the very same dog that had eaten better than him before!

The root of all evil!

The large dog strutted over to Jian Yunlan with a smug expression, as if expecting gratitude from the humans.

“You’re amazing, Mao Mao!” Jian Yunlan patted its furry head and handed it a bowl of extra pickled cabbage fried rice that he had cooked in his spare time. “Here, eat up.”

Taotie let out a triumphant awoo and clamped onto the bowl. A greedy glint flashed in its golden eyes before it buried its head and began wolfing down the food.

Awoo! So delicious!

Hmph, this human has some sense. I shall accept this tribute, Taotie thought arrogantly.

“Everyone, no cutting in line. There’s plenty of fried rice for everyone,” Jian Yunlan reminded the crowd.

The customers obediently nodded.

After all, with such a huge, majestic dog standing guard, who would dare act up?

Due to the overwhelming enthusiasm for the pickled cabbage fried rice, by the time Gu Tiancheng reached the front of the line, nearly half an hour had passed.

“Mr. Gu, thank you for waiting so long,” Jian Yunlan said apologetically. “What flavor would you like?”

Gu Tiancheng glanced at the crowd around him, all clutching bowls of pickled cabbage fried rice and eating with gusto. Unconsciously, he swallowed.

Is it really that good?

At first, he thought everyone was just lining up to support Jian Yunlan, but now, seeing their ecstatic expressions, he wasn’t so sure.

Could it be that this fried rice is actually that delicious?

Gu Tiancheng was still skeptical. Over the years, he had tasted the finest delicacies and was extremely particular about ingredients, texture, and cooking techniques. Ordinary food rarely impressed him.

“I’ll have… choy sum fried rice,” he decided.

Though he was tempted by the pickled cabbage fried rice, logic told him that the healthier choy sum fried rice was the better choice.

Gu Tiancheng couldn’t help but feel a little anxious.

What if Jian Yunlan is only good at making pickled cabbage fried rice and the choy sum version isn’t as tasty? Otherwise, why was everyone choosing pickled cabbage over choy sum?

Am I going to be the test subject?

For his benefactor’s sake, he would endure it—even if he had to be a guinea pig. With a resolute expression, he accepted the bowl of choy sum fried rice and looked down at it—

Wow, a golden masterpiece!

Every grain of rice was plump and distinct, coated in a golden layer of egg with an irresistible aroma of caramelized fragrance. Amid the steaming fried rice, the choy sum was a vibrant green, delicate and fresh, speckled throughout the dish. The bright green vegetables contrasted beautifully with the golden rice, glistening under the light—fresh, appetizing, and visually stunning.

Unlike the bold, rich flavors of the pickled cabbage fried rice, this dish looked light and refreshing, exuding a sense of health and balance. Under the scorching morning sun, it was like a cool, invigorating breeze.

But how would it taste?

Gu Tiancheng skeptically scooped up a spoonful of fried rice and placed it in his mouth…

The first sensation was the softness and elasticity of the rice—perfectly stir-fried, non-sticky yet chewy, infused with the rich aroma of fried egg and a tantalizing hint of oil. It was warm, just right.

Next, he bit into the choy sum. It was crisp and tender, with an indescribable refreshing crunch. As he chewed, its juices released a subtle sweetness with a slight bitterness that perfectly balanced the oiliness of the rice. The fresh taste complemented the rich, charred aroma of the egg, making the dish light yet flavorful, with an incredibly layered texture.

Unlike the bold, heavily seasoned pickled cabbage fried rice, this choy sum fried rice was a completely different kind of delicious.

Before he knew it, Gu Tiancheng had eaten more than half the bowl.

At that moment, he wasn’t thinking about ingredients, cooking techniques, or nutritional balance—only the pure enjoyment and deep comfort that came from a truly great meal.

How long had it been since he last felt this way?

Standing under the sun, sweat forming on his forehead, he wiped it away with a handkerchief and looked at Jian Yunlan with a newfound expression.

Previously, it was the admiration of an elder for a promising junior. Now, it was pure respect and awe.

“There are masters in every trade,” Gu Tiancheng murmured in amazement. “Not only have you trained a dog so well, but even as a street vendor, you’ve taken fried rice to its pinnacle. This… this is the noble spirit I’ve been searching for my whole life…”

Then he thought of his own unworthy, unfilial son—someone who had every resource available yet spent his days scheming against innocent college students instead of striving for real success.

He wasn’t even a fraction of Xiao Jian’s worth!

Gu Tiancheng almost wished he could adopt Jian Yunlan on the spot, put him in charge of Yuanzhou Group, and kick that useless brat, Gu Xingshou, out.

The secretary, having caught the deeper meaning behind Chairman Gu’s words: “…”

Chairman Gu, you can’t be serious!!!

Gu Xingshou would never in his wildest dreams imagine that his position as CEO was hanging by a thread—because of a bowl of fried rice.

*

On the top floor of Yuanzhou Group, the secretary knocked on the glass door.

“Come in,” Gu Xingshou replied flatly, not even looking up as he scrolled through his phone.

On the screen were photos sent by a private investigator.

For the past two days, Ning Sheng had frequently appeared at the south gate of Beijing University, standing with a few friends, waiting for someone.

Gu Xingshou had never seen Ning Sheng with such an expression before.

So purely happy, so soft. His dark eyes shimmered with anticipation, his whole being alive and content.

Yet, in front of him, Ning Sheng had always been silent and indifferent, as cold as ice, unwilling to even exchange a few extra words.

Ten years ago, Ning Sheng had welcomed the down-and-out Gu Xingshou into his home with a bright, warm smile, serving him a steaming meal—

But now, that memory felt like nothing more than a one-sided dream, something that had never truly happened. Yet, in these photos, that lively young boy seemed to have returned.

Gu Xingshou’s gaze darkened, a deep, bitter anger swirling beneath the surface.

Suddenly—

“President Gu,” the secretary coughed twice, breaking the silence. “Chairman Gu is on his way up. Would you like to prepare?”

Gu Xingshou’s piercing black eyes instantly locked onto him.

The secretary: “?”

“You smell like fried rice.” His voice was dangerously low.

Lately, the words “fried rice” had become like a ticking time bomb—every time they were mentioned, Gu Xingshou would explode.

Under immense pressure, the secretary hurried to explain, “Uh, Chairman Gu just bought a bowl downstairs. He even packed an extra serving… Would you like to try some?”

Gu Xingshou fell silent for a moment—then suddenly erupted, sweeping all the documents off his desk!

Papers scattered everywhere with a loud crash.

“No,” he said hoarsely, eyes reddening. “If it’s not Ah Sheng’s fried rice, I won’t eat it.”

The secretary: “…”

Fine. Don’t eat, then. No need for the dramatics.

But Gu Xingshou still wasn’t done. He continued to vent his anger: “Fried rice from downstairs? I don’t allow street vendors outside my company! Go get rid of that imposter!”

Just then, an authoritative voice rang from the doorway:

“You dare?!”

Gu Xingshou froze.

Gu Tiancheng entered with a cold expression. His gaze swept over the mess on the floor before landing on his disheveled son. The more he looked, the more disappointed he felt.

With this sorry state, how could Gu Xingshou even compare to a single finger of Xiao Jian?

And he wanted to kick out Jian Yunlan?

Gu Tiancheng was so furious he actually laughed.

“I’m still alive, and you think you can just ignore me now, is that it?”

Gu Xingshou’s lips moved, but no words came out.

Wasn’t his father supposed to be on vacation?

Gu Tiancheng had largely stepped back from company affairs in recent years, but he was still the true authority behind Yuanzhou Group.

Gu Xingshou tried to explain, “Dad, I just meant that all these street food stalls downstairs make the company look unprofessional—”

“What’s unprofessional about it? Have you forgotten how I built Yuanzhou Group from scratch, handing out flyers on the street?”

“You’ve been the ‘Young Master’ for too long. You’ve lost touch with the people.”

Gu Tiancheng gave him a sharp look and let out a cold huff. “If you dare chase off that fried rice vendor, then—”

“I’ll have him take your place in that chair!”

Gu Xingshou: “…”

Gu Xingshou: “?????”