Chapter 24
Gu Tiancheng had the servants bring out all his beloved pets one by one, his eyes shining with pride as he introduced them:
“Dahei is six years old. He used to be in police dog training; you’ve met him before.”
“Dahei, bow for Mr. Jian!”
Dahei, highly intelligent, clasped his front paws together and performed an adorable bow.
“How cute!” Jian Yunlan squatted down, ruffling Dahei’s ears with pure joy.
Jian Yunlan loved dogs.
His housemate was always thinking about eating, occasionally wrecking the place, and sometimes watching him with a creepy, ominous stare…
Dogs should be like Dahei—carefree, pure-hearted, loyal, and adorable!
Gu Tiancheng smiled as he stroked Dahei’s head and continued introducing his pets:
“And this is my precious daughter, Xuexue.”
The Border Collie Xuexue gracefully curtsied, wearing a tiny decorative crown on her head.
“And this is my mischievous little Qiqi.”
A Husky named Qiqi ran by with a frisbee in its mouth.
“And the most gentle one, my sweet little Lele.”
The Golden Retriever Lele obediently leaned against Gu Tiancheng.
“Then there’s Duoduo, my Alaskan Malamute… This is A’fu… Oh, I almost forgot to introduce Xiaotian…”
One by one, Gu Tiancheng proudly introduced all his dogs.
Finally, he walked over to Gu Xingshou.
And then—his expression did a complete 180.
Gone was the pride. Gu Tiancheng’s face darkened, his brows furrowing deeply as he let out a long sigh.
“This… is my unfilial son, Gu Xingshou. A disgrace to the family. Forgive me for my failure in raising him, Mr. Jian.”
Gu Xingshou: “…”
Jian Yunlan gave Gu Xingshou a strange look.
Poor parenting? What does that mean?
The man in front of him, though exuding a brooding aura and hardly looking like a righteous figure, was undeniably handsome. With broad shoulders, long legs, deep-set features, and a striking face, he carried an air of wild arrogance.
Jian Yunlan commented, “Mr. Gu, you’re being too modest. Mr. Gu here is quite distinguished, with an outstanding presence, and his looks are also…”
Jian Yunlan struggled for words. After racking his brain, he finally blurted out:
“…also just beginning to take human form.”
Gu Xingshou: “…”
You’re the one barely taking human form! Your whole family is barely taking human form!
Forcing a smile, Gu Xingshou extended his hand to shake Jian Yunlan’s, gritting his teeth.
“Mr. Jian, a pleasure to meet you.”
Gu Tiancheng glanced at the poised, smiling Jian Yunlan and then at his own son, whose face was clouded with calculation and arrogance. The more he looked, the more frustrated he became.
There’s just no comparison—Xiao Jian is better in every way!
Dinner was lavish.
Jian Yunlan and Gu Tiancheng chatted happily, while Gu Xingshou remained mostly silent, wearing a look of arrogance.
After the meal, Gu Tiancheng let out a long sigh, as if contemplating something serious.
Jian Yunlan noticed and asked, “Is something troubling you?”
Gu Tiancheng took a sip of tea, nodded, and looked at Jian Yunlan.
“Xiao Jian, to be honest, inviting you here today was also because I wanted to ask you for a favor.”
Jian Yunlan said, “What is it? If I can help, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
With a weary expression, Gu Tiancheng said, “Xiao Jian, can you think of a way to temper Xingshou’s character?”
“He’s impulsive, reckless, and abuses his privileges. I really can’t entrust Yuanzhou Group to him with peace of mind.”
Such is the love of a parent.
Despite Gu Xingshou’s flaws, Gu Tiancheng hadn’t given up on him. Instead, he sought guidance from Jian Yunlan.
In his past life, Jian Yunlan had lost his parents early, growing up in an orphanage without ever experiencing parental love. Moved by Gu Tiancheng’s sincerity, he said, “Let me think.”
What kind of experience could train a person’s mind and body, prove their determination, and provide a sense of accomplishment at the same time…?
A spark of inspiration struck Jian Yunlan.
The answer was obvious!
“You should let him run a street food stall!”
A food stall—Jian Yunlan’s passion, his greatest desire.
He had discovered his life’s value and purpose through street vending!
A food stall was the ultimate solution to all of life’s problems!
Gu Tiancheng: “…?”
At first, Gu Tiancheng found the idea absurd.
But as he stroked his chin and thought about it, the more he considered it, the more… it actually made sense!
Running a food stall required intense physical labor. It was not just a test of strength but also a challenge of patience and social skills. It required humility, customer service, and excellent time management.
More importantly, Gu Xingshou had been pampered all his life. Forcing him to engage in labor he looked down upon was bound to temper his character.
Jian Yunlan and Gu Tiancheng discussed the details, gradually forming a plan.
Gu Tiancheng presented the idea to Gu Xingshou.
Upon hearing it, Gu Xingshou’s dark eyes narrowed slightly, and he let out a mocking laugh.
“Me? Running a food stall?”
He was the CEO of Yuanzhou Group, the heir to Gu Tiancheng’s empire.
Had his father lost his mind, telling him to learn how to sell street food?
“Yes, you,” Gu Tiancheng said coldly, his voice authoritative. “If you can’t even manage a food stall, how do you expect to run an entire corporation?”
Lately, Gu Tiancheng had been doubting his own judgment.
How had he ever thought Gu Xingshou was fit to inherit Yuanzhou Group?
He was arrogant, undisciplined, impulsive, and lacked focus in his work.
Gu Tiancheng had made up his mind.
Jian Yunlan’s idea of running a food stall was the perfect trial. If Gu Xingshou couldn’t even commit to this, there was no point in grooming him as a successor.
Gu Tiancheng would rather work until he was 80 and find another heir than let his years of effort be squandered by an unworthy son.
At first, Gu Xingshou sat lazily on the sofa, legs crossed, smirking like he had just heard the world’s funniest joke.
But when he met Gu Tiancheng’s gaze, his heart sank.
Gu Tiancheng was serious.
This was ridiculous!
Him? The CEO of Yuanzhou Group?
Reduced to running a food stall?!
He had always looked down on street food vendors, considering them the lowest of society—filthy, exhausting work, with unsanitary food. He had never eaten from a food stall in his life, let alone imagined running one himself.
Gu Tiancheng said, “I’ve already prepared all the tools and ingredients for your stall.”
As he spoke, the butler pushed out a tricycle cart loaded with various supplies, meticulously replicating Jian Yunlan’s food stall setup for the night.
“As for you,” Gu Tiancheng turned to Gu Xingshou, “you’ll be running the stall tonight—for three hours.”
“If you can’t even endure this, then you have no right to inherit Yuanzhou Group.”
“Mr. Jian will be the judge of this challenge. You’ll only pass if he deems you qualified.”
Off to the side, Jian Yunlan waved cheerfully. “Hello there.”
His expression was a little smug—almost asking for a punch.
Gu Xingshou clenched his jaw, feeling his blood rush to his head.
This was the ultimate humiliation!
There was no way he would stoop so low!
*
Half an Hour Later
Gu Xingshou sat on a tricycle, his eyes dark and expression grim, pedaling toward a corner of the night market.
Street food vendors nearby turned to look.
Since when were guys this handsome selling street food?
The world was truly changing, they mused.
Standing behind the food stall, Gu Xingshou exuded an unmistakable air of authority with every movement. He parted his thin lips and, in a deep, magnetic voice, announced:
“Fried rice. Fragrant, delicious fried rice. 20 yuan per serving…”
There was an unmistakable trace of humiliation in his voice.
The autumn breeze swept past.
Beside him, the barbecue stall owner’s booming voice easily overpowered his:
“Hey! Freshly grilled chicken wings, drumsticks, and sausages—spicy, juicy, and absolutely delicious! Come and get some!”
Gu Xingshou’s voice was instantly drowned out.
Gu Xingshou: “…”
*
Thirty Minutes In
Time dragged on.
Other stalls were buzzing with customers, while Gu Xingshou’s spot felt like a ghost town.
Even the occasional curious passerby was scared away by his cold, brooding demeanor.
His voice carried an icy sharpness, making people shudder as he said to a passing woman, “Woman. Buy my fried rice.”
A young girl burst into tears on the spot.
“Mommy, there’s a ghost over there! Waaaah!”
“Don’t be scared, sweetheart,” the mother shot a glare at Gu Xingshou. “What’s wrong with you? Acting like some kind of lunatic!”
Gu Xingshou: “…”
Damn it!
This wasn’t working.
After a brief moment of contemplation, his deep-set eyes glinted with determination. A faint smirk tugged at his lips as he grabbed the spatula—gripping it as if he were seizing control of the global economy.
As soon as I start cooking, the aroma alone will attract customers.
After all, I’m a business genius.
With an imposing presence, he dumped the rice into the wok, his movements decisive and commanding.
Within seconds, the rice burned. Thick black smoke billowed from the pan.
Gu Xingshou: “?”
Where had he gone wrong?
Other street vendors: “?”
Is this guy here for comedy?!
Even a passing bird that attempted to peck at the raw rice on his stall was choked by the smoke. It coughed, cursed, and flapped away, screeching: “Baka! Baka!”
Gu Xingshou: “…”
At that moment, the barbecue stall owner sauntered over.
“Kid, you’re not cut out for this,” he said, taking a drag from his cigarette. He patted Gu Xingshou’s shoulder. “Take my advice—quit now and get yourself a job on an assembly line at the electronics factory.”
Gu Xingshou had never been so humiliated in his entire life.
Seething, he slammed the spatula down.
But just as he turned around, his eyes locked onto Gu Tiancheng, watching from a distance—his gaze piercing, unwavering.
In his hands was a termination letter, listing the reasons for Gu Xingshou’s dismissal as CEO of Yuanzhou Group.
It wasn’t official yet.
But it could be at any moment.
For a long moment, Gu Xingshou stood frozen. Then, he let out a cold chuckle.
Hah. He had lived his whole life recklessly, never bowing to anyone.
Did they really think a mere termination letter could break him?
Five minutes later.
At the food stall, Gu Xingzhou’s dark eyes gleamed as he exuded a powerful and domineering aura. With unquestionable force, he lifted the iron pan and grabbed a steel scrubber, scrubbing away the burnt rice at the bottom of the pan.
After cleaning it, he slightly curled his lips, his tone carrying an irresistible authority:
“Fried rice, fried rice, ten yuan per serving. Don’t miss out if you’re passing by!”
His voice grew louder.
Clearly, Gu Xingzhou was getting anxious.
Not only that, he even played his trump card—price reduction!
What an exquisite and masterful business strategy.
These common folks, whose annual salary wasn’t even enough to buy him a single watch, probably couldn’t afford expensive fried rice. So, out of sheer generosity, Gu Xingzhou lowered the price to ten yuan per serving to demonstrate his immense financial power and compassion for the people.
Gu Xingzhou flashed a confident smile.
He couldn’t imagine how he could possibly lose.
Sure enough, two customers soon stopped in front of his stall. They were two young women dressed like university students, cautiously standing in front of the fried rice stand. “Hello…”
A customer finally arrived!
Gu Xingzhou’s sharp gaze swept over them. Every movement radiated nobility, as if he was born to stand at the pinnacle of power. He arrogantly said, “Fried rice, ten yuan per serving. How many do you want?”
The two female students hesitated and said cautiously, “Sorry, we just need a napkin.”
After speaking, they quickly grabbed two napkins from the stall and ran off like frightened rabbits. As they ran, they whispered:
“That was scary!” “We just wanted a napkin, but that guy looked so intimidating. No wonder he has no customers!” “What if he chases after us and forces us to buy his fried rice? Run, run, don’t let him catch us…”
Gu Xingzhou’s face turned as dark as the burnt bottom of his pan.
He was slightly losing his composure.
Why?! Why wasn’t anyone buying his fried rice?!
These ignorant ants with no sense of taste.
Not far away, inside a shadowed RV, Jian Yunlan and Gu Tiancheng watched Gu Xingzhou’s progress through the window.
After careful observation, Jian Yunlan shook his head. “Mr. Gu doesn’t have the talent for street vending, nor the perseverance, and definitely no customer service skills. Overall, he’s just not cut out for this.”
Gu Xingzhou’s biggest problem was that he didn’t see customers as people. To him, they were just “commoners,” “nobodies,” even “ants.” With that attitude, it was no wonder he couldn’t attract customers.
But in Gu Tiancheng’s ears, those words translated to:
—Gu Xingzhou is hopeless.
Beyond saving. Might as well bury him.
Gu Tiancheng sighed deeply. “Thank you, Xiao Jian. I understand what needs to be done.”
Yuanzhou Group was about to change hands.
“Wait, Mr. Gu.” Jian Yunlan looked outside at the bustling night market, his old habit of street vending suddenly kicking in.
The thought of setting up a stall, the thrill of heating up the pan, the expectant gazes of customers, and the happy sounds of people enjoying good food… Jian Yunlan got excited.
He stopped Gu Tiancheng. “Mr. Gu, since Gu Xingzhou has never run a food stall before and has no experience, it’s not really fair to judge him so quickly.”
“Let me take over for a while and give him a demonstration. He can assist me.”
Gu Tiancheng was deeply moved by Jian Yunlan’s self-sacrificing spirit. He looked at him with admiration. “Xiao Jian, you’re truly a courageous and righteous young man!”
Even though Gu Xingzhou had performed terribly, Xiao Jian still hadn’t given up on him. He was even willing to step in personally to give Gu Xingzhou another chance.
If Jian Yunlan could hear Gu Tiancheng’s inner thoughts, he would definitely clarify:
He didn’t care about Gu Xingzhou at all—he just really wanted to run a food stall.
Haha.
Jian Yunlan rolled up his shirt sleeves, pushing his bangs back to reveal a smooth forehead. His features were stunning. Just moments ago, he had the detached and emotionless air of a snow-capped shrine’s deity. But in just a few steps, he transformed—vivid, warm, and full of life—into a street food vendor seamlessly blending into the night market.
Jian Yunlan stepped up to the stall and tied on an apron.
“Gu Xingzhou, watch carefully. This is how you run a food stall!”
Gu Xingzhou looked at him with disbelief, then laughed coldly in anger. “You dare to teach me?!”
After suffering such humiliation at this food stall, Gu Xingzhou was already suppressing his rage. And now, this random nobody actually wanted to teach him—the esteemed president of Yuanzhou Group—how to do things?
Gu Xingzhou was so furious he nearly fainted.
But Jian Yunlan completely ignored him. He didn’t even look at him. The moment he stepped into the stall, he switched into vendor mode, his movements fluid and graceful, his work swift and efficient.
First, he turned on the food stall’s overhead light. The warm yellow glow immediately drew people’s attention.
The food stall was in a dark, cold corner on the outskirts of the night market. The sudden burst of light made the stall feel lively and inviting.
“Oh, I didn’t even notice there was a food stall over there!”
Many potential customers, curious and intrigued, finally took notice.
Gu Xingzhou, still stewing in his anger, crossed his arms and stood aside.
He was eager to see what tricks this guy could pull.
—After two hours of failed vending, Gu Xingzhou had identified the main problem.
The stall’s location was bad—too far from the night market. And the competition was fierce, surrounded by fried chicken, skewers, and spicy hot pot. Plain old fried rice had no competitive edge.
This food stall was doomed to fail from the start. Even a god couldn’t save it.
Even if Jian Yunlan was a great cook, so what? If there were no customers, what was the point of cooking skills?
Moreover, Jian Yunlan wasn’t calling out to customers or putting up a sign. He simply heated the pan and added oil.
Four fresh eggs cracked into the sizzling pan, filling the air with a rich, enticing aroma.
Admittedly, it actually looked promising.
Gu Xingzhou glanced sideways, pretending to be unimpressed, but couldn’t help sneaking a few extra looks at the eggs.
At that moment, Jian Yunlan shot him a glance. “Shout.”
Gu Xingzhou: “?”
“Call out to customers,” Jian Yunlan said. “You don’t even know how to do that?”
Gu Xingzhou let out a cold laugh. “Why should I—”
His eyes met Gu Tiancheng’s gaze from afar.
Gu Tiancheng calmly waved the dismissal letter in his hand.
Gu Xingzhou’s expression stiffened. A moment later, he swallowed his pride and spoke, his voice low: “Fried rice, fried rice, ten yuan a serving.”
Jian Yunlan: “Did you skip breakfast?”
Gu Xingzhou: “…”
Gu Xingzhou: “Fried rice! Ten yuan a serving!”
His regular speaking voice was still drowned out by the surrounding chatter.
“You’ve been overindulging,” Jian Yunlan said sympathetically. “Feeling a bit weak?”
Gu Xingzhou choked.
How could this be…
How could someone dare to question the… virility… of a domineering CEO in an old-school BL novel?!
Unbelievable!
Grinding his teeth, Gu Xingzhou’s gaze grew intense and oppressive. Taking a deep breath from his diaphragm, he roared:
“Fried rice! Fragrant, delicious fried rice! Ten yuan per serving! Don’t pass it up—don’t miss out!”
Gu Xingzhou had never spoken this loudly in his entire life. It was practically a shout, though the cracked voice at the end made it somewhat comical.
However, the sheer momentum of his cry overpowered even the seasoned barbecue stall owners nearby.
People turned in surprise.
—A street food vendor screaming about fried rice so desperately? That’s rare.
Was it a matter of selling the fried rice… or losing his job?
Despite the tragic tone, the call did attract attention. People glanced at the fried rice stall, their noses catching a tantalizing aroma.
At the stall, Jian Yunlan had just sautéed minced garlic in hot oil, releasing a rich fragrance, before adding slices of luncheon meat. The tender meat sizzled in the pan, turning a golden brown, while each grain of rice was evenly coated in egg, releasing an irresistible scent.
But… it was still missing something.
Seeing the interest sparked by Gu Xingzhou’s call, Jian Yunlan knew—it was time.
He picked up a dish of seasonings and squeezed the juice of an entire lemon over the pan.
The heat from the oil instantly released an intense citrusy aroma, mingling with the garlic, the smoky scent of the fried rice, and the savory luncheon meat. The lively night market air carried the scent outward…
Gu Xingzhou stared at him like he was insane.
Lemon in fried rice?! Was he out of his mind?!
What kind of unholy culinary abomination was this?!
Normally, Jian Yunlan wouldn’t use lemon in fried rice, but this was different. This was the cutthroat battlefield of the night market—where strategies had to be adapted. Risk was high, but so was the reward.
In a market saturated with heavy, spicy flavors—barbecue, hot pot, skewers—the fresh, intense citrus scent cut through like a blade.
Many people in the night market suddenly hesitated.
One of them was Wen Moli.
Earlier, her coworkers had invited her out for a feast, suggesting they wander the market, eating as they went. Wen Moli had happily agreed.
But upon arriving, she realized—everything was incredibly heavy in flavor.
Of course, it made sense in a competitive night market, but… Wen Moli couldn’t handle spicy food.
Having grown up in a mild-flavored Jiangnan town, spicy food always wrecked her stomach. She’d tried, but every time, it ended in misery.
Half an hour had passed. Her coworkers were already stuffed, but she was still hungry.
And then… the scent of lemon drifted through the air.
The bright, refreshing citrus note stood out amidst the heavy, greasy night market fumes.
But no one approached just yet. They hesitated.
Wen Moli glanced toward the quiet fried rice stall.
It was deserted—suspiciously so.
In such a bustling night market, a completely empty stall usually meant one of two things: the food was terrible, or they were scamming customers with ridiculous prices. Either way, it screamed red flag.
But then…
Her stomach growled loudly.
She had worked all day on an empty stomach, surviving on a few biscuits. She had wanted to feast tonight, but after walking through the market for so long, she was only getting hungrier.
Right now, if someone handed her an entire cow, she could probably eat it raw.
Screw it.
Ignoring the worried looks of her coworkers, Wen Moli marched up to the fried rice stall.
“Boss, I’ll have one fried rice.”
Jian Yunlan smiled. His hands didn’t stop moving. “One serving, ten yuan.”
So cheap!
Even a basic hot pot skewer set cost fifteen yuan—yet this fried rice was only ten?! Definitely not a scam.
Wen Moli’s gaze fixated on the sizzling pan. The fried rice was golden and perfectly separated, with crispy luncheon meat, bright yellow corn kernels, diced red carrots, and fresh green scallions. The fragrance from the high-heat stir-fry kept intensifying. With a flick of his wrist, Jian Yunlan flipped the pan in a perfect arc.
“Wow!”
The toss was so smooth—just like in anime!
Two or three more curious onlookers gathered nearby.
Wen Moli quickly scanned the QR code to pay, standing eagerly at the side, her eyes locked onto the glistening, steaming fried rice.
She swallowed.
A few other bystanders also swallowed.
Meanwhile, Gu Xingzhou stared in utter disbelief.
—Jian Yunlan had only been here for ten minutes… and already had a crowd.
Then what the hell had he been doing for the past two hours?!
