Live Streaming Food Stall… But in Dog-Blooded Novels – CH39

Chapter 39

At the early morning food stall.

Professor Wang and Professor Murong glanced at Gu Tiancheng with concern: “Caught a cold?”

Due to their involvement in the tricycle event, the group had formed a deep revolutionary friendship.

“No,” Gu Tiancheng rubbed his nose, feeling something was off, “I don’t know why, but I keep feeling…”

As if his son had found himself a grandfather outside?

Forget it.

Such small matters couldn’t compare to the importance of fried rice.

The three who had received their fried rice happily dug in, no longer caring about those trivial details.

—After riding the tricycle for so long, they had earned it!

Meanwhile, Ning Sheng was still carrying Gu Xingzhou as he sprinted forward.

He was running so fast that he almost appeared as a blur, and when a bicycle suddenly appeared in front of them, Ning Sheng didn’t have time to brake and collided with it!

The bicycle had no rider; the owner was still chasing behind. It was a downhill slope, and Ning Sheng and Gu Xingzhou were running uphill, so it was clear the owner had jumped off mid-ride and the bike had continued rolling downhill.

When they collided, people around them gasped.

“Ugh—That looked brutal!” “That must hurt just watching…”

At the moment of impact, Ning Sheng had already prepared to fall. He closed his eyes, holding his breath, and his senses became sharply attuned in the air—

But the expected pain never came.

In fact, it felt like he had hit a cushion, and the impact was softened, so Ning Sheng only lightly grazed the ground.

Ning Sheng opened his eyes and saw the ‘cushion.’

His heart jolted.

Gu Xingzhou had actively shielded him from the impact? Why?

With his limbs spread out, Gu Xingzhou had acted as a human cushion, his dark eyes gleaming, a playful smile on his face: “Man, have you fallen for me?”

Ning Sheng: “…”

“What’s your agenda?” Ning Sheng’s eyes fixed on him.

Gu Xingzhou being kind to him must have some ulterior motive, this was something Ning Sheng assumed deep down.

But Gu Xingzhou looked a bit hurt.

So, this is how he appeared in Ning Sheng’s eyes?

If he said that it was just an instinctive action, that he hadn’t had time to think, would Ning Sheng believe it?

Of course, upon closer thought… Gu Xingzhou didn’t entirely lack an agenda.

Gu Xingzhou cautiously watched Ning Sheng’s expression and said, “I helped you. Can I get just one-third of the fried rice?”

Ning Sheng: “In your dreams.”

Gu Xingzhou: “…” Damn, plan failed!

However, Gu Xingzhou’s question reminded Ning Sheng. He immediately lifted Gu Xingzhou up again, ignoring the astonished onlookers and the bicycle owner, and continued sprinting forward!

If they didn’t hurry, they’d miss out on the fried rice!

*

At the early morning food stall, beside the tricycle.

Jian Yunlan, wearing an apron, skillfully served up a new batch of fried rice.

As soon as the fried rice was ready, the sound of people swallowing could be heard from the crowd.

“Numbers 68 and 69, please come forward,” Jian Yunlan called, “Who’s fried rice is this? Please come claim it.”

The crowd immediately stirred. Every time Jian Yunlan’s fried rice was ready, everyone’s humanity seemed to be forgotten, and many were ready to claim the fried rice as their own.

But the large dog, Mao Mao, seemed to have some special ability. Even though the running order was chaotic due to the crowd’s disarray, it could still accurately tell who had cut in line.

Jian Yunlan called three times, but no one came to claim the fried rice.

Had they fallen behind?

A slight regret flashed in Jian Yunlan’s eyes, but the onlookers’ eyes shone with excitement.

Great, two fewer competitors!

However, just as Jian Yunlan cleared his throat, preparing to call the next customer, a figure shot out from the crowd.

A young man with striking features, clear and cold eyes, and a tear mole at the corner of his eye that shimmered with light.

In his hands, he was carrying… a tall man in a suit?

Strange. Why were they using the word ‘carrying’?

This odd combination, ridiculous yet somehow harmonious, left the crowd stunned.

“Boss Jian, the fried rice…” The stunning young man stood in front of Jian Yunlan, his gaze shifting with excitement, his voice tinged with fervor, “It’s mine!”

Jian Yunlan smiled slightly and handed over the fried rice: “Enjoy your meal.”

Ning Sheng’s gaze instantly became filled with intense desire.

The fried rice was golden and tempting, with distinct grains, adorned with shrimp and sausage, glistening with oil, and emitting a rich, savory aroma!

In his eyes, there was no room for anyone or anything else. His entire mind and world were consumed by the bowl of fried rice, and the god of fried rice, Jian Yunlan, who was smiling as he handed it over to him!

Ning Sheng threw the item he was holding onto the ground, freeing his hands, and eagerly reached out to take the glowing bowl of fried rice.

He held the fried rice close to his chest, feeling an unparalleled sense of joy, peace, and happiness in his heart.

Gu Xingzhou, who had been unceremoniously tossed to the ground by Ning Sheng, was left confused: “???”

Since Ning Sheng had been holding him face down, when Ning Sheng threw him, he landed face-first with a loud ‘thud,’ his features twisted and disfigured from the impact.

Gu Xingzhou: “…”

Isn’t anyone going to check if he’s alive or dead?!

But soon, Ning Sheng realized Gu Xingzhou’s presence once more.

It wasn’t because he had a sudden change of heart.

It was because…

“Number 69?” Jian Yunlan still held a serving of fried rice in his hands, “Number 68 has been claimed, but who is number 69? If no one claims it, it will be passed on.”

Hearing this, Ning Sheng quickly pulled Gu Xingzhou up from the ground, “gently” patted the dust off his clothes, and proudly pushed him toward Jian Yunlan.

“This is my friend’s fried rice. We queued together,” he said, looking at Gu Xingzhou with a silent, subtle threat in his gaze. “Right, friend?”

Gu Xingzhou: “…Yes.”

And so, Gu Xingzhou also received a serving of fried rice.

It must be said, this fried rice was truly a marvel. It came straight from the pan, steaming hot, with each grain evenly coated in golden egg liquid, shining with a beautiful gloss. When scooped up with a spoon, the rice wobbled gently, sending a strong aroma of eggs and fresh ingredients into the air!

The creamy, thick, bubbling broth of Jinhua ham was completely absorbed into the rice, making each grain plump and oily.

You could also see plump shrimp, crispy ham, green peas, and pieces of sea cucumber scattered throughout.

The taste and feeling were intoxicating, the salty and savory aroma making one’s stomach growl, craving to devour it immediately and savor the happiness with every bite…

Gu Xingzhou’s mouth watered continuously.

If Ning Sheng was willing to sacrifice everything for fried rice, then wasn’t Gu Xingzhou the same?

This was the fried rice he had dreamed about for days!

But…

Gu Xingzhou steeled his heart, closed his eyes, and handed the bowl of fried rice to Ning Sheng. “Ning Sheng, you can have this whole serving. Honestly, I couldn’t have gotten it without you… It’s my debt to you.”

Gu Xingzhou gave a desolate smile.

He wasn’t worthy of it.

Just being able to smell the fried rice’s aroma, feel the warmth of holding the bowl, was enough for him to feel satisfied.

It was truly heartbreaking to watch.

A ruthless CEO, known for his unwavering decisiveness, humbling himself like this—anyone would feel sympathy, wanting to say, “Take the fried rice. I have another serving.”

Thus, Gu Xingzhou tightly shut his eyes, waiting, waiting.

But Ning Sheng just decisively took the fried rice from his hands:

“Thanks.”

Ning Sheng wolfed it down.

He ate eagerly, his face radiating pure happiness: “It’s so delicious!”

Gu Xingzhou: “…”

Gu Xingzhou gazed enviously at the fried rice in his hands.

After hesitating for a moment, he let out a self-deprecating laugh and turned away.

He left behind a lonely silhouette.

Gu Xingzhou thought he should leave. He didn’t belong here, nor did he belong anywhere. Even though he was born into wealth and power, easily acquiring everything that others could only envy, there was no one who truly liked him.

The sycophants around him had their own motives; his subordinates schemed out of fear; his father didn’t like him; and Ning Sheng, especially, never hid his dislike and hatred toward him.

After his mother passed away, he had no family.

Gu Xingzhou had once imagined, in some dream, that maybe one day, he and Ning Sheng wouldn’t have such a distorted relationship anymore. They could face each other properly, not argue, just sit down quietly, drink some wine, and chat.

But that wasn’t possible. Ning Sheng hated him.

Scenes of celebration, joy, and togetherness… he should stay far away from them.

(Sad cello music plays in the background)

Gu Xingzhou’s figure gradually faded into the crowd.

Ning Sheng, who was deeply immersed in his fried rice, suddenly looked up, drawn by an inexplicable force, and glanced at the fading figure.

Scenes from the past surfaced in his mind, all the anxiety, sorrow, and sleepless nights.

But there were also moments of happiness, of exhilaration.

From mutual fights to writing self-reflections, from forced hugs and hand-holding to chasing Mr. Jian’s three-wheeled cart, overcoming countless challenges and storms to get here.

Ning Sheng chewed on the scorching, unique, and unparalleled delicious fried rice, thinking.

Such deliciousness, Gu Xingzhou should also taste a bite.

But just one bite.

If it’s just one bite, he wouldn’t mind sharing it with him.

So, Gu Xingzhou, who had dejectedly walked away, felt hunger pangs growing in his stomach.

Suddenly, he heard someone calling his name:

“Gu Xingzhou.”

Gu Xingzhou blinked slightly, turning around.

Ning Sheng stood under the bright sunlight, the blue sky spread behind him, and the whole world seemed like a picture frame, enveloping him.

But upon closer inspection, it wasn’t Ning Sheng himself that was glowing.

It was the spoon in his hand.

The spoon was full, heavy with a scoop of fried rice.

The fried rice was steaming, each grain plump and oily, golden in color, with the fragrance of eggs, the freshness of shrimp, and the richness of the broth!

The fried rice glowed like a lighthouse in the night, guiding all the lost, hungry travelers toward it. Gu Xingzhou’s breath caught in his throat, his world faded to colorless blur, and only that shining light remained.

As he pushed through the crowd, Gu Xingzhou saw a faint smile on Ning Sheng’s lips, one so subtle it was almost invisible.

Ning Sheng said:

“Fried rice, have a bite.”

*

At the morning market, the fried rice stall was a special corner.

This corner was far from all the other food stalls, not in the busiest center of the market, but away from the crowd, under a large tree in a corner. Yet, in this small corner, countless people ate fried rice happily, gathering with classmates, friends, lovers, family, and cherished connections.

—Professor Wang and Professor Murong together.

They didn’t even have time to find a seat, not caring about their status as professors at Jing University, and like the students, they squatted by the roadside and began eating.

These two lifelong rivals, who had been at odds for most of their lives, probably had only a few moments like this, when they could quietly and comfortably stay by each other’s side, shoulder to shoulder, enjoying a long-awaited bowl of fried rice.

“It’s delicious, really delicious,” Professor Murong sighed. “The fried rice I had before, compared to Xiao Jian’s skill, is nothing.”

Professor Wang secretly peeked at Professor Murong’s bowl. “Murong Qinghe, give me a shrimp from your bowl. I’ll trade you some chicken cubes.”

Professor Murong raised an eyebrow. “You have to beg me!”

Professor Wang: “You—”

He was about to slam the table but remembered the fried rice in his hands. In a hurry, he squatted down, checking in distress. “Oh no, my fried rice, my heart, I hope it doesn’t spill…”

Professor Murong laughed at him.

He laughed at him, a man in his fifties or sixties, still acting like a poor teenager.

Once, in the canteen of the old Beijing University, they saved up for a long time, saving 2.5 yuan to buy two bowls of fried rice. Back then, Wang Jianhua also wanted to trade chicken cubes for Murong Qinghe’s shrimp.

In the blink of an eye, forty years had passed.

—Bei Shi and Zhang Mo together.

Bei Shi held her fried rice contentedly, eating with great joy, lost in the moment. They sat under the shade of a tree, while Zhang Mo half-squatted, massaging Bei Shi’s sprained ankle.

“Boss Jian is really kind, always giving us heart-shaped takeout boxes,” Bei Shi said. “Bookworm, open your mouth.”

Zhang Mo instinctively opened his mouth and was fed a spoonful of fried rice. It was still a little hot, but the taste was amazing, each grain of rice distinct, with a fresh flavor, and the shrimp was crispy and chewy, making you want to eat more.

Savoring the fried rice, Zhang Mo finally responded, “Wife, why do you keep calling me bookworm?”

Bei Shi buried her head in the fried rice, smiling with a sense of triumph.

Ten years ago, Bei Shi had seen Zhang Mo sitting by the window reading at the freshmen orientation at Beijing University, calling him a bookworm. At that time, Zhang Mo had looked up at her dazedly, suddenly blushing.

Everything had changed, yet somehow, everything seemed the same.

—Li Yun and Li Mingxi together.

The two of them each held a serving of fried rice, eating as they walked, both showing expressions of happiness. But Li Yun was a restless person. After taking a couple of bites of her own, she couldn’t help but peer into Li Mingxi’s bowl.

“Brother, why does your fried rice look so much better than mine?”

Li Mingxi helplessly pushed her head: “You always say that, but our dishes are exactly the same.”

They were twins, always having the same food, clothes, and everything else, but Li Yun was always curious about what Li Mingxi had. She wanted a bite of Li Mingxi’s fried rice; she secretly hugged his doll to sleep; and she even had her own bow tied to Li Mingxi’s backpack.

And Li Mingxi always let her.

He wanted to let her.

Back in kindergarten, little Li Yun always followed him closely, like a little shadow, calling him brother.

What Li Mingxi never told Li Yun was that when he was five, missing a tooth, he proudly introduced his sister to his classmates: “This is my little sister, isn’t she cute! She’s like the stars in the sky, and I want to pick one down just for her!”

—Gu Tiancheng and Da Hei together.

Gu Tiancheng chewed on the fried rice carefully, pulling a photo from his pocket. In the photo, his wife was smiling carefree, a smile that had never faded with time.

“Da Hei,” Gu Tiancheng patted Da Hei’s head.

Da Hei lay beside him, eagerly looking up with its paws resting on Gu Tiancheng’s knee.

“I thought I had gotten used to it, that I wouldn’t be sad about her departure anymore,” Gu Tiancheng smiled, wiping the corner of his eyes with a handkerchief. “But… today, when I ate this delicious fried rice, I suddenly thought…”

“I think, if A Yue were still here, she would definitely love this fried rice too.”

Da Hei looked up, barking twice, not understanding why its master was crying.

—Ming Ruogui and her fans together.

“Sister Ming, this fried rice is so delicious!” Her fans, holding bowls of fried rice, tearily said to her, “We told you, following you means we get to eat good food!”

Ming Ruogui gave a thumbs-up and flashed a “peace” sign.

“Sister Ming, what’s the next step?”

Ming Ruogui looked up at the distant blue sky. The wind blew through her hair, and her pupils were full of bright, unhidden yearning.

How high could the sky be? She wanted to see for herself.

“The next step,” Ming Ruogui took a big bite of fried rice and smiled, “First, let’s achieve a small goal—win the Oscar for Best Actress. What do you think?”

—Lin Tianqiu and his colleagues together.

“After finishing this fried rice, how about we all go to the movies? I managed to get free tickets from the boss,” Lin Tianqiu said cheerfully as he chewed his fried rice.

“Sure!” Everyone laughed.

It was hard to imagine that on his first day at work, shy and socially anxious Lin Tianqiu barely spoke loud enough to be heard.

In the blink of an eye, he had become someone who could handle things on his own.

The five bottles of cola clinked together, the carbonation bubbling and spraying freely into the air.

—Wu Qiuhuo and the food stall owners together.

They were panting, sitting by the roadside, drenched in sweat, looking up at the sky.

“At this time, everyone should be eating fried rice,” Wu Qiuhuo sighed. “Today’s fried rice must be delicious.”

Everyone smiled. Yes, they had missed the fried rice.

But… they didn’t regret it.

From a distance, a figure came running.

The owner of the flatbread stall was holding eight or nine portions of fried rice, handing them out to everyone: “Boss Jian saved this for everyone!”

Everyone’s eyes lit up as they received the fried rice, looking at each other.

“This kid, we shouldn’t have doubted him from the start.” “Yeah, I even gave Xiao Jian a cold shoulder at first.” “Sigh, when you get older, you become stubborn,” they all said, but none of them moved their chopsticks.

Everyone laughed and urged, looking at Wu Qiuhuo: “Sister Wu, you’re our pioneer, you go first.”

Wu Qiuhuo wasn’t shy, opening the fried rice and taking a big bite, giving a thumbs-up.

Sister Wu’s approval!

Everyone chatted, each speaking in turn, and ate without a care.

Ten years ago, Wu Qiuhuo first set up a stall selling buns outside the Yuanzhou Group building. Back then, she was alone. Later, more and more people came: Old Chen with his jianbing, Ah Wu with his flatbread, Xiao Liang with his soy milk and fried dough sticks…

They’ve been lively and together all these years.

“Please continue to guide us in the new year, Sister Wu!”

“……”

Jian Yunlan skillfully waved the spatula, flipping the spoon.

The mighty Taotie stood proudly by his side.

Surrounded by happiness and contentment, Jian Yunlan exuded a gentle, smoky warmth. His eyes curved into crescent shapes, and his gaze, like the sky, was light blue.

The regrets of his past life, the wishes he never fulfilled, were all reconciled in this moment.

…Indeed, setting up a stall is the happiest thing in the world!

It was a day with perfect weather.

The warm autumn sun poured down, the wind passed through the swaying tree shadows, and the leaves whispered secrets to each other.

A fallen leaf was carried by the wind, drifting over the laughing, chattering crowd. It spun in the wind, stopping briefly in the arms of a reunited family, then passing through the sleeves of friends walking side by side, lingering in the palms of intimate lovers;

But the leaf finally floated far away. Farther than everything, passing through the bustling crowd, passing through the fried rice stall owner surrounded by people, and the silver dog by his side, passing through all the noisy, silent, bubbling chaos…

It landed in Ning Sheng’s palm.

“You’re serious about letting me try a bite?” Gu Xingzhou couldn’t help but ask again and again.

His heart was pounding, and his blood seemed to be flowing faster than usual.

Ning Sheng was willing to give him a bite of fried rice?

Is this a dream?

“Really.”

Ning Sheng handed him the spoon.

Gu Xingzhou eagerly grasped the spoon, unable to wait, and brought it to his mouth.

The fried rice had a dense, chewy texture, and as he bit down, an indescribable freshness exploded in his mouth.

The golden rice, soaked in broth layer by layer, carried a different fresh flavor with each bite. The shrimp’s seafood taste, the saltiness of the ham, and many more flavors combined. As he chewed, the broth and oils flowed out, slightly hot.

It was incredibly satisfying.

On this autumn day, in the lively crowd, taking a bite of such delicious fried rice.

“So delicious, really delicious,” Gu Xingzhou chewed carefully, his eyes a bit teary.

In that warm taste, it felt like a pair of warm hands gently held Gu Xingzhou in the dark, guiding him through the wind and snow, through the long nights after his mother’s passing, through the storms of homelessness, leading him to such a bright, sunny day.

Ning Sheng stood in that sunny day.

Sitting shoulder to shoulder with Gu Xingzhou, Ning Sheng had a bowl of fried rice in hand, happily eating, her eyes and smile full of happiness.

Gu Xingzhou finished his bite and was still savoring the taste left in his mouth, looking at Ning Sheng, who was enjoying her meal.

“Boss Jian’s fried rice is really too delicious. How can it be so good?” Gu Xingzhou couldn’t help but marvel. “Shall we queue up together tomorrow?”

Gu Xingzhou looked at Ning Sheng, suddenly thinking this.

Maybe they weren’t suited to be intimate lovers; they were too young, too inexperienced, and still full of sharp edges, unable to embrace each other.

They couldn’t be friends either. Ning Sheng didn’t want to, didn’t like it, and Gu Xingzhou was too childish, holding on to his pride.

But, Gu Xingzhou didn’t want to spend his life as an enemy with Ning Sheng.

If they could form such a special fried rice alliance, it wouldn’t be bad, right?

Boss Jian’s fried rice was so sought after, together, they could surely carve out a path and grab the fried rice!

Ning Sheng thought for a moment. Indeed, he could eat an extra portion, so why not? He quickly accepted: “Let’s go together tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow’s fried rice, you can eat two bites,” Ning Sheng generously said.

Gu Xingzhou’s eyes lit up: “The day after tomorrow, can I eat three bites?”

“No, the day after tomorrow you can eat four bites.”

“The day after the day after tomorrow, eight bites?”

Ning Sheng: “Mhm, with this frequency, how many bites in thirty days?”

Gu Xingzhou was speechless: “……”

Are you testing my math skills?!

Ning Sheng glanced at the silent Gu Xingzhou, and, curiously, said: “It’s 1073741824, it’s a geometric sequence, don’t you understand that?”

Gu Xingzhou: “???”

No, he understood geometric sequences, but how on earth did you come up with that number in your head, ah!!

Gu Xingzhou’s despair was written all over his face.

Ning Sheng laughed heartily, the joy clear in his cold, sharp features. Sunlight passed through and fell on his cheek, casting faint spots of light like dancing fireflies.

Ning Sheng held the fried rice, happily continuing to eat.

Gu Xingzhou lowered his head, smelling the fried rice’s aroma, his mouth watering, but… he had a more important question in mind.

Gu Xingzhou didn’t dare to look at Ning Sheng, quietly asking: “If we reach ten thousand days, will you forgive me?”

“…I’ll try to apologize and atone for my mistakes. After ten thousand days, we can be partners, even just regular friends, but not enemies anymore, okay?”

Ning Sheng paused for a moment.

“Ten thousand days is not enough,” he said.

Gu Xingzhou’s gaze immediately dimmed.

But the next second…

Ning Sheng said seriously, “At the current speed, it will take 10,089.68 days.”

Gu Xingzhou: “……”

Accurate to two decimal places, huh!

“Okay, then 10,089.68 days.”

Gu Xingzhou looked at Ning Sheng. He seemed to have never spoken so closely and seriously with Ning Sheng before, nor so calmly.

Gu Xingzhou asked, “It’s a promise?”

“Mm.” Ning Sheng nodded.

The fallen leaf gently landed in his palm. Ning Sheng lowered his lashes and closed his hands.

“It’s a promise.”

*

Meanwhile,

In the Multiverse live-stream, in front of all the streamers challenging the “Paranoid Possession” world, everything suddenly froze.

The shattered kettle hung suspended in the air, a hand frozen in motion, the words about to be spoken stuck in the throat.

A beam of light spread across thousands of live-streams, millions of viewers watching.

…At the headquarters of the Multiverse Live Streaming Company, the manager of the Book World division, Gong Siyuan, stared in disbelief at the light screen and the few lines of text on it:

“Ding-dong! Congratulations to streamer [Jian Yunlan] for completing the ‘Paranoid Possession’ world, with a plot resolution of 69%, successfully changing the BE ending. The new HE ending ‘The Fried Rice Alliance of Ning Sheng and Gu Xingzhou’ has been unlocked and will replace the current timeline.”

“Streamer [Jian Yunlan] becomes the first challenger to complete ‘Paranoid Possession.’ His name will be recorded in history.”

“The ‘Paranoid Possession’ world timeline is unlocked, and all residents of the world gain access to the Multiverse Live Streaming platform. Let us welcome their arrival—”

After half a second of silence.

The entire Multiverse live-stream exploded!