Chapter 8: The Boss: It Smells So Good!

Xie Chengye looked at the young man standing before him, face tilted upward. The lingering glow of dusk spilled over the youth’s fair and delicate features, making his striking appearance even more breathtaking. The slightly upturned corners of his eyes were accentuated by long, dark lashes, creating an alluring curve that framed his shimmering, watery gaze—truly a vision of astonishing beauty.

Yet the owner of such looks wore an expression of utmost seriousness and innocence, a stark contrast to his appearance that somehow made him seem…adorable.

“Hello.” Xiao Naiwang stood up with a smile, swiftly launching into his sales pitch. “My Langya potatoes are guaranteed to be delicious. Would you like to buy a portion to try?”

“…I’ll take one.” A flicker of discomfort crossed Xie Chengye’s face. He had already tasted them—that was why he was here. While his younger brother was on the phone, he had idly taken a bite out of boredom, only to find himself…unintentionally finishing the entire portion.

Now, he had been sent out by his brother and mother to buy another serving.

“Alright, would you like it spicy or mild?”

“One spicy, one mild.” After a moment’s thought, Xie Chengye decided to order two portions, just in case one wasn’t enough. Besides, they were so cheap.

“Sure, please wait a moment.” Xiao Naiwang’s heart instantly blossomed with joy. This big shot was not only handsome with a pleasant voice but also decisive when it came to buying. It would be even better if he bought more.

Quickly preparing two portions, Xiao Naiwang handed them over with a smile, revealing two small dimples as he warmly said, “Enjoy, and come back again.”

“…Mm.” Caught off guard by Xiao Naiwang’s smile, Xie Chengye’s expression tightened slightly. But as he turned away, the corners of his lips lifted almost imperceptibly, a glint of interest flashing in his eyes.

This little street vendor was quite interesting…and rather pleasing to the eye. Too bad he was already taken.

Having sold two more portions, Xiao Naiwang was in high spirits. He took Bao Bao to the neighboring stall for a bowl of chicken noodle soup. Though called chicken noodle soup, it was rather bland, with only a few sparse slices of meat. Still, it was cheap and filling, especially when paired with the Langya potatoes. Both Xiao Naiwang and Bao Bao ate their fill.

Hoping to catch the small rush after the students’ evening self-study session, Xiao Naiwang decided to stay. Unexpectedly, between six and eight o’clock, quite a few people came to buy snacks, especially groups of young people out for a stroll, who were all quite generous.

Watching these young men with their hair neatly parted and the young women with permed or flowing locks, Xiao Naiwang felt as if he had stepped into an ’80s movie.

After several waves of customers, even before the students finished their classes, his Langya potatoes were completely sold out. Many who missed out complained that he hadn’t prepared enough. Xiao Naiwang could only smile apologetically, promising to bring more the next day and informing them that he would be back by noon.

With everything sold out, Xiao Naiwang packed up, said goodbye to Ning Xu’an and the others, and headed home with Bao Bao.

Back at the house, Xiao Naiwang once again ignored the three members of the Zhou family watching TV in the living room. Carrying Bao Bao to their room, he went to fetch water for washing up.

“Xiao Wang.” Zhou Yiguo followed him into the kitchen, wearing a concerned and sympathetic expression. “How did it go today? Was it smooth? You look exhausted…”

“It was tiring, and sales were just average, but I managed to earn a few cents.” Not wanting to engage further, Xiao Naiwang scooped up the water and turned to leave.

“Xiao Wang…” Zhou Yiguo blocked the doorway, his voice dripping with gentleness. “Can we talk?”

“No, I’m very tired, I’m very sleepy now, I just want to sleep.” Xiao Naiwang pushed Zhou Yiguo aside with the basin and turned to leave.

Zhou Yiguo stood where he was, watching Xiao Naiwang’s retreating figure, his brow slightly furrowed, his eyes darkening.

“Daddy!”

As soon as Xiao Naiwang entered the door, his legs were hugged by two short little arms. He immediately smiled and moved his leg. “Baby, be good, go wait by the bed.”

“Mm!” Seeing Daddy, Xiao Baobao was satisfied. He toddled on his short little legs to the bedside, revealing a happy little smile.

“Our baby is so good-looking, we must wash our face, feet, and brush our teeth often, to be the best-looking baby.” Xiao Naiwang smiled as he lifted Xiao Baobao’s short little leg to take off his shoe. “Baby must remember, okay?”

“Okay!” Xiao Baobao answered loudly but wouldn’t let Xiao Naiwang take off his shoe, trying to pull his foot back.

“If you know, why aren’t you listening?” Xiao Naiwang bent down again to lift Xiao Baobao’s short little leg.

“I… I want to take off my shoe myself…” Xiao Baobao’s little face was pink as he said very seriously, “Daddy is tired, baby takes off shoe myself…”

Xiao Naiwang’s heart softened. He cupped the baby’s little face and kissed it, laughing, “So baby is worried about Daddy, how can baby be so good…

“Because…” Xiao Baobao blushed, twisting his little hands. “Because I’m Daddy’s baby.”

Xiao Naiwang couldn’t help but laugh heartily, hugging the baby in his arms. “Yes, Daddy’s baby is the best, the most well-behaved, and the most amazing! Then baby can take it off himself, and if you can’t, Daddy will help, okay?”

“Okay!” With his red little face, Xiao Baobao tried very hard to take off his shoes and socks himself, his little hands and feet working with great seriousness.

“So good!” Seeing that Xiao Baobao had taken everything off, Xiao Naiwang praised him profusely, then brought over slippers for him to wear, and began washing Xiao Baobao’s face.

After all, soap at this time was still quite harsh on the eyes, so he’d better wash the baby’s face himself. When the baby was a bit older, he could let him wash it himself.

After they finished washing up, Xiao Baobao still wanted to take off his clothes himself. Watching his two little arms and head as if under a spell, tangled up in the lifted little shirt, Xiao Baobao struggled but couldn’t get free. Xiao Naiwang almost laughed until tears came.

In the end, he stepped in to help Xiao Baobao straighten things out, and together they escaped from the “clothing monster.” Only then did Xiao Baobao’s red little face emerge.

As soon as he was free, he let out an “ao wu” and buried himself in the little blanket. Xiao Baobao was extremely embarrassed—he had been so clumsy just now!

“Good, baby is amazing, you’ll learn slowly.” Knowing Xiao Baobao was embarrassed, Xiao Naiwang patted the baby’s back to encourage him. “Baby can try again tomorrow, okay?”

“Okay…” Xiao Baobao’s obedient little milky voice came from under the blanket.

“Then baby, show your little face.”

Xiao Baobao wiggled his little bottom twice, struggling to sit up, revealing a shy little red face. His big, wet eyes blinked shyly, his long eyelashes fluttering.

“Come, baby, help Daddy do some accounting.” Holding Xiao Baobao in his arms, Xiao Naiwang opened the little notebook and began keeping accounts.

Excluding scraps and freebies, they sold seventy-two servings today. The gross profit was three yuan and sixty cents, which seemed okay, but the net profit was still relatively small.

Xiao Naiwang thought it over and decided to go early the next morning to buy more potatoes, process them as quickly as possible, and then start selling by noon.

That way, he should be able to earn twice as much as today.

Having made up his mind, Xiao Naiwang turned off the light. First, he helped Xiao Baobao review “Ode to the Goose” a few times, which they had learned the day before, and then they both drifted into a deep sleep.

The next day, Xiao Naiwang went to the market early in the morning and bought eighty catties of potatoes, over ten catties of scallions and small red peppers, and several stacks of paper bowls, almost spending every last cent he had.

Then he hurried back, washed the potatoes, scallions, and small red peppers, cut the potatoes, soaked them in water, and placed them in buckets. By a little after eleven, he arrived at yesterday’s stall location with Xiao Baobao.

As soon as Xiao Naiwang had everything set up and ready, the first wave of customers arrived, led by the same auntie who had been the first to buy yesterday.

The auntie chatted loudly with her friend as she walked, laughing heartily, “Hahaha, your grandson is doing great too, tall and sturdy…”

“Not really, this kid doesn’t like to eat…” The auntie beside her shook her head, but her eyes lit up as soon as she spotted Xiao Naiwang, like a wolf spotting prey. “You said your grandson ate two big steamed buns yesterday because he ate the potatoes from this stall?!”

“That’s right! This stall’s potatoes are really good, especially delicious! My old man even ate an extra steamed bun. If they hadn’t run out of potatoes, he probably would’ve eaten more…”

Seeing them approach, Xiao Naiwang quickly smiled and said, “Big sister, were you satisfied with what you ate yesterday?”

“Very satisfied, very satisfied.” The auntie laughed loudly. “Young man, I’ll have another serving today. But you can call me auntie. A handsome young fellow like you calling me ‘big sister’ makes me a bit embarrassed…”

“Alright, auntie.” Xiao Naiwang’s words were sweet, and he immediately started frying the potatoes. The auntie beside her, smelling the aroma, quickly ordered a serving too. Then the two went off to buy some steamed buns and flatbreads nearby.

Xiao Naiwang’s business didn’t slow down until after one o’clock.

Today’s business was even better than yesterday’s. It seemed that the residents and students who had bought from him yesterday had spread the word. With returning customers and new ones, Xiao Naiwang sold nearly a hundred servings by noon.

Exhausted, Xiao Naiwang was both hungry and too tired to move, but he still took Xiao Baobao to eat a bowl of noodles. Since he had bought Xiao Baobao a meat bun at noon, the little one wasn’t too hungry, so Xiao Naiwang ended up eating most of the noodles.

Xiao Baobao stared at Xiao Naiwang with watery eyes, his little face scrunched up and his brows furrowed. He felt that Daddy… Daddy was so busy and tired. If only he could help Daddy, but why was he so… so not amazing!

What should he do?!

After finishing his meal, Xiao Naiwang walked back to the stall with Xiao Baobao. Suddenly feeling a bit bored, he decided to teach Xiao Baobao another ancient poem. But this time, Xiao Baobao wasn’t paying much attention. He didn’t want to learn about the swimming white goose anymore—knowing how to recite about the white goose didn’t make him amazing at all. He wanted to be a… an amazing baby who could help Daddy!

“Daddy…” Xiao Baobao suddenly tugged on Xiao Naiwang’s sleeve.

“What’s wrong?” Xiao Naiwang had noticed that Xiao Baobao seemed a bit distracted and thought he might be tired. Gently rubbing the little one’s head, he smiled and asked, “Is Baobao sleepy? Does he want to take a nap?”

“No…” Xiao Baobao’s little face looked a bit timid, but his eyes were still very determined. He clenched his small fists, looked at his gentle and handsome father in front of him, and bravely opened his mouth: “Dad… I, I don’t want to learn the big white goose anymore…”

“Don’t want to learn anymore?” Xiao Naiwang frowned slightly, not expecting the child’s learning fatigue period to come so quickly. His heart felt a bit cold. He remembered that in the original book, Xiao Zile loved learning so much, so why did he lose interest as soon as he started teaching him…

Could it be that his teaching was too terrible?!

Ah, this is too discouraging!!

But Xiao Naiwang still patiently smiled and said, “Why doesn’t Baobao want to learn anymore?”

After all, understanding a child’s psychology is also very important!

“I… I want to learn something else…” Xiao Baobao twisted his little hands together.

“Learn something else?” Xiao Naiwang was surprised. “What does Baobao want to learn?”

“Want, want to learn… something that can help Dad…” Xiao Baobao looked up with his little face. “Dad is tired… Baobao doesn’t want Dad to be tired…”

Xiao Naiwang was taken aback, feeling as if his heart had been touched. The corners of his lips curled into a smile, and he suddenly didn’t feel tired at all.

“Baobao is good… Dad isn’t tired.” Xiao Naiwang hugged Baobao in his arms, gently ruffling his soft hair. When he felt the prominent bones on Baobao’s thin body, his heart ached: “Baobao is still young, you don’t need to help Dad…”

“I want to help Dad.” Xiao Baobao was very firm this time. Perhaps it was because Xiao Naiwang had been so good to him these past few days, making him forget the fear and dread of being scolded when he was “disobedient” before. Or perhaps he just wanted to help his dad too much, so he insisted on his little decision.

However, Xiao Naiwang was very happy to see such a change in Baobao. He didn’t want Baobao to develop a timid personality because of the shadows from the past.

“Okay, Baobao will help Dad.” Xiao Naiwang smiled and kissed Baobao’s cheek. “Then… let Dad think about what Baobao can help with.”

Xiao Baobao immediately looked nervous, his dark, bright eyes fixed intently on Xiao Naiwang.

“Then help Dad collect money.” Xiao Naiwang smiled and took a box from the stall, which was filled with clinking coins and small-denomination paper bills.

“Collect money!” Xiao Baobao’s eyes lit up, and his cheeks blossomed into two sweet little dimples with joy. But the next second, he suddenly froze—he… he didn’t know how to recognize money, and he didn’t know how to collect it!

Author’s note: Xiao Baobao (his little face wrinkled anxiously like a steamed bun): What should I do? Why… why is he so dumb?!