Chapter 21: The Divine Tongue

This shop had it coming, so now Bai Renzong’s anger had dissipated. Still, he intended to make a video about this incident, teaching everyone how to distinguish genuine A5 wagyu beef, so that others wouldn’t fall victim to such deceitful profiteering. Since the evidence was solid, making a video on this topic wouldn’t be slander.

The material was already at hand—he could simply use the photos from yesterday—so the production wouldn’t be difficult. However, as he opened the D-site, he discovered that yesterday’s review of “Future World” had also been met with widespread acclaim.

Although the review hadn’t rattled any of the film crew, and thus hadn’t garnered the five hundred thousand hits that sort of controversy might attract, the review itself had received an S-level rating. Coupled with the daily mission bonus and the fact that this task was a challenge in itself, these three factors together had boosted the video’s popularity by around three hundred thousand views, bringing the total close to half a million.

Though the view count was only five hundred thousand, the number of likes and coins given had already reached fifty thousand—a truly impressive ratio. This showed that most viewers thought highly of his commentary. This video also helped Bai Renzong discover the secret to making a great video: empathy.

He realized he needed to convey his own genuine reactions from watching a film, expressing through the video just how speechless or bewildered he had felt, so that the audience could feel it too. That was the mark of an excellent video.

That’s why both the first episode, “Desecration,” and this latest review of “Future World” had received so much praise.

Upon careful reflection, Bai Renzong realized this was the same principle as comedy—it was all about letting the audience see that “the creator has been duped,” which brings them a sense of “delighted schadenfreude.”

The difference, however, was that “Desecration” was actually a pretty good game. While Bai Renzong pointed out its flaws, he also praised its graphics, storyline, and gameplay. As a result, after his review, the game’s sales soared.

“Future World,” on the other hand, was truly terrible—aside from the cast, it had no redeeming features.

“I see now…” Bai Renzong rested his chin on his hand, musing, and suddenly felt a surge of joy. This feeling of gradually exploring and improving excited him.

During the days after quitting his job, he’d barely slept at night, constantly feeling he was wasting his life. But now, he deeply sensed that he was doing something meaningful. This sense of fulfillment brought him great peace, and at last, he could sleep soundly.

The thought spurred him on, and without delay, he decided to strike while the iron was hot and produce the video about the “Ge’an Sushi” incident. He worked straight through from morning to noon, only then finding time to head over to Willow Pavilion to deal with his lunch.

“Brother Xing, Sister Xiao,” Bai Renzong greeted the owner and his wife as he entered, then sat down at the counter. “I’ll have today’s set meal, and also a braised pork set to go.”

“Coming right up,” the owner replied, heading to the back, while his wife came forward.

“How are things going with that girl you’ve been seeing?” she asked with lively interest. “You two are living together now, right?”

“How did you know, Sister Xiao?” Bai Renzong raised an eyebrow.

“I know both her and her brother. How could I not know?” the owner’s wife replied with a sly smile. “I introduced both of them to you, remember?”

“That’s true…” Bai Renzong gave a wry smile. “It’s all right, I suppose. We pretty much keep to ourselves.”

“Are you still bothered by those things she said last time?” the wife asked, eager to explain. “She just wanted to see if you had the determination, that’s all. She didn’t mean to put you down. She’s a good kid, really…”

“I know,” Bai Renzong replied with a grin. “She’s actually a good person, just a bit headstrong.”

He could understand now the things Han Jiayi had said to him in the restaurant before. After all, he’d publicly criticized her in two videos, and both times she’d taken it to heart—it was only natural for her to be upset.

“That’s all it is,” the wife said with a smile. “Just keep at it, and you’ll win her over in the end.”

“I’m not so sure…” Bai Renzong leaned on his hand, sounding lazy. “In any case, I’ll just let things take their course.”

“How can you just let things take their course when it comes to love? If you like her, you have to pursue her!” the owner’s wife scolded playfully. “Back in the day, my husband liked another girl, but didn’t I end up winning him over? Look how loving we are now…”

“That’s enough,” the owner interjected, reprimanding her. “Do you have to bring that up every time?”

The wife pouted in protest, but the owner just pecked her on the lips. “Go on, help me serve the food.”

“Okay!” she replied with a cheerful grin, instantly forgetting her complaint.

Here it was—the one thing about this place that annoyed Bai Renzong: the sudden onslaught of public displays of affection. He rolled his eyes.

“Today’s set meal is spicy fish,” the owner said, placing a dish before him, followed by the wife setting down the side dishes and rice. “The sides are two meatballs, some marinated cucumber, and pickled radish.”

Then she placed a pear and a bowl of mung bean soup in front of him. “The fish is a bit spicy—have something to cool down.”

“Thank you, Sister Xiao…” Bai Renzong said with a helpless laugh. This place was both endearing and exasperating.

He tried a meatball first, raising his eyebrows in surprise. “Brother Xing, did you add milk to the meatballs today? I can taste a hint of milk.”

“And what makes you say that?” the owner asked, a bit surprised. “You actually noticed?”

“Yes,” Bai Renzong replied, curious. “Why?”

The owner explained after a moment’s pause, “Well, usually when making meatballs, if the meat mixture is too watery, it’s hard to shape them. Normally, I’d add some steamed bun crumbs to absorb the moisture, but today we ran out, so I used a little bit of bread crumbs instead. It was only a tiny amount, though. You could really taste the milk?”

Bai Renzong was momentarily stunned, then realized: this was the power of the Divine Tongue!

He’d been wondering if he’d truly acquired the Divine Tongue. Now it seemed certain—he really had!

The Connoisseur App had not lied.

“This kid’s sense of taste is incredible!” the owner’s wife exclaimed, trying a meatball herself. “I can’t taste a thing…”

“Not bad,” the owner said with a smile. “Next week there’s a wine-tasting exhibition in our city, at the 503 Cultural Center. Several renowned wineries from France and Italy are hosting it. Would you like to try your hand?”

“That does sound interesting,” Bai Renzong replied after some thought. “It’ll be good to broaden my horizons.”

He took a bite of the spicy fish and immediately frowned. “Wow, that’s hot…”

“Here, have some mung bean soup!” the owner’s wife quickly offered.

At that moment, the door chimed as someone entered.

“Brother Xing, can you help me figure out how to deal with that critic…” The voice cut off abruptly.

Bai Renzong turned to look—Han Jiayi was glaring at him with open hostility.

“Welcome!” the owner’s wife said cheerfully, patting the seat next to Bai Renzong. “Perfect timing, come join us!”

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