Chapter 5: Why Is It You Again!

Nanhua City, Leisure Studio, Boss’s Office.

“…And this is the only flaw in the film: the second female lead is so striking that by the end, I could hardly remember what the main heroine actually did—my mind was full of the dazzling second lead. It’s as if she was intentionally stealing the show. If their roles were swapped, the film would be perfect…”

While listening to the video review, Han Jiayi tapped her desk lightly.

At that moment, her assistant pushed open the door. “Jiayi, you’re going back to Beichang City this Sunday, right? Let me know what time you’d like to leave so I can book your flight…”

“That damned critic!” Han Jiayi slammed her palm on the desk, then rubbed her smarting hand. “What does he know?! He’s not even in the entertainment industry—does he understand the unspoken rules? He just opens his mouth and says, ‘Swap the leads and it’s perfect!’ As if I’m the director! If he’s so capable, let him try!”

“…Jiayi?” The assistant stared at her in surprise. It was the first time she’d seen her boss so flustered. Han Jiayi was always gentle, wise, and elegant, but now she’d lost her composure…

Clearly, that reviewer had struck a nerve, the assistant mused.

As she muttered, Han Jiayi typed furiously on her computer. “If you’re so good, why don’t you do it yourself? All talk, as if he knows the industry inside out…”

But when she went to post her reply, she paused in confusion. “Huh? Why am I muted? Who is this uploader? Old Bai? Isn’t this the same troll who criticized my game the other day? It’s you again!”

In frustration, Han Jiayi stomped her foot, shouting hysterically, “Xiaobei! Xiaobei!”

“Here, Jiayi!” her assistant replied quickly, inwardly astonished—had she really not noticed her enter?

“Find out what’s wrong with this person! Is someone deliberately sending him to sabotage me?” Han Jiayi jabbed at the uploader’s profile on her screen, seething.

“Alright!” Xiaobei responded, then asked, “About your flight—morning or…?”

“Whatever!” Han Jiayi replied absently, sitting back down at her desk. “Lend me your D-Station account. I want to flame him!”

Beichang City, Willow Pavilion.

It was half past eleven in the morning.

“The higher the popularity, the more trolls there are…” Bai Renzong muttered as he deleted hateful comments under his videos. “There’s so many nitpickers and haters… I’ll have to hire someone to manage this. Otherwise, I’m doing the videos and moderating comments too—where’s the time for that…”

The owner of Willow Pavilion set a tray in front of him. “Your Hainanese chicken rice.”

“Ah, thanks, Xing.” Bai Renzong smiled, picking up his phone to pay.

Just then, the owner’s wife glanced at his phone screen, curiosity piqued. “Hey, Bai, are you looking to rent a place? Planning to move?”

“That’s the idea,” Bai Renzong replied. “But I haven’t found anything suitable… Shouldn’t you be helping Xing in the kitchen, Sister Xiaoxiao?”

The owner was Liu Huaxing, his wife Yang Xiaoxiao, and together they ran Willow Pavilion—a place full of warmth.

The owner’s wife was stunning. Nearly thirty and already a mother of two, she still looked like a girl in her early twenties.

The only downside was how often the couple showed affection, regardless of the occasion, leaving single folks a bit forlorn.

“Cooking is his department,” she laughed. “What kind of place are you looking for? Maybe I can help.”

“It needs to be nearby, preferably a duplex on the top floor,” Bai Renzong explained. “I’m working as a content creator now, and I need space and quiet for recording…”

“A content creator? What’s your channel? I’ll follow you!” she beamed, eyes sparkling. “No one I know is doing that!”

“Oh, come on.” The owner stepped up, playfully tugging her ear. “There’s a customer waiting to pay. Off you go, be good.”

Once his wife had been ushered away, the owner smiled. “I have a friend who owns a duplex in your complex—top floor, just what you want. He’s just married and moving out, so the place is up for rent. Want me to introduce you?”

“That would be amazing!” Bai Renzong said delightedly. “You’re really helping me out, Xing.”

“It’s nothing—just neighbors helping each other.” The owner’s gentle demeanor was the epitome of refinement.

Bai Renzong admired him, aspiring to become such a person himself.

“But just so you know,” the owner added, “no filming in our restaurant. If you go viral and we get overwhelmed, our regulars might not get a seat.”

“I know. I wouldn’t want to share this place anyway—otherwise I might miss out myself.” Bai Renzong grinned. “Oh, and Xing, I’ll take an order to go—half minced pork eggplant, half shredded pork in garlic sauce with rice.”

“Coming up,” the owner called before heading to the kitchen.

This restaurant, famed for both its taste and affordability, only stayed open until around three in the afternoon. So customers would often get takeout for dinner, to be reheated at home—still delicious.

After finishing his meal and paying, Bai Renzong made plans for his next video.

“Here you go.” The owner’s wife set the takeout box beside him, smiling. “And a bonus portion of pickled radish, homemade by my mother-in-law—it’s delicious. Plus some oranges; being at home all day, you need vitamin C.”

“Thank you, Sister Xiaoxiao,” Bai Renzong replied with a smile. She grinned, her nose crinkling, and patted his head. “Keep it up. Become a famous creator soon, so my husband and I can brag to our customers.”

“I will!” Bai Renzong nodded earnestly, waving to the couple as he left with his food.

Deep down, he yearned to run a little place like this with someone—sharing support with a partner, treating customers like family. It was a warm, comforting life. In that moment, Bai Renzong resolved: this restaurant was his hidden gem, and he would never feature it in his videos.

Still, despite this vow, he was at a loss for what to showcase in his next food video.

Given that his previous video had only received a B rating, Bai Renzong decided to use this third attempt to figure out the difference between his first and second videos—why one had so many more likes and shares.

Only by understanding this could he continue to gain traction after the app’s initial boost faded.

“Hmm…” After some thought, an idea came to him. “I’ll feature ‘Yijia Pavilion’ in the next video.”