58. The third video

During dinner that evening, Tang Yiyi mentioned that Ertong would be filming another video of Xiao Xie tonight.

Xu Bin said, “Let’s go watch again.”

Xiao Xie was still sitting in the same spot as before, but the cloth curtain that used to hang over the kitchen doorway had been shifted behind her, making the Qin Ji sign more prominent in the frame.

Uncle Chen emerged from the kitchen carrying an enormous bowl, startling Tang Yiyi. It was the same kind of oversized bowl she had encountered in Lijiang, the kind used for crossing-the-bridge noodles. Li Huan had once joked, “This isn’t a bowl at all—it’s a washbasin.”

When the heaping “washbasin” of noodles was placed before Xiao Xie, Qin Baike immediately called a halt. He turned to Ertong, “What are you trying to do? Stuff her to death?”

“It’s just a big bowl, same amount as last time—four bowls,” Ertong defended himself, then raised his voice to the kitchen, “Isn’t that right, Uncle Chen?”

Uncle Chen poked his head out and nodded with a smile.

“See? Would I dare to harm this little country girl? I know she’s under your protection.”

“Watch your mouth,” Qin Baike said with a frown.

Xiao Xie pleaded pitifully, “Boss, I barely ate at noon. I’m really hungry now.”

Qin Baike sighed, “Go ahead and film, but don’t force yourself if you can’t finish.”

“She can’t finish?” Ertong muttered. “You really don’t know her at all.”

Maybe it was because Xiao Xie was truly hungry, but she ate even more heartily than last time, devouring everything in a whirlwind. When she was done, she asked, “Can I have a bit more?”

Ertong shot Qin Baike a triumphant glance, shrugged, and shouted, “Uncle Chen, bring Xiao Xie another plate of braised pig’s feet, and pour extra sauce on top!”

Xiao Xie polished off the plate of pig’s feet with delight.

While she ate, Ertong kept urging, “Hold the pig’s feet with orchid fingers!” or “Lick your fingers!”

When the filming wrapped, Ertong declared, “Just wait, this video will do even better than the last. If it doesn’t make the top ten, I’ll eat that big bowl myself.”

Qin Baike looked at Xiao Xie, who was still licking her fingers. “Go weigh yourself. If you’re over one hundred and fifty pounds, you’re joining me for an hour of exercise every afternoon.”

Xiao Xie immediately looked aggrieved, but Ertong comforted her, “Don’t worry. You’re still a pig’s foot away from one fifty.”

After the filming, Xu Bin went to report today’s Xiaoxiao’s Mom incident. Tang Yiyi followed Ertong upstairs to watch him edit and add music. This time, he’d added some anime-style text and graphics, making the video livelier and funnier. Liu Xin came up too, sitting beside him and watching closely, asking what software Ertong used.

“You’re a delivery guy, and you want to learn this?” Ertong teased.

Liu Xin pressed his lips together and said nothing, but Ertong began instructing him seriously on how to use the software. In the end, he said, “What your videos lack is the flavor of everyday life. Why make a midnight noodle shop look all delicate and poetic? The style just doesn’t fit.”

Liu Xin nodded, responding with a soft “Mm.”

After he left, Tang Yiyi said to Ertong, “Why did you say that to him? I really like his work.”

“I know. He’s formally trained in art; he’ll surpass me sooner or later. If I don’t pick on him now, I won’t have the chance later.”

Tang Yiyi gave him a disdainful sideways glance.

“I’ll show you another video I just finished this afternoon,” Ertong said, clicking open a file on his laptop.

The first shot was total darkness, with nothing but a drumbeat for background music. As the urgent beat sounded like marching soldiers, words appeared one by one: What you are about to see is merely an introduction to a midnight noodle shop.

Second frame: Ready? Here it comes!

Then, suddenly, a candid shot appeared of Qin Baike from behind as he chopped pig’s feet on the platform, wearing his usual black sleeveless t-shirt. His deltoids, biceps, triceps—all his muscles—were sharply revealed on camera. With a slight turn of his head, just a hint of his gaze was visible.

It was obviously a candid shot, and the video then broke down this shot into its details.

The drumbeat persisted, urgent as before, as Qin Baike’s back, muscles, and profile flashed repeatedly on the screen.

A line of text appeared: This is the shop owner. Don’t doubt your eyes.

Next, another candid shot: the hand and forearm gripping the knife, every muscle clearly defined.

Another shot: his straight-backed silhouette as he simmered broth in the kitchen.

Another: his back as he tossed noodles, the perfect arc of the bamboo strainer and the flying drops of noodle water.

These candid shots flashed again and again, followed by another line: The noodle shop owner hard at work—get a good look while you can.

Then, a map of Yicheng appeared onscreen, with the shop’s location clearly marked. The caption: If you can’t find Magnolia Alley in Yicheng, are you really from Yicheng?

Then, darkness returned, and words appeared one by one: Now, watch the noodles he makes.

Bowls of noodles appeared, one after another, with captions. The tempo slowed, but the drumbeat remained, each beat landing like a heartbeat.

The closing frame was an apron bearing the Qin Ji logo, with the words: Eighty years of Qin Ji tradition—aren’t you tempted to try?

Tang Yiyi finished watching and stared in surprise at Ertong. “You really made this?”

Ertong grinned with satisfaction. “Looks like it worked. Even you’re amazed.”

“Only using drumbeats for music—how did you think of that?”

“How did you feel seeing Baige’s back?”

“Very handsome. Super handsome,” Tang Yiyi replied, starry-eyed.

“Besides him being handsome, the video is pretty cool, right?”

“Mm. You said Liu Xin’s videos lack the flavor of daily life, but yours does too. Still, it’s very cool.”

“In a sea of everyday, artsy midnight noodle shop videos, only something this striking stands out. The only question is whether Baige will approve.”

“It’s all just his back, so what’s the issue? It’s like he’s wearing a pixelated mask anyway.”

“Let’s show it to Baige and see. Don’t leave—you’ll be in charge of convincing him.”

Ertong went downstairs and soon returned with Qin Baike, making him sit on the sofa. “This is the third video, besides the ones of Xiao Xie. As I said, if you don’t approve, I won’t post it.” With that, he started the playback.

Ertong and Tang Yiyi watched Qin Baike nervously. He was focused as he watched, then sat up straight and fell silent for a moment. At last, he asked Ertong, “You’re quite pleased with this video, aren’t you?”

Ertong nodded. “Of course. I’m an artist. Of course, my work is different from others’.”

“You can post it, but on one condition.”

“What is it?”

“Liu Xin is leaving.”

“What?” Both of them looked at Qin Baike in surprise.

“He got hired by a news and new media outlet as an editor. He’ll be leaving in the next few days.”

“Oh, that’s great news.”

“When he’s gone, you’ll take his place.”

“Me?” Ertong wailed. “You want me to be the delivery guy? Me?”

“Weren’t you the one who volunteered to help out just the other day?”

Ertong opened his mouth, then slapped it lightly.

“You’re a night owl, just like me. Do the job for now; I can’t find anyone else on short notice. And here’s a bonus: you get to release this video and keep filming Xiao Xie.”

“Baige, I’m injured—you know I’m hurt.”

“In a couple of days, you’ll be fine. It’s settled. I’m going back downstairs.” With that, Qin Baike left, leaving a bewildered Ertong.

“Hey, country girl, am I missing something? I’m the one helping boost Qin Ji’s ranking, so why does it feel like I’m begging him for something?”

“Don’t ask me. I’m just as confused as you.”

Tang Yiyi headed downstairs to the clinic, but Qin Baike called her over. “We’re having hotpot tomorrow at noon to send Liu Xin off. You should come.”

“Sure,” Tang Yiyi agreed, then turned to see Liu Xin nearby. She flashed two thumbs up. “Liu Xin, you’re awesome!”

Liu Xin smiled shyly and lowered his head. Tang Yiyi patted his shoulder. “You need to be more confident, you know? Just now, after you left, Ertong told me you’ll surpass him one day. That’s why he’s giving you a hard time now—soon, he won’t have the chance.”

Liu Xin’s eyes lit up with delight. Tang Yiyi said, “Those were his exact words—I didn’t exaggerate a bit.” Liu Xin broke into a wide, toothy grin, beaming with joy.

Qin Baike watched Tang Yiyi encourage Liu Xin and couldn’t help but smile.

Both so young, so fearless, throwing themselves into their work each day. To him, Liu Xin had simply found a job he liked that could also support him. Of course congratulations were in order, but it was no big deal. Compared to his own slightly world-weary outlook, their passion was truly rare and precious.

He didn’t notice the hint of fondness in his own gaze as he watched them.