Chapter 40 Transfer 520: Let's test the teaching results.

Although Xing Lan felt a little strange, he was too embarrassed to ask Li Baidong about the specifics of that night.

He still remembered how hard Li Baidong cried that day, his eyes were red and tearful, and it took him a long time to finally calm him down. He never wanted to experience such an absurd and embarrassing situation again.

During the transition period while finding her next job, Xing Lan filmed several videos with Li Baidong. Although his cooking skills improved slowly, their relationship grew closer and more natural over time.

He had gotten used to Li Baidong suddenly approaching him from behind from time to time, resting his chin on his shoulder, wrapping his arms around his waist, and carefully and gently teaching him how to cut an apple into a heart shape.

Li Baidong is exceptionally talented in cooking. His dishes are not only delicious but also beautiful and exquisite, showing his own ingenuity. Each dish is a "pretty meal" that young people love, making them suitable for inclusion in high-end restaurants that emphasize ambiance.

Xing Lan discovered that Li Baidong was different from ordinary students. He seemed easygoing and approachable, but in reality, he was very opinionated and had a clear plan for his future.

He started posting videos online when he was a teenager and has now achieved some success, which is not an easy thing for someone his age.

Compared to empty shells, Xing Lan has always admired people who are clear-headed and talented.

Although Li Baidong is a few years younger than him, his strengths are strengths. His shining qualities will not be diminished by his youth, but will instead become even more dazzling and endearing.

As their videos became increasingly popular, many people online shipped him and Li Baidong as a couple, with some even posting their own creations in the comments section—some were text, some were pictures, and all were undeniably explicit. Xing Lan occasionally came across these posts, and each time she felt a surge of heat in her ears, too embarrassed to click and read them.

Over the weekend, Xing Lan received several transfers from Li Baidong, each amount being either "520" or "1314". The notification sounds for the payments kept ringing for a long time, and the total amount was quite considerable.

Li Baidong said that this money was all recently earned by the account and was a share of Xing Lan's appearance fee. Xing Lan was incredulous, repeatedly calculated the total amount several times, and confirmed it with Li Baidong several times.

He never expected that self-media could be so profitable.

Xing Lan's previous salary wasn't low by any standard, but Li Baidong actually earned several months' worth of his salary in a short period of time.

If the other party hadn't explained in time, he would have suspected that Li Baidong had transferred the dowry money meant for his family's wedding in advance.

When Li Baidong invited Xing Lan to film a video together, he proposed that all the income be split 70/30, with Xing Lan taking 70% and him taking 30%. However, Xing Lan felt that she was only appearing on camera and didn't deserve such a large share, so she offered to take only 30%.

...Is it really possible to have that much money with only 30%?

The money was transferred directly to Xing Lan's account by Li Baidong; it couldn't be refused or refunded. Xing Lan planned to call Li Baidong to ask if he had miscalculated the amount, and why he had transferred so much to him.

Li Baidong answered Xing Lan's call a few minutes later.

Recently, he has been leaving early every weekend, not knowing what he is doing outside, until he rushes back in the evening to shoot videos with Xing Lan, and then stays up all night editing until the early hours of the morning before going to sleep.

When they slept together that night, Xing Lan asked him a few questions, but he only vaguely said that something had happened at school, and then quickly fell asleep holding her. Xing Lan looked at his exhausted face and couldn't bear to wake him up to ask more questions.

When the call connected, Xing Lan heard a lot of noise and commotion on Li Baidong's end. It took a while for the noise to gradually subside, probably because he had finally found a quiet place to stay.

This environment doesn't look like a school. He couldn't help but frown and ask Li Baidong, "Where are you?"

Li Baidong insisted that he was at school and gave Xing Lan a detailed description, saying that he was walking past the newly built artificial lake at Ningbo University, and there were two black swans kissing passionately right in front of him.

Xing Lan: "Why is it so noisy at school?"

"Oh, there's a construction site here, they're probably building something new," Li Baidong said vaguely.

After a while, he switched from defense to offense, lowering his voice to ask Xing Lan, his tone filled with a sweet smile: "Brother, why did you suddenly call me? Did you miss me?"

Xing Lan then remembered that he still had something to ask, so she temporarily put aside her doubts and asked seriously, "Why is the amount of money you gave me so much? Did you miscalculate it?"

“I didn’t make a mistake,” Li Baidong replied. “Brother, although I studied humanities, I’m also very good at math. It’s impossible for me to make a mistake.”

"Are you sure you didn't miscalculate?" Xing Lan pursed her lips and said, "This is way too much."

Through the phone, he heard Li Baidong chuckle very softly on the other end.

“This little bit of money is nothing,” Li Baidong said casually but firmly. “Brother, I’ve said it before, I will work hard to earn money, and I can support you.”

Xing Lan had no idea what Li Baidong was so fixated on. When Xing Lan first lost his job, Li Baidong had said he would support him, but Xing Lan had just taken it as a joke and was trying to comfort him. But even after all this time, why was Li Baidong still so stubbornly clinging to this idea?

Xing Lan is a few years older than him. Even if she doesn't have a job for the time being, she has her own savings and deposits. She can not only make a living, but also live quite well. How could she possibly need a twenty-year-old child to support her?

Xing Lan paused, wanting to advise Li Baidong not to overthink things and to just focus on his studies. He shouldn't be worrying about raising this or that all the time; this isn't a farm.

But Li Baidong seemed to be stopped by someone, and after saying only a few words, he hurriedly said goodbye and hung up the phone.

Hearing the busy tone from her phone, Xing Lan felt a mix of emotions for some reason.

In their previous interactions, Li Baidong was always the one waiting to be hung up on, and the last message left in their chat was usually sent by Li Baidong.

This was the first time Li Baidong had hung up on him on his own initiative, which was quite strange.

He couldn't help but wonder if Li Baidong had encountered some unsolvable problem at home, and that he hadn't told him in order not to bother him or to make him worry.

Li Baidong may appear carefree, but he is actually very thoughtful and always takes good care of Xing Lan.

When she first moved in, she took the initiative to do all the chores. Ever since she learned about his insomnia, she has insisted on warming milk for him every night and telling him fairy tales to lull him to sleep. Even though Xing Lan has a cold personality, she has been melted quite a bit by his warm flame over time.

Although Xing Lan didn't say it, he always remembered all the good things Li Baidong had done for him. If Li Baidong really encountered any trouble, Xing Lan really hoped he could help him.

Whether they are roommates, friends, or lovers who unexpectedly developed into each other.

-

It was a cold and windy night. When Li Baidong came back from outside, his eyelashes looked like they were about to freeze into icicles.

In the past, Xing Lan would always stay in his study at this time, only knowing that Li Baidong had returned when he heard the little prince barking. But today, he wasn't in his study; he was waiting for Li Baidong to come home early at the door with the dog.

As soon as Li Baidong opened the door, he was greeted not by the usual dark living room with the lights off, but by Xing Lan, dressed in soft pajamas, bathed in bright light.

He paused for a moment, then exclaimed with great surprise, "Brother?"

Xing Lan looked up and saw that Li Baidong's shoulders were dirty, as if covered with a layer of dust. She frowned and went over to brush it off for him: "Did you go to school or to dig coal? How did you get so dirty?"

Li Baidong laughed as he took off his coat. Before he could even close the door, he eagerly hugged Xing Lan, nuzzling his head against his neck. "Oh, on the way back, we passed a shop that was under renovation. I might have accidentally gotten some on me."

Xing Lan wondered what kind of luck Li Baidong had, as every place he passed through was either under construction or being renovated.

He raised his hand and patted Li Baidong expressionlessly: "Go wash your face."

Li Baidong nodded, slowly released him, and then held up the plastic bag in his hand mysteriously, saying, "Brother, guess what good stuff I brought you?"

Before Xing Lan could answer, Li Baidong eagerly answered his own question: "I bought you oden! There were so many people in line today, I waited for ages to get the last serving."

Xing Lan looked at him: "Did you buy it from Grandpa downstairs?"

How did you know?

“Grandpa has been selling here for several years. He comes every winter and closes up shop when the weather warms up the following year.” Xing Lan stared down at the things in his hands. “His oden is really delicious, but he’s too famous and too many people buy it.”

Li Baidong used a bamboo skewer to pick up a crab meat ball and fed it to Xing Lan, saying with a smile, "Really? If you like it, I'll buy it for you every day."

Xing Lan looked into his bright eyes, her heart stirred slightly, but her tone remained indifferent: "Alright, close the door and come in to eat."

Li Baidong then noticed the enticing aroma of food filling the room.

His eyes widened involuntarily: "Brother, are you cooking today?"

“Yes,” Xing Lan said casually, “I have nothing to do at home, and after learning from you for so long, I want to try it myself.”

He glanced at Li Baidong: "How about we sit down and test the teaching results?"

Li Baidong quickly went to the bathroom to wash his hands and face, then sat down next to Xing Lan at the dining table.

When Li Baidong first moved in, the two of them would sit facing each other at dinner every night, treating each other with utmost respect and courtesy. But at some point, he started sitting next to Xing Lan, making it easier for him to serve her food.

After Li Baidong's hands-on instruction, Xing Lan's cooking was indeed not so bad anymore.

At least he learned to control the amount of salt he used, instead of sprinkling a handful as he used to. Now that all the dishes are less salty, you can taste the original freshness of the ingredients.

Xing Lan was just trying his hand at something on a whim, but he didn't expect Li Baidong to give his beloved disciple so much face. That day, he ate more than three bowls of rice with just two simple stir-fried dishes that had no flavor, which almost shocked Xing Lan.

Although Li Baidong has a large appetite, he usually eats about two bowls of rice. Today, however, he ate quite a lot. He finished all the food but still wasn't full, so he went back to his bedroom and started munching on potato chips.

Xing Lan really wanted to ask him why he ate so much today, but according to his upbringing, directly asking someone about their appetite was very impolite. He hesitated, and could only look at Li Baidong with a hesitant expression.

Noticing his gaze, Li Baidong held out the potato chips in his hand to him, blinking his eyes as he asked, "Brother, do you want some?"

Xing Lan was stunned, then waved her hand at him: "You eat."

Li Baidong thought for a moment and said, "Brother, let's not record a video tonight, okay? I'm a little tired, let's go to bed early."

Xing Lan looked at Li Baidong and felt that although he ate a lot, he seemed to have lost a little weight recently, and his hair had grown quite long, and he hadn't had time to go to the barbershop to get it trimmed yet.

He couldn't help but raise his hand and gently tuck the boy's overly long hair behind his ear, nodding and saying, "Okay."