Lan Yu stood by the roadside, head lowered, staring at the shadow his wooden cane cast upon the ground. His lips were pressed together in stubborn defiance. Though he was still being obstinate, after the initial surge of emotion passed, his mind had finally calmed down a little and the delayed fear crept in.
He hadn’t really thought those words through before saying them. Lan Yu wasn’t even sure whether a ghost could understand him at all but they were still the words he most wanted to say at this moment.
Besides, what exactly had he said wrong? He really was annoyed by being suddenly urged to go home by some unexpected ghost.
When they called him, they sounded so reluctant. If they were worried about him, then why didn’t they say they wanted to come and see him instead of telling him to go home?
If he went back, not only would he have to face demands to take responsibility for raising his younger siblings but he might also have to face the truly powerful, wealthy and influential big shots that Yi Lingxi had offended. He didn’t even know what might happen to him then. Was he really not allowed to be afraid?
He had finally managed to live a relatively comfortable life. Why should he willingly go and challenge hell mode?
He wasn’t wrong!
Yet Lan Yu stood by the roadside for a long time. Groups of pedestrians passed by him one after another but he never received another response from that unknown ghost.
Standing there, Lan Yu felt his shoulders slump for no apparent reason.
He hadn’t said anything wrong.
So why did it feel like he had somehow done something wrong?
He glanced at the time. There should still be enough time to catch the bus, so he started walking toward the bus stop.
Under the shadow of the roadside trees, Lan Yu suddenly, as if possessed, looked around. There was nothing there.
After that, he stubbornly turned his head back and continued on.
“Hello, excuse me, is the interview here?”
When a woman wearing a casual suit jacket and glasses appeared at the entrance of the restaurant, Lan Yu looked over with curiosity.
Seeing a waiter lead the interviewee to find Duan Gaozhi, Lan Yu blinked, puzzled.
“Why is there suddenly an interview?” Lan Yu murmured unconsciously.
“I don’t know. Lin Zixi also said that during the morning shift, she heard that several unfamiliar people came in. No idea what they’re here for..” Yang Gang, who was also on the evening shift, replied.
Lan Yu was completely confused, unable to figure out what the management was up to.
About an hour later, Lan Yu was suddenly told that Duan Gaozhi was looking for him.
Having never been summoned alone like this before, Lan Yu felt uneasy. Even his walking posture became stiff.
He saw the interviewee again.
“When you see him in person, what do you think?” Duan Gaozhi asked.
Lan Yu stood there awkwardly, not understanding the situation at all.
When the interviewee saw Lan Yu, her eyes lit up and she smiled. “In this era, good looks are dividends.”
Lan Yu was utterly baffled.
Although he had no idea what was going on, as the news spread from one person to another, Lan Yu finally understood what Duan Gaozhi was planning to do.
It was said that Duan Gaozhi had specially invited public relations professionals for consultation, then hired a new employee specifically responsible for online operations, intending to seize the current wave of traffic and develop more possibilities.
They were a fairly standard banquet style restaurant but unlike large hotels with highly standardized and uniform management systems, they were the only one of their kind locally. That meant there was much more room for development. They could even create new banquet formats targeted at young people full of ideas.
The restaurant also planned to run an official public account and video channels, filming content to attract traffic. Since Lan Yu was the most striking looking among all the waiters, he could also serve as the “face” of the place.
As for this interview, it was actually a poaching move. The person they hired was an expert who had successfully built several popular accounts at other companies.
Lan Yu was stunned.
So this kind of operation was actually possible?
“Traffic comes fast and goes fast too,” Duan Gaozhi said to Lan Yu at his side. “So instead of hiring rookies to slowly figure things out from scratch, we decided to poach someone capable. The boss put in quite a bit of effort to get in touch with her. You should be able to get your cast removed soon, right? After that, cooperate with Wang Xiaoran’s requirements and shoot some videos or something. Who knows how long this trend will last.”
Lan Yu lowered his head in a daze. The anxiety that had been hanging over him suddenly dissipated. “I thought the big boss didn’t like me.”
“Hm? Why would you think that?” Duan Gaozhi asked, confused.
“When the big boss came to see me last time, the way he looked at me felt like he disliked me a bit,” Lan Yu muttered.
“Hahahaha.” Duan Gaozhi suddenly burst out laughing. Under Lan Yu’s bewildered gaze, he explained, “No, you’re overthinking it. He just looks fierce by default; that’s how he looks at everyone. When he first saw you, he actually took a few extra glances. Later he even told me that it was a waste to put a handsome guy in the back; you should be out front.”
Hearing something he had never known before, Lan Yu’s cheeks flushed slightly. He wasn’t sure whether it was embarrassment or shame.
“That’s great. I really thought I was about to be fired,” Lan Yu said, finally relaxing.
“You’re overthinking it. Business has just been a bit slow these past few days but it’s not like there’s no revenue. We’re just earning less, not nothing and he doesn’t only run this restaurant. He also owns a supermarket, a hotel, other places are making money too,” Duan Gaozhi said.
So impressive.
It was the first time Lan Yu learned this. No wonder the big boss rarely appeared at the restaurant. Was it because he had so many other matters to handle, so he left everything here to Duan Gaozhi?
Seeing how visibly relieved Lan Yu looked, Duan Gaozhi couldn’t help but smile. “We’ll draft a contract later for you to sign. Wang Xiaoran said your face is good and can be used but since the restaurant will be using your image, we need it in writing. That way, if you leave in the future, there won’t be any disputes.”
“Leave…” Lan Yu echoed blankly. He had never even thought about that.
“Didn’t you say you wanted to retake the college entrance exam? And you can’t be a waiter forever, right? Of course, if you want to stay, that’s fine too. If you stay long enough and do well, maybe you’ll even get some shares,” Duan Gaozhi said.
College. Shares.
Lan Yu had only a vague understanding of these concepts but just hearing them made him feel that Duan Gaozhi truly cared about him. His expression noticeably brightened.
But…
“Um, Brother Duan,” Lan Yu said hesitantly.
“What is it?” Duan Gaozhi heard the uncertainty in his tone and lowered his head to ask.
“Do you mean… you want me to be an internet celebrity?” Lan Yu guessed. He thought of the influence caused by that photo nicknamed Bai Yi.
Up until now, although everyone knew it was him, no one had deliberately spread his photos widely online. That Bai Yi photo barely showed his face. If things went as Duan Gaozhi said, wouldn’t that mean he’d be heading toward becoming an internet celebrity?
“Yes, why? You don’t want to?” Duan Gaozhi was genuinely surprised. He hadn’t considered the possibility that Lan Yu might refuse. “I thought young people all dreamed of becoming internet celebrities.”
“No, Brother Duan. I can’t do that!” Lan Yu said softly.
“Why not?”
“Internet celebrities are people who stand in the public eye, right? Even though they’re different from stars, they’re still similar in some ways. People who are admired and chased after by the public should be outstanding, shouldn’t they?” Lan Yu said.
Duan Gaozhi raised an eyebrow, not expecting Lan Yu to have such a filtered view of internet celebrities. He tried to reassure him. “Being an internet celebrity just gives ordinary people a chance to go viral. It’s not that you have to be outstanding. Having your own unique traits is enough.”
Lan Yu lowered his eyes. Under Duan Gaozhi’s puzzled gaze, he looked up again. “I once followed the account of a cancer patient. He was very optimistic and positive, had strong willpower and while fighting cancer himself, he encouraged everyone who had the same illness. Many people were inspired by him. Even if an ordinary person becomes an internet celebrity, they’re still in a position to encourage viewers. I can’t do that.”
“It doesn’t have to be that serious.. ” Duan Gaozhi said. He wanted to change Lan Yu’s overly idealized perception of internet celebrities but just as he was about to say something, he suddenly got stuck.
Although he wanted Lan Yu to understand that internet celebrities weren’t some sacred group, he inexplicably felt a sense of guilt, like he was about to shatter a child’s beautiful illusion about the world. Sooner or later, Lan Yu would learn the truth through various sources of information anyway. It didn’t have to be him who broke it.
At this age, at this moment, that innocence was precious.
Duan Gaozhi’s expression grew complicated.
In this era, encountering such a pure child made him feel at a loss.
“Brother Duan, um…” Lan Yu was also dejected. He couldn’t fulfill Duan Gaozhi’s expectations but he still had to say it. “There’s another very important thing. I actually ran away from home. Before I came to this city, I was especially… messed up.”
✦ ✧ ✦
Cresvynia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
No propaganda here. Only coffee.
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
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ChaptersChapter 1 · Who wants to go back to be a minor plot device?Chapter 2 · StartChapter 3 · I’m terrified of ghostsChapter 4 · Do ghosts exist in this world?Chapter 5 · ShadowChapter 6 · There’s something wrong with how this book is dressedChapter 7 · The ghost drew a heart for himChapter 8 · Make troubleChapter 9 · Don’t scare me!Chapter 10 · I’d rather be scared to death than go backChapter 11 · Want to eat together?Chapter 12 · A cleaning ghostChapter 13 · Regret it now?Chapter 14 · ParentsChapter 15 · Find FaultChapter 16 · Ghostly photos?Chapter 17 · Nickname: White ShadowChapter 18 · A haunted taxi?Chapter 19 · Extreme fear turns to angerChapter 20 · I used to be a messChapter 21 · Best friendChapter 22 · Turning pointChapter 23 · The threat of ghostsChapter 24 · It’s not a ghost, it’s eerinessChapter 25 Part 1 · First time entering the eerie houseChapter 25 Part 2 · First time entering the eerie houseChapter 26 · Borrow moneyChapter 27 · He’s jealousChapter 28 · RetributionChapter 29 · Revenge from a Strange SourceChapter 30 Part 1 · How could you be so carelessChapter 30 Part 2 · How could you be so carelessChapter 31 Part 1 · What would happen if I ran away from home again?Chapter 31 Part 2 · What would happen if I ran away from home again?Chapter 32 Part 1 · Firmly uphold the right to privacyChapter 32 Part 2 · Firmly uphold the right to privacyChapter 33 Part 1 · The brother who brought down death to protect his belovedChapter 33 Part 2 · The brother who brought down death to protect his belovedChapter 34 Part 1 · Being secretly massaged by a shadowy figure in publicChapter 34 Part 2 · Being secretly massaged by a shadowy figure in publicChapter 35 Part 1 · Go to my dear older brother and sister’s bedroomChapter 35 Part 2 · Go to my dear older brother and sister’s bedroomChapter 36 Part 1 · Being favored by everyone in the eerie houseChapter 36 Part 2 · Being favored by everyone in the eerie houseChapter 37 · We must protect our precious childChapter 38 · It’s too tragic, I can’t bear to watch anymoreChapter 39 · Because of the unique companionshipChapter 40 · The first meeting with the admirer of the protagonistChapter 41 · It’s eerie, but they’re all real family members!Chapter 42 · Using the eerie house to get a cheat codeChapter 43 · The baby’s crying after getting drunk is so cute!Chapter 44 · A traitorChapter 45 · All family members can help the baby.Chapter 46 · When the family is happy, they will hug their waistChapter 47 · Ear piercings were adornedChapter 48 · Treasure are the most precious itemsChapter 49 · Revenge is not an easy thing to doChapter 50 · Because I couldn’t see his faceChapter 51 · One of his brothers is a continuous mountain rangeChapter 52 · How could we possibly run into characters from the original storyChapter 53 · The gems my brother gave me piled up into a small mountainChapter 54 · One can feel an overwhelming sense of superiority.Chapter 55 · Sleeping with a shadowy figure means you won’t be afraid of ghosts at allChapter 56 · The fireworks display to celebrate my baby was absolutely devastating!Chapter 57 · It wasn’t this restaurant that treated us; it was another oneChapter 58 · His super-rich older sister paid for his treat!Chapter 59 · He’s different from beforeChapter 60 · It’s all so weird, isn’t it normal for people to want to disappear?Chapter 61 · Wen JieChapter 62 · Has the identity of this strange child been discovered?Chapter 63 · Those who make their child angry are unforgivableChapter 64 · Being too inquisitive about other people’s private affairs will bring you troubleChapter 65 · A person not to be covetedChapter 66 · Can you bridge the racial divide by staying close to your family?Chapter 67 · What to do if my child doesn’t want to celebrate their birthday?Chapter 68 · The baby is also a second-generation, a bizarre second-generation!Chapter 69 · We are clearly each other’s only friendsChapter 70 · The House of Eeries really did throw a ridiculously huge birthday partyChapter 71 · Why would he feel competitive towards his friend?Chapter 72 · Try to appease the jealous shadow.Chapter 73 · If you’re going to take revenge, you should do it in front of him!Chapter 74 · Now that things have come to thisChapter 75 · My baby’s travel is strange and worryingChapter 76 · One of the older brothers who crawled into the suitcase and followedChapter 77 · He resolutely refused to leave his abandoned brotherChapter 78 · I don’t want my baby to see my terrifying true formChapter 79 · I love hugging you like this.Chapter 80 · It’s a good thing to know you.Chapter 81 · Does my brother also want to go out and have some fun?Chapter 82 · His Older brother?Chapter 83 · Xiao Ming!Chapter 84 · I’m doing great as long as the original text doesn’t go crazyChapter 85 · What’s there to be afraid of when everything’s shrouded in eeriness?Chapter 86 · Let’s have a fight for the sake of the original ownerChapter 87 · How did they know he wasn’t the original owner?Chapter 88 Part 1 · Was the shadowy figure injured?Chapter 88 Part 2 · Was the shadowy figure injured?Chapter 88 Part 3 · Was the shadowy figure injured?Chapter 89 Part 1 · To inflict countless severe emotional blows on someoneChapter 89 Part 2 · To inflict countless severe emotional blows on someoneChapter 91 Part 1 · He was like a human in a supernatural taleChapter 91 Part 2 · He was like a human in a supernatural taleChapter 92 · Someone is secretly using underhanded tacticsChapter 93 · The right people I once followedChapter 94 · Let go of your prejudices against the protagonist.Okay! How come on one complain that we can’t right click the link and open a it in a new webapge??Chapter 95 · Favoritism from his current friendsChapter 96 · The baby is going to marry into our familyChapter 97 · The idea of falling in loveChapter 98 · Want to replace your baby?Chapter 99 · What’s wrong with double happiness?!Chapter 100 · It’s just a matter of raceChapter 101 · I need to balance dating and studying!Chapter 102 · After the shadowy figure gained a physical bodyChapter 103 · Confess your love to the eerie house!Chapter 104 · Even with such pampering, your baby still lacks a sense of security.Chapter 105 · How much help did he receive that he didn’t know about?Chapter 106 · You are not worthy to be the middlemanChapter 107 · Is there anything wrong with me being petty?Chapter 108 · You can have both love and studies!Chapter 109 · Suppressed and restrained desiresChapter 110 · What does an unforgettable yet ordinary date need?