Chapter 41: Earning Money with Dignity

After filling out the information form and completing the procedures, the afternoon slipped away. When Bai Renzong and Han Jiayi returned home, Wang Bei had already prepared the contract templates. The three of them each reviewed the contract and signed it. In truth, the contract was simply a standard labor agreement, only specifying the percentage of video profits to be shared.

"The studio is officially founded—we have to celebrate tonight!" Han Jiayi said with delight, her eyes sparkling. "What do you want to eat?"

"Let’s wait until 'Paradise Bird' arrives," Bai Renzong replied, unable to hide his excitement.

Han Jiayi gave him a sidelong glance, her smile teasing. Bai Renzong frowned. "What?"

"You’re always so calm, no matter your mood, but right now you’re as happy as a child," Han Jiayi quipped.

Wang Bei, standing nearby, whispered, "Jiayi, you’re just the same..."

"I am not!" Han Jiayi protested, pinching Wang Bei’s cheek. "Keep stirring things up and I’ll teach you a lesson!"

Not long after, their doorbell rang.

"Here they are!" Bai Renzong called out, hurrying to open the door.

But as the door swung open, he fell silent: there were two people outside.

The woman was the same mature lady who appeared in 'Paradise Bird’s' edited videos—slender, with a haggard face marked by life’s hardships, yet still smiling. In front of her sat a man in a wheelchair, just over thirty, thin and a bit unkempt, bearing a look of despondency. This must be 'Paradise Bird' himself.

In that moment, Bai Renzong understood why the other had insisted on working online.

"Hello..." Bai Renzong paused, then quickly extended his hand. "I’m Bai Renzong, Old Bai from D-Platform."

"He Guang," the man replied, shaking Bai Renzong’s hand. "As you can see, it’s not convenient for me to go out to work."

"I see..." Bai Renzong mused, then stepped aside. "Please, come in! We were just about to celebrate the founding of the studio."

"I won’t stay for the celebration," He Guang replied flatly. "I’ll sign the contract and head back."

"Well..." Bai Renzong was momentarily at a loss. "Anyway, come in first!"

"Welcome!" Han Jiayi and Wang Bei greeted them, but paused when they saw He Guang.

Bai Renzong quickly smoothed things over. "This is 'Paradise Bird,' real name He Guang."

"Hello!" Han Jiayi straightened and bowed. "I’m Han Jiayi. This is Xiao Bei, my assistant, responsible for some studio chores."

"Nice to meet you." He Guang’s wife smiled, her voice pleasing—deep, slightly hoarse, yet gentle. "I’m Li Mohan, and this is my husband He Guang. It’s lovely to meet you all. Such energetic young people!"

While He Guang read through the contract, Li Mohan turned to Bai Renzong and spoke quietly, "Could we talk privately?"

Bai Renzong nodded, and they stepped aside.

"Sorry about my husband," Li Mohan said with a wry smile. "His behavior may seem odd, but he’s just proud. Ever since he was diagnosed with ALS at twenty-seven, it’s only been a few years and he can no longer stand. Many companies would hire him—having a disabled employee reduces their taxes—but he refuses them all."

"Because he doesn’t want to be seen as disabled?" Bai Renzong ventured.

"Exactly. He doesn’t want anyone’s charity," Li Mohan sighed. "So now he only does online work from home, earning money by his own ability. He wants to save as much as he can for our family before he loses the ability to move."

"That’s admirable," Bai Renzong said, smiling and nodding. "Even if he’s sitting, he’s earning his living standing tall. Isn’t that impressive? Don’t worry, I’ll make sure he earns his money standing proud!"

Li Mohan’s smile brightened. "He’ll be glad to hear that."

But He Guang clearly didn’t wish to linger. After signing the contract, he left quietly, without another word.

"He’s gone," Han Jiayi said, a little disappointed. "So aloof..."

"Yeah..." Wang Bei nodded, a bit aggrieved. Bai Renzong replied, "Don’t worry, time will take care of everything..."

Han Jiayi quickly regained her spirits, clapping her hands with a smile. "Alright, let’s have our celebration! When we’re famous and his mood improves, he’ll want to celebrate too."

"Yes," Bai Renzong agreed with a smile. "It’s time to celebrate."

Han Jiayi cooked up a feast, and the three poured themselves a glass of red wine.

"Cheers!" Han Jiayi laughed merrily. "Let’s work hard together from now on!"

"Yes," Bai Renzong sighed with relief. With Wang Bei and He Guang helping him, his burden suddenly felt much lighter, and now he could focus on video content.

"What are your plans, Old Bai?" Wang Bei asked, turning to him.

"A fan messaged me, recommending their family restaurant—not under the Fantasy Group. I plan to check it out," Bai Renzong said, sipping his wine. "It’ll be my first official restaurant review video."

"When are you going? Should I come along?" Han Jiayi pointed to herself, testing.

"Of course," Bai Renzong replied. "If you can participate in a video, I’ll make sure you’re involved."

"Mm-hmm!" Han Jiayi nodded happily. "Let’s work hard together!"

"So what should I do?" Wang Bei asked, pointing at herself.

"Help me check private messages—delete the trolls and insults, and verify any useful information," Bai Renzong thought aloud. "Also, clean up the video comments—delete any nasty remarks, and mute those who go too far."

At this, Han Jiayi raised her eyebrows, pinched Bai Renzong’s arm, and complained, "You even muted my D-Platform account!"

"I’ll fix that later..." Bai Renzong grumbled, rubbing the spot where he’d been pinched.

Striking while the iron was hot, and with the previous video still trending, the next day Bai Renzong brought Han Jiayi and Wang Bei to the door of a restaurant called 'Wang’s Pancake Rolls.'

It was a tiny, inconspicuous eatery, barely twenty square meters, with only two tables—but it was quite clean. The cabinet beside the counter was filled with fresh ingredients, yet business was slow. With the street outside blocked for subway construction, finding the place was no easy feat.

"This is it?" Wang Bei whispered, "It feels... so shabby."

"What do you know?" Bai Renzong snapped. "The best places are always hidden."

At that moment, a young man in his early twenties, dark-skinned and smiling, greeted them—it had to be 'Wang Xiaohei,' the fan.

"Old Bai!" The young man stepped forward to shake Bai Renzong’s hand. "Finally meeting you in person!"

"Hello," Bai Renzong replied, shaking his hand and glancing at the middle-aged couple inside—they must be Wang Xiaohei’s parents.

The owner’s expression made it clear he was proud of his pancake rolls.

"Let’s cut to the chase and start tasting," Bai Renzong said, scanning the menu. "I’ll have the full deluxe pancake roll set."

"I want the tenderloin," Han Jiayi said. "I’ll take the beef roll," Wang Bei added.

The owner and his wife worked briskly together in the kitchen, their teamwork seamless. It reminded Bai Renzong of the owners of Willow Lane.

He imagined that when the Willow Lane couple reached their forties or fifties, they’d be just like this.

With that thought, Bai Renzong’s impression of the restaurant improved greatly.

"Alright, time for the tongue of the gods to shine," Bai Renzong mused, bracing himself for the task ahead.