The next morning, Li Feng woke early.
He stretched lightly before reaching for his phone. The video he had uploaded yesterday — he had almost forgotten. He opened the app and checked.
Four views.
Only four.
For a moment his mood dipped. Then he set the phone down and pushed the thought aside. Everyone had to start somewhere. The first video rarely meant anything on its own. He already knew that.
He got up and headed to the kitchen.
His daughter loved his cooking. Today he intended to make the best meal he could for her — one of his favorites, a dish his grandfather used to prepare for him when he was young. Back then his grandfather would personally cook it, always insisting that good food in the morning made the whole day better. Remembering that, a faint smile appeared on Li Feng's face as he began preparing the ingredients.
After a while, it was ready.
Baozi.
A sweet set for Li Xian, filled with milk, egg yolks, sugar, and corn. A savory set stuffed with scrambled eggs, cabbage, scallions, and soy sauce. And warm soy milk to complete the meal.
He cleaned up and set the table, stepping back to look at everything laid out properly.
*I am the greatest chef in the world — in two worlds!* he laughed quietly to himself.
A sound came from behind him.
He turned. Zhao Lihua and Li Xian were standing in the doorway, both watching him. A wave of embarrassment moved through him immediately. How long had they been standing there? Had Zhao Lihua heard what he just said?
He quickly regained his composure.
"Hmm… Xian," he said, a smile curving on his lips, "since you love Daddy's cooking so much, Daddy made you plenty to eat today."
Li Xian's face lit up at once. The rich aroma of the baozi had clearly been what drew them both out — mother and daughter standing in the doorway, drawn in before they had even decided to move.
"Come on, sit," Li Feng said, stepping aside and gesturing toward the table.
They came forward and took their seats.
"These are for Li Xian," he said gently, pointing to the sweet baozi. "She can have as much as she likes. And these—" he pointed to the other plate, "—are for you."
Zhao Lihua stared at him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. *Is this some kind of trick? Would he really go this far?* People don't change easily, she thought. *But if this is a dream… I don't want it to end.*
Li Feng shifted slightly under her gaze. She still hadn't spoken, her eyes fixed on him with an expression he couldn't quite read.
Still nothing.
"I'll go get ready for work then," he muttered, picking up his plate and heading into the bedroom.
---
He set the plate down and checked his phone.
*Your account ending 5678 has received ¥12,000.00 from Chao Yiran.*
*Updated Balance: ¥13,000.00*
Li Feng stared at the screen.
*People say money doesn't equal happiness… fools. They don't have the slightest clue what they're talking about.*
His mood lifted immediately, leaping from a hundred to a thousand in an instant. Being promised money and actually receiving it were worlds apart. In his previous life this amount would have meant nothing. Here — in this body, in this world — it was the most he had held at once. And it felt monumental.
He put the phone down and finished the last of his baozi, washing it down with soy milk. Then he grabbed his clothes and headed for the bathroom.
When he came out he dressed quickly — blue shirt, black trousers — and set his phone against the wall. The second video took twenty minutes. Tighter than the first. More specific. He watched it back once, uploaded it, and closed the app.
He picked up his bag and walked out.
---
Zhao Lihua and Li Xian were still at the table. Li Xian was happily nibbling on one of the sweet baozi, cheeks puffed as she chewed. When she saw him come out she lifted the bun slightly toward him.
"Daddy, it's good!"
Li Feng's smile widened. "Of course it is."
He walked to the table and placed his empty plate in the sink. Zhao Lihua said nothing, eating slowly, her movements quiet and careful. But the atmosphere was already completely different from before. At least there was no shouting. No tension waiting to break. Just the sound of a little girl eating her breakfast.
Li Feng wiped his hands and slung his bag over his shoulder. "I'm heading to work."
Li Xian's small hand went up immediately. "Bye, Daddy!"
"Be good and listen to Mom," Li Feng replied.
The little girl nodded seriously.
He glanced at Zhao Lihua. For a brief moment their eyes met. She looked down quickly — but this time, before he could turn away, she spoke.
"…Be careful on the road."
Li Feng paused for just a moment.
Then he nodded once, and walked out.