The Top Star Fell for Me at First Sight After I Transmigrated as a Dog-Like Streamer - Chapter 42

Chapter 42: Self-Destructing Truck

Bai Xun had been worrying about his half-month hiatus and the slow progress of the TaoMai project. The message from the orphanage director solved his urgent problem.

He opened his notes app and clicked on the file he’d made while volunteering—mostly a list of things the orphanage lacked. Since the original owner could barely support himself back then, these items had been marked “Pending” for a long time.

But since he was here now, there was no reason to keep them pending. He calculated his currently disposable balance and replied.

[Xiaobai: Of course, Director. I’m planning to prepare winter clothes for the kids and add some living supplies for the teachers. Please help by tallying the children’s clothing sizes so I can arrange everything.]

[Director Shi: It’s no trouble at all. The economy has been tough lately. The kids will be so happy to know you’re bringing real help. Thank you so much, Xiaobai. Truly.]

[Xiaobai: (Hug emoji) It’s what I should do. I’ll go arrange it now.]

He sat up straight and quickly typed out the requirements into the group chat with TaoMai, briefly describing his idea for the fourth episode of “Career Experience.”

TaoMai’s business representative responded quickly. They expressed concern for his health but also stated they would apply for the maximum possible sponsorship budget for this video.

[Xiaobai: Actually, it’s not just about the sponsorship. I want to talk more deeply about the rural aid projects. I remember you did something similar in the Northwest region early this year—setting up clothing production lines in small-scale farming areas. My question is: this is clearly a great thing, so why wasn’t it promoted?]

[TaoMai – Fu Yu: That matter is actually a bit complicated. When would be a convenient time to hop on a call and discuss the situation?]

[Xiaobai: I’m actually quite free right now. I just can’t speak very easily. If you don’t mind me just typing, we can do it now.]

[TaoMai – Fu Yu: No problem. Ten minutes?]

“Xiaobai, I have good news for you.” While Bai Xun was looking for his headphones, Matt leaned against the doorframe, happily shaking his phone. “Until your leg recovers, I am officially your special assistant. Your life is now fully covered by me.”

“Is this a lateral move or a demotion?” Bai Xun thought of Matt’s original role as Head Secretary and worried for his future.

“This isn’t a lateral move; it’s an ascension.” Matt sat by the bed, poured a glass of warm water, and gazed at him with an “affection” so intense it made Bai Xun uncomfortable.

“What ascension?”

“It means I keep my original position, I don’t have to clock in at the office, and I get an extra salary supplement for being your assistant. Plus, I can go on field assignments without a leave slip, with full commuting and meal allowances. Bai, Brother Bai, thank you. Even if it’s only for a few months, it’s enough. From today on, you are my best boss.”

“I remember your salary, plus the assistant bonus…” Bai Xun stared blankly at the ceiling doing mental math and sucked in a breath. “Then your monthly income is almost…” He held up ten fingers, looking at Matt in disbelief.

Seeing Matt nodding with a smile, already dreaming of a house-buying plan, Bai Xun flopped back onto the bed like all the strength had been drained from him.

He was going to lose it with these rich people.

“Since that’s the case, you have to help me first.” Bai Xun rubbed his temples. Remembering he had to work hard to earn money, he forced himself to sit up. “Find me a pair of headphones first.”

“Headphones?” Matt pulled a new pair of wired earbuds from his pocket.

“Why do you have everything in those pockets?” Bai Xun eyed him suspiciously. “Are you Doraemon?”

“Who’s Mon?” Matt didn’t get it, but he pulled out a small knife to start peeling an apple.

…

After testing the headphones, Bai Xun joined the meeting link. He expected a simple chat, but found eleven people in the meeting—ranging from business lines to technical and supply chain staff.

“Alright, everyone’s here. Let’s move through this quickly.” Fu Yu sat upright and highlighted why the project hadn’t been promoted.

Bai Xun initially thought it would be a technical hurdle. TaoMai was backed by a powerful parent company; if even they couldn’t promote it, it would have been difficult. To his surprise, the problem was unexpectedly simple. He typed his thoughts into the public chat.

[Bai Xun: Based on what I’ve heard, in my humble opinion, our promotional direction has drifted too far off course.]

The discussing crowd went silent.

“Oh? How so?” Dake, the South Region head who was auditing, prompted him to continue.

[Bai Xun: Public welfare rural aid—specifically cotton grown and processed into clothing at the source. The core of this should be ‘Aid.’ Looking at the plans, the focus is too heavily on the product itself.]

“But consumers won’t choose us if they don’t understand the product,” the Deputy Marketing Director countered. He didn’t have much faith in a fresh-grad non-pro streamer and was somewhat arrogant. “Mr. Bai might not understand the market; focusing too much on charity is hard to quantify.”

Bai Xun understood the subtext: nobody wanted to risk their KPI on “meaningless” promotion, especially with failed precedents.

[Bai Xun: I understand the concerns. But ‘selling misery’ happens because the focus is on how hard the farmers have it, rather than what the charity does. Where does the consumer’s money go? What does it improve? Without positive feedback, how can you drive consumption?]

[Bai Xun: Besides, solid data solves most problems. Like a student who does their homework properly doesn’t fear a pop quiz.]

“The first point is a great line of thinking. The second needs more deliberation—too many departments and trade secrets involved,” Dake noted.

Bai Xun fell silent. As he watched Matt peel the apple, his eyes landed on a QR code on the fruit’s sticker. His cluttered thoughts suddenly clicked.

How could I forget Blockchain?

[Bai Xun: Just show them what they need to know. Lightweight blockchain is widely used now. Put a QR code on the tag. Show audit reports, origin info, and raw material batch numbers. I believe you are more professional than me at the specifics.]

[Bai Xun: Just interface with a high-credibility third-party inspector and the charity lead. Give consumers the basic right to know. I can’t help much with the tech, but once it’s ready, I’ll push the promotion with everything I’ve got.]

The meeting room erupted into a discussion on feasibility. Bai Xun, feeling his head spin, typed a closing message.

[Bai Xun: You guys discuss. I’m a bit dizzy. Let’s talk in the group chat later?]

…

Almost the second he hung up, Bai Xun smelled a familiar scent through the heavy hospital disinfectant. He looked up to see Yu Congyue entering with a grim face, followed by Yu Congji, who was talking incessantly.

“Eh? Brother Yu, you’re—”

Before he could finish, Yu Congyue walked straight to the guest bed, leaned over, ripped out the hidden listening device, and tossed it to Yu Congji. He sat by Bai Xun’s bed, his eyes full of worry and an unreadable intensity.

Does Brother Yu know I planned to contact the Grand-uncle privately?

He guiltily looked away, then realized he hadn’t even sent a message yet. Where was the leak? His confidence returned. “Brother, should we eat something for lunch…?”

Yu Congyue frowned and raised a hand to cut him off.

In their usual interactions, Yu Congyue never interrupted him. Today, he did it twice.

Anxiety flared in Bai Xun’s chest. He peeked at Yu Congji, who threw up his hands in a “can’t help you” gesture. Bai Xun’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He decided to confess for a lighter sentence.

“I admit, my plan to actively contact your Grand-uncle was a bit of a risk…”

“He didn’t do anything to you, did he?”

They both spoke at once. Upon hearing each other, their expressions changed instantly.

Bai Xun shut his mouth and glared at the equally shocked Yu Congji. He covered his face with his hands, trying to escape reality.

In the darkness of his palms, Yu Congyue’s voice, vibrating with clear anger, rang in his ears:

“You were planning to contact him privately?”