The Top Star Fell for Me at First Sight After I Transmigrated as a Dog-Like Streamer - Chapter 45

Chapter 45: The Threat

One was a promise of future financial luck; the other was a project about to bring in money.

Bai Xun closed his eyes, opting for a “fake nap.” Resting is resting—letting the eyes shut while the brain keeps spinning counts.

In a brief fifteen minutes, he ran through every potential issue. The moment the alarm chirped, he ripped off his eye mask, opened the group chat, and lightning-fast @-tagged Fu Yu. The speed left Matt, who was nearby processing paperwork, completely dumbfounded.

Matt checked his watch. Exactly fifteen minutes. Not a second off.

“You don’t have to push yourself this hard, Xiaobai…” Matt had been observing him. While Bai Xun had been “napping,” his body had remained tense, clearly never entering a true rest state. Now Matt understood why the Boss had sent a follow-up message after leaving, telling him to keep a close eye on the kid.

“I’m really fine. You do your thing, don’t worry about me.”

Bai Xun put on his headphones and joined the meeting. Without the interference of a bugging device, his efficiency was noticeably higher than it had been in the morning.

As expected, professional matters required professional people. He had only provided a spark in the morning, yet in less than half a day, TaoMai’s internal team had already drafted a rudimentary plan. Surprisingly, some of the issues he had anticipated weren’t even brought up—they already had baseline countermeasures integrated into the proposal.

He was secretly amazed by their efficiency, yet a bit confused. The problems are mostly solved, so what’s the point of this meeting?

“I’ve seen the initial draft. It fits my expectations perfectly, and the countermeasures are comprehensive. So, are we meeting just to confirm this? Is there anything else I can help with?”

“Yes. This plan can be implemented as a pilot in two weeks at the earliest. We want to discuss the scheduling for your next ‘Career Experience’ episode.” Lily, the business liaison, pulled up a new budget sheet and shared her screen.

Bai Xun immediately saw a line of bold, glowing text: Facility Renovation, Supply Donation.

Seeing his look of surprise, Lily explained: “TaoMai has many partner merchants. This morning, our business team reached out to relevant vendors regarding your ideas. They are very willing to provide materials and labor for the orphanage’s renovation plan. Of course, whether to include their brand names is up to you. Regardless of whether you show them, TaoMai will promote them on our main featured pages—consider it a gesture from us.”

“As for the supply donation, that is our sincerity. Aside from the winter clothing expenses, we feel that for the winter, the basic hardware facilities need an upgrade. We’ve applied for a budget to replace and renovate all the appliances in the orphanage in your name, so the children and teachers can have a warmer winter.”

Bai Xun didn’t quite catch the rest of Lily’s words; he felt a bit dazed.

He had envisioned an ideal plan for the future—using his influence and earnings to give back to the people and places that had helped the original owner—but he hadn’t expected it to happen so soon.

Though the budget column was blurred, a rough calculation of the major items suggested the interior and exterior renovations would cost at least six figures. They were showing immense sincerity: full creative freedom for the video and even giving him all the credit. A “Guardian Angel” client like this was truly a rare find…

“Sorry, let me interrupt for a second.”

“Yes? Teacher Xiaobai, go ahead.” Lily paused her presentation.

“This is a request from me. If possible, I want the TaoMai logo added to the donated items. I accept your sincerity, but I don’t want to monopolize this kindness. Truly productive enterprises deserve to be seen.”

The call fell into a silence that lasted over a minute. It wasn’t so much silence as it was everyone muting their mics to engage in a heated discussion. Bai Xun waited patiently.

Just as he was flipping through the project proposal, Fu Yu—who usually kept a neutral tone—spoke first. Joy nearly overflowed through the speakers: “We really aren’t forcing any on-screen presence; just a mention at the start of the video would have sufficed. Are you truly sure you want to add the logo to the appliances?”

“I’m serious. The only issue might be the extra workload, but I have no objections. Plus, letting the kids feel the goodwill of a public corporation isn’t a bad thing.”

“Don’t worry about the workload at all. We’ll arrange it immediately.” Fu Yu left the meeting temporarily, leaving Lily and others to supplement the details.

“One last thing: we’ll need your help, Teacher Xiaobai, to tally the sizes and information on the current orphanage facilities. If it’s convenient, we can start a group chat with the orphanage staff. You should be resting, so let us handle the tedious project management.”

“No problem. I’ll reach out now.”

Bai Xun didn’t try to be a hero this time. Having solved several major issues at once, he felt physically and mentally refreshed. After exiting the meeting, he called Director Shi. When he explained the plan, the Director’s voice sounded choked with emotion.

“Xiaobai… the teachers have always known you were a good child… You… after that happened, you still think of the home of the children… I am truly grateful for your kindness…”

After “that” happened?

Bai Xun assumed the Director was referring to the sordid mess the original owner went through when he was tricked into signing the bad contract. Hearing the tremor in the old man’s voice, he offered a few words of comfort before setting up the group chat. Once everything was handed off, he exhaled a long breath and looked over at Matt, who was also working diligently.

“Matt, it’s about that time. Don’t you think we should have some afternoon tea?”

“The subordinate concurs. This official believes we should have some milk tea to moisten the throat, along with some lightly sweetened cakes.”

“Proposal granted. This Emperor wants Green Milk Tea, 30% sugar, extra ice.”

“Your Majesty, would ‘less ice’ be acceptable?”

“Granted.”

…

After smoothly handling the TaoMai and orphanage affairs, three peaceful days passed. During this time, Yu Congyue was busy with work but managed to bring various nourishing soups whenever he had a spare moment, resulting in Bai Xun becoming visibly rounder.

Finally, Bai Xun—who was practically growing mold from lying in bed—received permission to “travel via wheelchair for short periods.” The moment he left the room, he felt even the smell of hospital disinfectant outside was better than the air inside.

Just as he was being pushed to the back garden to enjoy the long-awaited sunlight, his phone received a loathsome text.

[Unknown: Have you thought about that matter?]

Life had been going too smoothly; he had almost forgotten this thorn. He ran the plan through his head and turned to Matt.

“Matt, do you have any bugging devices? Small ones.”

“I can get them. What’s up?”

Bai Xun showed him the text. Once he was sure Matt had seen it, he used Matt’s phone to send a voice note to Yu Congyue.

“Brother, your Grand-uncle has reached out. I plan to meet him in the first-floor cafe of the hospital. I know you’re on your way; you could actually arrive a little late to catch us ‘red-handed.’ It’ll be more believable that way. Don’t worry, I’ll ensure my safety. I’ll update you when we meet.”

Matt took his phone back. As he was about to call someone to deliver the gear, Bai Xun considered the feasibility and added an idea.

“I want four. One recording pen, three small bugs.”

“Four?” Matt doubted his ears. “Why so many?”

“He might find one or two, but he won’t expect a third. And if all else fails, there’s the fourth as a backup. When dealing with an old fox like him, you need multiple layers of preparation.”

Bai Xun then replied to the text.

[It’s not convenient for me to move right now. In forty minutes, I’ll find a way to send my assistant away. Let’s talk in the cafe downstairs.]

Matt didn’t waste time. In less than half an hour, everything was ready. He tucked bugs into the edge of Bai Xun’s cast and the inside of the wheelchair wheels, then handed a small, two-finger-wide recording pen to Bai Xun.

News came from the contacts in the cafe: Yu Shengguang had arrived with people and was currently screening the area for listening devices.

“See? I told you he’d be guarded.” Bai Xun put on an earring bug that looked identical to his original stud and looked at Matt, who was preparing to head down.

“Stay safe. Our people are at the front and back doors. If anything happens, safety first. Don’t be a hero.” Matt was actually a bit nervous, but he followed the plan. He went downstairs and feigned sending a message to Yu Congyue saying “Xiaobai wants afternoon tea from near the company,” before heading into the parking garage.

Only after receiving Matt’s signal did Bai Xun swipe his card to go down. He navigated his wheelchair in a wide circle through the cafe before spotting Yu Shengguang in a corner. Several familiar-looking bodyguards in uniform with Bluetooth earpieces were sitting nearby.

Yu Shengguang still wore that “kind” expression. As Bai Xun approached, he ordered a bodyguard to help lock the wheelchair in place. Then, a bodyguard pulled out a metal detector.

Bai Xun timely displayed an anxious expression. Even when the recording pen in his pocket was discovered, Yu Shengguang didn’t look surprised. After “politely” confiscating his phone and the pen, the bodyguards semi-forcibly lifted Bai Xun from the wheelchair onto the sofa opposite the old man.

Seeing them push the wheelchair away, Bai Xun breathed a secret sigh of relief, though his face remained genuinely uneasy. He stared straight at Yu Shengguang, playing the role of a hotheaded youth—not much for brains but possessing a bit of wariness—perfectly.

“What would you like to drink? The selection here is decent.” Yu Shengguang didn’t press him about the recording pen. He glanced at the menu and made a decision for him. “How about some flower tea? It’s good for your health.”

“We don’t have much time. Let’s get to business.” Bai Xun crossed his arms, glancing warily at the men guarding his wheelchair nearby.

“Being guarded is a good thing. I don’t blame you. But since this is a partnership, I need to see your sincerity.”

Yu Shengguang put down the menu, the smile not reaching his eyes.

“I need Yu Congyue’s reporting drafts for this quarter and the adjustment records for the quarterly tariff documents.”

“And if I refuse? I recall saying that meeting you today was only to discuss what you can give me.” Bai Xun took a defiant stance, while thinking to himself that Yu Shengguang was truly delusional.

“If you refuse, I have the power to ensure you never walk out of this cafe.”