Call Me Daddy

“Grandpa, Grandma, this time I came back to discuss something with you.”

He set down his chopsticks and addressed the two elderly people with a solemn expression.

The couple was influenced by his attitude and also stopped eating.

“Do you know about internet live streaming? Oh, you probably don’t, but you can ask my Dad. He must know. Nowadays, some live streaming and short video platforms are really hot. Many internet celebrities don’t need to do much; they just shoot a few clips and earn a lot of money based on views. Some of these internet celebrities aren’t even as good-looking as me.”

Su Tianyuan spoke excitedly.

“I used to donate, uh, I used to follow a local internet celebrity from our area. I even met her recently. The moment she saw me, she thought I had the potential to be a blogger and even connected me with the boss of their organization. These past few days, I haven’t been home; I’ve been doing tests at their organization. They said they could package me as an internet celebrity, and in the future, earning millions annually wouldn’t be a problem.”

Su Tianyuan waved his hands and feet as he spoke. He was already attracted by the prospects described by the organization’s boss.

He used to watch internet celebrity live streams frequently, so he knew about the high profits in the industry. At first, though, he never thought of associating this profession with himself. But after being guided by the organization boss, he suddenly felt that if those who were less handsome and more ordinary could earn so much money, why couldn’t he?

These past few days, Su Tianyuan had been at the organization base, watching signed internet celebrities live stream from various small rooms with different backgrounds. Many only streamed for 2 hours and earned tens of thousands of yuan. Even those performing slightly worse still made hundreds or thousands.

Su Tianyuan naturally didn’t consider himself part of the less capable group. Right now, he was brimming with confidence and wanted to sign with that organization.

But…

Developing an internet celebrity requires a significant upfront investment, such as gifting, increasing exposure, all of which cost money. The organization believed in his potential and was willing to contribute a portion, but the rest he had to fund himself. If he lacked confidence in himself, he could choose not to invest. In that case, initial exposure would be minimal, and it would take him a long time to make a breakthrough. Moreover, policies were constantly changing; nobody knew if the livestreaming industry would still exist by the time he made it.

The organization boss advised him to invest some money, gain fame quickly, and then monetize rapidly, aiming to make some money in these next couple of years.

“Grandpa, you know, my current profession doesn’t make money. I could work myself to death and only make as much as someone else’s livestreaming once or twice. Grandma, don’t you want to see me succeed? When I earn money in the future, I’ll buy you a mansion, we won’t live in this urban village anymore, and I’ll hire two maids for you; one to clean and one to cook, so Grandpa won’t have to stir anymore…”

Su Tianyuan was painting a bright future.

“Ahem ahem.” Su Aobai fake-coughed twice.

“Dad, don’t worry, I’ll take care of you in the future. Since you love playing games, I’ll buy you equipment and skins.” Su Tianyuan casually appeased his father, then blinked his puppy eyes at his grandparents.

In Su Tianyuan’s mind, his father was even more useless than himself, relying solely on his father’s status to bicker with him. Therefore, he never even considered asking his father’s opinion.

“… How much money are we talking about here?”

Miao Yinhua hesitated for a moment. She didn’t understand what her grandson meant by ‘live streaming’ and ‘internet celebrity,’ but decades of experience told her there’s no such thing as a free lunch. If one could really earn so much money, why would others help you? There must be something in it for them.

“Not much, just 200,000.”

Su Tianyuan gestured with his fingers. Compared to the enormous profits to follow, this price wasn’t high.

But the elderly couple was clearly frightened by that number.

Although their rental income plus earnings from the small eatery amounted to tens of thousands each month, it didn’t mean they were clueless about money.

If it were 2 or 3,000, they could manage, but 200,000? And would there be additional demands for money later?

“So much?”

Miao Yinhua hesitated, “Your grandfather and I have our money in fixed deposits. We’ve just received this month’s rent and put it away, and there’s also some cash on hand, a few tens of thousands, which we need to keep for other expenses.”

Of course, this was a lie to deceive her grandson. Most of their money was indeed in fixed deposits, but Miao Yinhua had also saved 500,000 in a flexible account for emergencies.

“A few tens of thousands won’t be enough, Grandma. This is about your grandson’s future!”

Su Tianyuan grew anxious. “If it really won’t work, we can cash in the fixed deposits. When I become famous and earn money, the interest will be much more than what we lose.”

He knew his grandparents loved him the most. If he persisted and argued about his future, they would agree sooner or later.

Moreover, 200,000 wasn’t a large sum. He was aware of the household income. This amount was equivalent to just 1 or 2 months’ earnings at home. Wasn’t it worth exchanging 1 or 2 months’ income for his bright future?

***

“I disagree!”

Su Aobai had already finished his meal. He set down his bowl heavily on the table, cutting off his son’s pleading.

“Dad, why are you making trouble!”

Su Tianyuan felt helpless. What did Dad have to do with my grandparents’ affairs?

“If you’re going to waste all my money, shouldn’t I have a say?” Su Aobai said firmly.

From what he could recall, Su Tianyuan had indeed been scammed this time. He had taken over a million from the elderly, but it had all gone down the drain.

Later, when the guy asked for more money for promotion, Su Tianyuan realized he might have been duped. Unfortunately, those scammers were experienced; they had him sign various contracts beforehand. Even when he decided to report them to the police, he couldn’t get the money back.

This instance of being deceived didn’t make Su Tianyuan mature quickly; it was just the beginning, marking the start of a life where he would continuously be cheated.

“This is Grandpa and Grandma’s money. What’s it to do with you?”

Su Tianyuan was at a loss whether to laugh or cry.

“How does it not concern me? Eventually, your grandparents’ money will be mine. If you use it up ahead of time, what will I have in the future?”

The two elderly were still present. Su Aobai could say such things without feeling guilty, but both grandparents were accustomed to their son’s mannerisms. They nodded along as they listened to his words.

Indeed, wasn’t our money meant to eventually be passed down to our child and grandchild? Working hard now to earn money was also to leave more inheritance for them to use in the future.

“Well, I’m still your son. Eventually, your money will be mine too.” Su Tianyuan retorted stubbornly.

“Yes, you’re my son, that’s true. But you’ve got bad luck. You didn’t end up with a father who’s willing to let you freeload off him.” Su Aobai became even more self-assured as he said it.

“Just look at how fortunate I am. I was born as your grandparents’ son, they pamper and spoil me, and they’ve saved up so much wealth for me. Even if I don’t work my whole life, I’ll never have to worry about food or drink. But you, your father is useless, and you’re still relying on your grandparents. After 100 years, I really don’t know how much I’ll leave behind for you. So, you need to start getting used to it now and start working hard for yourself.” Su Aobai added a few more remarks.

“You’re still in your senior year at university. This year, your tuition and living expenses are still covered. But once you graduate, you’ll have to earn your own money. Actually, your father is pretty good too. According to the law, I won’t have to support you anymore once you turn 18.”

Su Tianyuan was infuriated. He really wanted to ask this shameless man in front of him if he had raised him. Wasn’t it clear that I was raised by my grandparents?

Because Su Aobai spoke quickly, the two elderly people, who were a bit slow to react, didn’t fully understand.

But they caught one of their son’s statements clearly.

That statement was that their son said he was lucky to be born under their roof, with a rich inheritance that ensured he never had to worry about food and clothing. Their son also said they spoiled and loved him, showing that he understood everything they had done for him.

Moved to tears, Miao Yinhua and Su Quangen saw their eldest son had a conscience.

As for what was said later about letting their grandson support himself and the possibility of not leaving him an inheritance in the future, sorry, the two elderly people were too busy being moved by the earlier words to pay attention at all.

“Who said everything from Grandpa and Grandma belongs to you? They love me very much too.”

Su Tianyuan felt that in his grandparents’ hearts, he was more important than his father. Perhaps it was because when he was still a child, the original owner was already an adult, not needing the grandparents to take care of him like they did for their grandson.

So in Su Tianyuan’s mind, his grandparents spent more time worrying about him. He must be more important than his father in their hearts.

“Heh.” Su Aobai chuckled.

“Your grandparents love you because you are my son. You came after me. If the grandson is gone, I can still have more grandchildren, but if the son is gone, can your grandparents at this age still have another one?” Su Aobai ruthlessly shattered his position.

Actually, even if more grandchildren could still be born, the one born wouldn’t be the painstakingly raised like Su Tianyuan. How could they be the same?

He just used a sophistry, to temporarily confuse Su Tianyuan’s logic.

“Legally, everything from your grandparents belongs to me. I’m not that old now. Whether you believe it or not, I can find a stepmother for you at any time and have a few more brothers and sisters for you. By then, you’ll get even less.”

That was a blatant threat. Su Tianyuan became anxious.

“Grandpa, Grandma, did you hear what Dad just said?!”

He was just a spoiled brat. Although he had never been close to his father growing up, hearing him say such things still made him feel sad.

But evidently, the elderly couple had again misunderstood the focus of his concern.

“Tianyuan, your father hasn’t had an easy time these years. We’re still here to accompany him now, but what about after we’re gone? What about after you settle down and start your own family? He’ll be all alone then. It’ll be tough for him. Be a good child. If your father wants to find someone else, don’t blame him.”

Miao Yinhua thought her son was considering remarriage.

In fact, she had been thinking about it herself for 4 or 5 years after the original owner’s wife passed away. After all, one must look forward in life. Miao Yinhua didn’t want her son to be alone, but back then, he had refused, and she didn’t push him to find someone else.

Now, her son was only in his forties. Finding another wife might even bring them a granddaughter.

Miao Yinhua was afraid her grandson might hinder her son’s happiness, so she hurriedly tried to persuade him.

Su Tianyuan sighed heavily.

His father spent most of his days reading novels and playing games. Out of 24 hours, he spent 20 lying in bed, leaving only four hours to come downstairs to eat, bathe, and use the restroom.

He asked Grandpa and Grandma whenever he ran out of money, freely spending on in-game purchases and tipping authors for novels. Was this kind of life supposed to be considered difficult?

Let him live “not easy” for his whole life!

However, Grandma’s attitude also made Su Tianyuan frighteningly realize that in her heart, his father really seemed more important than him.

Now Su Tianyuan was confused. Did this mean I really have to stand on my own two feet after graduation?

“Child, grow up a bit. In this family, only one person can rely on others financially, and that’s your father.” Su Aobai stood up, patting the lost little lamb on the shoulder, delivering to him the final, devastating blow.