Call Me Daddy

“Here’s 3,800 yuan, which is the wage for an ordinary intern odd-job worker. After all, you’re my son. I won’t ask you for the cost of the ingredients you’ve used or the coaching fees for the classes I’ve given you. The remaining 12,000 yuan is your share from this month’s livestream income.”

The newspaper-wrapped items turned out to be cash freshly withdrawn from the bank, totaling over 15,000 yuan.

“You’ve earned over 60,000 yuan this month from livestream donations and video editor income.”

Now, the Su Family Snack Shop’s account had gained some popularity. Despite their decision not to accept promotions or engage in livestream product sales, their income remained substantial.

The elderly couple knew their son’s livestream account was doing well, and it was boosting business in the shop day by day. Recently, local television stations and newspapers had even come to interview them.

When they heard about this income, they couldn’t help but be surprised; it almost equaled half a month’s net income for the shop.

And they didn’t need to do anything extra for it. Just during the cooking process, they would casually record and say a few words, as if earning this money was effortless.

Over 60,000 yuan, giving their son 12,000 yuan, considering how he also attracted many fans to the livestream with his face.

The elderly couple were thrilled to hear about their son’s income. Seeing him share money with their grandson made them even happier. They never thought their son should share this income with them.

They had never thought to ask their son for money; instead, they only wanted to give him money to spend.

Su Tianyuan unfolded the newspaper and saw the stack of fresh bills inside. He had never expected to receive a salary.

The feeling of holding this money was completely different from asking for money from his grandparents.

How should it be said…

Money received from grandparents, he just wanted to spend it quickly and ask for more when it wasn’t enough.

But the money he earned himself suddenly felt so precious, you couldn’t bear to spend any of it.

“I won’t come to the shop to help tomorrow.” Su Tianyuan pocketed the money, and his words brought a hint of disappointment to the elders’ eyes.

Although this month had been busy, the elderly couple felt happy having their son and grandson with them every day. Now, their dream of living happily together seemed to be coming to an end.

“I’ll go to the organization tomorrow and get back part of the 30,000 yuan I paid before.”

What a turnaround!

The elderly couple stared at their grandson with widened eyes. What did this mean? Was he not planning to pursue a career at the reaming organization anymore?

Clearly, the upward curve of Su Tianyuan’s mouth told them everything.

He was going back home. He aspired to become a chef who could surpass his talented but not hardworking father!

“Good, good, good, good!”

Su Quangen repeated several ‘goods.’ It was his happiest day today.

Miao Yinhua’s emotions were not as outwardly expressive as her husband’s, but the reddened eyes indicated her current contentment.

***

“Mom, Dad, there’s something I want to discuss.” Su Aobai cleared his throat twice, giving his son a reassuring look of encouragement for his promising future, then turned to his parents.

“I’ve already registered both of you with Aunt Zhang. The day after tomorrow, you’ll join their tour to visit the Four Great Buddhist Mountains. This time, Aunt Zhang upgraded the tour to a luxury package, lasting 21 days. It costs 12,000 each, covering transportation, accommodation, and entrance fees. The money has already been paid, so there’s no way to cancel.”

Su Aobai announced abruptly.

“Oh, no, no. This trip is over 20 days long. What about the business in the shop? Aren’t you doing livestreams anymore?”

Miao Yinhua’s expression showed initial delight, but she quickly considered the practical issues.

Su Quangen glanced at his wife; he knew she actually wanted to go. Since her name had been registered, he felt they shouldn’t cancel. As for himself, he would stay behind to help in the shop. Even though they would lose over 10,000 yuan, he could still earn it back.

“The shop has me!” Su Aobai pointed at himself.

The other three simultaneously showed expressions of shock. Despite his exceptional palate and natural talent, he had never truly cooked a dish. Could he really replace Su Quangen as the head chef?

“Mom, Dad, you haven’t had a proper vacation in your whole lives. Consider it me showing filial piety. Look, I’ve already registered your names. This 20,000 yuan is the first money I earned from my livestreaming startup.”

Saying that, Su Aobai pulled out a stack of cash, which was the elders’ share of the livestream earnings. His own portion had already been handed over to the travel agency.

“I hope that when you’re on vacation, you can proudly tell everyone that your son paid for your trip and make me proud.”

This statement was the final straw for the elderly couple.

It wasn’t about making Su Aobai proud; it was clearly about giving them face. The neighbors knew well that they were supporting a worthless family, including a grandson who was just as dependent on his father. People pitied them, lamenting their lifelong efforts to raise an accomplished and dutiful child. Amidst this sympathy, there was undoubtedly a touch of condescending pride.

Yet, the elderly couple had never been able to argue back before. After all, their child truly wasn’t as capable and successful as others.

This time, they could proudly tell others that their son earned the money for the trip, and their child was no less than anyone else.

Su Quangen thought like a bachelor; he could let his son mess around for 20 days. He could simply put up a notice in the shop saying the head chef was away, with a replacement in the kitchen. If customers weren’t satisfied with the taste, they could get a refund. At most, they would lose the cost of ingredients for 20 days. When he returned, he would take over again.

Wasn’t their son’s filial piety worth more than a loss of over twenty days in the shop?

“Alright, let’s enjoy our son’s filial piety too.”

Su Quangen took his wife’s hand. “You’ve always wanted to visit the Four Great Buddhist Mountains, haven’t you? While our legs are still good, let’s go and visit. We can even arrange a ceremony to pray for our family’s happiness and safety in the future.”

Miao Yinhua looked at her husband, whose face was already wrinkled, then glanced at their son, who was encouraging them. Her eyes welled up with tears. She pursed her lips and nodded heavily.

She had to show off to her old sisters about her son’s filial piety!

Meanwhile, Su Tianyuan, who was originally the center of attention, looked at his father with resentment.

Every time he thought he understood his father’s ways enough, his father would surprise him. He could manipulate their grandparents’ emotions so effortlessly, reaching new levels of emotional manipulation.

Although Su Tianyuan no longer urgently needed money from his grandparents, he couldn’t lose their affection.

He wouldn’t give up easily!

***

The next day, a notice was posted in the shop announcing that the head chef would be traveling and returning in 21 days. The shop would operate as usual, with someone else filling in.

As for the neighbors’ reactions upon hearing that Su Aobai, the son who mooched off his parents, would be the replacement, it goes without saying. They knew Su Aobai helped in the kitchen, unaware that he only handled filming and occasionally added spices to Su Quangen’s cooking. They thought Su Aobai had been learning the trade for a while.

After learning for only a month, what kind of delicious dishes could he possibly make?

Many neighbors were thinking that in the next 20-plus days, it would be troublesome to either cook at home or order takeout. Otherwise, considering the current business of the shop, queuing every day just to eat the dishes made by Su Aobai seemed too unworthy.

Similarly, during the live broadcast, Su Aobai also announced this news because there were many foodies who came because of the live broadcast. He had to explain this change.

[Run Little Duck]: Ahhh, I just took a long vacation from the company and bought a round-trip ticket to Xijiang. I was planning to eat at the small food shop for 7 days in a row. Why did God treat me like this? I really don’t want to taste the dishes made by the streamer. Wuwuwu, please give my Grandpa back.

It’s very troublesome for some jobs to take leave, and various shifts are needed in the early stage. Therefore, once the holiday time was confirmed, it’s difficult to adjust it temporarily.

Similar comments were still relatively mild, mostly feeling that after the live broadcast of Su Family’s Snack Shop became popular, it expanded. Letting someone who has never cooked before be a chef is irresponsible to the customers.

However, when they saw the new rule posted again in the shop during the live broadcast that the food wasn’t good and could be refunded, such voices became quieter, but still existed.

The video clip of that day’s live broadcast was cut out separately, and both the edited rate and repost rate were very high.

The vast majority of comments indicated that they wouldn’t patronize the shop’s business in the next 20-plus days. After all, even if a refund is possible, many people feel embarrassed to apply for a refund after ordering and tasting.

***

Su Tianyuan looked at these comments anxiously, and a large red blister appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Today, he went to the organization to find Brother Zhang. Obviously, the time had been arranged the day before, but when he arrived, the receptionist said that Brother Zhang wasn’t there.

Su Tianyuan faintly felt that Brother Zhang was deliberately avoiding him, perhaps with the purpose of not wanting to return the 30,000 yuan he had given.

With two bad things happening together, Su Tianyuan naturally became angry.

However, even so, he didn’t forget one very important thing.

That was, on the night before his grandparents left for their trip, he gave them gifts bought with money he earned with his own hands.

For his grandfather, he prepared an extremely simple-to-operate Polaroid camera and countless sheets of film, enough for his grandparents to leave many beautiful memories during their trip.

For his grandmother, it was three large red silk scarves that middle-aged and elderly women loved, each with a different pattern, light and silky enough. His grandmother draped the scarf over her shoulders or held it in her hand. Standing in a slightly windy place, she could take perfect pictures that would dominate the square dance of the elderly ladies.

His grandfather thought that this gift was not quite satisfactory. He felt that holding a camera made him a tool without emotions. When his grandmother was in the mood, wouldn’t she think of taking pictures with him? I’m afraid that so many sheets of film wouldn’t even be enough for her alone to feel good about herself.

Su Tianyuan didn’t know that. After delivering the gifts, he secretly gave his father a proud look.

When it came to pleasing his grandparents, he never backed down by even half a step!

***

The next day, he sent the slightly worried elderly couple off on the tour bus, and then the father and son returned to the shop to prepare for lunch.

For several hours, Su Tianyuan felt somewhat anxious because the family had notified everyone through various channels that the head chef wasn’t available. Many people knew that his father, who had never properly cooked before, was replacing the original head chef.

Su Tianyuan suspected that there would probably be very few customers today. Even if there were any, they might leave disappointed.

After all, in the live broadcast the day before, and under the later forwarded videos, everyone had expressed unanimously that they wouldn’t visit the shop in the next 20-plus days.

By the time the morning lunch service was about to open, Su Tianyuan came out of the kitchen, ready to open the door, only to find that a crowd of customers was already lined up outside.

“I heard the lousy chef is here, so we came to check it out.”

The man in the front row, looking dazed, pushed his glasses up his nose.

The young boys and girls behind him also showed eager expressions, curious about what kind of devilish skills a streamer who claimed never to have cooked before, but often caused trouble when the head chef was cooking, really had.

Su Tianyuan: “!!!”

Are young people nowadays so curious? Aren’t they afraid of eating some dark cuisine?

Well, Su Tianyuan thought carefully, if he encountered such a situation, he might also be curious and want to try it out. After all, it wouldn’t cost much, and if it really tasted bad, he could always choose to get a refund, with no loss. On the contrary, it would be quite an interesting experience.

The waiters quickly seated the customers and began taking their orders.

Su Tianyuan returned to the kitchen with the same hesitance in his steps, rubbing his face to clear his mind a bit.

Ah, he worried when business was slow, and now that business was booming, he was equally worried.

Now, he could only pin his hopes on his father.