Call Me Daddy

“With just this stir-fried dish, over a hundred people have liked it. This old lady sure has a lot of friends. She must be the leader of a square dance group.”

The elderly lady remarked knowingly. But what does the .4 at the end mean? Do children’s likes count as 0.1 each?

“Mom, ‘K’ stands for thousand. This isn’t 123.4 people; it’s 123,400.” Su Aobai chuckled, amused by his mom’s unexpected humor.

Upon hearing his explanation, the elderly couple gasped in surprise.

“How many? Over a million people—over a million people have nothing better to do than watch this old lady cook?”

The elderly couple were deeply envious. The elderly lady felt she looked younger and more charming than the old lady in the video, while the old man believed his culinary skills surpassed hers.

“In fact, it’s even more than that. With over a million likes, it means even more people have seen her video. And look, she has over ten million followers. That means over ten million people like her and hope to see her videos regularly.”

Su Aobai was showing the elderly couple a major internet sensation in the realm of short videos. In earlier years, internet celebrities leaned more towards fashion trends or humorous content. However, in recent years, perhaps due to the fast pace of life and high stress levels, there had been a rise in everyday life and flaunting wealth content.

These two genres; one portraying ordinary, heartwarming daily life, and the other showcasing lifestyles seemingly out of reach for ordinary people, both became sought-after types of content in a fast-paced, high-pressure living environment.

The elderly couple were completely stunned. Over ten million? For such an ordinary old lady, to attract so many likes?

“My entrepreneurial plan this time is to focus on live streaming and creating short videos. I want to promote you, Dad, in my opinion, your culinary skills are among the best. Let’s make a cooking tutorial video. The material is all ready; you cook, and I’ll handle the filming. Plus, occasionally, Mom can make cameo appearances, capturing the bustling scenes in our snack shop. I’m confident I can make Dad into a big internet sensation like this old lady.”

Su Aobai revealed his purpose.

“No, no, I can’t do it.”

Upon hearing that his son wanted to film him and upload it online for others to see, the old man’s initial reaction was to refuse.

The elderly lady, on the other hand, was somewhat intrigued. She even took her son’s phone to browse through other videos and comments.

“Look at these comments, they’re quite interesting.”

[I really love Grandma. Seeing Grandma is like seeing my grandma back home. I miss Grandma’s sugar rice cakes.]

[Grandma, can I come over to your place for a meal? Sob, sob, sob. I declare you as my long-lost grandma!]

[Can I come over to your place and steal Grandma away? I advise you not to underestimate me.]

Miao Yinhua watched with a motherly smile on her face.

For this type of everyday life video, especially featuring an elderly lady, very few people would leave negative comments. Almost all of them were heartwarming, with occasionally a few quirky ones.

Miao Yinhua couldn’t help but think how joyful it would be if she could also appear in the video and have a bunch of people calling her grandma.

“Dad, why can’t you do it? Just think about it. Isn’t your culinary skill better than this old lady’s? Our neighbors and regular customers have been enjoying your cooking for decades. Occasionally, a new customer comes by and everyone gives you a thumbs up for your delicious dishes.”

To tell the truth, Su Quangen’s shop did offer great value for money. In restaurants charging the same prices, the taste was definitely top-notch.

Listening to his son’s words, Su Quangen felt somewhat pleased. Indeed, my culinary skills were quite good.

If that old lady in the video could attract so many fans, then surely my skills were even better and would deserve more likes, right?

However, the old man still had some reservations. He had lived a methodical life, never before facing a camera. It was a bit embarrassing for him now, with his wife enthusiastically encouraging him.

***

“Dad, what nonsense are you talking about?” Seeing his grandparents both wavering, Su Tianyuan became anxious. In his view, his father was just fooling around.

Does dad have any experience in grooming internet celebrities? Did he know how to promote and advertise?

His dad had been a stay-at-home father for decades, living off his parents. Now he was making these promises just to get money from them. Su Tianyuan didn’t believe his father could really turn his grandparents into internet celebrities.

But he was different. He had already successfully cultivated several internet celebrities through his contact with the organization leader. They had ample experience, and besides, he looked good, fitting well with the current mainstream aesthetic of fresh young faces.

Su Tianyuan believed that as long as the organization supported him, he could definitely become famous overnight.

So, instead of giving this money to his father to use for tipping authors or buying in-game equipment, it would be better to invest it in him. In the future, when he earns money, he will surely repay his grandparents a thousand fold.

To be honest, Su Tianyuan wasn’t truly malicious. He was just used to his grandparents’ unconditional kindness and hadn’t fully realized their age. He thought these 60-something-year-old grandparents were still strong enough to shield him from life’s challenges.

Moreover, he hadn’t developed a correct sense of values. He always felt like his family had a lot of money, and he only used a negligible part of it. Therefore, he felt justified in asking for more.

But his feelings for his grandparents were genuine. If he truly succeeded, he would definitely not hesitate to repay them generously.

“Grandpa, Grandma, Dad is definitely fooling you. Just now, when I mentioned that the organization leader wants to groom me into an internet celebrity, he copied my idea and said he wants to promote both of you to fame. Dad doesn’t know anything about this.” Su Tianyuan spoke quickly, with both anger and urgency.

“You’re the one who doesn’t know anything,” Su Aobai immediately retorted.

“Mom, Dad, look at this kid.”

He pulled the two elders to look at their angry son.

“Forget that he’s your grandson for now. Imagine you’re bystanders seeing a person like this. Think about what virtues this kid has.” Su Aobai didn’t spare any mercy for him.

“His face, well, can’t find fault with it, indeed looks decent, because he takes after his father.”

He glanced over his son’s fair and handsome face, which made the grandparents chuckle. Their obedient grandson did resemble his father, but who did his father resemble? Wasn’t it them? This meant they also had good looks to pass on to their descendants.

“But not everyone with good looks can become an internet celebrity, right? Can he sing? Can he dance? He can’t do anything. So, people will watch him live just sitting there, staring at his face for hours? If having a good face is all it takes, I could just go to the art school gate and pick up a few girls and young men, and I could start an internet celebrity company and make a few billion effortlessly every year.” Su Aobai analyzed for the elders.

“Not everyone can become an internet celebrity, so after careful consideration, I chose you two, Mom and Dad. Dad has top-notch skills, it’s also a family tradition that has been passed down for generations, a century-old renowned brand. And Mom, gentle and kind, works swiftly and neatly. You two are such talents, you could easily outshine this boy who’s only good is his face.”

Su Tianyuan grew more and more anxious as he listened, but he couldn’t argue back.

It was true that he couldn’t sing. He was tone-deaf since childhood. Once, the school choir came to pick students from each class. The teacher picked him because of his good looks, but after just one day, they sent him back.

He couldn’t dance either. For a while, he tried to learn street dance to be cool, but his back was as stiff as a steel plate. While others danced fluidly, he moved like a crab walking sideways.

The teacher cried and returned the money to his grandmother, begging her not to send him to dance classes anymore. They said his presence made other parents think the teacher was incapable during visitations.

Although his father spoke the truth, Su Tianyuan still felt aggrieved.

“Who says you have to sing and dance to become an internet celebrity? There are plenty of skills that internet celebrities have nowadays. There are those who teach makeup, fashion styling, emotional bloggers, and public intellectuals…”

Well, he couldn’t do any of those.

Su Tianyuan frowned, pondering what his strengths were.

Could being good at spending money count? But what I could spend was hardly comparable to those who flaunted luxury lifestyles.

But if the organization boss said he could make me famous, it must be because they discovered some hidden advantage in me. He was sure he could make it big.

“Grandpa, Grandma!” Unable to think of a retort, Su Tianyuan started to act cute with his grandparents because he knew they loved him dearly and would never allow his father to hurt his self-esteem like this.

“You should speak to the child more gently.”

Sure enough, Miao Yinhua held her grandson’s hand and gave her son a helpless glare.

“Although what you said is true, you hurt our child’s self-esteem.”

QAQ! Su Tianyuan felt like crying.

“Grandma! My dear grandma, you think Dad is right too, don’t you?!”

Su Aobai raised his small wine cup and took a sip of the sorghum liquor, feeling a bit pleased inside.

Indeed, my skills as a Godfather in talking were far superior to this junior’s. Just as his son had said; he was the talent needed for those internet broadcasts!

It seemed that their son hadn’t been a failure after all; he had at least one good trait; foresight.

Although they felt sorry for their grandson, both agreed that their son’s choice was the right one; they were indeed more outstanding.

***

“Mom, Dad, please consider this as supporting my career. I’m already in my forties, and I don’t want to continue being criticized behind my back.”

Having said that, Su Aobai had reached a point where his parents couldn’t refuse.

Besides, even if they didn’t say it aloud, deep down they were also somewhat hopeful that if he did become successful, it would be a matter of great pride among their neighbors to have so many people like their son.

However, due to their son’s usual attitude, they didn’t hold much hope for it.

“What about me?” Su Tianyuan opened his hands, wanting money too.

“Mom, Dad, I wasn’t just talking nonsense earlier. Think about it again; you already have me. Do you really want Tianyuan to become another me? He’s still young and has a chance to change.”

This was Su Aobai being unusually serious today.

The couple’s hearts sank, unable to entertain fantasies of future fame and joy anymore.

In fact, they knew that they had likely spoiled their son and grandson, but neither could decide to correct the situation.

Their son had never intervened in how they raised their grandson before, but now he suddenly started to interfere. Did he also think we had indulged the child too much?

With that thought, both elderly people gritted their teeth.

Since even our son couldn’t bear to watch anymore, he decided to take charge!

Following their son’s suggestions was really hard to change, but they reluctantly agreed.

“You clearly favor Dad the most, not me. Fine then, I won’t rely on you anymore. I’ll find my own way. When I make it big, you’ll see I was right and he was wrong!”

This was the first time Su Tianyuan had been rejected by his grandparents, all because his father had intervened.

He was devastated, stormed out of the diner without looking back, anger fueling his every step.

“The boy hasn’t even finished his meal.”

Miao Yinhua wanted to chase after him urgently, starting to regret slightly. It was just 200,000, why don’t we just give it to him?

“Mom, don’t worry about him. He’s in his twenties now. He won’t starve. If he really runs out of money, he’ll definitely come back.”

In contrast, Su Aobai remained extremely calm.

“Sigh…”

The old lady sighed and returned to the dining table.

“You never used to care about this child before,” the old lady remarked, noting her son’s significant change today, while Su Quangen carefully observed his son.

“We can’t afford not to care anymore,” Su Aobai said, his expression deep with a long sigh.

“Our family’s income mainly comes from rent and the money you make from running the small diner. But what if in the future the house isn’t worth much and the rent brings in very little? What if someday you two can’t work anymore? I have to push that kid to strive harder so he can earn more to support me.”

The elderly couple exchanged glances, realizing their son intended to rely on them when they were old.

This was truly… too clever!

Just like something our son would do.

Well, thankfully, their son’s brain hadn’t malfunctioned.

The couple calmed down and provided their son with funds for purchasing livestreaming tools and for initial promotion. However, they harbored even less hope now for him becoming famous.

Their original plan remained unchanged; save more money secretly so they could leave more for their grandson in the future, allowing him to support his father financially.