Cub's Dad Chapter 35

 Chapter 35

After Xie Yishu ended the livestream, he downloaded the recorded video and submitted it as material for a patent pre-application.

There were still plenty of materials left on the table, so he planned to finish making everything tonight and bring a few to the kindergarten tomorrow to give to Teacher Ge and Teacher Wang, who had been helping him recently.

In the small room separated by a wall.

Bo Zai was holding a literacy book, glancing at a few lines before his little eyes darted towards his dad. Seeing his dad turn another page of his book, he couldn't help but ask, "Dad, when can we go out?"

He really wanted to take a bath in the colorful bathtub full of bubbles with his mom!

Gu Yanzhi was watching a sheet metal repair tutorial and didn't lift his head: "In a little while."

Going out right after the livestream ended would make Xiao Shu suspicious.

Bo Zai sighed, lowered his chubby face, and continued with his literacy book.

His mind was entirely on the bubble bath bombs outside, and he couldn't focus on the content of the book. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his dad's light brain screen light up and quickly reported, "Dad, someone sent you a message!"

Gu Yanzhi picked up the light brain and glanced at it. It was Fang Ziyu.

【Fang Ziyu: Did you find him?】

When Cheng Jue told Fang Ziyu that his cousin didn't know whether to sign Mr. Gu's spouse, Fang Ziyu was eating an orange. Upon hearing the words "Mr. Gu's spouse," he nearly bit Shen Ding's finger.

His first reaction was, "Wasn't Gu Yanzhi's college lover missing? How come there's suddenly a spouse now?" His second reaction was, "They found the person for Gu Yanzhi."

After all, besides the person who had been missing for five years, he couldn't think of anyone else whom Gu Yanzhi would call "spouse."

【Fang Ziyu: Is he now a streamer at Cheng Xiao's place? How did you find him?】 As one of the few people in the know, Fang Ziyu was aware of how much manpower and resources Gu Yanzhi had spent searching for the young man named Xie Yishu.

Not to mention an ordinary person with no background.

Even the most notorious interstellar fugitives in history would have left some trace under such a thorough search.

But Xie Yishu didn't leave a single clue.

At that time, he, Shen Ding, Uncle Gu, Aunt Gu, and a few others who were in the know had actually lost hope.

It was just that Gu Yanzhi's mental state was quite unstable back then, and none of them dared to tell him or suggest that "if you can't find a living person, consider other possibilities."

Now that the person had been found, Fang Ziyu was genuinely happy for his brother. Just as he was about to ask for details, he saw Gu Yanzhi's reply.

【Gu Yanzhi: He came back to me on his own.】

【Fang Ziyu: ????????】

【Fang Ziyu: He came back on his own? He came back to find you?】

Even through the screen, Gu Yanzhi could sense Fang Ziyu's disbelief.

He moved his fingers and confirmed Fang Ziyu's statement.

【Gu Yanzhi: Yes.】

Looking at the word "Yes," the first thought that popped into Fang Ziyu's mind was, "Former college lover, disillusioned by poverty, abandons poor boyfriend; five years later, discovers that the former boyfriend is the heir to a wealthy family, repents, and tries to rekindle the relationship."

But then he reconsidered. If it were that simple, how could the Gu family not have found him in five years?

【Fang Ziyu: Did he tell you where he's been these past five years?】 

Gu Yanzhi explained briefly: 【I asked the receptionist who reissued his terminal. They said he was misdiagnosed with a terminal illness by the hospital five years ago. In a moment of despair, he attempted suicide. During the attempt, an accident occurred, and he was saved by an elderly person. For five years, he lived in seclusion, never leaving the house, deeply depressed.】

【Gu Yanzhi: The elderly person took care of him all this time.】

【Gu Yanzhi: The story matches what the orphanage told us.】

Fang Ziyu noticed that Gu Yanzhi had shared the explanations given by the receptionist and the orphanage.

【Fang Ziyu: What did he tell you?】

Gu Yanzhi calmly replied: 【He said he hasn't figured out how to tell me yet.】 

In other words, the explanation given to the receptionist and the orphanage was false.

But he didn't want to lie to Gu Yanzhi, so he didn't use that story.

Fang Ziyu had a vague feeling that he should change the topic now, but he couldn't quite understand why he felt that way.

His fingers hovered over the virtual keyboard, but before he could type anything into the chat box, he received another message from Gu Yanzhi.

【Gu Yanzhi: Xiao Shu doesn't want to lie to me.】

Fang Ziyu was stunned.

Now he understood why his subconscious had urged him to change the topic earlier.

Having gotten used to the more reserved Gu Yanzhi of the past five years, he had forgotten how, when Xie Yishu was still around, this man would constantly talk about Xiao Shu, showing off and being annoyingly affectionate.

Fang Ziyu didn't want to reminisce about the past, so he decisively changed the topic.

【Fang Ziyu: Anyway, it's great that you two are back together. Next time Shen Ding and I return to the main star, let's have a meal together.】

【Fang Ziyu: You and your Xiao Shu will treat us.】

【Fang Ziyu: You didn't even tell us he came back. I had to hear it from Cheng Jue. That's not cool!】 

Having just let his friend know that he holds a special place in Xiao Shu's heart, Gu Yanzhi was in a great mood and replied: 【Sure.】 

Even through the screen, Fang Ziyu could imagine the expression on the eldest young master of the Gu family at this moment. Feeling both that he and Shen Ding had made a poor choice in friends, yet unable to resist asking further.

【Fang Ziyu: Seriously, when did he come back? When you came to District Three before, he hadn't returned yet, right?】

【Fang Ziyu: Was it yesterday? The day before? When you came to my car modification shop yesterday, was it because he came back and you wanted to spruce up the car you usually drive? Damn, I knew it. You, someone who usually isn't interested in cars, suddenly asking if my car modification shop was still open.】 

Actually, when dealing with a lovesick Gu Yanzhi, there's a particularly good method: say everything upfront before he starts gushing about Xiao Shu.

Leave him speechless, unable to confide, unable to show off his love!

Fang Ziyu sent the message, took a sip of water, and nearly spat it out when he saw the reply.

【Gu Yanzhi: He came back the day before yesterday.】

【Gu Yanzhi: I didn't modify the car. I worked as a mechanic at your shop for a while.】 

He handed the water cup to Shen Ding and frantically typed question marks.

【Fang Ziyu: ????????】

Gu Yanzhi replied as calmly as possible.

【Gu Yanzhi: I forgot to mention it.】

【Gu Yanzhi: I'm now a mechanic at your shop.】

【Fang Ziyu: Young Master? Young Master Gu? Are you okay? Did Xie Yishu's return make you so happy that you lost your mind?】 

Gu Yanzhi recalled the scene, a smile appearing in his eyes, and replied: 【Xiao Shu is a teacher at Bo Zai's kindergarten. When he didn't know that Bo Zai is our son, he thought "Bo Zai's dad" was a debt-ridden mechanic.】

【Gu Yanzhi: I didn't react at the time and just went along with it.】 

Gu Yanzhi typed quickly: 【So, now I'm a mechanic with a bank loan of 3.5 million, receiving aid from the Gu Family Charity.】

【Gu Yanzhi: Tell Shen Ding and the others that a gathering is fine, but I'll choose a small restaurant. Dress plainly and take the maglev bus, don't reveal my identity.】

【Gu Yanzhi: Xiao Shu still doesn't know my true identity.】

There was no immediate reply from the other side.

Gu Yanzhi frowned slightly and sent another message.

【Gu Yanzhi: After saying so much, don't you want to know Xiao Shu's reaction?】 Fang Ziyu recalled a few years ago when Gu Yanzhi was the only one among them who was in a relationship.

Seeing the "<@redacted>" notification and entering the group chat, he was greeted with a screen full of messages like "Did you see this little patch?" "There used to be a small hole here," "I was going to throw it away, but Xiao Shu told me not to," "Yes, he patched it for me," all filled with the sickly sweet scent of romance.

With a blank expression, Fang Ziyu typed and sent his message.

【Fang Ziyu: What was his reaction?】

Gu Yanzhi curled his lips into a smile, quickly typed, and sent: 【Xiao Shu said that as long as the family is together, there's nothing that can't be solved.】

【Gu Yanzhi: He will take care of me.】

【Gu Yanzhi: And Bo Zai.】

After sending these messages, Gu Yanzhi felt refreshed.

He put down the light brain and looked at Bo Zai, who was holding a literacy book and nodding off to sleep. He reached out and gently pinched his son's chubby cheeks.

Bo Zai woke up, rubbed his eyes with his chubby little hands, and asked Gu Yanzhi, "Dad, can we go out to see Mom now?"

"We can." Gu Yanzhi picked up the little chubby boy, ready to take him out, when the light brain screen lit up again.

Fang Ziyu had sent two more messages.

【Fang Ziyu: Almost forgot the main thing.】

【Fang Ziyu: Cheng Xiao asked me to check if Xie Yishu can be signed.】 Gu Yanzhi stopped in his tracks.

Bo Zai yawned, seeing that his dad had stopped again, tilted his chubby face, resting it on his dad's shoulder, and asked, "Dad, why aren't we going again? When can Bo Zai go out?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Gu Yanzhi put him down.

"Wait a little longer." As Gu Yanzhi spoke, he opened StarStar Livestream.

Cheng Xiao's question had reminded him.

Although he could ensure that with his support, Xiao Shu would thrive even at StarStar Livestream, Gu Yanzhi still felt that the most important person should be protected under his own wing for better safety and care.

"Dad?" Bo Zai saw the private message interface flash across Gu Yanzhi's light brain screen and eagerly stood on his chubby tiptoes, "Bo Zai wants to see too."

Gu Yanzhi sat back down on the bay window, and Bo Zai quickly climbed up, his chubby face leaning in to look.

He saw his dad sending a private message to his mom.

【7788219: Would you be willing to come to my platform?】

【7788219: Although it's just starting out, I can give you the best resources.】 

Bo Zai's eyes suddenly lit up.

Ever since his dad told him that he could start his own livestream platform when he grew up, he had asked Tori to help him look up some information. Now he understood a bit about this field and knew that if he gave his little savings to his dad, his dad would be the major shareholder, and he would be the minor shareholder.

He could work with his dad to support his mom.

That way, his mom wouldn't have to work so hard.

Bo Zai was just about to hand over his little savings to show his determination when he saw a private message from his mom.

【She Yu: Thank you for your appreciation. I will consider it.】

Mom didn't even ask what dad's platform was called.

Using the words Tori had told him last time, this was a polite refusal.

"It's okay, Dad."

The little entrepreneur, who had experienced the same thing, looked at the screen, then at his dad. After thinking for a moment, he patted his dad's arm with his chubby hand and comforted him with the wisdom of someone who had been through it: "We are men, we have to be strong."

Gu Yanzhi didn't want to be comforted like this by his five-year-old son.

He lowered his gaze and sent another private message.

【7788219: Teacher She Yu, are you more inclined to sign with StarStar Livestream?】 Gu Yanzhi regretted asking as soon as he sent it.

After all, the answer was obvious.

But it was too late to retract, and Xie Yishu quickly replied.

【She Yu: I do want to try for StarStar Livestream a bit more.】

StarStar Livestream is currently one of the largest livestream platforms in terms of traffic. Xie Yishu and 001 have the task of promoting the ancient Blue Star civilization, so they couldn't rashly sign with a small platform, no matter how tempting the conditions offered.

Gu Yanzhi didn't know about 001, but he could roughly understand Xie Yishu's thoughts.

Compared to an unknown, newly established platform, it is indeed safer to sign with a well-established livestream platform.

Moreover, tonight's livestream had already brought Xie Yishu a lot of attention. Hoping for Xie Yishu to switch platforms impulsively was indeed rash on his part.

After all, to Xie Yishu, "7788219" was just a stranger.

【7788219: StarStar Livestream is indeed a good choice.】

【She Yu: Thank you for understanding.】

Gu Yanzhi looked down at Xie Yishu's reply for a long moment, then sent a message to Cheng Xiao.

【Gu Yanzhi: Mr. Cheng, do you have a moment?】

The other party, who was by his light brain, quickly replied.

【Cheng Xiao: Yes, I have time now.】

【Cheng Xiao: Is there something else, Mr. Gu?】

【Gu Yanzhi: Yes.】

Gu Yanzhi flexed his wrist and easily typed: 【I would like to discuss the Gu family's investment in StarTech.】

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