Chapter 110 The Father Who Exploits His Child Star 3

The owner of the small shop had a cigarette dangling from his mouth. When he saw someone walk in, he asked, “What would you like to buy?”

“Three bottles of mineral water.”

After paying, he carried the mineral water back. Xie Chu was watching the cats sunbathing on the sidewalk, while Xie Hui glanced at the traffic and began to think about how to plan for the future.

If he wanted to take the child back home, that would definitely be the simplest way out. After all, the Entruster had a self-built house and a few plots of land there; they wouldn’t starve.

But Xie Hui didn’t want to go back.

Rather than returning, Xie Hui preferred to stay here. After all, in that familiar place, everyone around was familiar, and in the Entruster’s memories, there were quite a few people who had told Xie Chu that his mother didn’t want him anymore.

In a divorce, it’s always the child who gets hurt in the end. No matter who the child ends up with, there will always be a group of people making thoughtless jokes, thinking they’re funny when they’re not.

Staying in those dirty little inns was certainly inconvenient, but it was the most hassle-free option at the moment. He’d probably have to work for a month first, save up a bit, and then rent a place.

Luckily, this kid was very well-behaved and had never once complained about their circumstances.

On the way back to the inn, Xie Hui noticed that he kept staring at a cotton candy cart by the roadside. There were quite a few children gathered around the cart, looking about the same age as Xie Chu.

Xie Hui walked over and bought a stick of cotton candy. This kind of cotton candy cost five yuan and was shaped like a character from a cartoon.

When the vendor handed it to Xie Chu, he stood on tiptoe to take it, tore off a piece, and offered it to Xie Hui.

“Daddy, you eat first.”

“Mm, thank you.”

“No need to thank me.”

After finishing the cotton candy and throwing the bamboo stick into the trash, Xie Chu sighed again, looked at his father, and said:

“Daddy, we can’t waste money like this next time. Five yuan is enough for both of us to have breakfast.”

Seeing how sensible he was, Xie Hui bent down and kissed his forehead.

“Okay.”

Given their current situation, life indeed had to be a bit frugal to get by. Xie Hui didn’t blame him for being so thoughtful at such a young age. After agreeing, he saw Xie Chu let out a big sigh of relief, and just like the Entruster, he felt a pang of sadness.

Xie Chu was just over three years old, not even two months past his third birthday. In the Entruster’s memory, for this birthday, the Entruster only boiled him an egg, which Xie Chu treated like a treasure.

And he even shared half with the Entruster.

That evening, Lao Xie from the same hometown returned. Thinking of how he’d been scolded by his boss earlier because Xie Hui had changed his mind about something he’d already agreed to, Lao Xie felt annoyed just seeing Xie Hui.

He walked over with a cold face and kicked a stool to vent his anger.

Xie Chu was startled by the uncle’s action. Xie Hui reached out, hugged him, and patted his back to comfort him.

“I’m really sorry, brother. Have some water and a cigarette to calm down.”

Xie Hui handed Lao Xie a bottle of water he’d bought earlier and took out a few cigarettes the original owner had been reluctant to smoke, offering them with a humble attitude.

After all, he had broken his promise first and caused trouble for this man’s work. Xie Hui knew he was at fault, so when he saw Lao Xie’s sour expression, he handed over the items and apologized.

“What’s the big deal? It’s just filming some lousy TV drama, and he really thinks he’s a star. For a slapping scene, he insists it has to be real. Where am I supposed to find a child actor for that jerk?”

Lao Xie took what Xie Hui offered, lit a cigarette, and started cursing.

“He’s been on TV twice and thinks he’s some big shot. Wants to hit others for real, but when someone else hits him, he howls like a dog at the slightest touch. Probably afraid they’ll knock out whatever he’s stuffed in his face.”

Thinking of how he’d been scolded in front of so many people on set, the more Lao Xie thought about it, the more upset he got, so he vented his anger by cursing a bit more.

After he finished venting, he calmed down and didn’t hold a grudge against Xie Hui and his son over what had happened earlier.

“Have you two eaten yet? Come on, let’s go to that restaurant and have a meal. My treat.”

“Brother, I couldn’t possibly.”

Lao Xie not holding a grudge was already more than Xie Hui expected; there was no way he could shamelessly let him pay for dinner.

If Xie Hui had even a little money in his pocket, he would definitely have offered to pay himself.

“What’s there to be embarrassed about? I’d be eating alone anyway. Let’s go before the place fills up.”

Halfway through his cigarette, Lao Xie saw Xie Chu sitting there holding his nose, grinned at him, stubbed out the cigarette, and tossed the butt into an ashtray.

“How come this kid’s here today? Didn’t you always say he was an eyesore?”

Xie Hui picked up Xie Chu and walked out with Lao Xie.

“Ah, that’s all in the past. Let’s not talk about it.”

The reason the Entruster treated this child so badly was partly because he took out all his resentment toward his wife on the child—Xie Chu was completely innocent.

“I’ve figured it out now. He’s my own son, after all. There’s no reason for so much hatred. Looking closely, my son is actually pretty cute.”

Lao Xie didn’t argue with that. He stared at Xie Chu for a while, making the boy blush and bury his head in his father’s neck.

“Your son really is good-looking. If I had any real ability, I’d think I could make him a big star. Look at those child stars in the industry now—how many of them look as good as your son?”

As they talked, they arrived at the small restaurant. The place was pretty shabby, with tables set up outside and a few groups of people already scattered around.

It was a family-run place. The husband cooked inside, while the wife stood outside with a notepad, taking customers’ orders.

“Hey, you two, right? What would you like to eat? All the dishes are fresh.”

Although he was treating, Lao Xie actually didn’t have much money himself. He’d just been scolded all afternoon and was in a bad mood, so he wanted to come out and vent a little.

“We’ll have spicy chicken, a stir-fried vegetable, and an order of bean sprouts.”

“Alright, would you like some alcohol?”

Lao Xie usually drank when he went out, but today, seeing Xie Chu already climbing onto the stool and sitting down, he waved his hand.

“No drinking with a child around.”

“Okay, you two have a seat, it’ll be ready soon.”

Lao Xie poured three cups of water with the paper cups from the shop, handed them over, and started chatting with Xie Hui before the food arrived.

“Xie Hui, so what are your plans now? Going back to the village? If you want to go back but don’t have money, you can use mine first, pay me back whenever.”

“Forget it, bro, I’m not planning to go back yet. The people in the village talk too nastily. I’m afraid if Xie Chu hears too much of it, he’ll start overthinking.”

Hearing his name from his dad, Xie Chu, who was holding a paper cup, glanced curiously at his father.

“That’s true. Those old women knitting, and those old men sitting on the field ridges with nothing to do, just gossip all day, saying all sorts of dirty things.”

Kids who grew up in their village, who hasn’t heard those things? Back then, Lao Xie’s parents went out to work, leaving him to grow up in the village, and he got used to people saying his parents abandoned him to have a younger brother elsewhere.

“So what are you planning to do? We don’t have any connections. For small-time actors, aside from those who play the parents of kids getting beaten up—who can’t bear it—there really aren’t many good jobs.”

“Bro, come on, I care about my kid too. I saw a construction site when I came back, there was a hiring notice posted. Not sure if they’re still hiring, I’ll ask tomorrow.”

At this moment, the lady boss brought the dishes over, placed three bowls on the table, and brought a pot of rice.

“If the rice isn’t enough, just call me.”

Lao Xie was used to drinking with his meals, and now, without alcohol, he felt a bit uncomfortable, chewing the food forcefully.

“That works. Anyway, you’ve got strength, you won’t starve wherever you go. But what about Xie Chu? Are you taking him to the construction site?”

Although Lao Xie thought Xie Chu was a good, quiet kid, no matter how well-behaved, he was still just over three years old.

“We’ll see tomorrow.”

Xie Hui hadn’t really thought about this, since he hadn’t encountered such situations for a long time during his missions.

“Alright, if you need any help, just come to me. If it really doesn’t work out, being an extra is fine too, you won’t starve.”

Xie Hui nodded, then picked out the chili peppers from the food for his son.

From his observations, this child seemed even more sensitive to pain than most. If he pulled him a little too hard, his eyes would well up with tears.

Parents who don’t know might think their kid is just being dramatic, but Xie Hui, who’s seen all kinds of children, knows some kids are just like this.

“Thank you, Dad.”

Xie Chu couldn’t hold chopsticks well. He managed with rice, but couldn’t pick up any food. Xie Hui noticed there wasn’t a spoon, so he just fed him with the chopsticks.

Lao Xie took a sip of water, saw this scene, and smiled softly.

“Xie Hui, now you really look like a dad.”

After dinner, they returned to the small inn. By then, it was dark and the streetlights were on.

Back at the inn, Xie Hui helped the child wash up simply. Seeing the condition of the bathroom, he felt even more eager to rent a place as soon as possible.

When it was time to sleep, Xie Hui had just lain down under the covers when the little one, whom he thought was already asleep, crawled over, leaned in, and kissed his cheek.

“Good night, Dad.”

“Hehe, I love Dad the most.”