Chapter 114: The Father Who Exploited His Child Star 7

“Be good and go to your room to read. Daddy will come in a bit.”

“Okay!”

Xie Hui had bought a few new picture books for him. After coaxing Xie Chu back to his room, he followed Old Li out to the balcony.

Old Li lit a cigarette, took a drag, and looked at Xie Hui as he walked over. Thinking of what the supervisor had said, he sighed and began:

“Brother, I really wanted to keep your son here, but a supervisor came down to inspect earlier and said it’s against the rules to have children on the construction site.”

Hearing this, Xie Hui already understood most of the situation.

“How about this: from now on, when you come with us to the site, leave Xie Chu here and let my wife look after him for you. How does that sound?”

Old Li had received the news last night but hadn’t known how to bring it up to Xie Hui. Seeing that the supervisor had just sent another message urging him, he realized he couldn’t stall any longer and finally brought it up.

“Brother Li, that’s not necessary. I’ll think of another way.”

Xie Hui knew Old Li was being kind by offering to have his wife look after his child. But he had come here to work for Boss Li, and he couldn’t trouble his wife to take care of his son.

“Alright, you can stay here for now and look for a suitable place. Anyway, I’ve rented this house until next year, so don’t worry.”

Old Li took a deep drag of his cigarette. He couldn’t make the final decision on this matter, but he really couldn’t bear to kick out this father and son.

“Thank you, Brother Li.”

When he returned to the room, Xie Hui saw Xie Chu sitting on a stool, reading seriously. He sighed and began to think about the future.

Bringing a child along, no construction site would likely take them in. He didn’t have the means to send his child to daycare for now, and even if he did, Xie Hui wasn’t too willing.

He walked over and ruffled the boy’s little head. When Xie Chu saw it was his father, he instinctively leaned closer for a cuddle.

That afternoon, Xie Hui took Xie Chu out, planning to look for something he could do. Compared to before, at least now he had a month’s wages on hand.

Because he was diligent, after spending some, he still had six thousand left.

Xie Chu thought his dad was taking him out to play, and happily bounced along on his little legs.

All afternoon, Xie Hui couldn’t come up with any ideas. As they were about to head back, they passed by a small alley and unexpectedly saw a notice for sale posted on a small cart.

It was one of those fried snack carts commonly seen at school gates, looking a bit worn. There was a contact number under the notice. Xie Hui quietly memorized the number, already forming an idea in his mind.

Xie Chu, always smart and observant, noticed his father’s actions. After his dad finished, he cautiously asked:

“Dad, are we going to lose our place to live again?”

The reason they couldn’t stay was because bringing a child to the construction site was against the rules, but Xie Hui definitely couldn’t tell him that directly.

This little guy already lacked a sense of security because of the ideas Entruster had instilled in him before. Xie Hui didn’t want to tell him the truth and make him feel like he was a burden.

He found a sidewalk bench to rest on, sat down with the boy on his lap, and said softly:

“What if Daddy doesn’t want to do that job anymore? Daddy feels so tired.”

Without thinking, Xie Chu snuggled into his father’s arms, wrapped his arms around his neck, and rubbed against him to comfort him.

“Then Daddy shouldn’t do that job anymore. We can go back home. I’ll be good and won’t listen to what those people say, so you don’t have to worry.”

“Daddy, I won’t be sad just because others say my mom doesn’t want me, because I have the best, most amazing dad in the world.”

Xie Hui had only wanted to brush the matter off, but he hadn’t expected to hear the little guy say something so earnest.

Looking down into his clear, pure eyes—did he really not care? Xie Hui didn’t believe it.

Even adults can’t always ignore hurtful words from others, let alone a child so young. Rather than believing he truly didn’t care, Xie Hui thought he was just being stubborn.

“But what if Daddy likes it here more? Does Chuchu want to go back?”

Hearing this, Xie Chu furrowed his brows in distress, sighed helplessly, patted his dad’s back like a little adult, and said quietly:

“Then we’ll stay here.”

“Okay, then Daddy wants to try doing that.”

They hadn’t walked far from where they were before. Xie Hui pointed at the cart.

Xie Chu leaned on his dad’s shoulder and waved his chubby little hand in front of him.

“Then I’ll help Daddy push the cart!”

“Alright.”

That night, Xie Hui added the person selling the cart on WeChat. Since it was secondhand and not a fancy skewer cart, plus it came with some tools for making skewers, the seller offered the whole package to Xie Hui for 3,700 yuan.

Early the next morning, Old Li paid Xie Hui his half-month’s wages, even adding a bit more, giving him a total of 5,000 yuan.

“Brother Li, you have your own family to support. I can’t take so much from you. Just give me what I’m owed.”

Old Li avoided his attempt to refuse, stuffed the money into Xie Hui’s clothes, waved his hand, and left with a parting remark:

“It’s hard enough for you to find work with a child. Don’t turn this down. If you do well in the future, just come visit us when you have time.”

Old Li’s wife wasn’t around, and Xie Hui really needed the money right now. Planning to repay it later, he took the money and rented a house with a small yard.

After securing the place, Xie Hui packed up, said goodbye to Old Li’s wife, and moved.

After transferring the money for the skewer cart, the seller delivered it to him.

On the first day at this place, Xie Hui did a quick cleaning and took Xie Chu out to buy some daily necessities. After settling in for the first night, Xie Chu’s eyelids started drooping as he was taking a bath.

Xie Hui carried him to the bedroom, laid him on the bed, and tucked him in.

The rental house with a small courtyard was just average; though old and simple, it had decent lighting.

Lying on the bed this time, he finally felt a genuine sense of security.

The next morning, Xie Hui and Xie Chu cleaned the skewer cart together, making sure every corner was spotless. While it was drying, they went out to buy various ingredients for fried skewers.

There were ready-made meat skewers for sale, but the fried vegetables had to be prepared by themselves. They bought wooden sticks, fresh vegetables, and some seasonings.

Xie Hui was busy the entire afternoon. Fortunately, Xie Chu was very obedient and helped out seriously.

Luckily, the landlord had left a refrigerator, so the ingredients could be stored properly. After preparing everything for the small business, Xie Hui carefully scouted around and found a school gate where not many people sold fried skewers.

As long as hygiene was maintained, these fried skewer carts usually did decent business. Plus, the sauces were all personally made by Xie Hui, who had once been a five-star chef. Whether it was tomato or chili sauce, the flavors were unique.

The landlord of their little courtyard was elderly and really liked well-behaved children like Xie Chu. Seeing that the father and son planned to start a business, he even gave them a speaker from his home.

Xie Hui felt that the aroma of food was more important than shouting, so he didn’t care much about the speaker. Xie Chu, however, really liked it. After kindergarten let out, he held the speaker and enthusiastically started calling out in his childish voice.

“Fried skewers, super delicious fried skewers~ Come try the tasty fried skewers~”

Although no one bought at first, Xie Hui still fried a portion of meat and a portion of vegetables. Once the aroma spread, a few people came over to ask about the prices.

Xie Hui coated the freshly fried skewers with tomato sauce and handed them to the little one who was calling out so energetically.

Seeing this, the customers felt reassured. If the vendor was willing to let his own son eat it, it meant the food was hygienic.

At first, there were only a couple of scattered customers, but soon there were so many that Xie Hui couldn’t keep up.

After sending off the last customer, Xie Hui checked the remaining ingredients and then looked at the money he’d earned on his phone, letting out a sigh of relief.

It was his first time doing this, and he had no experience. Judging by the takings, business was pretty good.

“Chu Chu, let’s go home.”

“Coming!”

After responding, Xie Chu carefully put away the speaker and wanted to get down to help push the cart, just as he’d told his dad before.

Before he could touch it, Xie Hui picked him up and put him on the cart.

“Daddy, you’re so silly! Now you have to push me as well!”

“If you start eating more now, you’ll grow up and be able to help Daddy.”

Once again dismissed for being too little, Xie Chu puffed up his cheeks in displeasure. Knowing his dad, once he’d said something, there was usually no room for negotiation.

He sighed, sat down on the small stool, and waited for his dad to push him home.

During his earlier scouting, Xie Hui had noticed that besides the school, business at the squares in the evenings was also good. He’d planned to sell at the school, go home for dinner, and then try the square.

Unexpectedly, he hadn’t prepared enough ingredients today, and by the time they went home for dinner, only two leek skewers were left.

Back in the courtyard of the rental house, he tidied up the cart and locked it up. Inside, Xie Chu was already quietly reading a book.

Xie Hui took out the vegetables he’d bought earlier, went to the kitchen, cooked two dishes and a soup, and called out when it was ready. Xie Chu hurried out.

In the kitchen, Xie Chu took the initiative to get the bowls and chopsticks and serve the rice. Just as he set the table, Xie Hui brought the dishes over.

Xie Chu didn’t know how much money he and his dad had made today, but seeing so many customers made him feel very satisfied.

“Daddy, should we prepare more things for tomorrow?”

There were a few customers who left because they didn’t have what they wanted, and Xie Chu still felt a bit regretful thinking about it.

“We can prepare a bit more of the popular items from today.”

Xie Hui didn’t have the habit of stocking up on food. Fresh ingredients were always more reassuring. Besides, they were selling at the kindergarten gate, where all the kids were about his son’s age—he wouldn’t dare sell anything that wasn’t clean.

“Daddy, do you remember which ones sold well?”

After a couple of bites, Xie Chu couldn’t help but worry again.

“I remember.”

After dinner, Xie Hui washed the dishes. The little one insisted on helping, and instead of scolding him, Xie Hui seriously taught him how to rinse the soapy dishes clean.

“Daddy, I was really happy today.”

While giving him a bath, Xie Hui suddenly heard him say this.

“Oh? Why are you happy?”

“Because Daddy made a lot of money today, and didn’t have blisters all over his hands from hard work like before, but could still earn money.”

The more Xie Chu thought about it, the happier he got. After giggling twice, he climbed out of the tub and gave his dad a big kiss.

“Daddy is the best!!”

Xie Hui couldn’t help but smile—what a little flatterer.

After changing into pajamas and lying in bed, Xie Chu was still too happy to sleep. He lay there, propping his chin on his hands, staring eagerly at the bedroom door, waiting for his dad to come back.

As soon as Xie Hui walked into the bedroom, he heard Xie Chu’s voice.

“Daddy is amazing! My daddy is the most amazing daddy in the whole world!”

“Time to sleep, Chu Chu.”

“Okay, just one kiss for Daddy, then I’ll sleep.”

…

The next day, Xie Hui prepared a bit more ingredients than yesterday, leaving some at home to sell at the square in the evening.

He was really short on money now, and this little one would be starting kindergarten next year.

Selling these at the square in the evening is obviously not as good for business as at the school gate. Xie Hui sat on a stool and fried two skewers for his own son to eat.

At that moment, a car stopped at the intersection, and after the door opened, a middle-aged man dressed unusually stepped out.

He was walking briskly at first, but was drawn in by the aroma from the small food stall, and his steps unconsciously slowed down.

Before Xie Hui even noticed, Xie Chu had already spotted a business opportunity. He slipped out of his father’s arms, stood on tiptoe, looked at the man, and called out loudly:

“Uncle, would you like to buy some fried skewers? They’re really delicious!”

Gu Jingtong heard the child’s voice and instinctively turned his head to look. Noticing that he was looking at him, Xie Chu waved at him.

“Uncle, buy some fried skewers, won’t you?”

It was rare for Gu Jingtong to meet such a cheerful and adorable child. He stood in front of the skewer cart and pointed at a few items through the glass.

“Dad, come over and make the skewers quickly.”

Xie Chu remembered what the uncle wanted and turned to urge Xie Hui.

While waiting for the skewers to be ready, Gu Jingtong received a phone call. He walked a few steps away, and his tone during the call was clearly impatient.

“Where do you expect me to find a suitable person? I can’t just magically produce a child actor for you out of thin air, can I?”