Chapter 2316 - 1923: Responsibility

Chapter 2316: Chapter 1923: Responsibility

What Xiaoyang described seemed far-fetched, yet he considered everything thoroughly.

Now, with Mr. Yang analyzing each point one by one, and Xiaoyang checking thoroughly before summarizing for Lao Song’s family, it was foolproof.

After all, everyone knew that although they called it a start-up, Qiaoqiao was essentially only assuming the responsibility of a concept artist.

They called him a concept artist, but in reality, it was an opportunity to get him to live independently for a while.

The one who actually had to worry was Xiaoyang.

He had just turned into an adult, yet he had to take on the responsibility for another person’s health and safety, which was quite a heavy burden!

Song Tan therefore earnestly talked to him:

"Are you really ready? Actually, if you can’t part with the food at home, with the kind of relationship you have with Qiaoqiao, he’d be willing to send you a package every week, every day he’d happily do it."

Xiaoyang felt a bit embarrassed.

His face reddened slightly, and he shuffled his feet on the ground, but soon stood up straight, puffing out his chest:

"Sis, at first I was a bit impulsive, thinking how much fun it would be having meals and drinks with Qiaoqiao."

But...

But ever since Qiaoqiao heard about the start-up, he’s been so happy.

Several times before going to sleep, he would cautiously knock on Xiaoyang’s door, repeatedly asking about the details of the start-up and whether he would cause any trouble.

It showed that he was very aware of his own situation and knew that if he made mistakes, it would be tough on everyone.

For him to grow up so quickly, the cost was actually felt internally.

This back-and-forth, initially about enjoying meals, transformed into something that reinforced Xiaoyang’s determination:

"I just want to take Qiaoqiao to broaden his horizons, let him learn how to live on his own. My dad has arranged an assistant for me, and I’ll help oversee things. I’ve told him that there’ll be a camera in the living room at home, so you can watch."

"But if there’s nothing major, don’t disturb him, just let Qiaoqiao live independently in the Imperial City for a while."

The pure-hearted intentions of the young are truly precious.

To miss this carefree period, Qiaoqiao might never gain such a sincere, enthusiastic friend willing to give everything for him in his life again.

Song Tan had no reason to refuse; she just patted Xiaoyang’s hair: "You’re still so young, carrying a burden makes you different from others."

But Xiaoyang proudly replied: "Sis, don’t forget, I’m a rich second generation! If I don’t carry this burden, I’d have to carry the one at home, my shoulders will always be weighed down, it makes no difference."

With that, Qiaoqiao’s start-up plan was set.

Wu Lan spoke casually, but with the child just back and about to leave for the Imperial City, her heart was uneasy.

Now she was busy packing clothes and sighing: "Oh, why didn’t we plan earlier? Now, we can’t even figure out what to pack."

"What’s there to figure out?" Song Tan pushed her, "You should learn from my dad. He goes fishing, you and Auntie Lu watch TV, didn’t you plan to travel together? The school has started, tourist spots are less crowded, it’s just right."

As for the things the child needs when going out—nowadays, with the convenience of couriers and services, even without the assistant arranged by Xiaoyang, you can get same-day delivery with a phone order.

For anything needed while out, let the kids handle it themselves.

Wu Lan remarked: "You’ve never raised a child, how would you know our feelings..."

That was what she said.

"I haven’t raised a child, isn’t Qiaoqiao my brother? Kids grow up, missing a meal won’t starve them, sleeping less won’t harm their health. A few bumps and scrapes aren’t a big deal."

Those words seemed to make sense too.

Ordinarily, when children at home get bruises or blisters or scratches from tree branches, they don’t pay much attention to it.

Wu Lan thought and wondered: How did they become so precious as we raised them...

The concerns of a mother have no outlet and are eventually entrusted to dramas, while Qiaoqiao, being open-natured, was at this moment excitedly discussing with Song Tan:

"Sister! Can I tell the kids? If I go to work, I won’t be able to teach them farming."

If it were to make a profit or for gaining followers, Song Tan would never agree.

Because the followers who stay now enjoy his pastoral style, and jumping into an entrepreneurship sounds unreliable and destined to fail.

And in this world, whether admitted or not, everyone admires strength.

For those deemed failures, it’s hard for people to rekindle their interest in following them.

Moreover, many of Qiaoqiao’s fans see him as a child, and a child’s rebellion and disobedience is also a taboo for those with parental mindsets.

But—

At this moment, Song Tan nodded: "Sure, a kid should be honest, and being a teacher means you should too. Now that you’re doing something you want to do, just tell everyone."

Things like gaining followers, making profits, or knowing how many followers he has—Qiaoqiao didn’t even know.

Except for occasional updates from Yanping and Xiaoyang about the group chat, Qiaoqiao himself barely spends time online.

He has to attend classes, do homework, draw, learn chess from Teacher Tang, and sometimes recognizes a bit of music notation...

He’s willing to teach what he knows to the kids, but he won’t abandon his own ideas just because of others’ expectations.

Thus, Qiaoqiao happily prepared to start the broadcast. Xiaoyang reached out wanting to stop him:

"We haven’t even discussed what to talk about when broadcas—never mind."

He suddenly laughed and approached: "Someone like me, a frivolous rich second generation, dragging an uninformed Qiaoqiao to do something on impulse is quite normal!"

That kid.

Teacher Tang, holding an iPad and playing with the brushes on it, glanced at Xiaoyang, then smiled:

"The child might have an ordinary appearance, but few can compare to him in terms of heart for Qiaoqiao."

Xiaoyang’s face fell: "Teacher Tang, look at how good-looking my mom is, I just haven’t grown into it yet... Late bloomers, that’s what they’re referring to when talking about me."

Teacher Tang smiled softly without commenting, thinking that this late bloomer is quite late, with neither height nor features developed.

But what does it matter?

A good appearance has its benefits, but once you get to know someone, you realize who has the clearer heart.

Much like her, who preferred handsome features but never found her plain, slender, and tanned husband lacking in presentability.

Meanwhile, Qiaoqiao, who had already started the broadcast, sat under the corridor facing the live stream.

In the camera, besides the large courtyard, there was Seventh Grandma who was the closest.

She had just returned from the mountains with a basket of unripe chestnut shells, and was stepping on one while holding big scissors, snapping the seams open lightly, then prying them aside.

The chestnuts, with white skins turning brown, were revealed.

Three plump ones packed together showed they were well-nourished. She easily broke them off and placed them back in the basket, accidentally dropping one which rolled towards the camera.

Qiaoqiao was about to reach for it when a gray shadow and an orange shadow leapt down from the wall!

And so, the new fans didn’t even have time to type a greeting before seeing a sleek, plump gray squirrel wrestling with who knows how many orange ones, kicking and squabbling together.