Chapter 10

After thinking it over, Qi Chao picked up a lollipop from the coffee table, unwrapped it, took a picture, and sent it over.

Dad Chao: [Then Chao Chao will give the doctor who won't be bullied a lollipop.]

Doctor: [...]

Qi Chao looked at the Doctor's new message and couldn't help laughing. He had always had a bit of a punchable streak in his personality. Since coming here, he had been busy being a good dad and had not properly chatted with anyone.

This dollmaker was easy to get along with. Once Qi Chao was happy, the mischief he had been suppressing began to emerge. Still, he had always known his limits and would not make the other person dislike him.

Seeing that it was getting late, Qi Chao did not continue bothering him. After exchanging a few more words, they said goodnight and returned to their rooms to rest.

Early the next morning, hardworking Chao Chao began preparing a nutritious breakfast for the children at home.

Red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple—there had to be a balance of meat and vegetables, ensuring balanced nutrition while also keeping the food visually appealing.

Lan Luo had grown somewhat accustomed to Qi Chao's ways. He raised his face and cheerfully wished him good morning, only to hear Qi Chao mention his father.

The smile on Lan Luo's face immediately froze.

Why would he mention Father?

"I discussed it with your dad. In a few days, he'll come help repair your cracks." Qi Chao came out of the kitchen carrying steamed buns and explained it to the doll with a smile.

Repair his cracks?

Lan Luo froze for a moment. He glanced at the cracks on the back of his hand, then looked at Qi Chao again, somewhat uncertain.

"Will Lan Luo's father really come?"

"Of course!" Seeing the little doll's anxious yet expectant gaze, Qi Chao nodded firmly.

Hearing this while seated at the dining table, Lan Luo's already smiling face brightened further. His sapphire-blue eyes curved into slits like a cat that had stolen some cream. Suddenly, he jumped down from his chair, ran to Qi Chao's side, and hugged him around the waist.

"Thank you, Master!"

Looking down, Qi Chao could only see a golden head topped with a deer-antler headband. His heart softened. Lan Luo was well-behaved but not the sort to act spoiled, and he rarely took the initiative to get close to him. It seemed Lan Luo truly missed his real father.

At that moment, Qi Chao became even more certain of his speculation about the Doctor. A little doll's personality would be influenced by his dollmaker, and Lan Luo was so attached to his father. The Doctor definitely was not a bad person.

Knowing the little one was excited, he chuckled. "No need to thank me. I've been calling myself Dad for so many days now. I'll be happy whenever you decide to call me that."

Lan Luo seemed a little shy. He retreated several steps, then shrank back into his seat.

Qi Chao was amused. He did not continue teasing him and turned to switch on the projection screen.

Where Qi Chao could not see, Lan Luo sat on his chair, swinging his legs in a childlike manner. His smile remained bright, yet somehow looked a little strange.

Master is so nice. He actually took the initiative to contact Father and ask him to come.

I don't need to think of a way to contact Father anymore.

Lan Luo reached up to touch the deer-antler headband on his head, looking forward to it.

He really likes this headband. As thanks, before leaving with Father, Lan Luo can give Master a little favor and make sure he dies painlessly.

Chapter 10

After breakfast, Lan Luo, having learned the good news, jogged over to the sofa and began his pleasant TV-watching time. These past few days, whenever he had free time, he watched educational cartoons without missing a single episode.

Qi Chao stood at the kitchen door watching him, and the more he thought about it, the less appropriate it seemed. What child watched cartoons every day? He scratched his head and, after one second of thought, decided he would teach the child to read later.

After ordering several literacy books online, Qi Chao did not disturb the little doll. Instead, he quietly turned and went upstairs.

He would let the little doll relax for one more day, then start studying tomorrow. With that thought, Qi Chao returned to the study and began planning for the future.

The first issue was that there was no money left at home.

Physical books on Blue Star were rather expensive. After buying several books, the original owner's savings had only three thousand left. Yet there were many things that required money at home. For instance, in a few days, he would need to pay Lan Luo's real father for the repairs.

The Doctor had never mentioned how much the repair fee would be. Judging from the figures provided by netizens on the forum, it would cost at least a million.

In his previous life, Qi Chao would not have considered that especially difficult. But in this life, he had nothing, and he was not planning to live off his parents. Earning money was inevitably going to be difficult.

There was always a way if people thought hard enough.

Qi Chao sat at his desk, spinning a pen as he stared at the blank sheet of paper before him, thoughts racing through his mind.

Making dolls took too long, and he urgently needed money. Naturally, he needed a business that could make money quickly. The pen in Qi Chao's hand fell onto the desk. After quietly considering it, he called out to the system.

[Hello, Host.]

[Have you encountered some problem?]

Compared with Jiao Jiao next door, the system was rarely summoned by this world's host. The last time he had actively contacted it was to ask about methods of making dolls, so the system could not help wondering why he was calling for it now.

Then, the system heard the host ask in his mind, "Can Artisan Points be exchanged for this world's currency?"

[Of course. One point can be exchanged for 300 currency.]

The system answered honestly, becoming even more puzzled inside. As far as it knew, the host was a penniless pauper with neither currency nor points.

Hearing that, Qi Chao relaxed. As long as he could exchange points for currency, they could continue discussing this. He smiled and asked, "What do I need to do if I want to cooperate with the store?"

[Cooperate with the store?]

The system was somewhat stunned. As a new employee, this was the first time it had encountered such an operation.

"Yes." Qi Chao sat upright at his desk and said seriously, "When I browsed the store before, I saw the dates when your new products were released. Accessories like headbands are updated once every three months. If I'm not mistaken, this is exactly when you're designing new products."

After Qi Chao became known in the industry for angrily calling out an unscrupulous blogger, his studio had almost no orders for a while. With employees to support, he could only expand into other side businesses to make a living.

During that period, Qi Chao supported himself by designing all kinds of doll outfits for others. Thanks to his professional skills, he actually made a name for himself. Even after he had money, Qi Chao had not let that skill lapse and would produce several designs every month.