Chapter 30: Video

As night fell, Samuel Ford finished all the work on his desk. His mood gradually calmed, and his gaze shifted to the file folder on the table.

Remembering the last line of the report, he pinched the bridge of his nose and picked it up to look at it again.

The result was still the same. He hadn’t misread it.

It clearly stated a confirmed paternal relationship. The boy was Colt, and he had personally obtained the hair sample for the test. What could possibly be wrong?

’If my son hasn’t been swapped, then how do I explain his strange behavior recently?’

After sitting for about half an hour, he got up and walked to the room next door.

In the child’s room, Seven was in the corner charging. When it saw him enter, its screen flickered as it was about to speak, but Samuel quickly hit the mute button.

He walked to the bedside and looked at the child, who had kicked off his blanket, leaving his little pale belly exposed.

"Still such a messy sleeper," he sighed softly, pulling the blanket back over him. He watched the boy’s tender, pale face, his gaze softening. After a while, he finally turned to leave, but unexpectedly, Seven followed him out.

Samuel Ford glanced at it, and not wanting to wake his son, didn’t let it go back inside.

His attention was on Seven, so he didn’t notice that the moment the door closed, the child on the bed opened his eyes.

Yawning, Jean Vance looked down at the little blanket the man had just tucked around him, a thoughtful look on his face. ’What exactly was in that file? Hasn’t he been keeping his distance from me these past two days? Why would he come tuck me in tonight?’

「The Study」

Samuel Ford sat on the sofa, gazing at the moonlit night outside with an inscrutable expression.

Suddenly, his sleeve was tugged. He glanced to the side and saw Seven’s mechanical hand poking him. When it saw him look over, a large mouth appeared on its screen.

He reached out and unmuted it. Seven said in a soft voice, "Thank you, Master."

Samuel Ford didn’t reply, turning his head to continue looking out the window.

Seven was the most advanced robot of its time, capable of perceiving emotions. Sensing his mood, it asked, "Are you unhappy, Master? Let me play a show for you."

As it spoke, its screen began to scroll through a program list. There was everything from comedy skits to stand-up routines.

Colt had asked Shawn Ford to download them for him, saying that when he was sad, watching everyone laugh made him happy too.

’He couldn’t imagine what a little kid had to be so unhappy about every day. He didn’t have to worry about his livelihood, and he got any toy he wanted. He had more toys than any other kid at his kindergarten. Who wouldn’t envy him?’

Samuel Ford was busy with work every day and truly didn’t have much time to ponder what a five-year-old was thinking about all the time.

He massaged his temples, and just as he was about to mute Seven again, a child appeared on its screen.

It was Colt.

He was wearing a white outfit, with two fluffy white ears on his head. He even had blush on his cheeks, making them rosy, and he looked a little nervous.

He was speaking to someone, "Uncle, does my costume look okay today?"

Shawn Ford’s voice could be heard. "You look great."

That’s what he said, but the camera clearly recorded his laughter. Felix Ford didn’t notice, though. He stood up straight, faced the camera, and said earnestly, "Dad, you didn’t come for Children’s Day again this year. I had prepared a performance for you, but you didn’t come. Uncle said you’re too busy, that you have to work hard and earn money to buy me toys. I want to tell you now that I’m a big boy and I don’t need toys anymore. Can you come next Children’s Day? I’ll count to three, and if you don’t say anything, I’ll take that as a yes, okay?"

He held up his little fingers and began to count. "One, two, three."

After counting, a brilliant smile spread across his face, and he said cheerfully, "Then it’s a deal! You have to come next year. But since you couldn’t make it because you were working for me, I’ll still perform my show for you. I hope you like it."

With that, he looked toward Shawn Ford again. The camera pulled back, revealing his whole body. Music started playing, and Felix Ford began to dance.

It was a new dance his kindergarten teacher had taught them: "The Little Rabbit Pulling a Radish." He was the little rabbit, which explained the rabbit ears headband.

He sang and danced at the same time, and the camera even captured the sound of his panting.

"Pulling the radish, pulling the radish, HEAVE-HO, HEAVE-HO, pulling the radish, can’t pull it out..."

He huffed and puffed, pretending to struggle with all his might. An unconscious smile touched Samuel Ford’s lips. ’Silly boy.’

He finished the dance quickly. It was only a few minutes long, but he’d managed to work up a sweat. At the end, he didn’t forget to take a gentlemanly bow.

Then he looked at the camera and smiled brightly again. "Performance by Felix Ford of Sunshine Kindergarten’s middle class is now complete. Thank you for watching, Dad. See you next year."

As he waved his little hand, the screen slowly faded to black.

Samuel Ford stroked Seven’s screen and asked, "Why are you only showing this to me now?"

Seven’s eyes blinked. "Playback complete. Replay?"

After a moment of silence, a "Yes" echoed in the room.

And so, for the rest of the night, the study was filled with the sound of a child’s innocent voice.

**

Felix Ford yawned, rubbing his eyes as he glanced at the sky outside. It was already bright. He looked at the person beside him and snuggled deeper into her arms.

Amanda Vance had bought this house two years ago and had it renovated long since. Someone came to clean it periodically, so when they moved in yesterday, it was spotless, right down to the freshly washed bedsheets.

Sensing the movement beside her, Amanda Vance opened her eyes. She glanced at him and pulled him into her embrace. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes." Felix Ford looked up at her. "Mom, is this going to be our home from now on?"

"That’s right. Do you like it here?"

"I love it!" he said loudly. "I love any place as long as you’re there, Mom!"

His words made Amanda Vance chuckle. She leaned down and kissed his forehead. "Alright then, time to get up. Go wash your face, and Mommy will make you something to eat."

"Okay."

She made a simple breakfast: a sandwich and some soy milk. After the mother and son finished eating, Felix Ford asked, "Mom, where are we going today?"

"We’re going to treat your uncle to a meal. We have him to thank for getting your school enrollment sorted out."

Felix Ford had been having so much fun lately that he’d completely forgotten about school. His little face immediately fell, and he looked at her pitifully. "Can I not go to school?"

"No, you can’t." Amanda Vance didn’t indulge him on this matter. "Jean, Mommy knows you’re very smart and you look down on the other kids in kindergarten, but you need to spend more time with children your own age."

Jean was smart, a genius one might say, but that came with its own drawbacks. He was naturally precocious and looked down on other children his age even more, finding them immature.

Previously, he had gone to kindergarten for just one day before telling her he didn’t want to go back. Even when he did go later, he would always coax Jobs into picking him up early.

He was always very well-behaved; it was only on the subject of not wanting to go to school that he acted like a child his age.

However, Amanda Vance didn’t want him to become withdrawn, so school was a must.

Sensing the firmness in her attitude, Felix Ford hung his head, pouted, and said reluctantly, "Okay, fine."