The Flying Skateboard Tony made is amazing. The Nano-memory Metal can take on various forms, transforming into a glowing greatsword or a Flying Carpet suitable for sitting and drinking tea. It is both as cool as young people desire and possesses both safety and comfort.
Colt didn't send Tony any money; instead, he chose to provide emotional value, writing a two-thousand-word essay expressing how much he loved the Flying Skateboard.
Tony shared Colt's long essay to his social media account, which has hundreds of millions of followers, with the caption: [The kid really loves my gift. @Bruce Wayne @Joseph Fried]
Chapter 77
Bruce is a rational President; he doesn't bother bickering with someone whose mental age is still in the rebellious stage.
Joseph was mature enough to ride the hype to advertise for the company: [A healthy routine memo my son made for me, requesting that Daddy live to be 200. Little Reed wishes you health and longevity. @Iron Man]
"Are Dad and Tony fighting a secret war?" Colt could smell the tension from afar.
"Clearly, you've become even more famous." Timothy saw through everything.
The Quantum Network of the New World Project, combined with smart translation, has essentially achieved barrier-free communication across the globe. The collision of different cultures has brought about many disputes and heated arguments, but only gossip can make people set aside their conflicts to collectively feast on the latest drama.
People were eager to pry into the private lives of celebrities, passionately debating whether the owner of the flying skateboard was the heir to Little Reed Medical or the third prince of President Wayne's family. Even though the long posts also mentioned luxury sports cars, many people were salivating over the flying skateboard handcrafted by Iron Man; while sports cars can be bought, an Iron Man-made skateboard is absolutely one of a kind.
Thanks to the netizens' gossip, Colt's Spiritual Power recovered even faster.
“I forgot that influencer accounts are also a great way to gain presence and recognition from the world,” Timothy said, opening his recent photo library. “Come on, let's pick a photo for the profile picture.”
Colt picked a photo of himself smiling and reaching toward the camera while standing on his Flying Skateboard, registered a social media account named 【Call duck Call】. Then, he uploaded a photo of his Flying Skateboard in its normal state, with the caption: Skateboarding is really great, remember to eat dinner. @Iron Man @Joseph.
Timmy also registered a new account with a camera as his profile picture, named 【Call duck Drake】.
"I'm looking for competition," Timothy muttered, while carefully selecting the photos that best showcased Colt's good looks, sending them in a nine-grid post, following and @ing Call duck.
Colt followed him back. "I want to be the center of attention to strengthen my sense of presence and simultaneously gain the world's recognition. You are different from me; you like being the person behind the scenes rather than a star under the spotlight. Are you sure you want to trend with me?"
Although I don't live in the news year-round like Bruce and Stark, I still trend over a hundred times a year, so I'm long used to the spotlight." Timothy checked Colt's rapidly growing follower count on his account backend and saw that Bruce Wayne was also among the new followers. His expression changed instantly, he hurriedly urged Colt, "Oh no, quick, follow Bruce!
“What do you mean, 'bad news'?” Colt hurriedly followed back Bruce, as well as Iron Man and his dad.
“How should I put this? Bruce is a bit competitive; you should have @ed him just now." Timothy rubbed his forehead and stood up. "Let's go pick some fruit, then see what else is in the fridge that can be eaten immediately."
"You mean to say that because I didn't @ him when I posted the update, Batman will come knocking on our window in the middle of the night?" Colt looked out at the darkening sky, but he still headed out in his wheelchair to pick some fruit.
He didn't quite believe that Bruce would come. A President's travel standard involves 50 cars and over 100 attendants, the Secret Service does not allow the President to leave their sight.. Most importantly, when the President is extremely busy, Bruce simply cannot find the time.
As it turned out, Red Robin was always right.
At 9 PM, Ghost and the Robin House awaited Batman. Batman didn't lead the charge by breaking in through a window; instead, he knocked politely on the door!
Colt opened the door, behind the pitch-black Batman, several colorful heads poked out. They exchanged glances through their Domino Masks, each wearing a strange smile.
The Bats all emerged from their roost together—Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood, Jester, Orphan, Beacon, Red Robin; the entire Bat Family was only missing Penny I.
Timothy was still in the kitchen making juice.
Colt nervously pushed up his Holographic Glasses and stepped aside to invite them in: "Batman, does the Secret Service know you're here?"
Batman said nothing, but Batgirl suddenly popped out from behind him, greeting loudly, "Good evening, Ghost, it's time to clock out."
“Good evening, Ghost. The Secret Service knows that Batman broke into the White House tonight to kidnap the President.” Nightwing flashed out immediately after.
"Good evening, Ghost. By tomorrow morning, the whole world will know that the President is on a date with Batman tonight." Red Hood's face was full of gloating.
"Good evening, Ghost. On social media, there are already over a thousand ladies claiming they are only half a step away from being the First Lady." Jester patted Batman on the shoulder with a look of pity.
“Good evening, Ghost, Batman is a great helper.” The Orphan gave Batman a kind hug.
“Good evening, Ghost.” The Beacon paused, realizing everyone was looking at him, swallowed hard, his voice sounding a bit weak. “One-third of the shortlist for the people's elected First Lady consists of males.”
Red Robin came out with a sour expression, lifting his chin to look at Colt, his voice stiff: "Good evening, Ghost. If Father must have a First Lady, I hope it's Batman."
Brothers! Sisters! You are all so brave!
Colt didn't dare look Batman in the face; he could feel the dark aura surging and swirling.
Good evening, Bat Family," Timothy said, coming over with two large cups of juice and greeting them warmly. "Do you need me to control the public opinion? Do you prefer 'Bat-Bruce' or 'Bruce-Bat'?
Perhaps human nature is just being a repeater. Colt didn't even know which nerve had misfired, but he actually picked up on Timothy's lead: "Good evening, I prefer Brucie."
Quiet.
"I'm saying the Holographic Glasses are broken, it was the AI speaking just now, do you believe me?" Colt tried to save himself.
Colt met Batman's disapproving gaze, lowered his head to take off his glasses, decided to play dumb.
Sigh, the Holographic Glasses aren't as smart as the Quantum Terminal; it didn't even remind him to check before playing the voice message.
Batman's gaze was even more intimidating than Superman's X-ray vision. He scanned Colt from head to toe, then from toe to head, just a second before Colt could jump, he finally spoke: "Thomas said you have regained your mobility."
Colt glanced at Timothy.
He knew Batman would definitely know about his situation; acting weak in a wheelchair wouldn't get him any sympathy. He had placed Batman in the Presidency, forcing Batman to take over such a mess!
“He hasn't fully adjusted yet. He can move around, but it's very tiring, so using a wheelchair at home makes it easier." Timothy replied with a smile, "I figured you all would come tonight, so I prepared some late-night snacks. Don't just stand at the door, come on in."
Everyone cheered and rushed toward the dining room, even Red Robin abandoned Batman to go find Birdie.
Colt was just about to stand up and walk on his own, but Batman grabbed the handle behind the wheelchair and pushed him forward.
Timmy blinked at Colt, clutching his juice as he chased after his siblings, shouting, "Dick! Jason! No fighting with food!"
Batman stopped.
Colt looked at the bustling restaurant in the distance, then at the Bat-cape draped over the armrest of the wheelchair, his palms sweating from nervousness.
Batman leaned down to lock the wheelchair, turned to the front, crouched to examine Colt's legs, then raised his head with a serious expression.
Is this the pace of the conversation?
Colt put on the Holographic Glasses.
"Are you afraid?" Batman asked.
Colt shook his head and answered truthfully, "A little nervous, but not afraid. I know Batman won't be angry; Batman is just intentionally scaring us with that stern face." Colt lowered his voice, acting like a little snitch, "Tim said everyone knows this, so they like to intentionally provoke you into changing your expression."
He held back from saying that Timothy thought a frowning Batman looked like a grumpy black cat, fierce yet adorable.
Batman tapped Colt's knee to check his patellar reflex while continuing to ask, "Were you afraid that day?"
Colt pressed his lips together.
Of course he was afraid. Afraid that he would fail, instead of bringing the New World, he would bring only destruction. Afraid that he would never be able to return to his hometown, nor return to Gotham, that he would end up with nothing.
Colt raised his head, not daring to blink: "I was afraid, but I succeeded."
Yes, you succeeded." Batman looked into Colt's eyes and said, "You reclaimed that High-dimensional Pen and stripped away the cocoons of fate from everyone.
"Did we make you happy?" Colt asked.
Of course," Batman said, giving Colt a gentle hug, "you all have done a wonderful job.
Colt wanted to cry again.
He had never cried before; it must have been because his soul and body hadn't fused well after returning, causing his tear ducts to become overly developed, making tears want to well up from time to time to assert his presence.
Hey, Batman, Ghost, if you don't hurry, all the food will be gone!" Nightwing shouted as he lunged forward, hugging the two of them before Batman could release Colt, said gratefully, "Ghost, thank you for bringing back Teacher John and Mary, making the flying Graysons whole again.
Whoa, is there a hugging contest going on here? Ba Jie, Cassandra, let's go!
Jester dragged Batgirl and the Orphan into the hugging group.
Let go of Father!
Red Robin, with a sleepy Birdie on his head, lunged forward to pull everyone apart, only to be caught by Batgirl and forced to become part of the group hug.
Red Hood didn't want to join in, but his legs moved of their own accord toward the group hug, as he muttered, "I'm just saving the boss of 'Hiring a Bat'."
Tim rolled his eyes, kicked Red Hood in the back of the knees to make him tumble into the huddle, then hooked his arms around Beacon's neck to join the group.
The whole family must be together, all in one piece!
Colt was pressed at the very bottom, but Batman blocked all the pressure for him, making him the most relaxed one instead.
It was a pleasant beginning.
Everyone returned to the dining table, each pulling out their phones to request to follow Colt.
"Don't get the accounts mixed up," Timothy reminded.
"TT, not everyone is like a common duck; there are too many accounts that can't be seen in the light," Red Robin mocked.
"Don't provoke little Timmy, for the sake of your allowance." Nightwing covered Red Robin's mouth.
You can't refuse a gift, you can't refuse a favor; they had just scrounged a lot of things from Timothy a few days ago.
Although the next generation of the Wayne family's weekly allowance increased from $5 to $500 after Thomas and Martha returned, which was more than enough for an elementary school student whose food, clothing, housing, transportation were all covered by the family, it was certainly not enough for Red Robin, who wanted to upgrade his space equipment and acquire an interstellar warp ship.
Red Robin felt the world was deeply unfair.
With the arrival of the New World Project, his grandfather's precious bathwater turned into a hot spring, the League of Assassins' underground laboratory was whitewashed into a blank slate.. He inexplicably became the President's underage son, with Secret Service idiots watching him in three shifts, his father even demanding that he hide his identity. Meanwhile, the foolish Drake, whose head is filled with hormones, became the biggest winner. Red Robin's safe houses are everywhere, traveling between the bedroom and the office is so extravagant that he uses a Quantum Teleportation Device; he hands out black cards to his siblings casually, possessing an outrageous amount of wealth.
Drake even partnered with Ghost to open an interstellar warp ship factory on Mars!
Ghost definitely helped Drake cheat!
Red Robin angrily trained Birdie to solve geometry problems.
Ghost also cheated for the Birdie, causing the bird's IQ to skyrocket; its feathers are waterproof, fireproof, even bulletproof, with strength and speed that rival the Krypton Bird!
Jester guest-starred as a reporter for the Daily Planet, holding a cucumber in front of Colt: "An interview! What makes you so sure Bruce will become President?"
It's Luthor," Colt said, pushing up his Smart glasses and answering the interview quite cooperatively. "If even Luthor can be President, why shouldn't Bruce be able to?
“Lies!” Jester snapped the cucumber in half and shared a piece with Colt. “The news needs a bombshell! That bald guy isn't good enough for a bombshell, you understand? My friend!”
Fine." Colt accepted the bribe, chewing on the cucumber as he corrected the answer. He glanced at Timothy, who was currently engaged in a subtle battle of wits with Red Robin, lowered his voice. "It's about trust in Batman; there is no candidate more suitable for President than Bruce.
The Jester loudly announced with great fanfare, taking things out of context and making things up, "The truth is just Timmy's pillow talk!"
"That's not my exact wording, I didn't say that," Colt raised his voice.
The wise Batman was not misled by the unscrupulous journalist; instead, Red Robin, in the name of defending his father, lashed out at Timothy, even commanding Birdie to attack Timothy.
Birdie looked at this, then at that, before choosing to land on Colt's shoulder. The bird nuzzled Colt's face, refusing to take sides.
"Damian is so pitiful; he is a key protection target for the Secret Service. To protect his identity, tonight is the first time in half a month that he has worn his Red Robin uniform." Batgirl sat down beside Colt.
"It was me who made Bruce President, not Tim." Colt poured a glass of juice for Batgirl.