Chapter 110: The Only One She Failed Was Herself

At two o'clock in the afternoon, Yang Qing returned with the strawberries he had bought for the little ones.

The garden gate was pushed open gently. In the yard, Tan Jin'er and Bai Lingyue were chatting and laughing while washing clothes. A fine sheen of sweat glistened on Tan Jin'er's delicate and beautiful face, sparkling under the sunlight. Watching her smile and seeing her carefully hand-wash the little ones' clothes, Yang Qing was momentarily lost in thought.

At twenty-one, she was in the prime of her youth. By rights, she should have been like so many other young women—enjoying the life she had just begun, finding a career to strive for, and embarking on a wonderful romance. Yet now, for the sake of survival and her sister, she had given up her studies, left her hometown, and come to this unfamiliar place, doing work that stood in stark contrast to her dreams.

"Jin'er is a good sister, a truly great sister. She has been fair to everyone, except... except to herself."

Yang Qing sighed inwardly. This was life, this was fate; the world is full of impermanence. Watching Tan Jin'er and recalling what he had said to Fang Du earlier that day, a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. It was worth it. Even if it meant losing some friends, what did it matter? To protect the laughter and joy in this small courtyard, he was willing to sacrifice much, much more.

With a smile on his lips and his thoughts gathered, he walked toward the two women.

"Oh, Brother Qing, you're back."

Only then did the two women, hearing his footsteps, notice his arrival. Tan Jin'er looked up and smiled, "Have you eaten? There’s some leftover food from lunch, I’ll go heat it up for you."

"No—"

Yang Qing had barely uttered the word when he paused and laughed instead. "Actually, I did have lunch with Wang Ming and the others, but the place was too upscale and I didn't get to eat my fill. I am actually a bit hungry, so I'll trouble you, Jin'er."

"Mhm!" Tan Jin'er’s eyes brightened. "Then sit for a moment, Brother Qing. I'll go heat it up; it won't take long."

"Alright," Yang Qing nodded, handing her the bag he was carrying. "I saw someone selling strawberries on the way back, so I bought some for Qiu'er, Xi'er, and the others."

"You, you spoil them too much," Tan Jin'er said as she took the bag. "Xi'er is already spoiled rotten by you; she's incredibly mischievous now." Though she said this, her smile only grew wider.

As Tan Jin'er went to the kitchen with the strawberries, Yang Qing chuckled and turned to Bai Lingyue, who was staring straight at him without a word. Puzzled, he asked, "Lingyue, why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?" He wiped his face with his hand and checked his palm, but found nothing.

"Pfft!"

Bai Lingyue was amused by his gesture. Laughing, she asked curiously, "Brother Qing, how did you get to know Sister Qin Xue and the pop diva Ying? I'm so curious!"

"Uh, that..."

Yang Qing was taken aback. He sat down on the small stool where Tan Jin'er had been washing clothes and rolled up his sleeves. "Little Xue is my savior, and as for the pop diva Ying and the others... it was just fate. Your brother knows, didn't he tell you?"

"No!" Bai Lingyue said, annoyed. "My brother doesn't tell me anything. Brother Qing, just tell me, I'm dying of curiosity!"

Yang Qing shook his head, not answering her. Instead, he began washing the small clothes in the basin. As he scrubbed, he noticed the water turning murky and asked in confusion, "Where did Qiu'er and the others go to play? Why are their clothes covered in mud?"

"Hmph! I'm not telling you!"

Having received no answer from Yang Qing, Bai Lingyue pouted with a playful bit of temper. Although she had only been here for a few days, she could sense that Yang Qing was a very gentle and kind person who treated her like a younger sister, which was why she felt comfortable showing this side of herself.

"Haha..."

Yang Qing chuckled and said nothing, continuing to wash the little ones' clothes with care. Seeing this, Bai Lingyue relented and couldn't help but say, "Qiu'er and the others were playing with mud in the yard. They even molded a lot of little figures. Look over there..."

Yang Qing followed her gaze and saw a row of mud figures drying under the eaves.

"Qiu'er molded you, Brother Qing, along with Chun'er, Dong'er, and Sister Qin Xue," Bai Lingyue continued. "Xiaobai molded our whole family, and Xi'er molded Jin'er, herself, and everyone else. They had so much fun."

"Mhm, it sounds like they did. Look at these little clothes, they're caked in mud," Yang Qing laughed. "Was Jin'er furious?"

"Not at all," Bai Lingyue replied. "Sister Jin'er was so happy today; Xi'er even bought her new clothes."

"Huh? Xi'er bought Jin'er new clothes?" Yang Qing was stunned.

"Yeah, and Qiu'er bought you some, too!"

Bai Lingyue smiled as she recounted what had happened at the mall. Yang Qing felt a warmth spread through his heart; he couldn't wait to try on the clothes Qiu'er had picked out for him.

"Brother Qing, you aren't actually hungry, are you?"

Suddenly, Bai Lingyue changed the subject. "You sent Sister Jin'er away just because you didn't want her to be so tired, right?"

"Aren't you clever," Yang Qing laughed. He took out his phone and handed it to her. "Lingyue, help me buy a washing machine online. Actually, buy two—one for the shop and one for here."

"Okay," Bai Lingyue nodded. Then, with a hint of envy, she said, "Brother Qing, being your sister must be so happy. It’s really enviable."

Yang Qing paused. He looked up at her and said earnestly, "No, you're wrong. The one who is truly enviable is you."

"Lingyue, remember this: never envy others' happiness. Because the moment you start envying someone else's happiness, your own heart begins to wither, and the happiness that was meant for you will gradually slip away."

Yang Qing spoke with sincerity. "Happiness is something you earn and cherish yourself. You are actually very happy right now—you have a brother and sister-in-law who love you, and parents who think of you. That is the greatest happiness; everything else is just decoration. Do you understand?"

"I... I understand."

Bai Lingyue nodded tentatively. It was the first time she had seen Yang Qing wear such a serious expression, and it startled her.

"Sigh..."

Seeing her reaction, Yang Qing let out a soft sigh and said no more. Bai Lingyue fell into deep thought, and for a while, the atmosphere remained quiet.

...

After finishing the laundry and polishing off the meal Tan Jin'er had heated for him, Yang Qing went to the small bedroom. Seeing the four little ones sleeping in a row on the bed, he smiled and kissed their little cheeks.

"Xi'er is really something... sleeping and hugging Dong'er in this heat. Look at the sweat on Dong'er's little head."

Just then, Tan Jin'er walked in. Seeing her little sister cuddling Dong'er, she looked helpless.

Yang Qing laughed too. Just as he was about to reply, a magical scene unfolded. A soft "hissing" sound was heard, and suddenly the sheet beneath Xi'er and Dong'er grew damp, the wet patch slowly spreading outward.

Tan Jin'er: "..."

Yang Qing: "Haha... who did this? Can you tell? Haha... it seems Xi'er and Dong'er won't be able to sleep apart anytime soon."

Tan Jin'er also laughed. "That might not be true. Once Xi'er starts kindergarten, she won't be able to cuddle Dong'er while sleeping."

"Gasp!"

Yang Qing's laughter cut off abruptly. He looked with pity at little Xi'er, who was pouting and shifting her small body in her sleep.

*Oh, baby Xi'er, you're on your own now. Your little black pot is about to disappear.*