Chapter 129: Heading Home and Riding a Big Horse (Please Subscribe)

“Dum… dum… dum dum dum…”

As Yang Qing’s ten fingers danced across the black and white keys of the piano, a melodious and winding tune filled with a deep, sorrowful melancholy suddenly floated out, like a breeze of longing blowing in all directions, lingering in everyone’s hearts.

In an instant, the vast auditorium fell silent, illuminated only by patches of glowing lights.

The audience watched the stage with hopeful hearts and expectant eyes.

They wanted to see, to witness the talent of this man who had dominated the charts with just a song or two in such a short time.

They wanted to hear what kind of song would accompany this instant surge of poignant longing in their hearts.

And then, in the next moment, they heard it.

“Red beans grow in the southern land, a distant tale it seems.”

“What is longing? No one cares anymore.”

Wang Ying’s voice was ethereal, yet within this ethereality lingered a profound and weathered sadness.

Like a woman who had braved countless storms, she held onto the softness within her heart, gently telling through her voice the delicate emotions of longing, helplessness, and sorrow she carried…

This subtle sentiment in her singing enveloped every listener with bittersweet tenderness and deep, mournful affection.

The plaintive piano notes, the delicate and ethereal singing, moved the audience until tears welled up in their eyes.

“To forget the ancient poets most willingly, to scorn longing most deeply.”

“Guarding love for fear of ridicule, yet also afraid to be truly seen…”

The song conveyed emotion and transmitted feeling. Everyone carried their own regrets—some desolate, some mournful, some regretful—but in this moment, longing was the only truth.

Longing may mean little, long forgotten by many, but the person who longs is the one who matters most in one’s heart.

In the audience, Li Wanxiao listened until tears streamed down her face, memories of every moment with him flooding her mind.

Longing—how could she ever let go? How could she forget the one who had painted her life with its most brilliant colors?

“Mom…”

Unnoticed, Little Nian Nian had come to her side, followed by a few little companions.

Little Nian Nian puckered her lips and stretched out her small hand, softly calling to wipe away the tears.

“Darling, mommy…”

Li Wanxiao looked at her daughter before her, wanting to say something but unable to find the words, only tears continued to flow.

“Nian Nian, wipe mommy’s tears and tell her not to cry. You’ll always be with her,” whispered Little Qiu’er, who had somehow obtained a tissue, passing it to Little Nian Nian.

“Mm-hmm!”

Little Nian Nian nodded earnestly, then stood on tiptoe to wipe away her mother’s tears, her innocent voice uttering those words.

In that instant, Li Wanxiao was deeply moved. She embraced her daughter tightly, choking back sobs:

“Mm… mm! Mommy won’t cry, thank you… thank you, sweetheart!”

Wiping away her tears, Li Wanxiao smiled gently at Little Qiu’er and the others.

“Auntie, keep going! You must take good care of your little Nian Nian!”

At this, Little Xi’er saw that Nian Nian’s mother had smiled, her own heavy heart lifting slightly, and she grinned:

“Xi’er misses Daddy too, but I won’t cry. Sister said that as long as Xi’er keeps smiling happily, Daddy will be happy too and will bless Xi’er!”

“And… and…”

Little Xi’er took Little Qiu’er’s hand and babbled playfully:

“Qiu’er doesn’t have parents, but she never cries. You have to be strong!”

Hearing this, Little Qiu’er paused, then smiled curiously:

“Why cry if you don’t have parents? I have my big brother, and sisters, and Dong’er!”

“Heh heh… that’s right!” Xiao Bai laughed heartily. “Only babies cry!”

“Doo… doo doo no… no crying!”

Clear but hesitant words came from Little Dudu. The four little ones then linked hands and laughed joyfully.

Li Wanxiao stood frozen, staring blankly at the laughing Qiu’er and Xi’er.

Yes, despite their tender age, they had already lost their closest family, and Little Qiu’er had never even known parental love.

If they could be so strong, what reason did she have to be weak and avoid facing the truth? At least she had once had beautiful memories!

Meanwhile, on stage, Yang Qing’s piano and Wang Ying’s singing reached their final notes.

“Fireworks embrace the wind and charm, but true feelings are no longer there.”

The song ended, and the crowd dispersed.

Wang Ying’s debut concert concluded. Some fans screamed and shouted wildly, unwilling to leave; others wiped tears silently while waving goodbye.

The little ones reluctantly said their farewells before being taken home by their respective guardians.

“Going home, riding the big horse, riding the big horse!”

The three little ones happily held hands, skipping and babbling with anticipation.

Tan Jin’er, carrying a bag of clothes, smiled helplessly watching their joyful antics ahead, then turned to Yang Qing holding Little Dong’er:

“How could you agree to let Xi’er ride the big horse? This is bad—it’s always the first time that leads to the second.”

Yang Qing winked and smiled:

“I didn’t want to, but Xi’er said I’m handsome—how could I resist that?”

“Pfft!”

Tan Jin’er laughed, then gave him a playful glare:

“You’re just spoiling them.”

“That’s true. If not me, then who else would spoil my little sisters?” Yang Qing said proudly. “I wouldn’t be happy if someone else did!”

“You…”

Tan Jin’er was defeated.

…

Dudu’s parents had once been outstanding athletes, winning many awards. After marrying, they shifted their focus to family and retired to become coaches.

That morning, while at work, Dudu’s father received a message from Dudu’s mother saying that Dudu had spoken and called for “Mom.” He was overwhelmed with excitement.

He wanted to rush home immediately, but he suppressed the impulse and diligently completed his work. Only after finishing his shift in the afternoon did he return home.

Now, standing at the gate of their community, he paced anxiously, eyes fixed ahead.

Finally, he saw two figures holding hands—a tall adult and a small child. He broke into a sprint to greet them.

“Mom! It’s Daddy!”

Dudu saw her father’s tall figure running toward them, happily bounding and babbling clearly.

Dudu’s mother smiled at her husband’s approach and signed to little Dudu before releasing her hand.

With a whoosh, little Dudu dashed like a whirlwind into her father’s arms, calling “Daddy! Daddy!”

Dudu’s father heard it—his daughter calling him “Daddy” for the first time—and tears welled up uncontrollably. His mouth opened to speak but no sound came.

“Daddy!”

Dudu was tightly embraced by her father, tears blurring his vision—tears of joy, relief, and a heart finally at peace.

Yes, though they had given Dudu life and brought her into this world, they had long felt guilty for not allowing her to fully experience its beauty.

At this moment, that void was filled, and how could they not be moved to tears?

Dudu was lifted onto her father’s shoulders, her small hands adorably clutching his head as she babbled:

“Daddy, Qing… Qing Gege let Qiu’er, Xi’er, and Xiao Bai ride… ride the big horse!”

Dudu’s father smiled broadly and glanced at Dudu’s mother, who immediately understood and signed back to Dudu.

Excited, Dudu wiggled the little legs dangling on her father’s chest and happily called:

“Going home, riding the big horse!”