Chapter 130: Dudu’s Gratitude

That night, the three little ones, having enjoyed their "horseback rides," drifted into their dreams with sweet smiles on their faces.

Yang Qing and Bai Zhijun, having played the role of old horses for the evening, were rewarded with kisses and cuddles from the little ones. Old Bai was so delighted that the wrinkles on his forehead seemed to smooth out.

That night, Dudu, also having experienced her first horseback ride, said her very first "goodnight" to her parents. Her parents were so overcome with excitement that they stayed awake half the night, communicating through a series of hand signs before finally falling asleep in contentment.

That night, Wang Ying’s debut concert came to a perfect close, setting a record with 55,000 people in attendance and 230,000 watching via simultaneous online streaming. With this, Wang Ying firmly secured her status as a diva; no one dared to question it anymore. Furthermore, after the lossless version of her new song, "Longing," was released following the concert, it began a sweeping dominance of the music charts.

That night, the name Yang Qing became known to even more netizens, and for the first time, people clearly connected his name to his face.

That night, Wang Ke'er successfully debuted as a singer, leveraging the two songs she performed at the concert to enter the music industry. She completed a perfect transformation from an internet celebrity to a professional singer, breaking the curse that internet stars cannot survive outside their filters, and winning the hearts of even more fans.

...

The next day, just as the sky began to brighten, Yang Qing got up, washed, and gently pushed open the door to the four little ones' bedroom.

On the bed, Xiao Qiu'er and Xiao Bai had their little heads pressed together, their small arms draped over each other. One of Xiao Bai’s fair, chubby legs was resting on Xiao Qiu'er. They looked adorable, sleeping soundly.

Xiao Xi'er was still hugging Xiao Dong'er in her sleep, her mouth pursed as if she were cradling her own little baby.

Yang Qing sneakily reached out and felt the sheet under Xiao Xi'er...

Hmm... very good. Our baby Xi has grown up; she has overcome her habit of bedwetting.

Watching the four little ones, Yang Qing smiled with affection. He gently tucked in the quilt they had kicked off and turned to head out of the room.

Around the corner, he ran into the little cook.

Seeing Jin'er heading to wash up, Yang Qing said with a soft smile, "Go get some more sleep. I'll handle the preparations this morning."

Tan Jin'er shook her head with a smile, "No, I’ll help you..."

"Be obedient."

Before she could finish, Yang Qing interrupted her. He took her arm and gently but firmly led her to the closed bedroom door, laughing, "Go on, get some more sleep. Just get up when Lingyue does."

"Alright then, thank you for your hard work, Brother Qing." Unable to refuse, Tan Jin'er could only feel a warm, sweet sensation in her heart as she smiled.

"It's nothing."

Yang Qing waved his hand, smiling, then headed to the kitchen on the first floor to start busy making steamed buns.

At seven o'clock, Tan Jin'er and Bai Lingyue came downstairs together. Bai Zhijun and his wife brought over some porridge, and after the five of them finished their porridge and freshly steamed buns, everyone went back to their respective tasks.

At seven-thirty, as Bai Zhijun rode his electric tricycle to take the two little ones and Xiao Bai to school, the diners began to arrive in twos and threes.

"Little Boss, you're awesome! For the sake of an old customer, do us a favor and take a group photo!"

"Yeah, Little Boss, you're so cool! Let’s take a picture together!"

"Damn it! Little Boss, please, a group photo! Your 'first' has to be with us local Yangcheng regulars; don't let others get ahead of us!"

"Exactly! So, your first group photo and autograph must be for me!"

"Must be for you?! Pfft, don't think I'll give you special treatment just because you're pretty!"

"Ha, big guy, you've touched her 'giant panda'..."

Diner: "..."

Yang Qing: "..."

Watching more and more diners excitedly clamoring for photos and autographs, Yang Qing said speechlessly, "Stop it. I’m right here. Take all the photos you want, but no group photos. And as for autographs—would you believe me if I said I didn't know how to write my own name?"

Diners: "..."

Believe? We’d sooner believe in ghosts!

You really are the first person to reject fans so perfunctorily!

The diners were speechless, but there was nothing they could do about Yang Qing. Yang Qing, however, just chuckled and began his business.

"What would you like? A pancake roll or steamed buns?"

Male diner: "I want both!"

While Yang Qing and Tan Jin'er were busy on the first floor, the three little ones on the second floor woke up.

Actually, Xiao Qiu'er had been awake for a while. She had been woken up by Xiao Bai when she got up for school and had even kept Xiao Bai company while she ate breakfast. After Xiao Bai left, she had dozed off on the bed again.

"Dong'er, you didn't wet the bed last night, you're so good!"

Xiao Qiu'er first checked Xiao Dong'er’s little pants—they were dry. She happily kissed Xiao Dong'er and, together with Xiao Xi'er, who had already dressed herself, helped Xiao Dong'er get dressed.

Once Xiao Dong'er was dressed and playing to the side, Xiao Qiu'er and Xiao Xi'er worked together to fold their little quilts. Xiao Qiu'er was very skilled at this; after all, ever since she could remember, it had been part of her daily routine. Although Xiao Xi'er was a bit clumsy, she mimicked the movements quite well.

After tidying up, the two little ones held Xiao Dong'er’s hands to brush their teeth, wash their faces, and have breakfast. Xiao Xi'er ate by herself, while Xiao Qiu'er fed Xiao Dong'er. Afterward, they climbed onto the sofa, sat in a row, and turned on the TV to watch cartoons.

This was the most ordinary and habitual daily routine for the three little ones. But today was different, because Dudu had suddenly arrived, along with her mother.

"Qiu'er, Xi'er, Dudu's mom says she wants to take you all to the swimming pool. Do you want to go?"

Tan Jin'er brought Dudu and her mother to the second floor. Seeing the three little ones hugging and jumping with joy upon seeing each other, she asked with a smile.

"The swimming pool?!"

Xiao Qiu'er and Xiao Xi'er widened their eyes in surprise and looked at Dudu.

Dudu first glanced at her mother. After her mother smiled and made a hand gesture, Dudu stepped back slightly, gave the two little ones a small bow, and said with a serious face, "Qiu'er, Xi'er, thank you for being willing to play with me and for teaching me how to speak. My mom wants to thank you, so she invites you to go to the swimming pool and then go eat something delicious. Are you willing to go?"

Little Dudu spoke this sentence very fluently. Although her mother had edited the text on her phone that morning and played the audio for her to mimic, it was enough to show Dudu's progress.

Hearing Dudu’s words, Xiao Qiu'er and Xiao Xi'er were so happy they felt like they could fly, nodding their little heads in unison.

"Mm~ Big sister~ Dong'er~ go~~"

At that moment, Xiao Dong'er also wiggled her little bottom, hugged Xiao Qiu'er, and chirped in her milky voice.

"Alright, Dong'er will go too. Big sister will take you," Tan Jin'er said with a smile, stepping forward to pick up Xiao Dong'er. Then she turned to the two little ones, "Let's go."

"Big sister! Are you coming too?!" Xiao Xi'er asked, jumping with joy.

"Yes, your big sister and Sister Lingyue will take you to play today. Aren't you happy?" Tan Jin'er laughed.

"Happy!" Xiao Xi'er jumped excitedly.

"Brother!"

Arriving on the first floor, Xiao Qiu'er happily hopped over to Yang Qing. Then, seeing the sweat on his forehead, she suddenly stopped.

After a moment, the little girl looked back at Xiao Xi'er and Dudu, who were grinning, and her little heart made a decision.

"Plop!"

Xiao Qiu'er dragged a small stool and placed it in front of the steamer next to Yang Qing.

"Uh, Qiu'er, what are you... doing?"

Yang Qing, who was in the middle of making a pancake roll, was confused by her actions.

Tan Jin'er, holding Xiao Dong'er behind them, was also taken aback. She seemed to understand Xiao Qiu'er's intention but didn't say anything.

"Brother, Qiu'er isn't going to play anymore. Qiu'er will help you sell the little buns."

Xiao Qiu'er looked at Yang Qing with a sweet smile, her little face full of seriousness as she said in her milky voice, "Brother works so hard to earn money, but Qiu'er is going out to play. Qiu'er doesn't want that."

Hearing this, Yang Qing felt a sudden, warm ache in his heart. He stopped making the pancake roll and looked at the little girl with affection and tenderness.

"Thank you, baby. But it's okay, go play. Dudu invited you, and we can't make Dudu sad. Besides, Brother isn't tired at all."

Seeing that the little girl didn't say anything and just stared at him, Yang Qing pointed at Tan Jin'er, who was holding Xiao Dong'er, and whispered to her:

"Actually, your Sister Jin'er is the one who is tired, so I gave her the day off today so she can take you all to play."

"If you don't go, then Xi'er won't go either. If Xi'er doesn't go, your Sister Jin'er won't go either, and she won't be able to rest. So, to help Sister Jin'er get some rest, will you go, baby? Consider it doing Brother a favor."

Hearing this, Xiao Qiu'er blinked, looking at Yang Qing and then at Tan Jin'er. She suddenly reached out her small hand to wipe the sweat from Yang Qing’s forehead, saying in her milky voice:

"Then Brother, don't be too tired. Drink plenty of water. Qiu'er will be good and listen to Sister Jin'er."

"Mm!"

Yang Qing smiled.