Chapter 136: A Flawless and Pure Friendship

5:00 AM, the alarm went off.

Yang Qing opened his eyes and looked at the little one sleeping sweetly in his arms. He gave her an affectionate kiss, then climbed out of bed on tiptoe to wash up.

Another busy and fulfilling day was about to begin.

At 7:00 AM, just as Yang Qing and Tan Jin'er were busy at work, little Xiaobai, who had to go to kindergarten, woke up.

Still squinting from sleepiness, she rubbed her watermelon-cut hair messily, then habitually reached out a small hand to nudge the person beside her. Her first act upon waking was usually to nudge Xiao Qiu'er, who slept next to her, to join her for breakfast.

But her nudge this morning left her stunned. Her squinting eyes flew wide open as she looked…

Where was she? Where was Qiu'er?

"Hanhanner! Wake up! Qiu'er is gone!"

Xiaobai anxiously gave a shove to Xiao Xi'er, who was soundly asleep while hugging Xiao Dong'er.

"Umm~"

Xiao Xi'er sleepily opened her eyes to glance at Xiaobai, then rolled over, changed her position, and continued her beautiful dream.

Xiaobai: →_→

"Smack!"

Xiaobai’s little palm landed firmly on Xiao Xi'er’s little bottom. "Wake up!" she commanded in her milky voice. "Qiu'er is gone!"

"Whoosh!"

Xiao Xi'er sat up, clutching her bottom, her sleepiness completely gone. She stared at Xiaobai with wide, bewildered eyes. "Qiu'er is gone? Where did that silly baby go? Is she lost?!"

Xiaobai was speechless. Who was the silly baby? You’re the silly, ditsy one.

The two little ones moved the sleeping Xiao Dong'er to the inside of the bed to keep her from rolling off, then scampered out in their cartoon pajamas.

In the living room, Chun'er and Xia'er were eating breakfast. Seeing the two little ones run out, Chun'er called out:

"Xiaobai, go wash your face and brush your teeth. Come have breakfast with us, then we’ll go to school."

"Oh no, oh no!" Xiaobai cried out in her milky voice, "Sister Chun'er, Qiu'er is gone!"

"Qiu'er is gone?" Chun'er paused. "Isn't she sleeping with you?"

"That silly baby Qiu'er is lost!" Xiao Xi'er chimed in. "Did the night owl take her away? My sister said if a doll isn't obedient, the night owl will snatch her away while she’s sleeping!"

Xiaobai looked stunned. "Really?!"

"Uh-huh, really, Xiaobai," Xiao Xi'er nodded her head very seriously.

"Hehe..."

Seeing the frightened expressions on the two little ones, Xia'er couldn't help but laugh. "There are no night owls. Qiu'er is probably sleeping in Brother's room. Why don't you go check?"

"Whoosh!"

The two little ones dashed off again. When they reached Yang Qing's room, they indeed found the little girl fast asleep.

"Smack!"

Without a word, Xiaobai walked up and gave Xiao Qiu'er’s bottom a slap, with Xiao Xi'er following closely behind with puffed-up cheeks.

Xiao Qiu'er was shaken awake by her two little best friends. She rubbed her bottom and opened her sleepy eyes, looking at them in confusion.

"You silly baby! Why did you run over here? Xiaobai and I thought you were snatched by the night owl! You scared us to death!" Xiao Xi'er exclaimed, her cheeks puffed up with anger. She had been genuinely scared that her best friend had been taken away.

"I'm sorry, Xi'er, Xiaobai."

Xiao Qiu'er realized it was wrong to sneak away from her friends, and she hung her little head in apology.

"Don't sneak off again, it makes us worry." Xiaobai reached out and patted Xiao Qiu'er’s head like a big sister. "Let's go, time to wash up and eat breakfast."

"Uh-huh."

Xiao Qiu'er nodded, climbed down from the bed, and headed out with the other two. But when they reached the bathroom, Xiao Xi'er didn't stop and kept walking straight ahead.

Xiaobai was puzzled. "Hanhanner, where are you going?!"

Xiao Xi'er grinned. "Hiahia... I'm not fully awake yet. I'm going to go keep Dong'er company and sleep some more!"

Xiaobai: ...

Xiao Qiu'er: ⊙ω⊙

...

June 12th was a peaceful day. Yang Qing and Tan Jin'er were busy at the shop, while Xiao Qiu'er and Xiao Xi'er stayed on the second floor playing games and watching cartoons with Xiao Dong'er.

It wasn't until the three little ones returned from school and night fell that Xiao Qiu'er began to look anxious.

Tomorrow, she would be leaving with her brother, but Xiaobai and Xiao Xi'er didn't know, and her big sisters didn't know either.

Several times she wanted to tell her two best friends, but she felt scared and worried. As for what she was afraid of, she couldn't even put it into words.

At dinner, Yang Qing noticed Xiao Qiu'er’s distracted expression. He smiled, patted her head, and said to everyone:

"I'm going to Jinghua tomorrow, and Qiu'er is coming with me. It’ll be hard work for Jin'er and Lingyue at the shop. And Chun'er and Xia'er... well... be good and listen to Sister Jin'er and Lingyue. Also, take good care of Dong'er, Xi'er, and Xiaobai, you hear?"

"We know."

Chun'er and Xia'er nodded obediently. Being sensible, they didn't ask questions, but the other two little ones were different.

"Clatter!"

Xiao Xi'er, who had been focused on her meal, froze. She lifted her head and stared blankly at Xiao Qiu'er.

Xiaobai’s chopsticks also paused. Her big eyes filled with disbelief as she looked at Xiao Qiu'er, then asked Yang Qing:

"Brother Qing, where are you taking Qiu'er?"

"To Jinghua."

"Is it far..."

"Yes, it is."

"Oh..."

Xiaobai stopped talking and went back to eating in silence, her chopsticks aimlessly stirring her food...

Seeing this, Mother Bai didn't scold her as she usually would; she knew the child was hurting inside.

"Qiu'er, are... are you going very far away with Brother Qing? Are... are you leaving Xi'er behind?"

Xiao Xi'er’s big eyes welled up with tears. She couldn't bear the thought of her best friend going so far away.

"No, I'm not leaving you, I... I..."

Xiao Qiu'er waved her hands in a panic, tears welling up in her own eyes.

Bai Lingyue watched the three little ones, finding it somewhat amusing yet sad. She didn't understand why they were so worried; it was only for a few days, it wasn't as if...

As she thought this, the smile on her face stiffened. That’s right—it was only for a few days, yet they were so reluctant to part. Meanwhile, as adults, we have experienced countless indefinite goodbyes, yet we are never as attached as they are.

Is this... the price of growing up?

In the end, we have lost that burning passion for friendship in our hearts!

Childhood friendship is truly flawless and pure.

Xiao Xi'er cried, Xiao Qiu'er cried, and Xiaobai sat with puffed cheeks, repeatedly poking at the rice in her bowl with her chopsticks.

"This..." Yang Qing felt helpless. After a moment of silence, he looked at Mother Bai and Tan Jin'er. "How about we let Xiaobai and Xi'er come with us?"

"No need," Mother Bai shook her head. "The little brat still has school. I'll go talk to her."

With that, Mother Bai stood up, walked over to Xiaobai, and picked her up, taking her away from the table.

Tan Jin'er also smiled and shook her head at Yang Qing, then picked up her crying little sister and went into the bedroom.

Ten minutes later, the three little ones were huddled together, holding hands again.

"Qiu'er, when you get to that far-away place, you must call me, okay? Call me a lot!" Xiaobai lifted her wrist-worn child's phone and instructed, "You have to listen to Brother Qing, and don't go running off, you hear?"

Xiao Qiu'er nodded. "Uh-huh, I know. Xiaobai, I'll miss you and Xi'er. Brother promised me he'd bring you all gifts when I come back."

"Qiu'er," Xiao Xi'er said, unable to let go, "I really want to go with you, but I have to stay with my sister, and I have to take care of Dong'er. Don't worry, I promise I'll take good care of her!"

"Uh-huh!"

Xiao Qiu'er nodded vigorously, her little heart filled with warmth.

The three little ones were saying their goodbyes in advance, while the adults talked nearby. Tan Jin'er asked:

"Brother Qing, you're taking Qiu'er to Jinghua, but what will you do with her when you go to the exchange meeting?"

"Well... Dongning is going with us," Yang Qing replied. "I've spoken to him, and he said he'll have his sister come over to keep Qiu'er company."

"Oh, that's good then."

Tan Jin'er and the others felt reassured; Li Dongning had always left a reliable impression on them.

...

On the morning of June 13th, after an emotional goodbye with many hugs, Xiao Qiu'er and Xiao Xi'er parted ways, and Qiu'er went to the airport with Yang Qing.

"Qingzi! Over here!"

Li Dongning had arrived at the airport early and waved when he saw them from afar.

At 10:00 AM, it was time to board. Xiao Qiu'er, who was flying for the first time, held Yang Qing’s large hand tightly, both excited and nervous, following him step by step.

But as they walked, her small body was suddenly lifted from behind. Yang Qing was startled and turned around quickly, then froze in surprise.

"Sister Qin! Sister Ying!"

Xiao Qiu'er’s joyful, milky voice rang out.