Chapter Thirty-Two: The Thoughtful System (Please Vote for Recommendations)

“Brother Yang, heh heh...”

“Huh? Fang Du! What are you...”

Yang Qing, busy making jianbing guozi, looked up and saw Fang Du walking over in the line.

“Heh heh... I was craving your jianbing guozi, so I lined up, heh heh...”

Fang Du grinned, but his gaze couldn't help drifting toward Tan Jin'er, who was busy selling xiaolongbao nearby. Beads of sweat glistened like pearls on her fair, delicate cheeks, and a blossom-like smile bloomed at the corner of her lips, gently and sweetly bathing each customer in warmth.

Fang Du was momentarily entranced.

“What are you spacing out for?”

Yang Qing glanced at him in confusion. “Come in, you want jianbing guozi, right? I’ll make it for you right away.”

“Ah, no, I’ll have xiaolongbao instead... I won’t bother you.”

“Alright, then, go get them from Jin’er yourself.”

“Oh, okay. She’s... called Jin’er?”

“Mhm, Miss Qin and the others are all upstairs, you can take it up and eat with them.”

“Alright.”

Nervous and a bit shy, Fang Du went to Tan Jin'er, loitered for a while, then picked up a basket of xiaolongbao and climbed the stairs, glancing back every few steps.

“Jin’er, heh heh... Jin’er...”

He muttered to himself, appearing on the second floor with a silly smile, but in the next instant his grin froze, his eyes widened in shock.

Heavens, who did he see?

The pop diva! Queen Ying!

He flushed with excitement, rushing over to the seated Wang Ying, about to speak in his excitement.

But—

“Ahem! Xiao Fang! Come here!”

Wen Xiaorou suddenly coughed, her voice cold, cutting him off. He looked over in confusion.

There sat his own boss, Qin Xue, not far away, flanked by Wen Xiaorou, who glared at him, and Li Yuexi, whose expression was impossibly complex.

The idol Wang Ying looked elegant and serene, but beside her sat the fiery Wang Ke’er, eyes flashing with indignation.

On the floor to the side, six little children sat in a row, grinning at him mischievously.

“Uh, I... well... hehe...”

Fang Du was utterly bewildered by the atmosphere, standing there dumbfounded, not knowing what to do.

“Hee hee... Brother Fang Du, come here, sit with us!”

At that moment, little Qiu'er called to him with a giggle. Xiao Bai, too, shouted,

“Come quick! The show’s about to start!”

“Hiahiahiahia... come watch the show!”

This was a lively, adorable child with a missing front tooth.

A show!

Fang Du was stunned, then suddenly shuddered as he looked at the two opposing groups. Without another word, he dashed back downstairs.

Damn! This is way too scary!

A show! What kind of show am I supposed to watch?!

“Brother Yang...”

Back on the first floor, he called to Yang Qing with a complicated look, wanting to say something but not knowing how to begin.

“Hmm, why are you back down here?” Yang Qing asked, puzzled.

“Well, uh... hehe, it’s just more comfortable down here. By the way, I noticed there’s a new kid. She’s really cute.”

“Oh, that’s Jin’er’s younger sister, Xi’er.”

“Jin’er’s sister!”

At this, Fang Du perked up. Watching Tan Jin’er as she worked, he quickly finished off his xiaolongbao.

“Um, hi, you’re Jin’er, right? I’m Fang Du, a friend of Brother Yang.”

Tan Jin’er turned at the sound of his voice, recognizing the slightly shy young man from earlier. She smiled.

“Yes, hello, I’m Tan Jin’er.”

“Well, um... why don’t I take over for you? You take a break.”

Tan Jin’er was caught off guard. She looked again at Fang Du and saw a beaming, sunny smile.

“Yes, Jin’er, take a rest. Let Fang Du help for a bit. I’ll make something delicious for you two at lunch,” Yang Qing added. Honestly, he also felt bad letting Jin’er work non-stop, but what else could he do?

“Oh, alright.”

Tan Jin’er listened to Yang Qing and, once relieved by Fang Du, turned to head upstairs to check on Xi’er. But—

“Ahem, Jin’er, just rest downstairs for now. Don’t go upstairs. Your sister Xi’er is fine.”

Fang Du seemed to read her thoughts, his expression a bit odd.

Tan Jin’er: ???

Yang Qing: ...

So... what on earth happened upstairs? Why is Fang Du acting just like Wang Ming?

Tan Jin’er eventually still went upstairs—partly missing her sister, partly out of sheer curiosity.

Fang Du: "...Sigh!"

...

Near noon, after a busy morning, the xiaolongbao were sold out. Fang Du collapsed onto a stool like a puddle, while Yang Qing watched the last customers filter out and exhaled deeply.

“Qingzi!”

Mr. and Mrs. Bai, having finished selling their rice porridge, approached with complicated expressions.

“This is... just wild.”

Yang Qing was unfazed. “This is just the usual.”

Mrs. Bai: (ง ˙o˙)ว

Mr. Bai: ...

He let his guard down again! Fooled by this kid yet again!

“By the way, I saw Miss Qin and her friends came by this morning. Have they left yet?”

Mrs. Bai smiled. “If not, I’ll go buy some groceries and make a big lunch.”

Hearing this, Yang Qing was taken aback. “They haven’t left, I...”

He was mid-sentence when a crowd descended from the second floor.

Qin Xue and her two friends, Wang Ying with her face covered again, Wang Ke’er glaring, Tan Jin’er looking dazed, and the children grinning from ear to ear.

“Whoa!”

Seeing so many beautiful women with such different styles, Mr. Bai was momentarily stunned.

Fang Du sprang up as well, standing to the side, his gaze subtly following Tan Jin’er with concern.

Mrs. Bai gasped. She’d met all these women before except for Wang Ying, but seeing them all together was still stunning.

She shot Yang Qing a curious look, but Yang Qing’s expression remained calm.

“Huh, why are you all coming down?” he asked curiously.

“We’re leaving.”

Qin Xue spoke first, her voice warm and gentle. “Don’t overwork yourself. Get some rest. Also, the film crew will be here tomorrow morning to shoot. It might disrupt your business.”

“They’re coming tomorrow! Haha, that’s great!” Yang Qing beamed with delight. This was what he’d been looking forward to—free advertising on TV. Why not?

“Mhm.”

Qin Xue led the three women away. As she left, Wen Xiaorou shot Fang Du a cold look.

“Xiao Fang, are you coming or not?!”

“Uh, I... should I go or not?” Fang Du glanced at Tan Jin’er, then at Yang Qing.

Wen Xiaorou: “...You seriously don’t know?”

Fang Du: “I...”

“Haha... Fang Du’s staying for lunch. He’s worked hard all morning. Let him eat before he goes,” Yang Qing smiled, rescuing him.

The three women left. Wang Ying stepped forward, her sunglasses hiding her eyes as she addressed Yang Qing with quiet elegance.

“My concert—you’ll come, won’t you?”

“Uh, I will,” Yang Qing replied, a bit surprised.

“Good. Don’t forget. I’ll be off now. Thank you for the xiaolongbao—they were delicious.”

Wang Ying smiled, then crouched to hug little Qiu’er, Xiao Bai, and Tan Xi’er, kissed Dong’er, and patted Chun and Xia on the head.

“Ke’er, let’s go.”

“Mm.”

Wang Ke’er gave Yang Qing a sorrowful look. “Qingqing, I have to go with Sister Ying now. She signed me.”

Yang Qing: “…Good luck. But could you please not call me... Qingqing!”

“Giggle... I won’t! Bye, Jin’er!”

Wang Ke’er followed Wang Ying out, leaving the shop feeling a little emptier.

“Brother... will Sister Ke’er come back again?” Little Qiu’er asked, her lips pouting.

“She will,” Yang Qing replied with a smile. “She’s just got a better job now, not leaving for good. She’ll visit when she has time.”

“Mm!” Qiu’er cheered up. “Brother, let me tell you, it was so much fun just now!”

“It really was! So much fun!” Xiao Bai laughed.

“Hiahiahiahia... so much fun! This is just too much fun!” Tan Xi’er laughed, then turned to Tan Jin’er, her childish voice sweet.

“Sis, let’s just live here, okay? It’s so much fun here, with Qiu’er, Xiao Bai, and the rocking horse!”

Hearing this, Tan Jin’er looked at Yang Qing, about to speak, but someone beat her to it.

“Then stay here. Xi’er likes it, and Brother Yang could use a helper.”

It was Fang Du, looking at Tan Jin’er with hope, and at Yang Qing with equal anticipation.

“Haha... good idea!” Yang Qing grinned at him. “You’ve got the right idea. Jin’er, what do you think?”

He turned to Jin’er. “You haven’t found a suitable job yet, why not stay here for now? Xi’er will have a place to stay and friends to play with. Plus, we don’t open from noon to four every day, so you can look for work during that time. If you find something better, you can leave at any time. How about it?”

“I... but...”

Jin’er was moved to tears by his words, her eyes reddening as she choked up. “Thank you, I... I’ll stay. I won’t look for another job. I’m really happy here, but I...”

“Haha, no buts!”

Seeing her agree, Yang Qing broke into a delighted laugh. “It’s settled, then. I’ll pay you five thousand a month and cover your room and board. How’s that?”

He turned to the elated little Xi’er. “And in September, Xi’er and Qiu’er can go to kindergarten with Xiao Bai.”

“Kindergarten! Really?!”

Xi’er was over the moon. “Sis! Really? Is it true? I can go to kindergarten with Qiu’er and Xiao Bai! Hiahia... I’m so happy! Xiao Bai, I’m going to kindergarten too! I’ll be your big sister!”

Qiu’er giggled.

Xiao Bai, deadpan: “Silly girl! Be my big sister, huh? I’ll give you two good thumps!”

Everyone burst out laughing, and Tan Jin’er, through her tears, nodded with all her might.

“How wonderful.”

Seeing this, Yang Qing felt an unexplainable sense of relief. He truly sympathized with the Tan sisters and couldn’t bear to see little Xi’er, so full of joy, share in her sister’s hardships.

Life is unpredictable; cherish every encounter.

Ding!

Just as he was lost in thought, a system prompt sounded in his mind:

“Detected host’s needs. Issuing task!

Teach a Man to Fish: Take on two apprentices, pass on three culinary skills. When both apprentices graduate, you’ll receive twenty achievement points.

Note: While imparting skills, the system will enhance the apprentices’ comprehension.”

An apprenticeship mission!

Yang Qing grinned. What a considerate system.

His gaze, full of joy, turned to Tan Jin’er and Mrs. Bai.