Chapter Thirty-Eight: Qin Xue’s Dominance

(Thanks to "zilong18" and "Daozhuanzheng" for their recommendation votes.)

"Qing, do you think it's appropriate to only post this?"

Early in the morning, Tan Jin’er held a sheet of paper filled with neat handwriting, looking at Yang Qing with hesitation.

"Haha, let's put it up first. Then you and the little ones should follow my wife back to the old courtyard. Brother Bai and I will stay behind and explain to the diners."

Yang Qing smiled as he took the paper from her hands, glanced at it, and exclaimed inwardly at the beauty of the script—delicate yet robust.

He couldn’t help but look up at Tan Jin’er; indeed, her handwriting matched her character. Beneath her gentle, water-like exterior was a strong and resilient heart.

"Jin’er, your handwriting is truly beautiful. By the way, have I ever asked if you went to university?"

As he posted the new business hours notice, Yang Qing asked curiously.

"I did. I attended for a year, then dropped out."

A slight shadow crossed Tan Jin’er’s eyes. Leaving university had always been a regret, but she never regretted her choice.

"Don’t be discouraged."

Yang Qing gently patted her shoulder, speaking earnestly, "There’ll be opportunities in the future."

"Mm!"

Tan Jin’er nodded firmly. Yes, there would be chances ahead—this was merely a new beginning in her life.

...

"Brother, hurry up and come home, we’re waiting for you!"

"Alright, listen to Jin’er and Mama Bai, I’ll be back soon. When I return, I’ll take you all out to play."

"Okay!"

Mama Bai and Tan Jin’er left with the children. Yang Qing and Bai Zhijun sat at the entrance, chatting idly while waiting for the diners to arrive.

A little after seven forty, some diners showed up. After hearing Yang Qing and Bai Zhijun’s explanations, they stood stunned for a moment, then left, faces full of regret.

Wave after wave came—some unwilling, some insistent, some angry, others understanding. Yang Qing always responded with gentle patience.

People are multi-faceted, each face unique.

By nine o'clock, no more diners came. Yang Qing guessed they must have informed each other and left with Bai Zhijun.

Returning to the old courtyard, he saw Tan Jin’er leading five children in cleaning.

She was sweeping the courtyard, sweat beading on her fair forehead.

Chun’er and Xia’er crouched in the small vegetable garden, pulling weeds.

Two others, one with a mop cleaning the floor, the other with a cloth wiping tables, laughed as they worked—little Qiu’er and Xi’er.

Trailing behind the two was the youngest, Dong’er, sticking out her little bottom, huffing and puffing at who knows what.

Seeing no one noticed his arrival, Yang Qing took out his phone and snapped a photo of their busy and joyful scene.

"Jin’er."

Hearing him, Tan Jin’er looked up and softly exclaimed, "Oh, Qing, you’re back. Is everything alright?"

"All good," Yang Qing smiled. "Everyone was very understanding."

Tan Jin’er breathed a sigh of relief, her smile sweet. "That’s good."

"Brother!"

Little Qiu’er ran over on chubby legs, eyes bright with delight. "Brother, Qiu’er mopped the floor! It’s so clean!"

"Hiahiahiahia... Xi’er helped sister too, wiped the tables! Xi’er is so amazing!"

Tan Jin’er: ...

This little one is a bit silly, praising herself like that.

"Haha, I saw you. You’re both incredible! As a reward, I’ve decided to take you all to the amusement park today. How about it?"

Yang Qing laughed affectionately at the two.

"Amusement park! Really? Is it true, brother?"

Little Qiu’er was beside herself with excitement, bouncing and squealing.

"Really? Hiahia... Is it true? Are you really taking Xi’er to the amusement park?"

Xi’er, too, bounced around him, then circled her sister.

"It’s true. Go wash your faces and hands, then we’ll set off. Chun’er, Qiu’er, stop pulling weeds, go wash up!"

"Okay!"

Soon, the children emerged with clean faces and hands. Yang Qing picked up little Dong’er and led them out.

After stopping Bai Zhijun’s wife from spanking little Bai, and calling their family to join, the group set off.

...

Surrounded by childish voices and laughter, the group arrived at the city center.

"Jin’er, you and Xi’er are visiting Yangcheng for the first time. If you have time, take a good look around. There are many tourist spots here."

"Yes, whenever I have time, I’ll explore. Every city has its own story, and these attractions are its eternal recorders and singers."

"Haha... Jin’er, you really do speak differently after going to school."

"Not at all..."

Mama Bai and Tan Jin’er watched the children as they chatted.

Yang Qing scanned his surroundings, when suddenly his eyes brightened.

"Here, have some water. Kids, drink from the bear bottle."

Just then, Bai Zhijun returned with water. Yang Qing took a light bottle of mineral water and said,

"Let’s stop by the musical instrument shop first, then head straight to the amusement park."

"Huh? The musical instrument shop? What for?" Bai Zhijun was puzzled.

Tan Jin’er and Mama Bai also looked at Yang Qing in confusion.

What a strange hobby—to visit a musical instrument shop!

"Just want to take a look. I’d like to buy an erhu," Yang Qing explained with a smile.

"Buy an erhu? You can play that?"

Bai Zhijun was incredulous.

"Heh... just a little."

Bai Zhijun: ...

Get out! Every time you say "just a little," you end up shocking everyone!

At the music store, the staff were very polite. Seeing the adorable children, they brought over a small fruit platter.

"Thank you, sister~~"

The little voices rang out, making the staff even happier and more gentle toward Yang Qing.

"Hello, may I help you find a musical instrument?"

"Hi, do you have an erhu? I’d like to buy one."

"We do. Please follow me; I’ll show you."

"Thank you."

Ten minutes later, Yang Qing walked over with a black bag containing an erhu.

"All set?" Bai Zhijun asked.

"All set. Let’s go to the amusement park—if we stay any longer, the little ones will get full from all the fruit!"

Bai Zhijun laughed loudly, "Haha... to be honest, the fruit is pretty good!"

Mama Bai: →_→

Embarrassing! It’s one thing for the kids, but the adults are just as bad!

Leaving the music store, the children waved their little hands, bidding farewell to the staff with high-pitched voices, then ran off gleefully toward the amusement park.

...

This Sunday was bright and joyful for little Qiu’er and her friends, but for Qin Xue’s group, it was shrouded in darkness.

"Three times now—the first cut has been edited three times, and none have passed review..."

Fang Du looked up and sighed, "Team leader, what did the leadership say in their review comments?"

"The theme isn’t clear, the shots are disjointed, and... each time, it gets worse than the last."

Qin Xue said weakly, "Each time is worse than the one before."

"What? Worse each time, and those review comments! Heh... the leadership sure knows how to play!"

Fang Du lamented, "It’s really a case of one word from above, and we run ourselves ragged below! Honestly, I never expected that after filming, we’d get stuck in editing!"

He rolled his eyes, glanced at Qin Xue massaging her brow, and said, "Team leader, do you think the editing department is... doing this on purpose? Otherwise..."

"What are you saying?"

Qin Xue’s expression turned serious, "Don’t spread rumors. It’s not good."

Fang Du shrank back, meekly retorting, "I’m not making things up. Everyone in the station knows—Director Wu had a falling out with the editing department’s head over something in the past, so... I suspect they’re doing it on purpose! Deliberately making the cut bad, then not—"

"Bam!"

Just as Fang Du was getting worked up, the office door was suddenly pushed open forcefully, and a middle-aged man stormed in, his face full of anger.

"What did you say! Who are you accusing of being deliberate!"

The man glared at Fang Du, shouting, "You’re a clueless rookie who happened to stay here by dumb luck—do you think you have the right to comment on us? Who are you to judge!"

"Swish!"

Hearing this, Fang Du’s intent to apologize vanished. His face flushed, neck stiffened, anger boiling up.

"What are you saying! Who are you calling trash! Damn it! Luck? If you had luck, you’d have finished the edit already!"

"Qualification? You’ve edited the project three times and still haven’t passed review, and you think you have the right to talk about qualifications?"

At this moment, Fang Du seemed to break free of all restraints. He was no longer timid or submissive, but a furious lion.

"So what if I’m new! Damn it, weren’t you a rookie once? Looking down on rookies—I look down on you! If you’re so capable, finish the edit in one go! If not, step aside and let someone competent take over!"

"Ugh! Using seniority, hogging positions and doing nothing—people like you disgust me!"

Fang Du’s tirade left the middle-aged man stunned. He stared dumbly for a while, then, face flushed, extended a trembling finger.

"You... you... I, I..."

"Bam!"

After pointing at Fang Du for a while, unable to utter a complete sentence, he threw his files heavily to the ground. Looking at the calm Qin Xue, he steadied himself and said coldly,

"We’re not editing this anymore! You think you’re so capable? Do it yourselves!"

With that, he stormed out. Fang Du, deprived of his target, gradually calmed down.

He sighed, glanced at the silent Qin Xue, and returned to his desk, his gaze dull.

"What are you doing?"

"I... I’m packing up."

Fang Du couldn’t bear to look at Qin Xue, who had quietly appeared at his side.

He knew what it meant to insult the head of the editing department—he understood the consequences of his impulsiveness and didn’t regret it.

But he did regret that his actions might affect Qin Xue and the rest of the team, and the project...

"Packing up for what? You want to leave? I’m the team leader. Did I approve your resignation?"

Qin Xue’s voice was cold, but to Fang Du it sounded warm, and he suddenly choked up.

"Te—team leader, I... I..."

"Enough!"

Qin Xue cut him off, "You’ve said what needed to be said, you’ve vented your frustrations. Now you must face the consequences!"

She looked at the despondent Fang Du, "I’m talking about the editing of the project, not your resignation!"

"But... but I insulted the boss. Even if I don’t resign, the station will—"

"Shut up!"

Qin Xue snapped, "Didn’t you just say that positions should go to those with ability? Since they won’t edit it, we’ll find a way to finish it ourselves!"

"If we can get the project approved, then we’re the capable ones!"

"If anyone says you need to resign or tries to fire you, I’ll deal with them personally! If I’m here, you must be too!"

Qin Xue was domineering, but her assertiveness warmed Fang Du’s heart and rekindled his passion.

"Then... then let’s find someone who can edit this project."

"Mm, let’s look for someone systematic, and if that fails, I’ll seek out someone from the industry!"

"From the industry!"

Fang Du was startled. "Won’t that invite gossip?"

Qin Xue glared, "So what if there’s gossip? Better than not getting the edit done!"

Fang Du slapped his head, nodding, "Ah, you’re right. Actually, team leader, now that you mention it, I know the perfect candidate. He’s not from the industry, and actually, he’s part of our own team!"

"Oh? Who is it?" Qin Xue asked curiously.

Fang Du’s expression grew a bit odd, "Brother Yang!"

"Brother Yang?! Which Brother Yang?"

As she spoke, Qin Xue’s eyes suddenly widened in disbelief, staring at Fang Du.

"You mean... Yang Qing!"