Chapter Forty-Five: What Are We Even Doing Here?

“Brother Yang!”

“Cut the chatter. Did you bring all the equipment?”

“Yes, everything’s here.”

“Good. Let’s go, move, move!”

Yang Qing cast a lingering, uneasy glance back at the television station’s building before pulling Fang Du with him at a run.

Terrifying. No wonder the books say women are like tigers.

Fang Du stumbled as he was dragged along, bewildered. “Brother Yang, where are we going? Aren’t we waiting for the team leader?”

Yang Qing shot him a sidelong look. “You still want to stick around and watch the drama?”

Fang Du: …

They hailed a taxi. Yang Qing addressed the driver directly, “To General’s Mountain, please!”

Then, turning a warning gaze on Fang Du, he added, “Set your phone to silent. No texting Xiaoxue, and absolutely no calls! Got it?”

Fang Du, speechless, could only nod gloomily in agreement.

Back at the television station, Qin Xue looked at her unanswered phone call and burst out laughing, a captivating smile curling at her lips.

Run all you like—where do you think you can escape?

Still smiling, she pocketed her phone and headed outside.

Qiu’er and the others must be bored at the shop by now, she thought. They’d surely like to go out for some fun. And with Children’s Day coming up, it’d be the perfect time to buy the little ones a present.

Meanwhile, in her own car, Wang Ying was making a call.

“Hello, sis…”

“Where are you? What are you up to?”

“Uh…I’m at the studio, researching the changes in human body shape caused by joint movement in different directions…”

Wang Ying: “…Speak plainly!”

Wang Ming meekly replied, “I’m watching Ke’er dance.”

Wang Ying snapped, “Even I don’t have a partner, and you want to beat me to getting married? Bring Ke’er to see me right now! Also, go to the TV station and tell Lin Xiuyue that Yang Qing is my studio’s contracted pianist, and she needs to settle his appearance fee! Understood?”

Wang Ming: “Got it! Sis, are you planning to cut off their resources at the source?”

Wang Ying replied with quiet menace, “You know too much.”

Wang Ming: …What the heck do you mean, I know too much! What, are you planning to silence your own brother for enlightenment? The queen is truly unreasonable! My Ke’er is so much better…

…

At the “Seasons’ Delicacies” shop, little chef Jin’er had been busy all morning. Wiping away a bead of sweat from her brow, she began to tidy up the stall.

“Sis, let Xi’er help! You rest, you’re so tired,” little Xi’er said, her heart aching for her sister. She grabbed a rag and ran over on her little legs.

“Jin’er, you take Dong’er to eat something, you’ve worked so hard. Qiu’er and I will tidy things up.”

Little Qiu’er, holding Dong’er’s tiny, wiggling hand, came over as well.

“Mmm…Sister, hold me!” Little Dong’er stretched her arms to Jin’er, her mouth open in a toothy grin.

Looking at the three little ones, Jin’er’s heart melted with warmth. “You’re such good kids, thinking of your sister. But it’s fine, I’ll be done in just a moment.”

But Qiu’er’s adorable face turned serious as she insisted, “No, Sis, you go rest. Qiu’er is very good at cleaning up!”

She shot Dong’er a look.

“Mmm…” Dong’er understood instantly, and with a determined little trot, she hugged Jin’er’s leg, trying to climb up, all while chirping, “Sister, hold me, hold me…”

Jin’er could only laugh. “Alright then, I’ll leave the pancake stall to you.”

“Okay!”

“Hahaha…”

The two little ones cheered gleefully and got to work.

Jin’er didn’t leave but stood close by, holding Dong’er and watching in growing amazement at little Qiu’er’s skill. Perched on a stool, Qiu’er first scraped the stall surface with a small spatula, then used a little rag to gather the crumbs and sweep them into the trash, before switching to a clean cloth to carefully wipe everything down.

As for little Xi’er, Jin’er could only shake her head in speechless exasperation. Xi’er spent the whole time circling Qiu’er, chirping encouragements:

“Wow, Qiu’er, you’re amazing!”

“Hahaha…Qiu’er, can I wipe this part?”

“Qiu’er, are you tired? Want some water?”

Ten minutes later, Qiu’er finished cleaning the stall, which now gleamed. She hopped off the stool and went to wipe it down, only for gap-toothed Xi’er to beat her to it with a triumphant laugh.

“Hahaha…Qiu’er, let me wipe, I’m so good at it!”

Qiu’er stared at her silly little sister for a moment, then smacked her own forehead. “Xi’er, that rag is for wiping the griddle, not the table!”

Xi’er giggled, “Is it? I didn’t know, hahaha…”

Qiu’er: (groan)

Jin’er: (facepalm)

With the stall tidied, Jin’er led the three little ones toward the “Little White Congee Shop” next door. As they stepped outside, a white car pulled up at the entrance.

“Big Sister Qin!” Qiu’er called out happily.

“Qiu’er!” Qin Xue got out and scooped the little one up for a kiss, then smiled at Jin’er. “Jin’er, you’re off work?”

Jin’er nodded. “Yes, just finished cleaning up.”

“Perfect. Let’s take the kids out for a meal, and we can stroll around after,” Qin Xue suggested.

“Ah, I’m not sure that’s a good idea…” Jin’er hesitated.

“It’s fine, come on,” Qin Xue smiled. “You and Xi’er are new here, you probably haven’t seen much of Yangcheng yet. I’m free today, so I’ll show you around.”

She turned to Qiu’er and Xi’er, her voice gentle. “Let’s have a nice meal, then visit the aquarium. How does that sound?”

Xi’er grinned. “Yes, please!”

Qiu’er’s face lit up too. “Great! What about brother? Is he coming?”

“He’s not,” said Qin Xue, stroking her head. “Your brother and Brother Fang Du are busy. They’ll join us when they’re done. Let’s go.”

Opening the car door, the two little ones scrambled in with glee, while Dong’er, in Jin’er’s arms, waved her hands, eager to climb aboard too.

“Come on, Jin’er,” Qin Xue said, taking Dong’er from her.

“Alright,” Jin’er replied, resigned to the children's decision.

After locking up the shop and letting Mama Bai next door know, she got into Qin Xue’s car with the three little ones, and they set off.

Inside the car, the three children were like joyful sprites, their curiosity about the aquarium leading to a flurry of questions for Qin Xue.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Fang Du wore a constipated expression as he bombarded Yang Qing with questions.

“Brother Yang, what exactly are we here for?”

“To film,” Yang Qing replied calmly. “Haven’t you been flying the drone and filming all the way here?”

“Yeah, I know, I’ve been filming, but what exactly are we filming?”

Yang Qing gave him a look. “What? We’re filming the scenery, of course. Don’t you know what you’re filming?”

Fang Du: (about to burst)

Can we please get on the same page here?

“No, what I mean is…”

“Oh, look, there’s a temple over there. Let’s go have a look.”

Fang Du: …

I get it. You just brought me here for a free sightseeing tour!

By a little after one in the afternoon, Fang Du was exhausted. He looked at Yang Qing with a lifeless expression. “Brother Yang, the drone’s out of battery.”

“It’s out? Then we’re done filming. Let’s go back,” Yang Qing said.

Fang Du: “Back…back?!”

“Yeah. Or do you want to keep wandering?” Yang Qing replied.

Fang Du: …

Hell no! I never wanted to wander in the first place!

I just want to know why we’re even here!

They’d toured General’s Mountain, paid respects at the temple, wandered through the flower market, and strolled the snack street—Yang Qing even bought two drawing boards for his sisters!

The worst part was, he’d had Fang Du film everything, but Fang Du still had no idea what it was all for!

Brother, we’re supposed to be working, not on vacation! Can you please act your part?

He was full of complaints, but wore a look of speechless resignation.