Chapter 53: We Are Family

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“Brother, are you really going to perform with Chun’er this afternoon?” At the gate of Hope Primary School, little Chun’er looked up nervously at Yang Qing, her clear voice quivering.

“Hee hee… Sister, don’t be scared! Xia’er will cheer you on!” Xia’er shook her short hair, calling out happily.

“I will. I’ll always be by your side.” Yang Qing crouched down to tidy their little uniforms, smiling. “Go on to your classes now. I’ll come pick you up at noon. Then at four, we’ll return for the children’s performance.”

“Mm-hmm! Goodbye, brother!”

“Alright, off you go.”

Watching the two little ones walk into the campus, hand in hand as they ran into the school building, Yang Qing finally looked away.

The corners of his lips lifted in an indescribable joy. The system’s achievement points had arrived—though only twenty, that was twenty chances! This meant the miracle he’d been planning could soon be set in motion; all that was missing was the right opportunity.

And the timing now was perfect. Little Chef Jin’er had graduated, so he hardly needed to worry about the shop anymore. The children were becoming more cheerful by the day, laughter filling their home—especially with little Xi’er, their bundle of joy, around. Every day brought new happiness.

As he pondered this, Yang Qing couldn’t help but sigh in his heart: money, sometimes, really could bring so much. Happiness, joy, health—even the future!

Though he found it somewhat ridiculous, even laughable, he had to admit: this was the truth, the stark reality of society.

Of course, in this materialistic era, there were still many admirable people—the pride and heroes of their time—who selflessly gave their strength to society, quietly contributing behind the scenes. Ordinary, yet truly great.

Thinking of this, Yang Qing shook his head with a gentle smile. The song he’d taught Chun’er for the performance was truly uplifting.

“I’m really looking forward to Chun’er’s singing this afternoon,” he murmured, then glanced at a children’s clothing store by the roadside. Gathering his thoughts, he stepped inside.

It was Children’s Day. He’d buy new outfits for the little ones.

By ten o’clock, returning to the shop with a large bag in hand, Yang Qing saw Little Chef Jin’er busy making pancakes, while three little ones helped her sell soup dumplings.

The three of them stood together atop benches pushed close, Qiu’er holding open the little bags, Bai using tongs to pick dumplings from the steaming basket—counting as she worked.

Once the bag was filled, Qiu’er handed it to Xi’er, who giggled before passing it to the customer. The whole process was harmonious and joyful.

The customers, charmed by the children’s cuteness, couldn’t help but smile; some young girls even reached out to gently pinch their cheeks.

Whenever this happened, Bai would glare at them with mock fierceness and call out, “Hammer!”

Xi’er, meanwhile, would lift her little face and laugh, “Xi’er is cute, right? Isn’t Xi’er amazing?” leaving Jin’er, the little chef, shaking her head in amusement.

As for Qiu’er, she’d stretch out her small hand, blinking her big eyes and chirping sweetly, “Pay up, please!”

Laughter rippled all around.

Watching this, Yang Qing’s heart was filled with delight, but he soon grew concerned—the children were too young, and there were risks.

“I need to find Jin’er an assistant,” he muttered, hurrying inside. Before the three little ones could call out to him, he lifted them down one by one.

“Let Brother do it. You’re still too small,” Yang Qing said, pointing to the bag of clothes on the floor. “I bought you all new outfits—go try them on!”

“New clothes!” Qiu’er and Bai’s eyes sparkled, but Xi’er, more excitable, began to bounce up and down.

“Really? You bought new clothes for Xi’er too?”

Yang Qing stroked her head with a loving smile. “Of course. You’re our little joy—how could you not have new clothes? Go on, try them.”

“Haha! Xi’er is so happy! Xi’er has new clothes too, haha…”

Xi’er laughed gleefully, then hugged Yang Qing’s neck and planted a kiss on his cheek. Grinning, she asked, “Brother Qing, does my sister have new clothes too?”

“She does!” Yang Qing nodded, pointing to a larger bag. “That one’s for your sister.”

“Haha, my sister has some too, and so does Xi’er! Thank you, Brother Qing! I’ll tell you a story tonight!”

He chuckled. “Alright, but save it for tonight. Now go try on your new clothes with Qiu’er and Bai while I help your sister sell dumplings, okay?”

“Okay!” Xi’er answered sweetly, and the three of them hurried off upstairs, little legs pattering, carrying their bags.

Yang Qing took over pancake duty, while Jin’er sold dumplings at his side.

“Brother Qing… thank you,” Tan Jin’er suddenly choked out, eyes red with emotion.

Yang Qing paused, turning to her with a gentle smile. “You know, Qiu’er and the others are to me as you and Xi’er are. We’re family. There’s no need for thanks in a family.”

“Yes… yes!” Tan Jin’er nodded vigorously, covering her mouth as her heart overflowed.

Family…

She and Xi’er had once lost theirs, but now they had one again—a home without blood ties, but full of warmth.

…

“Are you ready, Sister? We need to go—Chun’er’s getting anxious!” That afternoon at three, as Tan Jin’er changed her clothes, Xi’er banged on the door, calling out.

Tan Jin’er replied helplessly, “I think you’re the anxious one. I just walked in, and you’ve already called three times!”

“Heehee, not at all! Xi’er isn’t anxious, just wants to go play!” came the giggling voice from outside.

Tan Jin’er: … This silly little sister—so quick to give herself away.

“Xi’er, hurry! Brother’s going to do our braids!” Qiu’er called, and Xi’er scampered off, not forgetting to call out, “Hurry up, sister!”

“Alright, I’m coming!” Tan Jin’er replied, exasperated.

…

At half-past three, Yang Qing and Tan Jin’er brought out six little ones, all dressed festively and adorably.

The three were wearing matching light brown suspender shorts, each with a different colored short-sleeved top—red, white, and blue—and white sneakers, making them look stylish and lively.

Waiting outside, Mrs. Bai’s eyes lit up when she saw the trio, especially little Xi’er in her red top—she looked just like a child from a New Year’s painting.

Little Chef Jin’er, too, was now dressed in the white dress and shoes Yang Qing had bought her, making her look as sweet and gentle as a fairy in the breeze.

“Well now, Qing, you have good taste in clothes! Even my little one looks amazing!” Bai Zhijun, delighted, began to wonder if this watermelon-headed child had any of his genes at all.

Yang Qing laughed. “They’re adorable and beautiful on their own—the clothes just accentuate it.”

He shifted little Dong’er, bundled in blue, in his arms and said to the Bai couple, “Brother Bai, sister-in-law, we’re off. If we delay any longer, Chun’er will worry.”

At this, little Chun’er, in her dress, blushed and turned shyly to Xia’er, who was also dressed up.

“Heehee, brother, let’s go. We can’t be late!” Xia’er giggled, taking her sister’s hand.

Yang Qing: “Right, let’s go.”

“Be careful, and look after yourselves,” Mrs. Bai reminded them, then fixed Bai with a stern look. “No mischief, you hear? Listen to your Brother Qing and Sister Jin’er, or you’ll get a spanking!”

Bai rolled her eyes. “Hammer! I won’t be naughty!”

With a sassy retort, she tossed her watermelon hair and ran off, chin held high.

“Wait for us, Bai! We’re triplets, remember!” Xi’er called, chasing after her with Qiu’er.

“Heehee…”