Chapter Sixty-Six: Yang Qing's Fury

Xiaochun’s song was featured and praised by the national broadcaster, and Yang Qing also benefited, appearing for a few seconds before the eyes of viewers across the country. This was his honor, but more so, the glory of all Yangcheng’s people—especially his longtime patrons, who excitedly boasted to everyone they met:

“Do you know our pride, Yang Qing, the young boss of Yangcheng?”

“What! You don’t know him? Hurry back and rewatch today’s national news. Young people these days are so restless, never watching the news or paying attention to current affairs!”

“Haha… You know the young boss? What! You’re one of his customers too? Well then! Fellow foodie, let’s go have a drink together, my treat!”

Meanwhile, groups of people came in twos and threes to Yang Qing’s small shops, some young men and women holding up their phones, taking pictures and selfies at the entrance. Some even started livestreams right outside the shop—singing, dancing, telling stories—a lively, chaotic scene that left Mrs. Bai utterly stunned.

“Old Bai! Stop drinking and come see!”

“Oh, little sister, who are you calling Old Bai?”

Mrs. Bai shot him a glare. “Bai Zhijun! Get out here!”

With a rush, Comrade Bai emerged, his face flushed.

“What’s the matter? It’s the only day Old Bai and the others get to rest, so I joined them for a drink!”

Smack!

Mrs. Bai slapped the back of his head and barked, “Drink, drink, drink! You drink for nothing! Look!”

The slap knocked most of the drunkenness out of Bai Zhijun. He looked up, dazed by what he saw.

“What… What’s going on?”

“How should I know! Go ask!”

“Oh…”

Bai Zhijun, still dizzy, shuffled over and grabbed a young woman who was livestreaming. After a moment, he returned.

“That kid said Xiaochun’s been on the national news, the pride of Yangcheng, so now they treat our shop as a new must-visit spot.”

“A must-visit spot? What nonsense!” Mrs. Bai muttered, glaring as Bai Zhijun tried to sneak back inside to continue drinking. Her eyes grew cold.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“I… to drink with Old Bai and the others,” Bai Zhijun replied, bewildered.

Mrs. Bai’s gaze hardened. “People say alcohol reveals a man’s true nature. Why did you choose that young girl to ask? Was it because she’s pretty? Are you thinking of making a mistake? Explain yourself!”

“I…”

Bai Zhijun felt utterly shattered. What misfortune was this? Was she a demon? She was the one who told him to ask, and as for why he chose the girl—she was just closest!

Qing, where are you? Come back and save me!

Under Mrs. Bai’s icy interrogation, Bai Zhijun trembled and wailed silently, praying for his savior Yang Qing to arrive soon.

And, as if summoned by his cries, Yang Qing and his companions really did appear before his eyes.

“Hey, Qing! Finally, you’re back! This is yours to handle now!”

Yang Qing had barely arrived when Bai Zhijun rushed over, dragged him back, and almost collapsed, then wasted no time escaping back into the shop, not daring to face Mrs. Bai’s glare any longer.

“Uh…”

Yang Qing was baffled. “What’s going on with Brother Bai?”

“It’s nothing,” Mrs. Bai smiled awkwardly. “You’d better deal with these people first.”

Yang Qing hesitated. “Them…”

Suddenly, a few girls ran up to him, excitedly shouting:

“Boss, we’re your fans! Can we take a photo with you?”

Yang Qing was stunned.

Fans! Please… don’t make a fuss!

“Ah! That singing child!”

A shriek rang out, and a dozen people rushed toward Tan Jin’er and the little ones.

The girls beside Yang Qing, phones raised, screamed and followed.

Seeing so many people approach, Xiao Qiu and Xiao Xi’er were startled, quickly hiding behind Tan Jin’er.

Xiao Bai, however, leapt in front, clenched his little fists, and shouted fiercely:

“What are you doing!”

Xiao Bai’s fierce, childish shout made everyone pause. Someone pointed at Xiaochun, who was holding Xia Xia’s hand, and said:

“Her! We want to take a photo with her. We’re all her fans.”

Seeing the frenzied crowd, Xiaochun shrank back, frightened.

At the shop entrance, Yang Qing watched, his eyes growing cold.

“Sister-in-law, call Brother Bai and the others out, then call the police!”

He strode forward and stood in front of Xiao Bai, shielding the little one behind him.

His figure became a mountain, blocking the storm from Tan Jin’er and the children.

“Disperse, go home, do what you’re supposed to do. We are not celebrities, and we’re not worthy of your fanaticism. The ones you should admire are heroes and martyrs.”

“Heroes and martyrs? We just want a photo with that little girl! Otherwise…” someone shouted.

“Otherwise what! Get lost!”

Fury rose in Yang Qing’s chest; scum like this seemed to be everywhere.

With a sharp “get lost,” he stepped forward, pressing toward the crowd.

His footsteps rang out clear and strong, intimidating the group until they instinctively retreated.

“Who’s causing trouble here? Got a death wish?”

At that moment, Bai Zhijun came over with five burly, booze-soaked men.

“Qing! What’s going on? Who do you want us to handle? We brothers will take care of it!”

Bai Dazhu shouted, eyes fierce and wild as he stared at the crowd.

“Brother Zhu, it’s fine. You take Jin’er and the kids back inside. I’ll handle this,” Yang Qing said.

“You alone? No way!” Bai Dazhu shook his head, then turned to the others. “You three, get the kids inside! The rest, stick with me! When Qing says who, we handle them! Got it?”

“Got it!”

Bai Zhijun and the other two roared, scaring the crowd further. Yang Qing, though moved, could only smile helplessly.

What was this? It felt like a street brawl was about to break out.

Moved yet helpless, Yang Qing watched as a little one’s eyes shone brightly.

“Me! Me! I want to fight too!”

Xiao Bai bounced excitedly, raising his little hand.

Yang Qing: …

Bai Zhijun: …

Bai Dazhu: …

Damn! What is this little rascal doing joining in? This cute, fierce child had ruined the mood!

“Wah wah…”

Just then, sirens approached—the police had arrived.

And then…

“You’ve been drinking.”

“Hehe… Just a reunion of old friends, rare to have a drink.”

“Fine, but don’t cause trouble because of it.”

“Trouble? Never! We’re the most law-abiding!”

“Oh, really? But I heard you were about to start a fight?”

“Nonsense! Who’s slandering us? We were just talking loudly! Besides, officer, I think you should educate these young people. Look at them, not doing anything productive all day, chasing celebrities, scaring my little ones!”

“Yes, we’ll talk to them. You’re all… okay now?”

“Haha, yes, yes, thank you, goodbye!”

“Goodbye. By the way, your child sings beautifully!”

“Hehe, of course! Thank you!”

So, the farce ended. Tan Jin’er and Mrs. Bai took the children upstairs to bathe and sleep, while Yang Qing and the old Bai gang went to “Little Bai’s Porridge Shop.”

“Brother Bai, thank you all for today. Let me toast you!”

Yang Qing raised his glass to the six old Bai men before him.

“Nonsense, Qing! Do you think we look down on you? If you hadn’t gotten us jobs, who knows where we’d be drifting now! If anyone should toast, it’s us to you! Right, men?”

“Haha… Agreed!”

“Right, then I won’t be polite. Tonight, I’ll drink with you all till we’re satisfied, and I’ll buy a few bottles of the best Bear Wine!”

“Agreed!” Bai Zhijun’s eyes lit up.

With each cup, the men grew merrier.

Unconsciously, Yang Qing drank too much again, forgetting his promise to Xia Xia never to get drunk.