Chapter Seventy-six: Sweet Happiness

(Dedicated thanks to all the generous supporters for your tips, monthly votes, and recommendations.)

The dawn sunlight poured into the room like a host of mischievous little sprites, dancing upon Qin Xue’s long, delicate lashes.

She gently opened her eyes, stretched languidly, and, glancing down at her perfectly intact clothing, smiled beautifully. She slid her fair bare feet to the floor.

Drawn by the wafting scent of food, she made her way to the kitchen, where she found Yang Qing already busy with breakfast.

“You’re awake! Go wash up now—there wasn’t much in your kitchen, so I made some millet porridge and I’m frying you an egg. It’ll be ready soon,” Yang Qing said with a smile. Then, catching sight of her bare feet, he frowned slightly and added softly, “You’re all grown up, but you still like running around barefoot like Qiu’er. Don’t go barefoot or you’ll catch a chill.”

He walked out of the kitchen to fetch a pair of slippers from the shoe cabinet and brought them to her.

As Yang Qing slipped the slippers onto her feet, Qin Xue felt herself enveloped by sweetness, almost intoxicated by this simple happiness.

After freshening up, she let her long hair fall loosely about her and sat at the dining table. Yang Qing served her the porridge and fried egg.

“Aren’t you eating?” Qin Xue asked, noticing he had brought only one bowl of porridge.

Yang Qing smiled. “I have to get home—I can still make breakfast for the little ones if I hurry; it’s only seven.”

Qin Xue’s smile was gentle and warm. “Those girls are so lucky to have you as their brother. Why don’t you eat too? I can drive you over after breakfast.”

“No need. You had wine last night, so you shouldn’t drive this morning,” Yang Qing instructed with concern. “Don’t drive to work, either—take a cab.”

“Alright, alright, I know,” Qin Xue replied sweetly, her heart full of joy. Smiling at Yang Qing, she added, “Then wait a moment—take the Children’s Day gifts I bought for the kids. I forgot to give them to you yesterday.”

She went to the living room and fetched a beautifully wrapped bag with cartoon characters on it.

“What is it? More gifts? You’re going to spoil those girls rotten,” Yang Qing teased.

“If I don’t spoil my own sisters, who will?” Qin Xue shot him a playful glance. “They’re children’s watches with tracking—now when Xi’er wears it, Jin’er won’t have to worry so much.”

Yang Qing smiled wryly and accepted the gift. Since she’d already bought it, there was no point refusing now. Besides, with the closeness between them, a refusal would only hurt their feelings.

“Well, I’m heading off. Oh, by the way—come over for dinner with Fang Du this afternoon. I invited Wang Ming too; he’s bringing his sister and Ke’er,” Yang Qing said as he was about to leave.

“Alright,” Qin Xue replied, her eyes tender and sweet as she looked at him.

...

When Yang Qing returned to the small courtyard, he found Bai Zhijun tidying up, clearing away the remains of last night’s feast.

“Hey, you’re back!” Bai Zhijun called, a cigarette in one hand and a rag in the other. He blew a smoke ring, arched an eyebrow, and grinned. “So, did you have fun last night? How many little umbrellas did you use?”

“What are you talking about? What umbrellas? It didn’t rain last night,” Yang Qing replied, puzzled. “You couldn’t have drunk that much from just a little wine, could you?”

“Psh! Youngster,” Bai Zhijun replied, shaking his head in mock disdain. He jammed the cigarette in the corner of his mouth and resumed wiping the table, eyes narrowed.

“Qingzi, you’re back!” Bai Mama called from the kitchen doorway with a smile. “I just made some lean pork congee—would you like some?”

“Yes, please,” Yang Qing replied with a smile. “I was hoping to make breakfast myself, but you beat me to it.”

“By the way, how are Jin’er and Lingyue? Were they alright last night? And Xi’er…” he asked.

“They’re fine,” Bai Mama replied warmly. “I watched over them all night; they slept soundly. It’s Xi’er… sigh.” She let out a soft sigh. “That little one tugs at the heartstrings. She wouldn’t sleep unless she was holding Jin’er’s hand. Qiu’er and Xiao Bai stayed up with her too. It wasn’t until midnight, when Jin’er woke for water and gave her a kiss, that she finally fell asleep.”

Yang Qing nodded. “As long as she slept. I was worried about Xi’er—she really lacks a sense of security.”

“It’s not easy for any of them,” Bai Mama said with a gentle sigh. Then she looked at Yang Qing with curiosity. “You and Xiao Xue… how did it go?”

“Uh… well… um…” Yang Qing fumbled, blushing and unable to find the words. He gave a sheepish smile and ducked into the kitchen for some porridge.

“Pfft!” After Yang Qing left, Bai Zhijun flicked his cigarette butt away with a flourish and scoffed, “How did it go, you ask? The kid doesn’t even know what little umbrellas are!”

Bai Mama shot him a look. “What nonsense are you spouting! You think you’re so knowledgeable! Have you mopped the floor yet after wiping the table?”

“Right away!” Bai Zhijun shrank back and plastered on a fawning smile. “Going to mop now, right now. Um… about that alt account training we talked about…”

“Train what?!” Bai Mama snapped. “You keep smoking and drinking and want to train an alt? You’re going to ruin yourself! Are you even up to it?”

Bai Zhijun: …

Even though we know each other inside and out, I’ll have to argue with you if you keep questioning me like this.

Just as he was gathering his words, a small white blur dashed past him like the wind.

Bai Zhijun: “??! Hey, kid! Where are you running off to?”

“To pee!”

“To pee? You’re not even wearing clothes!”

“Ah!” Little Bai skidded to a halt, her face exasperated as she tugged at her bowl-cut hair with her tiny hands, yelling, “I don’t even know what to say—Xi’er wet the bed! Dong’er wet the bed too! Their clothes are all wet!”

“Uh…” Bai Zhijun was dumbstruck. So was Bai Mama. Even Yang Qing, who was sitting on the doorstep enjoying his porridge, was taken aback.

All… all wet! How many bottles of bear-shaped drinks did those two have last night?

Little Bai dashed off toward the bathroom again. Bai Zhijun quickly pulled off his jacket and chased after her, shouting:

“Kid! Put on my jacket—don’t catch a cold!”

Bai Mama glanced at Little Bai, now wrapped in the jacket, and then turned to Yang Qing with a smile. “I’ll go check on them.”

Yang Qing nodded. “Alright.”

Bai Mama entered the room and, seeing the sleeping children on the bed, could only smile helplessly at the sight.

Little Qiu’er and Chunxia were curled up in one corner, Chun’er’s brows furrowed as she sleepily patted the bed beneath herself, then under Qiu’er. Xi’er was pouting, clutching Dong’er like a stuffed toy in another corner, sleeping soundly.

Shaking her head with a laugh, Bai Mama went over and felt the little pile of clothes in the corner. Sure enough, they were all soaked.

“How is it? All wet?” Yang Qing asked with a smile as she came out.

Bai Mama nodded. “Yes, all wet. Qiu’er and Xi’er can wear Little Bai’s clothes, but as for Chun’er, Xia’er, and Dong’er… do you have any spares here?”

“No,” Yang Qing said, shaking his head. “I took them all to the shop.”

With that, he finished the rest of his porridge and stood up, smiling. “I’ll go fetch some from the shop.”

“Alright, I’ll get their clothes together for washing. Let them sleep a bit longer,” Bai Mama replied.

“Ha ha, sorry to trouble you,” Yang Qing said cheerfully as he wheeled out his old bicycle.

At that moment, Little Bai, now bundled up in Bai Zhijun’s jacket, darted by again.

“Qing-ge, where are you going?”

Yang Qing patted her bowl-cut head and smiled. “I’m going to get little clothes for you all.”

“Okay! Make sure to get ones with lots of pockets!”

“Why do you need lots of pockets? You’re not picking strawberries today.”

Little Bai tossed her head, her childlike voice bright, “Lots of pockets, walk with the wind, pinky swear, hang from a tree, I’m the coolest kid around!”

Yang Qing burst out laughing at her childish voice.

“Ha ha… who taught you that?”

“The kids from Little Red Pony! Isn’t it great?”

“It is! Ha ha… Now run—your mom’s coming to catch you!”

“Fat chance!” With the speed of the wind, Little Bai zipped back inside and slammed the door behind her.

Bai Mama: …