Chapter Eighty-Four: The Song

"Xia'er, are you ready?"
"Mm-hmm, I'm ready."
"And you, Dongning? Any problems?"
"Haha, don't worry, let's go..."
"Alright, then let's begin. Three, two, one..."
With a radiant smile, Yang Qing looked at the two and called out gently. As his voice faded, he brought down two small wooden sticks, one after the other, striking the little bucket and shovel before him.

At once, a crisp, rhythmic sound rang out, and little Xia'er couldn't help but sway her small body along with the beat.

"Dududu~~~"

Immediately after, a clear, bright note sounded—Li Dongning. He held a bright green leaf between his fingers, placed it at his lips, and blew, his eyes alight with laughter as he watched Xia'er sway.

"Xia'er, it's time to sing," Yang Qing said gently, laughing as he spoke amidst the simple yet lively rhythm. And then, the singing began:

"Let us row our double oars, our little boat gliding over the waves..."

After Yang Qing finished singing, Xia'er echoed with a clear, lucid voice:

"Let us row our double oars, our little boat gliding over the waves..."

In that moment, song, percussion, and flute notes intertwined and spiraled through the small courtyard, as if bringing a refreshing joy to this summer day.

As the three sang and played merrily in the courtyard, at the doorway of the cottage beside the main house, Little Chuner and Tan Jiner had appeared at some point, smiling as they watched and listened.

"Chuner, aren't you going to try singing too?"
The song ended once and began again. Tan Jiner looked at the happily smiling Chuner beside her, asking curiously.

"No," Chuner shook her head and laughed, "That song is one brother taught Xia'er."

"Uh..." Tan Jiner was taken aback, "But... but you could learn to sing it too."

"No!" Chuner replied earnestly, "I have to wait until Xia'er learns it first."

This left Tan Jiner puzzled. She glanced at Xia'er, happily learning and singing in the courtyard, then at Chuner, who was all smiles and gently clapping her hands. She truly couldn't make sense of them.

"Let us row our double oars, our little boat gliding over the waves,

The beautiful white tower is reflected on the sea, surrounded by green trees and red walls.

The little boat floats gently on the water, a cool breeze blowing in…"

Gradually, Yang Qing’s voice faded, leaving only Xia’er’s clear, crystalline singing echoing with the lively rhythm.

The song swirled around the courtyard, then drifted out into the house.

Inside, four little ones, smiles lingering at their lips, lay sprawled across the bed, sleeping. Suddenly, a small child rubbed her tiny ear with her hand, then opened her sleepy eyes.

She made small fists and rubbed her eyes, flipping over and standing on the bed. Hearing the song drifting through the air, she walked to the glass window and watched curiously.

Listening, watching, a sweet, adorable smile blossomed on her little face.

"Hehe... Second sister is singing, how lovely it sounds!"

"Who's singing, Qiuer?"
Just as the little one was leaning against the window, happily listening, a round watermelon head poked out beside her.

"Hehe... Xiaobai, it’s second sister singing, and brother surely taught her!" Qiuer replied, proud and happy.

"Mm-hmm, it sounds so nice," Xiaobai said, her big eyes shining as she leaned on the window, "Qiuer, let's go learn to sing too!"

"Um~" Qiuer paused, then glanced at Xier, who was still hugging Dong'er asleep on the bed, and shook her head, "We can't, Xiaobai, Xier and Dong'er are still sleeping. We have to wait for them."

"Alright," Xiaobai sighed, then looked at Xier, who was drooling, squinted her eyes and muttered, "Silly girl."

No sooner had she muttered than something magical happened—Xier suddenly opened her sleepy eyes.

"Xiaobai, you’re talking about me~"

Xier’s first words startled Xiaobai.

"You... you were pretending to sleep!"

"Hehe... I was not pretending!"
Xiaobai gave her a sideways look, "Then how did you know I was talking about you?"

"I dreamed it, hehe..."
Xier burst out laughing, then looked down at Dong’er sleeping soundly, and with a sudden smack, gave her a big kiss.

"Baby, sleep well, Mama’s here, don’t be afraid."

After kissing Dong’er, this little one took on the role of mother, gently patting Dong’er.

Qiuer (ー_ー)!!: "Xier! Stop patting her, you’ve woken Dong’er!"

"Silly girl, I don’t even know what to say—such a sweetheart!"

Xier was momentarily stunned, her big eyes rolling as she looked at Dong’er’s little face, and their gazes met.

"Um~ Sister~~"

"Hehe... Dong’er, you’re awake, did you sleep well in sister’s arms?"

Xier laughed and kissed Dong’er again, leaving Xiaobai speechless, who called out:

"Silly girl, get up, let’s go learn to sing!"

"Learn to sing?!" Xier’s big eyes lit up, she flipped over, her little ears perked to listen, and she exclaimed excitedly, "It sounds so nice, let’s go!"

"Hehe..."

Qiuer giggled, and together with Xiaobai and Xier climbed down from the bed, then struggled to carry Dong’er down, holding her small hand as they headed outside.

So, a few minutes later, the Yang family’s courtyard saw the impromptu founding of the Little Singers’ Choir.

Three little ones stood in front, Chuner behind them, and Xia’er…

Xia’er was the little teacher!

Little Dong’er wriggled her way to join the group, but Tan Jiner quickly scooped her up.

"Um~~"

Caught and cradled by Sister Jiner, Dong’er squirmed, kicking her legs and waving her arms, babbling.

"Let’s watch together," Tan Jiner laughed, giving her a kiss.

Yang Qing looked at the little ones and smiled, "Alright, are you all ready?"

"Ready!" came the chorus of childish voices.

"Haha… then let’s begin. Xia’er, remember the rhythm from before."

"Mm-hmm, hehe..."

The rhythm began, the childish voices rang out, interspersed now and then with giggling laughter.

Meanwhile, in the little alley, Wang Ying and her brother, along with Wang Ke’er, appeared.

"Ke’er, are you sure this is the right alley? Maybe I should call Brother Yang to pick us up,"
Wang Ming, his face drooping, lifted the pile of shopping bags in his hand, panting, "Carrying all this is exhausting."

Ke’er smiled calmly at him, "Then let me carry some for you."

"Ahem, that’s not necessary!"
Wang Ming immediately puffed out his chest, instantly revitalized.

Wang Ying, bundled up beside them, shook her head and smiled at her brother, then asked Ke’er, "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely! Ying, you have to trust me,"
Ke’er hooked her arm around Ying’s, gesturing to a shop behind them, "Look, this is Xiaobai’s family’s ‘Xiaobai Grain & Oil Shop,’ right between these two alleys. Brother Qing’s house is in one of them; I’ve only been once. The last alley wasn’t it, so this must be the one!"

"Alright, let’s go," Ying smiled.

They walked lightly, but soon Ying paused, as fragments of singing drifted to her ears.

"Ying, what is it?" Ke’er asked, puzzled.

"Listen," Ying whispered, "Isn't that singing?"

"Hmm?"

Ke’er listened carefully, and sure enough, caught fragments of children’s singing. Her eyes sparkled, "Sounds like kids singing—maybe it’s Qiuer and the others?"

"Maybe, but I’m not sure. Let’s go."

As they ventured further down the alley, the singing grew clearer, and both Ying and Ke’er’s expressions grew more and more bemused.

At last, the trio reached the courtyard gate. Hearing the childlike singing from within, Ming was certain it was Yang Qing’s house. He stepped forward to knock, only to be stopped again by his superstar sister.

The familiar scene left him stunned, staring at Ying, "Sis, don’t tell me this children’s song… is another new one!"

Ying didn’t answer, but whispered, "Let’s not interrupt them—just listen."

So, the three stood quietly outside the courtyard, listening to the little voices drifting out. Gradually, Ming relaxed his tired body, as if the song cleansed his soul.

Just then, three more figures approached from the main alley.