Chapter 87: Cheers!

Everyone entered the courtyard. Yang Qing and Bai Zhijun carried out a large wooden table together and set it in the open space. The two little ones, Chun and Xia, along with little Qiu’er, happily ran inside and thoughtfully brought out small stools for everyone to sit on.

Unfortunately, there weren’t enough stools. There were eight guests, and with the Yang and Bai families included, there were eighteen—wait, no, nineteen people altogether! Even though our little Dong’er didn’t need a seat, she was still an indispensable member of the family.

Nineteen people, but only ten stools available; eight were still missing.

“Brother, there aren’t enough stools,” little Qiu’er said, her tiny finger counting heads and seats, then hurried over to Yang Qing, looking up with a childish voice.

“No problem,” Yang Qing smiled, patting her small head. “Let your sister Qin Xue and sister Wang Ying have the stools first. I’ll go to Uncle Bai’s house to fetch more stools in a bit, alright?”

“Okay!” Qiu’er nodded happily, then grabbed Xiao Xi’er, who was bouncing around Qin Xue, and Xiao Bai, who was questioning Bai Lingyue, and began assigning seats.

“Come on, sister Qin, sit here!” Xiao Xi’er said enthusiastically, tugging at Qin Xue’s sleeve and giving her the first seat.

“Thank you, Xi’er, you’re adorable,” Qin Xue replied with a joyful smile.

Xiao Xi’er giggled and then darted toward Wang Ying. She had only seen Wang Ying once and didn’t quite remember her, but curiosity drove her toward the big sister whose face was hidden under wraps.

The next moment, she pulled Wang Ying to sit beside Qin Xue.

Tan Jin’er, just emerging from the kitchen with a kettle, paused, speechless and powerless as she watched her little sister.

This little one truly was naturally mischievous!

Wen Xiaorou and Wang Ke’er were equally stunned, and before Qiu’er and Xiao Bai could assign them seats, they sat down on either side of Qin Xue and Wang Ying.

With the four women seated, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and found seats for themselves. Poor Xiao Bai and Qiu’er barely had time to start their “job” before it was over.

“Here, have some water,” Bai Mama and Tan Jin’er came over, pouring tea for everyone.

“Xi’er, stop staring at your sister Ying! Go play with Qiu’er and the others,” Tan Jin’er said, seeing that her little sister had run back to Wang Ying’s side, silently staring with big, unblinking eyes.

“Because Xi’er wants to look at big sister!” Xi’er replied with a bubbly laugh, eyes full of curiosity. Then she turned to Wang Ying and said in her childish tone: “Big sister, can Xi’er see your face?”

“Of course, Xi’er. You’re so adorable and full of joy,” Wang Ying smiled elegantly, gently stroking the little one’s head. She then took off her hat, sunglasses, and mask.

“Wow! Big sister, you’re so beautiful—just as beautiful as my own sister!” Xi’er exclaimed, gazing at Wang Ying’s flower-like beauty.

Hearing her little sister’s praise, Tan Jin’er blushed with embarrassment, but her heart was sweet as honey.

At the moment Wang Ying revealed herself, Li Dongning, sitting diagonally opposite, was stunned, his mouth falling open uncontrollably.

Bai Lingyue, peeking from the side, was equally dumbfounded, staring at Wang Ying for a long moment before turning to her big brother in a daze.

Bai Zhijun smiled and nodded at her, and thunder seemed to explode in her mind.

Now, she finally understood what her brother meant when he asked, “Do you chase celebrities?”

“Close your mouth!” On the other side, Li Dongning’s agape mouth was suddenly snapped shut by a hand.

Wang Ming said, “Brother, what’s up? Never seen a beauty before? The food isn’t even served yet and you’re already drooling.”

“N-no… She’s… She’s…” Li Dongning stammered in shock.

“She’s the Diva Ying, also my sister. Calm down, bro. Look at Fang Du, he hasn’t glanced at my sister once, all his attention is on Jin’er.”

“Hey!” Fang Du’s face flushed instantly and he glared at Wang Ming. “Don’t make things up! Otherwise, I’ll tell Ke’er you slandered me for going to a foot massage parlor!”

“Damn! You—ruthless!” Wang Ming grinned, baring his teeth. Who said Fang Du was shy and honest? Even his retorts were so confident, what could you do about him!

The two glared at each other, while Li Dongning, sitting beside them, was still lost in awe.

The Diva Ying, the goddess of countless dreams, and that ethereal woman holding little Dong’er, along with several other ladies of striking beauty and distinct temperament.

Looking at these women, then at Yang Qing, who came out carrying fruit, Li Dongning suddenly felt this moment was utterly unreal.

The Diva Ying—China’s most popular rising star—how many people’s dream goddess, was here in this small courtyard!

Yang Qing, are you secretly some big shot, playing a game of experiencing ordinary life?

Li Dongning’s gaze trembled as he looked at Yang Qing. Yang Qing happened to look back, smiled and nodded to him, then placed the fruit on the table.

Little Chun’er and little Xia’er also set their trays of fruit down.

Yang Qing looked at everyone seated and smiled. “Everyone’s here today, both new and old friends, so let me introduce you all to each other.”

He proceeded to introduce everyone, and as he finished, a small figure bounced in front of him, face upturned.

“Xi’er, what is it?” Yang Qing smiled at the little one.

“Brother Qing, you haven’t introduced Xi’er yet,” Xi’er said earnestly in her childish voice.

Yang Qing was amused by her seriousness. “That’s my mistake. How about Xi’er introduces herself to all the big sisters and brothers?”

“Okay!” Xi’er responded happily, then stood in front of Yang Qing, grinning widely at everyone. “I’m Xi’er, hiahiahia…”

The little one only spoke her name before bursting into bubbly laughter.

Her laughter made everyone smile, and the atmosphere instantly grew cheerful.

“Xi’er, come here, brother has a gift for you,” Fang Du laughed suddenly.

A gift! Xi’er’s eyes sparkled, and she ran over to Fang Du.

“Brother Fang Du, what gift are you giving Xi’er?” she asked with curiosity and anticipation.

“This, a Baby Buddha. Brother specially asked for it at a temple for you,” Fang Du replied, taking a small box from his pocket and opening it to reveal a delicate Baby Buddha.

“Wow! It’s so beautiful!”

“Do you like it, Xi’er?”

“I love it!”

“Here, let your sister put it on for you. It will bless you to always be happy, healthy, and safe.”

“Thank you, Brother Fang Du!”

Xi’er took the box with a delighted smile, then blinked her big eyes at Fang Du. “Brother Fang Du, do Qiu’er and Xiao Bai get gifts too?”

“Yes, of course,” Fang Du smiled. “Brother prepared gifts for all you little cuties. Tell Qiu’er and Xiao Bai to wait a moment, I’ll fetch theirs now, alright?”

“Okay! Hiahiahia…” Xi’er laughed and ran off to find her friends, and Fang Du rose to get the gifts.

At that moment, Wang Ming quietly whispered by his ear, “Little Fang, your move was brilliant! Didn’t you see Jin’er blushing?”

“Eh!” Fang Du paused, then stole a glance at Tan Jin’er and indeed saw her head lowered, cheeks flushed. He suddenly felt flustered.

“Did I do something wrong?”

“No, you did great!” Wang Ming shot him a look. “Let’s go, Mr. Straightforward, don’t just stand there—go get the gifts!”

Fang Du: ಥ_ಥ

…

After Fang Du, the Wang siblings, Wang Ke’er, Wen Xiaorou, and Li Yuexi each took out the Children’s Day gifts they had brought for the little ones.

There were electronic mini pianos, little guitars, beautiful dresses, tiny shoes, adorable cloth dolls, and other toys.

For a while, the courtyard rang with cheerful childish voices. Every little one was thrilled, their mouths busy saying thank you.

Tan Jin’er put the Baby Buddha around Xi’er’s neck, and then she and Bai Mama went into the kitchen to prepare the meal.

Bai Lingyue wanted to seize the chance to ask her idol, Diva Ying, for an autograph, but Bai Zhijun sent her to the kitchen as well.

With the three women gone, Yang Qing smiled at everyone and said, “Let me thank you all for coming here to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival with the little ones. Thank you.”

“Brother Yang, don’t mention it,” Wang Ming replied with a smile. “We can’t go home for the holiday, so coming here for a homely meal is our privilege. Don’t be so formal.”

“Haha, then let’s not say more. I wish everyone a happy Dragon Boat Festival.”

“Haha, likewise!”

“Hiahiahia, cheers!” Xi’er somehow got hold of a bear-shaped bottle, raising her little hand high and calling out.

Everyone laughed at her cuteness, and Bai Zhijun seized the moment to shout, “Qingzi, open the big bear!”

Yang Qing grinned at his winking friend, “Alright!”

At the table, Wang Ying looked at Qin Xue, who was lovingly cradling little Dong’er, feeding the tiny one fruit. She couldn’t help but feel a surge of envy and softly asked, “May I hold her?”

Qin Xue was momentarily surprised, then smiled, “Of course.”

She kissed little Dong’er’s cheek and gently asked, “Sweetheart, would you like sister Ying to hold you?”

“Mm~ Sister~ Hug~” Dong’er obediently reached out her small hands.

Wang Ying’s face blossomed into a radiant smile as she carefully and affectionately took the little one in her arms.

She happily kissed Dong’er’s pale, tender cheek, then looked at Qin Xue and smiled, “Thank you.”