Chapter 88: Li Dongning—I've Got a Plan

"Qingzi"

After feeding little Dong'er another strawberry, Wang Ying, holding the child in her arms, kissed her on the cheek with a smile. Then she turned to Yang Qing and said, "The song those adorable little ones were singing in the yard—did you teach it to them?"

At her words, Qin Xue and her companions looked puzzled, glancing at Wang Ying before fixing their eyes on Yang Qing.

Singing? What song?

"Er… you heard that…" Yang Qing replied with a slightly embarrassed smile. "It's just a children's song I taught to Xia'er. The little ones joined in for fun."

"Did you compose it yourself as well?" Wang Ying gazed at him intently.

Hearing this, Yang Qing let out an awkward laugh. "Heh… well… you could say it was luck, just luck…"

Wang Ying: …

Qin Xue: …

Wang Ming: π_π

Fang Du: biubiu

Li Dongning’s expression looked even more constipated.

Luck—what nonsense! That’s just shamelessly making things up with a straight face.

Seeing everyone’s expressions, Yang Qing could only scratch his nose awkwardly. What else could he say?

"Giggle…" Watching Yang Qing’s embarrassment, Qin Xue couldn’t help but laugh. "What song did you teach the little cuties? Why don’t you sing it for us?"

"Well…" Yang Qing didn’t answer her immediately. Instead, he looked at the group of excited children still immersed in their new gifts and called out, "Chuner, Xia’er, Qiu’er, Little Bai, Xi’er, come here for a moment."

Pitter-patter…

Moments later, the children ran up to him, their voices full of joy.

"Big Brother, what is it?" Little Qiu’er asked, tilting her face up.

Yang Qing smiled gently at them. "Do you like the gifts your sisters and brothers brought you?"

"We like them!"

"Hiahia… Xi’er likes them so, so much! Xi’er is so happy!"

Yang Qing affectionately ruffled Xi’er’s hair—the most enthusiastic of the group. "Shall we sing a song to thank them?"

"Yes!"

"Good. Then sing the song we just practiced, all right?"

"Okay!"

The little ones nodded eagerly. Yang Qing then turned to the others and smiled. "Be sure to clap along when we’re done."

He glanced at Li Dongning and said, "Dongning, why are you standing there? Come and accompany us!"

"Ah, I… I… I think I’ll just… sit this one out," Li Dongning stammered, waving his hand nervously. With Wang Ying, the superstar, present, he didn’t want to play his leaf-whistle.

Yang Qing: "Don’t be silly. Come on, just for fun—what are you so shy about?"

"I… All right, fine." Li Dongning stepped forward, and the Yang Family’s Little Yard Children’s Choir was reassembled.

The children cheerfully found their places, ready to sing as soon as the music started.

"Wait a moment…" Wang Ying suddenly interjected, "Can I see the lyrics and music? I’d like to join in."

"Me too," Qin Xue chimed in with a smile.

"Uh…" Yang Qing hesitated. He understood why Wang Ying would want to join—she was a superstar after all—but Qin Xue…

"Ahem, well… Xiaoxue, do you…"

She immediately caught his meaning and shot him a look before laughing. "Don’t underestimate me! I know a fair bit about music theory, and I can play a few instruments."

"Ahaha… Well then, I’ll go get them." Slightly embarrassed, Yang Qing went inside, fetched the lyrics and music, and handed them over.

Wang Ying took them first, then grinned. "Qingzi, your handwriting hardly does your talent justice."

Yang Qing: ˙o˙

A moment later, both women stood up, retrieved two of the gifts Wang Ying had given the children—a small electric keyboard and a little guitar—and returned. The gifts were thoughtful: though small, they were exquisitely made and could be played for real, not just simple electronic toys.

With two more members, the Little Yard Children’s Choir was now larger. The children clapped excitedly to welcome their new members, the atmosphere brimming with joy, even drawing Bai Lingyue to peek out from the kitchen where she was helping.

"All right, is everyone ready? Let’s begin!"

"Ready!"

Ding-dang, ding-dang…

Yang Qing dropped his little wooden stick onto a bucket and a spade, producing crisp, rhythmic beats.

Next, Li Dongning’s bright leaf-whistle joined in, followed by Qin Xue’s notes on the small keyboard and Wang Ying’s strumming on the guitar.

In an instant, lively music filled the courtyard.

"Let us row our little boat, pushing gently through the waves…"

The children’s voices rang out pure and clear. The first line was slightly out of sync, but soon their young voices harmonized.

Simple music and innocent singing intertwined, filling the courtyard with joy and warming every heart.

"Xiaorou, are you happy? Isn’t this wonderful?" Li Yuexi’s face was radiant with delight.

Wen Xiaorou nodded. "Yes, the children sing so well. And the song Qing wrote is lovely—it’s so cheerful."

"Giggle… Then let’s perform a folk dance!"

"Uh, no, I…"

"Come on!"

Before Wen Xiaorou could refuse, Li Yuexi took her by the hand and pulled her out. With music and children’s voices as their backdrop, the two girls performed a graceful folk dance for everyone.

Click, click!

Comrade Lao Bai seized the opportunity to take photos from every angle with his phone.

Wang Ke’er, holding little Dong’er, recorded everything on her phone as well.

At this moment, genuine smiles lit up every face, and happiness flowed through each heart.

Again and again, they sang the song three times before the little ones finally tired, and their singing faded.

"Qingzi, your song is wonderful—so full of sunshine, motivation, and joy!" Wang Ying gave Yang Qing a thumbs up.

"Haha, thank you! It’s a great honor to be praised by a superstar," Yang Qing replied with a hearty laugh.

"You really are…" Wang Ying laughed, shaking her head, saying no more.

Everyone took their seats again. Yang Qing said, "You all chat—I’ll go help in the kitchen."

"All right!"

They nodded, breaking off into small groups to chat. To everyone’s surprise, Qin Xue and Wang Ying began talking quietly, both wearing smiles.

Wang Ming shot a few glances at his superstar elder sister and Qin Xue. Seeing them laughing together, he finally relaxed, clapping Li Dongning on the shoulder.

"Nice job with the whistling!"

Li Dongning: "Watch what you’re saying! Don’t get any funny ideas!"

"Haha…" Wang Ming laughed, then asked with curiosity, "When Yang introduced you, he said you’re with the Chinese Musicians’ Association. What brings you here?"

"I came to see Yang Qing," Li Dongning replied, then explained his reasons and purpose in detail.

He didn’t hide anything—he trusted Yang Qing and, by extension, his friends. He believed Wang Ming and the others wouldn’t spread word of his actions to the Association.

But even if they did, what could happen?

"Brother, well done!" After hearing his story, Wang Ming patted him on the shoulder again. "You have my support!"

"Yes," Fang Du agreed. "That move was like taking away the firewood from under the pot—very effective, though it’s a pity."

"Pity? What’s the pity?" Wang Ming asked.

Fang Du rolled his eyes. "And you call yourself an insider? It’s a pity Qing can’t take the stage—this was a chance to make a name for himself."

"True!" Wang Ming suddenly realized. "What a pity. Is there any way to fix it?"

He looked at Li Dongning, who thought for a moment, then his eyes lit up.

"There’s no chance through the Association, but… I have a plan. If we act quickly enough and reach a wide enough audience, there just might be hope."

"Oh? What plan? Tell us!"

"Yes, tell us—maybe we can help," Wang Ming and Fang Du said, both interested.

"All right, here’s my plan…"