Chapter 89: Liking Because of Love (First Update, Seeking Initial Subscription)

"Here comes the food!" Bai Zhijun carried out a steaming dish from the kitchen, announcing like a waiter in a lively tone.

"Heehee... It's the Shadow Beef my sister made! Smells so good!" Little Xier bounced in delight, her milky voice singing praises for her sister.

Everyone was instantly charmed and amused by Xier's adorable way of announcing the dish. Bai Zhijun, meanwhile, felt as if his role of announcing the dishes had been snatched away—the little one was simply stealing the show.

He couldn't help but smile at her, saying, "Xier, why don't you announce the dishes for your brothers and sisters later?"

"Sure! Heehee..." Xier nodded her little head happily in agreement, then curiously asked with her mouth wide open, "Uncle Bai, what does it mean to announce the dishes?"

Bai Zhijun: ⊙﹏⊙

Was this little one seriously asking? She'd stolen his job without even knowing what it meant, and she'd agreed so quickly and cheerfully!

He gazed down at her big, expectant eyes, so adorably fixed on him, feeling utterly helpless.

"Never mind, you go play with Xiaobai and Qiuer," Bai Zhijun waved his hand in resignation, sending the little one off to play as he turned back toward the kitchen.

But he really shouldn't have provoked our curious little Xier.

"No! Xier wants to announce the dishes! Uncle Bai, wait for Xier! Tell me what it means to announce the dishes!"

The little one chased after Bai Zhijun, chirping like a tiny tail, sticking to him and chattering away.

Bai Zhijun (p_q): "...Xiaobai, Qiuer, hurry and take this little rascal away to play!"

"Whoosh!"

The two little ones ran over, but instead of pulling Xier away, they did the opposite, joining her in bombarding Bai Zhijun with questions in their sweet, childish voices.

Bai Zhijun: ...

I'm about to break down!

"Hahaha..."

Witnessing this, Qin Xue and the others couldn't help but burst into joyful laughter.

"Come on, let's help bring out the dishes."

"Mm-hmm, let's go. These three little cuties are just too much fun."

Qin Xue and Wang Ying rose with smiles, followed by Wen Xiaorou, Li Yuexi, and Wang Ke'er, all laughing as they headed to the kitchen together.

"Uh, aren't we... going?" Li Dongning was taken aback.

"No need," Wang Ming replied, "Let's keep perfecting your plan. This is important!"

Li Dongning nodded, "Alright, but are we really not telling Yang Qing?"

"Tell him what? Don't you get what a surprise is?" Wang Ming said excitedly, "Not only are we keeping it from Yang, we're hiding it from my sister and the girls too. When the time comes... heh heh..."

"Ming, if you don't tell your sister, can you handle this alone?" Fang Du asked softly.

"Come on, Ming," Wang Ming retorted, glaring, "Who do you think can't handle it? Maybe you should ask yourself if you can!"

Fang Du: "Heh..."

"Alright, you two, stop quarreling," Li Dongning cut in, pinching the argument off, "Let's settle on the first step: we go to Queen Ying's studio to record the song. No problems, right?"

"None!" Wang Ming nodded, "I'll arrange it when I get back. Once you and Yang have agreed, just come over."

"Okay, sounds good!"

"Wait," Fang Du interrupted, "Qing promised to compose music for our show too. The timing shouldn't conflict, right?"

"No conflict."

Li Dongning smiled, "We've finished the songs already—can record together, plenty of time!"

"Good," Fang Du grinned, "Let's do it, for Qing and the little cuties!"

"Yes!" Li Dongning's expression turned solemn, "For the fire in my heart!"

"Is it necessary to be so dramatic?" Wang Ming glanced at them, speechless, "Fang, you're obviously just trying to impress Jin'er, dressing it up as something noble. Have you no shame?"

Fang Du (‵□′): "You see right through me! Then tell me, what's your reason?"

"Me? Heh heh..." Wang Ming chuckled, "To rack up achievement points in front of my sister and Ke'er!"

Fang Du: ...

"Food's here!"

Just as the three quietly confirmed their plan, Qiu'er's sweet, childish voice rang out and the girls brought dish after dish to the table.

Two tables were pushed together, extra stools borrowed from Xiaobai's house, and everyone, including the little ones, took their seats.

On the table were over a dozen brightly colored dishes, their aromas wafting through the air and stirring everyone's appetite.

Yang Qing received a bottle of Bear Wine secretly handed over by Bai Zhijun. Smiling and shaking his head, he opened it, pouring a glass for everyone except the little ones, and said with a grin:

"The wine may not be the finest, but my gratitude is sincere. This first glass, I toast to you all—may you have a happy Dragon Boat Festival and smiles always!"

He raised his glass, paused, laughing and shaking his head, "Almost forgot—don't drink and drive! So today, anyone who's driving or riding can't drink."

At that, Wang Ming's face fell in disappointment, "I've never tried Bear Wine, wanted to taste it—what a pity. Sis, can I call a driver?"

Wang Ying smiled at him gently, her voice elegant, "It's fine, you drink. Ke'er and I will walk home afterward."

Swish!

Hearing his superstar sister say this, Wang Ming instantly clammed up.

"Haha..."

Yang Qing laughed, "Wang Ming, better not drink, safety first. When you want to try it..."

He patted Bai Zhijun's shoulder, "Go find Brother Bai—he'll drink with you to your heart's content!"

Bai Zhijun's eyes gleamed at this, and he responded heartily, "Absolutely!"

"Ah-hem!"

Just as he finished, a dry cough sounded, and Bai Zhijun instantly shrank back, becoming Wang Ming's twin.

Yang Qing: ...

You two really are cut from the same cloth.

"Brother, you should drink less," came Xia'er’s clear voice, and Yang Qing nodded repeatedly, smiling, "Alright, just a little—promise not to drink too much!"

"Mm-hmm," Xia'er nodded her little head seriously.

"Giggle..."

Qin Xue and the other girls laughed at Yang Qing, their happiness evident.

In moments like these, Yang Qing listening to Xia'er and making promises showed how much he truly loved and cared for his sisters, more than anything else, unconcerned about how others might view him.

"Brother Qing, bring out a bottle of Little Bear for the little ones so we can toast too!"

Xiaobai piped up in her milky voice, and Xier clapped her hands in delight, "Drink Little Bear, toast!"

"Haha... alright!"

Yang Qing laughed as he and Tan Jin'er fetched the Little Bear drinks, handing one to each of the little ones. Returning to his seat, he raised his glass again, smiling, "Nothing more needs to be said—let's treat this as a family dinner. Eat well, and be happy!"

"Qing, are we going to toast or not? My arm’s getting sore," Bai Zhijun sniffed the wine and urged.

"Haha... cheers!"

"Cheers! Let's toast!"

...

Amid laughter and chatter, glasses and chopsticks clinked, each person radiating genuine happiness and ease.

The dishes were gone, the wine finished, night fell, and people departed. The Yang and Bai families stood at the gate, waving goodbye to everyone.

After saying farewell and leaving the alley, Wang Ying looked at Qin Xue and suddenly spoke:

"Let's walk and talk."

Qin Xue smiled at her, "Alright."

So the two women walked side by side ahead, the others trailing several meters behind with various expressions.

"You and Qing... are you certain?"

After a moment of silence, Wang Ying asked in her elegant voice.

"No," Qin Xue shook her head with a smile, "But he gave me his promise. I'll wait for him."

Wang Ying paused, sighing, "He keeps his promises."

"Yes, which makes me feel happy and lucky."

"Lucky that you met him first, not me."

"Maybe that's fate. I'm curious, with your status as a superstar, surely you have many admirers—why do you favor him?"

"Heh... aren't you the same? Why is that?"

"Why..."

Scenes of her first meeting with Yang Qing and everything since flashed through Qin Xue's mind. She smiled in reminiscence and spoke:

"I think it's love. The way he cares for Qiu'er and the girls touched my heart."

Qin Xue said softly, "I'll never forget the look in his eyes when he first woke up in the hospital and saw Qiu'er and Dong'er—it was guilt, fear, and boundless tenderness."

"If he were their father, I could understand such an expression, but he isn't. So he's simply kind..."

"From that moment, I began to look forward to meeting him again, wanting to understand him, to know what kind of person he is, what gave him the strength to shoulder the sky for four orphaned girls."

"He showed me, and I was moved by him."

A happy, sweet smile blossomed on Qin Xue's face. "I like him because I love him."

After hearing Qin Xue's heartfelt words, Wang Ying fell silent. After a while, she spoke, somewhat dejected, "I envy you, but I'm not like you. I can't say I really like him—it's more a mix of curiosity and admiration."

Wang Ying's voice was elegant, "It began with curiosity, was amazed by his talent, and moved by his character. So I didn't lose to you, but to myself."

Qin Xue paused, looking at Wang Ying, "So you... admit defeat?"

"Admit defeat... heh," Wang Ying smiled at her, "If one day you lose him, maybe I'll be the winner."

"Giggle..." Qin Xue laughed, "That day will never come."