Chapter Eighteen: The Way Home
May Day Snack Street.
Flip the pancake, serve the pancake.
Yang Qing’s speed at making crispy pancakes grew ever faster. Though his pace had increased, the exquisite flavor of his pancakes remained undiminished.
As he’d anticipated, the long-awaited chime from the system finally sounded:
“Congratulations to the host for achieving the ‘Famous Far and Wide’ accomplishment within a month. Achievement points rewarded: 10!”
“Haha... It’s here—it really came!” Yang Qing laughed inwardly, elation surging through him. His spirits soared, and he worked with renewed vigor.
Yet, while his energy was boundless, Bai Zhijun was growing tired.
Tired from collecting money!
He’d never imagined he’d live to see the day when taking payments would wear him out.
“Qing... Qingzi,” he sighed, unable to hold back, “it’s been more than two hours. Let’s take a break.”
“Alright,” Yang Qing replied without raising his head, hands still busy. “Just a moment.”
A few minutes later, Yang Qing paused, smiling at the two customers at the front of the line. “Wait for me, I need a sip of water.”
The customers laughed. “No rush, young boss. We’re up next anyway. We can wait.”
Yang Qing smiled, turned, and handed Bai Zhijun four freshly made pancakes. “Brother Bai, please bring these to Ke’er and those two reporters. Have one yourself and take a rest.”
“Okay.” Bai Zhijun accepted them. “You should rest too. Don’t overdo it. Things are much better now than before—the kids will worry about you.”
“I know, don’t worry.” Yang Qing nodded, watched Bai Zhijun deliver the food, drank a mouthful of water, massaged his back, and then resumed his work.
He wanted to rest, but he couldn’t.
He had his own principles—not merely to earn a few more coins, but for the sake of those adorable customers waiting in line.
He couldn’t betray their expectations.
“So this is the magical golden crispy pancake?”
Reporter Zhang Xue took the pancake from Bai Zhijun, gazing at the golden crust and inhaling its tantalizing aroma. She couldn’t help but wonder aloud.
Crunch.
She took a gentle bite, and her eyes widened in astonishment. Her elegant face was suffused with disbelief.
Such crispness...
Such flavor...
Incredible!
Huffing and puffing, she, normally so refined, now devoured the pancake like a greedy little pig, finishing it in a few quick bites.
Swish!
After eating, she suddenly recalled her unladylike behavior. Her cheeks flushed as she glanced at the others.
Her assistant had finished as well—and was licking his fingers!
Bai Zhijun sat on a small stool, drinking water and video-chatting on his phone, a beeping sound emanating.
Only Wang Ke’er seemed to notice her; thankfully, Ke’er was her newly made close friend, so... Wait, her phone was... livestreaming!
Swish!
Seeing Zhang Xue’s face darken, Wang Ke’er quickly feigned innocence and redirected her livestream camera.
Livestream comments:
“Haha... Ke’er, you sly fox, your cunning is truly bottomless!”
“Haha, getting to see the beautiful reporter like that—I’ll forgive Ke’er’s little scheme!”
“Yes, yes! If Ke’er hadn’t pointed the camera at the reporter, I wouldn’t have fired my last burst of bullets!”
“...That one upstairs is acting weird!”
“...”
The livestream was full of joy, while Wang Ke’er, at that moment, was desperately trying to defend herself.
“Sister Zhang, you don’t believe me...” Her large, dark eyes were pitiful. “I was showing myself just now, explaining the pancakes to my fans. They all want to try it too.”
“Really?” Zhang Xue remained skeptical.
“Really!” Wang Ke’er, sensing opportunity, hurriedly said, “You know how delicious Yang Qing’s pancakes are. So many people are craving them but can’t get any.”
Hearing this, Zhang Xue nodded emphatically. “Yes, I never knew pancakes could taste so good. It’s unforgettable.”
“No, that’s not it!” Wang Ke’er shook her head. “It’s not that pancakes are delicious—it’s that Yang Qing’s pancakes are delicious!”
Zhang Xue paused, then agreed, “Right!”
She looked at the still long queue, sighing, “After eating his pancakes, I finally understand why, after two hours, the line hasn’t shrunk but grown.”
Wang Ke’er chimed in, “Because one is never enough! Haha...”
“Exactly! I want more...”
“Sister!”
At that moment, a surprised shout interrupted Zhang Xue—it was Qin Xue and her friends arriving.
“Huh, Xiaoxue, Xiaorou, Yuexi, what brings you here?” Zhang Xue asked curiously.
“Hehe,” Li Yuexi laughed. “We came because we saw your report, Sister!”
“Oh, did you?” Zhang Xue smiled knowingly. “And what’s with him? He seems familiar with Yang Qing.”
Li Yuexi turned to look at Fang Du, who was now cozily chatting with Yang Qing, and ground her teeth.
Hmph! Men can’t be trusted!
“Sister, Yang Qing is a benefactor to the three of us,” Wen Xiaorou whispered in Zhang Xue’s ear, “and Xuexue is his... heh heh... Why don’t you guess?”
Zhang Yue: ...
A little mischief brings you joy, doesn’t it.
“Sister.”
Qin Xue came forward to chat with Zhang Yue, then glanced at Bai Zhijun, smiling, “Brother Bai, you’re here too?”
Bai Zhijun looked up, quickly stood, and scratched his head. “Miss Qin, you’re here. Haha... I’m helping Qingzi out.”
Qin Xue nodded. “Are you video-chatting with Xiaobai?”
“That little rascal,” Bai Zhijun grumbled. “He’s gone wild, won’t talk to me—heartless!”
He handed his phone to Qin Xue. “Just in time, the four kids want to talk to Qingzi. Can you pass the phone to him?”
Qin Xue was surprised, then agreed, “Alright.”
...
At Bai’s house, four little ones—Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter—sat at the table, eyes fixed on the phone. Suddenly, the screen shifted, and a beautiful face appeared.
“Wow! It’s Sister Qin!” Autumn exclaimed joyfully.
“Hehe... Autumn, Winter, Summer, Spring, how are you? Have you eaten?”
“We have! Bai Mama cooked for us—it was so fragrant!”
“Good, that’s great. I’ll let your brother talk to you now.”
The screen shifted again—Yang Qing’s face appeared.
“Brother! When will you come home? Autumn misses you!”
“Brother... Winter... misses you.”
“Haha...”
Hearing the childish voices, Yang Qing laughed happily. The feeling of being missed by those you care for was wonderful.
“I’ll be home in a few hours. You must behave at Bai Mama’s house and listen to her, alright?”
“Hmph, Autumn is very well-behaved. Autumn is good! It’s Winter who’s naughty—she wet Bai’s bed while sleeping.”
Winter: ಥ_ಥ
Big sister is mean.
“Haha...”
Yang Qing comforted Winter, then looked at Spring and Summer, who seemed hesitant to speak, his tone gentle.
“Spring, Summer, after you’re done with homework, play with your sisters a bit. Don’t keep reading—it’s bad for your eyes.”
“Yes!” Spring nodded vigorously, but tears welled up in her eyes.
“Brother... you’re sweating. Are you tired? Spring... Spring doesn’t want you to be so tired, so hard-working. Please come home soon, okay?”
Yang Qing replied softly, “Don’t cry, sweetheart. Brother’s not tired at all. Be good, okay?”
“Brother...”
Then Summer appeared on screen, her short hair brushing her cheeks, her face wet with tears.
Summer was crying too.
Suddenly, Yang Qing panicked. He didn’t know what had happened, but even the usually strong Summer was in tears...
His heart raced, his hands trembled, and his voice caught with emotion.
“Be good, Summer. Be good, my darlings, don’t cry. Brother... Brother will come home right now, immediately, right away!”
As he spoke, his eyes grew wet.
He hung up the video call and rose anxiously, the world spinning for a moment. He stumbled, then felt himself caught by a soft embrace.
As the dizziness faded, he opened his moist eyes to see an exquisitely beautiful face.
“Yang Qing! Are you alright?” Qin Xue held him, worried. “Should we go to the hospital?”
“No need, thank you.” Yang Qing wiped his eyes. “I need to go home.”
He straightened, turning to the suddenly silent line of customers, apologizing, “I’m sorry, everyone—something happened at home...”
But before he could finish, the customers at the front interrupted.
“Young boss, what are you talking about? No need to apologize—you’re making us look bad!”
“Exactly, if you’ve got something at home, go. We’ll be fine.”
“Right, missing one meal won’t kill us. But make sure you’re here on time tomorrow!”
Yang Qing was moved. “Definitely! I’ll be here on time tomorrow. Thank you all for understanding, thank you...”
He bowed deeply, thanking the customers shouting, “It’s over, it’s over, the young boss has an emergency,” and apologizing to those who’d waited so long.
Finally, the line dispersed, the customers departed, and Yang Qing turned to Qin Xue and the others. “Sorry, something’s come up at home. I have to go. Next time, I’ll treat you all.”
“No need to worry about us—just hurry home,” Qin Xue said. “Do you want me to drive you?”
“No,” Yang Qing refused. “Brother Bai and I will take the cart. You all go ahead.”
“Alright, be careful on the way.”
“Don’t worry—you drive safely too, take it slow.”
“Okay, we’re off.”
Wang Ke’er, Zhang Xue, and the others understood Yang Qing’s mood, so they parted ways.
As the crowd left, Yang Qing and Bai Zhijun quickly packed up the stall.
“Don’t worry too much. Your sister-in-law is at home; nothing serious will happen. I bet the kids were bullied at school and are feeling upset,” Bai Zhijun tried to reassure him.
“Maybe, but they cried, so I’m worried,” Yang Qing said quietly.
“Ah...” Bai Zhijun sighed, patting Yang Qing’s shoulder, saying no more.
“All packed—let’s go.”
“Yes, let’s.”
The cart rolled slowly into the distance, its shadow stretching ever longer under the street lamps...
Toward home.