Chapter Twenty-Three: Yang Qing’s Realization (Second Update, Please Vote)

The moon quietly climbed to the treetops.

At the dinner table, the dishes and wine had long disappeared. After eating and drinking their fill, the little children grew drowsy; little Bai insisted on sleeping with Qiu’er. Without warning, Mother Bai gave her a gentle smack and led the bunch of little ones off to bed.

Rubbing his dizzy head, Yang Qing saw Qin Xue and the others out. Before leaving, Qin Xue reminded him to drink more water, and Wen Xiaorou gave him a hug, full of concern.

Back in the courtyard, Yang Qing slung an arm around Bai Zhijun’s shoulders and muttered, “Brother Bai, whether our little shop opens with a bang depends on you. You must finish the renovations within a week.”

“Don’t… don’t worry, your Brother Bai is a pro at renovation—ow! That hurts!” Bai Zhijun, tongue thick with drink, hadn’t finished bragging when Mother Bai yanked him away by the ear.

Yang Qing watched the two of them recede into the darkness with a hint of envy, locked the courtyard gate, then returned inside and threw himself heavily onto his bed.

First time drinking white liquor, and he’d gone a bit hard—his head throbbed. How long had Brother Bai’s wife kept his drinking in check? Glass after glass, he’d nearly frightened Fang Du to tears. Poor kid…

Lying in bed, Yang Qing grinned in a half-daze, his thoughts wandering until suddenly he remembered—what had he forgotten…? The system!

Yes, the system!

He sobered instantly, shooting upright in bed. The achievement task issued by the system—thanks to Wang Ke’er’s deft maneuvering and the TV station’s coverage—had been completed at lightning speed!

Rubbing his face hard, Yang Qing entered the system in excitement. Sure enough, the achievement “Famous Far and Wide” was complete, and he’d been granted ten achievement points. There was even a new “draw ten times” button.

“Time for another draw—what surprise awaits me this time?”

He rubbed his hands together with anticipation, pressed the lottery button—one point spent, the wheel spun rapidly.

“Grand Supreme Elder, Three Pure Ones, Monkey King, bless me! Let me hit the jackpot!”

He shouted his prayers madly in his mind as the wheel came to a sudden stop.

“Congratulations, host! You have drawn the gourmet skill ‘Delicious Buns.’ You are now a qualified gastronome!”

Yang Qing froze—a qualified gastronome! As knowledge of all manner of delectable buns flooded his mind from the system, his expression grew odd.

This system is a bit too uncanny! He’d only just planned to open a small shop selling pancakes, maybe a few steamed buns on the side—which, frankly, weren’t as tasty as the pancakes—and now the system arranged everything for him!

“I don’t believe it! You can’t be this weird! I’m drawing again!”

A few seconds later…

“Congratulations, host! You have drawn ‘Delicious Porridge’!”

Another wave of skills integrated into his mind. Yang Qing chuckled in resignation.

Delicious pancakes, delicious buns, delicious porridge.

Heh…

At this moment, Yang Qing understood. The system had made all the arrangements for him. He’d probably never escape the kitchen in this life—because this was a culinary system!

But that wasn’t so bad. At the very least, with this system, his life would only get better. Qiu’er and the others could grow up healthy and happy, never again having to worry about money.

So… what exactly was he hoping for…?

Gourmet… system… Hmm! No, wait!

Yang Qing’s eyes suddenly widened—he’d thought of a loophole, a way to fight back!

“A Bite of China!”

Yes! Though it’s about food, it’s a documentary—a form of entertainment, culture, and media!

That means…

Excited, Yang Qing didn’t know quite what he was expecting or why he was so thrilled, but after drawing two food-related skills in a row, he felt a little disappointed.

He spent another achievement point; the wheel spun again…

“Congratulations, host! You have drawn the grand prize skill: Instrumental Mastery!”

Instrumental Mastery!

Yang Qing was elated. Closing his eyes, he began to receive the system’s transfer of skills.

Piano, violin, guitar, drums, erhu, suona, guzheng…

In an instant, Yang Qing felt as though he had been immersed in these instruments for years.

He’d mastered them all!

He could even sense a mysterious force gently adjusting his vocal cords, and knowledge of vocal timbre and tone flowed into his mind.

“Instruments… tone…”

He opened his eyes, gazing at the seven points remaining. Suppressing his excitement, he murmured, “Two more draws! Keep five points in reserve!”

“Here goes the double draw!”

The wheel spun.

“First double draw: Congratulations, host! You have drawn the grand prize skill ‘I Am a Renovation Master’! Bonus song: ‘I Am a Little Painter’!”

“Congratulations, host! You have drawn the suona classic ‘Hundreds of Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix’! Bonus erhu classic ‘Galloping Horses’!”

Songs! Masterpieces!

Thank you, dear system!

Yang Qing bowed out of the system in gratitude.

Back in reality, he began carefully reviewing his winnings.

First, the series of delicious buns—this completely solved the problem of a limited menu after opening his shop. Then, the porridge series—hmm… was the system insinuating he should add porridge to the menu? But Brother Bai and his wife… no, that wouldn’t be right. One must have conscience and principles; better put that aside for now.

Renovation… Brother Bai, sorry, but I might have to expose you on the spot.

Finally, the instrument mastery. He wasn’t sure yet what practical use that would have, but he could teach his little sisters—perfect! And the famous pieces… wonderful! But he didn’t own any instruments. Maybe buy some…?

Ah, forget it. I’m just a pancake-seller… Well, then again, why not? Everyone’s entitled to a hobby.

As for the songs… ah, might as well teach Qiu’er and the others how to sing them.

As he mused, the alcohol hit him again, and Yang Qing drifted off to sleep with a smile on his lips.

Half-awake, he felt his throat burning with thirst. Reaching out for his water cup, instead he touched a small head!

Yang Qing startled awake and quickly turned on the light, only to see Xia’er slumped asleep at his bedside.

“Mmm… Big Brother…”

The sudden light woke Xia’er. She scratched her short hair and, looking at the now-sitting Yang Qing, asked with concern, “Brother, are you feeling unwell? Do you want some water?”

“Mm.” Yang Qing took the water cup she handed over and, after a sip, said gently, “Why did you fall asleep sitting here? Go back to your room and get some rest.”

“No.” Xia’er shook her head. “My sister’s looking after Qiu’er and the others. Xia’er came to take care of you. You drank a lot and must be feeling awful.”

“I’m not…” Yang Qing was about to protest that he wasn’t feeling so bad and didn’t need looking after. But seeing Xia’er’s earnest and stubborn eyes, he changed course and said, “Thank you, Xia’er. I am feeling a bit unwell, so I’ll have to trouble you.”

As he spoke, he scooted over to make room on the bed. “Come on up. If I feel bad, I’ll call you.”

“All right!” Xia’er’s eyes lit up. She climbed up and hugged Yang Qing tightly.

“Brother… please don’t drink so much again, okay?”

Yang Qing gently kissed her forehead. “All right. I promise, Xia’er. I’ll never get drunk again.”

“Mm, Xia’er loves you, Brother…”

The light went out. Yang Qing gazed at the little one in his arms, his heart overflowing with tenderness.

It was all worth it…