Chapter Twenty-Nine: Wandering Spirits in the Dead of Night (Second Update—Recommendations Requested)

"What! Yang Qing said he taught Qiu'er to sing that song? I don't believe it!" Li Yuexi stared at Qin Xue, who had just hung up the phone, and shouted, "Isn't he the guy who sells pancakes and fried dough? How could he possibly write songs? Is he really that much of a genius? Is he really so irresponsible?"

Qin Xue gave a wry smile. Honestly, she didn’t believe it either. No matter how simple a song might be, it wasn’t something someone with absolutely no musical background could compose and perform.

But Yang Qing... she knew the kind of person he was; he wouldn’t lie to her. So...

Ah, she couldn’t make sense of it.

"What’s the big deal?" Seeing the two of them puzzled and at a loss, Wen Xiaorou said calmly, "Have you forgotten? This very pancake-selling, seemingly irresponsible man planned a show for us."

"Gah!" The two were immediately dumbfounded.

...

"Brother, was that Sister Qin calling?" On the little path, Xia Xia'er held Yang Qing’s big hand with her small one, her short hair bouncing along with her lively steps.

"Mm, she asked who taught Qiu'er to sing the song." Yang Qing was a bit confused after receiving Qin Xue’s call. How did she know that Qiu'er sang "I Am a Painter"? Did she come to the shop...

"Was it that painter song Qiu’er sang?" Xia Xia’er’s eyes sparkled.

"Yes, you all know how to sing it too."

"Mm-hmm, Qiu’er taught me and sister, and also Xiao Bai. Brother, you’re amazing!"

"Haha..." Yang Qing laughed. "It’s not that brother is amazing, just that brother has a ‘cheat’."

"‘Cheat’? What’s that?" Chun’er, holding his other hand, looked puzzled.

"Well... it’s a treasure, a gift from heaven to help brother."

"I know! It’s grandma! Grandma gave it to brother, didn’t she?" Xia Xia’er raised her head, looking at Yang Qing hopefully.

Yang Qing was taken aback, then smiled and nodded, "Yes, it’s grandma."

Seeing Yang Qing nod, Chun’er had no doubts and immediately rejoiced, "It’s grandma! Brother, can you teach Chun’er to sing a song too?"

"Hmm? Why do you want to learn singing?"

Xia Xia’er happily answered, "Because Children’s Day is coming up, and teacher wants sister to perform. Hehe... sister is worried!"

"Haha, is that so? Sure."

Chun’er’s face lit up with joy. "Really, brother? Will you really teach Chun’er to sing?"

"Really," Yang Qing said with a smile, "but you’ll have to wait a few days, is that okay?"

Teaching Chun’er to sing was no problem, but Yang Qing was worried he might not be able to draw a children’s song with the five achievement points he had saved up, so...

Better to leave some time, just in case. If he couldn’t get one, he could always learn an existing children’s song.

"Okay!" Chun’er said, looking up, "Thank you, brother!"

"Haha..."

...

Yang Qing brought the two little ones to the shop. As soon as they entered, they saw Wang Ming chatting with Bai Zhijun.

"Brother Yang!" Wang Ming greeted Yang Qing excitedly. "Are these two little cuties your sisters as well?"

"Yes," Yang Qing nodded and smiled. "Chun’er, Xia’er, greet Brother Wang Ming."

"Hello, Brother Wang Ming," the two obediently called out, then ran upstairs to find Qiu’er. Bai Zhijun went upstairs too. He always felt awkward talking to young, wealthy men like Wang Ming—out of his league.

Perhaps seeing Bai Zhijun’s discomfort, Yang Qing shook his head with a smile, then looked at the excited Wang Ming and asked, "So, do you like it?"

"I do!" Wang Ming grabbed him and whispered, "Brother, do you have her phone number?"

Yang Qing: ???!!!

What’s going on!

Are we even talking about the same thing? What phone number?!

Yang Qing was perplexed, while Wang Ming looked at him with hopeful excitement.

"Do you have it, brother? If you do, could you give it to me?"

"??? Wait, who are you talking about?"

"Gah!" Wang Ming paused and winked. "The one upstairs, the one Qiu’er calls Sister Ke’er."

Yang Qing: !!!

Damn!

What are you doing here! I was asking if you liked the renovation, and you—good grief!—liked the person instead!

"You... I give up!" Yang Qing looked at Wang Ming, speechless. "I have her number, but I can’t give it to you without her permission."

"Come on, brother, I beg you. Love is fleeting!"

Yang Qing: "...Does your sister know you’re this bold?"

Wang Ming’s eyes instantly became mournful. "I’m an adult, okay!"

"Fine, fine!" Yang Qing couldn’t stand his pitiful look and said helplessly, "My shop opens in three days. Ke’er will be there for a livestream. You come too, and I’ll create an opportunity for you. Whether you seize it is up to you. Oh, and on June 10th, your sister’s concert—she’ll be there too. Qiu’er already gave her a ticket, and she’s actually a fan of your sister."

Yang Qing said, "Is that enough? Is it okay? If not, I can—"

"It’s enough! Thank you, brother!" Wang Ming nodded excitedly. "It’s settled then. You must help me!"

"Mm. Can we talk business now?"

"Business? What business? What we just discussed was business!" Wang Ming was confused.

Yang Qing was exasperated.

How unreliable could he be!

Yang Qing asked, "I’m really curious—why did you choose that renovation company back then? With your status, shouldn’t you have picked a big, professional company?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Ming’s face fell. "I just wanted to save some money, who thought—"

Yang Qing interrupted, "...Save money? Your sister asked for fifty thousand for a design sketch, and you call that saving money!"

Wang Ming looked at him wistfully. "You said it yourself—that’s my sister."

...

Neither had anything to say. They both found themselves plunged into deep awkwardness and helplessness.

After a while...

"So the renovation—"

"Let’s go with them. I’ve seen their work—it’s meticulous. And I trust you."

"Mm, you..."

"I’m off. I’ll come when your shop opens."

"...Alright."

Watching Wang Ming leave, Yang Qing felt complicated emotions.

In the end, money wins.

...

Time passed. Two days went by in a flash, and the shop’s renovation had been completed the day before. Since they used formaldehyde-free materials, the smell was mild, and after yesterday’s intensive cleaning, Yang Qing and the five children—Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, and Xiao Bai—slept upstairs.

The second floor had been divided into four rooms and a small living area.

All the bedding was newly bought by Yang Qing. Now that he had a bit of money, he wanted to give his sisters the best.

Qiu’er’s eagerly awaited TV had already been ordered online; just waiting for delivery.

Bai Zhijun and his wife didn’t return home; they slept in their own shop on the first floor.

Night had fallen.

Under the flickering neon, some lost themselves in revelry, while others sought a peaceful refuge.

"Sister, where are we going? Xi’er wants to sleep."

"Sister will hold you while you sleep."

"But won’t you get tired, sister?"

"No, you’re so small and light."

"Mm-hmm. Then, if you get tired, tell Xi’er, and she’ll wake up."

"Alright, sleep now..."

Under the cold moonlight, a slender figure emerged from the Yang City long-distance bus station.

Holding a little one in her arms, she gazed at the distant lights, sighed softly, and looked around in confusion.

The five hundred yuan she had was enough to find a place to rest for the night, but she couldn't.

She walked on and on, as if wandering aimlessly in the depths of night.

She didn’t know how long she had walked. Finally exhausted, she looked down at her sleeping sister, whose lips were pursed in slumber, and a trace of determination appeared in her eyes.

Looking into the distance, she spotted a small shop at the street corner with five chairs out front.

The sign read: Four Seasons Delicacies.