Chapter Forty-Nine: The Little Child Learning to Walk Like a Penguin

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“You… you’re serious!”

Wang Ming looked at Yang Qing in disbelief. He suddenly felt that the man before him, if not a genius, must surely be mad!

“Heh… guess,” Yang Qing chuckled softly, then opened the car door and said, “Stop pretending, smile a bit. That expression will scare my little sister. And besides, I really am not... a monster!”

Wang Ming: …

You say you’re not a monster, but do you think I believe you?

…

“Brother!”

School had ended. Before Chun’er and Xia’er even left the school gates, they spotted Yang Qing waiting at the entrance and instantly ran toward him with joy.

“Slow down,”

Yang Qing greeted them with a smile, gently patting their little heads and taking their small backpacks. He pointed to the roadside, saying, “Today we’re taking Brother Wang Ming’s car home. I’ve also bought you gifts.”

“Gifts!”

Their big eyes lit up, faces full of anticipation. Yet the next moment, Chun’er adorably furrowed her brows and asked,

“Brother, did you spend a lot on the gifts? You mustn’t waste money.”

“Mhm,” Xia’er nodded solemnly, “Don’t waste money, brother. You work so hard to earn it.”

Ever since Yang Qing opened his little shop, the family’s life had improved. Gradually, they became less resistant to buying inexpensive, practical things, but were still hesitant about anything too expensive.

Hearing their words, Yang Qing’s expression turned a little odd.

Hard work…

My dears, I wonder how you’d feel if you knew I earned twenty thousand today just by playing the piano for a while. And it’s Jin’er who’s been busy at the shop all day—she’s the one who’s really worked hard.

“I need to give Jin’er a raise,” Yang Qing mused silently. Turning to the girls, he smiled, “Don’t worry, it wasn’t expensive. Let’s hurry over, Brother Wang Ming has been waiting a long time.”

“Mhm!”

The two girls happily slipped their little hands into Yang Qing’s, and together they crossed the street.

“Brother Wang Ming!”

The girls greeted Wang Ming politely. Wang Ming, now composed, wore a broad smile as he praised them for becoming more beautiful and adorable, making the girls giggle.

“By the way, Yang, you bought Chun’er and Xia’er drawing boards. Did they enroll in an art class?”

As he drove toward the shop, Wang Ming asked curiously.

Yang Qing -_-||. Little Ming, not only are you a master of expressions, but also a clever one. You’ve spoiled the surprise I prepared for my sisters!

Yang Qing, speechless and helpless, didn’t want to reply, but Chun’er and Xia’er’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

“Brother, did you really buy drawing boards for us?”

Xia’er tossed her short hair, asking happily, while Chun’er looked at him expectantly.

Yang Qing nodded with a smile, “Yes, and colored pencils too. They’re in the trunk. You can bring them when you start your little artist lessons.”

“Mhm! You’re so good to us, brother.”

“Haha… you’re my treasures. Of course, I have to be extra good to you.”

“Mhm… heehee…”

Yang Qing interacted affectionately with the girls, while Wang Ming grinned at their warm bond. He chimed in, “Yang, when Chun’er and Xia’er aren’t at school, you could bring them to my sister’s studio. They can learn piano, dance, and singing.”

Wang Ming laughed, “It’s great for girls to learn all three.”

Hearing this, Chun’er and Xia’er fell silent, their bright eyes fixed on Yang Qing.

Yang Qing smiled and shook his head, “Your idea is… quite good!”

“Haha, right? So, Yang, about Ke’er… could you help me out again?”

Yang Qing: …

Help you out? Don’t you know women are tigers? I could use some help myself!

The car stopped near the shop. Seeing the long line of customers, Wang Ming felt his scalp tingle, “Yang, I won’t go in. I still need to pick up my sister and Ke’er.”

“Alright,” Yang Qing smiled, “Thanks for today. Tomorrow—no, the day after tomorrow—I’ll call you. Come over for dinner as thanks.”

“Haha… great, can I bring my sister and Ke’er?” Wang Ming’s eyes lit up.

“Of course, bring them all,”

Yang Qing agreed with a smile, but sighed inwardly: so I can’t invite Qin Xue now.

Ah, what a mess!

After saying goodbye to Wang Ming, Yang Qing took the drawing boards and walked toward the store with the two girls. Along the way, customers greeted them.

“Hello, young boss.”

“Young boss, picking up your sisters from school?”

“Hey, Chun’er and Xia’er are getting prettier and cuter! How about a childhood betrothal with my son?”

“Whoosh!”

Hearing that, Yang Qing shot a sideways glance.

Inside, chef Jin’er was busy and deftly making pancakes. The girls called out to Jin’er, then headed upstairs.

Yang Qing watched Jin’er, whose forehead was slightly sweaty, and scratched his head apologetically, “Jin’er, I’m going to change clothes. Then I’ll take over for you.”

Without giving Jin’er a chance to refuse, he went upstairs.

Reaching the landing, he was startled to see a little one walking past, knees bent, arms slightly out, hands facing up, moving slowly before him.

Then came a second, and the third was a tiny figure wiggling her bottom…

“Qiu’er, Xi’er, what are you doing?”

Yang Qing walked up and, seeing the two still moving in that strange way, asked in confusion.

“Brother!”

Hearing his voice, Qiu’er instantly returned to normal, spinning around and leaping into his arms.

Dong’er also waddled over, calling “Bro-bro-bro-bro,” wiggling her little bottom.

Yang Qing crouched down and hugged them both.

“Heehee… Xi’er and I were teaching Xiao Bai how penguins walk.”

“Dong’er is learning too.”

“Learning to walk like a penguin?!”

Yang Qing was even more puzzled. He looked at the sister in his arms, then at Xi’er laughing loudly, then at Xiao Bai, munching cookies with a pile of toy models.

“You went out to play today?”

“Mhm!”

Qiu’er chirped excitedly, “Sister Qin and Sister Jin’er took us to the aquarium! It was beautiful and so much fun!”

“Hahaha… Xi’er even fed the penguins! Xi’er is amazing!”

Xi’er laughed, then ran to Xiao Bai, picking up a toy shark and a little sea rabbit, then grabbing a jellyfish hat.

“Hey, what are you doing?” Xiao Bai asked.

“Hahaha… I’m giving gifts!” Xi’er grinned, “The shark goes to Sister Xia’er, the sea rabbit to Sister Chun’er, the hat to Brother Yang Qing, the penguin to you, Xiao Bai. Hehe… Xi’er is so happy!”

Xiao Bai was dumbfounded, “You gave them all away, what about you?”

“Xi’er has a teddy bear, it’s a gift from baby’s father! Xi’er is amazing, I calmed the baby down!”

Xi’er tilted her head back in pride, her face full of joy.

Xiao Bai →_→: “Silly girl! Dummy! I’ll leave the penguin for you, keep it.”

“Xiao Bai~~ boohoo~”

“Silly girl, I’ll bop the boohoo monster with one punch!”

Watching this, Yang Qing couldn’t help smiling. Xi’er was such a generous child, always thinking of others.

Smiling, he whispered a few words into Qiu’er’s ear, then went to his room to change.

Qiu’er, holding Dong’er’s hand, giggled as she ran over to Xi’er, who was still pleading with Xiao Bai to accept the penguin. She took Xi’er’s hand and said,

“Xi’er, brother says we’re all living here together, so there’s no need to give little gifts. Just leave them here; anyone can play with them. Mine, yours, Xiao Bai’s, and also our big sisters’ and Dong’er’s. We’re always together.”

“That’s right, dummy, we’re always together! And we’ll go to kindergarten together,” Xiao Bai laughed, grabbing Xi’er’s hand.

With both girls holding her hands, Xi’er bounced with joy, “Hahaha… Qiu’er, Xiao Bai, I’m so happy! Let’s all learn to walk like penguins!”

“Heehee…”

“Dummy, come on!”

“Come~ on~” Dong’er called adorably, biting her finger.