Chapter Fifty-Four: I Wish for His Ordinary Life

(Thanks to "Genius Silly Bird" for the reward, and to "Searching for Love," "Leisurely Flying Bird," "Bookworm Lost in Books," and "Montilong" for the monthly votes, as well as all the recommendation votes from everyone. Thank you.)

Children's Day, June 1st, is a day of joy and happiness for every child.

At the entrance of Hope Primary School, clusters of adorably dressed children, accompanied by their parents, laughed and made their way inside the campus.

Among them, the most eye-catching group was led by Yang Qing and Tan Jin'er, for they had brought the most children, and each little one was especially exquisite and lovely.

"Wow! So many little babies!" exclaimed Xiao Xi'er, her mouth agape in wonder as she visited primary school for the first time.

"Silly, those are big sisters and big brothers. You're the baby here, and a naughty little goof at that," said Xiao Bai, who was holding Xiao Xi'er's left hand, in a crisp voice.

"Hehe... Xi'er, you mustn't run off, okay? Be a good girl," chimed in Xiao Qiu'er, holding her right hand.

Xiao Xi'er, feigning pitiful innocence, pleaded with her two companions, trying to break free from the grip of these two mischievous jailers, though it was in vain. "Xi'er is the best behaved! I won't run off, Xiao Bai, Qiu'er, we're triplets. You have to trust me!"

Hand in hand, the three little ones skipped and giggled ahead, trailed by Chun'er and Xia'er, who were likewise holding hands.

Xiao Xia'er was quietly encouraging her sister, "Don't be nervous, don't be afraid. Qiu'er and I will be cheering you on!"

"Your brother will be with you too! Didn't he promise to accompany you on stage and play the piano for your performance?"

With a little fist clenched, Xia'er chirped, "You're the best! Go for it!"

"But... but I'm afraid I won't sing well," Chun'er confessed, anxiety gripping her as she imagined herself singing on stage before so many parents and children. Her heart thudded wildly, and her little palm, gripping Xia'er's hand, was damp with sweat.

"Don't worry..." Xia'er tried to reassure her.

"Chun'er! Xia'er!" Suddenly, just as Xia'er was about to encourage Chun'er again, a voice called out in delight.

A little boy dressed like a young gentleman ran over, holding a little girl's hand.

It was Ma Minghao, the boy who had once fought with Xia'er but later made up and became her good friend.

"Haoyang!" Xia'er called out happily, then looked curiously at the girl in the white princess dress holding Ma Minghao's hand. "Who's this? Your little sister?"

"Yes, my sister Nian Nian," Ma Minghao replied with a smile. "Xia'er, you and Chun'er look so pretty today."

Xia'er grinned, "Hehe, our brother bought us these dresses. Your sister is so cute too."

As she reached out to pat the little princess Nian Nian, the shy girl hid behind her brother.

"Mama~" The little one, seeking comfort, turned to call her mother but instead caught sight of three other little ones her size, their eyes shining as they watched her.

"Ah!" Startled, she clung tightly to her brother, peeking curiously and timidly at the trio.

"Nian Nian, don't be scared. They're my good friends," Ma Minghao said gently, patting his sister's head and pointing to Chun'er and Xia'er. Then, turning sternly to the three, he frowned, "What are you up to?"

"Whoosh!" Xiao Xi'er, who had been laughing heartily, was startled by his fierce look, her laughter cut short.

"Hammer! Are you looking for a fight?" Xiao Bai snapped, seeing Xiao Xi'er frightened. Her brows furrowed, and she raised her tiny fist.

"Xiao Bai, Xiao Ming, what are you doing?" Xia'er interjected anxiously as the two little toughs were about to clash. "Xiao Ming, Xiao Bai and the others are my little sisters. They're very sweet and won't bully Nian Nian."

"Oh, they're your sisters? Then... um..." Ma Minghao scratched his head, embarrassed, then pulled out a handful of bear-shaped milk candies from his pocket and offered them to the three. "Sorry, I didn't know you were Xia'er's sisters. Here, have some bear candies."

Bear candies! The three pairs of eyes lit up, and then they looked to Chun'er and Xia'er for approval.

"Go ahead, but just one each," Chun'er instructed.

The three gleefully each took a candy and began to eat, even Xiao Bai, who had been so fierce moments ago, now beaming at Ma Minghao as if she had never threatened to fight.

Such pure and simple are the affections and rivalries among children.

"Brother, Dong'er wants some too!" Little Dong'er, unable to sit still in her brother's arms, squirmed and waved her hands, demanding candy.

Yang Qing had no choice but to put her down. She waddled over to join the others, her little bottom swaying as she ran.

"Yang Qing," called a woman's voice. Tan Jin'er looked over to see a tall, elegant woman in black approaching.

"Hello, Xiao Ming's mom," Yang Qing greeted politely.

Li Wanxiao came over, glancing at him and then at Tan Jin'er by his side. "Is this your girlfriend?" she asked with a smile.

"Uh, no," Yang Qing shook his head, smiling as he introduced, "This is my... sister Jin'er. Jin'er, this is Ma Minghao's mother, whose daughters Chun'er and Xia'er are classmates with."

"Hello, Xiao Ming's mom," Jin'er greeted, then said to Yang Qing, "I'll go watch over the little ones."

"Alright."

With Jin'er off to look after the children, Yang Qing and Li Wanxiao chatted idly about the children's studies and lives.

As they spoke, Li Wanxiao watched her youngest daughter, a little shy as she was drawn into play by the trio. Suddenly, she smiled.

Although she smiled, Yang Qing sensed a certain sorrow and bitterness behind it.

"Are you... alright?" he asked.

"I'm fine. It's just... seeing Nian Nian like this makes me happy," she replied, tears silently slipping down her cheeks.

"Ever since Nian Nian's father died in the line of duty, she's been withdrawn. I worry about her a lot. But now, she seems to be opening up, thanks to your sisters."

Yang Qing was startled. Only now did he realize he'd never seen her in anything but black. His eyes trembled slightly. "Died in the line of duty... your husband was..."

"A firefighter. During a mission, he sacrificed himself to save a little girl the same age as Nian Nian. That day... that day was Nian Nian's birthday. She... she waited all day for her father to come home," Li Wanxiao said with a smile, though her tears traced down her face.

A heavy weight pressed on Yang Qing's chest. He wanted to comfort her, but the words caught in his throat.

A silent, wordless sadness hung between them.

After a while, Li Wanxiao smiled at him, wiped her tears, and said softly, "Come on, it's almost time. The children should be going in."

"Yes," Yang Qing nodded. He looked at Li Wanxiao, paused again, then said solemnly, "Your husband is a hero, a great man. He will be remembered."

"A hero, yes, he is a hero," Li Wanxiao replied with a faint, sorrowful smile. "But perhaps I am selfish... I would rather he wasn't. I'd rather he were ordinary."

Yang Qing fell silent again. No matter how many words he might have offered, they were powerless before her simple wish: "I'd rather he were ordinary."

Amid the laughter and joy filling the air, Yang Qing and Li Wanxiao walked on in silence, simply watching, listening, and moving forward.

At last, the group arrived at the assembly point for Chun'er and Xia'er's class outside the auditorium. The children immediately broke free from Tan Jin'er, who was holding little Dong'er, and dashed off laughing.

Tan Jin'er could only sigh inwardly—these children were becoming wild, and harder to manage.

Just then, Zhang Yue, who was organizing the seating, noticed a few tiny figures running over. She paused, then recognized Chun'er, Xia'er, and Yang Qing and his companions trailing behind.

"Yang Chun, Yang Xia, and Xiao Qiu'er—you all look so pretty and adorable today! These lively little cuties are...?" she asked.

"Hello, Teacher," Xia'er greeted politely, then introduced Xiao Xi'er and Xiao Bai.

Xiao Xi'er squealed excitedly, "Hello, Teacher!" while Xiao Bai remained composed—she'd seen many teachers at kindergarten.

"Giggle... You really are all adorable," Zhang Yue laughed, then looked at the little princess Nian Nian, whose hand was held by Xiao Xi'er and Xiao Qiu'er. "And who is this little sweetheart?"

"Te... Teacher, that's my little sister, Nian Nian," piped up Ma Minghao, who had been hiding among the children.

Zhang Yue smiled at the bashful boy, "Your sister is adorable, and you look very handsome today—a fine little gentleman."

Ma Minghao straightened up, no longer shy, his face beaming with pride.

After patting the children's heads, Zhang Yue instructed Xia'er and Ma Minghao to take their sisters and line up for the auditorium.

She then led Chun'er toward Yang Qing and the adults.

"Yang Qing, Xiao Ming's mom, hello," she greeted.

"Hello, Teacher Zhang," Yang Qing and Li Wanxiao replied.

Zhang Yue then looked at Tan Jin'er, who was holding Dong'er. "And you are...?" she asked.

"My sister, Jin'er, here to help look after the little ones," Yang Qing explained.

"Ah, that's wonderful," Zhang Yue nodded, smiling. "Xiao Ming's mom, Jin'er, please return to the class area—I’ll take Yang Qing and Chun'er backstage."

With that, she nodded to the two women and led Yang Qing and Chun'er away.

"Backstage? Haohao said Chun'er was performing, but Yang Qing too? And that thing on his back..." Li Wanxiao asked Jin'er, puzzled.

"An erhu," Jin'er replied. "Brother Qing is performing too. I heard from Xia'er that their homeroom teacher invited him."

"Oh, an erhu! I didn't know Yang Qing could play that. I'm looking forward to it," Li Wanxiao said, and then she and Jin'er headed to where the children were lining up.

...

Backstage, Chun'er was taken by Zhang Yue for makeup, leaving Yang Qing sitting alone, deep in thought.

He pondered Li Wanxiao's words, the fragile little Nian Nian, her father—a husband and father who died saving others and would never return home.

He felt he should do something, just as he had thought that morning—heroes deserve to be remembered! They are the marks of this era!

After a moment, he hesitated, then pulled out his phone and dialed Wang Ke'er's number.

"Hello, Brother Qing, you finally called me! Do the little cuties miss me? Hehe..." Wang Ke'er, resting in the dance studio of "Yingni Studio," answered with a laugh.

"Ke'er, are you busy now?" Yang Qing's voice came. "If not, I'd like to ask a favor."

"A favor?" Wang Ke'er was surprised. "What is it, Brother Qing? Just say it."

"I'd like you to livestream a performance."

"A performance? What kind?"

"Children's Day—Chun'er's singing performance."

"Ah! Chun'er's singing performance!" Wang Ke'er was stunned for a moment, then laughed. "Brother Qing, you really are so good to Chun'er and the girls. Hehe... I'll come right away."

"Thank you," he replied.