Chapter Fifty-Five: Mother, Why Are You Crying?

“Sister Ke’er, what brings you here?” With just a few minutes left before the performance, Wang Ke’er finally arrived, panting. The little ones cheered with delight.

Especially Xiao Qiu’er, who was so happy she nearly clung to Wang Ke’er. The little girl still remembered how Ke’er had been the one to accompany her during the days she and her brother worked their street stall.

“Hehe… I’m here on a mission from your brother, I’m going to livestream Chun’er’s performance,” Wang Ke’er said with a smile, kissing the little one. “Now, hop down. I have work to do, but I’ll keep you company later.”

“Sister Ke’er, let me help you!” Xiao Qiu’er piped up, remembering how she used to be the little assistant for both her brother and Sister Ke’er.

“Alright, come on then,” Wang Ke’er replied with a laugh. The two beauties, one big and one small, began setting up the livestream equipment under the curious gaze of the other children.

Xiao Xi’er was especially eager, bouncing around wanting to help, but Tan Jin’er scooped her up into her arms, sighing at her increasingly lively little sister. “You need to behave. If you try to help, you’ll only make things more chaotic.”

Xiao Xi’er protested, her childish voice ringing out, “That’s not true! Xi’er is very capable!”

Tan Jin’er: ╯▂╰

Li Wanxiao watched the Tan sisters exchange looks and laughed out loud. Meanwhile, Xiao Dong’er, nestled in her arms, was playing with Nian Nian, the little princess, pouting and asking for a kiss.

“Smack!” Nian Nian’s cheeks turned rosy as she quickly sneaked a kiss onto Xiao Dong’er’s face, then shyly lowered her head, her little hands adorably intertwined.

“Here, sister, eat!” Xiao Dong’er rummaged in her pocket and produced a little bear-shaped cookie, offering it to Nian Nian.

“Where does that come from?” Xiao Bai was stunned. Was her pocket a treasure chest? How could she always pull out bear cookies?

Xiao Bai marveled, but Nian Nian accepted the treat with joy, her cheeks reddening as she squinted happily.

Seeing this scene, Li Wanxiao’s smile grew even brighter.

With Xiao Qiu’er’s help, Wang Ke’er had just finished setting up the livestream equipment when a male teacher approached, asking what she was doing.

Ke’er shot Xiao Qiu’er a meaningful glance. Immediately, Xiao Qiu’er understood, her face breaking into a cute smile as she replied in her childish voice:

“Mister, my sister is going to sing soon, and Qiu’er… Qiu’er is going to record a video for her.”

“Oh, is that so? Then be careful, little one. Don’t run around,” the teacher said, smiling at the adorable Xiao Qiu’er and secretly resolving that when he married, he would definitely have a little girl.

So warm, so cute.

“Would you like to see it?” Xiao Qiu’er pointed to the livestream equipment, blinking her big eyes.

“Haha… No need, I have work to do. Goodbye, cutie.”

“Goodbye, mister!” Xiao Qiu’er’s innocent words successfully sent the teacher on his way, and Wang Ke’er let out a sigh of relief.

“Yes!” They had muddled through. The two beauties high-fived happily, and Xiao Xi’er, seeing this, became envious.

“Qiu’er, Qiu’er, let Xi’er join too!” The little one squirmed out of her sister’s arms to play high five with Xiao Qiu’er.

Soon after, Xiao Bai joined in, and then the shy Nian Nian was pulled into the circle by the laughing Xiao Xi’er.

Tan Jin’er, watching the lively group, rubbed her brow in exasperation, then glanced at Wang Ke’er seated beside her and said, “I never thought you’d be like this, Ke’er—teaching little Qiu’er to lie. Such a cute child, and you’re corrupting her.”

Wang Ke’er giggled and winked at Tan Jin’er. “I’m teaching her how to grow up!”

Tan Jin’er: …

Grow up?! What twisted logic is that!

Amid the children’s antics, the stage lights suddenly came on, and two little hosts walked out hand in hand.

“Qiu’er, Xi’er, Xiao Bai, Nian Nian, sit down, the show’s starting!” Xiao Xia’er gathered the four little ones and settled them in their seats.

The four immediately quieted, holding hands, their bright eyes fixed on the stage.

On stage, the young hosts, nervous and inexperienced, announced the show, and the performances began. The first act was a dance of little swans by six girls. As the music played, the girls began their routine, and a female teacher below the stage led the dance, instantly warming the atmosphere.

The children watched the show, while the fathers watched the teacher’s lead dance. Each found their own joy.

Meanwhile, Wang Ke’er’s livestream gradually gained viewers.

“Ah! My Princess Ke’er is finally streaming again—let me see those collagen cheeks!”

“Ha, dream on! Ke’er never shows her face, she’s streaming kids dancing. Still, the little ones are adorable.”

“Kids? Where? I only see a twisting waist—what a figure… tsk tsk… I’m locked and loaded!”

Chatroom: …

Who are you, to always steer the conversation into kindergarten territory!

“Stop messing around, keep it civil. The kids are dancing wonderfully.”

“Yes! They are. But why is Ke’er streaming at an elementary school? Didn’t she sign with Queen Ying? Has she left?”

“Left? Probably not. Queen Ying isn’t like that. Maybe Ke’er has another purpose for streaming here.”

“Mmm, you’re probably right! Watch and see!”

“…Yes! Watch on! We’re hitting the fast lane!”

Chatroom: “!!!”

The chat scrolled endlessly with comments, and Wang Ke’er laughed as she glanced at it. As expected, the tone remained as irreverent as ever.

The performances continued, applause rang out, and joy filled the hall. Xiao Xi’er clapped so hard her palms turned red.

She was overjoyed, thrilled—she had never seen so many boys and girls performing one after another for her.

Finally, another act ended. Over an hour had passed, and the show had reached its climax: Chun’er’s performance, eagerly anticipated by all.

“Sister! Go, Chun’er!” Xiao Xi’er cheered loudly. Xiao Qiu’er and Xiao Bai’s faces were flushed with excitement, sharing a sense of pride.

Even Nian Nian, the little princess, was no longer shy. She clenched her tiny fists and whispered encouragement.

Meanwhile, Ke’er’s livestream exploded with realization—“So she’s the boss!” dominated the chat.

On stage, Chun’er, dressed in a white dress, radiant and adorable, was led to center stage by Yang Qing, smiling.

“Don’t be nervous, Chun’er. You can do it—I’m right here with you,” Yang Qing whispered in her ear, then took his seat at the piano.

“Okay.” Chun’er nodded, then hugged the microphone and gently closed her eyes.

Suddenly, the stage was enveloped in a misty darkness.

Then—

“Thump thump thump…” The driving, rhythmic piano chords burst forth like swords unsheathed.

Instantly, the deep, resonant piano sounded like a battle horn, drawing everyone’s attention to the stage in awe.

Just then, a large screen behind them lit up, showing scenes of soldiers bravely charging through fire and war.

At the same time, Chun’er’s clear yet powerful voice rang out:

“You are brave, defending our homeland.”

“Every inch of mountain and river!”

“It is you, steadfast in faith.”

“Like blazing fire, guiding me!”

Boom!

Music, images, and song—at this moment, all the adults in the hall felt their hearts shaken.

They stared at the stage, at the unfolding scenes.

They saw those who charged fearlessly through fire, those who formed walls with their bodies in floods, those who marched against the flames. They fell silent, hearts trembling with emotion.

“The red star is like your eyes.”

“Unwavering, never flinching!”

“It is you who brought us today—”

“This wonderful life…”

The melody lingered, the piano struck the soul, the images stirred the spirit, and together they became an endless wellspring of pride and gratitude.

Yes, thank you for your courage and bravery, for giving us a homeland free of war. Today, this prosperous era is as you wished!

We are proud, fortunate to live in such a country, and we will never forget you. We will always remember our heroes!

In that moment, special emotions surged in every parent’s heart. Some smiled, others wept as they looked at their children.

The glory endures only because it is passed on!

Finally, the piano ceased, the song ended, the images faded.

Thunderous applause erupted through the auditorium, long and unending.

Everyone stood in unison, clapping with all their might—giving thanks, expressing gratitude.

They thanked Yang Qing and Chun’er for their performance, and honored those heroes who made this era possible.

Ke’er’s livestream exploded—rockets and flowers never stopped.

On stage, Yang Qing and Chun’er bowed three times in gratitude before exiting.

“Sister Chun’er is amazing!”

“Yes, Brother Qing is incredible too—‘thump thump thump,’ the piano was fantastic!”

“Hehe… My brother and sister are the best!”

Yang Qing and Chun’er left the stage, but the excitement in the hearts of the three little ones remained, bouncing and shouting.

Xiao Dong’er, held by Li Wanxiao, had been waving her arms and babbling, but suddenly felt a drop of water fall on her face.

She looked up, confused, and saw her beautiful aunt, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“Mommy, why are you crying?” Nian Nian had somehow left the trio and come beside her.

Seeing her mother cry, she too teared up, reaching out to wipe away her mother’s tears.

“Mommy’s crying… because… because… I am proud, proud of your father. Your father is a hero,” Li Wanxiao’s heart seemed to unlock at that moment. She wept with a smile, looking at Nian Nian, “We will always be proud of your father!”

“Mm… Mommy, Nian Nian misses Daddy.”

“You miss him? Then tomorrow, we’ll go together… to see Daddy.”

“Mm!” Little Nian Nian nodded vigorously through her tears, and Li Wanxiao lovingly gathered her into her arms. Just then, a clear, strong voice sounded in her ear:

“Mom! When I grow up, I want to be a great hero like Daddy!”

She turned sharply, stunned, looking at her son. After a moment, she broke into a smile through her tears, her eyes shining with pride.

“Good!”