Chapter Fifty-Nine: The Storm on the Web

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Children’s Day had come to an end. The parents, each with their own little ones, had headed home, and the once-joyful campus was gradually falling quiet.

Today, for many elementary schools, was just another day of Children’s Day performances, no different from any previous year. But for Hope Elementary in Yangcheng, it was a day brimming with surprises.

“Did we get a complete recording of the performance?”

In the school’s conference room, every seat was taken by school leaders and teachers. The principal, sitting at the head of the table, asked the question with an exuberant look.

“It’s all recorded. I just checked—the sound and picture are both very clear!”

“Excellent!”

The principal nodded with satisfaction and said, “I’ve already spoken to Yang Chun’s parent, Xiao Yang, and he’s agreed that we can post the video of Yang Chun’s performance online through our school’s website!”

“Comrades!”

The principal’s tone deepened. “What is education? It is first to cultivate people, then to teach them! To remember the martyrs, to never forget history, to honor and admire heroes—these are qualities every citizen of our nation should possess!”

“And the song Yang Chun performed tells precisely of such virtue. It’s a song full of educational and inspirational value. I hope that every teacher present today can embody this spirit, and pass it down to every student.”

“Finally, I propose that, in light of Teacher Zhang Yue’s excellent performance this semester, her name be added to the list of outstanding teachers for today’s selection!”

A few minutes later, the meeting dispersed. Zhang Yue walked out of the conference room in a daze, still doubting whether she’d misheard what had just happened.

Her name, on the list of outstanding teachers? It was unbelievable!

“Congratulations, Yueyue!”

At that moment, her roommate from the teachers’ dorm came over, full of emotion. “Your student Yang Chun was amazing in the performance today. That song moved me to tears.”

Zhang Yue paused. Yes, Yang Chun!

Suddenly it struck her—tonight’s surprises were all thanks to Yang Chun, all because of the song she sang.

“What sort of reaction do you think this song will cause?”

“I don’t know. It depends on how far it spreads.”

“Yes, that’s true.”

…

Meanwhile, chaos reigned in the fan group chat for Wang Ke’er’s livestream.

“Amazing! Absolutely amazing! Not exaggerating—this Children’s Day performance is the best, most meaningful one I’ve ever seen!”

“Exactly! That song shook me to my core. The music left me speechless!”

“…Can you guys stop with the innuendos? I just want to ask—did anyone record the video? I want to show my wife!”

“Damn, great idea! I want the video too—so I can show my wife just how it’s done! How to ride, how to shout!”

“…You’re a genius! I want the video too!”

“Wait—what are you all talking about? Did Ke’er do a livestream today?”

This came from a fan who had missed the chance to watch live, lurking all night until finally voicing his confusion.

Just as he asked, a compressed video file was sent to the group. A professional known online as “The Erhu Successor” chimed in:

“I missed the chance to record the full performance of the young boss and his sister singing, only caught part of it. But I have the complete version of the erhu piece ‘Galloping Horses’—enjoy, everyone.

Lastly, let me give you all a little prediction: maybe, sometime this month, you’ll see the young boss’s face on an even bigger stage!”

A netizen replied: “Are you messing with us? What kind of prophecy uses the word ‘maybe’?”

The Erhu Successor: …

“All right, jokes aside. I suggest we all share these two videos online. Both are truly meaningful!”

“Yes! Let’s do it—share them!”

“Let’s go!”

…

Wang Ke’er’s adorable fans began spontaneously sharing the videos online, while she herself was busy editing the livestream footage.

“Ke’er, are you sure you got this?” Wang Ying handed her a cup of coffee after watching the video.

“Of course!” Wang Ke’er replied with a confident smile. “I used to be a top streamer. Editing livestream recordings like this is second nature. Don’t worry, Sis Ying, it’ll be done in no time!”

Ten minutes later, Wang Ke’er sent the edited video to Wang Ying, who watched it, nodded, and smiled.

“Very good. Post it, then. Send it to Wang Ming so he can share it under our studio’s name. I’ll post it on my own microblog.”

“Got it! Hehe…”

And so, from that moment on, the internet was set ablaze that night.

At first, many netizens only saw a half-recorded video shared by Wang Ke’er’s fans. While they commented and shared in astonishment, most of the attention went to Yang Qing’s erhu piece, “Galloping Horses.”

As for the video of little Chun’er’s singing, since it was incomplete, it didn’t leave much impression.

But when the full videos were released by the Hope Elementary website and superstar Wang Ying, a frenzy began to spread.

In just thirty minutes, the views and comments on little Chun’er’s performance video surpassed ten thousand—and the numbers kept skyrocketing.

Within an hour, the video climbed into the top ten of the trending charts. Then fifth, then fourth…

Finally, after a little more than two hours, the long-standing number one, “Countdown to Diva Ying’s Concert,” was pushed to second place by little Chun’er’s performance video, while Yang Qing’s “Galloping Horses” shot up to sixth.

By now, both videos had exploded in popularity.

With countless viewers clicking, watching, and commenting, Yang Qing’s face became known for the first time to people all across the country.

Some local netizens from Yangcheng even recognized him and little Chun’er, excitedly typing out “Little Boss!” Though their comments were quickly drowned in the sea of replies, they persisted, proud to claim them as their own.

…

While a storm raged online, the very eye of that storm—Yang Qing—sat at home, troubled and perplexed.

After a while, he looked at little Xia’er, who gazed at him with hopeful eyes, and said awkwardly, “This question… I… I don’t know how to solve it.”

“Ah?” Xia’er blinked, then giggled and closed her math book. “Then I’ll wait until the day after tomorrow and ask Sister Jin’er.”

She lifted her small face and looked at Yang Qing expectantly. “Brother, can you teach me how to play the erhu?”

“Of course.”

Yang Qing let out a sigh of relief. That math problem was pure nonsense to him, but the erhu—now that was his specialty.

He gently patted Xia’er’s little head and smiled. “Not today, though. We’ve all had a long day. Once you’ve had your bath, go to bed early, and I’ll teach you next time, all right?”

“Okay! And piano, too!” Xia’er nodded eagerly.

“All right. As long as you want to learn, anything I know, I’ll teach you.”

“Mhm! You’re the best, brother.”

“Haha… Of course I am. Now, off you go for your bath.”

“Heehee… Big sister is giving Qiu’er, Xiaobai, and Xier their bath right now.”

“Uh…”

Yang Qing hesitated. “How long have they been in there?”

Xia’er glanced at the clock, then grinned. “Almost an hour! Qiu’er and the others must be playing with water again. Heehee…”

Yang Qing: …

A vein popped on his forehead in exasperation. He walked to the bathroom door and, sure enough, could hear the noisy shouts of the three little ones.

Sighing, he knocked on the door and said, “Qiu’er, you three stop playing with the water and finish up quickly. Don’t catch a cold.”

“Ah! Brother!”

Qiu’er cried out, “Heehee… Brother, I wasn’t playing! It was Xier! She was scrubbing and suddenly peed! Got it all over me and Xiaobai!”

“Silly Xier! I don’t even know what to say!” Xiaobai complained in her childish voice.

“Haha…” Xier’s laughter rang out. “I didn’t pee! It was just water! Qiu’er, Xiaobai, Chun’er, you have to believe me—it really was bath water, haha…”

Yang Qing: （〇_ｏ）／

What could he possibly say to that?