Chapter Sixty-One: Who Will Save Me?

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“Hello, Yang Qing, are all the little cuties awake yet?”

“They're up, haha... They're all washing their faces and brushing their teeth.”

“Good. Niannian has been pestering me since early morning, asking when Xier, Qiuer, and Xiaobai are coming. Since they're up, I'll have the driver pick you up now. Don't bother with breakfast—come eat at our place. The housekeeper has already prepared everything.”

“Ah, well... that's perfect, I won't have to cook then, haha...”

"Niannian is waiting to have breakfast with her ladies."

“Haha...”

In the morning, Yang Qing hung up the call from Li Wanxiao, put down the egg she had managed to save from being scrambled, and stepped out of the kitchen on the second floor. She smiled as she saw the two little ones—dressed in matching cartoon pajamas—coming out of the bathroom.

“Qiu’er, Xiaobai, finish washing your faces and hurry to get dressed. We're going to Niannian's house.”

Little Qiu’er nodded eagerly, “Okay!”

But Xiaobai glared at her, “Aren’t you going to feed us breakfast?”

Yang Qing burst out laughing at her mock-ferocious look, “Niannian’s mom has invited you to her house for breakfast. Niannian is waiting for you to join her.”

Xiaobai immediately brightened, “Alright! Qiu’er, go wake up Xier!”

Pattering feet echoed as the two little ones dashed off, hand in hand, toward the bedroom. Yang Qing paused, realizing Xier was still not up. Shaking her head with a smile, she followed them.

Inside the bedroom, little Xier was already awake but hiding under the covers, pretending to be asleep. She touched her damp pajamas with a tiny hand and scooted away from the spot. In her small heart, she was crying out, Who will save me! Save poor Xier! I’m the big sister—how could I wet the bed?

As she was silently lamenting, Qiu’er and Xiaobai burst in.

“Xier! Wake up! We’re going to Niannian’s house!” Qiu’er called out in her childish voice.

Xiaobai chimed in, “Niannian’s waiting for us to have breakfast! Get up!”

Hidden under the covers, Xier made no sound, her face scrunched in distress. The two were about to climb onto the bed and pull her out when Yang Qing arrived and stopped them.

“Let Xier sleep a bit longer. You two go change. I’ll get your clothes.”

He knelt on the bed, reaching for the small stacks of clothes placed on the inside, but as soon as he touched them, he paused. Glancing at Xier hidden under the covers, he turned to the other two and smiled.

“Niannian’s mom said after breakfast, she’ll take you all to pick wild strawberries. So, I think you should wear something else today. What do you think?”

“We get to pick wild strawberries?”

Their eyes lit up with excitement.

Qiu’er: “Okay! What should we wear?”

“With big pockets—so we can carry the strawberries!” Xiaobai shouted.

“Haha, anything is fine. All your clothes are in your sister’s room. Go pick some for yourselves, and bring Xier’s too so she can change when she wakes up.”

“Okay!”

The two ran off. Soon, Chun’er returned, carrying a set of Xier’s clothes. After placing them down, Yang Qing gently patted Xier under the covers, then left with Chun’er.

When the room was finally empty, Xier breathed a sigh of relief. She had been terrified just moments ago that Qiu’er and Xiaobai would discover what had happened. She patted her chest, still a little scared, and peeked out from under the covers—only to freeze.

“Hehe... No more hiding, huh?”

Tan Jin’er looked at her little sister, who peeked out with embarrassment, and chuckled.

“Sis…”

Xier called out in a shy, childish voice, “I... I wet the bed…”

Tan Jin’er laughed warmly, picking up the little one and helping her change, “I know. Your brother Yang already told me.”

“Brother Yang!”

Xier’s eyes widened in panic, “He knows? What about Qiu’er and Xiaobai...?”

“Don’t worry—they don’t know. Only your sister and Brother Yang do.”

Tan Jin’er’s smile was full of warmth. Once again, she felt Yang Qing’s thoughtfulness. He had noticed and cared for even the smallest worries of a child. It was a small thing, but it showed how much he cared for Xier—he truly treated her as his own little sister, not just in words.

After their parents passed, her little sister was all she had—her motivation, her faith. At that moment, Tan Jin’er fully opened her heart to this warm, loving home without elders.

“Thank you, Brother Yang.”

She thanked him silently in her heart, while Yang Qing, filled with questions, was already answering another call from Qin Xue.

“You’re taking the little ones out to play today?”

“Yes, I’ve made plans with the mother of a boy from Chun’er’s class. We’re all going to a farm for the day. Want to join us?”

“No, I have to deliver some films for review and I’ll be busy. Um… did you have breakfast yet? Should I bring something over?”

“No need. I practically live in a breakfast shop, and we’re already set to eat at Chun’er’s classmate’s house.”

“Oh, then… just be careful.”

“Alright…”

Yang Qing was puzzled by Qin Xue’s hesitant words, so he asked, “Is there something you want to say?”

“No... nothing,” came Qin Xue’s slightly disappointed reply. “It’s just... I suddenly feel like I’ve missed out on so much.”

“Huh?” Yang Qing was confused. “Missed out? What did you miss?”

Hearing his bewildered question, Qin Xue—calling from her office—couldn’t help imagining his blank, silly look and suddenly burst out laughing.

“What did I miss? I missed an important milestone in Chun’er’s life, missed a wonderful Children’s Day performance, missed hearing the excitement of ‘Galloping Horses’ played on the erhu live. Poor me, I can only watch it online. Do you have any idea how that feels?”

“Ah, is that all...” Yang Qing laughed sheepishly. “If you want to listen, I can play it for you.”

“Really?” Qin Xue’s voice turned sweet and excited. “You and Chun’er’s video is really popular online now—you should check it out.”

“Sure, I’ll take a look when I have time. I didn’t expect Chun’er’s school to work so fast,” Yang Qing replied, smiling.

“You really...” Qin Xue knew from his tone that he hadn’t grasped just how popular their video had become. She could only laugh helplessly. “Anyway, just be careful when you go out. It’s getting hot—bring some sunscreen and make sure the little ones use it.”

“Will do…”

While Yang Qing was still on the phone, Bai Zhijun walked in and found Tan Jin’er carrying bed sheets and little clothes.

“Hey, Jin’er, are you doing the kids’ laundry?” he asked.

Tan Jin’er smiled and nodded. “Aren’t you going to your shop today, Brother Bai?”

“Nope,” he waved his hand. “Tomorrow’s the Dragon Boat Festival—I’m the boss, I deserve a break, don’t I?”

She giggled, “Want to come out with us then?”

“No, I’m off to check on the renovation crew.”

As he spoke, Bai Zhijun reached to take the sheets and clothes from Tan Jin’er. “You all get ready to head out. I’ll have my wife do the washing.”

“Jin’er!” a tiny voice suddenly called out before Tan Jin’er could reply. A little one, clutching a toothbrush, dashed over, eyes wide with nervousness as she looked at Jin’er.

Jin’er laughed at her anxious little sister. “Go brush your teeth and wash your face—look at all that foam around your mouth!”

Bai Zhijun was puzzled, “What’s with Xier?”

“It’s nothing. She’s just excited to go out,” Tan Jin’er explained.

At that moment, Yang Qing, having finished his call, came out and joked, “Brother Bai, you give yourself a day off and still pile work on your wife? Aren’t you worried she’ll…”

“Hey, watch it!” Bai Zhijun rolled his eyes. “You think I’m afraid of my wife? But... you’ve got a point. Since it’s a holiday after all... Ahem, Jin’er, you…”

Tan Jin’er smiled, “I’ll just soak them for now. We can wash them when we get back.”

“Alright,” Bai Zhijun agreed at once, and little Xier nodded in perfect harmony beside him.

Yang Qing watched the two of them—a tall man and a little girl—both nodding seriously and couldn’t help but laugh. He said to the little one, “Xier, hurry and wash up. Niannian’s been waiting.”

“Okay!” Xier ran off toward the bathroom, relieved and happy. Just before she went in, she paused, turned her head, and flashed a sweet, embarrassed smile.

“Brother Qing, Xier loves you!” she called out in her childish voice.