Chapter Eighty-Two: Happiness Is You, Me, and Her

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“Here, one Little Bear for each of you.”

After the meal, Yang Qing kept his promise, taking out three bottles of Little Bear and handing them to the three little ones with a smile.

“Heehee… Thank you, Brother Qing, love you!” Little Xi’er happily accepted her Little Bear, tilting her small head back, squinting her eyes, and cooing sweetly.

“You’re welcome. Go ahead and drink it, then take your afternoon nap.”

Yang Qing smiled, patted her little head, kissed Xiao Qiu’er, then turned to leave—Li Dongning was still waiting for him.

With her Little Bear in hand, Xi’er cheered and bounced around, eager to take a sip. But Xiao Bai stopped her with a firm grip.

“Silly girl, nap first, drink it when you wake up.”

Xi’er pouted, “Xiao Bai, can’t you just let me drink it? I won’t wet the bed!”

Xiao Bai gave her a look.

Silly thing, you dare claim you don’t wet the bed? Doesn’t your heart ache for all the little clothes you’ve soaked?

“No way! Nap first, then you can drink it.”

Xi’er tried to act cute, but at this moment, our Xiao Bai was a doll with no feelings, coldly refusing.

Truthfully, she just didn’t want to have to change clothes again after waking up—it was such a hassle!

While one tried acting cute and the other glared, Xiao Qiu’er watched, giggling, not saying a word.

The next moment, a small body bumped gently into her. Looking down, she saw Xiao Dong’er grinning, her tiny baby mouth wide, head tilted up, smiling sweetly.

“Heehee… Why did you come to me? Where are Big Sis and Second Sis?” Xiao Qiu’er squatted down, scooping Xiao Dong’er into her arms, speaking in her babyish voice.

“Mmm… Sister… there,”

Little Dong’er wriggled in Xiao Qiu’er’s arms, pointing her small finger toward the kitchen.

Xiao Qiu’er instantly understood—the two older sisters had gone to help Jin’er clean the kitchen, so…

“Heehee, then let’s go take a nap together.”

Xiao Qiu’er planted a kiss on Dong’er’s soft, fair cheek, then took her little hand. “Come on, let’s go back to the room.”

“Mmm… Sister… drink, Dong’er… drink…”

As Xiao Qiu’er led her away, Dong’er twisted her little bottom, clinging tightly to Xiao Qiu’er, her big black eyes fixed on the Little Bear in Xiao Qiu’er’s hand, cooing longingly.

“Heehee… you want to drink Little Bear too? But… brother said you can’t have too much.”

Xiao Qiu’er giggled, but seeing Dong’er’s pitiful look, biting her finger, her heart softened.

She glanced at the room where Yang Qing had gone, then at the kitchen. Seeing no one was around, she immediately took Dong’er’s hand and tiptoed toward the little vegetable garden, whispering,

“I’ll let you have some Little Bear, but you can’t let brother know. We’ll drink it over there.”

With that, Xiao Qiu’er led Dong’er away. Xiao Bai, who had been busy refusing and acting tough, was left momentarily stunned.

“Xiao Bai, where are Qiu’er and Dong’er going? Let’s go see!”

With a clap, Xiao Bai took her hand.

A few moments later, on an old, red-painted wooden bench at the side of the garden, three pairs of little legs dangled, swinging adorably back and forth.

There was also a pair of feet, barely visible, fidgeting restlessly. Looking up, one could see Dong’er hugging Qiu’er’s hand, while in Qiu’er’s hand was a bottle of Little Bear.

“Heehee, Dong’er, drink slowly, don’t rush.”

Slurp.

Dong’er took another sip, then, letting go of the straw, she pushed Qiu’er’s hand with her own, cooing,

“Sister… drink…”

“Ha… I’m not drinking, you—mmph—”

Before Qiu’er could finish, a straw was suddenly popped into her mouth. Instinctively, she took a sip of Little Bear.

Turning, she saw Xi’er beaming at her.

“Heehee, Qiu’er, drink mine. Let’s share!”

“Silly girl, just drink!”

Before Xi’er could finish, Xiao Bai stuffed a bottle of Little Bear into her hands, being her usual bossy yet adorable self.

“Heeheehee… Xiao Bai, Qiu’er, having you both is the best! Xi’er’s so happy!”

“Giggle…”

“Silly girl…”

Happy little friends, always with Little Bear. The four of them swung their feet in the warm sun, joyfully sharing three bottles of Little Bear—one sip for you, one for me, yours today, mine tomorrow, hers the next.

Unnoticed, the Little Bear was finished, their legs ceased to swing, laughter faded, and the four little children, bathed in sunlight, drifted sweetly into sleep.

With Chun’er and Xia’er’s help, Tan Jin’er finished tidying the kitchen. Taking each girl by the hand, she headed toward the house, wondering what the four little ones were up to now.

Were they causing mischief, or had they already fallen asleep?

At the door, hearing no noise, she smiled. Looks like they’re asleep—so well-behaved.

But the next moment… she was left stunned, dumbfounded, and utterly confused as she entered the room.

“Where are they…?” Tan Jin’er stared at the empty bed, bewildered.

Chun’er and Xia’er shook their heads in confusion.

“We don’t know, Jin’er Sis. Could they have gone out to play?” Chun’er asked worriedly.

“No,” Tan Jin’er replied, “I locked all the courtyard gates—they’re too little to open them.”

“Phew, that’s good. Let’s hurry and look for them—they’re definitely hiding somewhere again,” said Xia’er, tossing her short hair as she dashed outside. Tan Jin’er and Chun’er hurried after her.

They searched and searched…

A few minutes later, the three of them finally reached the little vegetable garden and discovered the four little ones on the bench.

Looking at the four sleeping soundly, at Xi’er drooling as she hugged Dong’er, Tan Jin’er could only sigh and stifle a laugh.

“Jin’er Sis, why are Qiu’er and the others sleeping here?” Now that their little sisters were found, Chun’er and Xia’er breathed a sigh of relief.

Tan Jin’er glanced at the three empty bottles set at the edge of the bench and smiled wordlessly. “They must’ve tired themselves out drinking Little Bear and fell asleep here. I’ll carry them inside to rest.”

“Okay, I’ll go get brother,” Xia’er piped up, and before Tan Jin’er could object, she was already running toward the house.

Moments later, Yang Qing arrived with Xia’er and Li Dongning in tow.

“Huh, how did they end up sleeping here?” Yang Qing looked at the four little ones snoozing on the bench, smiling in surprise.

“Haha… you know, this is such a lovely, heartwarming scene. Mind if I take a photo?” Li Dongning gazed at the four adorable, sleeping children, feeling his heart melt.

“Go for it,” Yang Qing chuckled. “Jin’er, do you want a photo too? Look at Xi’er—she’s drooling in her sleep! She must really love Dong’er, even sleeping here and hugging her.”

“Giggle…” Tan Jin’er took out her phone, snapping pictures as she laughed. “She does love Dong’er, but I’d guess she’s mostly just looking for someone to take the blame for her.”

“Haha… you’re probably right,” Yang Qing laughed. “All done? Let’s bring these little ones inside to sleep, or they’ll get sunburned.”

“Haha… come on, let’s go…”