Qin Manor
"Dad, with Steward Qin and the others following them, nothing will happen." Qin Tiannan was speechless as he watched Old Master Qin pace back and forth restlessly. They were right inside the villa complex—what could possibly happen?
"Can I not worry? Who could afford to take responsibility if something happened? Didn't I say not to go out unless we had word from above? Why won't you listen?" Old Master Qin was furious.
"Grandpa, don't be angry. Beibei hasn't been happy since she came to Jiangbei, so I agreed to let Little Sister take her to meet some new friends. Besides, I just called Little Sister, too. They'll be back soon." Qin Xianglian explained.
"Old man, you've paced so much my eyes hurt. Beibei will be back soon—what good will worrying do?" Old Madam Qin said helplessly.
"Great-grandpa, Great-grandma, Mommy, Beibei's back!" Beibei's milky, childish voice rang out across the great living room.
Only then did Old Master Qin's expression ease.
"Oh, Beibei's back. Did you have fun?"
"Mhm, I did. The handsome uncle's cooking was so delicious!"
"Tell Mommy, was the little sister you just met easy to get along with?" Qin Xianglian hugged Beibei and kissed her.
"Qianqian is super nice. She has a papa who can cook delicious food. Beibei misses Daddy." Beibei hadn't seen her own father in a long time.
"Good girl, Beibei. Daddy will be back very soon."
"That's right, Beibei. Quickly, tell us what Qianqian's family is like." Old Madam Qin immediately changed the subject, preventing them from mentioning Long Xingtian.
Beibei then began talking about Ling Yun's family.
Steward Qin told Old Master Qin what had happened earlier. Old Master Qin sighed, unsure whether it was a blessing or a disaster.
National Security Department, Jiangbei City Branch
"You five are certain? Who was at the scene?" Gao San asked doubtfully.
"Yes. Steward Qin and the others were there, and the Dragon Group was there too."
"This is real. There was also an instrument at the scene that gave the same result. It wasn't an instrument malfunction."
"This is serious. Jiangbei is about to descend into chaos. I need to call Boss Qin immediately. Keep a close watch on the Qin Family."
"Yes, sir. Your subordinate takes his leave."
Dragon Group, Liangjiang Special Zone
"Tianren Realm? This is serious. Something major is about to happen in Jiangbei."
"District Chief, it isn't that serious, is it?"
"Yeah. That Stone Monster has already scattered into dust. It should be gone for good."
"Ah, what I'm afraid of is that it used some kind of illusion. Write a report and submit it to the higher-ups."
The culprit, Ling Yun, was leisurely watching cartoons with his daughter.
"Papa."
"Mm."
"Papa."
"Hmm?"
"The cartoon isn't fun at all. None of it is as good as the stories Papa tells." The little one had actually wanted to hear Ling Yun tell a story.
"Little darling, what story do you want to hear?" Ling Yun fondly rubbed her little head.
"Qianqian doesn't want a short one. I want a loooong one."
Ling Yun thought for a moment, then nodded. "Then you'd better listen carefully, Qianqian. I'll only tell one part each night. No going back on your word, okay?"
The little one nodded, indicating that she could accept that.
"Legend says that the Scorpion Demon and the Snake Demon were imprisoned inside Calabash Mountain. One day, a pangolin accidentally broke through the mountain cave, allowing the two evil demons who preyed on people to escape. After that, disaster befell the common folk one after another..."
"Papa, tell me one more part!"
"How did Qianqian just promise Papa?"
"Papa, Qianqian wants to listen!" Her eyes reddened as she spoke. Just then, Ling Yun's mother came out of the room and saw them. She immediately went over and twisted Ling Yun's ear. "You little brat! It's only been a moment, and you're already bullying my granddaughter."
The little husky burst out laughing and rolled around on the floor at the sight.
"Don't twist it, Mom. Ow, ow, I'm all grown up now!"
"No matter how big you get, you're still my son."
"Hmph, bad Papa. If you don't tell me another part, I'll have Grandma twist your ear." With Grandma there this time, the little one was brimming with confidence.
"Qianqian, that's cheating."
"Then cheating is cheating." To hear another part, she simply pouted and waved it off.
Ling Yun had known all along that his daughter would cheat. That was exactly how stories worked—the more you heard, the more hooked you became.
Lin Qiuyan understood now. "Son, hurry up and tell my granddaughter the story, or I'll twist your ear." She even made a twisting gesture.
Ling Yun was completely defeated by the two of them.
He told another part. But when it ended, the little one refused to accept it again, making a huge fuss and insisting that Ling Yun finish the rest, or she wouldn't take a bath.
What a daughter, stabbing her own father in the back. Ling Yun had no choice but to tell her the entire story of the Calabash Brothers. Only then was the little one satisfied.
"Papa, is there more? Tell me another one, okay?"
There was nothing left. Ling Yun spread his hands, but the little one didn't believe him. Then Ling Yun suddenly thought of something.
"How about Daddy sings you a Calabash Brothers song?"
"Calabash Brothers has a song? Papa, sing it!"
Ling Yun cleared his throat.
"Calabash Brothers, Calabash Brothers,
Seven flowers on a single vine.
Wind and rain may batter them,
But they're never afraid,
La la la la.
Ding-dang, dong-dong, dang-dang,
Calabash Brothers,
Ding-dang, dong-dong, dang-dang,
Their powers are grand, la la la la."
The little one excitedly bounced on the sofa, clapping her hands again and again.
After taking a bath, Lin Yueyan came out into the living room. Seeing everyone there, and her little niece muttering, "La la la la, their powers are grand," she immediately felt she had missed something.
"Auntie, what were you all doing just now?"
"Listening to Little Yun tell a story."
"A story? It was the Calabash Brothers, the Calabash Brothers!" Qianqian began humming, "Their powers are grand," leaving Ling Yun and the others torn between laughter and tears.
"What story? The Calabash Brothers? How come I've never heard of it?" Lin Yueyan looked utterly puzzled. Was this something new? Could she really have fallen behind?
"Cousin-Auntie, Papa told it. It was really good. Papa, tell it again!" she said to Ling Yun, clearly unsatisfied with hearing it only once.
"Have Grandma tell it to you. Daddy's exhausted. Daddy wants to listen to a story too." Ling Yun imitated his daughter and pouted.
Faced with the three pairs of eyes watching her, Lin Qiuyan had no choice but to give in. After all, she was a teacher, and her memory was good enough to remember the Calabash Brothers story she had just heard.
Lin Qiuyan began telling the story of the Calabash Brothers. Whenever it reached an exciting part, Qianqian beside her would hum, "Their powers are grand, la la la la."
And so the warm, cozy scene continued.
Before you continue