It was already quite late. The four siblings yawned repeatedly. Qin Yao beckoned, and the family of six carried lanterns, heading home to wash up and sleep.
Before going to sleep, Sanlang and Si Niang placed the lanterns of their parents and brothers next to their own.
Six lanterns lined up according to size on the bench by the bed, watching over them even while sleeping. Only then did they lie down, using their little palms as pillows, and drift off sweetly into dreams.
After a night of good dreams, Qin Yao woke up early to exercise, feeling refreshed and energetic.
Meanwhile, Liu Ji, lying on a makeshift bed, was sore all over and couldn't get up. He could only instruct Da Lang and Second Lang to bring vegetables to the kitchen and ask Aunt Qiu to spare them a stove to make breakfast.
Seeing his two sons obediently carrying baskets of vegetables and grains away, he collapsed back onto the bed, found a slightly more comfortable position, and dozed off again.
