Chapter 2: The Old Su Family Was Like a Temple Full of Monks

Inside the inner room, Old Lady Su lay on the kang, her face pale and weak.

Wrapped snugly in a patchwork quilt worn thin with time, a tiny girl—rosy-cheeked and doll-like—slept soundly, eyes closed, lips curled into a soft, dreamy smile.

Just then, her little mouth twitched upward, as if she’d just dreamed of something sweet.

“Oh my goodness!” Old Man Su nearly burst into tears. One look at his daughter, and his heart melted right there on the spot.

“Honey… our little girl just smiled!” His voice trembled at the end, thick with emotion.

Old Lady Su blinked in wonder, a rare spark of joy lighting up her pale face.

“She must’ve had such a happy dream,” she whispered, voice gentle as silk, eyes brimming with love. Her heart felt so tender it might have squeezed out water.

Old Man Su stared at his precious daughter, unable to tear his gaze away. She was so delicate—her skin like fresh egg white, smooth and pink, nothing like those rowdy boys who were born wrinkled and scruffy, all knobby knees and wild hair, like little monkeys.

Of course, girls were different. He wasn’t biased. Not at all.

Seeing her husband’s dazed, starry-eyed expression, Old Lady Su let out a soft laugh.

“Honestly, you’re such a hopeless romantic. Like you’ve never seen a daughter before in your life.”

Her tone was teasing, but her happiness shone through loud and clear.

Old Man Su didn’t mind. He grinned sheepishly.

“Can’t help it—I’ve waited *lifetimes* for one,” he said, sighing dramatically. “For years, every few months we’d get another boy. Feels more like a monk’s temple than a family home.”

He exhaled deeply, his chest swelling with pride.

He knew this wasn’t just about him. His father, his grandfather—they’d all been barren when it came to daughters. And now? He’d broken the curse. The long-standing tradition of no girls in the Su line? Gone.

The thought made him giddy. His feet felt light, like he might float off the floor.

No longer interested in going outside, he stayed right by the edge of the kang, whispering sweet nothings to his wife while staring at their daughter.

“Honey, you’re the real hero of this family. We’ve waited *generations* for this little treasure…”

“And when we’re gone, I’ll make sure to tell the ancestors—yes, the old Su clan elders—that you deserve a medal.”

Old Lady Su laughed, shaking her head. “Oh, stop it—you’re getting ridiculous again.”

She reached over and gently patted his hand. “We need to live long and healthy, just so we can raise her right.”

“Absolutely,” Old Man Su agreed, nodding vigorously. “This one’s too precious to risk anything. No way she’ll ever go without.”

And in that moment, he made a silent vow: tomorrow, he’d quit smoking.

Everyone said pipe-smoking was bad for your health.
Now, he didn’t need anyone to tell him—he’d do it himself.

After all, he and Old Lady Su had waited *over twenty years* for a daughter.

Every child they’d had turned out to be a boy—six of them, all strong and loud, all carrying the same stubborn name tag: *son*.

By the time they’d given up hope, they’d pinned their last desperate dream on their son.

Their儿媳es were all fertile—married, pregnant, delivered fast and furious. But still—more boys.

Their hearts had grown cold, almost numb.

Then, miracle of miracles—Old Lady Su, past her prime, gave birth to a plump, healthy baby girl.

Old Man Su felt complete.
Yes, life was hard. Money was tight. But he had a daughter.

At that moment, he truly believed: *With a daughter, everything else is fine.*

Old Lady Su glanced at him, then lowered her voice, her tone suddenly serious.

“Honey… you’re not still thinking about what that fortune-teller said back then, are you? That once we have a daughter…?”

She trailed off.

Old Man Su froze. A flicker of memory crossed his face.

Then he waved a hand dismissively. “Pfft. Those charlatans? You don’t believe that nonsense.”

Old Lady Su didn’t argue. She just kept staring at their daughter, her affection growing deeper with every breath.

Whether or not the old prophecy was true, she’d protect this little girl with every fiber of her being.

“Honey,” she said softly, “you pick her name.”

Then she added, with a playful glint, “But this time—no half-hearted choices. Take it seriously.”

“Seriously?” Old Man Su scoffed. “When have I ever taken things lightly?”

His voice was barely above a whisper—afraid to wake the sleeping angel.

“You *just* did,” Old Lady Su shot back. “Six sons, and only the first one got a real name—Big Tiger. After that, you just kept naming them after each other. No thought, no care.”

She wasn’t holding back. She’d earned her status as the family’s heroine. Her spine was straight as a rod.

“Well… they were just a bunch of rascals,” Old Man Su muttered, scowling at the memory of his rowdy sons. “What difference does a name make?”

Old Lady Su just smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

“Names matter for girls. Not for those little troublemakers.”

“Of course not,” Old Man Su agreed instantly. “Our little princess deserves a name full of meaning—something beautiful, deep, elegant.”

He scratched his head. “How about… Big Treasure?”

Old Lady Su’s eyebrow twitched.

She gave him a look so loaded with disdain it could’ve frozen water.

“The village idiot down the road already goes by ‘Big Treasure.’ Try again.”

Old Man Su rolled up his sleeves, took a deep breath—and suddenly, inspiration struck.

“How about Fu Mian? Meaning ‘enduring blessings’—long-lasting fortune.”

He nodded proudly. “That’s a real scholar’s name. I *did* study some classics once.”

Well… mostly in his youth. Most of it had since seeped into the porridge and vanished down his throat.

Old Lady Su considered it. Then slowly nodded.

“That… actually sounds nice,” she said. “I don’t care if she becomes rich or famous. All I want is for her to live a peaceful, joyful life. To marry a kind man who knows how to warm her hands in winter. To have a mother-in-law who treats her like her own daughter. Even if we’re poor, as long as her heart stays sweet… life will taste sweet too.”

Just like her own.

Hard times, yes—but always sweet inside.

Hearing her words, Old Man Su felt a sudden clarity.

“Then it’s settled,” he declared. “We’ll call her Tang Bao—Sugar Baby. May she live her life as sweet as sugar.”

Old Lady Su’s eyes lit up.

“I love it! Sugar Baby!”

They looked at each other, both smiling, seeing their shared joy reflected in the other’s eyes.

“Her full name will be Su Tang. Her nickname—Tang Bao.”

Old Man Su beamed.

“Perfect.”

Old Lady Su said “perfect” with a smile so radiant it softened the whole room.

Then she leaned down, brushing her fingers across her daughter’s soft cheek.

“Tang Bao… I’m your mama. You’re my little treasure…”

Her voice dropped to a whisper—so tender, so intimate, it seemed to drip with honey.

Only once before had she spoken like that—when she was newlywed, whispering to her husband.

“Tang Bao… I’m your daddy. I’ll buy you candy every day.”

Old Man Su leaned forward too, resting his chin on the edge of the kang, speaking in a hushed, goofy tone—like a lovesick fool.

Who was talking so loudly near her ear?

Why was someone calling her name over and over?

Little Tang Bao wrinkled her nose, then slowly opened her eyes—dark as grapes, bright with curiosity.

***

Author’s Note:
The Su family is large and lively—so to keep everyone clear, here’s a quick guide to the characters:

Parents: Old Man Su and Old Lady Su
Eldest son & wife: Su Da Hu and Zhao Chun Hua
Second son & wife: Su Er Hu and Qian Yue Mei
Third son: Su San Hu (not yet appeared)
Fourth son: Su Si Hu (not yet appeared)
Fifth son: Su Wu Hu (will appear soon)
Sixth son: Su Liu Hu (a mischievous little kid)
First nephew: Su Da Pan, son of the eldest
Second nephew: Su Er Pan, son of the second

Welcome to the Su household—where love runs deeper than the river, and laughter echoes louder than the wind.