Chapter 15: Qian Yuemai Secretly Bribes Her Younger Sister-in-Law

Little Sugar Baby was still puzzling over things when Grandma Su took her into her arms.

She cradled the child gently, patting her back with a soft, motherly smile.

Then she turned to Su Wuhu and asked, “How come you knew it was your sister’s first month today?”

“Mom… it was… Fourth Brother who told me.”

Su Wuhu looked uneasy, his fingers twisting nervously.

Grandma Su lowered her lashes. Her expression darkened, but she said nothing.

Wuhu fidgeted, then finally blurted out, “Mom, actually… Fourth Brother…”

“Don’t say another word,” she cut him off. “Today’s a happy day—don’t make your father angry.”

Her voice was firm, shutting down the conversation before it could begin.

A flicker of inner conflict crossed Wuhu’s face.

Then he reached into his coat and pulled out a long-life charm pendant.

“Mom… this is… what Fourth Brother gave to the baby.”

He added quickly, as if afraid she’d refuse, “He said no matter whether you and Dad accept him as your son or not, he’ll always be Su by blood—and always be her brother.”

Tears welled up in Grandma Su’s eyes instantly.

Little Sugar Baby blinked big, curious eyes, sensing there was more to this than met the eye.

*Hmm-hmm, hurry up! Tell me more—I want the juicy details!*

Sure enough, after placing the charm on the table, Wuhu pulled out a heavy little money pouch.

“Mom… this is my wages from the past two months.”

“Wages? You’re just an apprentice—where would you get wages?”

Grandma Su studied him with a mix of disbelief and sorrow, exposing the lie.

“Mom… I…”

The piercing honesty in her gaze made Wuhu freeze mid-sentence. He couldn’t fabricate any further.

Then Grandma Su sighed softly, almost to herself: “Is your Fourth Brother… doing okay?”

Wuhu’s eyes lit up. “Oh yes! He’s great—Fourth Sister’s fine too, and Zhuangzhuang’s growing strong!”

She pushed the money pouch back toward him, turned, and opened the chest behind her. She pulled out a silver ingot still warm from the fire.

“Take this. Pay for your tuition, buy some ink, brushes, paper, and writing tablets. Don’t rely entirely on your brother.”

“Mom… you… *know*?” Wuhu stared at her, stunned.

“Mothers know their children best,” she said calmly. “You’re my sons—what secrets could you possibly hide from me?”

Her tone was gentle, but inside, her heart was churning.

Old Fourth had secretly supported Wuhu’s education by marrying into another family as a son-in-law—taking on the role of a man who didn’t belong, all so his younger brother could study.

Though he never spoke of it, she’d known from the start.

And how could she not notice? Every time Wuhu returned home, he carried a faint scent of ink, his manners grew more refined, his posture straighter—nothing like a mere apprentice.

“Mom… I’ve dragged Fourth Brother down with me! He did this all for me…” Wuhu choked up, tears welling.

“If you understand that your brother did this for you,” Grandma Su said firmly, “then study hard. Don’t waste his sacrifice. One day, earn your name, pass the exams, and give your brother the strength he deserves.”

“I promise, Mom!” Wuhu wiped his eyes, jaw set with determination.

Grandma Su nodded, satisfied.

If it weren’t for their family’s endless string of bad luck—poverty creeping deeper every year—she’d have sent her son to school long ago.

Little Sugar Baby had been feasting on gossip like a feast.

So her fifth brother really *was* a scholar!

But… what about her fourth brother?

***

The Su family’s moon celebration brought the whole village of Big Willow Tree to life.

Two huge iron cauldrons bubbled in the yard, slow-cooking wild boar meat. The aroma wafted through the air, drawing nearly everyone in the village.

Little Sugar Baby sniffed the air, her tiny nose twitching. A drool slipped down her chin.

*Uuuuh… I wanna eat meat!*

Lost in thought, she drifted off to sleep.

When she woke up, she locked eyes with Qian Yuemei.

Her heart jolted.

She whipped her head around, searching frantically.

*Mama! Where are you?! Your little treasure is in danger!*

In her mind, a horrifying image flashed: Qian Yuemei, smothering her with a pillow—silent, cruel, efficient.

Of course, Little Sugar Baby knew Qian Yuemei wouldn’t dare kill her outright—too many traces left behind.

But a small pillow pressed tightly over the nose? That could end everything without a sound.

Just as she was plotting her own demise in her head, Qian Yuemei moved.

“Little auntie,” she cooed, holding up a little rattle. “Look—does this look fun?”

*Clack-clack-clack…*

The rhythmic jingle made Little Sugar Baby blink in confusion.

“Isn’t it fun? Would you like it? I bought it for you,” Qian Yuemei smiled sweetly.

Little Sugar Baby: …

This wasn’t right. Something felt *off*. Creepy, even.

“Little auntie, I bought you flowers to wear, candy to eat, new clothes to wear—everything!”

She threw promises like confetti, one after another.

Finally, her voice dropped low, pleading: “Please… don’t cry when you see me anymore, okay?”

By the end, she sounded like she might cry herself.

God only knew how much it hurt to see this little girl burst into tears the moment she walked in.

And the way everyone else looked at her—like she was some kind of monster.

As if she’d actually done something terrible.

Little Sugar Baby: …

Suddenly, it clicked.

Wait a second…

This whole scene was kind of… funny?

*Goo-goo-ga-ga…*

Alright, since you’re being so nice, I’ll let it slide.

She decided—graciously—to forgive Qian Yuemei… for now.

Absolutely *not* because of the stupid little rattle.

Just as she waved her chubby hand toward the rattle, Su’s eldest sister, Zhao Chunhua, barged in.

“What are you doing, sister-in-law?!”

Chunhua burst through the door, saw Qian Yuemei leaning close to Little Sugar Baby, and yelped like she’d seen a ghost. She shoved Qian Yuemei hard.

Qian Yuemei stumbled, barely catching herself.

“Big sister, are you crazy?!”

She steadied herself, clutching her belly.

One fall, and she might lose the baby.

Chunhua exhaled when she saw Little Sugar Baby unharmed—but then snapped back to reality.

“Are you okay, sister-in-law?” she asked, genuinely apologetic.

Qian Yuemei’s face twisted with anger.

“You *do* think I’d hurt the little girl, don’t you?”

She shot back, voice sharp.

Chunhua flinched—caught red-handed.

“No, no, I just… I was so nervous—”

“Nervous?” Qian Yuemei snapped. “You panic the moment you see me alone with her. Not because you’re worried I’ll hurt her… but because you *think* I will!”

Chunhua: …

Because the kid cries every time she sees you. How can I *not* worry?

Even Mama warned us—don’t leave her alone with you.

Qian Yuemei read the expression on Chunhua’s face and knew she was right.

She wanted to scream. To cry. To throw something.

Instead, she stood there, trembling with fury.