Chapter 16: The Strange Uncle

“Zhao Chunhua, you’re going too far! Even if I Qian Yuemai am known for being petty and stirring up trouble, I’d never hurt a child!”

With that, Qian Yuemai stormed off—though not before shoving the rattle into Xiao Tangbao’s tiny hands.

Xiao Tangbao blinked, turning her little head to stare at Qian Yuemai’s retreating back.

Well… turns out her second sister wasn’t entirely clueless after all.

She wiggled her arms playfully.

*Thump-thump-thump…*

The rattle sprang to life instantly.

Zhao Chunhua froze when she saw it. Her eyes widened.

Could it be… this was the one the弟妹 (younger sister-in-law) bought for Little Auntie?

Impossible.

She didn’t quite believe it.

Just then, Grandma Su swept in, lifting the curtain with a practiced flick.

“Mother,” Zhao Chunhua asked, pointing at the rattle, “did you ask the younger sister-in-law to get this for Little Auntie?”

Grandma Su shook her head. “No.”

Then she stared at the rattle, eyes narrowing in disbelief. “Wait… did Old Er’s wife bring this?”

Zhao Chunhua nodded.

The two women exchanged a long, silent look.

What on earth had gotten into Old Er’s wife?

***

Autumn faded into spring, flowers bloomed and fell again.

Before anyone could blink, Xiao Tangbao was wobbling around on her own two feet.

The Su family had finally shaken off their title as the poorest household in Da Liushu Village. Life was brighter now—full of laughter and hope.

But somehow, Xiao Tangbao still looked like she’d swallowed a lemon.

Why? Well, just watch.

“Oh my stars—this must be our little Fuya! Come here, let Grandma hold you—gotta catch some luck from such a sweet little thing!”

A wrinkled old woman’s voice rang out, loud and theatrical.

Next thing Xiao Tangbao knew, she was snatched away.

A wave of sour, rotten stench hit her nose—so strong she nearly passed out.

Here we go again.

Every time her mother took her outside, she got grabbed by a swarm of old ladies, each claiming they needed to “borrow some luck” from her.

And so, she’d been dubbed *Fuya*—“Little Lucky Girl.”

She had a name, thank you very much!

Grandma Su noticed her daughter’s grimace—and honestly, she could smell the stink herself.

She yanked Xiao Tangbao back like a lifeline.

“Mrs. Li,” she said firmly, “you’ve got your generations mixed up. My Tangbao is the same age as your Second Dog.”

Her precious girl might be small, but her lineage was solid.

Mrs. Li flushed, flustered. “I-I just thought Fuya looked younger than my grandson… I guess I got confused…”

Xiao Tangbao escaped Mrs. Li’s grasp—only to have her cheek pinched by another lady.

“Tangbao, what’s your name? Tell Grandma!”

Xiao Tangbao’s lips twitched. She stared at the woman like she’d just seen a raccoon wearing a hat.

You just called me Tangbao—now you’re asking what my name is?

Are *you* the idiot—or am I?

“Tangbao,” she chirped in a high-pitched, babyish voice.

“Oh wow, so smart!” the woman cooed, as if she’d just recited poetry.

Then she squeezed Xiao Tangbao’s cheeks again.

Soft. Bouncy. So good—she wanted to do it again.

“Third Auntie,” Grandma Su sighed, “you shouldn’t pinch children’s faces. It makes them drool.”

Third Auntie was family-friendly, so Grandma Su couldn’t scold too harshly.

Xiao Tangbao had had enough. She wriggled free.

“Mama… down down.”

Grandma Su set her down. No big deal—just the village entrance. Nothing dangerous.

Xiao Tangbao toddled forward, chasing a butterfly to practice walking.

Then she dropped to her knees by the roadside, striking a dramatic pose.

Ugh. This cursed charm.

Every time Mom took her out, she got snatched by grandmas.

When Dad carried her, old men swooped in.

Back home? Her brothers fought over her like she was gold.

*Dadadada…*

Hooves clattered in the distance—a four-wheeled carriage approached.

Xiao Tangbao’s eyes lit up.

This was basically ancient China’s version of a luxury SUV.

Ohhh, gotta check this out.

After all, Da Liushu Village had never seen a horse-drawn cart before.

The carriage was wrapped in plain blue curtains—simple, elegant, understated.

The black stallion pulling it was powerful and sleek, built like a warhorse. One glance told you: this was no ordinary beast.

Xiao Tangbao’s gaze locked onto the red tuft of hair on the horse’s forehead.

*Wow.* They were using a rare *Qianli Ma*—a legendary steed capable of traveling a thousand miles a day.

Wasting it on a village cart? That was criminal.

She was still marveling when—suddenly—the stallion broke into a gallop straight toward her.

Xiao Tangbao: ……

Did she *do* something wrong?

Could her short legs outrun a thousand-mile horse?

No way.

So why run?

She stood frozen by the roadside.

The stallion thundered to a halt right in front of her.

Grandma Su screamed—her voice raw with terror.

But instead of trampling her granddaughter, the horse stopped dead.

*Clang!*

*Ouch!*

Inside the carriage, someone slammed into the wall. A cry followed.

The coachman, meanwhile, face-first into the horse’s rump, nearly choked himself.

The stallion ignored the chaos. It lowered its noble head and gently nudged Xiao Tangbao’s shoulder.

Xiao Tangbao reached out, stroked the red mane.

“Good boy,” she whispered, sweet and soft.

The horse seemed to perk up—more docile than ever.

“M-Master… are you okay?” a panicked voice called from inside.

Then came a sharp, irritated huff.

The curtain parted.

A face emerged—perfect lips, white teeth, delicate features so flawless it looked like porcelain.

Except there was a bright red mark across her forehead.

“Sister!” Xiao Tangbao squealed, instantly smitten.

The girl’s expression darkened instantly. She glared at Xiao Tangbao like she’d committed treason.

“Rude!” The word came out high-pitched, yet laced with authority—like a queen scolding a servant.

Xiao Tangbao: ……

Blinked rapidly.

Had her charm failed?

Or was this “sister” just… grumpy?

“P-p-p-p-p-p-pretty sister,” she giggled, stretching the word out.

And sure enough—her target’s cheeks flushed crimson.

Even more beautiful now.

Xiao Tangbao grinned wider.

Oh wow. Playing with kids was *fun*.

She would *never* admit she had a mischievous streak.

Grandma Su staggered over, nearly collapsing as she scooped Xiao Tangbao into her arms.

Her legs gave out. She sank to the ground.

“Tangbao… are you okay? You scared me half to death…”

Her voice trembled like a leaf in a storm. Her whole body shook.

Xiao Tangbao patted her mom’s cheek.

“Mama… don’t worry… don’t worry…”

Fine, she didn’t want to say “don’t worry” twice.

But her tongue wouldn’t cooperate.

“Zhang Cheng, what happened?” A middle-aged man jumped down from the carriage.

He was clean-shaven, pale-faced, with a thin, high-pitched voice—but his kind eyes made him look harmless.

Now, though, his expression was icy. His gaze cut through the coachman like a blade.

Zhang Cheng rubbed his bleeding nose.

“Uncle Wang… the horse just suddenly went wild—ran full speed, then stopped dead. I couldn’t control it…”

He glanced at Xiao Tangbao.

Was it possible… the horse had *seen* her?

Like it recognized her?

Nah. Impossible.

He shook his head, trying to clear the weird thought.

Wang Zhong followed Zhang Cheng’s gaze.

His stern face melted instantly.

“Oh my, what a lovely little girl.”

The smile was instant, warm, almost charming.

But in his eyes—just for a flash—a cold, calculating light flickered.

Xiao Tangbao: ……

Uh oh.

She’d just met a *weird uncle*.