Chapter 19: Never Miss a Chance to Brainwash

Su Dahu stared at Tangbao, and though he couldn’t quite match Su Erhu’s boldness, there was something in his eyes—bright, eager, almost pleading—that finally made the little girl speak up on her own.

“Wanna… big brother.”

Oh, come on. Was she even trying?

Su Dahu froze.

“Dad! The baby can say four words now!”

Su Old Man nearly dropped his bowl.

His daughter? *So* smart!

Not only did she enunciate clearly, but she’d picked up speech faster than any of them ever had. He burst into laughter.

“You girls are way ahead of your brothers. When you two first started talking, you called ‘brother’ something like ‘guo-guo’…”

He never missed a chance to tease his sons while praising his little girl. The whole family had long since gotten used to it—constantly outshone by their clever little sister, yet still glowing with pride. After all, she was *their* sister.

“Dad, candy,” Tangbao said, pulling out a pine nut candy from her pocket. Time to reinforce her image as the perfect, dutiful daughter.

Her job? Make everyone happy every single day.

Su Old Man didn’t overthink it—he just grinned. His little girl was *so* thoughtful. Always remembered him when there was something good.

“Good girl. Daddy doesn’t need it—*you* eat it. And after that, you ride the big horse!”

He laughed so hard his face hurt. Full-on dad-dolly mode.

Tangbao: …
Her lips twitched.

She *really* didn’t like the “ride the big horse” game.

But hey—how could she resist such overwhelming enthusiasm?

Especially from her brothers, who treated riding the big horse like some kind of sacred honor.

“Dad, eat! Don’t eat, cry!” Tangbao pulled out her ultimate weapon.

Su Old Man: …
The moment he saw those big, watery eyes starting to well up, he surrendered.

“Okay, okay, daddy eats.”

Defeated. For the first time in his life, he popped a pine nut candy into his mouth.

Oh wow.

This wasn’t just sugar on his tongue—it was sweetness flooding straight into his heart.

His soul felt lighter than air.

Of course, Tangbao wasn’t playing favorites. She handed one candy to each member of the family.

Zhao Chunhua quickly pulled out the pair of embroidered shoes she’d made for Tangbao. “Little auntie, try them on—do they fit?”

Tangbao looked down at the tiny red flowers stitched onto the toes. Her heart melted.

She was wearing real ancient Chinese embroidered slippers!

Overjoyed, she gave Zhao Chunhua another candy—this time, she *personally* slipped it into her mouth.

She’d seen earlier how Zhao Chunhua had tucked her candy away without eating it. Saving it. Like it was treasure.

Now, Zhao Chunhua tasted the sweet, and sighed inwardly.

No regrets. Not a single one.

Money Yumei, seeing Zhao Chunhua get two candies, immediately piped up.

“Little auntie, we’re all sisters too—can’t you give me one too?”

Her eyes locked onto Tangbao’s little pouch like a hawk spotting prey.

Tangbao tilted her head, studying her second sister-in-law.

This woman always managed to surprise her—without even trying.

“Shoes,” Tangbao said simply, lifting her foot and showing off her new slippers.

Money Yumei: …
What was this supposed to mean?

Was the kid *insulting* her?

Impossible.

Even if she were smarter than average, she couldn’t possibly be *that* sneaky.

Unless… she’d turned into a fox spirit.

“Your shoes are really pretty,” Money Yumei muttered, forcing a smile. But her eyes stayed glued to the pouch.

Su Erhu wanted to bury his head in shame.

*Seriously?* His wife was embarrassing him in front of everyone.

“Big sister made a new pair for the baby,” Su Erhu snapped at her. “What about you?”

“I—I just haven’t had time,” she stammered, cheeks flushing. “Sanwa cries all the time, and throws fits…”

Just mentioning her youngest son drained her confidence.

She’d once been so sure she’d give birth to a daughter—finally rise above the others in the Su household.

Instead? A boy. And not just any boy—a *crybaby*.

It crushed her.

Su Grandma shot her a cold glance.

“If you’re going to compare yourself to your big sister, then compare your work ethic. Compare how well you care for Tangbao. Stop wasting time scheming.”

Money Yumei: …
She wasn’t scheming! She just wanted *one more candy*!

Tangbao just sighed silently.

This second sister-in-law was hopeless at everything—except stirring up drama.

She suddenly missed the days when Money Yumei used to bring her a rattle.

But kids don’t care about adult drama.

Er Pan wouldn’t put the candy in his mouth. Instead, he held it in his hand, licking it slowly, savoring every bit.

“Little auntie… so sweet,” he whispered.

Tangbao: …
She wanted to look away. It tugged at her heart.

She just couldn’t stand watching someone eat candy like that.

So she handed him another one.

“Eat… little auntie… earn money… buy… lots.”

She said it slowly, breathlessly—like she’d run a marathon.

But she got the point across.

Er Pan’s eyes widened.

Wow. His little auntie was *amazing*!

He didn’t even think twice about her wobbly walk or small hands. To him, she was a superhero.

Tangbao tried to pat his head—but her feet were too short.

So instead, she struck a serious pose, nodded gravely, and pretended to be a wise elder.

Soon, dinner arrived. Tangbao resumed her role.

“Dad, eat food.”

She scooped a tiny spoonful of egg custard and brought it toward Su Old Man’s lips.

This time, he refused—firmly.

How could he eat from his daughter’s spoon?

But he had to pretend. Otherwise, she’d be disappointed.

So he opened his mouth wide and said, “Aaah!”

Tangbao: …
Fine. She was just a kid. She couldn’t see through grown-up tricks.

She giggled, her little face lighting up with satisfaction.

Then she turned the spoon around—and offered it to Su Grandma.

Grandma “aaah”ed too.

One by one, the spoon passed around the table.

“Aaah. Aaah. Aaah.”

The room filled with soft, joyful laughter—sweet, warm, full of love.

Ah, yes. This was *colorful clothing to cheer one’s parents*. Classic filial duty.

Exhausting. But worth it.

Finally, Tangbao divided the last egg custard into four portions.

Da Pan, Er Pan, Sanwa—each got a share.

“Little auntie, I’m a big boy now. I don’t need it,” Da Pan declared, voice firm.

(Though he secretly licked his lips.)

Er Pan followed suit.

“Little auntie, I’m big too.”

He glanced sideways at the custard, drool already forming at the corner of his mouth.

“Uncle gives it. Eat!” Tangbao chirped, her voice high and sweet.

She couldn’t bear the thought of eating alone—especially with so many hungry little mouths around.

“Alright, enough teasing,” Su Grandma said, smiling. “Your little auntie saved this for you. Now eat it. And remember—be good to her. When you grow up, marry, start families—never forget what she’s done for you. Be her protectors.”

She never missed a chance to plant seeds in her sons’ minds.

Because she feared—deep down—that if she and her husband passed before Tangbao was grown, she’d be left vulnerable.

And no one would let that happen. Not while she was alive.