Chapter 26: Gold Is Gold

Su Old Man: ……

To buy or not to buy?

The gold was found by his little daughter.

And now she wanted to buy new clothes for the whole family. So…

“Buy it! Today, we’re all getting brand-new outfits!” Su Old Man declared with sudden, booming generosity.

The shopkeeper nearly choked.

The rest of the Su family’s eyes lit up like lanterns in a dark room.

Su Erhu’s face gleamed with excitement. He rubbed his palms together and said, “Shopkeeper, look at my dad’s old coat—”

The shopkeeper: ……

A deal this big? Could he say no?

No way.

“Fine! Take this set—Mr. Su, you go ahead and wear it first!” The shopkeeper bit the bullet.

“Got it!” Su Erhu grinned from ear to ear. Then, quick as a wink: “Hey, can I borrow your back room? Let my dad change into his new threads.”

The shopkeeper was no fool—he knew exactly what Su Erhu meant.

Flattering the rich, belittling the poor, judging people by their clothes—this was standard practice in the trade.

Shopping at Zhenbao Studio? You better show up looking sharp. No one wants to be treated like a beggar.

Sure, he had no idea why these guys had gold in their pockets but still wore patched-up clothes—but that didn’t matter. What mattered was making money quietly.

And if they wanted to make their fortune in silence, who was he to stop them?

So the shopkeeper ushered Su Old Man into the private changing room without hesitation. Then, with a smile plastered on his face, he handed over the shop to a young apprentice and personally led the Su family through the doors of Zhenbao Studio.

Big customers needed close attention.

They arrived at the front gate of Zhenbao Studio in no time.

Zhenbao Studio wasn’t just any shop—it sold fine jewelry, antique jade, and rare collectibles.

Thankfully, Su Old Man had already changed into his new outfit. With his tall frame, straight posture, and dignified air, he looked every bit the wealthy gentleman.

“Elder brother,” Su Old Man instructed, “you and Xiao Liu stay outside. Erhu and I will go in.”

“Got it, Dad,” Su Da Hu answered, voice thick with loyalty.

Su Old Man adjusted his collar, lifted his chin, and strode boldly through the grand entrance.

The shop assistant spotted him instantly—and rushed over with a wide, eager grin.

“Sir, what can I help you with today?”

Su Old Man, dressed head-to-toe in fresh finery, walked with authority toward the counter. Behind it stood an elegant display case filled with dazzling silver and gold ornaments.

On the first floor: jewelry.
Second floor: jade and antiques.
Third floor: calligraphy, paintings, and priceless relics.

Zhenbao Studio was, without a doubt, the most opulent building in town.

Little Tang Bao, cradled in Su Erhu’s arms, pointed a tiny finger at a silver hairpin and chirped in her sweet baby voice: “Daddy, want that one.”

She imagined her mother wearing it—perfect with her new dress.

When a child asked for something like that, how could a father refuse?

Especially when it was clearly meant for his wife.

Su Old Man didn’t even blink.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out the yellow lump again.

The shop assistant had seen plenty of gold before—no surprise, no reaction. But he quickly called over another clerk and summoned the shopkeeper.

The moment the shopkeeper laid eyes on the lump, his pupils narrowed slightly. His expression flickered—just for a second.

Then, smooth as silk, he smiled.

“Ah, esteemed guest… this gold isn’t quite pure. We’ll need to deduct a small amount for refining costs…”

“Shopkeeper,” Su Erhu shot back, fired up the instant he heard the word *gold*, “that’s not fair! It’s still gold, isn’t it?”

Costs? Deductions? What kind of nonsense was that?

Gold was gold.

With his son standing guard, Su Old Man simply crossed his arms and leaned back, radiating calm superiority.

Little Tang Bao watched her older brother duel the shopkeeper with wide-eyed fascination.

In the end, the shopkeeper lost.

The yellow lump transformed into:

- One silver hairpin (for Grandma Su)
- Three pairs of silver earrings (one pair each for the wives and daughters-in-law)
- One small silver bracelet (which Su Old Man insisted on buying for Tang Bao)
- And a generous bundle of loose silver coins

Tang Bao had wanted to get her mom a golden hairpin—but come on. They’d already made enough noise. Time to keep things low-key.

After all, quiet wealth was the real kind.