Chapter 27: Strike It Rich

They came with hearts full of nervous hope, and left with faces glowing with excitement.
Not only did they buy clothes and jewelry, but also sweets, pastries, and steamed meat buns—plenty of them.
Big Hope and Little Hope each got a meat bun, stuffing their little mouths so full they were practically dripping grease, cheeks shining like polished jade.

Grandpa Su wore his brand-new outfit, a fat pouch of silver coins tucked into his pocket, heart pounding like a drum.
Older Brother Su and Second Brother Su, even little Six—each took steps that wobbled slightly, as if walking on clouds.

Their family—had struck gold!
*Really* struck gold!

But no one noticed, as they left the Treasure Pavilion, the shop’s head clerk watching their retreating backs, whispering something low to a young apprentice.
Only Xiao Tangbao blinked her big eyes, glanced back at the clerk once before turning away.

***

By the time they returned to Big Willow Tree Village, night had swallowed the sky whole.
Grandma Su stood at the village entrance, clutching a lantern that defied the wind, peering into the darkness.
Little Tangbao, too young to stay awake, had already fallen asleep on Grandpa Su’s back.
Big Hope and Little Hope were long since carried by their own fathers.

“Mom!” Su Erhu called out from afar, spotting Grandma Su.

Hearing her son’s voice, seeing the hazy figures approaching through the dark, Grandma Su exhaled—her worry finally released.

“Honey,” she asked, “why are you so late?”

“Just… ran into some shopping delays,” Grandpa Su said, trying hard to sound calm.

Grandma Su said nothing.
But in her mind, it clicked.
Her husband had left earlier with only twenty copper coins.
To be delayed this long? That meant he’d suddenly gotten money.

And then—
She casually scanned her husband’s new clothes, her gaze lingering just a second too long.

Even though he was old, dressed up like this, he looked sharp, proud, almost dashing.

For no reason at all, her face warmed.

Su Erhu didn’t know his mother had just gone off on a little mental detour—he just grinned mysteriously, leaned in close, and whispered, “Mom, let’s talk when we get home.”

He glanced around furtively, as if sharing a secret too big for the open air.

Grandma Su nodded, pulling herself back from her thoughts.

Then she turned to look at little Tangbao sleeping on Grandpa Su’s back.
Softly, she said, “Is she asleep? Don’t let her catch cold…”

“She’s fine,” Grandpa Su murmured. “Got her wrapped up good. We bought enough new clothes today to keep her warm through winter.”

They reached the house in no time.

Grandpa Su pulled out the bundles from town.
“These are all things Tangbao wanted to get for everyone,” he announced proudly.

Just like Grandma Su, he saw this moment as perfect—time to reward their little girl, publicly, without fail.

They had to make sure everyone knew: this child wasn’t just their darling daughter. She was the heart of the family. The one who thought of others. The one who brought joy.

This kind of mindset? It had to be built slowly, day by day.

And besides—today, she’d done something *huge*. They needed the whole family to know. Especially the daughter-in-law.

Grandpa Su and Grandma Su both understood.

It wasn’t enough for the sons to adore her.
The daughter-in-law had to see it too.

Sure enough, as soon as Grandpa Su finished speaking, eldest daughter-in-law Zhao Chunhua lit up with gratitude.

“Little sister isn’t just our parents’ little comfort—they call her ‘little cotton-padded jacket,’ but I feel the same way,” she said, brushing her fingers over the soft, fresh dress. Her voice trembled with emotion.

The dress was a delicate shade of *dingle*—a color she’d never seen before, embroidered with tiny flowers.
And those silver earrings?
*From the Treasure Pavilion.*

She could wear these for the rest of her life and still turn heads.
If she walked into the village market like this, every young wife and girl would stare, envious.

Tangbao stirred in her sleep, half-awake, catching just a few words.

“Big spoon… uh-huh… hurt-bubble… bubble… love big spoon…”

Big Spoon loves baby. Baby loves Big Spoon.

Her speech was slurred, dreamy—but her voice, soft and sweet, melted straight into your bones.
So much more powerful than when she spoke clearly.
It hit you right in the heart.