Chapter 16

Madam Liu said, “Then our little Sweet Treasure thanks Grandma in advance.”

Little Sweet Treasure Xiao Tianbao blinked her big eyes, giggling as she munched on her chubby, clean little hands. Watching her, Old Madam Zhou’s heart melted with joy.

“It’s been hard work in the fields lately. Let’s make something nice for lunch. What do you want to eat?” Old Madam Zhou asked kindly.

In the past, the Song family was poor. Old Madam Zhou would open her eyes in the morning and be annoyed by the noisy courtyard full of sons and shouting grandsons. Life was hard and bitter, so naturally, her face was always sour.

But things were different now. With Litle Sweet Treasure’s arrival and some silver in the house, Old Madam Zhou smiled every day. She even treated her daughters-in-law with warmth and kindness.

Madam Liu replied, “Mother, I’m fine with anything.”

Old Madam Zhou agreed and said, “Let’s make stewed pork with cabbage and vermicelli, some cornmeal flatbreads, chili pickles, and sweet potato soup.”

She had heard from the peddler that sweet potatoes could be cooked in many ways—not just steamed, boiled, or baked, but also fried, stewed, and even made into soup.

Madam Liu nodded. “Yes, Mother. Or I can look after Little Sweet Treasure Xiao Tianbao while you cook?”

Old Madam Zhou shook her head. “You just gave birth not long ago—rest. I’ll do it.”

Though she didn’t let Madam Liu cook, she was pleased in her heart. Her daughters-in-law were all quite filial, and that made her happy.

With many people in the house and the busy farming season underway, everyone had big appetites. Since there was daily income from selling fish, Old Madam Zhou was willing to spend a bit on food.

So she didn’t skimp on pork. Everyone got a few pieces, and it was all nice streaky belly pork with just the right amount of fat.

She soaked the vermicelli in hot water and mixed cornmeal and white flour, setting the dough to rest in a warm spot.

The firewood in the big stove crackled. She heated lard in the hot pan, tossed in the sliced pork belly, stir-fried until the fat rendered, then added cabbage.

Once the cabbage softened, she added various seasonings, water, and the soaked vermicelli. She then stuck cornmeal patties around the edge of the pot. That would be the main dish of the day.

In another big pot, she put in chopped sweet potatoes and water, adding a handful of millet—sweet potato and millet porridge.

Next to the fire, she roasted some chilies. These were harvested last autumn, hung in red bunches from the eaves. Whenever someone wanted to eat them, they’d just pluck a few.

These dried chilies, once slightly charred over the woodfire, were crushed and mixed with chopped scallions and cabbage. Stirred with soybean paste, they became chili pickles.

Old Madam Zhou bustled about alone for a good while, and just as the meal was nearly ready, the family members began returning one after another.

The children came running in for lunch too. These little rascals had all been mischievous before, but now with a baby sister in the house, they knew to tread lightly and keep their voices down.

Eldest son Song Fusheng and second son Song Fucai entered the yard to find Madam Liu holding Little Sweet Treasure Xiao Tianbao outside.

As elder brothers, they did want to see their niece, but it wasn’t appropriate to enter their younger brother’s wife’s room—that would be improper. But now that Little Sweet Treasure Xiao Tianbao was in the yard, they naturally approached to take a look. This little niece was the family’s lucky star—absolutely extraordinary—they had to see her.

Old Madam Zhou saw her eldest and second sons getting close to Little Sweet Treasure Xiao Tianbao and quickly came out of the kitchen, saying, “You two, go wash your hands and faces first before you touch my granddaughter. Don’t get dirt all over her. And stay a little farther—don’t let your sweaty smell get to her.”

In this household full of children, no one had ever been treated like Little Sweet Treasure Xiao Tianbao. The two older brothers just laughed.

Second son Song joked, “Mother, now that we’ve got a precious granddaughter, sons don’t matter anymore, huh? Look at you, favoring her over us.”

Old Madam Zhou laughed, “Of course! All you stinky boys in this courtyard don’t compare to my granddaughter.”

Everyone burst out laughing. Little Sweet Treasure Xiao Tianbao waved her tiny fists, laughing too.

After washing up, the two went over to look at Sweet Treasure. Her big eyes looked like black grapes, long lashes, soft white cheeks, and rosy little lips—she was just too adorable.

The two rough men were so taken aback by her sweet, gentle appearance that they subconsciously softened their voices and manners.

Little Sweet Treasure Xiao Tianbao liked to speak kindly when meeting people—after all, one kind word can warm three winter months, while a harsh one can chill even June.

Speak kindly to those who are kind to you, of course. But if someone was unfriendly, Little Sweet Treasure Xiao Tianbao would show them what it meant to have a tongue as soft as a knife.

Little Sweet Treasure Xiao Tianbao thought, “This is First Uncle. Just like Grandpa, he shoulders the family’s responsibilities. A true elder brother, steady and reliable. Not very talkative, but thoughtful and dependable.”

Little Sweet Treasure Xiao Tianbao thought, “And this is Second Uncle. Wow, he’s so handsome! Looks so young, sharp and capable—a real businessman in the making.”

She praised them based on their personalities—you couldn’t go overboard, or it wouldn’t sound believable.

For example, since Song Fusheng wasn’t talkative, you couldn’t say he was clever. And since Song Fucai was outgoing and playful, you couldn’t call him steady.

Ordinary men like them had never been praised like this. Especially the eldest, Song Fusheng, who blushed bright red.

But he was happy—recognized and praised by the family’s little lucky star. As the eldest brother, he’d truly taken on that role all these years, helping his brothers however he could.

Song Fucai laughed heartily, “Little Sweet Treasure Xiao Tianbao, hurry and grow up! Second Uncle can do carpentry. I’ll make you rocking horses, sleds—whatever you want, I’ll make it!”

Madam Liu replied, “Then our Sweet Treasure thanks Second Uncle in advance!”

The two brothers laughed happily, as if all the day’s fatigue vanished. Am I really that great? they thought. Didn’t expect to be so impressive.

Feeling joyful, they went inside for lunch. Little Sweet Treasure Xiao Tianbao really was the sweetest—so adorable.

Inside, the daughters-in-law helped Madam Zhou bring out the food. Each table had a big bowl of pork stewed with vermicelli—the aroma was mouthwatering.

The sweet potato millet porridge was even sweeter when eaten slightly cooled. Cornmeal flatbreads with chili pickles made for a satisfying meal for the whole family.

In truth, as long as you live happily, that’s enough. No debts, food and drink on the table, no worries, and a goal to look forward to—even with plain food, life could be joyful.

All of this was thanks to the blessings brought by Little Sweet Treasure Xiao Tianbao.

That afternoon, the whole family returned to work in the fields. Little Sweet Treasure Xiao Tianbao took her afternoon nap.