Chapter 122: Su Fan's Tearful Plea of Poverty

Su Nanxing raised his hand to untie the thin cord around Tao Ming’s neck, taking off the diamond ring, then removed the diamond and carefully set it into the reserved groove on the necklace. With a slight pressure, he secured it perfectly in place before putting the necklace back on Tao Ming.

“Unprovoked kindness is either deceit or theft. Which one is this?” Tao Ming looked down at the necklace resting against her chest—just the right length and slightly cool to the touch.

Su Nanxing pulled open Tao Ming’s collar, tucking the necklace inside, and glanced inward. “So, do you think I intend deceit or theft?”

“Heh.” Tao Ming pulled away his hand and headed outside.

By the time Su Nanxing finished freshening up, Tao Ming was already sitting on the edge of the bed, dressing the two little ones. Seeing him come out, she asked, “Where are the things for the girls?”

Su Nanxing produced a handful of chains of varying lengths, explaining one by one: “For their wrists, ankles, necks, and even hair—armoring them all over.”

Softly, Tao Ming pinched one and gave it a little shake. “Little Heart, I really like this!”

“If you like it, that’s what matters,” Tao Ming said, picking up another chain to measure for Nuo Nuo.

Seeing this, Su Nanxing said, “Wife, let me handle it. The joints need to be welded with fire to ensure they won’t fall off.”

“Wouldn’t Softly break hers easily? After all, she controls fire.”

Su Nanxing examined the chain and fastened it onto Softly’s wrist. “Her power isn’t strong enough yet.”

Softly protested, “I’m very powerful!”

“Mmm, my little treasure is the most powerful!” Su Nanxing teased with a smile.

Nuo Nuo took off her bracelet and longevity lock, handing them to Tao Ming. “Mom, I don’t need these anymore. Please keep them for me.”

“Keep your own things yourself,” Tao Ming said lazily, not wanting to guard their belongings.

Before long, Su Nanxing finished adorning the two little ones. Holding the remaining two chains, he said, “These will be braided into their hair; they absolutely won’t fall out.”

Tao Ming smiled and urged the children, “Quick, thank Daddy. He stayed up all night making these for us.”

“Thank you, Daddy!” the two little ones chorused in unison.

Su Nanxing scooped one up in each arm and leaned in to kiss Softly’s face. Softly pushed him away gently, saying, “Daddy, I haven’t brushed my teeth or washed my face yet.”

Tao Ming laughed heartily—nothing like a true daughter.

Su Nanxing carried the two little ones to wash up, while Tao Ming called out, “I’ll step out and have a look first.”

Opening the door, Tao Ming spotted Su Fang peeking suspiciously from behind a door opposite, stealthily beckoning her over. Smiling, Tao Ming approached and greeted her. Su Fang pulled her into the room’s bathroom, pointing at the running faucet and asked, “Sister-in-law, why does this thing keep flowing water by itself?”

“This is just a switch. As for where the water comes from, I don’t know.” Tao Ming reached out and turned off the faucet, mindful of conserving water—a responsibility for all.

Su Fang turned it back on. “What’s a switch?”

“It’s a valve. Got it?” Tao Ming turned off the faucet again.

Su Fang tried to turn it on once more; Tao Ming shot her a sharp look. “Do you understand what it means to save water?”

“Why save water? Lichuan has so much.” Su Fang withdrew her hand, thinking, I’ll open it again once you leave.

Tao Ming was momentarily speechless. How to explain to Su Fang?

They were still using natural water here; it seemed pointless to conserve.

Never mind—no point in explaining when it can’t be understood.

Tao Ming tugged Su Fang’s sleeve. “Let’s go see Mr. Wen and his son.”

Su Fang wanted to keep playing with the faucet after Tao Ming left but said, “You go ahead first.”

“Not going, huh?” Tao Ming noticed her eyes flicking toward the faucet and knew the boy wasn’t giving up.

Hearing this, Su Fang lifted her head and quickly flattered, “Sister-in-law, your earrings are exquisite.”

“Made with your cold gold, and these too.” Tao Ming pulled out the necklace and flicked the ring on her finger.

Remembering Su Nanxing’s words last night, Su Fang smiled obsequiously. “Sister-in-law, I’m always the poorest in the Su family. How about you help me out?”

Tao Ming was surprised. “Poor? Isn’t the Su family immensely wealthy?”

“Sister-in-law, I’ve only been out of the family for a few years. Before that, I received only monthly allowances, so I don’t have much on hand.” Su Fang lowered her head in embarrassment as she spoke quietly.

Only then did Tao Ming realize that even Su family brothers could be short on funds. She hastily took out the cold gold jewelry set and handed it to him. “Sorry, I thought you wouldn’t need something like this. Consider it a gift.”

Su Fang accepted the box, opened it, and was startled by the jewelry inside. She quickly shoved it back into Tao Ming’s hands. “Sister-in-law, I can’t take this. It’s obviously a gift from the seventeenth brother.”

“My father gave it to me,” Tao Ming said, looking at the jewelry. “I don’t usually wear it anyway. You keep it and give it to your future wife.”

Su Fang stepped back several paces, putting distance between them. “Sister-in-law, this is your dowry. I can’t take it.”

“Wife, he’s right. Keep your things. When we return to the Su residence and open the storeroom, it’ll be fine to give it to him then.” Su Nanxing came in carrying the two little ones, who still had snacks in their hands.

Tao Ming put the jewelry away and apologized again to Su Fang. “Nineteenth brother, sorry—I really thought you wouldn’t mind something like this last night.”

“Sister-in-law, don’t say that. I was at fault first.” Su Fang waved his hands repeatedly.

Tao Ming glanced at Su Nanxing. “Come to think of it, I might have been ungrateful—I mean, someone revealed a buried little wish last night!”

Su Nanxing thought to himself, “Damn it. Su Fang escaped unscathed, but I’m still stuck with this.”

Softly swallowed her snack. “Mom, what’s a little wish?”

“A little wish is the thing a person wants most to do or have.” Tao Ming saw Softly’s curiosity and explained seriously.

Softly nodded. “My little wish is to eat delicious food.”

Su Nanxing grew anxious. “Wife, don’t you know what I most want to do?”

“Didn’t know before, but I do now,” Tao Ming said, lifting her leg to walk out.

Softly, dropping crumbs all over Su Nanxing, saw Tao Ming leave and leaned forward to follow.

Tao Ming reached the door of Wen Youfang and his son’s room and knocked lightly. The door opened quickly, revealing a weary Wen Youfang.

“Has the matriarch woken yet?” Tao Ming stood at the doorway, not intending to enter.

Wen Youfang shook his head. “My mother remains unconscious. No one knows when she will wake.”

“Nanxing, take another look at the matriarch.” Tao Ming reached out to take Softly and said to Su Fang, “You hold Nuo Nuo.”

Su Nanxing handed Nuo Nuo to Su Fang, pouting coquettishly. “You don’t even call me husband anymore. You can’t just take things and then deny it.”

Tao Ming turned her mouth down and ignored him.

Seeing Su Nanxing like this for the first time, Wen Youfang felt goosebumps crawl over him. Fighting the urge to touch his arm, he led Su Nanxing inside to examine the matriarch.

After a thorough check, Su Nanxing comforted Wen Youfang, “She should wake in a few hours.”

“Thank you, Young Master Su. We’ve waited so long; a few more hours won’t matter.” Wen Youfang looked at his frail mother on the bed, heart finally at ease.

Tao Ming, seeing no further issues, said, “Mr. Wen, we’re going out to have a look. Please stay here—it’s safer.”

“Here’s some food and drink for you.” Su Nanxing said as he placed provisions on the table.

Wen Youfang thanked them again. The group descended the stairs, and Tao Ming felt a sudden stir in her heart as they stepped out of the revolving door of fate.