Chapter 28: The Return of Auntie and the Sugar Date Showdown
The sun was dipping low by the time Su Yanyue and Yu Shiming reached the edge of Peach Blossom Village. Crickets chirped lazily in the tall grass, and smoke curled from chimneys like sleepy dragons stretching for the evening.
But the moment they came into view, peace evaporated.
"There she is!!"
"AUNTIEEEEE!!"
Three identical voices pierced the air like arrows.
Su Lin came barreling down the path first, barefoot and dramatic, followed closely by Su Rui and Su Zhi, who both somehow had twigs in their hair and dirt on their cheeks. They looked like they'd been in battle—against each other or a tree, it wasn't clear.
"Auntie, did you bring anything??" Su Rui asked, grabbing her sleeve with shining eyes.
"Did you meet that slippery merchant again?" Su Lin added suspiciously.
"Did you sign your life away?" Su Zhi whispered gravely.
Yanyue blinked. "I brought sugar dates."
All three froze.
Then—
"YES!" the triplets chorused, instantly erupting into chaotic celebration.
Su Rui did a spinning jump that resembled a chicken in distress. Su Zhi immediately clutched the paper packet like it was a sacred scroll. Su Lin, ever the boldest, launched into a grand announcement:
"Citizens of Peach Blossom Village! I declare this... National Date Day!"
Yu Shiming coughed behind them. "It's literally just sugar."
Su Lin didn't flinch. "Sweet sugar, Uncle Yu."
Su Rui nodded sagely. "It's imported. From a city. That's at least ten times better."
Su Zhi had already unwrapped one and was staring at it lovingly.
"This… this is not just a fruit. It's happiness."
Yanyue laughed, covering her mouth. "If I had known a handful of dates could buy your loyalty, I'd have brought them sooner."
"You already have our loyalty," Su Lin said solemnly. "The dates are just… bonuses."
The rest of the evening passed in the most chaotic version of gratitude imaginable.
The boys set up a "sugar date appreciation booth" made of overturned stools and a blanket. Su Rui offered "samples" for the price of a shiny pebble or a good knock-knock joke. Su Lin declared himself "Chief Date Distributor" and wore a bowl on his head as a crown. Su Zhi simply hoarded three in his sleeve and glared at anyone who came too close.
By the time Aunt Zhao wandered by, she nearly tripped over a sign that read:
"Limited Offer: One Date Per Loyal Follower. Bribes Accepted."
She stared at Su Yanyue, bewildered. "They were quieter when they were climbing roofs."
Yanyue could only sigh, half-smiling. "They're entrepreneurs. Sort of."
Yu Shiming, leaning against a pillar with his arms crossed, murmured, "They're going to open a black market in the chicken coop by tomorrow."
---
Later that night, when the stars had taken their posts in the sky, Su Yanyue tucked the boys into bed—despite their wild resistance and sneaky attempts to hide under the table.
Su Rui yawned into her sleeve. "Next time… can you bring those almond cakes, too?"
Su Zhi clung to her hand. "You didn't get kidnapped. That's good."
Su Lin mumbled, half-asleep, "If that merchant guy shows up again… we'll handle him."
Yanyue's heart softened. She brushed their hair gently.
"I'm not going anywhere," she whispered. "And I'll always bring something sweet home."