The weeks following Ruoxuan's birthday flew by in a whirlwind of activity. Chen Xiang had thrown himself into his work, studying the markets with an intensity that left little room for distraction. His investments were growing steadily, and for the first time, he began to see the possibility of a future where his family's struggles were nothing more than a memory.
But as he sat at the dining table one evening, scrolling through numbers and charts on his laptop, a thought struck him. He had been so focused on building wealth and keeping his promise to his father that he hadn't stopped to think about the people who had helped him along the way. His relatives, neighbors, and even distant family members had offered support, small gestures that had kept his family afloat during the darkest times.
The next morning, he closed his laptop and began making a list. One by one, he wrote down the names of everyone who had extended a helping hand when his family needed it most. He didn't just remember the big contributions—he included the neighbor who had brought meals when his father was sick and the aunt who had slipped money into his mother's hand during the funeral. Each act of kindness deserved to be acknowledged.
His siblings watched curiously as he worked, Wenwu leaning over his shoulder to peek at the list. "What's all this?" he asked, popping a piece of toast into his mouth.
"Payback," Chen Xiang replied simply.
Wenwu raised an eyebrow. "You mean revenge?"
"No, you idiot. Gratitude," Chen Xiang said, smirking. "I'm going to give back to everyone who helped us."
Wenwu whistled, impressed. "You've really thought this through, haven't you?"
"Of course," Chen Xiang said. "It's the least I can do."
Over the next few days, Chen Xiang worked tirelessly to organize his plan. He withdrew a portion of his earnings, carefully dividing it into envelopes. For each person on his list, he included a handwritten note, thanking them for their kindness and explaining how much it had meant to him and his family.
When everything was ready, he recruited Wenwu to help with the deliveries. They spent the morning driving around the neighborhood, knocking on doors and surprising people with the envelopes. The reactions were as varied as the people themselves—some laughed in disbelief, others cried, and a few tried to refuse, insisting that it wasn't necessary.
"It's not about the money," Chen Xiang explained to one elderly neighbor who hesitated to accept the envelope. "It's about letting you know that what you did mattered. You made a difference when we needed it most."
By the time they returned home, Chen Xiang felt a deep sense of fulfillment. The gratitude he had seen on people's faces, the way their eyes lit up with surprise and joy—it was a feeling that no amount of money could buy.
That evening, as the family gathered for dinner, Chen Xiang's mother sat quietly, watching her children with a soft smile. "You've done something incredible today, Xiang," she said. "Your father would be proud."
Chen Xiang nodded, his heart swelling at her words. He looked around the table, at Wenwu's mischievous grin, Jia's quiet satisfaction, and Huihui's playful chatter. For the first time in months, the weight on his chest felt lighter.
After dinner, he stepped outside, the cool night air refreshing against his skin. He sat on the front steps, gazing up at the stars. The sound of footsteps behind him made him turn, and he smiled when he saw Ruoxuan approaching, her notebook tucked under her arm.
"Busy night?" she asked, sitting beside him.
"Productive," he replied, leaning back against the railing. "I spent the day giving back to the people who helped my family."
Her eyes softened, and she nodded. "That sounds like you."
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment before she spoke again. "You know, you're not just helping your family. You're inspiring them. And everyone else around you."
Chen Xiang glanced at her, her words sinking in. "I just want to do the right thing."
"You're doing more than that," she said, her gaze meeting his. "You're showing people what it means to care. To really care."
Her words stayed with him long after she left. As he sat alone under the starlit sky, Chen Xiang felt a quiet sense of pride. He wasn't just building a future for his family—he was building a legacy, one small act of kindness at a time.