How can someone travel through time and space and become a beggar?

Xia Chu heard his incoherent words and asked, "Prepare a gift? What gift?"

"It's a birthday gift. Aunt Qingwu specially invited a variety show." Wang Qiuyu couldn't think of anything else, and only heard the troupe and the variety show. He knew nothing about Xia Chu's other questions. "I don't know whose birthday it is. I'll go ask."

"No need, I know who it is." It was such a grand event, and it was organized by Jia Qingwu herself, so she would not think of anyone else except herself.

"Who is it?" Wang Qiuyu asked curiously.

Xia Chu glanced at him and said, "Me."

Wang Qiuyu frowned, "It's not here yet, right?"

"Don't worry about it, go and have your fun." Xia Chu waved him away.

Jia Qingwu didn't know that her surprise had been leaked, and she never thought that it was overheard by Wang Qiuyu.

A few days later, after breakfast, Jia Qingwu asked Xia Chu to go with her to see the new house.

"It's fixed so quickly?" Xia Chu asked in surprise.

"Not yet. Go with me to check on the progress of the repairs." Jia Qingwu smiled and took her hand as they walked out. Dong Xiaohuan chimed in, "You should check on it more often if it's not finished yet. Otherwise, the workers might get lazy. Go quickly."

At this point, Xia Chu hadn't thought it was a birthday surprise until she walked into the new house and saw the newly built stage. The troupe had already arrived and was packing up. Seeing Jia Qingwu, the troupe leader came over and saluted, "Madam Jia, we're almost done here. We'll make sure the show starts on time."

"Okay, thank you for your hard work." Jia Qingwu nodded and let him get busy.

Xia Chu had already guessed it, but pretended to be surprised, "Why is there still a troupe?"

"You'll know in a moment." Jia Qingwu patted her hands and led her into the front hall. She saw the eldest's eight-immortal table filled with boxes of all sizes. Xia Chu blinked. Could they all be her gifts? So many?!

"What is this?" Xia Chu asked, pointing at the pile.

"Happy birthday, Xia Xia!" Jia Qingwu said, her eyes slowly turning red. She clearly didn't want to cry, but her throat seemed to be blocked by something, and for a moment, she was silent.

"Thank you, mother." Xia Chu opened her arms and hugged her gently, "Thank you for risking your life to give birth to me."

"But I missed so many years. I didn't see you grow up, and I didn't protect you well..." Jia Qingwu choked up. She could never forgive herself.

"I don't blame you, I know." Xia Chu didn't know how to comfort her. "I'm fine now. I hope Mom will be fine in the future and happy every day. It's not you who should blame yourself and feel guilty, but the person who kidnapped me. Mom, forgive yourself, I have never blamed you."

"That's right, it's all because of that damn beggar." Aunt Xu tried to persuade him.

"Look at me," Jia Qingwu smiled sheepishly. She held onto Xia Chu's shoulders and stood up straight. Xia Chu was a little taller than her. She was indeed very good-looking, with a very good personality and everything else. "Today is a happy day. Come, take a look. These are the gifts that your mother picked out for you. See if you like them."

"Mom has good taste, they are definitely what I like." Xia Chu said with a smile.

Jia Qingwu was made to laugh by her and pulled her to open the gift.

The top box contained a pair of pure gold headpieces, inlaid with mother-of-pearl. When illuminated by the light, they shone brightly and were extremely beautiful.

"How beautiful!" Xia Chu opened her mouth slightly. She wondered what this headpiece was called. It consisted of an open shell, and inside it was a goldfish. Gold threads twisted the fish's body, while blue mother-of-pearl inlays were cut and inlaid to create flowing fins. From a distance, it resembled ocean waves—a truly exquisite work of art.

"Do you like it?" Jia Qingwu knew the answer from her expression. She had searched all over Lin'an to find this headdress. It was expensive, but there was only one set. It took so long that the master had to rest for a long time after making this set.

"I love it so much, thank you, Mom." Xia Chu couldn't help but touch the goldfish's fins. She wondered how much this set cost. The matching hairpins and step-shake ornaments all had marine elements. There were pearl tassel step-shake ornaments, coral hairpins, and small fish hairpins—each one was unique.

She looked at the best ones first. The rest were clothes, handkerchiefs, round fans, and everything a woman might need. It was like preparing a dowry. Xia Chu touched this and that and found nothing she didn't like. The clothes were all in her favorite colors and beautiful styles.

"Madam, the young lady's friend has arrived." Madam Xu reminded.

There was no concierge at the door, so Bai Wuxia and the others came straight in. Seeing the table full of things, even though they were from a wealthy family, they were surprised.

"Wow, so many gifts?" Bai Wuxia took one look at the gold filigree inlaid mother-of-pearl and kingfisher feather headpiece. "So beautiful."

"Happy birthday, Xia Chu." Li Yun also noticed it, but she gave the gift she brought first.

"Happy birthday!" Lin Lang also brought a gift.

"Xia Chu, happy birthday." Mo Qingmei also came.

Xia Chu was touched. She had lived two lifetimes and had never received so many gifts. No one had ever held a party specifically for her birthday. "Thank you, Mom. Thank you."

"You're welcome." Bai Wuxia asked Shiyue to put the gift down and went over to look at the headwear. She usually disliked wearing too much jewelry because it was too cumbersome, but she had quite a few things at home. "Did my aunt pick this? It's really beautiful."

"Xia Chu should change into new clothes and wear this headdress." Lin Lang also came over. She was admiring the craftsmanship of the craftsman. The lines of this goldfish were smooth, and the shells were specially selected in similar colors. They were put together harmoniously and beautifully.

"It looks like something from Baizhenlou. The craftsmen there have the most exquisite skills." Li Yun said after taking a closer look.

"Yes, it's from Baizhenlou." Jia Qingwu said with a smile.

Mo Qingmei was a little envious. If her mother were here, she would probably also arrange a birthday for her. Everything here was chosen to be suitable for Xia Chu's age, which showed her care and concern.

Xia Chu kept smiling. Lin Lang's words had touched her heart. She also wanted to try out the new clothes and jewelry. "Then I'll go change into them?" She looked at Jia Qingwu. Jia Qingwu naturally wouldn't refuse and was even happy that she liked them. "Go ahead. The side hall is cleaned up and is empty."

"Go quickly and let us all take a look." Bai Wuxia urged.

Xiachu happily carried her clothes and jewelry to the side hall, and Cuihua followed her. To wear a headpiece, her hair would definitely need to be combed again.

While she was changing, the Wang family members began arriving. Wang Qiuyu was paralyzed at the sight of the stage, refusing to leave. Dong Xiaohuan ignored him; she had naturally prepared a gift herself. It seemed insignificant compared to Jia Qingwu's, but it was nonetheless carefully selected by her.