Chapter 35: A Hundred Million Smiles
After the end of the school day, it was 3:00 p.m. Bai Xia stepped into a taxi and headed home. Once inside the house, she greeted her mother and elder sister, who were seated in the living room, chatting over something trivial. She didn't stop to linger — instead, she made her way upstairs with quiet grace.
Today was special. Today, the lottery ticket winners would be announced. In her space, she carefully retrieved a small Philips radio from the everything mall. Bringing it to the living room, she called out, "Mom, look! Seems like the real estate company left us a gift."
Chu Sun's eyes lit up immediately at the sight of the radio. She had wanted one for some time, but she and her husband had been saving money to start a business. The radio, gleaming modestly in their living room, felt like a pie fallen from heaven. She quickly set it up, pressing the buttons and adjusting the dials with a giddy excitement that made Bai Xia quietly smile.
By evening, Chu Sun had already bought some new pots and plates for the house and prepared dinner — Steamed Whole Fish, Sweet & Sour Pork, Braised Chicken with Mushrooms, Tofu with Crab Roe, Stir-Fried Seasonal Greens,Braised Bamboo Shoots & Mushrooms, Double-Boiled Chicken & Herb Soup, Steamed Jasmine Rice, Pickled Mustard Greens, Soy Sauce, Chili Oil, Sesame Oil. By this time, Bai Sung had returned from work, and the family gathered at the dining table. Warmth and laughter filled the room as they shared food and stories, the kind of simple, serene happiness that Bai Sung had secretly longed for. He glanced at Bai Xia with pride and contentment, thinking he could live like this forever.
At 9:00 p.m., the family assembled once more in the living room. Bai Xia carefully placed her lottery tickets on the glass coffee table, each one crisp and full of potential. She turned on the Philips radio, the familiar hum giving way to the announcer's voice.
"And now, the results of today's lottery drawing…" the broadcaster began, the tone light but suspenseful.
Bai Xia watched the numbers roll by, her calm expression unshaken. Then, as the announcer listed one of her tickets, the figure that came next made her heart almost skip a beat.
"…Ticket number 123-4356-00 winning 100 million yen!"
For a moment, Bai Xia allowed herself to exhale. Then, she pretended with a controled but joyful scream, she exclaimed, "I won! 100 million yen!"
Her father, Bai Sung, couldn't help himself. He jumped to his feet, laughing and shouting, "A hundred million! Our family! We won a hundred million yen!"
The other family members, swept up in the excitement, joined the chorus. Their cheers and laughter filled the house, bouncing off the walls. It was as if the room itself had been electrified, vibrating with exhilaration. The family hugged, jumped, and clapped — the warm, shared happiness binding them closer than ever.
Night fell quietly outside, but the Bai household was alive with celebration. Even as the clock ticked past midnight, sleep was impossible. The family retold the story, each retelling laced with laughter and amazement. Finally, as dawn approached, fatigue overcame them — but still, the glow of victory lingered.
The next morning, Bai Xia and her father dressed immaculately, choosing clothes that matched the occasion. Bai Sung looked especially proud, his suit perfectly pressed and tie knotted with precision, Bai xia looked like a little princess in her pink fitted dress, the dres had a jacket with the same colour, she left her hair to fall behind her hair as she used a Pink head band to keep it in place. Together, they set off for the lottery headquarters to claim the reward.
Upon arrival, they were immediately surrounded by reporters, microphones and cameras thrust toward them. Flashbulbs popped as the crowd pressed in, eager for reactions.
"Mr. Bai, how do you feel after winning the lottery?"
"Did you expect your daughter's ticket to win?"
"What is your next move with this money?"
"Will you continue your business ventures with this windfall?"
"Does your daughter play the lottery often?"
"How did you feel when you realized the winning ticket was yours?"
"Any advice for other families hoping for luck?"
"What will you do to celebrate?"
"Was this entirely by chance or luck?"
"Do you plan to invest the money or use it for personal needs?"
"Can you describe your daughter's reaction when she realized she won?"
"Are there any plans for charity with this reward?"
"Will this change the family's lifestyle?"
Bai Sung beamed brightly, eyes twinkling with pride. "My daughter bought the tickets the day before yesterday. At first, I didn't think much of it — she bought ten tickets — but last night, we discovered one of them had won 100 million yen."
Turning to the cameras, his face radiant, he added, "My daughter is incredibly smart, obedient, beautiful, and intelligent. I couldn't be prouder."
Bai Xia maintained her calm composure, nodding lightly as the flashes of cameras surrounded them. Beside her, her father's joy seemed to lift him off the ground. Each flash of light captured their victory, a perfect portrait of a family transformed by fortune.
Finally, they were escorted inside to claim the reward. The officials verified the ticket, and soon, the 100 million yen was officially handed over. Photographers lined the room as Bai Xia and her father stood together for pictures.
Bai Xia's face remained serene and collected — a calm eye in the storm of excitement. Bai Sung, however, smiled broadly, nearly glowing with delight. Every heartbeat felt like pure ecstasy as he imagined what this windfall would bring to their family.
And yet, in the midst of this joyous occasion, Bai Xia's mind was alert, calculating. She had sensed it before: every blessing carries a shadow. The happiness of their family, the windfall of 100 million yen, was but a prelude. Somewhere, quietly, trouble was already approaching… a trouble called the Bai family.