"No wonder the child took them. Even I, an old woman, can't help liking these pearls."
Xiao Grandmother praised them, her gaze full of admiration.
"They're so beautiful."
Xiao Xiao held out his hand to his grandmother.
Up close, the pearls were still flawless, shining with their own light.
Xiao Grandmother clicked her tongue in admiration.
After a while, she looked up at Xiao Xiao. "What are you doing?"
"Why are you holding them so close?"
"My eyesight is still excellent."
"Besides, I already have one of these pearls."
Xiao Grandmother tugged at the red cord around her neck. "Isn't this the pearl inside the protective charm you gave me before?"
"Keep these pearls for yourself."
"Grandma, if you like them, you can take a few more."
Xiao Xiao's eyes curved into a smile. "I still have lots more."
"Even if you have lots, keep them safe."
Xiao Grandmother gave Xiao Xiao a mild glare. "What use would it be for me to take more?"
Xiao Xiao smiled faintly and put the pearls away.
"What happened?"
Father Xiao asked for the details. "How did that child manage to take the pearls?"
Xiao Xiao had said the pearls belonged to the fish in the pond, which meant... "They were at the bottom of the pond, right?"
"Mm."
Xiao Xiao nodded, confirming Father Xiao's guess.
Then he briefly explained what had happened.
"Hah, what a coincidence."
Xiao Grandmother couldn't help laughing. "That child must have been fated to find those pearls."
"To think he actually managed to feel them out."
"Exactly."
Madam Xiao's eyes crinkled with a smile.
"As long as the child didn't do it on purpose, that's all that matters."
Grandpa Xiao brought the conversation to a close. "All right, back to work."
"Don't keep our guests waiting."