After the soul swap, I became stronger (14): 47: “I like people who are older than me.”

The power of familial bonds is truly immense.

Si Qi didn’t even say anything. This old man, who had never believed in ghosts or gods, had never read any novels, and had never even imagined something like soul swapping before, just took one look and concluded that the young man in front of him must be related to his grandson.

He had seen Si Qi’s performance during the live stream, but the way someone behaves in public in front of strangers is always different from how they act when meeting their own family.

Especially Si Qi did not address him as Mr. Wang or Minister like he did with others, but directly called him “Grandpa.”

Only his precious grandson would call him that way, with such soft and affectionate emotions.

The old man stared blankly at Si Qi for a moment, noticed the curious gazes of a few friends around him, and knowing that this wasn’t a good place to talk, instinctively grabbed Si Qi’s hand. With a friendly demeanor, he smiled and led Si Qi to the balcony outside the banquet hall, under the surprised gazes of his friends.

The cool autumn evening breeze brushed against his face as the old man closed the glass door behind him. He looked at the young boy, who appeared particularly gentle under the light, and the way the boy looked at him. The somewhat chaotic emotions he had just a moment ago suddenly calmed down. He said to Si Qi, “You… are my grandson, Xiao Jiu, right?”

Si Qi’s heart softened; the emotions from the original owner made it hard for him not to show a tender expression. Holding the old man’s rough, aged hand, he said earnestly, “Grandpa, it’s me.”

The hand in the palm trembled slightly, then gripped Si Qi even tighter.

The old man looked at him with bright eyes, seeming both excited and pained, “How, how could this happen?”

“I’m not very clear about it either.” Si Qi smiled awkwardly, “The situation is a bit complicated, so I didn’t come to find Grandpa right away…”

“None of that matters, as long as you’re doing well.” The old man had been managing the company for so many years, and even at over seventy, he could still firmly control the large enterprise. His mind was naturally very sharp. He recalled the strange behavior of his “grandson” during this period: frequently coming in and out of the company, deliberately targeting Si Qi at school, and throwing dirt on Si Qi; and the various details of the troublesome couple: repeatedly bringing his grandson to curry favor with him. How could he not guess what those three guys were thinking? He felt increasingly disgusted and angry, grabbing Si Qi’s hand and saying, “How are you doing now? Are you okay?”

“Pretty good.” Si Qi smiled happily, showing no trace of gloom: “I met Chu Feng, and he helped me rent a lab. I’m tinkering with interesting drugs in there, and I’m having a great time.”

The old man relaxed his expression, recalling the recent rumors he had heard about Si Qi. They said he was filial and sensible, had harmonious relationships with those around him, particularly enjoyed studying and learning, and didn’t care at all about money or fame. He felt that his grandson was indeed like that. He had always had such a character, and even now, despite having a different identity, he remained the same.

“It’s been tough on you…” The old man patted Si Qi’s hand with a complex expression, feeling sorry for the hardships he had faced alone outside these days, and also for the burden he had carried in inheriting the family business, which had prevented him from pursuing what he truly loved.

Now that there were no family constraints, in just a few months, the grandson had concocted such an incredible miracle drug and even donated all the money that his parents had desperately tried to secure. The old man didn’t believe that the family didn’t burden the grandson or distract him in the past.

Si Qi smiled and said, “I’m not wronged at all. My current family treats me especially well, and I still have my grandpa. It’s like I’ve hit the jackpot.”

“Only you would think like that.” The old man shook his head in exasperation, thinking about the unscrupulous couple who would abandon such a good child for a bit of profit. They really managed to ruin his good mood.

“Let’s introduce Grandpa to your current ‘family’ later; Grandpa also wants to thank them for taking care of you during this time…” The old man sighed, “If you don’t want to go back to that house in the future, it’s okay not to go back. After all, you’ve grown up, have your own career, and can be independent now… You never liked managing the company before, so Grandpa won’t make you worry about those things anymore. Just go ahead and do what you like. However, what is meant for you, Grandpa will definitely leave for you. Don’t complain, okay?”

Si Qi smiled and said, “How could I ever dislike something Grandpa gave me? Thank you, Grandpa.”

“Hey, that’s more like it,” the old man said with a kind smile. “Remember to come see Grandpa every now and then, or at least send a video call.”

“Of course, no problem. Grandpa, did you bring your phone? We can add each other as friends…”

The two were chatting and laughing, and suddenly, Si Qi remembered something: “The engagement on Wang Jiu…”

The old man raised his eyebrows and directly said, “I will annul the engagement over there. There’s no reason to let that young girl be with such a profit-driven scoundrel.”

He glanced at Si Qi and, with a mischievous smile, said, “If you like her, how about Grandpa sets you up again? I think that girl will definitely fall for you again.”

Si Qi quickly shook his head, “No, Grandpa, I don’t actually like her that much. It’s just that she likes me, and I don’t dislike her, so I didn’t refuse.”

The old man’s smile slightly faltered, and after a moment, he sighed.

The voice said muffled, “Grandpa suddenly thinks that leaving the Wang family might be a good thing for you.”

Otherwise, given his grandson’s character and his troublesome parents, who knows how much more hardship his grandson would have to endure?

Si Qi gently stroked the old man’s back a few times, silently comforting him.

The conversation between Old Master Wang and Si Qi was also witnessed by the Wang couple.

They saw it, but they didn’t deliberately come to disturb. The purpose was to hope that after they were deliberately ignored by Si Qi, old Wang could recognize Si Qi again, and then give the money that Si Qi hadn’t donated yet…

Old Wang found the couple, pointed at them, then pointed at the Son of the World standing with a dark expression, and said, “You come with me to the private room.”

“Where’s Xiao Jiu?” Wang’s mother asked hurriedly.

“Isn’t your Xiao Jiu standing right next to you?” Old Master Wang sneered. The Child of the World thought Grandpa was still unaware of the truth and secretly smirked, but Mother Wang’s expression instantly stiffened, vaguely sensing that something was off.

A group of four arrived at the private room, closed the door, and the old man got straight to the point: “Don’t even think about bothering Xiao Jiu anymore. He is no longer your son.”

The Child of the World was taken aback and instinctively said, “What do you mean by that?”

However, the other three people present ignored his words, and Mother Wang angrily said, “How can you say that? He is my own flesh and blood!”

“The piece of flesh that fell off you is still standing there just fine. Don’t mess with Xiao Jiu and make random connections,” the old man said coldly, looking at the couple. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking. I’m telling you, that’s impossible!”

“In the past, you all saw Xiao Jiu spending all day thinking about studying, spending time delving into pharmacology knowledge, and thought he was not being practical, ‘not clear-headed.’ Compared to Xiao Jiu, such a well-behaved and sensible good child, you all prefer this money-seeking thing now, ha! One by one, you’ve all dived into the money pit!! And still talk to me about blood ties. Do you treat Xiao Jiu like your own son? You just see him as a useful tool!”

The old man was so furious that his face turned red, and he struck his cane repeatedly, angrily saying, “Now that you see Xiao Jiu’s research can make big money, you immediately think about recognizing him again. Do you really think Xiao Jiu is a fool? He just doesn’t like to fight and is naturally kind-hearted, but he is not a softie to be manipulated! You have deliberately ignored him for the past few months, pretending you don’t have a son, and even casually slandering Xiao Jiu. Why should Xiao Jiu come back with money just to recognize you as parents? Do you really think you are something special? That Xiao Jiu would fight to recognize you as parents?”

These words made the two adults who were highly respected in the outside world blush. It was not pleasant to have their true faces exposed and ridiculed in the outside world. They lost all face and said with their necks stiff, “Well, I have raised him for so many years, he can’t be so heartless and not acknowledge us!”

“He just won’t admit it, so what? What can you do to him?” The old man sneered, “Didn’t you guys previously rely on Xiao Jiu’s words without evidence, planning to beat him up and deny it? Now the situation has reversed, what can you do to Xiao Jiu? Moreover, Xiao Jiu is under national protection. If you deliberately harass him, the only ones who will suffer will be you! If you want to seek death, go ahead! But don’t expect the Wang family to come to your rescue afterward.”

“Dad!!” Father Wang said angrily, “How can you be like this! Xiao Jiu recognizing his ancestry and returning to his roots, doesn’t that bring you any benefits? Aren’t you happy about it?”

“The thing that makes me the happiest is that Xiao Jiu can live happily!” the old man said angrily. “Just think about it! Xiao Jiu just left the Wang family and already developed such an amazing special medicine. Do you think he just figured it out in the last few months? He clearly always had this ability! It’s just that you all forcibly suppressed him before, not allowing him to do research, not providing him with research facilities, making him ponder over trivial family matters all day long, losing the watermelon to pick up a sesame seed. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been delayed by you all like this.”

The old man got angry as soon as he mentioned this: “Xiao Jiu has such a gentle personality. If you had treated Xiao Jiu a bit better in the past, Xiao Jiu wouldn’t have been unwilling to come back. If you hadn’t been so utilitarian and had properly nurtured Xiao Jiu, wouldn’t Xiao Jiu’s current achievements belong to the Wang family, belong to you? You are the ones who pushed Xiao Jiu away! You brought this upon yourselves!”

Seeing the couple across from him becoming increasingly desperate, their faces showing expressions of regret and pain, as if they were regretting to the point of turning blue, the old man scolded, “Don’t even think about bothering Xiao Jiu in the future, and my fortune will never be left to this thing!”

He pointed at the Child of the World standing stiffly to the side, his expression flustered and ugly, and said angrily, “If it weren’t for you, how could my grandson have left the Wang family! Even if you have the blood of the Wang family in you now, you will never be a member of the Wang family! Not a single cent of the Wang family’s belongings will fall into your hands!”

He warned the couple, “And the engagement he is under must also be annulled.”

“Dad!”

“You can’t do this!”

One bad news after another kept coming, and the couple was both furious and frantic. Mother Wang said, “How can they break off the engagement? That girl from the Li family said herself that she likes Xiao Jiu and wants to get engaged to him!”

“Is she now engaged to Xiao Jiu?!” The old man shouted in anger, raising his cane as if he was about to strike the woman in front of him.

“Then you should give the property you promised to leave to Xiao Jiu to him!!” Father Wang was so angry that his eyes were almost red.

What does it mean to draw water with a bamboo basket? This is it.

“Of course I will leave it to him. Even with his abilities, he wouldn’t care about my little money, but the inheritance Grandpa left for him, he would definitely accept.” Grandpa Wang sneered, “But what does his money have to do with you? He is already Si Qi, and has nothing to do with you two.”

As soon as those words were spoken, everyone present was stunned.

Subsequently, Father and Mother Wang let out a painful scream, pulling their hair in frustration, furious and at a loss for what to do. They shouted loudly, “No! Absolutely not! How can you leave it with him! He doesn’t even have the Wang surname anymore!”

“How come you’re saying he’s not part of the Wang family now? When you wanted his money before, why didn’t you say that?” The old man scoffed, “That’s my property. I can give it to whoever I want. When did it become your place to meddle?”

The Son of the World stood aside, feeling a bone-chilling cold. He knew that everything he had was gone. Whether it was his family’s background, his outstanding achievements, his loving relatives, or even that enormous group that was said to be better than the Wang family’s, which would belong to him as long as he married the other party… it was all gone!!

His hands and feet were icy cold, his face pale as he looked at the three people in front of him who were in a heated argument. Trembling, as if he were crying, he called out, “Grandpa…!”

“Are you my grandson?” The old man’s disdainful gaze made the child of the world feel even more miserable.

He still remembered the first time he met the other person, the kind and loving expression on his face, as if he were the most precious treasure in the world, and that he would be accepted and allowed no matter what he did.

But why, why should he be treated like this just because he was not the grandson the other person had nurtured for many years? He had the same blood running through his veins as the other person!!

“Grandpa, please don’t do this, please don’t…” The Child of the World felt a heart-wrenching pain just thinking about his current situation. He didn’t understand how he ended up ruining such a good hand of cards. Clearly, he had worked hard to imitate and learn, but in the end, he gained nothing good.

Originally, his family didn’t want him anymore, and now his current family saw him as a disaster. The good reputation Wang Jiu once had had been ruined by him, making him like a rat in the street that everyone avoided. At this point, what did he have left?

His academic performance had declined, and his business skills were terrible. Those connections he once had, like Xie Man and Anne, his friends and fiancée, had all distanced themselves from him one by one. At this moment, he felt lost and helpless, almost going crazy!

“Don’t call me grandpa!” If it weren’t for the fact that the other person had his grandson’s face, the old man, considering the good impression his grandson left on others, didn’t want his grandson to be criticized by everyone, and thus didn’t say such words in public. Otherwise, how could he tolerate this guy using his grandson’s name to swindle people everywhere!

This person had already ruined his grandson’s reputation and completely destroyed his image!

The old man glared at the pale-faced youth with annoyance, then strode out the door with his cane. This left the three people standing in place, yelling and arguing like mad, each trying to drown out the others, leaving their own ears ringing.

He found Annie Li’s parents, sincerely apologized to them, and explained the matter of annulling the engagement.

The old man only found out at this moment that the person impersonating his grandson had actually gotten a girlfriend at school, and the Li family had discovered it! His already guilt-ridden expression became even more twisted, his hand gripping the cane trembling, looking furious. The two adults who were originally quite angry on the opposite side turned around to comfort the old man, but couldn’t help but speak ill of Wang Jiu.

And the old man, who had always protected his grandson everywhere outside, unexpectedly did not refute. He just silently lowered his head, looking both pained and guilty, making everyone around feel uncomfortable.

They also didn’t know what had happened to that kid from the Wang family during this period, how he suddenly became this unfamiliar person, as if he had turned into someone else.

However, they only said this in their hearts, and no one truly believed that the heir of the prestigious Wang family had been swapped without anyone noticing.

It’s just that the engagement between the Li family and the Wang family was ultimately dissolved. The young girl from the Li family cried particularly mournfully, unable to accept this reality. In the end, she had to be taken to a nearby private room by her mother for comfort.

Those uncles and aunts from the Wang family’s branches were all extremely pleased, making a concerted effort to gather in front of Wang Jiu’s parents and the Child of the World, mockingly ridiculing certain people for being brainless, not even knowing how to hide their affairs properly when cheating, and making it so public in the school, as if afraid the Li family wouldn’t find out. A good marriage was just thrown away like that.

It was said that the Child of the World was someone who was good at putting on a facade. He used to pretend to be indifferent to worldly affairs, deceiving everyone and even winning the old man’s favor. Now, his true nature had finally been revealed, offending those he shouldn’t have, and everyone had seen through his true self.

Let’s see how he pretends to be innocent and claims to be pure and clean, saying he only likes studying.

In reality, what you’re really concerned about is just that little bit of family property, isn’t it?

Each mocking laugh was like a thousand cuts, torturing the Son of the World and making him wish for death.

He looked at the pitiful scene on his side, then at the image of Si Qi, smiling and revered by everyone, and the resentment in his heart grew even stronger.

Clearly, the other person was using his own face, his own background, and starting from a point even more difficult than his original one. Yet, he had risen up, relying solely on his own abilities, becoming even stronger than he was in the past.

Instead, it was himself who, having everything that person left behind, couldn’t do anything.

It was as if the cold, hard reality was slapping him in the face, telling him that no matter what identity he took on or what conditions he had, an incompetent person would always be incompetent. Even with mountains of gold and silver, they could squander it all, and even with the best conditions that others long for, they could still end up in ruins…

This psychological pressure, compared to being constantly compared to classmates every day while growing up in a poor family, makes him even more desperate.

The more he thought about it, the more he suffered, and his despondent and broken reaction was evident on his face, making those around him who mocked him look down on him even more.

Many onlookers who were not from the Wang family were astonished at how they once thought Wang Jiu was a promising talent, both in temperament and ability, but now seeing him so devastated by a slight setback, they could only shake their heads and sigh, realizing they had misjudged him in the past.

The uncles and aunts within the Wang family were overjoyed at Wang Jiu’s reaction, wishing they could say a few more words to make him completely collapse, ensuring that he would never be able to compete with them again.

Si Qi was unaware of the dire situation the Child of the World was in; wherever he went, he was met with applause and flowers. Everyone wanted to befriend this future academician, a young talent who could make an impression in front of the country’s leaders.

Even if Si Qi never managed to develop another miraculous drug like the AIDS cure in the future, just this one achievement was enough for him to gain international fame and freely enter and exit major research institutions.

Moreover, he still had so much capital in his hands and maintained a close relationship with Chu Feng…

It was not an exaggeration to say that he was the most sought-after person in today’s high society, someone everyone wanted to befriend.

He followed Chu Feng around and met many people. His graceful and refined demeanor indeed earned him a lot of goodwill.

Many people initially showed kindness to Si Qi only because of his abilities, but now, after talking with him, their fondness shifted from his abilities to him as a person, and their smiles became noticeably more sincere and warm.

As an observer, Chu Feng was the one who understood all these changes the best, and his heart was filled with pride and a sense of shared glory. A single compliment from others about Si Qi was more effective than a hundred compliments about him.

It was just…

When someone, in a moment of excitement, couldn’t help but introduce their daughter to Si Qi…

Chu Feng’s heart sank in an instant, and he couldn’t help but look at Si Qi, his silent gaze appearing particularly aggrieved.

Si Qi smiled and said, “I’m still young.”

The parent across the way flushed and said awkwardly, “Right, I completely forgot, you’re not even an adult yet!”

Being pulled along to socialize, Mom Si said with a smile, “Xiao Qi is a determined person. Whoever he likes, both his dad and I support him! It’s up to him!”

“So, Xiao Qi, what kind of person do you like?” the beautiful aunt who spoke earlier curiously asked.

Si Qi looked at Chu Feng with a cheerful expression. To others, this gaze seemed like an ordinary exchange between friends, but for Chu Feng, it felt like a public flirtation that made his heart race, with the tension and excitement of having his private life exposed to the public eye, almost causing him to show an inappropriate expression.

Si Qi chuckled and said, “I prefer someone older than me.”

Chu Feng couldn’t help but bite his lip.

“Short hair, a very pleasant voice when speaking. Likes to take care of me, very gentle and considerate. Even willing to take time out of their work to accompany me… I like this kind of person. Right, Brother Chu?”

Chu Feng almost caused a huge scene in public, stammering and pretending to be calm with a “hm,” while his heart rate was already beating like a drum.

The assistant standing behind him was completely unable to look straight, facing away from everyone, covering his mouth with his hand, his shoulders trembling.

“Oh, you like someone older, huh? Older is better, a woman three years older, like holding a gold brick¹. Someone older knows how to take care of people!” A group of delighted aunties were even happier. Their daughter came from a prestigious family, was well-educated, and at her teenage years, she seemed more mature and knowledgeable than others in their twenties. She was a perfect match for Si Qi!

Si Qi smiled without saying a word, but during their chats, he couldn’t help but tease Chu Feng every now and then. Whenever Chu Feng’s name was mentioned, this man, who usually always wore a cold expression and rarely smiled, almost blushed several times. His heart felt both sweet and frantic, completely at a loss against this little rascal beside him.

A charity dinner lasted for more than four hours, and now it was ten o’clock in the evening; it was almost time to wrap up.

Si Qi had collected a large stack of business cards, casually put them in his pocket, and walked out of the luxurious hotel with Chu Feng and his parents.

The evening breeze outside the door was a bit chilly. Si Qi draped his suit jacket over his mother, who was wearing a short-sleeved evening gown. Immediately, he felt warmth again as a thick suit, faintly scented with cologne, was placed on his back. Si Qi recognized this scent, showing a happy expression and giving a sweet smile to his lover behind him.

Chu Feng’s heart tightened, and that restless emotion surged up again. Forcing himself to suppress that thought, he told himself that the other person was still young and to wait a bit longer. He said to Si Qi, “Did you call the driver to come pick you up?”

Si Qi: “Called, but I don’t want to go home today.”

Chu Feng: ?

He seriously thought that Si Qi was still working on something at the lab and wanted to advise Si Qi not to work so hard and not to stay up late all the time.

As a result, Si Qi said, “Can I come to your house tonight?”

Chu Feng almost couldn’t catch his breath, choked by the air, and coughed several times while covering his mouth in a flustered manner. He hurriedly looked up at Si Qi, his voice nearly breaking, “What??”

Si Qi said with a grin, “Don’t worry, I won’t do anything to you.”

Standing to the side, Dad Si and Mom Si looked at the two with particularly innocent eyes. They didn’t think about their son and Chu Feng in that way at all. They only thought that Si Qi and Chu Feng had some serious matters to discuss. Seeing their son rarely show such a childlike smile, they felt quite happy in their hearts, thinking it was very common for boys of this age to stay over at a friend’s house, and they had no intention of persuading him otherwise.

Chu Feng was feeling anxious and couldn’t help but let his mind wander. After all, in his impression, the young man had always been particularly proactive…

Unable to find a suitable reason to refuse Si Qi, Chu Feng awkwardly and passively accepted Si Qi’s proposal.

Mr. and Mrs. Si left in the car driven by the bodyguards, and the assistant and driver were also sent away by Chu Feng. Chu Feng decided to drive himself tonight so that the two of them could have a good talk in the car.

After all, he was the one driving there; Si Qi couldn’t possibly still lay a hand on him, could he?

At just over twenty years old, the still naive Chu Feng thought to himself, “I am definitely not a match for the tens of thousands of years old Si Qi.”

He went to the parking lot to drive, leaving Si Qi waiting here.

Si Qi stood in the night, smiling as he lowered his head and gently stroked Chu Feng’s clothes with his hand, his face full of happiness.

A black sedan drove out of the parking lot, and the Son of the World sat in the driver’s seat with a gloomy expression, not wanting to be in the same space as those heartless parents.

His mind was filled with all those crazy, chaotic things, and he was trying to escape from facing the tragic ending that awaited him in the future. Suddenly, he saw someone standing at the hotel entrance, a familiar figure with a happy smile on their face, backlit by the soft, beautiful yellow light of the hotel, as if he was in paradise.

The already terrible mood of the Child of the World instantly became even more oppressive, and the angry emotions hit rock bottom at that moment, surging up to a peak!

He suddenly remembered the other person’s lofty status, the endless wealth, and the enviable position that everyone admired.

He remembered the car accident that caused the souls of two people to switch, turning the lives of two people with completely different backgrounds upside down…

If everything returned to its original state, would he be able to inherit that vast fortune and return to the warm embrace of his parents?

Was it possible to escape the current dire situation and leave all the troubles to others to handle?

His head was buzzing, and all he could see in his eyes was the person standing across from him.

By the time he came to his senses, his foot was already firmly pressed on the accelerator, the steering wheel gripped tightly in his hands, and he let out an unconscious roar, as if saying “Die,” or perhaps “This was supposed to be mine.”

He couldn’t remember clearly.

He only saw the person on the other side getting closer and closer.

Xiu Xiu had long noticed the movements of the World Child and was shouting loudly in Si Qi’s mind: [Ahhhhhh, this damn Child of the World!!]

[He still has a lot of world power within him. As long as he wishes, the world consciousness might really help him fulfill his desires. Be careful, master!!!]

Si Qi blinked, not in the least bit anxious.

He didn’t even change his expression as he watched the black sedan speeding towards him, suddenly being violently rammed by the parked Hummer beside it, knocking it off its original path and causing it to crash and come to a stop.

Immediately, a group of black-clad bodyguards, whose whereabouts were unknown, rushed out in unison, swiftly pried open the driver’s door of the black sedan, and forcefully dragged the bloodied and wailing Child of the World from his seat.

Originally quite flustered, Xiu Xiu suddenly stopped shouting.

After a moment, watching the Child of the World struggling incessantly, Xiu Xiu said with glee: [Hahaha, this fool must be dumbfounded! My master is under the protection of the state! How dare you try to sneak attack? Dream on! Instead of being a good little nobleman, you go and be a criminal!]

Seeing the little one so happy, Si Qi couldn’t help but curl his lips. He didn’t even look at the Child of the World, who was pinned to the ground with dark, resentful eyes fixed on him, and waited for Chu Feng to stop the car beside him.

Chu Feng leaned out of the window, looked down at the chaotic scene beside him, and with an unpleasant expression, asked, “What’s going on?”

Si Qi instantly turned into a drama queen, patting his chest with lingering fear: “This person tried to bump into me, I’m so scared…”

Chu Feng: “…………”

Originally, he was quite annoyed, but suddenly he couldn’t get angry anymore. What was going on?

He looked at the boy climbing up the pole with a mix of amusement and helplessness, and couldn’t help but ruffle his hair: “Are you okay?”

“Something’s wrong, something’s wrong, I need someone to comfort me!” Si Qi nodded vigorously.

The bodyguard beside him, hearing this, looked worried and quickly said, “Then I’ll help you contact a doctor to come and take a look?”

Si Qi: “……”

Chu Feng almost burst out laughing.

Notes

1. It means that if a woman is three years older than her male partner, it’s considered a blessing — like holding a valuable gold brick. The idea comes from the belief that older women are more mature, caring, and better at managing relationships, which can bring stability, luck, and happiness to the marriage. ↩︎