The local contest brought new hope and introduced Miss Shu's family to people who believed in their strength and kindness. But as autumn began to paint the streets with yellow leaves, another opportunity appeared—a chance to help even more and maybe solve the last big problem for their medical bills.
Miss Shu's old friend, Aunt Suhei, knew of a much larger event in the city: the Community Data Modeling Championship. It was a contest for teams to create a plan using numbers, stories, or art to solve a city problem, with a cash prize much greater than anything the family had seen. Aunt Suhei explained, "You need someone clever with data and ideas. Your family is full of fighters—I think you should try."
Excited but anxious, Miss Shu asked Goo and Yang what they thought. Goo loved organizing things and had learned some computer basics from school. Yang was creative and liked patterns and teamwork. Their father thought they should join, saying, "You may be smaller than big teams, but your heart is bigger."
Miss Shu worried. She still felt weak some days, and the family's schedule was crushed between work, hospital visits, and chores. But the promise of enough money to finally cover both surgeries and rebuild their lives was impossible to ignore.
Registration opened at the local library. The modeling event asked: "How would you use a prize to improve health and happiness in your neighborhood?" The family sat together—Miss Shu with her notepad, Goo with his computer from the delivery shop's old office, Yang with colored pencils and chart paper. Their father read books on statistics, trying to help with numbers.
The family brainstormed. Yang believed in simple ideas first—like making maps of families who needed health help, drawing lines to those who could offer work or food. Goo focused on organizing helpers and volunteers. Miss Shu had real experience; she told stories and described how kindness could turn lives around.
Aunt Suhei dropped by often with snacks, advice, or encouragement. Sometimes, she reminded Miss Shu: "Don't forget what makes you special. Your story moves hearts."
At the same time, bigger teams prepared with fancy computers, printed graphics, and loud presentations. Miss Shu's family worked in the evenings, helping each other through mistakes, and cheering every small success. Their home was a jumble of half-finished charts, post-it notes, coffee cups, and nervous laughter.
Yang struggled with a major problem: most families like theirs didn't trust strangers with medical or money issues. Goo proposed a "trust network," connecting neighbors by sharing honest stories. Miss Shu wrote her own, describing in simple words how selling her kidney had saved her sons, and the kindness people had shown.
Over days, their project grew—a folder full of numbers on families helped, stories of small jobs leading to hospital visits, sketches of kids making art to comfort patients, and a working group of neighbors who agreed to join the "Family Helpers" plan from the last contest.
Midway through the month, crisis struck. Yang came down with a fever, and Miss Shu spent two nights at the hospital, leaving Goo alone to finish the charts and do the shopping. Goo felt the pressure, but remembered his promise—"Let others help you." He called Aunt Suhei, who brought soup for Yang and checked math for Goo.
Yang recovered quickly, and the family rushed to finish their project for the modeling event.
The big day arrived. In the city library's bright hall, teams set up booths with banners, posters, and cheerful music. Miss Shu's family wore matching shirts with Yang's design—a simple heart linked by helping hands. Their project board was full of photos, numbers, and short stories.
The judges visited every booth, asking sharp questions:
"How does your plan reach the most people?"
"How will you deal with hospital trust issues?"
"What about families who are too proud to ask for help?"
Goo answered about networks of "honest helpers." Yang showed how art could break down fear. Miss Shu spoke clearly: "Some days, pride keeps us from asking, but I learned—giving, not just receiving, makes pride easier to bear."
Their father described how small acts—fixing a kettle, sharing food, or driving a neighbor to the doctor—built bridges that changed lives.
Other teams had slick graphics and fast computers. One group used big words, another had videos of smiling officials. Miss Shu's family relied on truth, love, and the faces of people they had already helped.
At lunchtime, Goo's nerves got the better of him. He worried that their charts were too simple and their story too sad. Yang drew an extra picture for encouragement—a sun rising over their family, with the words, "Real hope starts small."
Miss Shu reassured both sons, "If we don't win, we still change lives. Our prize is in every smile."
The event lasted hours. Neighbors stopped by, offering hugs and support. Local reporters asked to hear Miss Shu's story and took pictures of the boys. Their father was proud, talking with other parents about how data could serve everyone, not just big companies.
Finally, the judges gathered in front of the crowd. The head judge spoke: "Today we saw many clever plans. One stood out—not for technology, but for honest teamwork and true courage."
She paused with a kind smile. "The winner of our modeling event is The Family Helpers Team: Miss Shu and family."
The crowd clapped and cheered; tears ran down Miss Shu's cheeks as Goo and Yang hugged her tightly. Their plan, born from hardship and love, had earned the biggest prize and the attention of the city's best doctors and charity leaders.
Winning didn't make all pain disappear—Yang still needed surgery, and Goo's work wasn't done. But with the cash prize, support from new friends, and a promise of ongoing help, the family could finally breathe and prepare for a better future.
Reporters followed their story, celebrating resilience over riches. Neighbors contributed more, the "Family Helpers" program grew, and Miss Shu, Goo, and Yang visited schools and clinics to spread hope.