On a rainy night, the school beauty knocked on my door and asked for shelter

After legal proceedings and the parents' agreement, Su Yaxi's incident, like a boulder thrown into a deep pool, initially caused a huge stir, but eventually, the ripples subsided, and life returned to the seemingly ordinary routine of winter vacation. However, this "ordinariness" lacked the gloom of anxiety and gained a sense of peace and security.

It's almost the end of the lunar year. In the late winter and early spring in Jiangnan, the air is humid and chilly, but inside the Chen family villa, it's warm and cozy, and the festive atmosphere grows stronger every day.

Chen Xi and Chen Miao had already flown back from abroad. This Spring Festival was the first time in recent years that their whole family had reunited in China, which was of great significance.

For Su Yuqing, this was the first time she had ever welcomed the New Year in a real, loving, and accepting family atmosphere!
Gone is the suffocating, cautious repression I felt when I was bullied by my sick mother in the Li family!

Gone is the coldness of living under someone else's roof in the Su family, filled with comparisons and hypocritical formalities!
Now she is regarded as an indispensable member of the family, cherished like a precious jewel!

For the first time, she experienced a warm and joyful family reunion during the Lunar New Year.

Around the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month, many places in the south are the time for "sanding the new" (year-end cleaning).

Chen Xi enthusiastically directed the entire family to mobilize.

Chen Miao was responsible for climbing up to clean the windows and inspect the courtyard, Chen Mo took on all the technical and physical tasks, and Su Yuqing followed Chen Xi to meticulously wipe the decorations, organize the cabinets, and change the bedding.

At this moment, Su Yuqing is almost no different from someone who has already become a daughter-in-law of the Chen family.

Cheerful New Year songs played inside, sunlight streamed in through the sparkling clean glass windows, and the air was filled with the faint scent of cleaning agents and wax.

"Qingqing, do you think this vase would look good here?" Chen Xi asked Su Yuqing for her opinion, holding up a celadon vase.

The relationship between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law will likely be very harmonious in the future.

Chen Xi dotes on her future daughter-in-law and tries her best to incorporate her considerations and ideas into household affairs.

Her actions did indeed make Su Yuqing forget that she was still an outsider in the family.

"Auntie, it might look more charming if you put it on the corner table next to the TV cabinet, against the backdrop of the ink painting," Su Yuqing suggested after taking a closer look.

“Yes, yes, you young people have good taste!” Chen Xi readily agreed, and the two smiled at each other.

This feeling of contributing to the home together and decorating it together filled Su Yuqing with an unprecedented sense of belonging.

While Su Yuqing was busy with her tasks, Chen Xi suddenly pulled Chen Mo aside.

"You brat, when are you going to stop getting things done with Qingqing? She's like this now, and you're not going to give her a proper status? What kind of behavior is that! I've already accepted her as my daughter-in-law, she's closer to me than my own daughter. You better get on with your business."

Hearing his mother's words, Chen Mo glanced at Su Yuqing and smiled, "Mom, don't worry, I've already made all the preparations. I'll find an opportunity to get it done in the next few days."

"Really?" Chen Xi looked at Chen Mo suspiciously.

"It's more real than pearls. You go ahead and do your thing. Don't worry about me and Yuqing. I've taken care of everything for your son!" Chen Mo said with a grin.

After persuading Chen Xi, Chen Mo had a lot of peace and quiet for the next two days, and he was able to better manage his affairs.

The 28th day of the twelfth lunar month is the peak time for preparing for the New Year.

Chen Mo drove Su Yuqing to the city's largest New Year's market.

It's very crowded and lively here.

In addition to the usual roasted nuts, candies, and dried seafood, it is also full of local specialties.

The food includes crystal-clear mochi, fragrant lamb trotters, auspicious red dumplings, and various fresh seafood and local rice cakes.

The air was filled with the aroma of roasted nuts, the salty smell of seafood, and the warmth of the crowd, creating a unique festive atmosphere.

"Auntie said we should buy more fillings for the rice cake rolls, to eat on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day morning." Su Yuqing held the list and wandered between the stalls, selecting various ingredients.

Chen Mo followed behind, pushing a shopping cart, watching her carefully select items and quietly chat with the stall owner, his eyes filled with tenderness.

He added from time to time, "Add some ginger. In winter, ginger soup noodles and ginger juice with eggs are quite good for warding off the cold."

On her way home, laden with her purchases, Su Yuqing looked out the window at the familiar street scene with red lanterns hanging in the air, her heart filled with anticipation and warmth as she thought about her first full Spring Festival at the Chen family home.

On the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month, we worship our ancestors.

Although the Chen family did not adhere particularly strictly to ancient rituals, they still prepared simple dishes and fruits to offer to their ancestors on the altar in the hall.

Chen Miao, along with Chen Mo and Su Yuqing, devoutly offered incense and bowed to commemorate their ancestors and pray for blessings in the coming year.

The ceremony was simple yet solemn, allowing Su Yuqing to feel a sense of solemn warmth regarding the inheritance of bloodlines and the continuation of family.

On New Year's Eve, I started getting busy early in the morning.

Chen Xi was the main force in preparing the New Year's Eve dinner, while Su Yuqing helped out by learning how to make food rolls—scalding the dough, stir-frying a variety of fillings (shredded meat, bean sprouts, fried noodles, shredded eggs, dried tofu, etc.), and then carefully rolling them into rolls.

Chen Mo followed Chen Miao to put up Spring Festival couplets, hang lanterns, and inspect the decorations in the courtyard.

In the evening, Li Fengzhi, accompanied by Li Gang, also brought Li Mingyu to the Chen family.

They originally said they wouldn't come, but since this is Su Yuqing's first New Year at the Chen family home, Chen Xi hopes that both families can have a big reunion together.

Recalling the financial losses she had incurred for her daughter due to her illness in previous years, Li Fengzhi nodded in agreement. Li Gang, who always obeyed her every whim, naturally did whatever she said.

The two families then decided to spend New Year's Eve together.

Li Fengzhi's complexion is much more stable than before. Seeing her daughter busy at the Chen family's house but beaming with happiness, she also felt gratified.

Li Mingyu, like a happy little bird, kept calling Chen Mo "brother-in-law, brother-in-law," full of anticipation for the sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner.

The two families joined together, and Chen Mo's grandparents also came, filling the huge round table to the brim.

Besides the rice cake rolls, there were also braised yellow croaker, poached chicken, and stewed pig's feet, all carefully prepared by Chen Xi, as well as a seafood hot pot, a specialty of Chen Miao.

Of course, the local specialty, brown sugar egg wine, is also a must-have as a warming dessert after the meal.

The Spring Festival Gala was playing on TV, with lively and festive background music.

As the patriarch, Chen Miao raised his glass and offered auspicious wishes: "...In the new year, I hope that our two families... oh no, I mean our family, that all of us can be safe, healthy, harmonious, and happy, and take every step of the future well."

Everyone laughed and raised their glasses in response. Chen Mo gently squeezed Su Yuqing's hand under the table. The warmth from her fingertips made her feel incredibly at ease, and a deep sense of happiness filled Su Yuqing's heart.

During the meal, apart from Li Mingyu, the little guy, she was clearly the darling of the group!

Everyone wants to give her the best food.

This suddenly made Su Yuqing feel like crying.

Having crawled out of the darkness and been surrounded by warm light, she always felt a sense of unreal emptiness.

Is this the happiness I deserve? It's so beautiful and perfect!

Chen Mo noticed her emotions and gently placed his right hand on her back, stroking it lightly.

The clear, warm touch proves that everything is real.

She is so happy!

After the New Year's Eve dinner, the three members of the Li family stayed to keep vigil together, making tonight a lively and joyous reunion.

While the adults chatted and watched the evening show, Chen Mo took Su Yuqing and Li Mingyu to the yard to set off safe electronic firecrackers and handheld fireworks. The dazzling sparks reflected their laughter and joy.

As the clock struck midnight, the sound of firecrackers suddenly became lively, and New Year's greetings came from the television.

Chen Mo leaned close to Su Yuqing's ear and whispered amidst the noise, "Happy New Year, Yuqing. May everything go smoothly in the new year."

Su Yuqing turned around, her eyes reflecting the fireworks and lights, her smile bright: "Happy New Year, may you be healthy in the new year."

As the two were talking, Li Mingyu suddenly looked up at them and said, "May my sister and brother-in-law have a loving and harmonious new year!"

"You little rascal, where did you learn that?" Chen Mo chuckled, squatted down, and patted his head.

"I learned it from TV," Li Mingyu said seriously.

Upon hearing her brother's words, Su Yuqing exchanged a glance with Chen Mo, who was looking up with a wry smile, and both of them broke into hearty smiles.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, people wear new clothes and visit each other to exchange New Year's greetings.

Su Yuqing changed into the new clothes that Chen Xi had specially prepared for her, and followed Chen Mo to wish Chen Xi and Chen Miao a Happy New Year, receiving generous red envelopes and abundant blessings.

New Year's greetings came in droves. Zhou Yue, Lin Xiaoxiao, and Zhao Ya even created a group chat for Su Yuqing, and they all exchanged New Year's wishes in a lively and cheerful atmosphere.

Not long after Su Yuqing hung up, Zhao Yueyue called again, her voice beaming with excitement, promising to get together with her girlfriends after the New Year. Chen Mo was in a similar situation; Wang Lan, Li Zhe, and Shen Xinghe had also created a group chat, and after finishing his conversation with them, Huang Mao, Lin Yu'an, and other friends sent New Year's greetings.

Receiving calls from good friends at this time made them feel very happy and fulfilled.

Over the next few days, we visited relatives and friends, mainly Chen's family members, and enjoyed each family's signature dishes in a leisurely manner.

Su Yuqing completely relaxed and enjoyed this pure, warm, and humane Spring Festival.

Her smile grew brighter and more natural, as if the last trace of past gloom had been washed away by the strong festive atmosphere and the warmth of family affection.

On the eve of the Lantern Festival, the city was already filled with a festive atmosphere.

Various lanterns have begun to be hung in some squares and old streets.

After dinner, Chen Mo said to Su Yuqing, "There's a lantern festival preview by the river tonight. It won't be too crowded. Shall I take you to see it? It'll be part of the festival. It might get too crowded on the actual Lantern Festival in a couple of days."

Su Yuqing readily agreed.

They drove to People's Park.

Sure enough, the large lantern displays were already lit up, but since it wasn't the Lantern Festival yet, the number of visitors wasn't too large.

Various colorful lanterns compete for attention, including traditional dragons, phoenixes, lotus flowers, and zodiac animals, as well as modern creative lanterns, reflecting light on the river surface and making the city lights on the opposite bank look like an inverted galaxy.

Chen Mo held Su Yuqing's hand as they strolled through the river of lights, where shadows and light intertwined.

As they walked, Chen Mo suddenly pulled Su Yuqing onto an upward-facing road.

As she arrived at this point, Su Yuqing began to recall her memories.

Isn't this Juyuan Mountain, the place I visited with Chen Mo before?

There's also a wishing tree on the mountain.

The two of them once hung a wishing plaque on the wishing tree on the mountain.

"Do you remember where this is? After the Lantern Festival decorations, you almost didn't recognize it for a moment," Chen Mo said with a smile to Su Yuqing.

Hearing him say that, Su Yuqing smiled and nodded.

Indeed, the entire environment around the park has been completely transformed by the Lantern Festival decorations.

If it weren't for this uphill road, she really wouldn't have recognized it at all.

"Let's go, there's a surprise on the mountain." Chen Mo pulled Su Yuqing up the mountain, a mysterious smile on his face.

When they reached the top of the mountain, Su Yuqing let out a soft "ah".

The familiar wishing tree in front of me has also become part of the lantern festival—its branches are not only wrapped with layers of red silk and wooden plaques, but also adorned with warm yellow strings of lights, like stars perched on the treetops, echoing the sea of ​​lights along the riverbank below the mountain.

A night breeze rustled through the trees, causing the wooden signs to tap gently and the string lights to flicker on and off, as if the entire tree were breathing softly.

They once held hands under the tree, hanging a wooden sign filled with their secrets.

At this moment, the wishing tree is illuminated like an ancient witness, standing quietly in the shifting light and shadow.

Chen Mo led Su Yuqing through the dappled sunlight filtering through the trees to a relatively open platform.

Here, directly opposite is a set of huge twin lotus lanterns, the lanterns slowly rotating, their pink and white light flowing, symbolizing "twin flowers blooming, a perfect match made in heaven".

Tourists came and went, their laughter faintly audible, but the halo created by the lotus lanterns and the wishing tree perfectly enclosed a quiet and romantic little world.

Chen Mo stopped and turned to face Su Yuqing.

The wind atop the mountain gently tousled her hair, with the shimmering wishing tree and the city's starry night sky stretching out behind her.

He looked into her clear eyes and took a dark blue velvet box from the inside pocket of his coat.

Su Yuqing suddenly realized something, and her heart skipped a beat.

"Do you remember the four English words I wrote down when the shop gave us the laser engraving service the day I gave you the phone?" Chen Mo asked Su Yuqing with a mysterious smile.

Upon hearing this, Su Yuqing abruptly took out her phone and turned it over to face down.

The four letters CMMM are clearly engraved on it!

"When you asked me what these four letters meant back then, I didn't tell you because the time wasn't right. At that time, I could only explain the first two letters to you, but now I can confidently tell you the last two letters."

"You think CM is an abbreviation of my name? You're right and wrong at the same time. These two letters represent a message I want to convey to you..."

Su Yuqing slowed her breathing, her face filled with shock as she listened quietly to Chen Mo's words. She never imagined that so long ago, Chen Mo would already have something to say to her.

She was also very curious about what the CM actually represented.

"The meaning of CM is what I wanted to say to you most at that time. Because of your existence, I was able to say the words 'complete me'!"

"You complete me!" This is a phrase that should be used between lovers, so please forgive me for not being able to say it at the time.

As for the last two letters, I must explain them to you clearly before I do. Now I can confidently say this to you directly: I'm giving you the four letters CMMM because I want to convey this message to you one day—you complete me! Marry me!

The moment Chen Mo finished speaking, he simultaneously opened the velvet box in his hand!

Su Yuqing's senses suddenly slowed down a billion times!
Everything around—the rotating lanterns, the fluttering red silk, the faint sounds of the city in the distance, even time itself—seemed to fade and fall silent in an instant. Only the person in front of me, and the diamond ring that had been opened and was lying quietly in the velvet lining, were crystal clear.

Bathed in the warm light of the twin lotus blossoms and the twinkling lights on the tree, the ring refracted a radiance far more concentrated and captivating than any other light source.

Chen Mo paused for a few seconds without speaking, but just looked at her deeply, his eyes filled with a love that had accumulated over the years and deepened and solidified under the festive lights at this moment.

Only after confirming that Su Yuqing had somewhat recovered from the shock did he continue speaking.

"Yuqing." His voice wasn't loud, but it steadily pierced through the breeze and the faint noise, reaching Su Yuqing's ears. "Remember when we came here last time, you hung up a wish for the 'Three Treasures of Humanity'? At that time, I thought that one day, I would make the 'treasure' of 'love' come into reality, and come into reality between you and me."

He took a half-step forward, so close they could feel the faint white mist between their breaths, his voice low and solemn: "This Spring Festival, I watched you put up Spring Festival couplets, wrap rice cakes, smile as you received red envelopes, and be pampered by the whole family… Every moment filled my heart with a picture of our 'family,' making it fuller and clearer. I don't want to wait any longer. The Lantern Festival is a day of reunion, the end of the New Year celebrations, and the prelude to a new chapter. Under this tree where we hung our wishes together, before this lotus flower that illuminates our marriage—I want to tell you again…"

He slowly knelt on one knee, raised the ring box, and looked up into her eyes. "Su Yuqing, I love you. It's not just the joy of everyday life, but the desire to spend every ordinary, warm day like this with you forever. Every year from now on, we'll put up Spring Festival couplets together, stay up late on New Year's Eve, watch lanterns together, experience the four seasons and three meals a day together, and grow old together. Are you willing to give me that right, to let me rightfully participate in every day of your future?"

The surrounding lights seemed to focus on him at this moment.

The wooden plaques on the wishing tree tapped gently in the wind, producing a soft, rhythmic tinkling sound, like the gentlest accompaniment.

Su Yuqing's vision was instantly blurred by tears, but the corners of her mouth turned up high, blooming into a smile brighter and happier than a twin lotus flower.

All the past hardships, loneliness, and coldness have been completely covered and melted away by the boundless warmth and light before my eyes.

She nodded vigorously, tears streaming down her face, yet carrying an endless sweetness. Her voice choked with emotion, yet incredibly clear and resolute: "I do! Chen Mo, I do! I'm willing to spend every New Year with you, to see every lantern with you, to become your wife, to... to spend the rest of my life with you, never to leave you! You complete me! This is what I also want to say to you!"

A relieved and joyful smile spread across Chen Mo's face, his eyes sparkling like stars.

He carefully took out the ring, lifted Su Yuqing's slightly trembling left hand, and solemnly and steadily put the ring on her ring finger.

The size was perfect, and the cool touch was quickly warmed by the body heat of the two people.

He stood up, embraced the overjoyed Su Yuqing tightly, and planted a deep, lingering kiss on her lips.

After a while, upon hearing the commotion of nearby tourists, they blushed slightly and separated a bit.

Chen Mo whispered in her ear, his voice trembling with laughter and immense satisfaction: "Thank you, my wife. Happy New Year, Happy Lantern Festival, and... may every day from now on be happy."

Su Yuqing opened her mouth, but the word "husband" made her too shy to say it. Her pretty face turned red, making her look incredibly cute and charming.

Tourists nearby noticed this romantic scene and offered them kind smiles.

A river breeze blows across the mountaintop, fluttering the red ribbons and strings of lights hanging from the wishing tree, creating swaying shadows and the wooden plaques whispering softly.

The twin lotus lanterns continue to rotate slowly, their radiance overflowing, and together with the warm light emanating from the trees, they seem to offer the most enduring and beautiful blessings to the couple who made their lifelong vows at the end of the festival, at the place where they once prayed.

At the beginning of the new year, a perfect match has been made. In the long years to come, this lamp of the heart and this tree of long-cherished wishes will gently illuminate the path.

[Final Remarks: Basically, everything that needed to be explained and written has been written, and the foreshadowing that had been buried for so long has finally been resolved.]

The culprit has been caught, and the male and female protagonists have achieved their happy ending. Let's conclude the main story here!

Further chapters will simply depict their loving daily life, so there's no need to continue describing it. If necessary, we could add some epilogues to supplement the story with their marriage and having children; otherwise, let's end it here. (End of Chapter)