Shocking! A three-year-old brings his aloof mother to their door.

"No—" Jiang Hui drawled, grabbing his ear with a light but firm grip, her words carrying an unyielding air.

"What's said is said. Come on, let's go back inside and 'collect the money'!"

"Xiao Hui! Xiao Hui, listen to me! I'm getting old! My back is killing me!"

It's still daytime! Ouch! Be gentle! Help...

The "wailing" from Mo Chashan disappeared behind the tightly closed door.

"Bang!"

The door was slammed shut and locked.

Half an hour later.

The bedroom door of the Mo family's old house creaked open. Mo Chashan, supporting his back, walked out with slightly unsteady steps.

His face bore a complex and indescribable expression—three parts satisfaction, three parts exhaustion, and four parts longing for freedom and tobacco.

He moved to the main room, took out the old water pipe from the drawer, touched the empty tobacco pouch, and smacked his lips.

Ultimately, he couldn't resist his smoking habit, so he pocketed the ten yuan that Jiang Hui had "mercifully" given him and limped toward the village store at the entrance.

"Uncle Niu, a pack of cigarettes, please." Mo Chashan leaned against the counter, his voice still a little hoarse.

Uncle Niu, who runs a small shop, was listening to opera on the radio. Hearing the sound, he looked up, saw it was him, and immediately a familiar smile spread across his face.

"Hey waiter, out of 'food' again?"

He glanced at Mo Chashan from head to toe, his gaze lingering subtly on the hand that was supporting his waist, and his smile became even more meaningful:

"I just got a new batch of cigarettes, all filtered. Want to try them? They're much more stylish than your hookah."

Mo Chashan, mindful of the purchasing power of ten yuan, cautiously asked, "What brand is it? How much does it cost?"

"Double Happiness! A big brand! Only eleven yuan!" Uncle Niu enthusiastically recommended.

Mo Chashan's lips twitched, and he squeezed the sweaty ten-yuan bill in his hand, a disdainful expression on his face:

"Ugh, that stuff's not strong enough! It's all for young guys, no flavor at all! I still prefer my old-timer's cigarette, it's got the kick!"

Uncle Niu didn't press the issue. He turned around with a smile and took out a bag of loose tobacco wrapped in oil paper from the bottom shelf, placing it on the counter: "This is the kind you usually smoke, five yuan."

Mo Chashan breathed a sigh of relief and quickly handed over ten yuan: "This is it."

Uncle Niu was making change while casually chatting:

"By the way, I just overheard your wife chatting with someone in the yard, saying that Mo Ye... has a daughter? Is it true?"

There are no secrets in the village; Jiang Hui's excited "propaganda" that afternoon had already drifted into the ears of many people.

Mo Chashan took the tobacco and the five yuan change, nodded, and couldn't hide his smile:

"Yes, really. Her name is Tongtong, she's three years old, and she looks exactly like Mo Ye when he was little."

"Whoa!" Uncle Niu exclaimed, his mouth agape in surprise.

"This isn't like the way you Mexicans do things! With your dad's temper... he'd probably grab something if he found out!"

Everyone knows that Old Master Mo values ​​rules the most.

Mo Chashan lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and the pungent smoke made him squint slightly.

He exhaled a long puff of smoke, smiled, and spoke in a calm tone:

"Children and grandchildren have their own blessings. As his father, I raised him to adulthood and sent him away to study. The rest of his life is up to him."

Whether it's good or bad, he has to bear the consequences himself.

I'm getting old, and I'm too lazy to care about so much anymore. As long as I act with a clear conscience, that's enough.

Uncle Niu listened and nodded silently, quite agreeing with the sentiment:

"That's true. It's everyone's first time being a person, a father. We're all feeling our way across the river. Why make life so hard?"

"Yes." Mo Chashan took another drag of his cigarette, gazing at the deepening twilight outside the window with a distant look in his eyes.

He didn't say anything more. Uncle Chongniu waved his hand, took the cigarettes, pocketed the five yuan change, and slowly walked home.

.....

Qingzhuyuan Villa.

Mo Ye breathed a long sigh of relief after finishing a phone call with his father.

It seems I've successfully overcome the parental hurdle.

Although there is still a huge mountain to climb over on Grandpa's side, at least there is some buffer time.

He turned to look at He Wanqing in his arms, only to find that she had already sat up straight at some point.

Her beautiful brows furrowed slightly, and her fingers unconsciously swiped across the phone screen, clearly indicating that she was somewhat restless.

"What's wrong?" Mo Ye reached out and gently ruffled her hair.

He Wanqing raised her head, her almond-shaped eyes showing a rare hint of nervousness and trepidation:

"The Dragon Boat Festival... is just around the corner, only a week away." She bit her lower lip.

How many people are in your family? What do they all like?

Are there any particular taboos? What...what gift should I prepare?

A series of questions were thrown out, revealing her inner turmoil.

The first time she met her lover's elders as a "daughter-in-law" and "granddaughter-in-law" still made her feel pressured.

Seeing her nervous expression, Mo Ye took her hand, his warm palm enveloping her slightly cool fingertips, his voice gentle yet firm:

"Don't be nervous. My family is very small, just my parents, my grandparents, and my uncle. As for the gift..."

He smiled:

"If you go with Tongtong, that would be the best gift."

I'll arrange the rest later, don't worry about it. Relax, just think of it as... coming home.

He spoke the word "go home" softly, yet it struck He Wanqing's heart with a heavy weight.

Looking into his gentle yet firm eyes, the slight panic in her heart was strangely soothed.

Yes, he's here.

"Mmm." She responded softly, snuggling back into his arms, leaning against his firm chest, listening to his steady heartbeat, slowly relaxing, picking up her phone, and casually scrolling through it.

Mo Ye also picked up her phone, thought for a moment, and sent Pang Siyi a message: "Want to go back together for the Dragon Boat Festival this year?"

Pang Siyi quickly replied:

[No Mexican this year! Qianyue and I have made plans to go on a trip for a few days during the holiday!]

Hehe, our first official date trip! [Rubbing hands.jpg]

Mo Ye stared at the message, momentarily stunned.

tourism?

It seems he has never actually gone on a proper trip with Wanqing and Tongtong.

Once this thought arose, it was like a seed falling into my heart.

I must find an opportunity to go see the world with them in the future.

He replied: "Okay, have fun. How about a get-together tonight? Let's invite Asahi."

Pang Siyi immediately replied with an OK gesture:

[Absolutely! Should we invite my sister-in-law and Tongtong along? I haven't seen Tongtong in so long, I miss her terribly!]

Mo Ye looked down at He Wanqing in his arms and asked, "A few friends of mine want to get together for dinner tonight. Do you want to come along?"

He Wanqing was browsing financial news when she heard this and nodded: "Sure. How many people are there?"

"I've invited Shen Qing and Wang Jie, plus Xiao Pang and Qian Yue, plus you and Tong Tong, that's seven. Do you want to invite a friend too?" Mo Ye pondered.

He Wanqing thought for a moment and said, "I'll ask my best friend Qin Yue! She's off today and should be free."

.........