First, then, love.

As the temperature dropped day by day, winter arrived, bringing with it the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month.

As the Spring Festival approaches, red lanterns are hung all over the streets and alleys, and the festive atmosphere is getting stronger and stronger.

The two agreed that they would first go back to the Shu family home before the Lunar New Year to spend New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with Shu's parents, and then fly north on the second day of the Lunar New Year to visit the He family's grandfather.

10:00 AM.

The SUV rolled over the remaining snow on the road and came to a steady stop in the courtyard of a high-end villa in the eastern part of the city.

This is Shuyao's grandmother's house.

Since her grandmother passed away and her grandfather developed dementia, Shuyao's parents have come here every year for the Lunar New Year.

The car door opened.

He Zheng stepped out of the car with his long legs.

Today he wore a dark navy cashmere coat over a black turtleneck sweater, paired with slim-fitting dark trousers.

My hair was cut shorter, a buzz cut, neat and energetic.

This outfit softened his fierce and murderous aura, adding a touch of calm masculinity, but his broad shoulders and narrow waist still exuded a raw and imposing presence.

Shu Yao got out of the passenger seat, wearing a bright red double-faced wool coat, looking radiant and charming.

"Open the trunk," she instructed.

He Zheng walked to the back of the car and pressed the button.

The trunk door slowly rose, revealing that it was packed full.

Cases of Moutai liquor, premium cordyceps, two boxes of top-grade rock sugar bird's nest, and several Hermes silk scarves and cashmere scarves that Shu Yao personally picked out at the mall.

All the items were top-notch. He Zheng didn't even blink when he swiped his card. This was his first time celebrating the New Year as a son-in-law, and he had to be impeccable in observing the proper etiquette.

Without saying a word, he stretched out his large hand.

Use both hands.

He held several heavy boxes of liquor and tonics lightly in his hands, with two gift boxes hanging on his arm.

His back was ramrod straight, and he didn't even pant.

Shu Yao, empty-handed and wearing small leather boots, followed behind him and pushed open the villa's door.

"Dad, Mom! We're back!"

A warm breeze, mixed with the aroma of tea, wafted over.

The living room was lively. Besides Mr. and Mrs. Shu, two stylishly dressed middle-aged women were also sitting on the sofa.

They are Shu Yao's eldest and second aunts.

These two aunts weren't exactly wicked people, but they were typical wealthy, gossipy, and snobbish women who loved to compare their husbands and children with each other among the relatives.

Upon hearing the noise, the four elders all turned their gazes toward the entrance.

Upon seeing Shu Yao, Shu's mother immediately greeted her with a beaming smile.

"Oh, Yao Yao is back! Come in, come in, it must be cold outside."

Shu's mother's gaze naturally fell on the tall, imposing man behind Shu Yao, who was carrying large and small bags.

"Hello Mom, hello Dad," He Zheng nodded, his voice deep and resonant.

He placed the heavy object in his hand steadily in the corner of the entryway.

Mr. Shu sat on a single sofa made of huanghuali wood, holding a purple clay teapot in his hand. He put the teapot down and said with a smile, "You're here. Don't stand, come in and sit down."

He Zheng took off his coat, hung it on the coat rack, and followed Shu Yao into the living room.

The eyes of his eldest and second aunts scanned He Zheng back and forth like radar.

He wasn't wearing an expensive watch or any luxury clothing with big logos.

He doesn't look like a pampered rich person; instead, he exudes a rough, unrefined vibe.

The two registered their marriage but haven't held a wedding ceremony yet, so Shu Fu and Shu's mother haven't publicized He Zheng's family background.

Although Shu's mother was vain, she became more low-key after the two families had dinner together, all for the sake of her daughter and son-in-law, and even deleted her old posts on social media.

My aunt rolled her eyes, grabbed a handful of melon seeds, and smiled somewhat insincerely.

"Yaoyao, is this your husband, Xiao He, whom you've already married? Right?"

Shu Yao pulled He Zheng to sit down on the double sofa, her brows furrowing almost imperceptibly.

She knew her two aunts' character all too well; they never said anything nice.

"Yes, Aunt, Second Aunt, this is He Zheng," Shu Yao said in a nonchalant tone.

My second aunt picked up her teacup and blew on the tea leaves floating on top.

"Xiao He, I heard from Yao Yao's mother that you're a special police officer?" Auntie drawled, her eyes revealing undisguised criticism. "That job must be tough; you're never home."

He Zheng stood with his back straight and his hands casually resting on his knees.

"It's alright, it's my duty," he replied succinctly and without any ambiguity.

He was not good with words and was too lazy to play any roundabout language games with these women in the inner quarters.

My aunt spat the sunflower seed shells into the trash can and clapped her hands.

"It's hard work, but the salary isn't high either, is it? The civil servants here only make a few thousand or a little over ten thousand a month at most."

She glanced sideways at the expensive coat Shu Yao was wearing, then changed the subject.

"Our Yaoyao has been spoiled since she was a child. She's used to spending money extravagantly. One of her bags is worth more than half a year's salary for you. You two didn't even have a proper wedding. You just got your marriage certificate without any explanation. How are you going to live together from now on?"

My second aunt immediately chimed in, and they sang in unison.

"That's right. Being a special police officer is dangerous, not to mention what would happen if something went wrong. Wouldn't Yao Yao be left to live a life of widowhood? Xiao He, I'm not trying to criticize you, but if you're going to marry our Yao Yao, you have to have the financial means. Marriage is about matching social status, and your circumstances are really unfair to our Yao Yao."

The implication in her words was practically a direct accusation that He Zheng was a poor soldier and unworthy of Shu Yao's pampered life.

He Zheng listened to these harsh words.

His expression remained unchanged. He was too lazy to explain how many zeros were in his account, nor was he bothered to mention the He family's background; there was no need.

But Shu Yao couldn't stand it.

She has a short temper and explodes easily.

She could call He Zheng a caveman, she could call him rude and barbaric, but no one else could, not even a single word.

Protecting her own is her instinct.

Shu Yao's peach blossom eyes widened instantly, her jaw clenched, and her face darkened completely.

She sat up abruptly, about to retort.

Just then.

"Bang!"

A muffled thud.

Mr. Shu placed the purple clay teacup he was holding heavily on the mahogany tea table.

A few drops of tea splashed out and landed on the table.

In the living room, the two aunts who had been chattering away just moments before suddenly fell silent, as if they had been choked, startled.

Shu's father's face was ashen, exuding an imposing aura even without anger.

He glanced coldly at his two younger sisters, his eyes sharp.

"It's Chinese New Year, if you can't speak properly, then shut up."

Shu's father's voice wasn't loud, but it was incredibly imposing.

"Xiao He is doing the work of protecting our country, shedding blood and sweat. He's a real man. Without these policemen risking their lives outside, would you all be sitting here comfortably eating sunflower seeds and drinking tea?"

The aunt's face paled, but she stubbornly muttered, "Brother, I'm only doing this for Yao Yao's own good, I feel sorry for her..."

"You don't need to feel sorry for me."

At this moment, Shu's mother also stepped forward, completely abandoning the usual formalities and fiercely protecting her son.

She walked over to Shu Yao, patted her daughter's shoulder, and looked at her two sisters-in-law with a cold gaze.

"Does the Shu family lack money? Yaoyao can earn her own living, and her father and I can support her for life. Do we need to be after that man's meager salary?"

Shu's mother sneered, her words flying like knives.

"When I choose a son-in-law, I don't look at how much money he has in his account. I only look at whether he can protect my daughter with his life. I find Xiao He pleasing to the eye, reliable, and dependable. That's enough."

"As for the wedding, it was the two children's own choice to keep it low-key, and it's none of the business of outsiders to interfere."

After finishing speaking, Shu's mother turned to look at He Zheng, and the cold smile on her face instantly turned into a kind and gentle smile.

"Xiao He, don't mind them. You must be tired from the journey. Mom made you some soup. Come on, wash your hands and eat."

The eldest and second aunts were speechless, their faces turning pale and then red, so embarrassed they could practically dig a three-bedroom apartment out of the mahogany floor with their toes.

The two chuckled awkwardly, too embarrassed to stay any longer. They made up an excuse and slunk away with their bags.

The living room became quiet again.

Shu Yao turned her head and looked at He Zheng sitting next to her.

He was drinking tea with his head down, his jawline taut and his eyes deep.

Shu Yao quietly reached out from under the table and grasped his rough, calloused hand.

Her fingers forcefully squeezed between his, their fingers intertwined tightly.

He Zheng paused, then gripped her tightly with his other hand, so hard that it hurt her bones, but it felt very reassuring.

He didn't speak, but everything was understood without being told.