Chapter 190: Acceptance
Chapter 190: Acceptance
Traffic jam.
Chen Mo looked out the window at the endless line of cars, his face full of helplessness. He wouldn’t be able to make it home tonight. This New Year’s Eve, he was probably going to spend it outside.
After sitting in the car for several hours and still stuck on the road, Xiaoyu was tired and had fallen asleep in Chen Mo’s arms, resting sweetly.
It was 10 PM, and the traffic showed no sign of moving quickly.
“Black Eagle, we’re not going back tonight. Let’s find a hotel and stay for the night,” Chen Mo lowered his voice, afraid of waking Xiaoyu in his arms.
Black Eagle, sitting in the driver’s seat, gazed at the bustling traffic outside, his eyes a bit distant and tinged with sadness. Only after hearing Chen Mo’s words did Black Eagle snap back to attention.
“Okay.”
Black Eagle turned the steering wheel and slowly moved into the lane closer to the side.
“Something on your mind?” Chen Mo sensed Black Eagle’s low spirits.
“Today is the anniversary of two comrades’ deaths. I feel a bit emotional,” Black Eagle glanced at Xiaoyu in Chen Mo’s arms through the rearview mirror, trying to keep his voice down. “Behind this prosperous and peaceful life, many people paid with their lives and blood. Some stories, ordinary people will never know.”
“Can I hear about it?”
Chen Mo covered Xiaoyu’s ears with his clothes, afraid their conversation would wake her.
Black Eagle thought for a moment before speaking.
“Last New Year’s Eve, we received a special mission. It was our team’s last mission before retirement, and we carried it out together with the team that included Wang Hai’s fiancée. They had already set their wedding date for the Lantern Festival, right after the mission ended. That mission was completed successfully, but we lost two comrades—on New Year’s Eve.”
Black Eagle spoke softly; keeping these words bottled up made him feel bad inside.
“Wang Hai’s fiancée fell right before his eyes. Wang Hai, who had never made a sound even during hellish training, broke down at that moment. For the whole month after, Wang Hai was a wreck, drinking to get through the days.”
Black Eagle’s voice was full of emotion.
“Things are very stable in the country now, but the hidden struggles have never stopped. It’s just that ordinary people don’t know. Many people guard this peace with their lives every day.”
His words made Chen Mo recall the information he had seen about Wang Hai before. The special operation Black Eagle mentioned must have been Operation Cobra.
Chen Mo could only sigh softly.
The car soon turned out of the traffic jam and headed towards a hotel not far away.
The night passed without further conversation.
Early the next morning, while there weren’t many cars on the road, Chen Mo and Xiaoyu got up early to hurry home.
Xiaoyu was a bit nervous. Her hand, held by Chen Mo, was sweaty, and she followed him closely as they entered an upscale residential complex.
Her mind was racing—how should she address Chen Mo’s parents once she entered their home? Before, as a girlfriend, she could call them Uncle and Aunt, but now her status was different.
Only when they reached the door and Mother Chen came out smiling did Xiaoyu snap out of it.
“Mom.”
The word slipped out, and the air froze for two seconds. When she said it, Chen Mo was stunned, and Xiaoyu was too.
“…A…Auntie,” Xiaoyu corrected herself, flustered.
“You’re wearing the ring now, no need to call me Auntie,” Mother Chen said with a laugh, looking at the ring on Xiaoyu’s finger.
“Mom,” Xiaoyu said, a bit nervous and awkward.
“Yes,” Mother Chen’s face broke into a wide smile, as if she had become ten years younger. “Come, dear, come inside.” Mother Chen ignored Chen Mo, took Xiaoyu’s hand, and led her into the house.
“Dad.”
Seeing Father Chen on the sofa, Xiaoyu hesitated for a moment before speaking, then stuck her tongue out at Chen Mo.
“Yes, good, good. It’s good that you’re back,” Father Chen said, a surprised and happy smile on his face, fully accepting this daughter-in-law.
“Here, this is a New Year’s red envelope from me,” Mother Chen said, not even waiting for Xiaoyu to get settled, taking out a red envelope and putting it in her hand.
“It’s not much, just for good luck. If you want to buy anything, have Chen Mo buy it for you. Our family doesn’t have any heirlooms, so yesterday Chen Mo’s dad and I went out and bought a pair of jade bracelets—they’re for you too. Try them on.”
As she spoke, she took out a box and handed it to Xiaoyu.
“Thank you, Mom.”
Xiaoyu felt touched inside. The third time she said it felt much more natural, not as stiff as at first.
“This is a New Year’s red envelope from me,” Father Chen also took out a red envelope and handed it to Xiaoyu.
“Thank you, Dad,” Xiaoyu said as she took the red envelope.
“Well, from now on, this is your home. Don’t feel too restrained,” Father Chen said with a smile.
“What about my red envelope?” Chen Mo said gloomily.
“You set off yesterday afternoon and should have been home last night. Since you didn’t bring Xiaoyu back sooner, your red envelope will come later too,” Mother Chen said with pretend annoyance.
“Traffic jam,” Chen Mo said helplessly. Now that they had a daughter-in-law, they didn’t want their son anymore. He didn’t know how to describe his feelings. He turned and saw Xiaoyu showing off her two red envelopes to him.
The two of them put away their luggage, rested a little, and then left together to go to your aunt’s house for New Year. Both families were small, so every New Year they would go to one house to celebrate together—more people meant more fun.
Last year, Aunt Zhen’s family came over; this year, they went there.
Aunt Zhen’s house was next to theirs. Back when Chen Mo had his father buy the property, he gave one set to Aunt Zhen’s family. Both homes were large units, nearly thirty million each, fully furnished and decorated.
The complex had a good environment and good security. Both families had moved in now, so they could look out for each other. They visited often, so the parents wouldn’t lack company.
“Aunt Zhen, Uncle, Happy New Year,” Xiaoyu said as soon as she entered.
“Oh, Chen Mo and Xiaoyu are both back.”
Aunt Zhen’s face lit up with joy when she saw Xiaoyu. She really liked this sensible girl, which was why she had wanted to introduce her to Chen Mo in the first place.
“The food is just ready. Come in, let’s talk while we eat.”
“This is a New Year’s red envelope from me and your Aunt Zhen,” Zhang Yang took out two red envelopes and handed them to Xiaoyu.
“Thank you, Uncle,” Xiaoyu said with a smile as she accepted the red envelopes.
“Brother, Sister-in-law Xiaoyu,” Zhang Xinxin rushed over when she saw them. “Happy New Year, Brother. Where’s my red envelope?”
Chen Mo took out a red envelope and gave it to Xinxin. “You’re on break this year—why didn’t you come to our place?”
“Afraid of disturbing your couple time. If I went, I’d just be third-wheeling and getting dog food thrown at me. No way I’m going,” Xinxin giggled, unceremoniously pocketing the red envelope.
The seven of them sat down. Unlike previous years, there was one more person at the table this year—Xiaoyu. Xiaoyu wasn’t as nervous as before; she was getting used to her role now. Gaining the unanimous acceptance and blessings of Chen Mo’s family was the luckiest thing for her.
“Chen Mo, you two need to hurry up. Your parents keep talking about wanting a grandchild at home. Xiaoyu, what do you think?” Zhang Yang teased with a laugh.
“I’ll listen to Chen Mo.”
Xiaoyu’s face was naturally a bit shy; being asked like that by Zhang Yang, her cheeks turned slightly red. She responded and busied herself pouring wine for Father Chen and Zhang Yang.
“There’s no rush for this. We’ve waited over twenty years—Mom and Dad won’t mind waiting a couple more years,” Chen Mo said.
“Who said I’m not in a hurry? I wish I could hold a grandchild this year,” Mother Chen spoke up.
“Brother, Aunt is calling you out. You and Sister-in-law Xiaoyu should hurry up and have a chubby baby—I want to be an aunt!”
Xin Xin’s words made everyone at the table laugh.
The reunion dinner was finished in a warm atmosphere. After the meal, the two families left home to go shopping. The squares and flower markets were bustling now, packed with people, full of New Year’s joy everywhere.
Many people were out with their families, smiles on their faces. It was rare for Chen Mo to spend time with his family; holding Xiaoyu’s hand, he quietly walked alongside his parents.