1.24

Su Mo's head throbbed with pain, and his mind raced with a flood of unsettling thoughts.

Why was Yin Yin suddenly wanting to go back with him? Did she believe what his mother said and now intend to divorce him?

The possibility of this shook Su Mo to his core. The thought of Yin Yin leaving him was like a knife to his heart, causing a deep, heart-wrenching pain.

His eyes reddened, and for the first time, the strong and patient Su Mo allowed tears to fall. His hand, gripping Yin Yin's shoulder, trembled as he pleaded, "Sister Yin Yin, please don't divorce me. I'm willing to do anything you ask. I only love you and want to be with you and Dudu. I don't want anyone else. Please don't leave me."

The prospect of losing her left Su Mo feeling hollow, as if he had plunged into a cold, endless abyss.

"Sister Yin Yin, please don't divorce me," he begged with humility.

Suddenly, a child's cry pierced the air.

Su Yuanjin, who had been quietly reading on the sofa, stood at the door of their room, tears streaming down his face.

With short legs running quickly, he threw himself onto Yin Yin's lap and whimpered like a small, wounded animal, "Mom, please don't get a divorce. Don't leave me and Dad, okay?"

The little boy's tears and trembling body were heartbreaking. He wasn't naive; he understood what divorce meant. It meant his parents would separate, and he would be left without a mother again. His father might remarry, have more children, and no longer love him.

"Mom, please don't leave Dudu and Dad," he sobbed, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

The past few months, with their family together, had been a source of immense happiness for him. He didn't want to lose that.

Yin Yin was momentarily stunned, watching the two crying figures, one large and one small, feeling a mixture of emotions.

"What are you thinking? When did I say I wanted a divorce? When did I say we'd separate?"

Both Su Mo and Su Yuanjin were taken aback, their faces marked by tears.

Su Yuanjin was the first to respond, his voice hopeful, "Mom, are you telling the truth?"

"Of course, I'm telling the truth," Yin Yin said, picking him up and holding him close. "How could I bear to leave Dudu? Now, go read a book for a while. Mommy needs to talk to Daddy."

"Okay," Su Yuanjin said, his tears drying as he kissed Yin Yin and left the room.

Once Su Yuanjin was gone, Yin Yin looked at Su Mo, whose eyes were still wet. He looked like a forlorn puppy, tail between his legs.

Su Mo took Yin Yin's hand, seeking reassurance. "You really won't leave and divorce me?"

"Of course not," Yin Yin replied gently. "You're a wonderful husband, and we have Dudu. How could I possibly leave you?"

Su Mo hesitated, "But you mentioned wanting to go back to my hometown. Isn't that to get a divorce?"

Yin Yin flicked his forehead lightly. She found it endearing yet frustrating how clueless Su Mo could be.

"We've been married for four years," she said. "I've taken their son but never visited them. I think it's time we go back as a family of three for the New Year. And when we do, we'll make our relationship public and plan a wedding. Your parents will definitely be there."

-----

Su Mo was surprised to learn that Yin Yin's offer to visit his parents stemmed from her desire to ease his family's concerns. His parents, despite not being wealthy, had always strived to give him the best. They had grown anxious seeing Su Mo follow Yin Yin without any formal status, rarely visiting and not having Yin Yin visit them. They felt that Yin Yin didn't care for Su Mo, which led them to pressure him into considering divorce.

Su Mo had always cared deeply about his family's opinion, even though he never mentioned it to Yin Yin. He loved her and wanted her to love him just as much. Now, he was genuinely relieved and overjoyed that Yin Yin had taken the initiative to bring Dudu to meet his parents.

"So, are you willing to go back with me? Or do you still want to meet that woman from the private company…" Before Yin Yin could finish, Su Mo silenced her with a kiss, murmuring, "Yes, I'd love to."

---

On the 23rd day of the lunar year, the family of three boarded a plane bound for G City, Su Mo's hometown.

In Jinxiang Town, G City, a middle-aged woman stood anxiously in front of a charming, historic Western-style house. Her worry was evident as she glanced down the street.

A middle-aged man, dressed in an apron and exuding an air of elegance despite his age, came outside. He said, "You've been waiting here for nearly twenty minutes. You should go inside."

"No, I'll wait here. Xiaomo said they were already on the way by taxi, so they should be here soon." She hesitated, then added, "I'm just a bit worried."

"Worried about what?"

Su's mother hesitated before answering, "The call two nights ago was answered by Dudu's mother. She heard everything I said. What if she felt hurt? Although Xiaomo said she didn't mind, I can't shake my unease."

She was concerned that Dudu's mother, who clearly had a significant place in her son's life, might be upset and direct her anger towards him, causing him unnecessary suffering.

Father Su, knowing his son's deep affection for Dudu's mother, sighed and said, "You're to blame for this. Xiaomo is devoted to Dudu's mother. How could you think of suggesting a divorce?" He knew that Su Mo was deeply committed to Dudu's mother, to the point where he would sacrifice anything for her.

He could only hope that Dudu's mother was as good as she seemed and would not disappoint his son.

Feeling some regret, Mother Su stammered, "I only did it for Xiaomo's sake."

Father Su said no more and returned to the kitchen, needing to prepare the meal before the family arrived.

---

"Teacher Su, what are you waiting for?" a middle-aged woman, roughly Su's mother's age, asked.

Su's father was the principal of Jinxiang Town Middle School, and Su's mother was a teacher there. Locals affectionately referred to them as "Principal Su" and "Teacher Su."

Mother Su, with her gentle demeanor, replied with a soft smile, "It's almost the New Year, and Xiaomo is bringing his wife and child back."

"It's Xiaomo coming back! This will be the first time he's brought them home. I'm looking forward to meeting them properly," the neighbor said excitedly.

In Jinxiang Town, Su Mo was well-regarded by everyone—whether elderly, adults, or children. Not only was he good-looking, but he also had a pleasant temperament.

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