Driving along the newly paved concrete road, Chen Zheng's truck entered Mumu Village like a valiant, unhindered warrior. The vehicle's streamlined silhouette sparkled in the sunlight, reminiscent of a shooting star slashing across the sky, drawing admiration and cheers from the village's youth.

Their faces were brimming with enthusiastic smiles as they greeted Chen Zheng in the driver's seat. Li Hao also earned his fair share of praise.

Liu Qianqian, the normally quiet woman, was now blushing with a racing heart, shyly accepting everyone's friendly shouts. Her emotions fluttered, torn between excitement and nervousness, like a small bird.

Before long, the two cars arrived at the gate of Chen Zheng's home. Although his house was not luxurious, life there was full of happiness and contentment. This was a cozy little world, with a gate three meters wide, large enough to embrace all laughter and joy.

"Mom, open up!" Chen Zheng called from the car.

He leisurely exited the vehicle and opened the trunk, which was filled with New Year's goods. At the same moment, Li Hao jumped out of his car, his own hands full of carefully selected holiday foods.

The front gate swung open with a heavy RUMBLE.

His mother's familiar yet stern face appeared in the doorway. A chill crept up Chen Zheng's spine, and his heart trembled slightly.

"Oh, Li Hao, you're back too!" Seeing him approaching the door with a load of New Year's goods, his mother's face instantly blossomed with a smile like spring flowers.

"Yes, Auntie. I'll just set these down first," Li Hao's voice was full of respect and affection as he briskly walked through the gate.

However, his mother's expression quickly turned sullen again. Just then, a figure blocked her line of sight to Li Hao; it was Liu Qianqian.

At the sight of her, a smile lit up his mother's face like the rising sun, warm and bright. "Oh, what a beautiful young lady!"

"Hello, Auntie. I'm Chen Zheng's girlfriend, Liu Qianqian. You can call me Qian Qian," Liu Qianqian introduced herself politely.

"Oh, Qian Qian, such a beautiful name. Come in, come in! It's chilly out here," his mother invited warmly.

Chen Zheng looked up at the western sky. The sun was still slowly setting, and he felt no trace of cold.

It's not that cold, is it?

However, the subtle chill he had felt moments before seemed to have vanished without a trace. He hurriedly picked up some of the holiday goods and strode into the house.

"Brother Zheng, I should go check on my dad," Li Hao said, his words full of filial piety.

"Sure. Tell your dad to come over for dinner later. I'll have Mom cook her signature dish, braised pork ribs!" Chen Zheng promised.

"That's great! I've really missed Auntie's braised pork ribs!" A smile of anticipation spread across Li Hao's face.

Once all the goods were unloaded, Chen Zheng slowly drove the truck into the yard. He parked it and entered the warm embrace of his family home, where he became immersed in a leisurely conversation with his father in the living room. In the kitchen, his mother was stewing dinner, the rich aroma wafting through the air. Qian Qian was right there with her, their cheerful laughter like music, prompting the father and son to exchange a knowing smile.

After an hour, Liu Qianqian and his mother emerged from the kitchen carrying platters of food that shone brilliantly and radiated a tantalizing scent. They carefully placed the delicious dishes on a large table that had been set up in the courtyard, as if preparing for a grand banquet.

At this point, Li Hao and his father, along with Chen Zheng's Second Uncle, Chen Guichang, and his Second Auntie, arrived, adding to the evening's lively atmosphere. As night fell, the sumptuous dinner was served. Everyone enjoyed the food amidst laughter and conversation, savoring the rare moment of tranquility and warmth. It wasn't until nine o'clock that the contented guests finally departed.

Liu Qianqian took the initiative to clear and wash the dishes. Throughout the chore, his mother praised her endlessly, making Liu Qianqian feel both surprised and shy.

Before long, it was time for bed.

"Chen Zheng, take Qian Qian to your room," his mother's voice echoed from the living room. "She's had a tiring day and should rest early. Your father and I will watch a little more TV."

"Ah? Is the guest room ready?" Chen Zheng asked, staring at his mother with a puzzled look.

Hearing this, his mother's expression suddenly changed. She warned him sternly, "Qian Qian isn't a guest! Hurry up now. I've already tidied up your room!"

"Yes, yes..." Chen Zheng nodded helplessly, then led a blushing Liu Qianqian up to the second floor.

As they entered the room, Liu Qianqian's heart began to race like a drum.

"Hehe... a man and a woman, all alone..." Chen Zheng's eyes sparkled with an enchanting light as he looked at Liu Qianqian, who stood with her head bowed and face crimson.

"Stop it!" Liu Qianqian, overwhelmed with embarrassment, scurried to the bed and wrapped herself tightly in the quilt.

"Ahem..." Chen Zheng coughed twice, about to tell her, "You can stay here..."

Just then, a system notification sounded, and the words he was about to speak caught in his throat.

[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for triggering a selection task!]

[Choice One: Go for the home run. Reward: one Destiny Card.]

[Friendly Reminder: Once the Destiny Card is used, the two parties involved will be bound together for life, never to be separated.]

[Choice Two: Be a gentleman. Reward: "Worse than a Beast" title.]

Truth be told, Chen Zheng didn't really have any designs on Liu Qianqian; he saw her as a harmless little lamb. But when the system presented him with Choice Two, he ground his teeth in anger.

What is this? This is even worse than being a beast! System, are you messing with me? Do you think I'm that easy to bully?

"I choose two!" Chen Zheng declared without hesitation, and then his eyes burned like fiery rubies.

At that moment, even though he made no sound, Liu Qianqian sensed that something was amiss. She gently lifted the warm quilt and peeked out at him.

Suddenly, a dark shadow swooped down like an arrow.

"Ah!" Liu Qianqian's scream echoed in the silent room as she was instantly pinned down on the bed.

Their gazes met. Liu Qianqian frantically shut her eyes, her heart pounding like a startled deer. A passionate kiss landed on her lips. In that instant, she felt as if she were engulfed in a soft glow, her body rendered powerless.

After a night of intimacy, Liu Qianqian was as lovely as a morning lotus, her cheeks flushed like the evening clouds.

[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for successfully making a choice. Reward: one Destiny Card.]

[Friendly Reminder: Once the Destiny Card is used, the two parties involved will be bound together for life, never to be separated.]

Chen Zheng, completely immersed in his sweet time with Liu Qianqian, ignored the system's prompt. He couldn't help but kiss her again, and she bashfully lowered her head.

Afterward, the two of them got up to wash and get ready for the day. His mother's face was beaming with a smile as bright as a flower, which only made Liu Qianqian blush even more.

Time slipped away quietly in this warm and sweet atmosphere. With the Spring Festival's arrival, the lights of countless homes shone brightly. The snow falling from the sky heralded another year of bountiful harvest.

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