Give me some candy

After returning to their hometown, Old Mo and Lan Tongtong seemed to withdraw from the hustle and bustle of the world, entering a new life. Mo Xiaochi, who remained in the city to continue working, often saw her father and sister Tongtong through video: they cleaned their grandparents' old house, strolled through the fields, her father taught sister Tongtong to identify various crops, and Tongtong's sister used her phone to capture Old Mo's relaxed and warm smile, a smile she had never seen before. Even through the screen, Mo Xiaochi could sense a quiet atmosphere of peace and happiness.

One evening three months later, Mo Xiaochi had just gotten off work when her phone rang. It was a video call from her father. She picked up the phone with a smile, "Dad! Why did you call me today? Did you miss me?"

On the screen, Mo Zhichi's background was the familiar courtyard of his hometown, the setting sun gilding his silhouette. His expression was a little different from usual, a subtle mix of nervousness and joy that was hard to conceal, the corners of his mouth slightly raised.

"Xiao Chi," Mo Zhichi's voice sounded much gentler than usual, even a little cautious and tentative. "Are you busy at work? Are you... tired lately?"

"It's okay, Dad, why are you acting weird?" Mo Xiaochi keenly noticed his father's abnormality.

Mo Zhichi coughed lightly on the other side of the screen, his eyes wandering for a moment, then as if he had made up his mind, he refocused his gaze and looked at his daughter. In a tone that was both serious and a little embarrassed, he slowly said:

"Xiao Chi...um...please come back sometime. Something...happens at home."

"What's the matter? So mysterious?" Mo Xiaochi's curiosity was completely aroused.

A barely perceptible blush crept onto Mo Zhichi's face. He paused, then finally uttered the earth-shattering words he had been preparing for so long:

"Dad might... want to congratulate you..."

He deliberately prolonged his tone, keeping the question in suspense. Seeing his daughter's eyes widen instantly, he gently added the second half of the sentence with an extremely gentle and confident smile:

"...You might have a new mother."

There was a three-second silence on the other end of the phone.

Immediately, Mo Xiaochi's exclamation almost broke through the receiver of the phone: "Dad——!!! What did you say?! Really?! Is it Sister Tongtong?! Oh my God! You...you finally...Ahhh!"

Mo Xiaochi was so excited on the other side of the screen that she was incoherent, jumping and dancing, with an ecstatic smile on her face, happier than when she was in love.

Mo Zhichi looked at his daughter's reaction, and the tension on his face finally disappeared completely, turning into a steady and happy smile. He nodded, his eyes full of confidence and tenderness for the future.

"Yes. It's her." He confirmed softly, his voice full of pampering and satisfaction, "So, come back soon. We... will wait for you."

After the video call ended, Mo Xiaochi was still immersed in her immense surprise. She looked out the window at the city lights just beginning to come on, tears of joy streaming down her face. She was happy for her father, happy for Sister Tongtong, and blessed to have a truly complete family. She knew that her father's heart, after half a lifetime of wandering, had finally found a warm haven; and Sister Tongtong's courageous pursuit had finally reaped the most beautiful rewards.