Just then, Rong Lianhu's loud voice came from the living room: "Both the eldest and second eldest have been approved for leave! They'll be home in three days!"
Fu Ya happily put down the kitchen knife: "That's great!"
She turned to Mo Bai and said, "Then shall we formally propose marriage in five days?"
Mo Bai nodded: "I'll do whatever Auntie says."
The kitchen immediately sprang into action, with Fu Ya directing two young people to help out, a smile constantly on her face.
Rong Jiaojiao looked at the white hair at her mother's temples, and her nose tingled with emotion again.
At dinner, Qing Xuanzi took out a jar of spirit wine from his sleeve, and everyone drank and chatted happily.
Zi Ling transformed into her original form and darted between the tables, occasionally stealing a bite, which made everyone laugh continuously.
In the stillness of the night, Rong Jiaojiao stood in the courtyard gazing at the starry sky. Mo Bai appeared silently behind her and draped a coat over her shoulders.
"What are you thinking about?" he asked softly.
“I’m thinking…” Rong Jiaojiao leaned on his shoulder, “What would I be like now if I hadn’t met my master and hadn’t embarked on the path of cultivation?”
Mo Bai pondered for a moment: "Perhaps she will become a powerful business tycoon. Or perhaps she will marry and raise children."
Rong Jiaojiao chuckled: "That's not bad either."
“But it’s better now.” Mo Bai held her hand. “You have the ability to protect your family, you have a long life to spend with them, and you can pursue the path to immortality.”
Rong Jiaojiao nodded: "Different lives, but equally wonderful."
On the fourth night, Rong Jiaojiao and the others were sitting in the courtyard talking when Rong Zhigao returned with his wife and children.
Rong Zhigao had wrinkles on his face, probably from years of military training, but he still exuded a powerful aura.
Because Rong Zhigao lives nearby, he often brings his children home to visit their parents, so he doesn't need anyone from the retirement home to pick him up when he enters.
Rong Zhigao entered the room and his gaze swept over everyone present before finally settling on his younger sister.
Seeing that his younger sister's appearance hadn't changed much, his aura softened.
Rong Jiaojiao immediately stood up upon seeing them: "Big brother and sister-in-law!"
Rong Zhigao and Zhao Shumeng quickly responded, but before they could speak, Rong Yue, who had grown into a young woman, jumped out and asked, "Auntie, do you still remember Yueyue?"
Rong Jiaojiao laughed and said, "I remember. I didn't expect a three or four-year-old girl to grow so tall all of a sudden. Is she in college now?"
Back then, I took Rongyue to experience flying on a sword once, and she became very attached to me. Now she's all grown up.
Rongyue affectionately took Rongjiaojiao's arm: "Auntie, I'm already a graduate student, studying at the National University of Defense Technology!"
She looked at Mo Bai curiously, "This must be my future uncle-in-law?"
The term "future uncle" pleased Mo Bai, who then took out an exquisite jade pendant: "Nice to meet you, a small gift."
Rong Zhigao looked at Mo Bai with scrutinizing eyes. Rong Jiaojiao eased the awkwardness and looked at the two young men standing to the side: "These two must be my nephews, right? Are they twins? They look so alike?"
Rong Zhigao then smiled and said, "Yes, these two rascals are twins. The older one, Rong Wenbo, is a military academy student. The younger one, Rong Wentao, is also studying defense technology, but he and his sister are not studying the same major."
He then beckoned to the two boys, "Aren't you going to call for help?"
The two young men stepped forward somewhat shyly and greeted in unison, "Hello, Aunt! Hello, Uncle!"
The two looked at their aunt, who appeared to be even younger than them. It was their first time meeting her, and they were both shocked and curious.
A smile flashed in Mo Bai's eyes as he took out two jade pendants: "These are amulets; wearing them will ensure your safety."
The two young men took the jade pendant and immediately felt a cool breeze enter their bodies, their eyes lighting up.
Just then, footsteps sounded outside the courtyard gate.
A tall, imposing man in a naval uniform strode in, accompanied by a middle-aged woman and two teenagers, a boy and a girl.
The visitors were Rong Jiaojiao's second brother, Rong Zhiyuan, and his wife and children.
"Second Brother!" Rong Jiaojiao greeted him with delight.
Rong Zhiyuan hugged his younger sister tightly, his voice choked with emotion: "Jiaojiao, you're finally back..."
He looked his sister up and down. "How come you haven't changed at all?"
Mo Bai stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Second Brother."
Rong Zhiyuan patted Mo Bai on the shoulder: "Good lad, I never thought you would become my brother-in-law."
Mo Bai recalled the time when he went to the beach with Rong Jiaojiao. Rong Jiaojiao was only ten years old. He never thought he would fall in love with her. He could only say that fate is truly amazing.
After another round of introductions, Lin Xue pushed her son and daughter forward and said, "Auntie, these are my and your second brother's two children. The eldest is Rong Wenyuan, and the daughter is Rongxuan."
Rong Jiaojiao smiled and looked up at her nephew, who was taller than her, and said regretfully, "The last time I saw my second brother was when he and his wife got married. I never thought that it would be almost twenty years since we last met, and my nephew has already grown up."
Rongxuan prided herself on being one of the prettiest girls in the military region, but upon seeing her aunt's appearance, she immediately felt utterly outshone.
Look at this uncle-in-law, with his appearance and demeanor. Rongxuan's gaze swept over Mo Bai, her heart filled with amazement, and she couldn't help but mutter to herself, "Uncle-in-law is so handsome."
Rong Wenyuan, on the other hand, was much more composed and politely greeted, "Aunt, Uncle."
Rongxuan also quickly called for help.
Mo Bai also prepared a gift for the two children: two beads imbued with spiritual energy that could nourish the body and improve physical condition.
The two children took it, feeling its wonder, their eyes filled with surprise.
The family sat happily in the courtyard, chatting about the everyday things that had happened over the years.
Rong Zhigao recounted amusing anecdotes from his time in the military, eliciting bursts of laughter from everyone; Rong Zhiyuan also shared his thrilling experiences while on a mission at sea.
Rong Jiaojiao looked at her family members filling the courtyard and felt a surge of warmth in her heart.
That evening, Rong's family had another sumptuous dinner with a large table full of food.
Rong Lianhu raised his glass, his face flushed, and said, "Today our family is finally reunited! The eldest and second eldest sons are back, and Jiaojiao brought her boyfriend home too. This is the most complete family reunion we've ever had. I'm so happy!"
He raised his cup and clinked it against Qing Xuanzi's, saying, "Brother Qing Xuan, here, a toast to you. Thank you for your help and for guiding Jiaojiao."
Qing Xuanzi touched hands with him and said, "That's all in the past. Let's not talk about that today. Come on, let's have a drink."
Everyone raised their glasses in celebration, and even the youngest, Rongxuan, held up her spirit fruit wine and clinked glasses in a very professional manner.
Zi Ling sat next to Rong Jiaojiao, holding the specially made spirit fruit wine in her small hands, her eyes narrowed into slits as she drank.
After a few rounds of drinks, Rong Lianhu put down his chopsticks, cleared his throat, and said, "Now that everyone is here, let's discuss something serious."
He looked at Mo Bai and Rong Jiaojiao, "Tomorrow is the day for the marriage proposal. According to our local customs, we need to prepare some formalities."
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