Su Xiaonuan's eyes instantly filled with tears, glistening droplets sliding down her cheeks as she choked out a nod, "I do."
Lin Chen carefully slid the ring onto Su Xiaonuan's ring finger, then stood up and pulled her tightly into his embrace.
Outside the window, night fell, and countless lights illuminated the darkness, casting a warm glow on the two figures entwined in each other's arms, lighting up the path to their future happiness.
"I love you," Lin Chen whispered softly in Su Xiaonuan's ear.
Su Xiaonuan buried her head in Lin Chen's chest and gently replied, "I love you too."
Lin Chen released Su Xiaonuan slightly, gazing at the ring on her finger as a smile spread across his face.
"It's beautiful," he said sincerely.
Feeling a bit shy, Su Xiaonuan lowered her gaze, traces of tears still visible on her cheeks. Her fingertips lightly caressed the ring, feeling its smoothness and coolness.
As Su Xiaonuan organized Lin Chen's clothes, a light blue shirt suddenly caught her eye.
She carefully took it out and unfolded it, a familiar crisp scent wafting towards her.
This scent was all too familiar; it was the fragrance of Lin Chen's favorite laundry detergent, mixed with a hint of sunlight.
The floodgates of memory opened instantly, and Su Xiaonuan's thoughts drifted back to that summer many years ago...
"Hey, Brother Chen, do you remember this shirt?" Su Xiaonuan asked, holding up the shirt and turning to look at Lin Chen, nostalgia sparkling in her eyes.
Lin Chen was leaning against the headboard reading when he heard Su Xiaonuan's voice. He set down his book and followed her gaze. "Of course I remember. What's up?"
Su Xiaonuan walked over to him and waved the shirt in front of him. "It's this one! Do you remember that spring outing in sixth grade? You wore this shirt and fell down the hillside, scraping your knee. I laughed at you!"
As she spoke, Su Xiaonuan couldn't help but laugh out loud, her eyes crescent-shaped with joy.
Lin Chen chuckled along with her, taking the shirt from her hands and gently running his fingers over the fabric as if caressing a precious memory.
"Yeah, back then you little rascal just loved to tease me," he pretended to glare at Su Xiaonuan, though his eyes were filled with affection.
"Well, who told you to be so clumsy?" Su Xiaonuan playfully stuck out her tongue before continuing, "But later on, you fell again trying to pick wildflowers for me at the top of the mountain. That time was worse; you ended up with bruises on your face."
Su Xiaonuan's voice gradually softened as a hint of concern flickered in her eyes.
Lin Chen looked at her tenderly. "Wasn't that because you wanted that flower? A few falls are nothing for you."
They exchanged smiles, and the awkward atmosphere that had lingered moments before vanished, replaced by ease and joy.
“Knock, knock, knock.” A series of knocks interrupted the warmth between the two.
“Xiaonuan, Brother Chen, are you there?” Aunt Wang's voice came from outside the door.
“Aunt Wang, come in! The door isn’t locked,” Su Xiaonuan replied.
Aunt Wang pushed the door open, carrying a delicate porcelain plate adorned with several tempting pastries.
“Freshly made Osmanthus Cake, try it while it's hot,” Aunt Wang said with a smile, her eyes filled with affection as she looked at the two.
Seeing Aunt Wang, Su Xiaonuan's cheeks flushed slightly as she instinctively glanced at Lin Chen.
Lin Chen stood up to take the pastries, smiling as he said, “Thank you, Aunt Wang. You should have some too.” He pulled Aunt Wang over to sit on the sofa.
“Oh my, newlyweds are just different; so sweet,” Aunt Wang teased, her gaze flitting back and forth between them.
Su Xiaonuan's face turned even redder as she playfully scolded Aunt Wang, “Aunt Wang, please don’t tease us.”
“Alright, alright, I won’t say anything more,” Aunt Wang chuckled, taking a piece of cake and savoring it. “Mmm, so delicious! By the way, Brother Chen, tell me how you proposed to Xiaonuan.”
Lin Chen recounted the details of his proposal, and Aunt Wang listened intently, occasionally gasping in delight.
As Aunt Wang enjoyed her cake and finished listening to Lin Chen’s story, she suddenly seemed to remember something. She pulled out her phone from her pocket. “Come on, let me take a picture of you two to capture this beautiful moment.”
“Sure!” Lin Chen and Su Xiaonuan agreed eagerly.
Aunt Wang raised her phone, adjusted the angle, and focused. “Alright, smile!”
With a click, the photo captured their happy smiles and froze this wonderful moment in their lives.
Lin Chen wrapped his arm around Su Xiaonuan’s shoulder while she nestled against him, her face beaming with happiness.
Outside the window, the sun was setting in the west, casting golden rays that filled the room and added a warm hue to this cozy scene…
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