"The groom is coming!"
Excited shouts echoed from outside the villa.
Inside, Xiao Yu's family and friends rushed to the windows, peeking through the curtains at the line of luxury cars pulling up.
"Wow, what a fleet! That car alone must cost millions."
"I heard the groom is a big shot—runs a tech company, sells phones and TVs. Worth billions."
"Old He's daughter hit the jackpot. She's marrying into a great family."
"Xiao Yu's always been smart and well-behaved. A blessing on first sight! If she didn't already have a boyfriend back then, I'm sure a line of matchmakers would've been knocking down their door."
Relatives and neighbors gossiped cheerfully as they admired the grand entrance. Hearing everyone sing Chen Mo's praises filled Xiao Yu's parents, He Zhenhua and Wang Lan, with pride.
As the lead groomsman opened the car door, Chen Mo stepped out, bouquet in hand, wearing a calm, confident smile. The crowd's attention instantly locked onto him.
"There he is—the groom!"
"So handsome! My daughter needs to find someone like him."
"I can't believe it's really Chen Mo! I need a photo to brag that I was at his wedding."
Amid the admiration, Chen Mo approached the villa. He could feel everyone's eyes on him like he was a rare animal on display—but he was used to that by now.
"The groom is here!" someone shouted again.
From the upstairs balcony, Zhou Hao spotted Chen Mo and sprinted back to Xiao Yu's room.
"They're here!" he shouted. Instantly, the room erupted into a flurry of motion. Bridesmaids rushed to lock the door.
"Xiao Yu, excited yet? Your prince charming is here to fetch you."
"Hold on—we need to put him to the test. Can't let him walk in and take you away that easily!"
Laughter filled the room, Xiao Yu's face glowing with joy and anticipation.
Downstairs, Chen Mo stood before the bride's door, flanked by his groomsmen. He gave a small nod to Wu Puyuan.
"Amitabha!" Wu Puyuan called out theatrically. "Kind donors, open the door and bless this humble monk with your kindness. I've come to help this young man take a wife."
Laughter exploded from both inside and outside the room.
"No entry without toll!" came a shout. "We're five bridesmaids strong, plus Xiaoman, Zhao Min, and Pearl. The bigger the red envelope, the faster the door opens! Forget 999 or 998—we want a special price of 13,800!"
Chen Mo chuckled and pulled out a thick wad of red envelopes, sliding them through the crack beneath the door.
Cheers erupted from inside.
"Still not enough!" one of the bridesmaids called.
Another stack followed. The squeals of delight confirmed their satisfaction.
The door creaked open and the groomsmen charged in—only to be stopped again. The bridesmaids, holding red envelopes like trophies, stood guard in front of Xiao Yu, smiling mischievously.
"Nice bribes," Li Ruoxi said with mock seriousness, "but if you want the bride, you've got to clear a few rounds."
"Bring it on!" said Xiao Liwei. "Fire, knives, whatever—it's all worth it today!"
"First challenge—pass this apple from mouth to mouth. Ten passes, and if it breaks, pay the penalty in red envelopes!"
Fatty grabbed the apple and bit down, carefully passing it to Zhu Gang, then to Wu Puyuan… One by one, the groomsmen awkwardly maneuvered it between them, drawing roars of laughter and applause.
"Next round—fifty push-ups in one minute. One miss equals one red envelope!"
Before Chen Mo could move, Zhu Gang had tossed his jacket and dropped to the floor. He nailed the push-ups with perfect form and finished to loud cheers.
"Sisters," Li Ruoxi grinned, "they're stronger than we thought. Next round—tongue twisters!"
Zhou Wei slapped a sticky note on the wall. "Say this correctly, or it's red envelope time."
Wu Puyuan stepped forward and nailed it in one go:"The old dragon is angry at the old farmer; the old farmer is angry at the old dragon. The farmer fears the angry dragon; the dragon fears the angry farmer."
The room exploded with laughter and applause.
"Final challenge—rapid-fire Q&A," Li Ruoxi declared. "No thinking more than five seconds per question!"
He Qiaoqiao stepped up. "First question—what does she love most?"
"Me!" Chen Mo answered without hesitation.
The room burst into cheers. Xiao Yu smiled brightly, clapping along with the others.
"Next! First meeting date? Her birthday? Your anniversary?"
Chen Mo rattled off the answers flawlessly, his memory perfect.
"Final question," Li Ruoxi said, her smile turning sly. "Just now, Xiao Yu mentioned her one little regret about you. What was it?"
Chen Mo paused. "Hint?"
"One hint per red envelope. Eight of us, eight red envelopes."
Chen Mo sighed, producing another bundle. The bridesmaids swooped in gleefully.
"Your hint," said Li Ruoxi, "something girls love."
"Flowers," said Li Wei behind him.
"Ah! I never gave her flowers," Chen Mo realized, smacking his forehead.
"Correct!" said Li Ruoxi. "Took you long enough."
She turned to Xiao Yu. "So? Is that a pass?"
Xiao Yu giggled. "Pass!"
"Ouye! Victory!" the groomsmen roared, high-fiving each other.
At last, the bridesmaids stepped aside.
Chen Mo walked up to Xiao Yu, knelt down, and held out the bouquet. The photographers moved in, lenses focused, shutters clicking.
"Marry me, Xiao Yu," he said softly, pulling out the diamond ring.
"Say yes! Say yes!" the room chanted.
Tears of joy sparkled in Xiao Yu's eyes. She held out her hand, and Chen Mo slid on the ring. Applause erupted.
"Big boss!" Zhao Min called out playfully. "You're so rich—only a ring? Look at the bride—nothing on her ears or neck!"
"I came prepared," Chen Mo grinned.
Wang Hai appeared with three velvet boxes. Inside were exquisite pieces of jewelry.
Gasps filled the room.
"Wow! That necklace!"
"Those earrings are stunning!"
"Total local tyrant vibes!"
Even Xiao Yu was speechless. She knew they must be incredibly expensive. Chen Mo had clearly poured his heart into every detail.
He gently placed the Mermaid's Tear necklace around her neck, then the Angel's Eye earrings and a flawless diamond bracelet. The ensemble transformed her—graceful, radiant, a dream bride in every sense.
"She's beautiful," Zhao Min whispered, genuinely admiring the vision before her.
And so, with red envelopes flying, challenges cleared, and a room full of laughter and joy, Chen Mo had finally, officially, won his bride.