Chapter 14: The Older Man
Chapter 14: The Older Man
Ever since that night when Wang Guocheng sent those words—“Get used to my care, my greetings, everything about me... May you be well when we meet”—the days that followed were filled with traces of him everywhere in Fan Xiaoyou’s life.
In the early mornings, Wang Guocheng would send the weather forecast for Kangcheng, thoughtfully updating Fan Xiaoyou on the day’s weather in advance. During work hours, every half an hour, a short joke would land in her inbox, always ending with the same five words: “You must be happy!” When noon arrived, he would ask, “What’s the weather today? What’s suitable to eat? What should you avoid?” His thoughtfulness seemed to know no bounds.
In the afternoons, he would share his insights on novels, advising Fan Xiaoyou on how she could improve her writing. In those moments, Wang Guocheng seamlessly transformed into her literary companion. Come six in the evening, his customary message would remind her to be careful on her way home, take her time boarding the bus, and be cautious after evening classes.
Because Fan Xiaoyou was still pursuing other courses, her nights were spent either weaving stories or attending classes at university.
Of course, for Wang Guocheng, the evenings were the most exciting. Now that Fan Xiaoyou had tacitly accepted their relationship, Wang Guocheng had every reason to add her on QQ.
Their conversations evolved from casual exchanges on their phones to more intimate, lingering chats, deepening their connection.
On the thirty-third night of their official relationship, just as Fan Xiaoyou finished her evening class and was on her way home, Wang Guocheng called as expected.
“Wife, let’s video chat when you get home—I have a surprise for you!”
Wife! Yes, you heard right. Their online romance had progressed swiftly, and on the thirty-third day, Wang Guocheng broke convention and called her his wife.
For now, their relationship was still a secret. Fan Xiaoyou hadn’t yet dared to tell Yang Yeye, and though Feng Youru didn’t approve of “Mr. Five-Hearts,” she hadn’t tried to stop her either.
Fan Xiaoyou glanced at the message on her screen, tugged at her lips in a smile, and brushed back her hair, feeling a sweetness blossom in her heart.
As soon as Fan Xiaoyou entered her room and stealthily locked the door behind her, Feng Youru intercepted her, pressing her hand against the door.
“Fan Xiaoyou, I’ve been watching you for nearly a month. Isn’t it time you came clean? Do you remember what you promised me?”
Fan Xiaoyou raised her brows and rubbed her forehead. “Big Sis, it’s the middle of the night and your poor literary youth here has just returned from night school. I still have to rush to finish my manuscript—could you please show some mercy?”
Feng Youru peered into her room, hoping to catch something suspicious. “Then why are you locking the door? A single woman locking herself in at night—who would believe there’s nothing going on?”
Fan Xiaoyou had no intention of confessing her online romance yet, so she patted her chest and assured, “Sister Stingy, I’m really just locking the door to write my novel. If you don’t believe me, look at my new manuscript drafts.”
Feng Youru glanced at the open Word document on the screen, then offered an awkward smile. “Heh... Look at you, trying your hand at writing a kissing scene... Heh...”
Fan Xiaoyou wished she could disappear. To earn Feng Youru’s trust, she had even displayed the very chapter with the kissing scene.
Blushing furiously, she retorted, “Who doesn’t write about kissing when they’re in love? Why are you so uptight?”
Finding nothing suspicious, Feng Youru left, but just as she turned to go, Fan Xiaoyou’s phone rang—not a message, but a call.
Feng Youru eyed the screen warily. Seeing that Fan Xiaoyou didn’t answer, she demanded, “Why aren’t you picking up?”
As she spoke, Feng Youru grabbed the phone. Seeing it was a call from China Mobile Customer Service, she snorted. “Don’t answer! It’s definitely a scam!”
Fan Xiaoyou played along. “Mm, you’re right, Sister Stingy!”
Once Feng Youru left the room, Fan Xiaoyou immediately shut the door and locked it from the inside. Only after making sure everything was secure did her phone ring again—“Cloudy evening outside the car window...”
Wang Guocheng’s voice sounded anxious. “Wife, why didn’t you pick up earlier? You had me so worried.”
Fan Xiaoyou yawned, twirling her shawl of long hair, and teased, “If you were so worried, you wouldn’t call again—wrong choice of words!”
Wang Guocheng ignored her banter, speaking eagerly, “Wife, open your QQ now. I have a surprise for you!”
Fan Xiaoyou glanced at her drafts—she had enough to last a few more days—so she decided to spend more time chatting online with Wang Guocheng that evening.
As soon as she logged into QQ, roses filled the screen, spelling out her name. Fan Xiaoyou was deeply moved. But this, according to Wang Guocheng, was only the first wave of happiness.
He asked her to turn on her video chat, promising a surprise within the call. In truth, despite dating online for over thirty days, this would be their first video conversation.
Only then did Fan Xiaoyou realize this was the very first time she would see Wang Guocheng—albeit through a screen.
When the connection succeeded, the first thing she saw was a man with gold-rimmed glasses, a close-cropped haircut, and an air of scholarly refinement.
She could count on one hand the times she’d seen this hairstyle before; only her older cousin wore it. She couldn’t help but laugh. “Your haircut is really something—no wonder you’re the older man! Ha...”
Wang Guocheng gazed intently at the laughing Fan Xiaoyou on his screen, replying shamelessly, “Wife, what’s wrong with being the older man? The older he gets, the more tender he is!”
Fan Xiaoyou started doing the math on their age gap. “Uncle, let’s see—when I was seven, you were fourteen. When you turned eighteen and could date, I was only eleven. Oppa, you’re basically luring a minor!”
Wang Guocheng simply smiled, waiting for her to finish before replying lazily, “But my dear, when I met you, you were already an adult. You’re twenty-two, I’m thirty—it’s the perfect age for marriage.”
Defeated in this verbal duel, Fan Xiaoyou changed the subject. “Weren’t you going to give me a surprise? Don’t tell me it’s just showing off your close-cropped hair?”
Wang Guocheng pulled a huge bouquet of roses into view and held them before the camera, his eyes fixed on Fan Xiaoyou’s face on the screen. “Wife, I love you. Today is our thirty-third day together.”