Chapter 29: The Night Banquet

Chapter 29: Night Banquet

After nearly a minute of silent appraisal, Fan Xiaoyao walked toward Wang Guocheng with an expression as calm as still water, pointing at the man before her who was both strange and familiar. “Are you Wang Guocheng?”

Wang Guocheng had noticed Fan Xiaoyao’s earlier hesitation and inwardly cursed his luck, fearing that their meeting would end in disappointment. He quickly forced a smile. “Yes, I am Wang Guocheng, the same name wherever I go. Xiaoyao, you look much slimmer in person than you do on video.”

Fan Xiaoyao’s mind felt muddled, like paste. She replied shyly, “The current trend is the beauty of slenderness.”

Wu Jing and Rong Fenghua studied Wang Guocheng intently, making him feel somewhat ill at ease under their gaze.

Wang Guocheng tried to guess Wu Jing and Rong Fenghua’s identities. Judging by their ages, they seemed to be Fan Xiaoyao’s elders, and Fan Xiaoyao did bear some resemblance to the middle-aged man before him. He cautiously asked Fan Xiaoyao, “Xiaoyao, who are these two elders?”

Fan Xiaoyao caught the looks Wu Jing and Rong Fenghua were giving her and quickly introduced them to Wang Guocheng. “This is my beautiful and charming aunt, and this is my handsome and distinguished uncle.”

Wang Guocheng nodded respectfully to Rong Fenghua and Wu Jing. “Hello, uncle. Hello, aunt.”

Rong Fenghua was impressed by Wang Guocheng’s composure and, seeing his courteous manners and humble demeanor, found himself admiring the young man.

Rong Fenghua stepped forward and patted Wang Guocheng’s shoulder. “The journey must have been tiring, right? Is the weather cold now in Border Town? Our Tongcheng winters are warmer than yours.”

Fan Xiaoyao, usually reserved and taciturn, was surprised to see her uncle speak so much with Wang Guocheng and whispered to Wu Jing.

“Aunt, why does uncle always speak in single words or short phrases with others, but with Wang Guocheng, he’s suddenly speaking in paragraphs? I feel like I’ve lost my presence here.”

Wu Jing laughed and ruffled Fan Xiaoyao’s hair, whispering back in her ear.

“You silly girl. Your uncle has met countless people; anyone who can open up his conversation box isn’t ordinary. There’s a certain appreciation between men, sometimes all it takes is a particular aura. I think your online romance is about eighty percent likely to work out.”

Eighty percent likely? Hearing this, Fan Xiaoyao felt even more uncertain. She hadn’t expected much from this online romance, yet now she felt both anxious and hopeful, unable to shake off the sense of uncertainty.

Fan Xiaoyao and Wang Guocheng were seated in the back, arranged by Rong Fenghua. The two sat quietly, not speaking. Wang Guocheng wanted to break the silence several times but seeing Fan Xiaoyao’s nervousness, swallowed his words.

Fan Xiaoyao gazed out the window, her feelings complicated. Facing Wang Guocheng, who was now so close, she felt nervous and lost.

She had invited him here—should she now send him away, coldly? Yet if she accepted his feelings, would her life become tied irrevocably to his?

Would she follow Wang Guocheng to live in Border Town, or would he come to Kangcheng? These seemingly trivial matters gnawed at her, making her feel stifled.

Wu Jing noticed how quiet the pair in the back seat were—nothing like two people in the throes of love. She turned to Wang Guocheng. “Guocheng, in a bit, your uncle and I will take you to the best restaurant in Tongcheng to welcome you.”

Wang Guocheng glanced at Fan Xiaoyao, thoughtful. “I’m not picky about food—whatever Xiaoyao likes, I’ll eat.”

Rong Fenghua could no longer stand Fan Xiaoyao’s ostrich-like silence and admonished her.

“Xiaoyao, what’s wrong with you? Guocheng is visiting Tongcheng for the first time. As the host, you should introduce him to our city! Aren’t you usually talkative? Why are you so tongue-tied now?”

Fan Xiaoyao, chastened, quickly returned from her reverie and apologized to Wang Guocheng. “Sorry, I don’t know what to say on our first meeting…”

Wang Guocheng seemed to read her mind, answering the question she hadn’t voiced. “Xiaoyao, as long as you’re happy, whether in Border Town or Kangcheng, I’m fine with it.”

Fan Xiaoyao felt both joy and worry at his words. “Guocheng, if you come to Kangcheng, what about your parents? There’s an old saying: one shouldn’t travel far while parents are alive.”

Wang Guocheng shrugged, smiling. “I’m not the only child; I have an older brother and sister. So wherever I marry and start a family, my parents would support it.”

Hearing him mention marriage and children, Fan Xiaoyao’s cheeks turned pink. Wang Guocheng watched her shy demeanor, smiling gently and with resolve.

He silently vowed to win Fan Xiaoyao’s heart and make her his wife.

Rong Fenghua saw they had arrived at their destination and said to Wu Jing, “Honey, take them to the hotel first. I’ll park the car and join you soon.”

After all, they were young. Once the ice was broken, Wang Guocheng and Fan Xiaoyao, who had been at zero, now moved to a new level. Wu Jing looked back at the two, who were now chatting warmly. “Xiaoyao, Guocheng, let’s get out. Your uncle has already reserved a private room.”

Wang Guocheng’s backpack was in Rong Fenghua’s trunk. As Fan Xiaoyao got out, he discreetly took her hand. Feeling his grip, Fan Xiaoyao blushed.

Wang Guocheng explained, “Your hand is so cold. This will warm you.”

Wu Jing watched the thoughtful Wang Guocheng, her impression of him rising further. “Xiaoyao, Guocheng, let’s go. Your uncle’s friends have been waiting.”

Fan Xiaoyao and Wang Guocheng followed Wu Jing into the private room Rong Fenghua had reserved, where all of Rong Fenghua’s closest friends sat—uncles who had watched Fan Xiaoyao grow up.

As soon as Fan Xiaoyao and Wang Guocheng entered, the men came forward to greet him.

“Young man, you’re brave! An online romance with Fenghua’s niece!”

“Young man, you look good, and seem dependable.”

“Young man, you have great taste—traveling so far takes real courage.”

“Young man, coming all this way shows real spirit.”

Wang Guocheng shook hands with each uncle, and by the time Rong Fenghua entered, Wang Guocheng had won everyone’s approval.

Rong Fenghua looked at his friends in the room, stepped forward, and introduced Wang Guocheng solemnly.