Chapter 31: The Law of Gastronomic Affection

Chapter 31: The Gastronomic Law of Love

Fan Xiaoyao’s cheeks flushed even deeper. She pointed toward the door and said, “Mr. Wang, kindly leave my room right now, immediately, at once!”

Wu Jing and Rong Fenghua were eavesdropping by the wall. Seeing Wang Guocheng rebuffed, the couple exchanged a smile. Rong Fenghua, with a proud tilt of his chin, said to Wu Jing, “See? I told you our Xiaoyao isn’t the kind of girl who gives herself away so easily…”

The next morning, Fan Xiaoyao rose early, determined to follow the law of love through the stomach that Wu Jing had taught her: “To win a man's heart, you must first win his appetite.” And so, Fan Xiaoyao truly threw herself into the task.

From the kitchen, the clatter of bowls and pans rang out at dawn. Fan Xiaoyao labored to make a plate-worthy egg pancake, burning and spoiling batch after batch, tossing no fewer than ten failed attempts into the trash.

When Wu Jing woke and saw Fan Xiaoyao bustling in the kitchen, she couldn’t help but tease, “Why the sudden urge to cook? I doubt this is for your uncle and me! Guocheng really is lucky—he’s got a taste for good fortune.”

Fan Xiaoyao blushed awkwardly, glancing at the wasted eggs in the trash, and complained to Wu Jing, “Aunt, I really don’t have a knack for cooking. Look how hard I’ve tried, but I still ended up wasting so many eggs.”

Wu Jing rolled her eyes at Fan Xiaoyao. “What’s with all this talk about being clumsy? Honestly, you’re just not cut out for the kitchen. Why not let Guocheng learn to cook for you? And all these wasted eggs—let’s put them on Guocheng’s tab. If he owes us one egg, he owes us ten. Looks like we’re the real winners!”

Wang Guocheng came down from the guest room upstairs, searching for Fan Xiaoyao. Hearing sounds from the kitchen, he hurried over. Seeing Wu Jing there as well, he politely greeted her, “Good morning, Aunt!”

Wu Jing smiled at Wang Guocheng, pointed to the overflowing trash bin, and joked, “This girl got up early and went a little crazy making egg pancakes for you—she’s wasted quite a few of our eggs. Guocheng, Xiaoyao is clearly trying to win your favor, so don’t forget to compensate us for the eggs!”

Wang Guocheng glanced at the trash bin, indeed seeing plenty of ruined eggs. Looking at the burnt pancakes, a smile flickered in his eyes. “So Xiaoyao doesn’t know how to cook after all. Yet she boasted to me that she could make all sorts of dishes…”

Fan Xiaoyao, embarrassed that her lack of culinary skill had been exposed, turned around blushing, grinning at Wang Guocheng as she tried to explain herself.

“I don’t really not know how to cook. It’s just that I’m not used to this kitchen—the appliances are different, and I haven’t mastered the heat. Besides, I specialize in elaborate dishes; these everyday meals aren’t really my forte.”

Wang Guocheng shook his head, walked over, untied the apron from Fan Xiaoyao and slipped it over his own neck. “You’ve been busy all morning. Look at your face, smeared with oil and smoke—go wash up. Today, let me make breakfast for you all.”

Wu Jing, a little concerned, asked, “Guocheng, do you know how to cook?”

Wang Guocheng scratched his head, a bit embarrassed but honest. “I can handle simple breakfast dishes. Aunt, why don’t you take Xiaoyao out for now? Once everything’s ready, I’ll call you.”

After Wu Jing led Fan Xiaoyao out, Wang Guocheng opened the fridge and examined its contents. He took out a carrot, a bag of peanuts, two stalks of celery, and finally two potatoes.

Soon, he had whipped up a plate of cold shredded potatoes, another of shredded carrots, and celery with peanuts. In the pot, the aroma of congee filled the air—preserved egg and lean pork porridge, bubbling away.

Fan Xiaoyao followed the scent into the kitchen, opened the rice cooker, and gazed at the steaming porridge, eyes full of admiration. “Guocheng, I never imagined your cooking would be so good. You’re not secretly running a restaurant, are you?”

Moved, Wang Guocheng pulled Fan Xiaoyao into his arms, whispering close to her ear, “Xiaoyao, I told you I’m the kind of boyfriend who can host in the parlor and cook in the kitchen.”

Fan Xiaoyao awkwardly pushed him away a bit. “Ahem… Guocheng, why are you always so cheeky now? You weren’t like this on the phone before.”

Wang Guocheng drew her back again, pressing his lips to hers, caressing her gently. “If I didn’t take the initiative, how could I get this little lamb into the arms of the big bad wolf?”

In fact, Fan Xiaoyao had reflected much on her behavior last night—her overly dramatic reaction—and she had chastised herself. After all, who in love doesn’t embrace, doesn’t kiss? Lovers are always sparks waiting to ignite.

With her arms around Wang Guocheng’s waist, her shyness faded. She looked up at him. “Have you really thought it through? You’re settling in Kang City for good?”

Wang Guocheng kissed her deeply again, his voice tender. “Yes. You don’t like Border Town, so I’ll come to Kang City to be with you. Wherever you are, that’s where I’ll be.”

Rong Fenghua, hearing sounds from the kitchen, thought it was Wu Jing. But when he reached the doorway, he saw Wang Guocheng and Fan Xiaoyao locked in a passionate embrace, his face darkened. He coughed lightly, displeased. “Ahem… Xiaoyao, have you seen your aunt?”

Fan Xiaoyao, seeing it was Rong Fenghua, hurried to hide behind Wang Guocheng, her face crimson as she replied, “Uncle, Aunt went to the upstairs gym.”

Rong Fenghua shot Wang Guocheng a glare, reminding him, “Don't go too far. Before marriage, you two mustn’t cross the line.”

Wang Guocheng looked at Rong Fenghua with honest eyes. “Uncle, don’t worry. I’ll wait until the day Xiaoyao marries me.”

At that moment, Rong Fenghua felt like a five-hundred-watt light bulb—blindingly bright and conspicuous. Embarrassed, he retreated from the kitchen and rushed upstairs to find Wu Jing. “This is bad—the girl’s been kissed by Guocheng!”

Wu Jing switched off the treadmill and stepped down, taking the towel Rong Fenghua handed her. “Husband, you act like you’ve never been in love. When you chased me, weren’t you just as eager, just as impatient to…”

Rong Fenghua pressed his lips to Wu Jing’s, speaking with domineering affection, “Don’t mention it, don’t say it. If you keep talking, I won’t mind handling you right here on this floor!”

Wu Jing looked at him provocatively, deliberately letting her shirt slip off one shoulder as she replied, “Would the mighty CEO dare?”

Rong Fenghua, annoyed, helped Wu Jing fix her clothes, threatening with a hint of exasperation, “Shameless! Once Xiaoyao returns to Kang City, I’ll make sure to properly deal with you.”

Wu Jing bit her lip, cheeks tinged pink, and looked at Rong Fenghua, asking cautiously, “Husband, can I take a leave? Can I play hooky and disappear for a while?”

Rong Fenghua glared at her. “If you don’t want me chasing you across the world, I’m more than willing to give it a try.”

Fan Xiaoyao, seeing that Rong Fenghua and Wu Jing hadn’t come downstairs yet, called from the dining room, “Uncle, Aunt, come down for breakfast!”