Chapter 38: The City Poured Forth

Chapter 38: A City Poured Out

When Zhao Gang disappeared like a whirlwind after paying the bill, Fan Xiaoyao looked pensively at Wang Guocheng. "Guocheng, was I a bit too much just now?"

Wang Guocheng, ever unprincipled in his defense of Fan Xiaoyao, took her hand and pressed it to his cheek. "Not at all… In fact, I rather admire this side of you tonight. Most girls, when they're with me, try so hard to show their innocence and gentleness... But you, haha…"

"You’re the foolish kind," he smiled. "You reveal your little cleverness, your little schemes, your temper—all laid bare before me. If you weren't so confident in how I feel about you, you wouldn't dare take such risks..."

Fan Xiaoyao felt a little embarrassed. Truthfully, her excessive behavior tonight was a test, to see how much space she occupied in Wang Guocheng’s heart, to gauge the limits of his tolerance for her actions. But after this round of probing, she hadn't expected Wang Guocheng’s acceptance to surpass her expectations.

If tonight Fan Xiaoyao was the enchanting beauty who brought chaos to a kingdom, then Wang Guocheng before her was the king who indulged his beloved without restraint. Fan Xiaoyao looked up at him, a hint of unease in her voice. "Is it really alright for you to spoil me like this?"

Wang Guocheng kissed her delicate hand and spoke with domineering affection, "Is it not good to spoil you? I wish to pamper you for a lifetime, to pour out a whole city for you. Xiaoyao, I’ll make you the happiest woman in the world, I’ll spoil you until the stars."

Fan Xiaoyao couldn’t help but purse her lips at his grand words. "Guocheng, is it a common flaw for men to make big promises? Pamper me for a lifetime, pour out a city—as if you’re some noble prince. How are you going to spoil me all the way to the galaxy?"

Wang Guocheng kept the truth of his identity to himself, knowing it wasn't yet time to reveal it to her.

He gazed at Fan Xiaoyao, as if making a vow. "Whatever you wish for, I’ll do my best to make it happen!"

The two walked along the streets of Tongcheng, the moon overhead setting the scene. A breeze swept by, and Fan Xiaoyao unconsciously shrank her neck. "So cold... I didn’t expect that December in Tongcheng would really have a hint of winter."

Wang Guocheng took off his suit jacket and draped it over her shoulders. "Don’t catch a chill, put this on."

Fan Xiaoyao blushed, glancing at him shyly. "Um... aren't you cold?"

Wang Guocheng exaggeratedly rolled up his sleeves. "Cold? Haha… I actually feel pretty hot. Walking all this way, I’ve worked up quite a sweat." He rolled his sleeves higher, revealing his strong arms.

Fan Xiaoyao reached out and touched his exposed arm, asking awkwardly, "Are you really not cold? The temperature is only zero degrees..."

Wang Guocheng pulled her close. "Haha... zero degrees is warm where I come from. You know, at the border city, it can get down to minus thirty degrees or more. So this—this isn’t cold at all!"

Fan Xiaoyao’s mouth fell open. "Ah? That cold? How do people live there... It’s only zero here and I feel frozen already... Haha... They must be brave!"

Wang Guocheng gently tapped her nose. "Silly girl... We have heating there, every household does. So inside, it’s comfortable, you don’t need to wear heavy clothes. At my house, I only need a short-sleeved shirt."

Fan Xiaoyao looked at him with envy. "That sounds wonderful!"

Wang Guocheng took her hand, speaking with emotion, "Xiaoyao, I hope one day you can visit our border city... It’s a beautiful place! The sky is so blue, clouds so white, grasslands so green, the wind rippling the grass to reveal sheep and cattle... That atmosphere, you’ll only truly feel it when you’re there yourself."

Fan Xiaoyao remembered how her aunt Wu Jing once told her about the southern lands beyond the frontier, describing the border city as a jewel of the Western regions. "Mm, if I get the chance, I’ll definitely go!"

The two walked on, chatting about everything under the sky. As they neared Rong Fenghua’s home, Fan Xiaoyao’s phone rang. "Gray skies outside the car window at dusk..."

"Xiaoyao, where are you and Wang now?" Rong Fenghua and Wu Jing, returning home, hadn’t seen Fan Xiaoyao and Wang Guocheng, and quickly called her in concern.

"Uncle, we’re almost home... Hehe... It’s fine, really..." Fan Xiaoyao replied, hearing the worry in his voice.

Rong Fenghua hung up. Wu Jing shot him a look. "You, you big lightbulb—those young people finally get to meet, have dinner, stroll under the night lights, and you’re so nervous... As if you were never young and romantic..."

Rong Fenghua, seeing Wu Jing’s complaint, quickly pulled her close. "Good wife, I’m just worried about Xiaoyao. Don’t you remember when we were dating, walking the streets late at night, your family worried left and right... Haha..."

Wu Jing ignored him and went into the kitchen. Rong Fenghua, confused, asked, "Wife, what are you doing in the kitchen at this hour?"

Wu Jing rolled her eyes. "Making some late-night snacks for your precious niece. By the time it’s ready, Xiaoyao and her friend will be home."

Rong Fenghua walked over, kissed her forehead, and praised, "Wife, you truly are the world’s best aunt!"

Wu Jing pushed him away, saying with mock annoyance, "Go on, get out. I’ll call you when the snacks are ready!"

"Ding-dong..." Fan Xiaoyao pressed the doorbell, glancing apologetically at Wang Guocheng. "Sorry, I was in a hurry this morning and left my keys inside."

Rong Fenghua rushed to open the door. Seeing Fan Xiaoyao and Wang Guocheng, he scolded, "What’s going on? It’s so late—being outside isn’t safe..."

Wu Jing came out with the late-night snacks, seeing that Rong Fenghua was scolding again, quickly pulled him aside and said to Fan Xiaoyao and Wang Guocheng, "You two must be hungry after a day out. I’ve made some snow fungus soup—come, drink it while it’s hot!"

Fan Xiaoyao hugged Wu Jing and said sweetly, "Auntie, you’re the best! Hehe... You’re like my warm cotton jacket..."

Wu Jing tapped her on the head. "Silly girl, daughters are mothers’ little cotton jackets. When did aunties become nieces’ warm coats?"