Chapter 45: An Allergic Reaction

Chapter 45: An Allergic Reaction

Uncle Li, the owner of the other courtyard restaurant, tugged gently at Tang Zhengyi’s sleeve, grinning as he spoke. “Hey now, the young couple is just getting cozy. Let’s not disturb them. Why don’t you order first? Once your food’s ready, I’ll come back out and have a drink with you.”

Tang Zhengyi glanced at Uncle Li somewhat awkwardly. “Uncle Li, my college friend is visiting Kangcheng for the first time today. It’s also his first time tasting your cooking. Could you take care of the order for us? Just recommend a few of your specialties, whatever you think is best.”

Uncle Li personally wiped down the table in front of Tang Zhengyi and replied heartily, “Of course. I’ll take care of it. Since there are only three of you, I won’t order much—just four of my signature dishes for you. Heh… Xiao Tang, I’m doing this for your sake!”

Tang Zhengyi thanked him with a smile. “Thank you, Uncle Li! I really appreciate it.”

Meanwhile, after Wang Guocheng and Fan Xiaoyao ended their passionate kiss, they realized that Tang Zhengyi had already slipped away.

Fan Xiaoyao brushed her wind-tousled hair aside and looked shyly at Wang Guocheng. “See, it’s your fault—Brother Tang had to leave because he didn’t want to play the third wheel!”

Wang Guocheng found himself increasingly captivated by the sight of Fan Xiaoyao blushing. He pulled her close, declaring possessively, “Now that you’re wearing my ring, you’re mine. Remember who you are. From now on, you’re my fiancée.”

Fan Xiaoyao gazed at the heart-shaped ring on her left middle finger and said softly, “So you think you can tie me down with just this little ring? Aren’t you afraid I’ll stray once you’re gone?”

Wang Guocheng pinched her cheek playfully, feigning menace. “Just you try!”

Fan Xiaoyao gave a sheepish smile, feeling that things with Wang Guocheng were progressing a bit too quickly.

After all, it had been less than half a year since they’d first met online, and only a little over two days since they’d met in person. In just over two days, she’d gone from girlfriend to fiancée—a promotion that seemed dizzyingly fast.

When the dishes were served, Tang Zhengyi hurried to the door to call the lovebirds inside.

“The restaurant’s famous spicy intestine fish! Wow… it’s been ages since I’ve had this. Amazing!” Fan Xiaoyao, a devoted fan of the dish, wasted no time in picking up her chopsticks and digging in with abandon.

As she ate, Fan Xiaoyao mumbled contentedly, “This chili is so authentic, and the intestines are so crispy and tender, melting in the mouth… the aftertaste is just divine…”

Wang Guocheng rarely ate animal offal, but seeing Fan Xiaoyao devour the dish with such gusto, sweat on her brow and obvious delight on her face, he couldn’t help but be tempted.

He picked up a piece of intestine with his chopsticks, mimicking Fan Xiaoyao, and chewed thoughtfully. “Hmm, it doesn’t taste gamey at all. The texture is surprisingly good, and the flavor… it’s really excellent!” he exclaimed between bites.

Tang Zhengyi was surprised to see Wang Guocheng, who used to avoid animal offal at all costs, actually eating the dish. “Guocheng, I can’t believe how your tastes have changed after all these years. I remember back in college, you’d rather starve than eat anything like this. Xiaoyao, you wouldn’t know, but back then there was one year when—”

“Ahem, ahem…” Wang Guocheng coughed awkwardly, cutting Tang Zhengyi off before he could recount any embarrassing college stories.

“Zhengyi, by the way, why isn’t your wife here today? Did you come alone?” Fan Xiaoyao, who had been listening closely, seized the opportunity as Wang Guocheng tried to change the subject.

She turned to Tang Zhengyi and asked sweetly, “Brother Tang, could you please tell me about Guocheng’s embarrassing college story?”

Feeling the sharp glare from Wang Guocheng, Tang Zhengyi squirmed in his seat and wiped sweat from his brow. “Xiaoyao, I was just joking earlier…”

Fan Xiaoyao then looked at Wang Guocheng, pouting. “Guocheng, I really want to hear it. Won’t you tell me? I want to know more about you!”

Wang Guocheng, seeing the hopeful look on her face, shot Tang Zhengyi another glare, then reluctantly began to recount the tale from ten years ago.

“That year, I’d just left the border town to attend Tanggu University. I grew up in the North, eating mostly noodles, rarely rice. But at Tanggu, the cafeteria mostly served rice dishes, with very few noodle options. Sometimes the dishes included things like pig liver and intestines… The sight of those things used to make me nauseous.

“One day, I lost track of time in the computer lab and missed dinner. My roommates kindly brought me a meal—pig liver over rice. I was so hungry I didn’t pay attention and just ate it. Not long after, I started throwing up uncontrollably.”

Tang Zhengyi chimed in, “Xiaoyao, you should’ve seen him then—he was puking so badly, anyone would’ve thought he was suffering from morning sickness!”

Wang Guocheng looked at Fan Xiaoyao, embarrassed. Looking back, he realized how overly sensitive he’d been back then.

Fan Xiaoyao was concerned. “So… what happened after that?”

Tang Zhengyi grinned. “After that? Well, we had to take him to the medical office. Turns out, he’s allergic to animal offal. Oh no…”

He stopped smiling abruptly as he noticed Wang Guocheng looking unwell—his face flushed, and beads of sweat forming on his brow.

Fan Xiaoyao noticed the change too and asked anxiously, “Brother Tang, is Guocheng allergic to pork intestines as well?”

Tang Zhengyi didn’t answer, but his panicked expression said it all.

He asked Fan Xiaoyao to help support Wang Guocheng while he rushed to the counter to settle the bill with Uncle Li.

Uncle Li was puzzled to see them leaving so soon. “What’s wrong, Xiao Tang? Was the food not to your liking? Why are you leaving just as the dishes are served?”

Tang Zhengyi apologized, “Uncle Li, I’m so sorry. I forgot my college friend is allergic to pork offal… I need to get him to the hospital for an anti-allergy shot. I’m really, really sorry!”

Uncle Li was genuinely surprised—he’d never heard of anyone being allergic to animal offal in all his years. He realized he’d been unaware of such things.

Looking up at the reminder sign on the wall, Uncle Li quickly called a waiter over. “Go to the print shop and make some new reminders. Write: ‘Guests allergic to animal offal are kindly advised not to order the spicy intestine fish.’”