Chapter 66: A Priceless Dish

Chapter 66: A Dish Worth a Thousand Gold

Yang Ye-ye listened to Fan Xiaoyao's heart-wrenching cries over the phone, tears gathering in her own eyes as she comforted her.

"Xiaoyao, you must be brave. If you let yourself be so overcome with sorrow, how can he rest in peace?"

Fan Xiaoyao remained silent. Hearing nothing further, Yang Ye-ye hung up and quickly dialed Wang Guocheng's mobile.

Anxiously she spoke, "Guocheng, is Xiaoyao with you? Her emotions are unstable—please keep an eye on her, I'm afraid she might do something foolish!"

Wang Guocheng, holding Fan Xiaoyao who was weeping uncontrollably, replied, "I'm with Xiaoyao. Everything's fine."

Yang Ye-ye felt reassured hearing that Wang Guocheng was by Fan Xiaoyao's side. After endless reminders and admonitions, she finally hung up.

Wang Guocheng held Fan Xiaoyao tenderly, saying, "If you keep crying like this, perhaps we shouldn't go to the airport—it's windy there."

Fan Xiaoyao sniffled as Wang Guocheng wiped her tears, grasping his hand in return and pleading, "Guocheng, I won't cry anymore. I just want to go there and have a look."

Wang Guocheng sighed helplessly, secured her seatbelt, and pressed the accelerator, heading towards the airport.

As they neared the airport, Fan Xiaoyao asked, "Guocheng, could you park the car close to the runway?"

Wang Guocheng agreed without hesitation, though his promise was tinged with bitterness. He parked the car in a spot not far from the airport runway, where the flights could be observed clearly.

Standing a short distance from the runway, gazing at the iron fence, Fan Xiaoyao couldn't help but recall the distant past—the first time she met Tim, and how he departed.

Back then, she stood outside the iron fence, watching the flights arrive and depart, seeing Tim off in silence.

But that time, Tim had unexpectedly appeared behind her.

Now, however, it was not Tim standing behind her, but Wang Guocheng.

Her tears blurred her vision once more as she clung to the iron fence, sobbing quietly.

Wang Guocheng saw everything. He had not expected to encounter his life's greatest rival in love on this journey.

If before this, he had felt uncertain about his love for Fan Xiaoyao—mostly approaching it with caution and a sense of trial—

Now, his heart contained only Fan Xiaoyao.

He stepped forward and embraced her, holding her silently as time seemed to freeze between them, interrupted only by the occasional gust of wind.

After an indeterminate while, Fan Xiaoyao finally calmed herself and looked up at Wang Guocheng, apologetic, "Guocheng, I'm sorry—I lost control just now."

Wang Guocheng gently touched her tear-stained face, his voice full of tenderness, "Xiaoyao, don't apologize. He's gone now, and I'll love you twice as much, cherish you, and take care of you."

Fan Xiaoyao glanced at the sky, realizing the sunset was already approaching. She shifted her aching feet and looked at Wang Guocheng, who had accompanied her all day, apologizing again, "Guocheng, I'm sorry for making you stay with me here all day."

Wang Guocheng, seeing her finally willing to move, felt his worries dissipate. He wrapped his arm around her, "It's fine. If you're ready to leave, I'll take you home."

Fan Xiaoyao hooked her arm through his, not wanting him to share her sadness or grief. "Let's go. Let's head back now."

When they returned from the airport to the city, the streets were bright with evening lights. Fan Xiaoyao sighed softly as she looked at the familiar scenery.

Wang Guocheng was careful not to touch on sensitive topics, and the two remained silent during the drive.

Only when they arrived at the entrance to Fan Xiaoyao's apartment complex did she speak up, "Guocheng, I'm sorry for making you spend the day with me. Why don't I cook dinner for you tonight?"

Wang Guocheng looked at her with concern, holding her hand and speaking with feeling, "You've had a tiring day yourself. How about we just find a place nearby for dinner?"

Fan Xiaoyao thought for a moment and nodded, "Alright. There's a small Chinese restaurant called 'Taste of Jianghu' near the gate. The place isn't big, but the food is home-style. If you're not too particular, let's eat there."

The reason she asked was because, in their time together, she'd sensed that Wang Guocheng was not an ordinary person.

Wang Guocheng playfully tapped her nose, "If you like it, I'll go with you."

When they arrived at Taste of Jianghu, they found a crowd queuing at the entrance.

Fan Xiaoyao was curious; the restaurant had been open for some time, but she'd never seen it so busy.

She approached and asked someone nearby, "Is the food here that good? Why are so many people queuing?"

The person replied enthusiastically, "They've got a new chef, and his skills are incredible. My family has eaten here for a month straight, and we've never had the same dish twice. Every dish is exquisite, on par with five-star hotels."

Wang Guocheng, hearing such high praise, leaned in curiously, "With such reviews, what about the prices?"

The person pointed to the words "Affordable Prices" written on the restaurant's glass. "See that? They've always been affordable. It's a rare, honest place."

Just then, a server from Taste of Jianghu stepped out warmly, "Tonight, the restaurant has a special dish for couples. If there are couples here, you may now sign up for the auction!"

Fan Xiaoyao and Wang Guocheng glanced at each other, each raising a hand. "One hundred yuan."

Seeing them bid the starting price, the crowd became restless.

"Two hundred yuan!"

Fan Xiaoyao raised her hand again, "Three hundred yuan."

"Four hundred yuan!"

Wang Guocheng raised his hand, this time calling out, "Six hundred yuan!"

Someone in the crowd scoffed, "Crazy!"

People stared at Wang Guocheng and Fan Xiaoyao as if they were fools.

Indeed, bidding six hundred yuan for an unknown dish—what else could it be but foolish?

Amid murmurs and mocking gazes, the server invited Wang Guocheng and Fan Xiaoyao into the restaurant.

Inside, a man dressed in a pristine white chef's coat approached them warmly, "Congratulations to you both for winning the dish I personally prepared—a Dish Worth a Thousand Gold."

"A Dish Worth a Thousand Gold?" Fan Xiaoyao asked in confusion, looking at the chef.

"This dish is my signature for couples, designed for two to share. As for the taste, you'll know once you try it," the chef said, leaving them with a mysterious smile.