Chapter 68: The Househusband

Chapter 68: The Homemaker

After having dinner at Flavor Alley, Fan Xiaoyao and Wang Guocheng had just returned home when Xiaoyao received a call from Rong Jinfeng.

"Xiaoyao, don’t forget, the day after tomorrow you’re bringing Guocheng home for dinner to meet the elders!"

Had Rong Jinfeng not called, Xiaoyao might have forgotten that the day after tomorrow was the day she’d introduce Wang Guocheng to her family.

After hanging up, Xiaoyao looked at Guocheng, worry clouding her expression. "My mom just called. She reminded me that I need to bring you to meet my family the day after tomorrow."

Guocheng met her gaze with calm confidence. "I’m not some shy bride, you know. Sooner or later, I’ll have to meet your elders."

Seeing his openness, Xiaoyao said nothing more. It was late, and after a day spent in tears, she soon retired to her room and fell asleep.

Guocheng stared at the distant city lights outside the window, unable to contain a sigh, reflecting on the course of his love.

The next morning, as dawn barely broke, Guocheng rose early and personally cooked a nourishing porridge for Xiaoyao, along with some pastries.

When Xiaoyao woke and saw the porridge and snacks laid out on the table, she was unexpectedly moved.

"Guocheng, thank you!" She sat down, tasting a spoonful of his porridge and praised, "This is really good. Seems you have the makings of a homemaker."

Guocheng sat beside her, sampling his own porridge, smiling warmly at her.

"So, do you want me as your homemaker? I’ve always wanted to be yours."

Xiaoyao blushed, glancing shyly at Guocheng. "I... haven’t made up my mind yet."

Guocheng picked up a pastry and took a bite, speaking as he chewed. "Just now I proposed again—you’d better record that. Don’t forget it."

Xiaoyao stuck out her tongue. "Seriously? Calling yourself a homemaker counts as a proposal?"

Guocheng replied with conviction, "Of course. ‘Homemaker’ means there’s a home, and to have a home, you need to marry. And to marry, you need to propose. So by that logic, I just proposed again."

Seeing she couldn’t win the argument, Xiaoyao made a silencing gesture. "I think you’d make a great Monk Tang. The new version of Journey to the West should cast you as Monk Tang."

Guocheng raised his brows and shrugged. "Too bad—the part’s already taken in the new adaptation."

Xiaoyao arched an eyebrow at him. "I thought you said you don’t follow celebrity gossip? How do you know the part’s taken? Guocheng, I’m really curious—what exactly do you do?"

Guocheng looked at her, playing mysterious. "Take a guess, Xiaoyao."

Xiaoyao pursed her lips. "How am I supposed to guess? You’re so secretive. I barely know anything about you. I always feel you’re not ordinary..."

Guocheng was secretly delighted at her curiosity. It meant Xiaoyao was starting to pay attention to him.

He pretended not to hear, unconcernedly clearing Xiaoyao’s dishes and carrying them to the kitchen.

"You’ll know my identity someday, Xiaoyao. And soon, I’ll tell you." In the kitchen, Guocheng silently promised himself.

When Xiaoyao realized it was almost time for work, she hurriedly said, "Guocheng, I took two days off, but today I need to go back. You just be a good househusband!"

Guocheng stepped forward and stole a kiss on her cheek. "Stamping it—means the flower’s taken!"

Xiaoyao wiped her cheek, blushing furiously. "Alright, I’m off!"

After she left, Guocheng finally took out his laptop and began handling work.

As soon as he opened his chat app, a pop-up appeared: KINGYI’s new financial budget for the year.

Guocheng picked up his phone and instructed his assistant in North City, "This budget isn’t accurate enough. Send it back for revision. Also, starting this year, KINGYI needs to open ten boutique stores in Kang City. I want KINGYI’s brand to flourish in Kang City.

And for the ANCALY eveningwear brand, ramp up store openings in Kang City. From now on, all new ANCALY launches will debut in Kang City."

Assistant Ding Cheng sounded confused on the line. "Boss, Kang City accounts for less than three-tenths of a percent of our southwest market share, and both brands are high-end luxury. Kang City’s spending power doesn’t seem to offer any growth for us. Launching in Kang City—are you sure?"

Guocheng replied irritably, "Ding Cheng, just do as I say. If there are any issues, I’ll explain to the board."

Seeing Guocheng’s mind was made up, Ding Cheng didn’t argue further. "Boss, you haven’t been to North City in ages. The board’s shareholders are all talking... Should you fly up here soon?"

Guocheng gave a slight smile and said, "If you secure the market share in Kang City as I asked, I’ll come to North City. That’s all for now."

After hanging up, Guocheng opened Border City University’s internal messages, finding several invitations to continue teaching.

He glanced through them, then replied, "Love has its ties, Border City farewell."

Nine short words, but his resolve was clear.

After sending the message, Wu Fan from the university’s teaching office replied, "Why? Are you leaving Border City?"

Guocheng glanced at the screen and quickly typed, "I’m going after my wife, and I won’t be in Border City anymore! Also, keep my departure a secret for now. I don’t want my parents in Border City to worry."

Wu Fan sighed and typed, "Are you really not going to regret this? They say online romances are wild—what if you end up with nothing?"

Guocheng paused, then typed, "My only regret is meeting her too late. One look was enough to know she’s the one I’ve been searching for all my life. That’s all—I won’t say more. We can talk more about this when I return to Border City."

Wu Fan typed a final message that made Guocheng ponder for a long time: "Guocheng, will your parents really agree to you leaving Border City?"

Guocheng didn’t reply for a while. Wu Fan thought he’d logged off, but suddenly Guocheng’s window popped up.

"No one can bind me. I only want to live for myself, and for my love."