Chapter 90: Slapping Faces

Chapter 90: The Slap

When Rong Shaoting saw Wu Jing’s eyes reddening, he immediately turned on Rong Fenghua. “Fenghua, what is the matter with you? It’s New Year’s, of all times. Why have you made Xiao Jing cry?”

Seeing Rong Shaoting speak up for her and scold Rong Fenghua, Wu Jing hurriedly said, “Dad, don’t blame Fenghua. I have spoiled Xiaoyu a little too much.”

Rong Shaoting picked up his chopsticks and placed some food in Wu Jing’s bowl. “Xiao Jing, here, eat more. Your second sister made these dishes especially for you, all your favorites. Never mind Fenghua. If he dares raise his voice at you again, your father will stand up for you.”

Rong Fenghua, seeing how openly Rong Shaoting was taking Wu Jing’s side, could only sit there in silence and eat. In truth, he and Wu Jing had always disagreed over how Rong Xiaoyu should be raised.

Though the brief disturbance had broken the flow for a moment, it did not diminish the lively warmth at the Rong family table.

By the end of the meal, old and young alike had eaten in a tender, harmonious mood.

After lunch, the younger generation of the Rong family went off in twos and threes to stroll through Yongnan Town. Fan Xiaoyou and Wang Guocheng were among them.

“Xiaoyou, look at these lanterns along the riverbank. They’re so beautiful!”

Wang Guocheng had walked to the riverside, gazing at the colorful lanterns adorning the trees, and could not help calling out to her.

It was his first time seeing festival lanterns. He had never imagined that such a lovely display could be found in a border town on the edge of Kangcheng. He was genuinely dazzled.

Fan Xiaoyou looked at the lanterns dressing the riverside trees in their festive splendor and said with no small pride, “Isn’t Yongnan beautiful? The mountains are green, the waters clear, the lanterns lovely, the people lovely too. Isn’t it far better than Border City?”

Wang Guocheng nodded without arguing. Compared with the moist, refreshing air of Kangcheng, Border City’s climate was indeed much harsher.

There, the year seemed to have only winter and summer, with no real spring or autumn. Those two seasons were so fleeting that people in Border City often ignored them altogether.

Wang Guocheng stepped closer, cupped Fan Xiaoyou’s face, and said with deep feeling, “No matter how beautiful Yongnan may be, it cannot move my heart the way you do. Xiaoyou, promise me this: when I have proposed to you for the hundred and first time, you will marry me and become my wife.”

Fan Xiaoyou had not expected him to bring up marriage again so suddenly. Flustered, she turned away, showing him her back, and gazed toward Oxhead Mountain in the distance beyond Yongnan Town, letting out a soft sigh.

“To love is the affair of two people, Guocheng. But marriage is the affair of two families. Even now, your family does not support you. What foundation do we have for marriage? Without our parents’ blessing, don’t you think something would always be missing?”

Wang Guocheng wrapped his arms around her from behind and murmured in a husky voice, “Xiaoyou, trust me. I will do my best to persuade my parents and make them accept you as soon as possible.

“When I return to Border City, I’ll settle my work there as quickly as I can and come to Kangcheng to be with you sooner.”

Fan Xiaoyou turned back to face him, joy lighting her whole face. “What did you say? Have you really decided to build your future in Kangcheng?

“You... this... but if you come to Kangcheng, what about your parents? And your position at the school isn’t something you can simply leave at a word, is it?”

Wang Guocheng drew her into his embrace and gently patted her back. “Xiaoyou, you needn’t worry about any of that. All you have to do is be yourself. If you live happily, then I am happy.”

Time passed quickly, and before long it was evening again.

After spending the whole day roaming outside, Fan Xiaoyang finally showed his face at home.

Fan Xiaoyou pulled him aside and began to question him. “Hey, where have you been all day? Could you be a little more dependable? Running around outside during the New Year—do you know Mother cried over you today?”

Fan Xiaoyang shook off her hand with open resistance. “What do you mean, dependable or not? Am I not even allowed to visit a classmate’s house? You’re only a few years older than I am. Why do you spend every day lecturing me?”

Fan Xiaoyou, irritated, dragged him back again. “Even if I’m only one day older, I’m still your sister. What, your wings haven’t even fully grown and you’ve already learned to talk back? I’m asking because I care about you. You’re not a child anymore. Next year you’ll be taking the high school entrance exam. How can Mother not worry when this is your attitude?”

Fan Xiaoyang was at that rebellious age. Anything he was told to do, he refused to do; anything he was forbidden to do, he did with even greater zeal.

Disgusted, he flung off her hand once more and snapped viciously, “Fan Xiaoyou, if you keep putting your hands on me, don’t blame me for being rude.”

But Fan Xiaoyou had become stubborn herself. She refused to let go and tugged at him again. “Rude how? Come on, show me.”

Fan Xiaoyang raised his hand, but the moment he noticed Wang Guocheng standing nearby, he lowered it again.

Yet it was Fan Xiaoyou who truly struck him.

The slap landed hard across Fan Xiaoyang’s face.

The sharp crack startled everyone in the house.

He had never imagined that Fan Xiaoyou would really slap him. Clutching his cheek, he looked at her with wounded disbelief.

“Fan Xiaoyou, you’ve got nerve. I hate you!”

As he spoke, he turned to run out, but Wang Guocheng caught hold of him.

Seeing everyone crowding around, Rong Shaoting quickly spoke to disperse them. “Everyone, go about your own business.”

The instant the words left his mouth, the men, women, and children of the Rong family all scattered. However curious they might still have been, none dared remain where they stood. Only Fan Xiaoyou, Fan Xiaoyang, and Wang Guocheng were left behind.

Rong Shaoting looked at Fan Xiaoyang with suppressed anger. “Xiaoyang, come upstairs with me.”

Before going up, Fan Xiaoyang turned tear-filled eyes on Fan Xiaoyou, his face full of hurt and disappointment. Fan Xiaoyou, in turn, looked back at him with nothing but remorse.

Seeing her standing there in grief and self-reproach, Wang Guocheng hurried over to comfort her. “It’s all right. Even teeth and tongue clash sometimes. When Xiaoyang comes out of his grandfather’s room, speak to him gently and coax him a little. You’re brother and sister, after all. How could resentment last overnight?”

Wang Guocheng stayed with Fan Xiaoyou outside Rong Shaoting’s door as they waited for Fan Xiaoyang. Uneasy, she listened to the sounds of Rong Shaoting scolding him inside.

When Fan Xiaoyang finally came out, Fan Xiaoyou quickly stepped in front of him and blocked his way. “Xiaoyang, I’m sorry. Your sister lost control and hit you just now.”

Fan Xiaoyang curled his lip and said scornfully, “Fan Xiaoyou, you really are shamelessly hypocritical. You hit me first and apologize after. How is that any different from a thief stealing something and then begging to be forgiven?

“And you certainly didn’t hold back. It was obvious you meant to hit me. What do you mean, you didn’t do it on purpose?

“A slap is a slap. I’m the one who got hurt, not you. Stop pretending to be the good person, acting all fake and sweet. Hmph.”

Fan Xiaoyou touched the red mark on his face, tears pooling in her lowered eyes as she choked back sobs. “Xiaoyang, I’m truly sorry. I was angry just now—I didn’t mean it. If you feel wronged, then hit me back, all right?”

As she spoke, she seized his hand and brought it toward her own face.