Chapter 44: A Public Proposal

Chapter 44: A Public Proposal

Tang Zhengyi looked a little shy as he glanced at Fan Xiaoxiao. "I wouldn't say I'm a real foodie. It's just that I grew up eating at this restaurant, so I have a special attachment to it."

Fan Xiaoxiao replied graciously, "I used to take classes at DG Company's school, and back then, I’d come here with my classmates on weekends to satisfy our cravings. But what started as an occasional treat turned into ten years of eating here..."

Wang Guocheng, ever the humorist, chimed in, "Who would have thought you two are food buddies from the same restaurant? Why don't you shake hands?"

Fan Xiaoxiao was the first to reach out to Tang Zhengyi, introducing herself. "My name is Fan Xiaoxiao, and I work at HK Company."

Tang Zhengyi responded in kind. "My name is Tang Zhengyi, and I'm the director of Production Plant One at JZ Company."

Hearing Tang Zhengyi mention JZ Company, Fan Xiaoxiao quickly followed up, "By the way, Brother Tang, do you know Rong Yao?"

Tang Zhengyi was surprised that Fan Xiaoxiao knew Rong Yao and scratched his head as he replied, "Xiaoxiao, you know Rong Yao? He's our company's financial director. We mostly see each other when it's time to hand out department bonuses."

Fan Xiaoxiao smiled sweetly. "Rong Yao is my brother!"

Tang Zhengyi couldn't help but marvel at how small the world was. Here he was, having a meal with an old college classmate he hadn't seen in ages, and his girlfriend turned out to be Rong Yao's little sister.

Turning to Wang Guocheng, Tang Zhengyi laughed. "You really have some skills with this online romance of yours. You've managed to circle half of China, and it turns out Xiaoxiao's brother is your colleague. So what kind of romance is this, anyway?"

Wang Guocheng looked serious for a moment. "What kind? It's still an online romance, of course. The one you know is Xiaoxiao's brother—I didn't know Xiaoxiao before. That definitely counts as meeting online."

Curious, Tang Zhengyi looked at Fan Xiaoxiao. "Xiaoxiao, can you tell me how you and my brother met? He was such a blockhead back in university—so many girls in our department had crushes on him and wrote him love letters. And do you know what he did? He used the backs of those letters to write computer code. The girls who fell for someone like him were really out of luck..."

Wang Guocheng, a bit embarrassed by Tang Zhengyi's teasing, looked at Fan Xiaoxiao. "That's only because you weren't around. If you had been… I…"

Fan Xiaoxiao laughed. "From the sound of it, you were a total bookworm back then. If I’d shown up, I probably would have ended up like those other girls—just more cannon fodder."

Tang Zhengyi, still eager for gossip, pressed on. "So, how did you two meet? One of you in Biancheng, the other in Kangcheng—you’re from opposite ends of the country! The way you two met must have been extraordinary. Tell us!"

Fan Xiaoxiao blushed slightly. "It’s nothing special. We met on a forum. I posted a thread looking for a boyfriend, but I didn’t talk to him at first. Later, he was the one who reached out to me..."

Tang Zhengyi gave her a thumbs-up in admiration. "You're quite bold, posting online to find a boyfriend! Weren’t you worried you’d run into a scammer or something? But you were lucky to meet my brother..."

He patted his chest, boasting about Wang Guocheng. "My brother is honest and loyal. If he’s set on you, he’ll be devoted for life."

Fan Xiaoxiao glanced at Wang Guocheng, who looked at her openly, causing her cheeks to flush even more. She replied softly, "I’m not so sure about that..."

Wang Guocheng caught her hand in his, turning to Tang Zhengyi. "You just get ready to prepare your red envelopes and gifts!"

Tang Zhengyi stared in shock. "Are you two really planning to get married?"

Wang Guocheng, seeing Fan Xiaoxiao’s bashfulness, felt resolute after his deep conversation with Rong Fenghua in Tongcheng. He didn't want to leave himself with regrets or give anyone else a chance.

With confidence, he declared, "Yes, she's my fiancée now!"

Fan Xiaoxiao leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Hey, what are you saying? When did I agree to be your fiancée?"

But Wang Guocheng deftly slipped a ring onto her left middle finger. She felt the cool touch and realized a heart-shaped diamond ring had appeared there.

Taking her hand in his, Wang Guocheng spoke gently, "The ancients used to say gold and silver should be worn together, so I chose a silver ring for you. To show my sincerity, I had this heart-shaped silver ring custom made, with a real diamond set in the center... Xiaoxiao, will you be my fiancée?"

With that, Wang Guocheng knelt down, drawing the attention of the queue of diners outside the restaurant.

The crowd began to cheer, "Kiss her! Kiss her!"

Fan Xiaoxiao was overwhelmed by Wang Guocheng’s gesture, her eyes welling with tears—not of sadness, but of emotion.

"I... Guocheng... I have a lot of bad habits. I’m not gentle, and I’m not sweet..."

But Wang Guocheng bent down and kissed her lips. When their lips parted, he whispered lovingly in her ear, "You don’t have to do anything. Just be yourself, Fan Xiaoxiao."

As everyone watched the leading man win his beloved, they took out their phones to capture the sweet moment between Wang Guocheng and Fan Xiaoxiao.

The owner of the restaurant, seeing a crowd gathered at the door, came out curiously. Spotting Tang Zhengyi, he greeted him warmly, "Little Tang, not busy today? When did you get here? Thanks for supporting us all these years. There’s a table ready inside now. How many in your party today?"

Tang Zhengyi replied with familiarity, "Uncle Li, I brought a college classmate over today. I brought him here especially to try your famous fish with pork intestines. We just need a table for three."

Uncle Li looked around, noting only Tang Zhengyi at the door, and asked enthusiastically, "Where’s your classmate? Haven’t they arrived yet?"

Tang Zhengyi, a bit embarrassed, pointed to where Wang Guocheng and Fan Xiaoxiao were still embracing and kissing. "They're over there, Uncle Li. Don’t mind the scene—my college friend just proposed to his girlfriend today. Should I call them over?"

Uncle Li chuckled and called out, "Little Tang’s friends, and his friend’s girlfriend, please come in—there’s a table ready for you."