Chapter 50: I Decide Whom to Marry

Chapter 50: Who I Marry Is My Decision

The emergency doctor looked at Fan Xiaoxiao. “Family member, given the patient’s condition, you’ll need to pay more attention to his diet in the future.”

Fan Xiaoxiao nodded to the doctor. “Alright, I understand. Thank you, doctor.”

Once the team of doctors making their rounds had left, Fan Xiaoxiao finally let out a sigh of relief. Out of habit, she stuck out her tongue—a small gesture that was immediately caught by Wang Guocheng.

“Xiaoxiao, come on, let me take you to the hospital dining room and get you something to eat. You haven’t eaten anything since last night. Don’t ruin your own stomach over this!”

Fan Xiaoxiao glanced at her watch and replied, “Don’t worry about me. How about this—I’ll go with you for your examinations first. Once we get your test results, if there’s nothing serious, we’ll arrange for you to be discharged.”

Wang Guocheng ignored her suggestion and simply took her hand, leading her directly downstairs to the patient cafeteria. He bought a bowl of congee, two small pastries, and a serving of pickled vegetables. After finding a seat, the two of them sat opposite each other.

During the entire meal, Wang Guocheng never once let go of her hand. Fan Xiaoxiao suddenly realized how natural it felt to have her small hand enveloped in his warm, broad palm.

Wang Guocheng personally scooped up some congee and brought the spoon to her lips. “Drink it while it's hot. You went through so much last night because of me.”

Fan Xiaoxiao blushed as she tasted a few spoonfuls. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner that you’re allergic to organ meat? If you hadn’t had that allergic reaction and been hospitalized yesterday, we’d be using Uncle Feng’s diamond card to treat Youru and Huahua to dinner today.”

Wang Guocheng was well aware of his own allergies. “Why don’t you call them? Once I finish the allergy screening the doctor ordered, we can go meet up with them together.”

Fan Xiaoxiao looked at him uncertainly. “Are you sure?”

He wrapped her hand in his and patted it gently, joking, “An allergy isn’t a big deal as long as I’m careful. We can still have a meal together. Besides, now that we’re here, your best friends have to give me a score, don’t they?”

After the meal, Fan Xiaoxiao seemed to be taking her role as a caring girlfriend quite seriously—pouring him warm water, running to the payment window to handle fees, and picking up his lab reports at the counter.

Watching her bustle about, Wang Guocheng felt a warm glow inside. In that moment, he made up his mind: no matter how hard it would be, he was going to marry Fan Xiaoxiao and make her his wife in the household registry.

Just then, Wang Guocheng’s phone rang. He glanced at the screen, pulled a wry smile, and reluctantly answered. Before he could speak, a scolding voice came through.

“Guocheng, you’re being far too willful and immature. How could you just leave without a word, not even a hint or a note? Are you running away from home?”

Irritation colored Wang Guocheng’s reply to Ms. Wang Lifengqin’s interrogation. “What else could I do? You’re both trying every way to pawn your son off without even asking if I agree, or if I like the idea…”

Wang Lifengqin sounded angry on the phone. “Guocheng, our family isn’t exactly wealthy, but in Border Town we’re still from the Red Gate Courtyard. How could we let our future daughter-in-law be anyone at all? Besides, Xiaoqiao teaches at your university. Your father and I know her background and character well—it’s much more reliable than meeting someone online. There are so many scammers these days. For all you know, that Fan Xiaoxiao you’re infatuated with could be one herself…”

Wang Guocheng retorted, bristling. “What era are we living in? You’re still clinging to those outdated ideas. And besides, I’m the one getting married—I get to decide whom I marry. If you or Dad were the ones getting married, I’d have nothing to say. But since it’s me, I’ll choose my own spouse. What’s wrong with meeting someone online? The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl met on the Magpie Bridge, didn’t they? Stop meddling and cancel all those arrangements with Xiaoqiao or anyone else.”

Wang Lifengqin, exasperated by his stubbornness, complained, “You’re just as stubborn as ever! What’s wrong with Xiaoqiao? She’s from a top university, has the same education as you, is a good height, comes from a good family—what more do you want? Listen here, you’d better come back to Border Town right away or else… or else I…”

Wang Guocheng’s voice turned cold. “Or else what? Ms. Wang Lifengqin, your thinking is so hopelessly old-fashioned. It’s ridiculous that you and Dad still want to arrange my marriage. So what if we’re from the Courtyard? Not everyone’s desperate for a background like that.”

Wang Lifengqin was so furious she began to stammer. “You… you… you must come home!”

Speaking slowly and deliberately, Wang Guocheng said, “If you still consider me your son, don’t interfere with my marriage or my love life.”

“And another thing—I’ve already chosen my wife. Don’t go matchmaking and hurting other girls. This is my final word: from now on, your daughter-in-law will only be Fan Xiaoxiao. Don’t bring anyone else into my life. And I’m staying in Kangcheng to spend New Year’s with Xiaoxiao. Stop making a scene and threatening to end it all…”

Hearing her son’s determination to go against tradition, Wang Lifengqin felt suffocated with frustration. “Guocheng, why are you so disobedient? What’s so special about that Fan Xiaoxiao? A decent girl wouldn’t be looking for a boyfriend online. You’re completely bewitched, sigh…”

Wang Guocheng, angered by her slander, replied, “Ms. Wang Lifengqin, even if you don’t like Xiaoxiao, you shouldn’t speak about her that way. Show some grace—don’t be so narrow-minded. And I don’t want to hear you disrespect her again. You know what my temper is like.”

With that, he hung up, leaving Wang Lifengqin sighing helplessly on the other end.

When Fan Xiaoxiao returned from the payment window, she saw Wang Guocheng staring gloomily out the window. She quickly went over and patted his shoulder. “What’s wrong? You look so upset—who got you so worked up in just a few minutes?”

Wang Guocheng snapped out of his thoughts, forced a smile, and didn’t want her to know about the unpleasantness. He pulled her to sit beside him.

“Xiaoxiao, I’m fine… I was just thinking, I want to spend New Year’s with you. I’m really looking forward to ringing in the new year together with you. Xiaoxiao, would you?”