Chapter 53: Striving to Advance and Pass the Test

Chapter 53: Striving to Advance

Ever since Wang Guocheng managed to win the favor of both of Fan Xiaoxiao’s closest friends in one fell swoop, his name instantly became the subject of lively conversation within her circle. Overnight, Wang Guocheng had become the rising star among Fan Xiaoxiao’s friends.

It was no exaggeration to say that nearly everyone in Fan Xiaoxiao’s social group was eagerly lining up to invite Wang Guocheng out; each of them wanted to see for themselves what this “five-star man,” so highly praised by Feng Youru and Yang Yeye, actually looked like.

Becoming the focal point of Fan Xiaoxiao’s circle genuinely pleased Wang Guocheng. Earning their recognition meant he was integrating into her life—his first battle could be deemed a success.

Yet what troubled him was that his campaign to win her over seemed to have stalled. It had been nearly a week since his arrival in Kangcheng, and his moments of intimacy with Fan Xiaoxiao had advanced no further than a hand around the shoulder or a chaste kiss on the cheek; even the rare real kisses could be counted on one hand.

The endless invitations from her friends had robbed them of nearly all their private moments together.

Because Fan Xiaoxiao worked during the day, evenings were their only time for romance. But to Wang Guocheng’s dismay, ever since he’d arrived, there had been invitations nearly every night.

“Guocheng, Teacher Zhong said she wants to meet you tonight. She heard about you from Yang Yeye, who called you a five-star man, and now Teacher Zhong insists on seeing you for herself…”

“Guocheng, we’re meeting a few of my seniors tonight. They said they’d like to get to know you…”

“Guocheng, where are you? One of my high school classmates is throwing a welcome party just for you…”

“Guocheng, are you listening? My colleagues want to have dinner together tonight and have asked you to join us…”

Thinking back on these endless rounds of banquets and gatherings, Wang Guocheng couldn’t help but feel a little helpless.

He hadn’t realized that Fan Xiaoxiao’s social circle was even larger than he’d imagined—and these were all people he couldn’t afford to offend.

As he sat in a daze, the phone at home rang.

Wang Guocheng assumed it was Fan Xiaoxiao calling and eagerly picked up the receiver. “Xiaoxiao, are you off work?… Who is this?”

The unfamiliar voice on the other end made him cautious.

“Who are you, and why are you in Xiaoxiao’s home?” a woman named Huang Yun demanded bluntly from the other end of the line.

Wang Guocheng, not knowing who this woman was or how he should address her, responded respectfully, “Auntie, if you need to reach Xiaoxiao urgently, you could call her mobile…”

Huang Yun had been entrusted by Rong Jinfeng to call and sound out Wang Guocheng, whom Fan Xiaoxiao had met online.

“I’m Huang Yun, Xiaoxiao’s aunt. I’m not looking for her, I’m calling for you. You’re Wang Guocheng, aren’t you?”

Wang Guocheng had thought that after passing through Fan Xiaoxiao’s circle of friends, he might finally get a respite. But to his surprise, now came the parade of her aunts and uncles—a veritable phalanx of inquisitors, and this Ms. Huang was almost certainly just the first.

He replied cautiously, “Hello, Auntie, yes, I’m Wang Guocheng.”

Although Huang Yun had never met him, she had already inquired about him extensively from her daughter-in-law Yang Yeye. Her strategy was simple: seeing is believing. Since Rong Jinfeng had asked her, she had to pay a personal visit.

“Guocheng, what time does Xiaoxiao get off work?” Huang Yun asked, feigning ignorance.

Wang Guocheng, unsure of her intentions, answered quickly, “She finishes at six. She should be home shortly.”

Huang Yun already knew from Yang Yeye that Xiaoxiao had no other appointments that evening, so she made up her mind. “Alright, Guocheng, I’ll hang up now.”

Left bewildered by Huang Yun’s abrupt call, Wang Guocheng had prepared himself with all manner of responses in case of questioning, only to have the line go dead before he could use any of them.

He replaced the receiver and, muttering to himself, pulled out his phone to report the call to Fan Xiaoxiao. “Xiaoxiao, your aunt just called…”

Fan Xiaoxiao, just stepping out of the office, was surprised. “What, Aunt? Why would she suddenly call me? Did she say anything?”

Wang Guocheng recounted the conversation honestly. “No, she didn’t say much. She just asked what time you finish work. I told her six, and then she hung up.”

Fan Xiaoxiao suddenly felt a twitch of anxiety, a premonition that things were about to get complicated.

“Guocheng, start cooking now—see what ingredients we have at home. If there’s nothing, go to the market and buy a chicken or something and make chicken soup. We’ll eat at home tonight. You know how to make chicken soup, right?”

Wang Guocheng felt a pang of regret for boasting earlier to Fan Xiaoxiao about his cooking skills. In truth, his culinary abilities didn’t extend much beyond fried rice or egg drop soup. When it came to chicken soup, this would be his first attempt.

He replied, a little uncertain, “Alright, I’ll go to the market right away. Xiaoxiao, who’s the chicken soup for?”

“My aunt Huang Yun,” she replied with resignation.

Wang Guocheng’s heart skipped a beat. “Xiaoxiao, you mean your aunt is really coming tonight?”

He prayed silently, hoping he could follow the recipes and manage to put together a respectable meal.

Fan Xiaoxiao, worried that Wang Guocheng was unfamiliar with the kitchen and might not be able to handle everything alone, hurried out of the office, hailed a taxi, and rushed toward her apartment.

“Yes, she’s coming, and she’ll be grilling you thoroughly. I’m taking a taxi home now. Go to the market first—I’ll be there soon.”

Sensing her anxiety, Wang Guocheng tried to reassure her. “Don’t worry, take your time and stay safe. Leave the kitchen to me.”

But Fan Xiaoxiao, hearing how calm he was, couldn’t help but ask, “Guocheng, aren’t you nervous? My aunt is the strictest in our family. If you don’t meet her standards, who knows what she’ll do. All I hope is that we serve her well tonight and she’ll speak well of you.”

Wang Guocheng noticed how much Fan Xiaoxiao cared about her family’s opinion of him, and he felt a little thrill of delight.

“Xiaoxiao, there’s really no need to worry. Didn’t we agree? For every move, there’s a countermove. What’s there to be nervous about? Trust me, I’ll do my best tonight and strive to advance to the next round.”