Chapter 57: Already Spoken For

Chapter 57: Already Claimed

Wang Guocheng noticed the flush on both of Fan Xiaoyao’s cheeks and teased her, “So does that mean if I really propose to you 101 times, you’ll marry me? As far as I recall, I’ve already proposed to you four times.”

Fan Xiaoyao glanced out the car window and saw the HK company colleagues gathered around to watch the spectacle. She hurriedly urged Wang Guocheng, “Guocheng, aren’t you taking me to the Aegean Sea Restaurant? Why are you still dawdling?”

In truth, Wang Guocheng simply wanted to tease Fan Xiaoyao, to see if she harbored even a shred of affection for him. He leaned his face close to hers, “You stamped your seal on my face and now you’re leaving?”

Watching the crowd outside and seeing Wang Guocheng’s insistence, Fan Xiaoyao awkwardly pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Is that enough now? Come on, let’s go. Are you really going to let them watch this for free...?”

Wang Guocheng stroked the cheek where Fan Xiaoyao had kissed him and smiled, “As a reward for your promotional kiss just now, I’ll take you shopping for clothes first.”

Fan Xiaoyao looked at Wang Guocheng, confused. “I already have plenty of clothes. There’s no need to spend so much!”

Wang Guocheng shot her a sideways glance. “As my fiancée, buying you clothes is both my duty and my responsibility, OK? So today, the clothes must be bought.”

Fan Xiaoyao, realizing she couldn’t argue with him, relented. “Alright, but please stop calling me your fiancée every five minutes, OK? You’re making me feel like I’ve traveled back to the Republic era!”

At the next turn, Wang Guocheng flicked the steering wheel. While waiting at the traffic light, he looked back at Fan Xiaoyao, flashing a roguish smile. “Would calling you my wife be better?”

Fan Xiaoyao rolled her eyes at him. “Oppa, we’re not that close yet. Calling me ‘wife’—do you think you’re Wei Xiaobao, calling everyone ‘wife’ you meet?”

As they bantered, Wang Guocheng had already parked the car in the lot of Jiuding Department Store, the largest shopping mall in Kangcheng. He got out first, opened the car door for Fan Xiaoyao with attentive care, and bowed slightly, “Your Majesty, my queen, please alight!”

Previously, Fan Xiaoyao had thought that Wang Guocheng, being a university lecturer, would have a rather dull personality. But after spending time with him, she realized the man before her was worlds apart from the strict professor image.

She covered her mouth, giggling at his humility, and replied in an exaggerated tone, “Little Wang, make sure you support me well!”

Wang Guocheng grinned, “Yes, Your Majesty!”

Unable to keep up the act, Fan Xiaoyao nudged his hand and rolled her eyes, muttering, “What nonsense—one moment a queen, next an empress dowager. No mood for this!”

Seeing her dramatic flair return, Wang Guocheng pulled her back into his arms, joking, “Come on, if you keep this up, are we going to date right here in the parking lot, or do you want something more exciting?”

Fan Xiaoyao was startled by his bold words, realizing for the first time that the man before her had a hidden mischievous side.

He’d always seemed so proper, but unexpectedly, he harbored playful thoughts beneath the surface. Fan Xiaoyao angrily shook off his hand and strode ahead, “Trying to play the fox, but not even bothering to check the tiger’s skills!”

Wang Guocheng watched her muttering as she walked ahead and curled his lips into a smile. “Fan Xiaoyao, no matter how dramatic you get, I’ll spoil you for a lifetime!”

He quickly caught up, took her hand in his, and complained, “Why walk so fast? Now I can’t find the way!”

Fan Xiaoyao narrowed her eyes at him, “Can’t find the way? You managed to drive me around Kangcheng without a map, and now you’re lost? Oppa, Uncle, if you want to act cute, at least rehearse your lines first.”

Seeing she was genuinely upset, Wang Guocheng apologized quietly at her side, “Xiaoyao, I’m sorry, I was too careless just now. I’m sorry...”

People nearby gathered to watch, not understanding the situation. One busybody called out to Fan Xiaoyao, “Miss, this gentleman is sincerely apologizing, why not forgive him?”

A fashionable girl, noticing Wang Guocheng’s expensive suit and handsome features, was suddenly interested and scoffed at Fan Xiaoyao, “If you don’t know how to cherish such a good man, I’ll chase him myself!”

Fan Xiaoyao glared at the crowd, annoyed, and shouted, “Are you done yet? If you love drama so much, go home and watch TV!”

Then she took Wang Guocheng’s arm, walked up to the girl who’d just declared her interest, and waved her heart-shaped ring in the girl’s face, declaring possessively, “Ladies, look closely—this man’s already taken, so keep your eyes to yourselves and stop flirting.

Let me make this clear: he’s my fiancé, I’m his fiancée. If you want to chase him, you’ll have to get through me first.”

The girl had only meant it as a joke, but she hadn’t expected Fan Xiaoyao’s aura to be so overwhelming.

With everyone staring at her, she felt trapped.

Summoning her courage, the girl handed her business card to Wang Guocheng, giving Fan Xiaoyao a provocative look. “Here’s my card. My name is Lan You. Nice to meet you.”

People say you can lose the person but not the battle, so Lan You kept up her bravado for a moment longer.

She hadn’t really wanted to meddle, but she couldn’t stand Fan Xiaoyao’s theatrics.

Wang Guocheng accepted Lan You’s card out of courtesy, then immediately handed it to Fan Xiaoyao.

With a calm expression, he addressed Lan You, “Miss Lan, my fiancée and I have things to attend to. We’ll be going now.”

Seeing him hand her card directly to Fan Xiaoyao, Lan You understood he was making a point.

Clearly, he recognized her provocation and deftly prevented Fan Xiaoyao from losing face.

As they left, Wang Guocheng glanced back and shot Lan You a warning look, which made her feel decidedly frustrated.

Fan Xiaoyao wasn’t oblivious—she knew Lan You had deliberately tried to provoke her, hoping she’d act like a jealous wife in front of Wang Guocheng.

But Wang Guocheng had handed Lan You’s card straight to her, effectively rebuffing Lan You and shutting down any hope she might have had.

As they entered the revolving doors of the mall, Fan Xiaoyao asked Wang Guocheng, “Why did you help me just now?”

Wang Guocheng’s lips curled into a gentle smile, his eyes full of affection as he gazed at her. “She’s just a passerby. You’re my fiancée. Who else would I help?”