Chapter 73: The People of the Compound

Chapter 73: The People of the Courtyard

After dining at the Rabbit Grassland Hotpot City, Wang Guocheng and Fan Xiaoyao returned home early. The next morning, Wang Guocheng woke Fan Xiaoyao up at the crack of dawn.

“Xiaoyao, get up and help me. How does this outfit look? Which color tie do you think suits me best?” Wang Guocheng laid out his clothes and ties in front of her.

Fan Xiaoyao, rubbing sleep from her eyes, grumbled, “Wang Guocheng, are you going to a beauty pageant? Mr. Wang, it’s only six in the morning. Do you really need to be this enthusiastic?”

She glanced at her phone by the pillow and, seeing the early hour, couldn’t help but complain.

But Wang Guocheng was relentless. “I’m meeting your family for the first time. I have to take this seriously. Please, help me out!” As he spoke, he planted a kiss on her forehead.

Disheveled and still half-asleep, Fan Xiaoyao was dragged up by Wang Guocheng.

She slouched lazily on the living room sofa, eyes half-closed, giving instructions in a listless tone, “That jacket’s color is fine, but swap the tie. Those trousers are good…”

After a morning of fussing, Wang Guocheng finally settled on a blue pinstriped suit, a golden tie, and brown leather shoes.

Once dressed, he stood before Fan Xiaoyao, seeking reassurance. “Does this really work?”

She rolled her eyes. “Wang Guocheng, you’re meeting my family, not going on a blind date, OK?”

He smiled shyly, “Meeting the parents is a much bigger deal than a blind date! I have to make a perfect first impression.”

As they bantered, Rong Jinfeng called. “Xiaoyao, don’t forget to bring Guocheng home for dinner today. The whole family will be there.”

Fan Xiaoyao answered, “Okay, Mom. We’ll get ready to leave soon.”

Still worried, Rong Jinfeng continued, “How about I have your uncle pick you up later?”

Fan Xiaoyao glanced at Wang Guocheng, who was waving his hand, and quickly replied, “No need, Mom. Guocheng said we’ll rent a car, so let’s not trouble Uncle.”

Hearing that Wang Guocheng would handle the car, Rong Jinfeng nagged, “Tell Guocheng not to waste money. Let your uncle pick you up!”

Wang Guocheng quickly took the phone from Fan Xiaoyao and spoke to Rong Jinfeng, “Auntie, there’s no need to trouble Xiaoyao’s uncle. I’ve already booked a car. We’ll be on our way soon.”

Seeing that Wang Guocheng insisted, Rong Jinfeng relented, “Alright, just drive safe on the way.”

Wang Guocheng responded, “Yes, Auntie. See you soon!”

After breakfast, they went downstairs to find a car already parked in front of the building. “Wang Guocheng, isn’t this car a bit too flashy? There’s no need to be so extravagant. You’re just a regular teacher, and renting a car on a cloudy day isn’t cheap…” Fan Xiaoyao scolded as she eyed the BMW before them.

Wang Guocheng grinned, surprised by how stingy she could be. “It’s fine, meeting the family requires a bit of style, so they can feel confident letting you marry me.”

Fan Xiaoyao frowned. “Really? I think they’ll be more worried you care about appearances and spend money recklessly, which isn’t a good impression at all. Change the car to something more ordinary, or I’m not going.”

Seeing she wouldn’t budge, Wang Guocheng had no choice but to text Ding Cheng, arranging for another car—a well-used Honda—to be sent over.

Fan Xiaoyao, curious, asked, “How did you get this car? I didn’t see you make a call.”

Wang Guocheng smiled slyly, “I used a ride-hailing app. Much more convenient—just tap on the phone.”

He waved his phone in front of her before pocketing it.

Fan Xiaoyao eyed him suspiciously. “Really?”

He flicked her forehead gently, “Don’t be so paranoid all the time. Trust me, this car is perfectly safe.”

With that, he led her to the passenger seat and fastened her seatbelt. Once everything was ready, he got into the driver’s seat. “Xiaoyao, set up the navigation on my phone, will you?”

She was still uncertain. “Guocheng, are you sure you can drive us to my place without any problems?”

He replied with some pride, “Relax, my driving skills are the best in our courtyard. Don’t worry!”

When the words “our courtyard” slipped out, Wang Guocheng suddenly realized he’d let something slip.

“Our courtyard? How come you never mentioned you came from a courtyard family? Wang Guocheng, I feel like you’re still hiding things from me. Aside from your identity as a courtyard kid, is there anything else you haven’t told me?” Fan Xiaoyao, sensing his slip of the tongue, questioned him warily.

Wang Guocheng took her hand and explained, “Xiaoyao, I didn’t tell you I grew up in the compound because I didn’t want you to feel pressured. And just because I’m from the compound doesn’t mean I’m spoiled. In fact, I had my share of hardships growing up.”

Fan Xiaoyao tried to pull her hand away, but his grip was firm, so she fell silent.

Seeing her quiet, Wang Guocheng grew anxious. “Xiaoyao, trust me, my feelings for you are genuine. I want to spend my life with you. My background doesn’t affect our future, does it? Like I’ve always said, wherever you are, that’s where I’ll be. I’m marrying you, not my parents marrying you. So, Xiaoyao, please trust me.”

She replied, lacking confidence, “Guocheng, aren’t families from the compound really strict and demanding? I’m afraid your parents won’t accept me! People say those prestigious families have a lot of rules, and I’ve heard they’re hard to get along with. Kids like me, who grew up in ordinary neighborhoods, are so different from you high-born folks.”

Wang Guocheng, hearing her lack of confidence, sighed softly. “Xiaoyao, can’t you have a little faith in yourself? If I, Wang Guocheng, have chosen you, how could you possibly be inferior? I fell for you at first sight, and again every time after. You’re unique to me. Whether my parents approve or not, nothing can stop me from loving you. So give me some confidence, alright? Let’s go, the longer we wait, the more we’ll keep your family waiting, and that wouldn’t be good.”