Chapter 76: Words of Truth

Chapter 76: Words of Truth

When Fan Xiaoyao helped the drunken Wang Guocheng back to his room, Rong Jinfeng called out to her, “Xiaoyao, come to my room in a bit.”

After settling Wang Guocheng in and instructing Fan Xiaoyang on everything, Fan Xiaoyao turned and headed to Rong Jinfeng’s room.

She pushed open the door and called softly, “Mom, you wanted to see me?”

Rong Jinfeng gestured to the sofa by the bed. “Xiaoyao, sit down. There are some things I’d like to talk to you about.”

Nervously, Fan Xiaoyao sat down before her mother. “What is it, Mom? You look so serious.”

Rong Jinfeng moved a little closer, sighing quietly. “My child, it’s been hard on you these days, rushing from one blind date to another. I’m truly sorry.”

Fan Xiaoyao held her mother’s hand. “Don’t say that, Mom. I’m not that young anymore—it’s the right age to be thinking about marriage. There’s nothing to apologize for. You’ve worked so hard to raise me all these years; you’re the one who’s had it tough. Now that I’ve met Guocheng, you can finally worry a little less.”

Rong Jinfeng patted her daughter’s hand, her expression filled with relief. “I can tell Guocheng is a good man. Xiaoyao, you must cherish him.”

Fan Xiaoyao wrapped her arms around her mother’s neck, acting playfully. “Mom, what do you think of Guocheng? I always feel like there’s something mysterious about him.”

Rong Jinfeng doted on her daughter, teasing, “Mysterious? How so? Xiaoyao, have you been writing too many novels and imagining too much?”

Fan Xiaoyao shared her doubts. “Mom, did you know? The first time he came to Kangcheng, he wore a custom-tailored KINGYI suit—that brand isn’t cheap. And then, on our first date, he said he borrowed the car, but do you know? That car was worth over four million—it’s hard to believe anyone would lend out a car like that.”

Rong Jinfeng understood her daughter’s concerns. “Xiaoyao, tell me honestly, do you care whether he’s rich or poor?”

Fan Xiaoyao pursed her lips, counting on her fingers, hesitating. “After what happened with Tim, I just want a simple relationship. If Wang Guocheng really is from a wealthy or powerful family, I... I…”

“What then? Xiaoyao, you’re not a child anymore. Don’t be so willful, do you understand?”

Rong Jinfeng had learned about Tim’s death from the Kangcheng Times, but with Wang Guocheng around, she hadn’t been able to ask her daughter about it. Now, as Xiaoyao brought it up herself, Rong Jinfeng voiced her question.

“Tim is in the past now. You can’t judge everyone by him, can you?”

Fan Xiaoyao voiced her concerns. “Mom, I’m just worried that Wang Guocheng’s family background isn’t ordinary either. That will inevitably bring trouble… Even without talking about his wealth, just his upbringing—the world he comes from is so different from mine. I’m really afraid that if I try to walk to the end with Guocheng…”

Seeing her daughter’s lack of confidence, Rong Jinfeng’s heart ached. “Xiaoyao, that doesn’t sound like you! You’re backing away before you’ve even started truly loving. There’s no such thing as a smooth love story; everyone goes through hardships. But true love is what matters most. Didn’t Guocheng promise us at the table today? That wherever you want to stay, he’ll stay too. There aren’t many young men like that anymore!”

Before Xiaoyao could reply, Fan Xiaoyang burst in, saying that Wang Guocheng had thrown up.

Rong Jinfeng chided, “This is all your uncle’s fault, making Guocheng drink such strong liquor—what a tough night for that boy. Xiaoyao, you go up first. I’ll make some sobering soup for him. Give it to him when it’s ready!”

When Fan Xiaoyao entered the guest room, the pungent smell of alcohol hit her.

Fan Xiaoyang shrugged helplessly. “Sis, I did my best, but he still threw up all over the blanket.”

Truth be told, Fan Xiaoyao didn’t know how much Wang Guocheng could drink. But since Wu Jing told her he’d had high-proof liquor at lunch, she knew it wouldn’t be easy for him to handle.

And sure enough, Wang Guocheng hadn’t been able to hold it in.

Fan Xiaoyao looked at Fan Xiaoyang, a little exasperated. “Help him up. I’ll change the dirty blanket.”

Fan Xiaoyang struggled to lift Wang Guocheng by the armpits. “Sis, he’s so heavy, I can barely hold him.”

After all, Fan Xiaoyang was just a high schooler; moving a man of nearly eighty kilograms was no small feat.

Shaking her head, Fan Xiaoyao signaled to her brother. “Take the dirty blanket to the washer. I’ll handle him.”

She walked over, letting Wang Guocheng lean on her shoulder.

As he caught the familiar scent, Wang Guocheng stirred, “Xiaoyao, you’re back… cough… cough…”

Seeing he was a little more sober, Fan Xiaoyao chided him gently, “Guocheng, look at you tonight. You’re the only one in the whole family who got drunk—your drinking manners aren’t great.”

Wang Guocheng, his face flushed, eyes half-closed, smiled faintly. “You don’t understand, Xiaoyao. In Border Town, sincerity matters when drinking. If an elder offers you a drink, you have to accept, no matter what.”

Fan Xiaoyao eased him onto the sofa in the corner and tucked a cushion behind him. “But here in Kangcheng, there are rules about drinking. You have to know your limits with elders. The biggest taboo is getting drunk in front of them.”

Wang Guocheng chuckled. “Seems it’s a difference between northern and southern customs. But I think your aunt and uncle will understand my intentions today. I ended up like this because I wanted to show respect to your family.”

Fan Xiaoyao wiped his face and hands with a warm towel. “Is that so? No matter how much you love my family, you shouldn’t get drunk. It’s your first time dining with us, and now you’ve left such an impression.”

Wang Guocheng took her hand and pressed it to his chest. “Xiaoyao, having you care for me like this—I feel so lucky. Even getting this drunk is worth it.”

Fan Xiaoyao blushed, surprised that even in his drunken state, Wang Guocheng spoke so sweetly.

She tried to pull her hand away, but he held it tighter.

With misty eyes, Wang Guocheng whispered, “Xiaoyao, I love you. I want to make you the happiest woman in the world. I want to make you the most respected, the most envied by all other women. Who am I? I am the one who can do anything for you. I want to spoil you, to shower you with love, to cherish you to the depths of my bones. Xiaoyao, I love you.”