Chapter 88: You Have Secrets

Chapter 88: You Have Secrets

Rong Shaoting gazed at Wang Guocheng, who knelt before him, swearing earnestly to marry Fan Xiaoyou and bring happiness to her. With a sigh, Rong Shaoting felt the weight of the moment. After nearly five minutes of silence, seeing Wang Guocheng still kneeling, Rong Shaoting shook his head and stepped forward, intending to help him up.

“Guocheng, Xiaoyou grew up under my watch. Among all my grandchildren, she’s the one I cherish most. I want her to be happy, and I hope someone will truly love and protect her. Do you understand my feelings?”

Wang Guocheng nodded, “Grandfather, please rest assured. I genuinely love Xiaoyou. I’ll do everything I can to give her the greatest happiness. Grandfather, I truly love her. In this life, I only wish to marry her and protect her always.”

Because Rong Shaoting had previously instructed Rong Jinfeng, Fan Xiaoyou was sent out to buy groceries shortly after entering the house. When she returned with the groceries and placed them in the kitchen, she climbed the stairs in her heels and pushed open Rong Shaoting’s room, only to find Wang Guocheng still kneeling.

“Grandfather, Guocheng, what are you two doing?”

Fan Xiaoyou looked at Rong Shaoting in confusion, then glanced with concern at Wang Guocheng kneeling on the floor. She stepped forward to pull him up, only to be met with Wang Guocheng’s refusal.

She looked from her grandfather to Wang Guocheng, puzzled. “What are you doing?”

Wang Guocheng gently took her hand, coaxing softly, “Xiaoyou, don’t worry. I’m kneeling to ask Grandfather to give us his blessing, to let me marry you.”

Fan Xiaoyou eyed Rong Shaoting suspiciously. “Grandfather, is that true?”

Rong Shaoting cleared his throat, casting a sidelong glance at Wang Guocheng. He hadn’t expected Wang Guocheng to cover up so smoothly. Now, if he said yes or no, he’d be in a bind. Seeing Wang Guocheng’s hopeful gaze, Rong Shaoting could only reply, “Yes, this stubborn boy refuses to get up unless I agree.”

Noticing Rong Shaoting’s discomfort, Fan Xiaoyou pressed him, “Grandfather, are you hiding something from me?”

Rong Shaoting had promised to keep Wang Guocheng’s secret, so he couldn’t reveal it to Fan Xiaoyou now. He quickly stepped forward to help Wang Guocheng up, giving him a meaningful look.

“I have nothing to hide from you. It’s just… I took the chance to question Guocheng while you were out, that’s all. Don’t overthink it!”

Fan Xiaoyou turned to Wang Guocheng, “Guocheng, is it as Grandfather says?” As she glanced back, her gaze fell on a financial magazine at the foot of the sofa.

She frowned and walked over, about to pick it up, when Wang Guocheng, quick and alert, snatched it up before her and handed it to Rong Shaoting, saying, “Grandfather, weren’t you looking for this magazine earlier? Turns out it was right by the sofa. Do keep it safe!”

Fan Xiaoyou looked at her grandfather and Wang Guocheng, sensing something odd. “Are you hiding something from me?”

Both Rong Shaoting and Wang Guocheng hurriedly waved their hands and replied in unison, “No, nothing…”

Fan Xiaoyou grew even more suspicious. “Grandfather, do you not like Wang Guocheng?”

Rong Shaoting smiled at her, “Silly girl, what are you saying? How could I not like Guocheng? If I didn’t, would he be allowed in my house?”

Just as Fan Xiaoyou was about to pursue her questions, Rong Kai called from the doorway, “Grandfather, Xiaoyou, Guocheng, lunch is ready!”

Rong Shaoting asked, “Kai, are your parents and your elder brother, as well as your third aunt’s family, here yet?”

Rong Kai replied respectfully from outside, “Grandfather, my parents, elder brother, sister-in-law, third aunt, third uncle, Xiaoying, and Xiaoxia are all here. They didn’t come to greet you because you were talking with Guocheng.”

Rong Shaoting turned to Fan Xiaoyou and Wang Guocheng, “Everyone’s here. Let’s go, time for lunch.”

He opened the door and, supported by Rong Kai, descended the stairs first. Fan Xiaoyou and Wang Guocheng followed behind, and Fan Xiaoyou whispered in Guocheng’s ear, “Tell me honestly, what did Grandfather talk to you about for so long? And how did Grandfather’s financial magazine end up on the floor by the sofa?”

Wang Guocheng kissed her cheek and murmured in her ear, “Xiaoyou, I truly want to marry you. That’s why I knelt before Grandfather, to move him and gain his blessing.”

Fan Xiaoyou neither fully believed nor doubted his answer. She parted her lips and said, “Alright, let’s leave it at that.”

When Fan Xiaoyou and Wang Guocheng entered the dining room one after the other, the round table was already full.

Rong Shaoting sat at the head of the table. Seeing Wang Guocheng and Fan Xiaoyou come in, he beckoned them, “Xiaoyou, Guocheng, come, sit by Grandfather.”

He placed Wang Guocheng to his left and Fan Xiaoyou to his right. This arrangement drew the ire of Fan Xiaoyou’s aunt, Huang Yun, who felt her son was being slighted. She turned to Rong Shaoting, complaining, “Dad, you’re playing favorites! The seats should follow the order of seniority. By the Rong family’s hierarchy, Rong Bo and Rong Kai should be sitting next to you.”

Rong Shaoting, displeased by Huang Yun’s challenge, scolded her, “Yun, you’re becoming increasingly unruly. Who sits beside me is for me to decide, not you.”

Rong Jinhua, seeing Rong Shaoting angered, tugged at Huang Yun’s sleeve and whispered, “Yun, just let it be. Who sits beside Dad isn’t your concern. Why are you making a scene?”

Feeling aggrieved, Huang Yun looked to Rong Jinfeng for support. “Feng, say something fair…”

Rong Shaoting slapped the table and glared at Huang Yun, “Don’t ruin the New Year’s celebration with your nonsense. If you insist on this, I’ll have to ask you to leave…”

Rong Jinfeng stood up and called out, “Dad… It’s New Year’s, the whole family is together. Why are you doing this? Besides, what Sister-in-law said makes sense, doesn’t it? By seniority, it’s true that Brother Bo and Kai are more suitable to sit beside you.”

Rong Jinfeng looked helplessly at Rong Shaoting and Huang Yun—caught between her father and her sister-in-law, she found herself in an impossible position.