Chapter 203: Linglong
Su Yaoguang and Cui Rong met with several bosses and closed several deals.
When lunchtime arrived, Cui Rong took Su Yaoguang to taste the local specialty delicious food, but as soon as they entered the shop, the shop assistant told them it was full.
Su Yaoguang looked at the hall full of scholars dressed as students, curiously wondering if Brother Wangshu was here, and looked around the hall.
“I spoke to the shopkeeper, and the shopkeeper cleared a dormitory room for us. Let’s go!” Cui Rong walked over and said to Su Yaoguang.
Su Yaoguang was about to follow Cui Rong upstairs but saw Zhou Wangshu and several students at the corner. A young girl sat next to Zhou Wangshu, looking at him with adoration, her eyes full of stars. Su Yaoguang looked a few more times, which caught Cui Rong’s attention.
Cui Rong saw Zhou Wangshu and the young girl beside him. The way that young girl looked at Zhou Wangshu was too obvious; anyone who understood could see it.
Cui Rong had originally been worried that Su Yaoguang would be unhappy, but upon seeing curiosity rather than displeasure in her eyes, he came to a conclusion.
It seemed Su Yaoguang truly had no romantic feelings for Zhou Wangshu. Of course, from their usual interactions, the two were more like family.
As Su Yaoguang prepared to go upstairs, a shop assistant walked to Zhou Wangshu’s table, humbly said a few polite words, then said they would give their table a 10% discount.
“But this shop’s chicken is the specialty, and it’s out now. Coming here for nothing!”
The young girl next to Zhou Wangshu said disappointedly after hearing the shop assistant say the chicken was sold out.
The scholar sitting next to Zhong Chushan said: “Linglong, if there’s none today, that’s fine. We can come back next time.”
“This shop requires advance reservations, and their meals are booked through next month. If you can’t eat today, you won’t get to after your exams either.” Zhang Linglong said to Zhou Wangshu, “Brother Zhou, you promised to treat you all to the local’s most characteristic delicious food. You can’t let you leave disappointed. I’ll go ask the shopkeeper what’s going on. If they’re willing to add a chicken, I can pay extra.”
“If Linglong young lady likes it, you can go ask. I’m not interested in chicken. In our family, only my wife likes to eat chicken.”
Zhang Fengyi said in surprise: “Brother Zhou, you look young. How are you already married?”
“We are.” Zhou Wangshu, who was usually expressionless, smiled slightly. “We got engaged early. My family was poor; I’m my wife’s child groom.”
Zhong Chushan nearly choked on his saliva.
Chen Buyu also had a speechless expression.
Zhang Fengyi looked at Zhang Linglong opposite him with a worried gaze.
Zhang Linglong was overly enthusiastic toward Zhou Wangshu, and he, who was familiar with his sister, knew exactly what that meant. His sister had high standards; over the years, the family had arranged several good marriage engagements for her, but she turned them all down. When asked what kind of man she wanted to marry, she said a student who could obtain an official position.
Zhang Fengyi introduced classmates to Zhang Linglong, but she disliked them for being unattractive, not witty or humorous enough, stiff and boring.
Today, upon meeting Zhou Wangshu, her eyes lit up immediately; her expression was so obvious that even he, as the elder brother, felt awkward watching.
Now learning that Zhou Wangshu was already married was like a bucket of ice water poured over her. He believed this time she would finally settle down.
“Being a child groom, does that mean you had no choice, didn’t want to marry but had to?” Zhang Linglong asked persistently. “Our village has one too; the woman was ten years older than the man. She was too ugly to marry out, so they bought one to raise themselves.”
Su Yaoguang, who happened to overhear their conversation: “…”
She had originally seen a girl Zhou Wangshu’s age next to him and wondered if this boy had met his true love, but this young girl was so rude.
No wonder Zhou Wangshu brought out his ‘wife’ to fend off the peach blossom; it turned out this peach blossom wasn’t his type.
If she was said to be old, she’d admit it—after all, she was two years older than Zhou Wangshu! But calling her ugly, she couldn’t forgive that!
She looked at Cui Rong and said: “How do I look today?”
Cui Rong’s cheeks flushed, and he said shyly: “Yaoguang is extremely beautiful today.”
He wasn’t just saying it to cheer her up; she had deliberately dressed up today—her makeup and clothes matching were stunning, bright yet spirited.
To discuss business, Su Yaoguang naturally showcased her excellent makeup skills and the quality of their shop’s cosmetics. The clothes on her were a gift from Chun E. Of course, the style was her own design. She wore them on purpose, and sure enough, a ready-made clothes boss was interested. Su Yaoguang conveniently negotiated two big orders for Chun E. Once back in the county town, she’d go find Chun E to claim credit and ask for a dividend.
Now, she was going to strut around.
With Zhang Linglong talking about Su Yaoguang that way, Zhou Wangshu’s face darkened. Just as he was about to react, a hand patted his shoulder.
He frowned and turned around. Seeing Su Yaoguang’s bright smile, he was stunned.
“Why are you here?”
“I’m just passing by!” Su Yaoguang said, greeting Zhong Chushan and Chen Buyu. “You two have worked hard taking care of our Wangshu.”
Zhang Fengyi and Zhang Linglong looked at the young girl before them—one amazed, one wary. Seeing several students nearby, they were all curious about Su Yaoguang’s identity and somewhat expectant. The students next to them nudged Chen Buyu and whispered to ask about Su Yaoguang’s identity.
“Her? She’s the little wife who raised Brother Wangshu.” Zhong Chushan said loudly on purpose. “She is a bit old—two years older than Wangshu.”
“But if someone says she’s ugly, they’re blind.” Chen Buyu said. “Our Wangshu has a great relationship with her!”
Su Yaoguang acted as if she didn’t know what they were talking about.
“Am I disturbing you?”
“No.” Zhou Wangshu said.
“Then you eat. I and Boss Cui…” Su Yaoguang just wanted to prove she wasn’t ugly and not that old. Now proven, she prepared to leave.
Zhou Wangshu had already seen Cui Rong not far away, smiled at him, pulled Su Yaoguang, and said: “Sit together!”
“I can’t leave Boss Cui hanging there.” Su Yaoguang whispered to Zhou Wangshu.
To others, this looked like a symbol of their intimate relationship.
Zhou Wangshu’s ear tingled; his eyes full of affection as he looked at Su Yaoguang, brushing the loose hair by her ear: “Then I’ll go with you.”
With that, he stood up and said to everyone: “Everyone, I’ll take my leave first. You eat. I’ll find you at the poetry gathering later.”
Just Su Yaoguang and Cui Rong alone—that wouldn’t do; he had to follow and see. Even knowing Su Yaoguang wasn’t interested in Cui Rong, still no.
Su Yaoguang took Zhou Wangshu upstairs.
Zhong Chushan noticed the atmosphere was a bit dull and laughed to liven things up: “That boy is really unreliable. He runs off at the sight of a beautiful lady. He won’t eat, so we’ll eat.”
