Chapter 203: Linglong

Su Yaoguang and Cui Rong met several bosses and successfully closed several business deals.

At lunchtime, Cui Rong took Su Yaoguang to try some local delicacies, but as soon as they entered the shop, they were told by the staff that it was fully booked.

Su Yaoguang looked around the hall filled with scholars dressed as students, curious if Zhou Wangshu might be there, gazing around the surroundings.

"I spoke to the shopkeeper, and they’ve freed up a private room for us. Let’s go!" Cui Rong came over and said to Su Yaoguang.

Just as Su Yaoguang was about to follow Cui Rong upstairs, she saw Zhou Wangshu with some scholars at a corner. Beside Zhou Wangshu sat a young girl who was looking at him with admiration, her eyes filled with twinkling stars. Su Yaoguang glanced a few more times, catching Cui Rong’s attention.

Cui Rong noticed Zhou Wangshu and the young girl beside him. The way that girl was looking at Zhou Wangshu was too obvious; anyone who understood would understand.

Initially, Cui Rong was worried that Su Yaoguang might be upset, but when he saw only curiosity and no displeasure in her eyes, he made up his mind.

It seemed Su Yaoguang really had no romantic feelings for Zhou Wangshu. But it made sense; from how they interacted daily, the two were more like family.

As Su Yaoguang prepared to go upstairs, a staff member approached Zhou Wangshu’s table, speaking humbly and courteously before telling them that their table would get a 10% discount.

"But this shop’s specialty is their chicken, and now it’s gone, so coming here was in vain!"

The young girl beside Zhou Wangshu looked disappointed after hearing that the chicken was sold out.

The scholar sitting beside Zhong Chushan said, "Linglong, if there’s none today, it’s okay, we can come again next time."

"This shop requires a reservation, and their meals are booked up until next month, so if we can’t eat today, you won’t be able to eat even after your exams are over." Zhang Linglong looked at Zhou Wangshu and said, "Brother Zhou, I promised to treat you to the most special local dish, I can’t let you be disappointed. I’ll go ask the shopkeeper what’s going on. If they agree to add a chicken, I’ll pay extra."

"If Miss Linglong likes, she can go ahead and ask. I’m not particularly interested in chicken. It’s only my wife who likes it."

Zhang Fengyi exclaimed in surprise, "Brother Zhou, you look young, how are you already married?"

"I am." Usually indifferent, Zhou Wangshu smiled a little. "We got engaged early. My family was poor, so I became a child bridegroom to my wife."

Zhong Chushan almost choked on his saliva.

Chen Buyu also had a look of disbelief on his face.

Zhang Fengyi glanced at Zhang Linglong worriedly.

Zhang Linglong was overly enthusiastic about Zhou Wangshu, and as her older brother, he knew exactly what that meant. His sister was hard to please; the family had proposed several fine matches over the years, but she turned them all down. When asked what kind of person she wanted to marry, she said it would be a scholar aiming for fame.

Zhang Fengyi had introduced his classmates to Zhang Linglong, but she found them unattractive and lacking charm, calling them rigid and boring.

When she saw Zhou Wangshu today, her eyes lit up, an expression too obvious for even her older brother to ignore.

Learning that Zhou Wangshu was already married was like being doused with a bucket of cold water. He believed she would finally back down.

"As a child bridegroom, doesn’t that imply you had no choice, married against your will?" Zhang Linglong persisted, "In our village, there’s a child bridegroom whose wife is ten years older. She was too ugly to find a husband, so she bought one to raise."

Su Yaoguang, who just overheard their conversation, thought: "..."

Originally, seeing a girl of the same age beside Zhou Wangshu, she wondered if he had found a true match, but this girl turned out to be so rude.

No wonder Zhou Wangshu brought her, his ’wife,’ up to fend off unwanted advances; it was because this suitor was not his type.

If it was a matter of age, she admitted to being older, as she was indeed two years older than Zhou Wangshu! But to say she was ugly, that was unacceptable!

She looked at Cui Rong and asked, "How do I look today?"

Cui Rong’s face flushed, and he said shyly, "Yaoguang, you look stunning today."

He wasn’t trying to make her happy; she had indeed dressed up specially today. From her makeup to her outfit, she looked radiant and lively.

For the sake of business, Su Yaoguang had to showcase her exceptional makeup skills as well as the quality and color of their shop’s rouge and powder. Her clothes were a gift from Chun E. Of course, she designed the style herself. She wore them deliberately, and sure enough, a boss doing business in clothing became interested. Su Yaoguang ended up arranging two big deals for Chun E. When she returned to the county, she planned to show off her success to Chun E and ask for a share of the profits.

For now, she was going to make a grand appearance.

When Zhang Linglong spoke about Su Yaoguang, Zhou Wangshu’s face darkened. Just as he was about to react, a hand patted his shoulder.

He frowned, turned around, and was taken aback by Su Yaoguang’s bright smile.

"What are you doing here?"

"Just passing by!" Su Yaoguang said, greeting Zhong Chushan and Chen Buyu. "Thank you for looking after Wang Shu."

Zhang Fengyi and Zhang Linglong looked at the young lady before them, one amazed and the other wary. Seeing the scholars nearby, they were curious about Su Yaoguang’s identity, with some anticipation. A scholar nudged Chen Buyu, whispering to ask about Su Yaoguang’s identity.

"She is the young wife who’s been taking care of Brother Wang Shu." Zhong Chushan intentionally spoke loudly, "She’s a bit older by two years."

"But if anyone calls her ugly, they must be blind." Chen Buyu added, "Our Wang Shu has a great relationship with her!"

Su Yaoguang acted as if she didn’t understand what they were discussing.

"Am I interrupting you all?"

"No," Zhou Wangshu replied.

"You all carry on eating, I will be with Boss Cui..." Su Yaoguang only wanted to prove she wasn’t ugly or old. Now that it was confirmed, she was ready to leave.

Zhou Wangshu had already noticed Cui Rong not far away. Smiling at him, he took Su Yaoguang’s hand: "Join us."

"I’d hate to leave Boss Cui waiting." Su Yaoguang whispered to Zhou Wangshu.

Others interpreted this as a sign of their close relationship.

Zhou Wangshu felt a tickle in his ear, looking at Su Yaoguang with eyes full of affection and gently tucked a stray lock of her hair behind her ear: "Then I’ll accompany you."

With that, he stood up and said to everyone, "I’ll excuse myself for now, you all continue eating. I’ll join you at the poetry gathering later."

Leaving Su Yaoguang and Cui Rong by themselves wasn’t an option; he had to accompany them. Even though he knew Su Yaoguang wasn’t interested in Cui Rong, he still couldn’t allow it.

Su Yaoguang led Zhou Wangshu upstairs.

Zhong Chushan sensed a bit of tension and jovially broke the ice: "That guy is so insincere, running off as soon as he sees a lovely lady, but we’ll still eat."