Chapter 1180: The River God’s Bride 15

Tang Wan’s words immediately unsettled Bingtong. His expression changed at once, anxiety flashing across his face as he blurted out, “How can that be allowed?” The thought of her growing weak or even dying simply because she stayed here was something he could not accept.

A moment later, however, hesitation crept into his features, his emotions caught between caution and concern. Seeing this, Tang Wan spoke again, her tone gentle yet firm, “It’s really alright. If staying here can prove my sincerity to you, then I’m willing to remain by your side like this forever.”

Those words finally shook him. The firmness in her voice, the lack of hesitation—it stirred something deep within him. After a long pause, he nodded slowly, as though coming to a difficult decision. “Alright… when the time is right, I’ll take you to the shore.”

The moment he agreed, Tang Wan’s expression brightened. “Thank you, Tongtong. You’re so good to me,” she said warmly.

Before he could react, she suddenly stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his neck, her entire body leaning into him as she clung to him with effortless familiarity. The next instant, a soft but unmistakable sound rang out as she pressed a quick kiss against his cheek.

Bingtong froze completely.

For a brief moment, his mind went blank, as though he could not process what had just happened. Then, as realization set in, his face flushed rapidly, the color spreading across his features like dye spilling into water. Even his hands, which had instinctively come to rest at her waist, seemed to lose strength.

“M-my lady…” he stammered after a long pause, his voice unsteady.

Inwardly, he was utterly bewildered. This was nothing like what he had been told. The stories passed down by previous River Gods had all described human women as reserved, timid, and easily frightened. Yet Tang Wan was the complete opposite. Not only did she show no fear, she was even… bold enough to take the initiative.

And yet, despite his confusion, there was one thing he could not deny—he liked it. He liked the way she approached him without hesitation, the way she treated him as though there was nothing strange about him at all.

Seeing his stunned expression, Tang Wan could not help but smile faintly, a trace of mischief flickering in her eyes. This shy, sensitive side of his was far more endearing than she had expected.

“What is it, Tongtong?” she asked softly, her expression turning innocent as she looked up at him. “Do you not like it when I’m like this?”

At once, Bingtong shook his head, his face still flushed as he replied hurriedly, “No! I… I like it!”

“Really?” Tang Wan pressed, tilting her head slightly. “You don’t think I’m too bold?”

“No,” he said, lowering his gaze as the redness reached his ears. “My lady is… very good.”

To him, her behavior meant something important—it meant she was not afraid of him, that she was willing to be close to him of her own accord. According to the records left behind by other River Gods, even those who had managed to win the genuine affection of human women had needed years before their wives would approach them willingly. Yet Tang Wan had accepted him so quickly, even taking the initiative to show affection.

The thought alone made his heart feel as though it might burst with happiness.

Tang Wan watched his reaction with quiet amusement before speaking again, her tone light and expectant. “Since you don’t mind, Tongtong… can you take me around? This place will be my home from now on. I’d like to see it properly.”

“Of course!” Bingtong agreed immediately, his earlier hesitation gone as long as she remained by his side. “I’ll show you around.”

He turned and began walking toward the door, but before he could take more than a few steps, Tang Wan’s voice called out behind him, soft yet hopeful. “Tongtong… will you hold my hand?”

His heart skipped at once, delight surging through him as he turned back. Without hesitation, he reached out and took her hand, his grip careful yet firm, as though afraid of letting go.

As he led her forward, a quiet thought formed in his mind, filling him with a deep sense of contentment. To have a wife who was not afraid of him, who was willing to stay close to him like this—it felt like a blessing he had never dared to hope for. Perhaps it was because he had done enough good deeds in the past, quietly protecting the people of this region, that he had been rewarded in this way.

And if that was the case, then from now on, he would protect them even more diligently.