Chapter 1185: The River God’s Bride 20

Only now did Tang Wan fully understand why Bingtong had reacted with such wariness when she mentioned going ashore. Every method she had casually suggested—cooking for him, asking to leave the water—had already been used countless times by the brides recorded in that book. No wonder he had been so cautious. For a moment, she could not help but sigh inwardly. It seemed her approach had been far too ordinary.

Still, it didn’t matter. As long as she gradually gained his trust, he would come to understand that she was different, that she had no intention of deceiving him.

After listening to him recount more than a dozen such stories, Tang Wan gently stopped him. “Alright, Tongtong, you don’t need to read anymore. I understand what this book is about now. No wonder you were so guarded earlier.”

At her words, Bingtong slowly lowered the book in his hands.

Tang Wan then looked at him seriously, her gaze steady and sincere. “But you don’t need to worry. I’m not the same as the brides in those stories. They didn’t have He Bo in their hearts, but I do. They didn’t like He Bo… but I like you.”

The moment she said it, Bingtong’s face flushed deeply once again, his heart seeming to skip a beat as warmth spread through him. For a while, he could only nod, his voice soft. “Mm.”

Seeing his reaction, Tang Wan smiled faintly before shifting the topic. “It’s getting late. Let’s head back. I’m hungry after walking around for so long.”

“Then let’s go back,” Bingtong said quickly, rising to his feet at once. After a brief pause, he added, “Or… I can carry you back. It’ll only take a moment.”

Tang Wan nodded with a light smile. “Alright.”

In the next instant, the handsome young man before her transformed back into his original form—a large catfish-like figure. Seeing this, Tang Wan paused briefly, then sighed inwardly before climbing onto his back. At this point, she could only remind herself not to judge by appearance alone.

The moment she settled, Bingtong flicked his tail, and they shot forward through the water at incredible speed. What would have taken her half an hour on foot was traversed in mere moments.

As they returned, the little demon responsible for purchasing food hurried forward, his expression eager as he reported, “Master He, Madam’s meal has been prepared! Yours as well!”

“I understand. You may go,” Bingtong replied, waving him off.

Back in the room, Tang Wan immediately noticed the table had been set with both cooked dishes and raw fish placed side by side. The strong fishy smell hit her at once, causing her appetite to falter.

Looking at Bingtong, she said gently, “Tongtong, I don’t really like raw fish. Could we not put them together next time? The smell is a bit too strong for me.”

“Of course!” Bingtong answered immediately. With a simple flick of his sleeve, the raw fish vanished from the table as though they had never been there.

“Is this better?” he asked, his tone cautious and attentive, as though worried she might still be uncomfortable.

Seeing his careful expression, Tang Wan broke into a bright smile. “Much better. Come, let’s eat together—I can’t finish all this on my own.”

“Mm,” Bingtong agreed, clearly relieved. Yet even as they sat together, his gaze lingered on her, unable to look away.

In his eyes, she was radiant. The way she smiled, the way she spoke—everything about her felt gentle and warm. And when he thought about the fact that she liked him, a quiet joy bubbled up within him, impossible to suppress.

After the meal, as the surroundings gradually dimmed and night settled in, Bingtong’s gaze shifted once more, his expression growing slightly more intent as he looked at Tang Wan. “My lady… it’s getting late,” he said softly. “We should rest.”

Tang Wan glanced at him, easily seeing through the meaning behind his words. There was a certain straightforwardness in his expression, an honesty that made his intentions impossible to hide.

For a moment, she felt a faint sense of helplessness, though there was also a trace of understanding. Given his current state, it was only natural for him to behave this way. And once this period passed, who knew whether he would remain so eager?

With that thought, she could not help but feel a subtle sense of sympathy toward him, though it was accompanied by a quiet amusement she did not voice aloud.