Growing Fond of You, Mr Nian

The longer Nian Junting listened to this aunty, the more annoyed he got. Were all housekeeping aunties as naggy as her? He liked her assumption that he was Luosang’s boyfriend though. “This has been a misunderstanding, I was just helping her fold her duvet,” he eventually said.

Aunty Xie was taken aback and looked over to Luosang’s bed, “Folding the blanket? Who are you fooling? This is one of the lousiest excuses I have ever heard. Why don’t you just say that you were fixing the bed frame?”

“I don’t have to lie to you,” Nian Junting retorted.

“Alright, alright, well I’ve seen plenty of youngsters like you sneaking around the hostel. I know exactly what you’re after. I don’t mean to nag, but you should find somewhere else if you are up to something. It won’t cost too much.”

Luosang wanted to dig a hole and bury herself in it. Hats off to you, Aunty Xie, you’re really on high alert after catching that couple in the hostel last holiday, Luosang thought.

“You’ve really misunderstood, I only came up to look at her room and then offered to help her fold her duvet when I saw the mess. I don’t care about the cost of booking a hotel room. Besides, the bed isn’t even long enough for me to lie down,” Nian Junting said coolly.

Not big enough for him to do anything too.

“Alright, I’m sorry, Aunty Xie. We’ll head down now,” Luosang had a feeling that the more she tried to explain, the more it would seem as if she was trying to cover something up. She grabbed Nian Junting and headed for the door.

Aunty Xie had no choice but to follow behind them. Luosang locked her door behind her, and as she turned around, she heard Nian Junting ask Aunty Xie, “Can you leave me a phone number? My girlfriend is studying by herself in Xia City, and I worry about her. She was framed last night by someone who stayed here, and was even arrested and brought to the police station.”

“Oh, so it was her last night. Ok, since her situation is quite unique, I’ll give you the number of the hostel administration office. That is the most I can do,” Aunty Xie said with a hint of unwillingness, “Your girlfriend has way too many suitors. You’ve got to guard her well. You’re not allowed in here next time, so go out if you must. Although I’m an elder, I’m not the ultra conservative type, but you can’t taint the school image and culture. What would the girls’ hostel look like if she brings back a guy today, and then another girl brings back another guy tomorrow?”

Luosang was frowning deeply. Aunty Xie was out to embarrass her, wasn’t she? Was it necessary for Nian Junting to get her number too?

“Enough, let’s go.”

She couldn’t bear to stand there in the corridor it Aunty Xie for another minute longer.

The moment they left the building, Nian Junting grabbed her arm and tugged her towards him, “I didn’t know you had so many suitors. They gift flowers, serenade you, and dance for you? How many of them are there?”

“It’s none of your business,” Luosang looked at him helplessly, “Mr. Nian, you’re poking your nose into too many of my affairs. Also, if you didn’t insist on taking a tour of my room, then Aunty Xie wouldn’t have misunderstood us for being indecent. I’ll be so ashamed to bump into her from now on.”

“Of course it is my business! Since this morning, I have officially signed on to be your boyfriend,” Nian Junting replied matter-of-factly.

Luosang inhaled sharply, “Well… about that. Technically I didn’t hire you. You say so yourself that you were going to lend yourself to my aid for a short while, so we are a pretend couple.”

Nian Junting had stopped speaking and his eyes were still locked onto hers.

His dark pupils sent chills down her spine, as well as a tiny bit of guilt.