Growing Fond of You, Mr Nian

“Your… your boyfriend didn’t say he was going to help you out?”

Yan Su frowned and said sternly, “He is strapped for cash too. Besides, we’re only dating, and I don’t expect him to share my financial burdens at the moment. Who knows how things will turn out? I rather we work hard together.”

Luosang was quiet. Sometimes she saw how similar they were, and perhaps that was also the reason why they could get along so well.

…

After dinner, Luosang returned to the dormitory. Before she could lie down, Tang Ning and Ye Chuen were back too.

“Chuen, how come you have time to come back today?” Luosang turned over to look at her friend. She was barely keeping her eyes open.

“I heard about what happened to you last night, and I wanted to check on you. Are you ok?” Ye Chuen said as she put down her bag around her shoulder.

“It’s all over,” Ye Chuen and Tang Ning had both called to comfort her in the morning before she cleared things up. She remembered the warmth they showed her.

Tang Ning picked up a glass of water and said, “I can’t believe how shameless Ni Miao would have to be in order to do such a nasty thing while we’re away. Did she really think that she was good enough to be the emcee at the Christmas event? As if any media company would sign her on. Fat hope.”

“The students in the other faculties are also competing intensely for the limited spots at the Christmas event,” Ye Chuen broke into a sly smile, “I also heard about your longtime boyfriend. How come none of us heard about this? What happened to our camaraderie?”

Luosang smiled but kept quiet.

Tang Ning feigned annoyance and glared at her, “I tell you everything. That’s not very sisterly of you. Old rules apply, and whoever who finds a boyfriend must treat everyone else to a meal. I’m not going to ask for too much. I’m ok with shark’s fin and abalone.”

Luosang felt awkward. Firstly, she had just started dating Nian Junting. Secondly, Ye Chuen was his distant relative, like a younger sister… she wasn’t even sure if they could handle his snide remarks. He always said the nastiest things about Ye Chuen behind her back.

“Maybe give it some time,” Luosang said patronizingly.

“Luoluo, what does your boyfriend do exactly?” Ye Chuen was taking off her makeup, “I saw a photo of a man holding your hand on the forum today, and he looked like a tall handsome man from the back.”

“… He runs his own business,” Luosang managed to sputter out. She was forced into a relationship, and she didn’t want to give too many details so she continued, “We actually just started seeing each other. I’ll tell you guys more about him next time.”

“Oh, I see,” Ye Chuen nodded her head and turned her gaze towards Tang Ning, “It’s all your fault for losing your keys to the room. You have to be more careful next time. Let’s get the lock changed in case something like this happens again.”

“I know, I know, I’m sorry guys,” Tang Ning stuck out her tongue apologetically, “Chuen, your birthday is coming up, isn’t it? I remember it’s on the 2nd next month. What gift do you want?”

“Anything! My parents are planning to throw me a party at the villa this year, and I’ll be inviting my relatives and some close friends. I’ll need an emcee as well, so Luoluo, would you do me the favor? You take on gigs like these, don’t you?”

“That’s right! Luosang hosted a wedding banquet previously and I was so impressed. She didn’t have any prior experience at all, and she even dressed up like an old spinster because she didn’t want to steal the limelight away from the bride. She did such a terrific job! Luoluo, you can go into so many other fields if you choose not to do voice acting in the future,” Tang Ning said teasingly.