Growing Fond of You, Mr Nian

“You know the truth better than anyone else,” Luosang looked at him warily, she wasn’t exactly afraid of him, she carried lots of self-protective equipment on her.

“I won’t do that,” Yi Jingxi tightened his grip around his chopsticks and said seriously, “Everyone is bringing their plus ones tonight, and I’m bringing you because Zhongyi is not free.”

Luosang gave him a side glance. She couldn’t stand these men, and why must they bring their female counterparts along for a game of poker.

Why was Nian Junting so different from them despite coming from the same kind of background?

It probably stemmed from their different upbringing.

Of course, Nian Junting must think that he was so perfect that no women on this earth were worthy of his company.

…

Eight o’clock in the evening at the Great Ocean International Hotel.

Yi Jingxi got off the car and threw his keys to the valet boy, and Luosang followed behind him hurriedly as they entered the elevator that brought them straight to the president suite.

There were two young men sitting in the room with cigars hanging on their lips. They looked about thirty or so. Both of them had female companions with them, and one of the girls looked familiar and Luosang racked her brain to match the face to a name. Then it struck her that it was Yuan Xiaoshu, the popular blogger that Tang Ning hated. The other girl had an unnatural face that was thick with makeup as well. One could tell that she had gone under the knife before.

There were so many people in the entertainment industry who had undergone plastic surgery. No wonder Nian Junting accused her of going through plastic surgery as well when he first saw her again.

“Oi, Jingxi, where did you find such natural beauty?”

Kashiwa’s eyes were glistening with curiosity, and he could tell from one glance whether someone’s face was man-made or not, “Well, she’s even prettier than Zhongyi, you lucky bast*rd. Judging from your looks you must still be in university?”

Luosang pursed her lips. She could also tell at one glance that he was a rich playboy, and she was put off by his demeanor.

Yi Jingxi glanced at her and said, “Don’t spout rubbish.”

His casual remark seemed like denial on the surface but it did insinuate something deeper, especially in their social circle. People might really believe that she was in a romantic relationship with Yi Jingxi.

“Come, Mr. Yi, come have a smoke,” Zhou Yanfeng threw a cigarette towards Yi Jingxi and pointed at Yan Xiaoshu, “What do you think about her? Can you arrange an interview for her the next time your company undertakes a new project? She doesn’t need to be the main actress, but she can even play the role of a supporting actress to grow her popularity.”

“She’s quite pretty so I’ll see what I can do,” Yi Jingxi lit the cigarette between his teeth.

“Count yourself a true brother,” Zhou Yanfeng elbowed the girl next to him, “Say your thanks!”

“Thanks, Mr. Yi,” Yuan Xiaoshu was beaming from the inside, “I’ve only heard about you previously, and it’s my honor to finally meet you in person. I didn’t expect you to be such a young and handsome man.”

“Hey, watch the compliments you pay to another man,” Zhou Yanfeng teased as he pinched her cheeks.

“Don’t be petty, but I do like how bossy you are,” Yuan Xiaoshu said coyly as she leaned into his arms.

Luosang felt like puking as she watched them. This was precisely why she refused to go into acting or modeling; the social relationships were way too complicated.

“Anyway why isn’t Xiao Si here yet,” Kashiwa said suddenly.

“I just called him, he says he’s downstairs already.”

The mention of Xiao Si completely threw her off. She didn’t expect Xiao Si to be one of his poker mates tonight. Oh right, she recalled Xiao Si introducing Yi Jingxi to Nian Junting last year, how could she forget that?

“Um… Mr. Yi, I think I left my phone in the car, I’ll go get it,” Luosang picked a convenient excuse.

Yi Jingxi took a puff of smoke and saw the anxiety in her eyes. He felt a pang of sharp pain in his chest.