Growing Fond of You, Mr Nian

His fingertips were gently caressing her clothing. Huh? Clothing?

Yes. Clothing.

He opened his eyes and saw Nian Xi in front of him, dressed in a strapped nightdress. This cunning little fox was lying on his chest, smiling slyly.

Ha! This little fox had fooled him!

He was angry and embarrassed–and not just a little disappointed. “You lied to me.”

“When did I lie to you?” Nian Xi was smiling now. “Did I tell you I was wearing clothes or not wearing any clothes?”

Jiang Yuning was stumped: She never said anything of the sort. “You asked me for a towel. I thought you needed it to dry your body.”

He added begrudgingly, “Anyone would have thought the same, that you were teasing me on purpose.”

“No, I wasn’t. I needed a towel to dry my hair. Who knew…” Nian Xi wrapped her arms around her neck, and she was grinning. “I didn’t know you had such indecent thoughts. Or did you want to catch me naked? You say you don’t want to, but you secretly desire my body.”

“I’m not…” Jiang Yuning turned crimson from embarrassment and shook his head vigorously as if someone had caught him in a lie.

“All right. I guess you’re not at all curious about my amazing body then,” Nian Xi grunted. She released him as she took the towel and began drying her hair.” I know you’re curious to see He Xin’s.”

“No.” Jiang Yuning said anxiously.

“Who are you excited to see then?” Nian Xi was getting carried away with her teasing; she circled her fingers around his collar playfully as she asked him the question. “Let me tell you something. I have on my body the lingerie you washed just now.”

A gush of blood rushed to Jiang Yuning’s head as he thought about the image in his head.

It was so seductive.

He wanted to see it.

“Xixi, don’t fool around.” Jiang Yuning’s body was driving him crazy. He caught a glimpse of Nian XI’s dirty clothes on the bench and abruptly pushed her aside. “I’ll help you wash your clothes.”

“No need.” Nian Xi was the flustered one this time. She quickly blocked him and said, “I’ll take care of these myself.”

“Why?” Jiang Yuning was puzzled. “I washed them for you before; it’s okay. I’ll do a good job of cleaning them.”

“That’s different.” Nian Xi was desperate. “I’ve worn these clothes.”

“That’s okay; I don’t mind.”

“Well, I do mind.” Nian Xi pushed him out of the bathroom.

“Xixi, I don’t mind it; don’t worry about it.” Jiang Yuning was begging her now.

“You can dry them for me later,” said Nian Xi as she slammed the door shut.

…

After eight minutes, Nian Xi handed him the wet clothes. She didn’t change her outside garments; it was mainly her intimates.

These were proper underthings that had better coverage. Jiang Yuning carried them outside and bumped into He Xin on the way.

He Xin’s face froze when she saw what Jiang Yuning had in his hands. “Yuning, why do you have to hang up such intimate clothing?”

“Mind your own business. I enjoy it.” Jiang Yuning shielded the pieces protectively; no one was allowed to look at Nian Xi’s intimates, only him.

“You can’t spoil your woman too much. I’m worried about you,” He Xin said through clenched teeth.

“This is a small pleasure. You wouldn’t understand. I don’t want to talk to you.” It was the first time Jiang Yuning felt as if he didn’t belong in the same world as He Xin.

He quickened his footsteps to the balcony to hang up the pieces. He was cheerful when he returned.

He Xin was still standing there. He thought for a moment before saying, “He Xin, you shouldn’t be so dull and boring. It will be hard for you to find a boyfriend this way. Don’t just toil in the laboratory all day. You should get out there and date. It’s nice.”

He returned to his room happily afterward without saying anything more.