Growing Fond of You, Mr Nian

“I can’t believe you still remember, Mr. Nian,” said Luosang, her eyes twinkling with gratitude.

“The subpar noodle bar we went to previously was the only reason why I remembered my promise. It was just such a compelling memory,” said Nian Junting, babbling on as he took big strides into the shop.

“…”

With a short sigh, Luosang followed behind him, blocking out what he had just said. The restaurant was decorated prudently. Out of the all the noodle bars she had been to before, their furnishings topped it all. The shop also spick and span. “I thought you said this restaurant had good noodles, Mr. Nian, how come it’s empty?”

“I booked the entire place,” Nian Junting said, matter-of-factly. He sat himself down at a table and beckoned for the waiter. “Two bowls of beef noodles please, with the best beef of course.”

“Mr. Nian, did you have to book the entire place just to get some noodles?” Luosang propped herself opposite him, sounded displeased.

Nian Junting crossed his arms in front of him. “Of course,” he said.

There was no way he was going to be complacent on a first date, much less intruded upon by random strangers.

“Why?”

“I just have too much money and too little things to spend on.”

Luosang was speechless. She had no good argument against that.

She began to occupy herself with her surroundings, carefully taking in the interior design. Then, she spotted a sign that read, ‘Beef Noodles – 1200 yuan’.

She was astonished. “These noodles… aren’t they a little expensive?” she asked.

“Expensive?” Nian Junting chuckled a little. “The beef here is imported straight from Australia and Japan, fresh and pure-bred. The best part about the dish is the soup, brewed from various parts of the animal for over 12 hours under carefully controlled temperatures; a highly complex and tedious process. Later, the master will knead the noodles into shape and cook it in front of us. The chef here had also gone viral on the internet recently.”

Luosang batted her eyes. “Mr. Nian… you bought the meal the last time we ate at a noodle bar, you’re not expecting me… to buy this meal, right?” she asked.

“Of course, you must return the favor.” Nian Junting looked at her expectantly.

Luosang bit down on her lips and stood up. “I can’t afford this meal,” she announced.

Nian Junting’s lips curled up into a smile, “I’m pulling your leg, sit down.”

Luosang breathed a sigh of relief. “I’ll buy you the same noodles next time when I earn lots of money,” she said, as she tried to hide her embarrassment.

“No need.” Nian Junting’s arms were still crossed in front of him. “I never let the lady treat me.”

He already thought it through; if she liked the place, he would have Lu Kang buy the restaurant. Then, he would franchise it worldwide. He even thought of the name. He would call it ‘Luo Ting Noodle Bar’, a perfect engagement gift, if all worked well between them.

What a perfect idea. He could already picture her surprise. Hopefully, she wouldn’t be crying tears of delight.

Meanwhile, Luosang was thinking of ways to repay his generosity. She thought she would let him pick out any suit he wanted later, even if it meant paying off credit card debts for a long time after.

Five minutes later, the master rolled out a cart equipped with all sorts of tools. He first put on the soup over the fire before he started his la mian performance. The noodles were dancing in the air between his crafty hands, tossed forwards and backward, encircling around him and thrown in a rehearsed manner. It was a spectacle, and Luosang was awestruck. No wonder the noodles were so expensive.

However, after seven or eight minutes into the performance, she blurted out, “Sorry, could you hurry along? I am starving.”

“…You glutton,” Nian Junting muttered under his breath as he nodded to the chef, signaling him to move along faster.

Three minutes later, the noodles were served. Luosang blew hard to cool the food down and gobbled down her meal.