I Fell in Love With My Cold-Hearted, Flirtatious Roommate (GL) - Chapter 9

Rong Ting spent the entire night hoping Ran Jiu wouldn’t remember what happened the previous evening.

She woke up early, went to class with two dark circles under her eyes. Because she kept spacing out, she didn’t complete her notes during the professional course, played badly during volleyball class, got a red wrist from the hits, and even took a tumble. A bruise appeared on her knee after noon.

She wasn’t that delicate, but she had been under the cold air conditioning in the library all noon. In the afternoon, whether it was her imagination or not, the previously bumped area hurt even more, especially when she walked, where she felt a constant pulling sensation.

Unable to bear the discomfort, she still went to the campus clinic to get ointment for bruises and sprains, and applied a layer after dinner.

She spent a long time doing homework in the self-study room that afternoon and received a call from her mother. The background was noisy, and her mother’s voice was strained as it squeezed out from the noise: “Xiao Ting? Can you hear what I’m saying?”

Rong Ting quickly walked out of the self-study room, covering the mouthpiece of her phone: “Yes.”

“It’s like this, I got in touch with your fourth uncle. The uncle at your grandma’s house during the New Year, do you remember him?”

Rong Ting frowned and thought carefully; she had a faint impression.

Her maternal grandmother had four children. Besides her mother, all were boys. Her first and second uncles were often in contact with them, but her mother once mentioned that a fourth uncle had been making a living in the Imperial Capital (Beijing) since his teens and later settled there. Except for occasional visits during the New Year, he was busy most of the time but always concerned about the family’s affairs.

Her mother’s generation of relatives had very good relationships. She used to have a vague impression of her fourth uncle until this New Year, when she saw this unfamiliar fourth uncle again at the dinner table at her grandmother’s house.

He returned alone. His wife had passed away from cancer a few years ago. He struggled alone in the Imperial Capital while raising his daughter and had now built up some businesses.

The impression she had was of a gentle and honest man.

Her mother’s voice was rushed: “Your fourth uncle heard you went to U University and has been asking about you for a while. Your cousin’s grades aren’t good, and your fourth uncle wants you to help her with her studies during your free time.”

When it came to the important matter, she paused, her tone a little delighted: “Also, your fourth uncle said you could stay at his place if you want. It’s a large villa, he can give you a separate room, and it’s not far from your school.”

“I told him you were sharing an apartment, and he was even angry that I didn’t ask him for help. He said you have a soft temperament and was afraid you would be taken advantage of by others.”

“Once these three months are over, why don’t you move to your fourth uncle’s place?”

Rong Ting’s mind went blank. She had only lived here for one month, but she felt a very comfortable sense of security. She had a hunch that it would be difficult for her to find another place that felt so safe.

But her mother’s suggestion was perfectly reasonable, and she couldn’t find a word to refute it for a moment.

Her mother spoke like a machine gun: “Oh, and your fourth uncle said he’ll take you and your cousin Yuanyuan out for dinner tonight, and he’ll come pick you up at your school this afternoon. I gave him your WeChat, remember to accept the request. I have a meeting, so I need to hang up now.”

Listening to the dial tone, Rong Ting felt a sense of loss and closed the interface. Sure enough, there was a new WeChat friend request.

She added a note and accepted it. Her fourth uncle’s nickname was his name, Chen Da. His profile picture was very typical of an older person, a lush green forest background with him standing in front, holding a three or four-year-old girl in his arms.

The other party quickly sent a message: [Xiao Ting, I’m Fourth Uncle.]

Rong Ting replied: [Mhm mhm, Hello Fourth Uncle, Mom told me.]

The other party sent a voice message. Rong Ting clicked to listen. The person spoke with the local accent from their hometown, which sounded endearing.

[Do you have class this afternoon? I’ll pass by your school at four o’clock, pick you up, and then we’ll go to my house for a while. Your sister is also there, and then we’ll go out for dinner tonight.]

Rong Ting indeed had no other class that afternoon. She originally planned to stay in the self-study room for a little longer, but to make it convenient for her fourth uncle, she agreed.

Shortly after four o’clock in the afternoon, she received a voice message from her fourth uncle and rushed out of the East Gate to get in the car.

The grey-blue BMW was modest but conspicuous. She looked at the person in the passenger seat and confirmed it was the man who had returned during the New Year.

He seemed to have lost a bit of weight compared to the New Year but looked energetic, wearing an old-style blue and white striped short-sleeved T-shirt and suit pants.

“Is this Ting Ting?” Chen Da specifically got out to open the car door for her, his eyes kind. “You look quite a bit taller than during the New Year, hop in quickly.”

Rong Ting smiled shyly. In fact, she hadn’t grown much since going to college, but this was the standard compliment from relatives—clumsy yet affectionate.

The car’s air conditioning was turned up high and was quite cool. Since the traffic was smooth, they arrived at her fourth uncle’s house in about ten minutes. This area was filled with detached villas, each with a designated parking space.

Rong Ting felt a little awkward entering such a prosperous environment, but her fourth uncle was more relaxed. He parked the car quickly and opened the door for her.

She smiled and said thank you. Chen Da motioned for her to follow him, introducing things as they walked: “See, the environment here is quite nice. A-Yuan also goes to middle school nearby, she’s in the ninth grade (last year of middle school).”

He sighed a little when he said this: “But her grades aren’t as good as yours. Your uncle heard from your mom that you’re tutoring in Beijing. Why don’t you just come and live at Fourth Uncle’s place? Teach Yuanyuan some study methods, huh? Your uncle will give you both the same amount of pocket money every month.”

Rong Ting let out a small laugh. The feeling was indescribable.

She suddenly had a very enthusiastic relative telling her that money was not an issue. Rong Ting felt warm inside. It certainly added a layer of security, but she didn’t accept the offer just to take advantage of it. She treated it as a joke and continued to follow him.

A woman was standing at the door. After confirming Rong Ting’s identity, she hurried to get a new pair of slippers. Rong Ting was flattered and finally insisted on taking a disposable pair.

A girl ran down from upstairs. It was evident she was well-raised—rosy cheeks and bright, sparkling eyes. Her height was close to Rong Ting’s, and she was looking at her curiously.

Chen Da introduced: “A-Yuan, Dad wants to introduce you. This is your third aunt’s elder sister. She studies very well and was admitted to the Chinese Department of U University the year before last. Isn’t that impressive?”

Chen Baiyuan applauded dutifully: “Impressive, very impressive.”

“So, you must study hard with your sister, understand?”

Chen Baiyuan nodded like a pecking chicken: “Got it.”

Chen Da patted her: “Then why don’t you introduce yourself to your sister?”

She wrinkled her nose, seeming a little dissatisfied with being orchestrated: “Okay, you can leave quickly. I’m not a primary school student anymore.”

Chen Baiyuan was very lively, clearly well-protected, and spoke casually. Once Chen Da left, she spoke even more openly, revealing all her secrets.

Rong Ting walked upstairs with her cousin, listening to her talk.

“Hello, elder sister. My name is Chen Baiyuan. You can call me Yuanyuan or A-Yuan.”

“I occasionally follow celebrities, and I’m into the ‘Two-Dimensional’ (anime/manga) community. I like anime and the traditional Chinese style (Gu Feng) circles, and I like billiards and golf. Sister, if you major in Chinese, you can help me write lyrics sometime.”

Rong Ting couldn’t help but laugh out loud, listening to her speak in such a grown-up tone and openly discuss her private interests.

Chen Baiyuan heard her and smiled slyly: “I have a secret that my dad doesn’t even know.”

“What is it?” Rong Ting was taken aback by her serious demeanor and was genuinely stunned for a moment.

Only after achieving Chen Baiyuan’s desired effect did she slowly say: “I like girls.”