Thanks alot for your help. It looks like this is just the way it is.
By the looks of it now, it hasn't become a major problem - my employers are still friendly and haven't made any comments that night. I've managed to smooth things over with a few of the hotel staff by spending some time with them teaching them English (and in turn improving my Chinese). Things are a little sour with the people working in the International Studies Department but in the grand sceme of things this isn't a major problem. I'm still with the girl - this problem hasn't influenced or affected our relationship in any negative way.
It's unfortunate this had to happen. But, what can you do!?
PS: Are there any foreign teachers in Hohhot? It would be nice to make some connections (and engage in some 'breath-of-fresh-air' English conversation
)