Chapter 22: A Neighborly Surprise

Su Yubai wore a dark gray blouse, her long hair tied up as usual.

“Sister Yubai?”
Jiang Yule’s exclamation betrayed her shock at finding her across the hall.

Su Yubai didn’t explain her sudden presence.
“Come in for tea.”
She opened her door, stepping aside.

“Okay, let me drop off my luggage first.”
Jiang Yule lifted her suitcase, set it down, and closed her door.

Her quick movements surprised even herself.
Catching a fleeting smile in Su Yubai’s eyes, she regretted her eagerness—had she seemed too expectant, like she’d been waiting for this?

She could’ve said, “Alright, I’ll come after unpacking,” to play it cool.

Jiang Yule touched her nose, embarrassed.

“Hm?”
Su Yubai noticed her lingering at the door.

“Coming.”
Jiang Yule looked up, stepping lightly into her place.

Passing her, the familiar oolong tea scent hit her nose.

At the foyer, Jiang Yule glanced up, noticing the ceiling.
Hong Kong apartments had lower ceilings than mainland ones—she wasn’t quite used to it.

The door shut with a thud.

“Change shoes.”

Looking down, Jiang Yule saw Su Yubai offering the same beige bear slippers from Hangzhou.

She glanced at Su Yubai’s feet—dark gray bear slippers.

Who knew Sister Yubai had a girly side?

Jiang Yule smiled, slipping them on.

Su Yubai caught her gaze and the curve of her lips, her expression neutral but her eyes flickering with meaning.

“Sister Yubai, why are you in Hong Kong? Staying long?”
Jiang Yule scanned the apartment, noticing even the tea set was here.

“Sorry, I didn’t tell you earlier,” Su Yubai said, watching her back.

“No worries, no need to apologize.”
Su Yubai’s plans didn’t require her approval.

Jiang Yule turned, smiling lightly, missing the depth in Su Yubai’s eyes.

Following her gaze, Su Yubai explained casually, “I’m here for a conference and a research visit.”

“Research visit?”
Jiang Yule’s lips parted, curiosity rising.

“I’m collaborating with Professor Qiao on a project, staying a while.”

“What project?”
She asked instinctively.

“The one you mentioned interest in—Eastern economics.”

Jiang Yule’s eyes lit up.
“The major social science project?”

But it was still under review, results pending.
Starting already?

Su Yubai spoke calmly, “That’s the one, but funding isn’t guaranteed.”

If it wasn’t funded…
“No grant support then?”

Noticing her concern, Su Yubai’s eyes softened.
“There is. I got the Outstanding Youth Fund email, but the list isn’t public yet.”

Jiang Yule blurted, “Wow, Sister Yubai, that’s amazing!”

The National Outstanding Youth Science Fund, China’s largest grant, supported young scholars with notable achievements to pursue innovative research and become academic leaders. [Note]

Her father, Chu Guoan, was one—economics rarely saw them.

Jiang Yule was stunned that Su Yubai, so young, earned the “Outstanding Youth” title and planned to fund a group project with personal grants.

But, being Su Yubai, it wasn’t that surprising.

Su Yubai’s reaction was understated, kneeling by the tea table.
“Sit.”

Her calm elegance was striking.

Jiang Yule sat opposite, watching her pour tea.

She’d seen it before, but Su Yubai’s grace still captivated her.

Taking the cup, Jiang Yule processed the info.
“So, Sister Yubai, did Professor Qiao arrange this place too?”

Su Yubai looked up, nodding.

No wonder they were neighbors.

Her phone buzzed—Jiang Huazhen, asking if she’d settled in.

After tea, Jiang Yule stood.
“Sister Yubai, I’ll go unpack.”

Su Yubai nodded.

At the foyer, Jiang Yule swapped slippers for her canvas shoes, opening the door.

As she left, Su Yubai’s voice called—

“Yule.”

Her clear, cool tone stopped her.
Jiang Yule turned, stammering, “C-come in?”

Su Yubai set down her cup, approaching.

Against the light, she seemed to smile.

Jiang Yule blinked, and the smile vanished.

In a daze, Su Yubai reached her side.

Her gaze followed as Su Yubai bent to change shoes.

“Let’s go.”
“Oh, okay.”
Jiang Yule pushed her door open, stepping out.

At her own door, she entered the code.

Pushing it open, she slid her suitcase in.

Looking around, she said, “Not bad!”

Great lighting, clean windows.
Not large, but sufficient for a one-bedroom.

The landlord had cleaned—floors spotless, no dust on the foyer table.

“Mm,” Su Yubai said behind her.

No slippers yet, Jiang Yule started to step in, but Su Yubai grabbed her hand.

A tingle spread where their skin touched.
She turned, seeing Su Yubai holding shoe covers.

“Sister Yubai, are you a treasure chest?”

Su Yubai handed her a pair, putting on her own.

Jiang Yule snapped photos, sending them to the family group.
Jiang Huazhen called via video.

Startled, Jiang Yule glanced at Su Yubai.

Su Yubai raised a brow.
“Hm?”

“My mom’s video-calling.”

She nodded slightly.
“Need me to step out?”

Jiang Yule thought for a second.
“It’s fine. My mom likes you.”

Plus, they weren’t sneaking around.

“Mom.”

“Yule, show me the details.”

“Sister Yubai’s here.”

Su Yubai leaned into the frame, greeting, “Aunt Jiang.”

Jiang Huazhen was surprised.
“Yubai, you’re in Hong Kong already?”

Su Yubai nodded.
“Institute matters are mostly handed off.”

Jiang Huazhen paused, then said, “What a pity. I was planning a farewell dinner tonight.”

Probably to ease Su Yubai’s family tensions and ask her to look after me, Jiang Yule thought.

“There’ll be other chances,” Su Yubai said calmly.

Jiang Huazhen’s mood was complex, but she had no standing to press.

“Your dad’s agreed not to interfere with your decisions.”

Jiang Yule found it amusing—Su Kaihua couldn’t interfere even if he wanted to.

Her mom seemed ready to say more, so Jiang Yule cut in, “Mom, check out the place.”

Topic shifted, Jiang Huazhen followed, “Alright, pan the camera.”

Jiang Yule showed the living room, then the bedroom.

Done, she returned, glancing at Su Yubai on the sofa, instinctively tilting the camera away.

“Mom, I’m gonna unpack.”
“Take care out there.”

“Got it.”
Fearing more talk with Su Yubai, she hung up quickly.

Su Yubai sat, gazing out the window, expression calm.

“Sister Yubai, don’t mind what my mom said.”

Her gaze shifted.
“I won’t.”

“I’ll start unpacking?”

“Mm.”

Worried she’d be bored, Jiang Yule opened her suitcase in the living room, pulling out clothes and heading to the bedroom.

Wiping down with wet wipes, she found the wardrobe dust-free and hung her clothes.

Back in the living room, she grabbed her laptop and stationery bag.

Su Yubai said softly, “You brought your seal.”
“You like it?”

Jiang Yule looked down, spotting the seal in her bag, embarrassed she’d noticed.
“Mm.”

Picking up a Rubik’s cube, she asked, “Bored? Wanna play?”

Su Yubai shook her head but took it.

Their fingers brushed, and Jiang Yule pulled back like she’d been shocked.

She resumed unpacking.
Mostly seasonal clothes and office supplies—other luggage was sent to a senior sister.

Emerging from the bedroom, she saw Su Yubai had solved the cube.

A high-order cube, done so fast!

Jiang Yule sped up, organizing quickly.

Finished, she washed her hands.

“All done,” Su Yubai said, looking up.

Jiang Yule nodded.
“Sister Yubai, got plans later?”

Su Yubai stood.
“I can go to the supermarket with you.”

Shock flashed in Jiang Yule’s eyes, then a bright smile.
“How’d you know I was gonna ask that?”

“You paused washing your hands, realizing there’s no soap,” Su Yubai said calmly.

“You noticed that?”
Jiang Yule blinked.

“Let’s go.”

She grabbed a small bag, following to the foyer.

Outside the complex, she saw plenty of restaurants and a gym—though she’d likely skip it.

Su Yubai seemed familiar with the area.
“Sister Yubai, when did you get to Hong Kong?”

“Yesterday.”

“One day and you’re this familiar!”
Jiang Yule was stunned again.

“I lived here during my postdoc at HKU.”

“When you met Professor Qiao?”

“Yes.”

So she had that history.

Su Yubai led her to a supermarket, grabbing a cart.

Jiang Yule walked beside her.
“Sister Yubai, need anything?”

“Some vegetables and meat.”

“I’ll grab a cart too.”

Su Yubai glanced at her.
“One’s enough, right?”

The carts were roomy.

Jiang Yule looked away, mumbling, “I wanna get snacks.”

Su Yubai’s lips curved faintly.
“Text me when you’re done.”

No questions, no teasing, like it was normal.

Jiang Yule’s lashes fluttered, watching her walk away.

She headed to the snack aisle, filling a quarter of her cart with spicy strips, chips, cakes, candies, sparkling water, and instant noodles.

She wanted more but feared running out of space.

At the home goods section, she grabbed two pairs of slippers.

Done, she checked out, placing two large bags on the floor and texting Su Yubai.

[Sister Yubai, I’m done.]

Soon, Su Yubai appeared, carrying groceries.

She’d likely finished earlier and wandered.

Jiang Yule stood, waving, then saw her pull out another bag—milk tea.

Her eyes lit up as Su Yubai said, “Not sure if you like it.”

“I do!”

Milk tea rarely disappointed.
She decided instantly.

Su Yubai approached, handing it over.

“Thanks, Sister Yubai!”
Not just politeness this time.

Su Yubai nodded, bending to lift Jiang Yule’s grocery bag.
“Let’s go.”

Jiang Yule grabbed the other, realizing Su Yubai took the heavier home goods bag.
“Sister Yubai, let’s switch. Yours is heavy.”

Su Yubai turned, eyeing the snack bag.
“Eating these tonight?”

Jiang Yule nodded.
“Wanna try them.”

Su Yubai’s gaze shifted to her eyes.
“Did you forget…”

Puzzled, Jiang Yule met her stare, hearing, “You said every meal in Hong Kong, we’d eat together.”