Chapter 30: Tangled Hearts and Hidden Truths

Jiang Yule paused, “Sister Yubai, you didn’t answer my question.”

The light turned green, and Su Yubai started the engine.

Jiang Yule thought she’d wait for the next stoplight, but then heard, “Love has nothing to do with gender.”

Relieved, Jiang Yule said, “My parents don’t sway my heart.”

Implying her love, who and how, was her own choice, not theirs.

The car fell silent.

Soon, a system ringtone sounded.

Su Yubai’s phone.
Jiang Yule didn’t look.

“Hang it up for me.”

Turning, she saw “Lin Zhiying” on the screen and said softly, “It’s Aunt Lin.”

“It’s fine, I’ll call back later.”

Jiang Yule hung up—Su Yubai never took calls while driving.

At the next red light, Jiang Yule asked, “Is Professor Li married?”

“Yes, you should connect with her more.”

Puzzled, Jiang Yule asked, “Why?”

“If Chen has her way, Qiao Anqing likely won’t stay in Hong Kong long.”

Her heart tightened.
“Because Chen mentored her, if Chen opposes her and Senior Huang, she could pull her from her position?”

“Yes.”

“So Chen’s still pulling strings behind the scenes?”
“Yes, but she’s not bad. She’s helped me.”

Human nature’s complex—power’s pull is natural.

Jiang Yule dropped it.

In the elevator, about to head home, she remembered, “Sister Yubai, my laptop’s at your place.”

“Come get it.”

Walking side by side, swapping slippers, Jiang Yule realized she’d grown so comfortable there, it felt like home.

“I’ll return a call. Make yourself at home.”

“Okay.”

She grabbed her laptop and cup from the study.
Returning, she heard Su Yubai on the balcony.

“No announcement yet, I’m not sure.”
Her tone was flat.

Likely Aunt Lin asking about her “Outstanding Youth” award.
Jiang Yule glanced at her back, quietly leaving, about to close the door.

Su Yubai turned suddenly, waving.

Breezes lifted her hair under soft lights—she was breathtaking.

Jiang Yule stared, dazed, then smiled, “Good night.”

Unsure if she heard.

Back home, she finished the theory and hypotheses, then washed up.

Applying a face mask, she checked messages before bed.

In the group chat, Qiao had posted about a group meeting half an hour ago.

What a workaholic—fresh in love, already working…

A mental gif flashed; she didn’t dwell.

Closing her eyes, Su Yubai’s hand over them and her cool, low voice replayed.

“Don’t look.”

Nearly asleep, her alarm jolted her—mask still on.

She washed her face, applied essence and cream, and lay down.

Her mind looped: Love has nothing to do with gender.

If Su Yubai opposed same-s*x love, she wouldn’t help her—might find her disgusting.

Next morning, Jiang Yule rose early, opening her door at 5:59.

Su Yubai saw her.
“Morning.”

Pouting, Jiang Yule said, “Sister Yubai, we’ve got a group meeting this morning. Might not make lunch.”

“Okay.”

She groaned.
“Why’d I join early? Such a tough life.”

Su Yubai understood.
“Qiao’s planning ahead, aiming for you all to publish more before she leaves.”

Jiang Yule’s respect surged.
“She’s really great.”

Su Yubai tapped her forehead lightly.
“Study hard.”

“Oof.”

Her legs felt less sore today.
Speeding up, she kept a close distance from Su Yubai.

At a fork, Su Yubai slowed, turning.
“Want to run by the sea?”

Without thinking, Jiang Yule said, “No.”

Su Yubai took the left path, same as yesterday.

They ate at yesterday’s breakfast spot.
Jiang Yule realized she’d head to school after.

Suddenly, she asked, “Sister Yubai, do you have a workspace at HKU?”
“Yes.”

“Then why stay home?”
“Finished the paperwork yesterday. I’m going today.”

“Nice!”

Su Yubai glanced at her.
“I can give you a ride.”

Blinking, Jiang Yule said, “I didn’t mean that.”

Riding with Su Yubai to school, she felt shy.

Getting out, she said, “Thanks, Sister Yubai.”

“No rush, see you.”
Su Yubai headed another way.

In the meeting room, Ji Zizhen, Wen Yanqing, and new master’s students were there.

“Morning, Seniors, Juniors~”
“Morning, Junior.”
“Morning, Senior Jiang.”

Ji Zizhen introduced them, but Jiang Yule didn’t catch all the names.

Someone voiced her question: “Why a morning meeting? Aren’t they usually afternoons?”

“Probably Qiao’s arrangement.”

The room quieted as Qiao entered.

“Morning, Professor Qiao.”

Qiao looked normal.
“Morning, everyone.”

Huang Siheng followed.

“Siheng’s free today, joining us,” Qiao said, not looking at her, but her eyes smiled.

“Morning.”
Huang Siheng’s smile was gentle.

Jiang Yule saw their calm facades, lips twitching upward, and felt happy for them.

They were really together.

Most peers didn’t notice, joking, “Senior Huang finally has time.”

The agenda was conference discussions, fresh from the event.
Qiao guided them on related topics.

Jiang Yule recalled Huang Siheng’s gaze at Qiao’s back at the door, brimming with unspoken love.

Maybe Qiao’s two drunken nights hinted it wasn’t one-sided.

The morning meeting was mostly led by Huang Siheng, Qiao watching with a smile.

Jiang Yule felt a pang of envy.

Qiao invited everyone to the campus restaurant.
“I missed the last dinner. This time, let’s celebrate Yule joining.”

Huang Siheng smiled at her.

Jiang Yule grinned.
“So happy, two free meals!”

Qiao laughed, and everyone joined.

They ordered, food arriving fast.

Jiang Yule snapped a photo for Su Yubai: [Sister Yubai, group lunch!]

Quick reply: [Good.]

Probably eating too.

About to pocket her phone, it buzzed—Su Yubai sent a photo of her plate.

Jiang Yule’s lips curved.

After lunch, they returned to the meeting room.

“Brief progress updates, share new ideas,” Qiao said.

Jiang Yule, familiar from online meetings, loved hearing peers’ insights.

Last to share, she presented her new productivity topic.
“Just the introduction left.”

She showed key parts, outlining empirical logic.

No issues.
Qiao asked, “Any new ideas?”

Instantly thinking of Su Yubai’s topic, Jiang Yule shook her head.
“Not yet.”

“Alright, that’s it for today.”

“Wait, Professor Qiao.”

Meeting over, Ji Zizhen stopped everyone.

“I’ve got exhibition tickets. Interested, Professor Qiao, Senior Huang?”

Qiao glanced at Huang Siheng, who smiled.
“I’m interested, thanks, Junior.”

Ji Zizhen handed her two tickets.
Huang Siheng took them, nodding.
“See you next time.”

“Is Senior Huang dating someone?”
“She took two tickets!”

Jiang Yule touched her nose, catching Ji Zizhen’s eye.

“Anyone else want tickets?”

A few took pairs.

About to grab one, Ji Zizhen asked, “Come with me later?”

She’d invited her yesterday.
With the meeting done, Jiang Yule nodded.
“Sure.”

It included an embroidery exhibit.

She messaged Su Yubai: [Sister Yubai, leaving school for an exhibit~]

No reply—probably working.

She turned off her phone.

Ji Zizhen drove, chatting casually.

Jiang Yule learned her sister was a curator, explaining the tickets.

At the art center, parking, Ji Zizhen asked, “Which exhibit?”

“Embroidery.”

No objections, they headed there.

The variety was vast, covering major styles.

Jiang Yule asked a staff member, “Any Wuzhou embroidery?”

The staff didn’t understand.
Ji Zizhen repeated in Cantonese.

They shook their head.
“Probably not.”

Jiang Yule nodded.
“Maybe it’s niche.”

“You like Wuzhou embroidery?”

“Yes, I’ve seen some works. They’re beautiful.”

They strolled slowly.

Jiang Yule stopped at a piece, calling, “Senior, this is Wuzhou embroidery.”

“Isn’t that Suzhou embroidery?” someone nearby corrected.

She shook her head.
“It’s Wuzhou.”

Ji Zizhen called staff, who said, “We don’t usually err.”

Jiang Yule insisted, “It’s Wuzhou. I’ve seen it.”

“You sure? Could you be mistaken?” Ji Zizhen whispered.

“No mistake.”

Experts gathered, examining it.
“It’s Wuzhou. The museum mislabeled it.”

“Wasn’t Wuzhou embroidery lost?”

Jiang Yule smiled at the questioner.
“No, Wuzhou town still has embroidery workshops.”

Soon, Ji Zizhen’s sister, Ji Shuying, arrived, apologizing for the error, promising a review and public apology for Wuzhou embroidery.

Crowd dispersed, Ji Zizhen introduced, “Sis, my Junior.”

Jiang Yule greeted, “Hi, Sister Ji.”

About to continue with Ji Zizhen, Ji Shuying called, “What’s your Junior’s name?”

“Jiang Yule.”

Ji Shuying said, “Dinner’s on me tonight.”

Glancing at the piece’s signature, Jiang Yule smiled.
“Thanks, Sister Ji.”

Bidding Ji Shuying goodbye, they moved on.

“Senior, can these embroideries be bought?”

“Seems so.”

Jiang Yule nodded, checking her phone.
Su Yubai replied: [Have fun.]

She sent: [Sister Yubai, not home for dinner tonight.]

At Su Yubai’s end, finishing work, she saw Jiang Yule’s message, replying calmly: [OK.]

Then opened Huang Yuxin’s chat: [Address.]

Her prior message: [Senior, free tonight?]