Chapter 57: Intimate Whispers and New Neighbors

“Sister, take me away.”

Su Yubai’s gaze shifted from her lips to her eyes.

Jiang Yule didn’t flinch, meeting her scrutiny, hands gripping her shoulders.

Su Yubai’s arms circled her waist, slowly drawing closer.

Feeling her breath near, Jiang Yule held hers, fingers tightening.

Head steady, waist supported, eyes unblinking, waiting.

Suddenly, Su Yubai tilted her chin, kissing her forehead.

Lashes brushing her chin, tickling.

Instinctively pressing her back against the steering wheel.

Jiang Yule melted under the kiss, softly calling, “Sister.”

Taking two deep breaths, releasing her head, hugging her tight.

Head on her shoulder, feeling unprecedented peace.

In the sealed car, sensing her heartbeat, steady, rapid—unclear whose was faster.

Su Yubai silent, holding her close.

Murmuring, “Love you, Sister.”

How many times had she said it? Never enough.

Hand on her neck, softly, “Yup.”

Neck rarely touched, her fingers grazing, making her tremble, breath uneven.

Pulling back slightly, “Home.”

Leaning back, Jiang Yule surged forward.

Breaths entwined, continuing her disrupted rhythm.

Su Yubai stared at her lips, throat moving.

Licking her own, Jiang Yule watched her closed lips.

Her gaze darkened, leaning in, interrupted by outside noise.

Turning, seeing Huang Yuxin exit the house.

Heart jumping, scrambling off, hitting the roof, clutching her head, sinking into the seat.

Su Yubai, shirt and pants wrinkled, reached over, “Okay?”

Shaking head, letting her rub.

“No need to rush,” low voice.

Cheeks red.

Window knocked, both turning—Huang Yuxin peering in, seeing Su Yubai’s ringed hand on her head.

Never seen Su Yubai with jewelry, let alone a meaningful ring.

Seeing Huang Yuxin approach, lowering window, “Senior Yuxin.”

Noticing Jiang Yule’s matching ring, a shadow in her eyes, quickly masked, to Su Yubai, “Senior, still here? Can I get a ride?”

Eyes on her suitcase, “Moving out suddenly?”

Smiling, “Planned it after fighting with Mom, good chance now.”

“Professor Chen agreed?”

“She focuses on my sister, I’ll visit, she didn’t say much.”

Nodding.

Noticing her red car, “Your car…”

Silent, then smiling, “Sis left without clothes, I don’t need to drive.”

Seeing resolve in her eyes, smiling, “Get in, Senior.”

Huang Yuxin stowed her suitcase, Su Yubai opening the trunk, adjusting her clothes.

Glancing, feeling guilty.

Coughing, “Yule, buckle up.”

Snapping back, “Got it.”

Buckling.

Huang Yuxin entered, “Let’s go, Senior.”

Shifting, driving off.

Turning out, Jiang Yule watched the house in the mirror, dazed.

Once three people’s home, now tense.

“Music?” Huang Yuxin asked.

Meeting her eyes, nodding, picking a soothing song.

Car quiet.

Huang Yuxin stared, then closed her eyes.

Stomach growling, embarrassed, glancing at Su Yubai, focused on driving.

At a red light, Huang Yuxin hesitated, silent.

Green lights, entering the complex.

Parking garage, Huang Yuxin spoke, “Senior, I’m moving out soon.”

Eyebrow twitching, looking at Su Yubai.

Unbuckling slowly, “Qiao Anqing’s place.”

“No rush.”

Implying it’s not her concern.

Silent, taking luggage.

Jiang Yule stepped out, beside Su Yubai, waiting.

Huang Yuxin glanced at their rings, watches, suppressing questions, approaching.

Hands twitching, not grabbing Su Yubai’s.

No need to rub salt in Huang Yuxin’s wounds.

Su Yubai didn’t reach either.

Lips pursed.

In the elevator, Huang Yuxin glanced, silent.

Quiet to their doors.
Entering code, waiting.

Su Yubai approached, turning to Huang Yuxin, “Eaten dinner?”

Reacting slowly, “Not yet.”

“Settle in, come over later.”

“Okay, thanks, Senior, and Yule.”

Smiling, “See you, Senior.”

Huang Yuxin entered, closing the door casually.

Lingering, realizing—Su Yubai, bent, by a young girl…

No wonder she ended her visit early, returned the house.

To live openly with her.

Didn’t know Su Yubai.

Hope extinguished.

Jiang Yule entered, changing shoes.

Su Yubai set down her bag, heading out.

Puzzled, “Sister?”

Nodding, “Getting groceries.”

“Rest, I’ll be quick.”

Blinking, “No way.”

Hurrying, slipping shoes, “I’m coming.”

Amused, “If you’re hungry, snack first.”

Covering stomach—heard the growl?

Dry laugh, “Wait up.”

Grabbing chips, checking date, still good.

Taking wipes, changing shoes, following.

Su Yubai reached out, Jiang Yule locking the door, slipping her hand in.

In the elevator, “Senior Yuxin seemed different.”

Nodding, “People grow.”

Unlike her usual vibrance, even her feigned meekness sharp—today, subdued.

“Sister said Chen was gentle.”

“To others.”
“At least to us.”

Nodding eagerly, “She doesn’t seem to like Qiao.”

Shaking head, “Her prized student, how could she not?”

Blinking, hearing, “Different stances, choices shift.”

Nodding firmly.

Out at basement level.

No more family talk, “If Qiao leaves HKU, who takes us?”

Flashing a scene, “Li Zhiyi?”

Glancing, lips curving, “Likely.”

Realizing, “This afternoon’s meeting…”

“Yup.”

Like passing the torch.

Heart sinking, hearing, “Qiao stepping down isn’t instant, don’t worry.”

At passenger door, Su Yubai opened it, Jiang Yule sliding in.

Recalling the meeting, Li Zhiyi led most exchanges.

Qiao easing her in, minimizing transition.

Su Yubai entered, glancing, “I said connect with Li, saw this coming.”

Nodding, “Focus on your work, I’ve got your back.”

Warmth spreading.
Tugging sleeve, “Professor Su.”

“Hm?” Looking at her hand.

“Love Professor Su.”

Soft, sweet.

Meeting her starry eyes.

Tugging again, hand caught.

“Classmate Jiang.”

Laughing, scratching her palm, “Not appropriate?”

Fingers caught, laughing harder, “Just tugged, didn’t do anything, too sensitive, Professor.”

Helpless, “Still hungry?”

Stomach growling.

Retracting, “Yup.”

“Buckle up.”

Obeying, opening chips, wiping hands, eating.

Short drive, few lights.

Not daring to feed her chips.

At supermarket lot, half eaten, offering one, “Try it, Sister?”

Shaking head, smiling, “C’mon.”

Mouth opening, neck stretching.

Fingers brushing wet warmth, chip gone.

Stunned, realizing—her tongue. Retracting, cheeks heating.

Chewing slowly, swallowing, glancing, “Get out.”

“Okay.” Opening door, heading to entrance.

Following, catching up, taking her hand.

Ear warming, adjusting, scratching her hand.

Pinning fingers, “Little cat.”

Scratching cat.

“Not me.”

Eyes curving, interlocking fingers, stopping scratches.

Easing the itch.

Smiling, heart sweet with every clasp.

Buying ingredients, leaving with bags.

Thought striking, “Yuxin said she cooks well, ask her to help?”

“Sure, if she wants.”

“Great.”

Cooking might ease her awkwardness as a guest.

Home, ringing Huang Yuxin’s bell.

Opening, surprised, “Went out again, Senior?”

Nodding.

Smiling, “Join us cooking? Wanna try your skills.”

Startled, smiling, “Sure.”

Following inside.

Su Yubai got shoe covers, changing into matching slippers—couple’s style, different colors.

Huang Yuxin glanced, looking away, entering kitchen.

Jiang Yule helped, noting her skill.
Unsure of taste.

Huang Yuxin made stir-fried beef, offering Su Yubai, “Taste okay, Senior?”

Chopsticks at her lips.

Watching, Su Yubai took her own, rinsed, tasted, “Good.”

Retracting, “Great.”

Blinking, smiling, leaving kitchen to them.

After that, Huang Yuxin normal, dishes fine.

Su Yubai normal, saying, “Come eat anytime, just say.”

Glancing, smiling.

Huang Yuxin left, door closing.

Turning, pinned to door by a figure.

Amused, looking at her fierce stance, “Hm?”

Pouting, hands on shoulders.

Unfazed, no resistance, watching leisurely.

“Your junior’s our neighbor, happy?”

Staring at her lips, “Fine.”

Leaning close, feigning anger, “Su Yubai!”

Lips curving, “Hm?”

“You’re mine.” Fiercely.

Pretty bold.

Nodding, “Yup.”

No reaction, kissing her neck, leaving a mark.

Chuckling, “Tagged.”

Lips leaving, throat rolling, head patted—

“Yule, don’t play with fire.”

Lashes trembling, releasing, trying to flee, wrist caught.

Collarbone kissed, cool voice at ear—

“Tagged back.”

Blinking.