Chapter 64: Breakfast Bonds and Family Shadows

Jiang Yule washed up quickly, applying minimal skincare.

Stepping out, the scent of scallion oil noodles hit her, a familiar comfort sparking hunger.

Hurrying to the dining room, “Smells so good.”

Meeting Su Yubai with a bowl of noodle soup, “Another in there.”

“Okay, I’ll grab it.” Brushing past, fetching bowl.

Sitting across, noticing steaming couple’s mugs of milk on the table.

Perfectly matched.

Sipping, “More ginger tea, Sister? I’ll make some.”

Su Yubai tilted her neck, her jawline and throat’s subtle movements mesmerizing.

Oddly… sensual.

Lowering milk, wiping lips with tissue, focus shifting to her slender fingers.

“No need. School today?”

Snapping back, “Is it okay to go to Qiao’s office now?”

“No issue, you’re still her student.” Tossing tissue.

Halfway through, phone buzzing. Glancing, unlocking, seeing Jiang Huazhen’s message—mentor choice.

“Mom’s news is fast.”

Pausing chopsticks, tilting head, “Hm?”

Smiling, “She heard Qiao’s in talks with Haidong University, sure she’s leaving.”

Watching, nodding, picking noodles.

“You haven’t told her.” Statement.

Blinking, eyeing half-eaten noodles, “Wanted to discuss with you first.”

Voice softening, amusement in eyes, “What’d you say?”

So close, she heard. Pouting, repeating.

“Oh, me first, then Aunt Jiang?” Tone light, layered.

Looking, meeting smiling eyes.

Her good mood from that? Smiling back, “Didn’t get to discuss yesterday.”

“Yup, go on.” Deep glance.

Both knowing why—last night’s distractions.

“Should I contact Professor Li?”

Shaking head, “I’ll send her WeChat.”

Puzzled, “Forgot last night?”

Focused on phone, faint, “Yup.”

Pink ear tips noticeable.

Smiling, “What’s next?”

“Nothing, keep researching, ask me if needed.”

“So, Professor Su’s my temp mentor?”

Staring, “Permanent, if you like.”

Thought flashing, blurting, “Like teacher-student play, Sister?”

“What?”

Blinking, her puzzled eyes—likely unaware.

Proper Su, normal not to know. Shy to explain, cheeks warm, “Um… look it up.”

Noticing red ears, nodding.

Finishing, washing dishes.

Her cool voice behind—

“Besides ‘Good Girl,’ another favorite name?”

Confused, hearing closer, “Classmate Jiang.”

Hot breath on ear, stiffening, “Sister?”

Waist encircled, soft touch on back, breath stalling.

Chin on shoulder, “Not Sister?”

“Try another name.”

Blinking, hearing, “Teacher Su works.”

Embarrassed, realizing, “You looked it up?”

Silent, tilting, nibbling ear.

Trembling, wet tongue licking, sucking.

“Looked…”

How’d Baidu explain that?

“Found cosplay.” Voice husky, faint.

Lips moving on ear, tingling, throat moving.

“Like it, Sister?”

Releasing, “I’m fine, but…”

Pulling back, “Hm?”

“You like it.” Statement.

Cheeks heating, no retort.

“Guessed right?”

Waist tightening, pulled closer, staring at lips.

Noticing, coughing, releasing.

“Wash dishes.”

Hands gone, grabbing arm.

Deep gaze, “Hm?”

“I… kinda like it.”

Loving her in white shirt, black pants at podium, reading, guiding, saying, “Don’t stare, or I’ll get shy.”

Withdrawing arm, interlocking fingers, “Like… what?”

Looking, shy, “Um… play.”

“What play?” Pressing, fingers grazing hand.

Itchy, unbearable, “Teacher-student… play.”

“Oh, you like that.” Repeating fully.

Too embarrassing. Withdrawing, “I-I’ll wash.”

Watching, speeding up, finishing, placing dishes.

Turning, crashing into her.

“Classmate Jiang, watch it.”

Looking up, hugging back.

Memories of B University’s conference, distracted behind her, bumping her back.

Same words, tone.

Then teacher-student, now pretending.

“Sister.” Nuzzling, cooing, “Love you.”

Rubbing hair, “Yup.”

Lifting, pouting.

Amused, scraping nose, “Love you too.”

Words unneeded, her love in details.

But spoken, heart racing.

Hugging, phone ringing, shattering quiet.

Gasping, “Forgot Mom’s message.”

“Go answer.” Light tone.

Like last call, calm but… different.

Sighing, understanding—Mom’s a ticking bomb.

She said slowly.

Hurrying, breathing, answering, “Mom.”

“See my message?”

Eyes dimming, “Was eating, forgot to reply.”

Unimportant, Huazhen direct, “Which mentor?”

“Li Zhiyi.”

No comment, “Sure she has space and wants you?”

Glancing at Su Yubai by window, gazing out.

No eye contact, resolving, “Mom, Sister Yubai asked Professor Li.”

Hearing her name, turning, surprised.

Smiling, two seconds, silence on phone.

Heart sinking, “Mom?”

Turning away, gazing out.

“You discussed with Yubai?”

Her back, unsure, hearing, “Lele?”

“Yup, met her yesterday, mentioned it.”

“She offered, or you asked?”

Silent, her nod—say what you want.

Not calming, more unsure, breathing, “She knew Li, offered to ask.”

Huazhen sighing, “Good, why not tell me yesterday?”

Thinking, hearing, “You’re grown.”

Sigh.

“No, Mom, haven’t contacted Li, not set.”

“Why not discuss with me or Dad? We know people.”

Mind racing, “Didn’t you say learn from Sister Yubai? She’s close, so…”

If Mom knew they lived together? Unthinkable.

“True, Yubai won’t harm you.”

Lashes trembling, “You and her close? She helped, sees you as a sister?”

Meeting eyes, awkward, “Mom, she has a sister.”

Huazhen pondering, waiting.

Then, “How about you and Yubai become sworn sisters at New Year?”

Eyes widening, “Huh? Not good.”

“Unwilling? Her status, people beg for that.”

“Give a reason.”

Looking, her gaze steady.

Heart trembling.