Chapter 16: Not Just a Thank-You

“Another thank-you?”

Jiang Yule hadn’t expected that to be her focus.
She hurriedly explained, “No!”

Su Yubai didn’t speak, studying her intently, like she was analyzing a top-tier journal article.

Hearing Jiang Yule’s nervous chuckle, a flicker of confusion crossed Su Yubai’s eyes.
“Hm?”

“I just thought these earrings match your qipao. That’s all.”

“Not a thank-you, but that doesn’t mean I’m not grateful.”

Jiang Yule babbled, eyes darting to Su Yubai’s sharp nose, then up to her clear, deep gaze.

She caught another unfamiliar emotion in those eyes, then heard a soft, “Thanks.”

“No big deal.”
Jiang Yule waved it off.

“I’m going for my morning run.”

A breeze brushed past as Su Yubai turned to leave.
Jiang Yule called out, “Um…”

Su Yubai paused slightly.

“What did you say to my mom yesterday, Professor Su?”

Su Yubai started walking again, passing her.
“I’ll wear them.”
Her voice seemed a touch warmer, though still cool.

She liked the gift, but dodged the question.

Jiang Yule returned to the dining area.

Soon, her noodles arrived.
She ate leisurely, but Su Yubai didn’t return from her run.

After finishing, she decided to nap upstairs.

Wuzhou Ancient Town wasn’t big.
Yesterday’s outings had covered most of it.

She and Su Yingying had booked afternoon tickets to Huanglong Island.
She wasn’t sure when Professor Su would leave Wuzhou.

Back in her room, Jiang Yule napped until nearly noon.

She called Su Yingying, who answered after a dozen seconds, voice groggy.
“Yule, what’s up?”

Straight to the point.
“Do you know when Professor Su’s heading back to Hangzhou?”

“No clue.”

“Let’s invite her to lunch later.”

“Sure.”

Jiang Yule hung up, about to message Su Yubai, when she saw a chat already there:
[School emergency. You and Su Yingying, stay safe.]

[Got it, Professor Su. See you.]

She washed up, brushing her teeth while scrolling Xiaohongshu, spotting a decent restaurant.

After freshening up, Su Yingying knocked.

Opening the door, Jiang Yule heard, “I knocked on my sister’s door—no answer. Did you talk to her?”

Su Yubai hadn’t told Su Yingying she’d left Wuzhou.

“School stuff came up. Professor Su’s on her way back to Hangzhou.”

“Oh, okay.”

They ate at the restaurant—no disappointments.

It was overcast, perfect for photos before leaving Wuzhou.

The misty vibe was strong.

“A qipao would look amazing in these shots,” Jiang Yule murmured.

“If my sister were here, you could’ve asked her to model it.”

A sudden pang of loss hit Jiang Yule.
Too familiar, she pushed it down before it deepened.

They stayed upbeat all the way to the train station.

“What’s with you? You’re so hyped.”
“Travel vibes!”

Su Yingying wasn’t buying it.
“You look like you’re forcing it. Because of Lin Siqiong?”

“No.”

Because of Su Yubai.
Maybe too much time with her lately, especially yesterday.
Her absence left a void.

Jiang Yule had felt this for two months after Su Yubai went abroad.
Withdrawal, probably.

Su Yingying patted her chest.
“Good thing we didn’t run into Lin Siqiong today.”

Mentioning her, Jiang Yule checked her blog.
Sure enough, a stranger’s DM:
[Yule, I wandered the town all day, didn’t see you. Left already? With Su Yubai?]

She didn’t reply.

They reached Huanglong Island’s city by 5 p.m., then took a cab to the island.

Straight to their booked seaside homestay.
Great facilities, stunning views—no regrets.

They updated their family group chats.

Jiang Yule snapped the sunset outside, the sun dipping into the sea.

“Let’s go see the sunset.”

They swapped shoes for long skirts, racing to the beach.

The sun hadn’t fully set.
They snapped away.

“Loosen up, your side profile’s great—don’t be so stiff.”

Su Yingying turned photography coach.

“Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous!”

Jiang Yule blushed at the praise.
“Wanna switch? I’ve got enough.”

Su Yingying refused.
“No way, you’re perfect for this serene, artsy vibe. Stunning.

“Don’t waste time—smile!”

Jiang Yule let her direct, and the results were impressive.

They took tons of photos.

That night, they ate at a nearby seafood joint, then returned to edit pictures.

Su Yingying showed Jiang Yule her edits.
“Any need retouching? You can use my phone.”

Jiang Yule rarely posted to Moments, glancing briefly.
“They’re fine.”

“I’ll post some then? Or you pick.”

Jiang Yule shook her head.
“Whatever’s fine.”

Their mutual friends knew what she looked like.
Even an unflattering photo wouldn’t matter much.

“Cool, they’re all great anyway.”

Jiang Yule showered.
Midway, Su Yingying shouted from outside.

“Oh my gosh! My sister liked my Moments post!!”

“What?”
The shower was too loud.
“What’d you say?”

She vaguely caught Su Yubai’s name.

“Come out when you’re done!”

Jiang Yule turned off the shower, warm water wrapping her again, but her mind fixated on what Su Yingying said about Su Yubai.

It couldn’t be urgent, or Su Yingying wouldn’t wait.

In the living room, Su Yingying jumped at Jiang Yule’s approach.
“You showered so fast!”

“What’d you say about your sister?”

Su Yingying swiped her screen, showing the Moments post.

Jiang Yule focused, spotting Su Yubai’s white profile picture in the likes.

Below, her comment:
[Nice.]

Jiang Yule’s lashes flickered.
She opened the photos, scanning each one.

“What’s wrong? Why so serious?”
Su Yingying asked suddenly.

Jiang Yule finished, relieved to find no bad shots.
“Nothing, just checking what you posted.”

“You’re not shocked she liked and commented? She never pays attention to me!”

Jiang Yule smiled.
“I’m shocked.”

But something else mattered more—

She suddenly didn’t want Su Yubai seeing her in an unflattering light.