Chapter 41: Heartbeats and Hidden Hopes

“What’s wrong with a sister holding her sister’s hand?”

Su Yubai fixed her with a steady gaze, saying lightly, “The act’s over.”

Jiang Yule’s neck shrank, slipping her fingers free.

“Fine.”

Su Yubai glanced at her withdrawn hand, then looked away subtly.

Muttering inwardly, She held my hand first.

In the car, buckling up, Jiang Yule said, “Sister, what if Zhuang spreads rumors about you?”

Pulling her seatbelt, Su Yubai glanced at her.
“Didn’t think of that during your performance?”

Looking away, “I wasn’t acting.”
Adding, “He’s not good enough for you anyway.”

Silence stretched, engine still off.
Heart racing, “Sister?”

“How’d he think I’m queer if you weren’t acting?”

“He overthought it! Hugs and hand-holding are normal for sisters,” Jiang Yule’s eyes darted.

“Oh.”
Su Yubai hit the gas, car lurching forward.

Sensing something off but unsure what, Jiang Yule recalled their interlocked fingers—thrilling, strong yet soft…

“Staring at my hand?”

Snapping back, startled, she realized they’d stopped at a red light.

Grinning guiltily, “Your watch, I mean.”
Raising her left wrist near Su Yubai’s right, “Our watches look great.”

“It’s alright.”

Cold, eyes forward, not sparing a glance.

This attitude!
Pouting, “Sister, you’ve changed.”
Whiny, aggrieved.

“How,” still not looking.

“Are you mad I scared Zhuang off?”

Turning slowly, “You’re overthinking.”

“Then what—”

Yellow turned green, Su Yubai accelerated.

Words swallowed, Jiang Yule reasoned: if Su Yubai wanted Zhuang, she wouldn’t have let her push him.

Relieved, her lips curved.

At the next red light, “Sister, when’re you back to Hong Kong?”

“Back?”

Ever the academic, precise.

Quickly, “I mean, going to Hong Kong.”

“Not set yet.”

“Oh, I might not stay long,” softly.

If she left, others would swarm Su Yubai.
Back at B Uni, rumors abounded—male teachers with flowers, female ones waiting at classrooms.

“When’re you leaving?” Su Yubai asked, voice low.

Vaguely, “Maybe this week, maybe next.”

“Oh.”

No reaction, not even asking why not next week.

As if her presence meant nothing.

Deep breath, “Will you keep going on blind dates?”

“Depends.”
Another vague reply.

Smile fading, at a loss for words.

At the next red light, silence thickened, air heavy.

Checking her phone, Ji Zizhen shared detailed notes, mentioning their project starting soon.

Qiao Anqing might call her back to Hong Kong.

Mood sinking, she stuffed her phone in her bag.

At her complex, unbuckling, stepping out, she forced nonchalance, “Thanks for dinner and the ride, Sister Yubai.”

Tone less lively, back to “Sister Yubai.”

A nod, expression neutral, as if oblivious.

Turning to leave, Su Yubai grabbed her wrist, voice soft—

“If you can stay till next week.”

“Stay a few more days in Hangsu.”

“Oh,” without turning.

Awkwardly, “Sister, I’m heading in.”

Releasing her, Jiang Yule got out, shut the door, and entered the complex, resisting the urge to look back.

Was she asking me to stay?

Warmth carried her home.

Entering, Jiang HuaZhen was on the sofa.
“Mom, I’m back!”

Hearing her, “Yule, you must eat at home tomorrow night.”

Her tone sparked guilt.
Smiling, “Sure, sure.”

“Who’d you eat with tonight?” Jiang HuaZhen sounded annoyed.

Beaming, “Sister Yubai.”

“You two are close now, huh?” Her tone softened, thoughtful.

“It’s okay.”

“Good, if she sees you like Yingying, that’s a help for the future.”

Guiltier—she wanted Su Yubai as her girlfriend… wife…

Dry laugh, “But she’s only got one sister.”

Before her mom replied, “Mom, Senior Zizhen said our project’s starting soon.”

“Calling you back?”

“Not yet, but soon.”

Washing her hands, Jiang HuaZhen beckoned, “Come sit.”

Settling beside her, “What’s up, Mom?”

“How’s Qiao Anqing? Pushy? Stressful?”

Hugging her arm, “She’s fine, barely pushes. Let me come back for homesickness.”

Nodding, pausing, “Heard about her partner? Still single?”

Heart lurching—had she heard rumors?

Smiling, “She doesn’t share personal stuff.”

“I heard…” mysteriously.

“What?”

“She’s queer.”

“Huh?”

“Don’t learn bad habits, just her academics.”

Dodging, “She’s impressive.”

“Su Yubai helping with your papers?”

“Yeah.”

Nodding, no more questions.

Standing, “Mom, I’m studying Zizhen’s notes and PPT in my room.”

Approving smile, “Now’s the time to focus.”

“PhD’s the best phase for results. Later, work shifts your focus.”

Academic wisdom.

But Jiang Yule thought of Su Yubai, still immersed in research.

Love her even more.

Post-shower, she reviewed Ji Zizhen’s PPT and notes.

Realizing her Hangsu days were numbered, chasing Su Yubai long-distance would be harder.

No hesitation, she messaged: [Sister, busy tomorrow?~~]

Reply: [Yeah.]

Mindful of dinner at home, [Where’re you working?~~]

[School.]

[Can I come study with you?]

[Play?]

[No, no, study!]

[8 a.m.]

Blinking, early rising even at home.

Recalling Hong Kong morning runs with her.
Early wasn’t impossible.

She slept early but tossed, replaying Zhuang Feng.
Would he spread “queer” rumors?

Or that Su Yubai had a “little sister”?

Giggling, maybe it’d fend off her suitors.

6:30 a.m., alarm blaring, she got up.

Washing, she found Jiang HuaZhen and Chu Jing’an at breakfast.

“Up so early, plans?”

“Visiting school, miss the cafeteria.”

“Hong Kong’s cafeteria bad?” Chu Jing’an smiled.

“It’s fine, but not home’s taste.”

No more questions.

Eating with them, her parents left for work.

Finishing quickly, she rummaged through her closet, finding mature clothes unfit for school.

Settling on a white dress, she applied light makeup.

7:30 a.m.

Rushing, she took a cab, reaching Su Yubai’s office at 7:59.

Knocking repeatedly, no answer, door locked.

Not here? Or elsewhere?

“Senior.”

A tap on her shoulder startled her.
Turning, it was a student assistant.

“Dean Su said if you arrive, go to Economics Building 207.”

“What’s that?”

“Her academic office.”

“Oh.”

“It’s quiet, fewer people,” the assistant smiled.

Pursing her lips, She’s changed.

From openly working in her admin office to a secluded academic one.

Heading to Economics, she found 207, hearing voices inside.

Who’s she with behind my back?

Knocking hard twice.

Silence.

“Come in,” Su Yubai’s voice.

Bursting in with a “caught you” vibe, she pushed the door—

Several students looked up.

Recognizing Su Yubai’s students, her face stiffened, forcing a smile, “Hi.”

A glint of amusement in Su Yubai’s eyes.
“Come in.”

Awkward, hesitating to flee, she heard—

“This is…”

Heart racing—what would Su Yubai say?

“My little sister,” lightly.

Heart trembling, blinking at her.

A student smiled, “Jiang Yule, right? Same year, you spoke at orientation?”

Smiling, “Yeah.”

Su Yubai’s students, unlike her, were warm.

“Heard of you, Yule!”
“At HKU now, right?”

Answering with smiles.

Su Yubai’s gaze swept her curved eyes.
“Come in already.”

“Oh.”
Closing the door, she stepped forward.

“Professor Su, where do I sit?” Muffled, seeing Su Yubai alone on the sofa, others around a table, no empty spots.

Professor Su.
A subtle glance, nodding to her right.

Sit beside her.

Others made space; she sat, keeping two-butt distance.

Still, her faint tea scent lingered.

Taking deep breaths, bag on lap, she heard them resume—discussing an unfamiliar field, seen only in government reports.

Listening quietly, Su Yubai glanced, “Bored? Study at my desk.”

Scooting closer, “Not bored, I want to listen.”

Her sudden nearness made Su Yubai’s gaze flick to her glossy lips, then away.
“Mm.”

Eavesdropping, students spoke, Su Yubai summarizing with precise, practical advice. Looked at  her, her charm shone.

So in love.

Su Yubai’s gaze met hers; panicking, Jiang Yule shifted to the computer.

Seemingly unintentional, Su Yubai focused on a student.

Heart pounding, regretting her panic.
Just hold her gaze!
No way she’d kiss with others around.

Glancing at her soft lips, wondering their taste.

“Jiang Yule.”

“Huh?”
Cheeks warm, she realized everyone else was gone.

Just them now.

“What’re you thinking, face so red?” Su Yubai tilted her head.

Brain racing, “Nothing, maybe the AC was too low last night, slight fever.”

“Oh.”

Relieved, then a cool, soft touch on her forehead.

Blinking, it vanished.
“Seems like it.”

“Rest at home.”

Lashes fluttering, “No way!”

“Studying sick isn’t good.”

Before finishing, Jiang Yule grabbed her right hand, pressing it to her face.

Panicked, “Sister, check again. No dizziness, probably no fever, right?”

Back to “Sister.”

“Even if I’m feverish, your hand’s so cool.”

“Touch more, it’ll cool down.”

Su Yubai’s fingertips trembled slightly.