Chapter 43: Clinging Close and Tearful Goodbyes

Struggling lightly, Jiang Yule felt Su Yubai’s grip tighten, her wrist aching.

“Sister, it hurts~”

Su Yubai released her, collapsing to her right, lying beside her.
One arm pulled Jiang Yule close, locking her in.

Her left hand covered Jiang Yule’s eyes, as if to shut her down, wary of what she might do next.

Lashes fluttered against her palm, tickling.
Suppressing, Su Yubai rasped, “Sleep.”

Her voice unintentionally husky.

Turning left, Jiang Yule nestled closer, nuzzling her neck, lips parting as if to bite.

Feeling warm breath, sensing danger, Su Yubai warned coldly, “Don’t move.”

Fearing being tossed off, Jiang Yule closed her mouth, settling still in her arms.

Time blurred, and she drifted into a hazy sleep, lulled by a faint scent.

She slept well.

Waking once, startled, the sky still dark, Su Yubai gone.

Slipping out of bed, Jiang Yule crept to Su Yubai’s room, no lights, finding the bed by memory, crawling in.

Her light movements nestled her into Su Yubai’s arms.

Soft warmth climbing in, Su Yubai woke instantly, sensing Jiang Yule.

Unsure if she was drunk or awake.

But Jiang Yule stayed docile, just sleeping, no mischief.

Relaxing, Su Yubai steadied her breath, sinking back into sleep.

Morning, past 7, Jiang Yule stirred.

Blinking hazily, she wasn’t in Su Yubai’s room but the guest room.

Didn’t I sneak in last night?

A dream?

Her clothes intact—then Su Yubai’s “I might not hold back” and that deep gaze, also a dream?

Rushing out, she reached Su Yubai’s door, about to knock, when a door opened behind.

Turning, Su Yubai entered in workout clothes, likely from a morning run, holding soup dumplings and tofu pudding.

“You’re up,” Su Yubai said lightly, glancing briefly.

“Sister.”
Three steps toward her.

Not meeting her eyes, Su Yubai noted her bare feet.
“No shoes.”

Feet crossing, “Sister, last night…”

Her gaze clear, usual, unremarkable.
“You got drunk, Yingying called me to pick you up. Too late, so I brought you here.”

Lowering to place slippers before her, “Put them on.”

Obeying, Jiang Yule grabbed her shirt hem, blinking, “Then?”

Meeting her eyes, “Then you slept.”

“Really?” Doubtful.

Not how I remember…

“Mm,” glancing at the hand on her shirt.

Raising breakfast, “Eat.”

Eyes on her hand, realizing she meant to let go.

“Oh.”
Releasing, she trailed to the dining room.

About to sit, she remembered not washing up.

In the bathroom, her old cup and toothbrush remained.

Sweet.

Eyes curving, she brushed.

Done, she sat opposite Su Yubai, who’d finished her dumplings, sipping tofu pudding.

“Aunt Jiang and Uncle Chu are busy, asked me to take you to the airport.”

Eyes brighter, “Great.”

A glance.

Shrinking, “Thanks, Sister.”

“No trouble.”

“Sister, gotta stop home for luggage.”
Smiling.

“Mm.”

Finished, realizing she had only herself and a small bag, she knocked on the study door.
“Sister.”

“Come in.”

Peeking in, “I’ve got nothing, can you come home with me?”

A glance, a nod, “Mm.”

Su Yubai, ready, waited at the entrance.

Changing shoes, they left.

As the door closed, Jiang Yule recalled, “Sister, what’s ‘962464’ mean?”

“Random.”

“Oh.”

Fitting her personality—random, meaningless code.

Downstairs, to the car, a pang of sadness hit.

Her place was close; they arrived quickly.

Leading her in, empty house, she offered pink bear slippers.
“Sister, wear these.”

Glancing at them, then her green ones, Su Yubai changed silently.

Waiting, Jiang Yule’s eyes curved like crescents.

“Done,” Su Yubai said calmly.

“Mm!”

Leading to the living room, “Wanna see my room~”

“No.”

Bypassing, she sat at the dining table, opening her laptop to work.

Clueless sister.

Turning on the AC, “Sister, I’m showering~”

“Mm,” no glance.

At the stairs, Jiang Yule looked, feeling each look was one less—she was leaving soon.

Showering thoroughly, rose-scented body wash filled the bathroom.

Wrapped in a towel, she picked a white shirt, picturing Su Yubai in one, hair dripping.

Cheeks flushing—sober, she was less bold.

So shy…

Drying her hair, she wore the shirt, grabbed her laptop, and went downstairs.

“Sister, I’m done~”

A glance, then down again.

“Why’re you ignoring me?” A hint of grievance.

Looking openly, same clear gaze, “What.”

Flat tone.

Shy, “N-nothing.”

Sober, her courage thinned; no repeat of last night.

Su Yubai returned to work, undisturbed.

Sitting opposite, Jiang Yule opened her laptop, receiving detailed edits via WeChat.

Editing, thirsty, she stood.
“Sister, tea? Mom’s got great ones.”

“Just water,” eyes on the screen.

Pouring, she circled to hand it over, tripping on the table corner, falling into Su Yubai’s lap.

Cold water splashed, soaking her shirt, shivering.

A flicker in Su Yubai’s eyes, quickly hidden, pulling her up, taking the cup, sitting back.

“Change your clothes,” softly.

Looking down, her white shirt was wet, see-through.

Blushing, she fled, changing into travel clothes.

Dragging her suitcase down, Su Yubai worked undisturbed.

Pursing lips, Jiang Yule focused on edits.

Time flew.

Lunchtime, “Eat here or order takeout?” Su Yubai asked.

Without thinking, “Your cooking.”

Standing, “Come.”

Opening the fridge, “What do you want to make?”

“What do you want?” Eyes on hers.

Space tight, breath hitching, “W-whatever you make.”

Nodding, stepping back.

Slipping out, Jiang Yule washed rice, starting the cooker.

Returning, she helped, peaked her profile, sunlight on her neck.

Closing the blinds, blocking some light.

Su Yubai cooked fast; Jiang Yule cleared the table, helping serve.

Eating her food, reluctance grew.

Their quietest meal together.

Washing dishes after, she saw Su Yubai packing her laptop.

“Let’s go,” softly.

“Still early, stay a bit?”

“I have a meeting this afternoon.”

Not pushing, but reluctant, time too short.

Silent on the way to the airport.

At a red light, “What’s wrong?”

Shaking her head, “Nothing.”

Green, she drove on.

At the airport, parking, Su Yubai took her luggage, walking to security.

Taking her suitcase, “Thanks for the ride, Sister Yubai.”

“Bye, Sister.”

Before a reply, turning to go, her wrist was grabbed—

Pulled into Su Yubai’s arms, her hand ruffling her hair.

“I really have a meeting,” helplessly.

Grievance rising, silent.

A wet warmth on her shoulder; Su Yubai’s hand froze, pulling back slightly, seeing red eyes, heart trembling.

Wiping her tears, “Stay in the car a bit, okay?”

She had a meeting.
Burying back in, muffled, “No.”

Warm breath on her neck, Su Yubai’s breath hitched.
“When’re you coming to Hong Kong?”

“When the project’s done.”

Recalling an unanswered question, “Oh, will you…”

Cutting her off, “I will. I’ll miss you.”

Lashes trembling, choking, “Don’t—don’t go on blind dates, wait for me to vet them.”

Low chuckle, “Okay, I promise.”

Coaxing, “No more crying, alright?”

Sniffling, releasing her, “Go to your meeting.”

Seeing her red nose, Su Yubai scraped it, “Little crybaby.”

Glaring, “You are.”

Resisting another hug, “Mm.”

“I’m going,” turning instantly.

Nodding, “Safe travels, call when you land.”

“Okay,” muffled, entering security.

Glancing back every three steps, Su Yubai stood still.

Does she like me a little?
Her gaze wasn’t innocent.

That “I might not hold back” wasn’t a dream.