Chapter 51: Moving In and Quiet Moments

Clinging to her hand, “S-Sister.”

“Hm?” Su Yubai paused rubbing her cheeks, seemingly unaware of anything amiss.

Pulling her hands down, turning away, muttering, “Too hot.”

Seeing her apple-red face, amusement flickered in Su Yubai’s eyes, taking her hand.

Confused, “Hm?”

“Wash your face, cool down.”

“Oh.”

Su Yubai ran the water; Jiang Yule splashed her face repeatedly, feeling the heat subside.

Explaining softly, “Back then, I was leaving for Hong Kong soon, scared…”

“Scared I’d be taken,” Su Yubai finished.

Pouting, “Scared we wouldn’t have time to bond.”

“Scared I’d go on blind dates.”
“Scared someone else would appear.”

Picking up a pale yellow towel, “Face towel?”

Nodding, “Yup.”

Wiping her face gently.

“I-I’ll do it.” Taking the towel, drying her cheeks.

“Making you worry was my fault. I’m sorry,” earnestly.

Hanging the towel, tilting her head, “Do you really like me, Sister?”

Feeling odd, lowering her eyes, sensing warm breath, startled by her close face.

“Need another kiss?”

Clutching her shoulders, “No, I mean, what do you like about me?”

“With so many liking you, why me?”

Staring, then lifting her into her arms.

“Ah!” Suspended, yelping.

“Sister, what’s wrong?”

Coolly, setting her on the sofa, facing her.

“Seems many like me.”

“But most like the professor, scholar, postdoc, or ‘faculty goddess’ titles.”

Blinking, diving into her arms, “How do you know I like the Su Yubai without those titles?”

“I don’t,” holding her waist softly.

Looking up, “Hm?”

Lowering her gaze, “I only showed you the me without those titles.”

Lashes trembling, realizing Su Yubai was the “Rome” countless roads led to, but only one path—hers—had access.

Lucky to be that person, or born in “Rome,” because Su Yubai loved her early.

Unsure—grateful for her exclusive affection, or regretful for noticing it late, not reciprocating sooner?

Noticing her dimming eyes, “What’s wrong?”

Shaking her head, nestling closer.

“I like you, Sister.”

Stroking her hair, “Yup.”

Oolong tea scent enveloping, cozy in her arms, nearly dozing, then—

“Sister, let’s move your stuff, it’s getting late.”

“Okay.”

Reluctant to leave her embrace, lingering.

Helplessly, “I could stay there one more night.”

Bolting up, “No, you move today.”

Eyes amused, “Okay.”

Standing, opening her door, then hers, smiling, “Unlocking now?”

“Yup.”

Entering “962464,” a different mood, recalling that night.

At the entrance, pausing, “Su Yubai, you and Huang Yuxin stood here in pajamas.”

Arm around her shoulder, “Someone didn’t seem to care then.”

Huffing, “I was pretending.”

“I knew you didn’t like her, acted for her.”

No lights, darkness ahead, Su Yubai close behind.

Hot breath at her ear—

“I knew,” low voice.

Trembling, adjusting breath, “I knew you knew.”

“Your right to be mad,” by her ear again.

Not really mad—Su Yubai changed and took her to the hotel.

“Before, were you…”

“Hm?”

“When she pestered me, did you feel bad?”

They understood implicitly.

Her chin on Jiang Yule’s shoulder, “I was jealous too.”

Stroking her hair, mirroring her gentle touch.

Feeling her stiffen, continuing softly.

“But I… never did anything with her,” softly.

“I know.”

“How?” Surprised.

Straightening, flipping on the light, “Your kiss was shy, nervous.”

Blushing, “Oh.”

“No need to comfort me like that.”

Her thoughts seen through, looking up, hearing, “We’re together now, that’s enough.”

Blinking, “You’re so generous, Sister.”

Amused, no explanation.

Moving inside, her luggage light—suitcase by the sofa held most.

“Just this?”

Shaking her head, “Some books in my room.”

Turning to get the suitcase.

Jiang Yule found books on her nightstand, including Fingersmith.

Others were economics-related.

Carrying them out, seeing her enter, surprised, “You’re reading Fingersmith?”

“Yup, on and off.”

“Let’s watch the movie sometime.”

Eyes deep, “Okay.”

“Anything else?”

“Some kitchen stuff, this tea set.”

Glancing at it, “I’ll take the books.”

Soon, they finished.

Opening the unused room’s door, Su Yubai grabbed her wrist, “Rest or shower first?”

Shaking her head, “Faster together.”

Unconvinced, she relented.

Only two months in, Qiao Anqing had it cleaned—just dusty.

Noticing cabinet dust, thinking it’d be quick.

“I’ll change.”

Eyeing her qipao, nodding, “Okay.”

Leaving, closing her door.

Returning with rags, door still shut.

About to knock, recalling knocking before, seeing her bare back.

Door opening, startling her.

Seeing her casual clothes, stammering, “T-That fast?”

“Yup.”

Holding her hand, passing a rag.

Wiping dust, small room, done quickly.

Uncovering the mattress, pulling out sheets, “Shower first?”

Nodding, “Okay, I’ll go.”

Passing the treadmill, deciding against running, grabbing clothes.

At the sink, tossing her old set, placing the new couple’s cups and toothbrushes.

Seeing Su Yubai through the door gap, lips curling.

Showering, hot water bringing happiness.

Drying her hair, emerging, Su Yubai reading an economics book on the sofa.

“Done?”

Nodding, a bit awkward, “Yup, your turn.”

Closing the book, grabbing clothes.

Sitting, opening her tablet, casting a show to the TV.

Lounging where Su Yubai sat, watching casually.

Despite loud audio, shower sounds lingered.

Recalling their car kiss, shaking it off, focusing on the show.

Soon, Su Yubai emerged in pajamas, glancing at her, looking away, approaching.

Noticing, holding back, “Done, Sister?”

Sitting beside, following her gaze, “What show?”

Body wash scent hitting, realizing its strength.

Tensing, sitting up, “A slow variety show, with stars like Gu Lanqing, Cheng Li, Ming Zhi, lots more.”

Cheng Li and Ming Zhi’s sweet moment flashed, eyes sparkling, “They’re a real couple, so sweet.”

Glancing, looking away.

Finished, “Want to watch, Sister?”

Scanning her loose nightgown neckline, coughing, “Fix your clothes.”

Looking down, neckline slipped, chest half-exposed.

And she’d asked if she wanted to watch…