Chapter 55: Meetings and Murmurs

Seconds later, Jiang Yule let go of Su Yubai’s hand.

Too quick, too sudden. Su Yubai paused, “Hm?”

Seriously, “Sister, go work.”

“I’m sensible.”

Amusement in her eyes, hearing, “Need me to walk you downstairs?”

Rubbing her head, “No need.”

Back-and-forth, she’d have to escort her back.

Realizing, waving, “See you tonight.”

“Okay.”

Farewells done, neither moved.

Thinking, she should be sensible. Heading upstairs, not looking back, “Go, Sister.”

Watching her back, “Message me when done.”

“Got it.”

Two steps, glancing back—Su Yubai hadn’t moved. Chuckling, “Can’t let me go, Sister?”

Staring, silent, turning away, steps quick.

Lips curving, watching her vanish, turning to climb, only to meet Ji Zizhen.

Coming from another direction.

“Junior, what’re you standing there for?”

“I…” Glancing at the corner, “I’m a wife-watching stone.”

Embarrassed after saying it.

Ji paused, “Huh?”

Smiling, “My girlfriend walked me here, watched her leave.”

Turning, walking upstairs together.

More shocked, “Girlfriend?”

Cheeks warm.

Bragged to Su Yubai, now shy to admit.

Recalling those around Jiang Yule, Ji grinned, “Not Professor Su, right?”

Shy smile, “Yeah.”

“Knew something was up.” Teasing.

Puzzled, “Hm?”

Ji sorted clues, “That dinner in Hangsu, she was protective.”

“When she picked you up, seemed jealous.”

“Her lecture, calling you to her office too.”

Touching nose, dry laugh, “You saw it too.”

That obvious? Sighing softly.

“Anyway, congrats!”

More shy, “Thanks, Senior.”

“Bring her to our next dinner.”

“Curious how she is privately.”

Privately… aside from those moments, not much different.

Thinking, “I’ll ask her then.”

“Okay.”

Shifting to the meeting.

“So sudden today.”

“Yup.”

“Heard anything?” Ji leaned in, secretive.

Easing back, “What?”

“Professor Qiao and Senior Huang.”

Mind flashing, “What about them?”

“They’re dating, apparently.”

Coughing, “Who said?”

Shaking head, “Dunno.”

Recalling stares at their hand-holding, bad feeling rising, “Not campus-wide, right?”

“Nah, just a forum post.”

“Started as CP shipping, then comments piled up, digging their mentor-student days.”

Heart jolting, “That…”

Asking, “Teachers see the forum?”

Would Professor Chen hear?

Shaking head, “Doubt it, student-only, needs ID login.”

Relieved, but students could still spread it…

In the elevator, Ji noticed her worry, “You knew?”

Pausing, smiling, “Knew, but not sure if they’re really together.”

Ji grinned, “Thought you—”

Grin deepening, “Thought—”

“Felt like undercurrents, y’know.”

“When Qiao taught, Huang was always her TA.”

“Qiao’s gaze on her was different.”

Curious, “Qiao fell first?”

Shaking head, “Dunno details.”

Only they’d know.

Out of the elevator.

Whispering, “Bet Huang fell too.”

“Just, identities held them back?”

Nodding, “Their roles are tricky.”

“After Huang stayed on, they weren’t together, even seemed…”

Ji faltered.

Mind flashing, “Like strangers?”

“Yup, weird, like they broke up.”

“Polite on surface, but Huang never joined our meetings after staying.”

Understanding, guessing they parted for reasons—whether briefly together, unclear.

At the meeting room, they quieted.

Greeting peers, sitting quickly.

Preparing progress, noting issues.

Ji chatted with another junior.

Finishing her PPT, room quieting.

Looking up, Qiao Anqing entered.

No different than usual.
Slight relief.

Then another—blinking, Vice Dean Li Zhiyi.

Bad feeling again.

But Qiao smiled, calming her.

Introducing, “Today, Professor Li joins our meeting.”

Li nodded, smiling.

Wen Yanqing led applause, Jiang Yule followed, convincing herself it’s fine.

Qiao hosted, same as usual—project updates, research progress.

Reporting after Ji, “Professor Qiao, revised paper’s in your inbox.”

Smiling nod, “Good.”

Raising literature questions.

Li answered, as with others, Qiao staying quiet.

Noting points, nodding, hesitating to ask more.

Li loved eye contact; feeling her gaze, meeting it reluctantly.

Answering done, smiling, “Thanks, Professor Li.”

Li smiled back.

Meeting ended past five.
Messaging Su Yubai: [Done, Sister~]

Quick reply: [Home?]
[Yup!]
[Waiting downstairs.]
[Which building?]

No reply.
Packing, bidding Ji, “See ya, Senior.”

Smiling, “Go, leave me, lone soul.”

Grabbing bag, seeing Qiao and Li ahead.

Not rushing past, avoiding seeming eager to leave.

Trailing ten steps, not eavesdropping.

At the elevator, they waited.

Detouring, they hadn’t entered.

Qiao spoke, “Settling in, Yule?”

Nodding, “Love Hong Kong’s vibe.”

“Great paper recently.” Patting shoulder, glancing at Li, smiling, “Keep it up.”

Smiling, “Thanks for guidance, learned lots.”

Nodding, silent.

Entering last, pressing floor.

Silent descent.

First out, “Bye, teachers.”

“Bye.”
“Bye.”

Opening umbrella, hurrying, spotting Su Yubai at the corner.

“Professor Su’s fast.”

“Classmate Jiang’s not slow.”

Smiling, reaching out.

Looking, “Not appropriate, Classmate Jiang.”

She’d said girlfriend’s hand, anytime.

Pouting, retracting, “Fine.”

Next second, closing her umbrella, stepping under, taking it.

Laughing, “Professor Su steals student umbrellas?”

Silent, Jiang Yule looking, hand grabbed.

Struggling, “Not appropriate?”

Coughing, “Professor Su, no. Your girlfriend, yes.”

Huffing, “You take all sides.”

“You called me Professor Su first.”

“It’s for fun!”

Glancing, “Hm?”

Flustered, “N-Nothing.”

Looking away, “Yup.”

Feigning ignorance.

Silent, walking to parking lot.

In passenger seat, memories flashing.

What’re you thinking, Jiang Yule!

Shaking head, buckling, “Turn on AC, Sister.”

“Yup.”

Cool air soothing.

Clearing mind, “Vice Dean Li joined today, weird.”

Pausing, “Anything odd said?”

Thinking, shaking head, “Nope.”

Nodding, “Focus on your work.”

Engine starting, falling quiet.

At a red light, “Dinner?”

“Your cooking.”

Nodding, “Okay.”

At supermarket parking.

Unbuckling, her phone rang.

“Taking a call.”

Nodding.

AC on, lingering.

Brief “yups,” hanging up, looking over.

Blinking, “What, Sister?”

“Huang Siheng and Qiao Anqing’s issue reached Professor Chen. I might need to go.”

Eyes fixed, “Send you home first?”

Shaking head, “I’m coming.”

Silence fell.

Su Yubai watched her quietly.

Feeling puzzled.