Chapter 61: Bonds Acknowledged and Futures Planned

Startled, “…Lovers.”

“Could tell.” Qiao Anqing smiled.

Jiang Yule smiled back, slightly shy.

“Just gossiping, don’t be nervous.” Qiao’s smile deepened.

Smiling again.

Her voice gentle, “Since you came to Hong Kong, we haven’t talked deeply.”

“With your busy schedule, I didn’t want to bother you.” Touching nose.

Shaking head, laughing, “My fault, too many work and personal matters, neglected new students, sorry.”

Rare for elders to apologize, surprised, blinking, waiting.

“After graduation, mainland or Hong Kong?”

“Mainland.”

“No hesitation.” Smiling.

“Your familiar home, with family and friends’ support.”

Nodding.

“Future meetings might be few.”

Blinking, hearing, “If smooth, I’ll soon join a mainland university.”

Heart sinking, blurting, “Because of Professor Chen?”

Regretting, her private matter.

Unfazed, smiling at regret, “I asked about you and Su Yubai.”

“Your question’s fair.”

Relieved, hearing, “Not entirely her.”

“Siheng loves the mainland, eager to live there with me.”

Softer mentioning Huang Siheng.

Smiling wider, “No wonder Siheng… Senior Siheng’s Mandarin is great.”

Fond smile, “Her interest.”

Cicadas outside, rising, falling.

A happy ending embodied.

Eyes curving, sincere, “Senior Siheng’s great, so are you.”

Looking, “Su Yubai’s great, so are you.”

Smiling, shy.

Standing, extending hand, “Our mentor-student bond’s short, but let’s be friends.”

Standing, gripping hand, “Definitely.”

From first sight, felt Qiao was good—maybe for her kindness to her and Su Yubai.

Releasing, gesturing to sit, “Study difficulties lately?”

Thinking, “None recently, I ask seniors for help.”

“Seniors?”

Blinking, confused, hearing, “A professor at home, why ask PhDs?”

Home… Qiao knew Su Yubai moved in?

Choking, cheeks red, “Su, Professor Su’s busy.”

So shy.
Qiao dropped personal talk, planning her PhD.

“Career plans, only Hangzhou universities?”

Nodding, “Only B University.”

Su Yubai’s there.

Smiling, “Your path won’t be too hard.”

“I’ll work hard.” Firm, serious.

A flicker in Qiao’s eyes, saying no more.

“Where to for you and Senior Siheng?”

Shaking head, “Undecided, maybe a coastal city.”

Chatting more, ending their first and last deep mentor-student talk.

“Go eat lunch.”

“Tell others to eat too.”

Smiling, “Before you leave, can I treat you to dinner?”

“I should treat you and Professor Su.” Serene smile.

Nodding, bidding farewell, walking to door, touching handle, called—

“Yule.”

Turning, blinking, hearing, “Take it slow, it’ll work out.”

Slowly.

Qiao and Huang took it slow, good outcome?

Not overthinking, smiling, nodding, waving, leaving.

Wondering, family or Su Yubai?

Realizing, even if forced to choose,

Planning to face family, love Su Yubai openly.

Back at office, all eyes on her.

Smiling, “Qiao says eat lunch, talk later.”

Everyone left, grabbing phone.

Ji Zizhen stayed, “Lunch together?”

Nodding, walking out.

Texting Su Yubai: [Talked with Qiao, she’s really leaving HKU QAQ]

No reply, likely busy.

Reading, seeing WeChat flash.

Opening, her message: [Yup, what’s for lunch?]

Typing: [With Senior Zizhen at cafeteria.]

[Oh, eat well.]

Normal tone, unbothered by Zizhen.

Fine, she’s hers, no chance with Zizhen, no jealousy normal.

Zizhen, softly, “Qiao really leaving?”

Nodding, sighing, “Just adjusted to our group, now another.”

Patting, “Other professors are good.”

“Any mentor in mind?”

Thinking, “My… girlfriend suggested Professor Li.”

Gossiping, “Oh, girlfriend.”

Ears red, teasing, “Gotta listen to your wife.”

“Wife?” Shyer.

Laughing, serious, “Did Qiao mention mentors, recommend anyone?”

Shaking head, “Not a word.”

Smile fading, thoughtful.

Recalling, no mentor talk, odd.

Afternoon, Zizhen back, “Qiao asked my mentor choice, maybe forgot you.”

Stunned, “Maybe.”

“Contact Dean Li yourself?”

Shaking head, “I’ll discuss with my… girlfriend.”

Realizing Su Yubai’s first now.

Dangerous, enchanting.

“Yule, hey.” Zizhen’s voice, waving hand.

Snapping back, “What?”

“You’re grinning dreamily, what’s funny?”

Embarrassed, “Nothing.”

Past five, wanting to text Su Yubai, recalling no dinner together.

Eating at cafeteria, home.

Empty, first thing—removing neck concealer.

Mirror showing darker hickeys.

Last night’s memories flooding, washing face.

Slumping on sofa, recalling waist’s smooth touch, gentle, commanding kiss.

Before living together, alone nights weren’t so lonely, empty.

Gentle traps are addictive.

Playing variety show, voices filling space.

Glancing at phone, knowing Su Yubai’s messages vibrate, still checking.

Watching, turning on notifications, max volume.

Wind outside, trees swaying.

Checking phone, weather—rain tonight.

Knowing Su Yubai brings umbrella, but… did she today?

Reason to text, smiling: [Sister, looks like rain soon.]

Screen off, resuming show—likely busy, normal not to reply.

Hand hovering, notification ping, screen lighting.

Fingers trembling, grabbing.

Instant reply: [Good girl, home in half hour.]

Good girl.

Heart fluttering, replying: [Okay, be safe, love you~]

[Good girl.]

Realizing, no rain mention, just home time—thought she urged her back?

Not wrong.

Eager for her gentle trap.

Rain falling, show noisy.

Hearing lock, rushing, opening door, hugging her.

Nestling, sniffing—no strange perfume, “Ate black bean chicken feet?”

Handing dessert, “Yup, see if you want.”

Taking, clinging, muffled, “Don’t want.”

Looking, softening, “Then… what do you want?”

Burying face, “You.”

“How?” Deep gaze, low voice.

Lifting, staring lips, nibbling chin.

Nearly laughing, “Done eating, I’ll change.”

Squirming, not letting go, “Not done.”

Waiting, no move, “Hm?”

Loosening, whining, “Change, Sister.”

Pausing, watching her with dessert.

Changing, washing hands, brushing teeth.

Returning, eating dessert, “Said you didn’t want.”

Sitting, coughing, “Ate with Li Zhiyi tonight.”

“Good?” Eyes on show, not her.

“Okay.”

Silent, looking at cake, “Tasty?”

“Okay.” Mimicking tone, close enough.

Watching, turning her face.

Chewing, cream on lip.

Adorable, amused, “Unhappy?”

Swallowing, “Happy, you networked with Li for me, why not?”

Guessing her intent.

Holding face, “Sorry, acted on my own.”

Shaking head, “Not mad, just tell me next time, I won’t stop you.”

“Okay.” Nodding, eyeing lip, “Cream.”

“Oh.” Reaching, stopped.

Kiss landing, tongue licking cream.

Lashes trembling.

Cream in mouth, savoring.

Blushing, trying to pull, held tighter.

Pouting, seeing lips move, “Didn’t you say not enough?”

Cool voice, suggestive words.

“Don’t want.” Leaning back, escaping, neck held.

Lips meeting, opening, tongue sliding in.

Minty kiss.

Breath disrupted, caught off guard, leaning back, grabbing waist to steady.

Searching her mouth, tickling.

Sucking tongue, itch to heart.

Wanting closer, closer.

Straddling, softness touching, trembling.

Shy sound escaping.

Encouraged, kissing fiercer.

Wet sounds, heavy breaths, breathless, arms falling.

Releasing.

Panting on shoulder, fingers grazing waist through shirt.

Strange longing rising, breathing hard.

“Tastes good.” Hoarse.

Reacting, trembling, “Yours too.”

Voice shaky.

Letting go, eyeing cake, “More?”

Actual cake.

Nodding, losing appetite.

“So, mad I didn’t kiss you at the door?”

“Not.”

Seeing pink neck, lips curving.

“Finish the movie?”

Nodding.

Fetching laptop, opening history, casting.

Scooping cake, “Eat, Sister?”

“Feed me.”

“Okay.” Agreeing, eating it.

Lips curving, her lips landing.

Pausing, unexpected feeding.

Blinking, pushing cake in, tongue caught.

Cheeks heating.

Released, breathless, finishing cake.

Passionate scene, covering eyes, “Don’t look.”

Obeying, not blinking.

Laughing, “Good girl.” Hand covering eyes.

“You neither.”

Eyes curving, “We’re babies.”

“Yup.”

Indulging childishness.

Warmth wrapping heart, beating faster than kissing.

Minutes later, peeking, uncovering, “Passed.”

Opening arms, nestling in.

Rain outside, finishing movie, late.

Yawning, “Sleepy? Shower.”

Nodding, no misinterpretation.

Grabbing clothes, bathroom, dirty laundry gone.

Returning, balcony—clothes washed, hung.

Heart trembling.

Good she hand-washed underwear, or too embarrassing!

Showering, rain louder.

Thought growing wild.

Dressing, skincare, lip oil.

No Su Yubai.

Breathing, knocking her door, clearing throat, soft, “Sister, scared of thunder, sleep together tonight?”