Chapter 65: Tangled Hearts and Looming Visits

Jiang Yule’s tense expression sparked confusion in Su Yubai’s eyes. She approached slowly.

Silently asking, “What’s wrong?”

Shaking head, unwilling to drag her into Mom’s absurdity—pride at stake.

Pausing, mouthing softly, “Call if you need.”

Pointing to living room, meaning she’d wait there.

Nodding, Huazhen’s voice, “Yule?”

Sighing, blurting, “Sister…”

Wrong, correcting, “Sister Yubai has a sister, isn’t that enough?”

Mom laughing, “Another sister’s fine.”

But I want to be her wife, not sister.

Pouting, “I’m close with Yingying, and she just warmed up to Sister Yubai. Wouldn’t we be stealing her sister?”

Silence, “Fair point.”

“Let’s drop it.”

Relieved, hearing, “I’ll visit Hong Kong soon.”

Since arriving, Mom never came…

Glancing at Su Yubai reading on sofa, “Okay, tell me, I’ll pick you up.”

Huazhen agreed.

Chatting about building ties with Li Zhiyi and Su Yubai for career help.

Agreeing, hanging up.

Exhausted, like post-battle, trudging to Su Yubai.

Not to complain, but guilty.

Su Yubai, upright, couldn’t be called lover, only neighbor sister.

Her kindness framed as sisterly.

Looking up, “You seem down.”

Pouting, sitting, nestling naturally.

Setting tablet aside, embracing, “If okay, tell me.”

Muffled, “What’s not okay?”

“Sister, you—” Stopping, Mom’s words echoing.

Confusion, “Hm?”

“You heard?”

Shaking head, “Didn’t listen.”

Looking at chin, blinking.

No reason to lie, not eavesdropping—polite.

Hugging tighter, “Mom said… we should be sworn sisters.”

“What?” Even her calm broke. “And you…”

“Refused, obviously.”

No wonder her pause earlier…

“She insisted?” Low voice.

“No, I brushed it off.”

Silent.

“Then Mom said she’ll visit.”

Looking, brushing hair, “What do you want me to do?”

Shaking head, “She won’t accept it soon.”

“Slowly.”

That phrase again.

Once comforting, now guilt-inducing.

Mouth opening, words lost.

Quiet, soft, “School business, I’m back to Hangzhou soon.”

Sudden, suspicious, sitting up, “Because of Mom?”

Lips curving, pulling neck to shoulder, “School notified yesterday, didn’t tell you.”

Pouting, “Don’t know when she’s coming.”

“Her work makes travel hard without reason.”

Salvaging, fearing she’d leave for Mom’s visit.

Stirring, cupping face, meeting eyes.

“Really school business, not avoiding Aunt Jiang.”

“Public or not, when, it’s your call.”

Blinking, realizing—coming out to family.

First time discussing, never hidden from friends, family’s the hurdle.

Not forcing, giving space.

Thinking, hearing, “And we’ll find a way together.”

“Public or not, no pressure.”

“Even forever secret, I’m happy as your hidden lover.”

“As long as you want me.” Softly.

Heart trembling, pounding, fearing heart trouble.

She was never more beautiful—gentle, powerful, unmatched.

Stunned, smiling, “Professor Su’s a romantic.”

Staring seriously, eyes reddening.

No explanation needed, her words sincere.

Tears falling, pain flashing, pulling her close.

“Don’t cry.”

In her arms, guilt and family helplessness poured out.

Patting, “None of this matters.”

“I’m happy hidden.”

Laughing, cooing, “Sister.”

Stroking hair, gloom fading.

“If Mom comes?” Teary, voice shaky.

Patting, “Your lead.”

“Tell the truth? We live together.”

“Let her accept we’re close.”

“Love grows naturally, right?”

No direct answer, “Mindsets don’t change overnight.”

Deflating, “I thought too simply.”

Patting, “Don’t fear, I’m here.”

Smiling, “Teach me, Sister.”

Last night’s words flashing, ears hot, sitting up, “Let’s go to school.”

“Yup, need to change.”

Following gaze, shirt wet from tears, embarrassed.

“I’ll change too.”

Hurrying, pausing, “Take it off, I’ll wash.”

Shy, not looking, “Okay?”

“Sure.” Amused, watching her back.

Slipping into bedroom, shutting door.

Minutes later, meeting in living room.

Holding shirt, reaching, “I’ll wash.”

Tugging, unmoving, puzzled, “Sister?”

Staring, “Washer exists.”

“Oh.” Touching nose.

Patting head, passing, soaking shirt in bathroom.

“Wash tonight’s fine.”

“Okay.”

Evening, Su Yubai working late, eating at cafeteria.

Escorting to subway.

Lingering, “Can’t work from home?”

Pinching hand, “Can’t work at home.”

Three fingers up, “I swear, no noise, no bother, still no?”

Shaking head.

Pouting, “I’ll stay at school?”

“Yule.”

“Sister, I’m here.”

Looking away, faint, “Can’t work with you.”

Blinking, thought echoing, hearing—

“You’re there, most attention’s on you.”

Close, eyes on lips.

Taste unforgettable, unexplored realms tempting.

Her presence, even still, a lure, especially her teasing.

Turning her face, “Liar, you were focused before.”

Throat moving, “I faked it.”

Her cool, husky voice, fingers trembling.