Chapter 35: Sweethearts

Lu Jia still hadn’t figured out what the woman meant by that “reward” even as she gripped the steering wheel.

There were countless roads, but safety came first.

She barely managed to steady her mind and avoided looking at the woman who was touching up her lipstick in the makeup mirror beside her.

A rich, floral fragrance gradually filled the car—it was the perfume Sheng Shubai always favored, and Lu Jia had even gifted her a bottle once.

Blending with the faint woody scent in the car, it lingered teasingly at the tip of her nose.

Lu Jia pursed her lips and focused on driving.

After arriving at C University, she often went out with her mentor and senior sisters, and she’d even rented a car privately to practice.

There was no helping it—Shi Mengxi’s driving skills were downright terrifying.

To keep her stomach from churning, Lu Jia practiced diligently. Now, she’d recovered about seventy or eighty percent of her old driving memories, and she drove steadily enough.

Later, she frequently picked up Sheng Shubai from bars, so she’d driven plenty of times. Each time, Lu Jia drove slowly while multitasking to soothe the woman slumped in the passenger seat.

They arrived at the restaurant fifteen minutes early.

The server led them to their reserved table, where they spotted Ji Jinnian and Tang Yue already seated from afar.

Catching her friend’s scrutinizing gaze, Sheng Shubai didn’t let go of Lu Jia’s hand. “A-Jin, Little Tang.”

“Professor Ji, Junior Tang.”

Lu Jia nodded politely in greeting.

This semester, she’d enrolled in Ji Jinnian’s color powder class, initially unaware of how close she was to Sheng Shubai.

It was only once, in Sheng Shubai’s office, when Ji Jinnian dropped by with her girlfriend for free coffee and chatted casually with Sheng Shubai, that Lu Jia learned they’d known each other for years.

Back then, Ji Jinnian and Tang Yue had looked at her with curiosity—nothing intrusive, just friendly.

After Sheng Shubai introduced her as “Rong Yi’s student,” their expressions shifted to surprise, but they didn’t pry.

They bumped into each other a few more times in the office, or Sheng Shubai simply sent Lu Jia to Ji Jinnian’s office to find her. Before long, casual chats revealed plenty about each other.

Ji Jinnian had a gentle personality, and the shy Little Tang sister started out reserved but warmed up over time. Being the same age, she ended up chatting more with Lu Jia.

Often, while the two professors discussed college matters, Lu Jia and Tang Yue huddled together talking about other things. When Tang Yue showed interest in printmaking, Lu Jia even took her to her studio, where the girl carved a rabbit print to take home.

After chatting so much with the real couple, Lu Jia had privately asked Sheng Shubai if Ji Jinnian and Tang Yue knew about their true relationship.

The woman had just smiled without answering, so Lu Jia dropped it.

The answer wasn’t that important anyway.

After all, the two occasionally teased her and Sheng Shubai, and their words suggested they weren’t entirely clueless.

“Little Lu, you look stunning today.”

After ordering, Ji Jinnian teased her. “No wonder Shubai insisted on the table in the corner—she must be afraid others will see you and be too dazzled to walk straight.”

Lu Jia’s ears burned at the gentle compliment. She quickly returned one: “You and Little Tang look perfect together today too.”

The silver-white silk blouse paired beautifully with the girl’s pale long skirt in a matching couple’s design—it was obvious at a glance.

Sheng Shubai tsked lightly, glancing airily at the three around the table. “Look at you all hyping each other up commercially. How come no one’s complimented me?”

Tang Yue bit back a smile and exchanged a glance with Ji Jinnian beside her before both turned expectantly to Lu Jia.

Catching their looks, Lu Jia paused.

So, she was supposed to compliment her?

A glance sideways showed Sheng Shubai propping her chin, smiling brightly as she waited.

“Miss Sheng looks great today too—the dress and shoes…”

Lu Jia faltered before continuing, “They’re both perfect for your style.”

Who specifically mentions shoes like that?

Realizing what she’d said, Lu Jia fidgeted uncomfortably with her glass, trying to cool her heated palms against the porcelain.

She didn’t have a shoe fetish or anything—she had no idea why it slipped out.

Fortunately, Sheng Shubai raised a brow, her expression satisfied.

Lu Jia breathed a sigh of relief and didn’t dare look at the woman again. Instead, she turned toward the floor-to-ceiling window beside them and gazed downward.

The restaurant sat in the city center on a high floor.

The distant sky had already darkened, but below sparkled with vibrant streetlights and crowds milling on the streets.

An idea sparked in her mind, bringing fresh inspiration.

Lost in her own world, she naturally missed Tang Yue mouthing “Miss Sheng” at Sheng Shubai across the table, her expression teasing.

Tang Yue was simply curious—given their relationship, why did their address sound so formal?

Sheng Shubai subtly pointed at Lu Jia with the hand propping her chin and shook her head with a soft laugh, mouthing back silently: That’s just how she is.

She was used to calling Lu Jia by her full name, and Lu Jia called her “Miss Sheng”—on and off the bed.

Sheng Shubai had to admit, she liked that distance.

They’d done the most intimate things, yet remained mere partners, each getting what they needed with satisfying boundaries.

By the time Lu Jia snapped out of it, bread had been served.

The other three’s conversation was low-key; Lu Jia caught snippets about the college exhibition.

The College of Fine Arts held two exhibitions yearly: the June graduation show and the pre-Spring Festival one.

The past two years had been watercolors and oils; unless something changed, printmaking was up this year.

Her mentor had mentioned it—things would get busy by year’s end.

But as a first-year grad student, Lu Jia figured she wouldn’t have much to handle, so she paid little mind.

“It’s mainly the Academy Research Association handling the planning.”

Ji Jinnian passed a piece of bread to Tang Yue and turned to Lu Jia with a grin. “If I remember right, your Advisor Rong is the lead this year.”

Lu Jia blinked. Rong Yi had few grad students; the academic masters among her senior sisters would be swamped with theses and projects. Among those available, only Shi Mengxi and she were in the Academy Graduate Student Union.

Shi Mengxi was chair and had sweet-talked her into joining upon enrollment. But Lu Jia stuck to office paperwork—no exhibition experience yet.

She just hoped Shi Mengxi’s enthusiasm meant she wouldn’t get overloaded.

Remembering she’d also be busy with competition drafts, Lu Jia felt a headache coming on. Out of the corner of her eye, a piece of bread appeared before her.

Sheng Shubai’s tone was casual: “This one’s well-reviewed. Have some to tide you over.”

The freshly baked sourdough was delicious, its crisp crust carrying a wheaty aroma. But the slice was hefty—Lu Jia held it in both hands, bigger than her palm.

The other dish of butter puff bread looked tempting too, but only Tang Yue took a piece.

After half her bread, Lu Jia reached for her drink. Looking up, she saw Ji Jinnian across the table delicately wiping cream from Tang Yue’s lip with a napkin.

The girl softly cooed “Sis,” and the woman responded with indulgent tenderness.

Lu Jia ducked her head self-consciously and sipped her alcohol-free pale pink drink.

She couldn’t bear to watch.

She finally understood why Sheng Shubai had insisted on dragging her along today.

Normal chats were fine, but facing this oblivious couple’s PDA over dinner was too much for Miss Sheng.

Still, Lu Jia just found their vibe harmonious—no envy.

After all, if she had to call someone “Sis” in that tone…

Just imagining it gave her chills.

Lu Jia steadied herself, but then warm fingers gently stroked the back of her hand. The slightly cooler fingertips could only belong to one person.

“Miss Sheng?”

Lu Jia turned, only to meet the woman’s concerned gaze.

Sheng Shubai asked softly, “Is it chilly over there? Want my shawl?”

She’d draped it over the chair back on arrival.

Now she pointed to it, nudging the girl beside her.

The warmth lingered on her hand as Sheng Shubai leaned closer, pretending to check her collarbone with her other hand. Lu Jia instinctively shrank back, but space was tight, and a palm settled on her shoulder.

Heat spread along her veins, making Lu Jia shiver.

Sheng Shubai wasn’t overthinking it.

She knew Lu Jia usually wore simple styles, and with her shoulders bare tonight in the air-conditioned restaurant, she worried she’d catch a chill.

“Ahem.”

Having just draped the shawl over her, Sheng Shubai looked up to find her friend raising a brow meaningfully over her wine glass.

Sheng Shubai clinked glasses with her impassively, thinking justifiedly:

You two were all lovey-dovey earlier. I’m just checking if Lu Jia’s cold—do you have to give me that look?

The wine was light, tinged with a sky-blue hue.

Seeing Lu Jia eyeing her glass, Sheng Shubai swirled her wrist and offered it. “Want a taste?”

Lu Jia shook her head. “I have to drive back later.”

Sheng Shubai had promised a reward before they left, but Lu Jia wasn’t sure it still counted if she didn’t drive them home.

When the main courses arrived, the head chef—also the restaurant manager—came to introduce them.

“A-Jin, Bai-jie, long time no see.”

The manager smiled apologetically. “It’s insanely busy today—only got a moment to say hi.”

The two waved it off, beaming as they wished her booming business and handed over their gifts.

“Thanks. And these two must be—”

The manager glanced at the young women beside her old friends, noting the intimate vibes.

She raised her brows in surprise.

These two were infamous loners in their circle; even at the New Year’s reunion, they’d bragged about being single.

Yet here they were, each with a pretty young girlfriend.

Maybe younger ones were more fun?

After some chit-chat, the manager hurried back to the kitchen, pondering what age “little sister” would suit her.

Seeing her friends all coupled up, she promptly added two signature couple’s desserts.

Timing it right, she texted Ji Jinnian and Sheng Shubai: “On me tonight—extra desserts. Wishing you eternal love and harmony [rose][rose]…”

Their phones buzzed one after the other. Sheng Shubai checked hers and met Ji Jinnian’s gaze.

The latter arched a brow with a lively, gossip-loving grin.

Sheng Shubai rubbed her brow.

Remembering her old friend’s big-mouth nature, she wondered if the news had already spread.

Could she still clarify now?