Chapter 55: Polite Refusal

Seeing Lu Jia’s shocked expression, Sheng Shubai chuckled lightly. “I’m actually quite curious about what direction things will take between them in the end.”

She had originally planned to ask Lu Jia about it that afternoon when she saw Shi Mengxi, to show some concern for this fearless young rival student. After all, for someone to fall for a woman like Rong Yi… it was truly intriguing and puzzling.

What kind of person could have such unique tastes?

Of course, she couldn’t say that out loud to Lu Jia.

After all, one was the mentor protected by that kid, and the other was her good senior sister.

Sheng Shubai coaxed the girl back into her embrace, twirling a soft lock of hair around her finger, and shifted the topic. “Shi Mengxi will probably need to stay in the hospital for a while. If you need help with the installation during that time, I can come over anytime.”

It wasn’t because she had seen Lu Jia standing with that girl earlier in the day and felt anything about it.

Her classes were mostly wrapped up, so Sheng Shubai had some free time lately. She was just offering to lend a hand out of kindness.

After all, if she helped share the workload, Lu Jia would have a bit more breathing room, and they’d have more time together in the evenings.

But Lu Jia didn’t hesitate and shook her head directly. “I should be able to handle it. I can also ask Advisor Rong or some friends… so, no need to trouble you.”

The atmosphere suddenly fell silent.

Lu Jia had been waiting for Sheng Shubai to speak, but the hair twirled around the woman’s finger suddenly loosened and drifted lightly back onto her shoulder.

“Miss Sheng?”

Only then did Lu Jia sense something was off. She tried to turn her head to look at the woman’s expression, but found Sheng Shubai had turned her face away, her gaze fixed on the other side of the living room, staring at who knew what.

Lu Jia’s eyes traced the woman’s high nose bridge and soft lips, following the angle to that pot of Golden-Edged Lily Bamboo.

The Lily Bamboo had recovered its healthy growth.

Lu Jia hadn’t come over for a while before, and after renewing their arrangement, she noticed it wasn’t doing well. Sheng Shubai told her it had wilted for a time, but she had been carefully nursing it back.

“You have someone you like, don’t you?”

Sheng Shubai spoke up.

Lu Jia frowned but answered honestly. “Yes.”

Hadn’t this woman always known? Why ask again all of a sudden, and in such an abrupt way, just like that day?

“Is it still the same person from before? Or has it changed to someone else?”

Her tone was casual.

Sheng Shubai recalled the restaurant that evening. In the corner by the wall, amid the decorative landscaping, there were a couple of thriving Lily Bamboos with lush leaves.

Two women dining alone in a restaurant famous for its romantic ambiance, and Lu Jia had smiled so beautifully at Qin Yuan.

Sheng Shubai connected it to Lu Jia’s polite refusal—or rather, outright rejection—just now. She didn’t want her help, yet earlier that day, she had praised Qin Yuan’s suggestions effusively.

How nice.

She couldn’t help it; illogical suspicions bubbled up unbidden, lingering prominently in her mind.

In the past, she had conflicts with Rong Yi and harbored reservations about everything related to printmaking. She hadn’t participated in Printmaking Major exhibitions for many years. This time, she had taken the rare initiative to offer, only to be rejected flat-out, without much hesitation.

Sheng Shubai had some pride in her bones.

She felt she was extending goodwill, even breaking her habits of years to make Lu Jia an exception, yet this kid didn’t appreciate it.

A mix of displeasure and frustration surged up.

Even though her experience and age let her suppress most of it, her tone carried a few thorns, her irritation spilling onto Lu Jia.

Even if she knew full well that who Lu Jia liked or didn’t like had nothing to do with her.

From start to finish, they were just friends with benefits.

Lu Jia’s fingertips clenched white. “Miss Sheng, what are you saying?”

The inexplicable question and tone left her unsure how to respond.

But… did Sheng Shubai see her as the type who was fickle, easily falling for others?

Even if she was dense, such a misunderstanding stung at Lu Jia’s heart, making it ache dully.

She fell silent for a moment, her long lashes lowering gently to hide the dimness in her eyes.

Just as she dropped her gaze, her chin was lifted by fingertips.

“I said, for such an important exhibition, you don’t need the help offered to you.”

Warm lips pressed over, lightly covering Lu Jia’s, the touch fleeting.

Before Lu Jia could react, the other woman pulled back slightly.

Yet they were still mere millimeters apart, her warm breath carrying the words into the girl’s mouth. “Could it be—you’re afraid that if I go, your beloved will notice something?”

Another sudden remark, pulling her thoughts back from the beauty so close at hand.

Lu Jia opened her eyes, trying to discern the emotion in the woman’s gaze. But as her vision flickered, a palm covered it completely, plunging her into darkness.

What followed was a kiss more lingering than before, repeatedly focusing on her lips with heavier pressure.

Lu Jia let out a muffled hum, and amid the woman’s advancing tongue, she vaguely tasted the metallic tang of blood.

Even after that misunderstanding, her hands still rested on Sheng Shubai’s shoulders.

The position pinned on the sofa was forced, but the slight upward movement was a genuine instinctive response.

When they parted, Lu Jia raised her hand, her bent knuckles pressing against her swollen, painful lips. Sure enough, a shallow, long blood mark stained the back of her finger.

“Miss Sheng.”

She frowned lightly, taking the wet wipe the woman offered. As she lowered her eyes to wipe the blood, her voice was soft. “It’s not… not because of that. It has nothing to do with my beloved.”

Ever since starting preparations for the exhibition, she hadn’t troubled Sheng Shubai with it.

Before, her senior sister had helped, and she didn’t want to bother the woman with such minor things. After all, the woman had already done so much for her; she didn’t know when she’d ever repay those favors.

And today…

In the afternoon, overhearing some members chatting, she learned more about the past dispute. Lu Jia had even less intention of troubling her then.

The woman avoided such things, and since Lu Jia knew that, how could she have the nerve to drag her to the site—possibly even running into her mentor?

Lu Jia felt she couldn’t do something like that.

She clutched the wet wipe in her palm, damp with thin moisture.

“In the afternoon chat, I heard someone mention that you never used to come to our major’s installation sites in the past.”

Lu Jia explained softly. “My refusal just now wasn’t because I didn’t want to see you. I was just afraid you’d… force yourself.”

She phrased it vaguely, worried about bringing up too much detail and reminding the woman of past unpleasantness.

Lu Jia knew the woman was never one to force herself, yet she had chosen polite refusal the moment the offer was made.

She didn’t want even the slightest chance of making the other uncomfortable.

Lu Jia had always been even-tempered, naturally distant toward people and things.

Even after falling for her, gradually accepting that Sheng Shubai wouldn’t like her back, she still tried to enjoy this undefined friends-with-benefits relationship for as long as it lasted.

She still cared for Sheng Shubai, still felt her heart race when drawing closer, still dreamed of them embracing and kissing as a real couple.

But tonight, before speaking up, she experienced a certain emotion for the first time in her life.

An emotion that seemed to be called—reluctance to let go.

As her lips parted, the bite wound split slightly again, oozing beads of blood.

Hearing every word, Sheng Shubai leaned in close and gently kissed away the bloodstain on her lips.

“Just this reason?”

Her nose tip brushed lightly against Lu Jia’s, Sheng Shubai asked.

Lu Jia nodded obediently. “Mm.”

Knowing the girl never lied, Sheng Shubai stared at her intently for a few seconds. Only then did she lean back on the sofa and finally share the past she had been asked about multiple times, from her perspective.

Even after all these years, Sheng Shubai still didn’t understand why Rong Yi had targeted her so inexplicably.

Not long after the incident with Rong Yu, Rong Yi had moved out of the dorm. Aside from seeing each other in class, they had no interaction.

Until that New Year Exhibition.

Sheng Shubai’s prepared work departed from her usual landscape style, instead depicting a pair of stunningly alluring women. She incorporated festive New Year elements scattered throughout.

It was Sheng Ling’s painting style.

The exhibition coincided with Sheng Ling’s birthday.

Following her little aunt’s will, the family had erased every trace of her they could find. As a young painter who hadn’t fully entered the printmaking world, she faded from mention within a few years.

Sheng Shubai didn’t remember exactly what she had been thinking then—probably to commemorate her little aunt, fearing her traces would truly vanish someday.

But the environment back then was far less tolerant than now, even in the art department.

The New Year Exhibition differed from internal college shows or assignments; it was held at the City Art Museum, open to the public amid a festive atmosphere. Rong Yi enforced strict standards on themes and content per college rules.

Sheng Shubai argued her case, insisting the two figures were just close friends—though anyone could see the atmosphere suggested otherwise.

The standoff escalated to the college level.

Sheng Shubai’s relationship with her family was already poor, and she never publicly mentioned being from the Sheng Family. The college leaders, aware of her background, had her make minor changes before barely approving it.

She thought that was the end of it, but when Sheng Shubai was selected to give talks at the printmaking section, they had an even bigger fight.

The night before the event, she had hung her ironed skirt by the bed early.

Her roommates hadn’t returned yet when Rong Yi suddenly came back to the dorm.

Her face was pale, and she eyed Sheng Shubai hesitantly for a while before glancing at the skirt by the bed. Learning it was what Sheng Shubai planned to wear for the talk the next day, she frowned and told her to change into something else—preferably more covered up.

Sheng Shubai nearly laughed in anger. Was Rong Yi possessed by some archaic prude from the last century? Why else restrict someone’s freedom to dress?

She calmly demanded a reason, but Rong Yi fell silent.

Naturally unwilling, Sheng Shubai shot back coldly, “I’m wearing this. What are you going to do about it?”

“Then someone else will do it.”

Rong Yi dropped that line and left.

…

“You’ve probably heard the rest from them.”

Sheng Shubai poked Lu Jia’s cheek. Seeing the girl’s puzzled frown, she chuckled lightly. “You don’t get it either, do you?”

Lu Jia nodded, hesitating a few seconds. “Is it… that Advisor Rong had some difficulties?”

She still couldn’t quite understand.

If the first part was to meet college requirements, then why demand Sheng Shubai change outfits at the last minute?

Could it be… that Advisor Rong had a crush on Miss Sheng?

Lu Jia’s heart skipped. Her gaze seriously scanned the woman’s features. Now, her brows exuded mature allure; back in her early twenties, who knew how captivating she had been.

She had only seen photos of Sheng Shubai at sixteen or seventeen with her family—still youthful, but already strikingly beautiful.

It seemed, perhaps, not entirely impossible?

Sheng Shubai glanced at her coolly. “What are you thinking?”

Lu Jia looked away, not daring to say.