In the elegant private room, Sang Wan had already been waiting. After receiving Yue Yi’s call, she had rushed straight over from home.
When she arrived at the appointed room, Yue Yi still hadn’t shown up.
Sang Wan waited a bit and glanced at her phone. There were still five minutes until the agreed time.
She rested her hands, interlaced, on the tabletop, a flicker of tension passing through her eyes. She wasn’t sure if it was Yue Bai who had given her sister this number.
Considering how Yue Bai had recently asked her if her family would accept her being with a girl, it wasn’t hard to guess that Yue Bai had come out to her family.
Sang Wan opened her chat with Yue Bai and pursed her lips as she scrolled through their messages.
The door creaked open, accompanied by the click of high heels.
Sang Wan quickly closed her phone, lifted her head, straightened her posture, and offered a polite smile—the picture of the perfect good girl.
But the moment she saw who had entered, the curve of her smile froze. Disbelief flooded her eyes, her long, curled lashes fluttering.
“President Yue?” Sang Wan rose to her feet.
“Miss Sang still remembers me.” Yue Yi sat down with a half-smile, placing her handbag on a nearby chair. The refined features of her face softened. “It’s been a while.”
“It’s been a while.” Sang Wan tamped down her emotions and poured Yue Yi a cup of tea.
“I never expected you to be Little Bai’s sister,” Sang Wan said as she sat back down, cradling her own cup, her tone much more courteous now.
“And I never expected you to be Bai Bai’s girlfriend.” Yue Yi lowered her gaze, her reflection shimmering in the tea. The woman’s delicate brows furrowed slightly as she cut straight to the point. “So, what is it you want?”
Sang Wan’s expression didn’t change. “You’re overthinking it, President Yue. My feelings for Little Bai are genuine.”
Yue Yi let out a cold laugh. Her finger traced the rim of her cup before she set it down firmly on the solid wooden table, her mockery plain as day. “Genuine? Sang Wan, we’re acquaintances. Those little schemes of yours might fool Bai Bai, but don’t try them on me.”
“Since you say we’re acquaintances, you should know how I handle things.” Sang Wan met her gaze without flinching.
Yue Yi fell silent, studying Sang Wan. The girl’s face was somewhat different from what she remembered, and memories flashed rapidly through her mind.
When had she first met Sang Wan? Five years ago? Six? It was at Sang Wan’s mother’s funeral.
Beneath gloomy skies, the fifteen- or sixteen-year-old girl had stood alone before her mother’s portrait, her gaze vacant and icy, as if her soul had been drained away. No one could pull her from that spot. The next morning, as Yue Yi prepared to leave, she had passed by the memorial hall from a distance and spotted that small figure.
Sang Wan had stood there alone for a full day and night without a drop to drink, yet her back remained ramrod straight.
That display of resolve from the young Sang Wan had shaken Yue Yi.
The next time she saw Sang Wan was at her eighteenth birthday celebration. The girl had shed her youthful awkwardness, mingling warmly and politely with guests from all walks of life. Unlike before, ripples of emotion danced in Sang Wan’s eyes.
Yue Yi could hardly reconcile the Sang Wan before her with the desolate, lonely figure from years past. How could one person change so profoundly from the inside out?
The third encounter was at This City’s No.1 Middle School. Yue Yi had donated a building to her alma mater, and in gratitude, they held a special appreciation event. Sang Wan, as an outstanding student representative, had spoken with her—poised and articulate.
Yue Yi had to admit, she admired Sang Wan.
The fourth time was now.
“Not suitable.” Yue Yi narrowed her eyes slowly, swirling her cup. A droplet leaped out, landing on the web of her hand before sliding down her palm. “Yue Corporation needs Bai Bai for a marriage alliance. Her future was decided long ago.”
Sang Wan met Yue Yi’s gaze steadily and shook her head firmly. “That’s impossible. If a marriage alliance were truly needed, you wouldn’t have protected Little Bai so well.”
Everyone knew President Yue of Home City had a younger sister, born of the same mother. But no one had ever seen what this legendary sister looked like—not even her name had ever leaked out.
At gatherings, if someone mentioned Yue Yi’s sister, the usually aloof woman would crack a rare, genuine smile, proudly boasting of her sibling’s excellence.
But if anyone suggested bringing her along to meet everyone, Yue Yi always refused. “She’s still too young for scenes like this.”
As a result, only a handful of people knew who Yue Yi’s sister really was.
Even Sang Wan had only learned that Yue Bai was her sister because of this meeting. Yue Bai rarely opened up about her background, and Sang Wan didn’t want to dredge up painful memories, so she seldom asked.
Yue Yi flicked the water from her hand and got straight to the point. “Bai Bai likes girls. I don’t mind that.”
She gave Sang Wan a meaningful look. “But you… honestly, I don’t think you’re the best choice. No denying it—you’re exceptional. But you’re also the type to weigh pros and cons ruthlessly. I can’t let Bai Bai take that risk.”
In Yue Yi’s view, the calmer a person, the more prone they were to obsession.
And Sang Wan was undoubtedly that type.
“For me, Little Bai is an irreplaceable advantage.” Sang Wan stated solemnly.
“Heh.” Yue Yi chuckled lightly, leaning back in her chair as the tension eased from her features. “Give me some assurance, then.”
Without a word, Sang Wan walked over to Yue Yi’s side and bent down earnestly. “Please be at ease, President Yue.”
Yue Yi raised an eyebrow. “That’s it?”
“I think that’s enough.”
Meanwhile, Yue Bai lounged bored on the sofa, propping her legs shamelessly on the small table in front, her little feet swinging idly now and then.
Why hadn’t Senior Sister messaged her yet? It had been almost an hour—was she forgotten? Yue Bai pouted, debating whether to video call Sang Wan.
But Senior Sister was at home right now. Would that disturb her?
Maybe send a message first? Yue Bai bit her lower lip.
Her fingers flew across the screen, sending a line.
“Senior Sister, busy?” —Yue Bai.
Sang Wan’s phone screen lit up. She glanced at the person across from her who was preparing to leave, tapped a few times, and replied.
“Not busy.”
The next second, a WeChat call rang out. Sang Wan hadn’t muted it in time, and Yue Yi lifted her eyes to look. The contact name blazed across the screen.
Little Bai.
“Bai Bai calling?” Yue Yi set down the handbag she’d just picked up. “Not going to answer?”
She was clearly angling to hear what Yue Bai wanted to say to her.
Sang Wan casually tapped the green answer button and swiped to accept.
“Senior Sisteerrr~” The first sound was Yue Bai’s voice, deliberately pitched high and drawn out in her usual coquettish tone.
Yue Yi recognized her sister’s habitual coquetry and quietly set her handbag aside.
“Little Bai.” Sang Wan responded softly.
“Anyone with you?” Yue Bai asked.
Sang Wan looked toward Yue Yi, who shook her head. “No one.”
“Ohh~, it’s been a whole hour without a word from you. Did you forget about me~?” Yue Bai giggled on the other end. Face-to-face with Sang Wan, she’d never say things like this, but over a screen, the embarrassment faded, letting her voice all the words she was too shy for at school. “Or did some other girl steal your heart?”
“…” Sang Wan.
“…” Yue Yi’s face darkened with black lines.
Was this really her sister? Where was she supposed to put her own dignity?
“No.” Sang Wan spoke in a warm voice, subtly gripping the edge of the table.
“Boo hoo, so cold. Just two words?” Yue Bai grew even more playful, emboldened by the fact that Sang Wan couldn’t see her expression. She grinned mischievously and pressed on. “Did you fall for someone else?”
“Really not.” Sang Wan glanced helplessly at Yue Yi. How could she say anything affectionate in front of the woman’s sister?
“Then kiss me.” Yue Bai tilted her face up proudly. “My cheek’s already pressed to the screen.”
Yue Yi: “…”
Perfect. Now she was witnessing another side of her dear sister. Yue Yi felt her expression twisting as she gestured to Sang Wan that she’d wait outside.
She still had her pride.
Sang Wan nodded politely.
“Come on, Senior Sister. What are you doing? Why haven’t you kissed me yet?” Yue Bai’s excitement built. Imagining Sang Wan’s gentle nature confronted with this tone, she figured her senior must be blushing.
She considered switching to video to see that flushed face.
But thinking of facing Sang Wan directly and losing the courage to say these things, she scrapped the idea. “Come onnn.”
Yue Yi, who hadn’t left yet, paused at those words, nearly choking on her breath.
Was this the polite, shame-aware sister she knew? Or had she fallen out of touch with the younger generation?
She was only twenty-eight.
They said every three years was a small gap, every five a big one. With nearly a small and a big gap between them, had she become the outdated one?
Only after Yue Yi had stepped out did Sang Wan let out a soft “mm,” followed by a kissy “mwah” from her lips. “There.”
“Hee hee.” Yue Bai nodded in satisfaction. “What are you up to?”
“Just finished chatting with someone,” Sang Wan said.
“Huh?” Yue Bai tensed. “Did I interrupt?”
“No, it’s over.” Sang Wan’s eyes softened with affection. Her fingertip pressed against the back of her phone, her hand instinctively rising as if to pat that person’s head. “Little Bai, Senior Sister misses you too.”
It had only been over an hour apart, and she already missed her.
They went whole days without seeing each other during school without this intense longing.
Distance didn’t breed beauty—it only amplified the feelings they’d kept hidden.
“Senior Sister.” Yue Bai’s breathing grew erratic. Unlike her playful intentions, she could clearly sense the seriousness in Sang Wan’s words. “If you’re willing, you can come to my house.”
“My sister isn’t home,” Yue Bai added. “She’s usually busy with work, so you won’t run into her even if you come.”
“Good.” Sang Wan softened her voice. “I’ll come when I have time.”
Yue Bai pouted. She wanted Senior Sister to come find her right now.
After hanging up, Sang Wan stepped out of the private room. Yue Yi stood by the door, arms crossed, lost in thought.
Sang Wan coughed lightly.
Yue Yi looked up and said flatly, “I’m leaving Bai Bai in your hands. I’m busy most days and often can’t look after her. As for… those matters at your home, I’ll put pressure on your father from the outside and help you as much as I can.”
“Thank you, President Yue, but no need. I can handle these things myself.” Sang Wan politely declined Yue Yi’s offer.
“Alright.” Yue Yi glanced at the time. “I have a meeting soon, so I’ll head out first.”
“Take care.”
Back home, dinner was already prepared.
Qin Yan, Ming Qisang, and Ming Ye sat around the table.
The three of them looked surprised to see Sang Wan walk in at this hour, clearly not expecting her back so soon.
Qin Yan quickly stood up. “Little Wan is back. I’ll get you some chopsticks.”
“No need.” Sang Wan casually glanced at the table. There were three sets of bowls and chopsticks, perfectly matching the three of them—no sign they’d waited for her.
Too bad Sang Lin wasn’t on break yet; otherwise, there’d be another round of mockery.
“I’ll be heading out again later.” Sang Wan turned and headed upstairs.
Ming Qisang frowned. “It’s already evening. Where are you going?”
Sang Wan stood at the top of the stairs, leaning arrogantly against the railing as she looked down at them. “Of course, to see my girlfriend.”
