Chapter 74 Part 1

Sang Wan had booked a new room at the hotel before she arrived. After explaining the situation to Wang Yi, Yue Bai naturally switched rooms.

Wang Yi had some doubts about Sang Wan coming to see Yue Bai, but she and Yue Bai weren’t close enough to ask about everything.

Yue Bai dragged her suitcase into the elevator, led by Sang Wan. As the floors climbed, the numbers on the display screen jumped steadily until they settled on 7.

The elevator doors slid open slowly. Sang Wan adjusted Yue Bai’s backpack on her shoulder and stepped out first, fishing the room card from her coat pocket.

She held the thin card between two fingers.

“Beep.” The card tapped against the sensor, producing a crisp electronic chime.

Sang Wan pressed one hand to the door handle, her palm applying pressure. The handle twisted downward with a creak, and the door swung open.

She slotted the card into the recess by the door, and the lights flickered on at once. The exhaust fan hummed softly as it started up.

Sang Wan turned to take Yue Bai’s suitcase, her slender fingers curling around the handle.

Yue Bai followed her into the room, her empty hands shoved into her coat pockets.

In two quick steps, she dropped onto the small sofa, slinging one leg casually over the armrest.

Sang Wan hung up her coat and caught sight of Yue Bai’s utterly relaxed posture. Her eyes flickered.

She stepped in front of Yue Bai, bracing one hand on the sofa’s backrest and the other on the armrest, looming over her.

Yue Bai had no choice but to tilt her head back and look up at Sang Wan. She drew her leg back. From this angle, she could clearly see her own reflection in Sang Wan’s pupils. Unconsciously, she pinched her fingers together.

“Senior Sister.” Yue Bai’s voice was soft as she reached up to fasten the top button of Sang Wan’s shirt. Her pale fingers trailed down the fabric, tugging at the hem.

Sang Wan’s figure was the kind Yue Bai envied, as was her build. The black shirt hugged her body perfectly; as she leaned forward, the high-quality material clung just right, draping slightly.

“Mm?” Sang Wan responded.

“Hug me.” Yue Bai stretched out both arms, asking for one as naturally as breathing.

Sang Wan’s lips curved into a smile. She pushed back with the arms propping her up. “It’s dinnertime. Want to go out and grab something?”

“…”

Yue Bai’s outstretched hands hung frozen in midair.

“Senior Sister~” she whined, clearly displeased.

The sweet, syrupy tone landed in Sang Wan’s ears. Her gaze softened as she looked at Yue Bai, a faint tingle like static running from her earlobe. She found herself covering one ear.

Sang Wan took half a step forward and, without changing Yue Bai’s position, leaned down to wrap her in a hug.

Satisfied, Yue Bai nuzzled against the warm skin of Sang Wan’s neck, leaving a mark on her collarbone.

Sang Wan kept her head lowered, unmoving, as she felt the damp warmth and soft press of lips.

Yue Bai tilted her head to admire the purplish-red imprint, her own lips quirking up. She straightened Sang Wan’s collar, concealing the mark perfectly.

“Stamped it,” Yue Bai said proudly, tapping the spot. “Exclusive.”

Sang Wan straightened, a gentle smile on her face. “Got it.”

“So, what are we eating tonight?” Sang Wan pulled the lounging figure up from the sofa.

“Eat… Senior Sister?” Yue Bai teased with a grin.

Sang Wan scraped her neck helplessly. “Hotpot? I spotted a few places on the way here. Or we could do stir-fried dishes—plenty of shops around.”

Yue Bai considered it. “Hotpot. Something warm.”

“Okay.”

“Will Senior Sister feed me?”

“Hm?”

“I just want to bury my head and chow down.” Yue Bai grinned.

Sang Wan let out a soft laugh. “Chowing down is supposed to be bitter? Of course I will.”

The two left the hotel one behind the other, only to run into the counselor who had just returned. Sang Wan greeted the teacher politely.

The counselor’s eyes widened slightly at the sight of Sang Wan. “Sang Wan? What brings you here?”

Sang Wan glanced sideways, nodding toward Yue Bai trailing behind her. “Taking advantage of the weekend to visit B City. The Arts Institute is here for plein air sketching, so I figured I’d drop by.”

The counselor nodded. “The area’s lovely. You and Yue Bai are close—have her show you around.”

She still remembered that first semester of freshman year, when Sang Wan had taken Yue Bai to a competition.

“So, teacher,” Yue Bai piped up from behind, peeking out with a grin, “does that mean I don’t have to turn in my plein air sketches for the next couple days?”

The counselor teased back. “Sure.”

Then, drawing out her words under Yue Bai’s eager, joyful stare, she added, “Two sketches, or two three-thousand-word self-criticisms. Your pick.”

Sang Wan hid a smile.

Yue Bai let out an awkward chuckle. “Of course I’ll do the sketches. We came here for that—how could I slack on my studies just to play?”

Her righteous declaration drew a laugh from the counselor, who waved them off with a grin.

“Tsk, see? Your poor girlfriend.” Yue Bai poked at her own chest. “Wants to spend time with her girl, but still has to paint.”

Sang Wan pretended to mull it over. “You could pick the self-criticisms. I could write them for you.”

Yue Bai’s eyes lit up. She started to pivot back on her heel.

“What are you doing?” Sang Wan caught her arm.

“Heading back to the counselor to switch my choice.” Yue Bai arched a brow.

Amused, Sang Wan traced a finger along her palm and tugged her forward firmly. “Six thousand words—you’re not worried about cramping my hand from all that handwriting?”

“Afraid so.” Yue Bai bounced along to match her pace. “Guess it’s sketches after all.”

The long bluestone path had weathered countless years, its surface etched with fine cracks. Ahead, the sharp silhouette of the mountain loomed clear.

To the side of the road stretched a small river without end. On the bank, someone was washing clothes.

The rhythmic thuds of a wooden mallet against wet fabric added a touch of bustle to the tranquil town.

Yue Bai loved this vibe—strolling the lane with the person she adored, broken only by the sounds of nature. She took Sang Wan’s hand, their fingers lacing together.

She didn’t let go even when they passed classmates, flashing them bright smiles and waves.

Those who knew Sang Wan would toss out a joke, asking what brought her here.

If Yue Bai knew them too, she’d lift her chin proudly. “Senior Sister’s here for me, obviously.” She’d even flaunt their joined hands with a smug grin.

If it was someone Sang Wan knew, Yue Bai simply stood quietly at her side, saying nothing.

Friendships between girls were odd like that. Even if they hugged, no one would assume they were a couple.

Most people just sighed, “You two are so close.”

Yue Bai savored the moment in peaceful bliss.

Dusk was settling in by the time they reached a street lined with snack stalls. Unlike the earlier quiet, the air filled with vendors’ calls and chatter the moment they turned the corner.

Delicious scents hung thick in the air.

Yue Bai’s stomach rumbled. She patted it and swung Sang Wan’s hand. “Senior Sister, how about we just eat here?”

Sang Wan turned to her. “No hotpot?”

“Hotpot’s available anytime, but street snacks only pop up at night.” Yue Bai’s gaze roamed the stalls.

Sang Wan hummed in agreement. “Whatever you want. You pick.”

Stalls crammed both sides of the street. Right up front was a barbecue stand, its tables and stools spilling onto the road under a massive canopy.

Diners hurried to claim seats.

Yue Bai scanned the options and pointed to a stall not far off. “Senior Sister, roasted sweet potato skins?”

Sang Wan followed her gesture to the brightly lit stall, where a few people waited in line. “Sounds good.”

They wove through the crowd and joined the queue. The skins sizzled and popped on the hot griddle, making Yue Bai’s mouth water. She eyed the menu board.

“Senior Sister, what flavor for you?”

Sang Wan shrugged. “Never tried them. Same as yours.”

“Hmm… pickled radish? It’s the classic.”

Sang Wan’s eyes shifted to the first item on the menu. “Perfect.”

After placing the order and paying, the two stood facing each other.

Sang Wan’s posture was always ramrod straight in public.

“Senior Sister,” Yue Bai said, tugging at the hand buried in Sang Wan’s coat pocket. Before Sang Wan could reply, she barreled on, “without me these past few days, was sleeping alone weird for you? I sure wasn’t used to it. Hugging you to sleep every night, and now I haven’t gotten a good night’s rest. Look—dark circles and everything.”

Sang Wan examined her face seriously, then nodded solemnly after a moment. “Definitely.”

“All because I missed Senior Sister so much,” Yue Bai said with a straight face.

“Mm…” Sang Wan pulled out her phone, scrolled through their chat history, then held it up for Yue Bai to see, pointing to the timestamps. “But you said goodnight every night at ten-thirty, and good morning just before eight. That’s over nine hours. Not enough sleep time?”

“…”

Yue Bai was speechless.

“Senior Sister, are you allergic to romance? You should’ve said, ‘I missed you so much I couldn’t sleep.'”

Sang Wan paused, then nodded. “After you left for here, I really haven’t been sleeping well.”

Her finger tapped against the phone case. With the person who’d always been by her side suddenly gone, everything felt off—like something vital was missing. She’d glance at an object in the room, and her mind would wander: Yue Bai was right here just a few days ago. Where’d she go?

Even before going to sleep, she would habitually roll over to her side, reaching out to hug the person who should have been lying beside her. Her arm stretched into empty coolness, and only then did she remember that Yue Bai had gone out sketching.

Counting down the days until Friday’s classes ended, she immediately drove to B City to find Yue Bai.

Tonight, she could finally get a good night’s sleep. Sang Wan thought to herself silently.

“So, how do you plan to make it up to me?” Sang Wan asked in a low voice.

“Classmate, your roasted sweet potato skins are ready,” the vendor called out at just the right moment.

Yue Bai stepped forward to take them. The rich aroma hit her, and she swallowed hard. She handed one portion to Sang Wan. “Will a serving of roasted sweet potato skins make up for it?”

“Sure,” Sang Wan replied, her eyes and brows softening with warmth.

“You’re so easy to please.” Yue Bai had meant to tease her with more, but Sang Wan didn’t give her the chance. Yue Bai pouted in disappointment.

“Seeing you is the best compensation there is.” Sang Wan picked up the roasted sweet potato skins and pulled Yue Bai along as they walked forward.

From the moment she had laid eyes on Yue Bai and scooped her up in her arms, all her exhaustion had vanished like smoke.

She had always been easy to satisfy.

A single adoring glance from Yue Bai or a sweet nothing from her lips could keep Sang Wan happy for ages.

Yue Bai halted her steps. She stared straight at the person who had stopped ahead of her. Soft, fluffy black hair draped across Sang Wan’s cheeks on both sides. Yue Bai reached up, tucking a lock of that long hair behind her ear. “Senior Sister, you could make a few more demands.”

In front of the snack stall, Yue Bai’s expression was more serious than ever. “Senior Sister, you can be a little selfish with me.”

“I’d like that.” As Yue Bai said this, her face flushed with embarrassment. She scratched her head, and under the bright lights that lit the area like daylight, Sang Wan caught every bit of it.

Sang Wan curiously poked at her reddened cheek. “Alright then. I want some other compensation…”

Sang Wan leaned in close, her lips brushing Yue Bai’s ear as she whispered breathily, “Tonight, hold me while we sleep.”

“Does that count as compensation?” Yue Bai chuckled and shook her head.

“It’s the only thing I can think of right now—and the one thing I want most.” Sang Wan’s gaze lowered demurely. She had never asked for much.