Chapter 8

“Senior Sister.” Yue Bai called out timidly, her face flushed with the embarrassment of being caught red-handed. She glanced at a couple nearby. “I was wondering who could possibly be worthy of someone as outstanding as you.”

She spoke her true thoughts aloud.

Sang Wan paused at her words, subtly exhaling in relief as a sweet smile bloomed across her face.

Her junior said whatever came to mind without beating around the bush—she liked that.

“Is that so? You think I’m outstanding?” Sang Wan’s sidelong glance caught the rigid posture beside her, and she couldn’t help but find it amusing.

The question had been so bold, yet her behavior was so cautious. Was she really that intimidating? Why did this girl always seem so uneasy around her?

“Mm.” Yue Bai replied sincerely. “My roommates all know you, Senior Sister. They say you’re amazing.”

Sang Wan raised an eyebrow, deliberately teasing her. “So it’s just because your roommates said so? You don’t actually know for yourself?”

Yue Bai nodded once more.

“You’re so cute.” Sang Wan’s eyes curved into crescents, her interest in this junior deepening. She shifted the bag from her right hand to her left, freeing the one closer to Yue Bai.

“Red light—watch for cars.” Sang Wan took Yue Bai’s hand quite naturally, her three fingers draped loosely over the junior’s palm.

Soft, delicate fingers gripped her palm, and Yue Bai’s already stiff body grew even more rigid. She felt the warmth spreading through her hand, unsure what to do with the one being held.

“Want some milk tea? My treat, Senior Sister’s buying.” Once they crossed the light, Sang Wan released her hand and asked.

“Let me treat you, Senior Sister.” Yue Bai relaxed slightly, her gaze dropping to the lingering warmth in her palm as she flexed her fingers slowly.

Sang Wan caught the subtle movement and curved her lips in a soft smile, choosing not to point it out. “I’ll get it this time—you can treat next time, okay?”

Sang Wan’s voice was gentle as she negotiated, though her expression brooked no argument. Yue Bai opened her mouth, then nodded under that half-threatening gaze.

The Pedestrian Street was packed during peak hours, with long lines snaking out from every milk tea shop. Sang Wan spotted the nearest one. “This place okay?”

Yue Bai glanced at the sign. It wasn’t her usual spot, but it would do. “Sure.”

“Which one’s your go-to?” Sang Wan noticed the brief hesitation. “I’m not crazy about this one.”

“Ah, let me check.” Yue Bai scrolled through her phone and opened a milk tea brand’s mini-program, tilting the screen. “How about this one, Senior Sister?”

Sang Wan eyed the name. “Sounds good.”

Following the map, they turned a corner and found the shop—crowded just like the rest.

Yue Bai eyed the throng of people and quietly pulled out her phone. “Senior Sister, let’s order through the app.”

She handed the phone to Sang Wan.

“Didn’t we agree?” Sang Wan opened the app and passed it back. “Here—you pick.”

Yue Bai grinned sheepishly and took her phone. “Fruit tea. Low sugar—won’t make me gain weight.”

Sang Wan waited patiently until she finished, then took the phone back. “Actually, fruit tea has more sugar than milk tea. You’ll pack on the pounds faster.”

Yue Bai’s face fell. “I know, Senior Sister. Don’t call me out like that.”

Sang Wan kept her head down, selecting her own drink, her lips curving as the screen’s colors danced in her eyes. “You’re so slim. Gaining a little wouldn’t hurt.”

“Senior Sister!” Yue Bai squirmed shyly.

“I’m kidding.” Sang Wan completed the order and payment, her smile fading into earnestness. “You’re not fat at all. I really like you just the way you are.”

“Se… Senior Sister.” Yue Bai stared at her in mild shock. Sang Wan’s eyes shimmered like rippling water, turning intensely gentle when fixed on something—or someone—she cared about.

Right now, she was looking at Yue Bai that way, speaking with utmost sincerity.

“What’s wrong?” Sang Wan stepped back slightly, averting her gaze. “Still dwelling on that?”

Yue Bai snapped out of it and turned her head. “Nothing. You’re right, Senior Sister. It’s fine once in a while.”

Sang Wan smiled and checked the estimated pickup time. “Want to browse somewhere else first?”

Yue Bai glanced at the line again. “Sure.”

They entered the nearby mall, where goods gleamed in dazzling arrays on every shelf. Yue Bai picked out a few daily essentials, while Sang Wan trailed behind, casually grabbing some decorative items.

Once Yue Bai was done, Sang Wan glanced at her phone notification—the drinks would be ready in about three minutes.

“Does Senior Sister need anything else?” Yue Bai asked, puzzled. She’d only snagged a few small trinkets. Yue Bai remembered Sang Wan saying she’d come to shop and was just strolling along the way.

Now it felt like those were afterthoughts.

“Nope. What about you?” Sang Wan reached over and took Yue Bai’s little basket with one hand.

“Nothing.” Yue Bai shook her head.

“Alright.” Sang Wan smiled and headed to the counter. “Let’s check out together.”

“Senior Sister.” Yue Bai hurriedly tried to grab her things back. “I’ll pay.”

Sang Wan didn’t reply, simply scanning her payment code first. After paying, she said, “Together—it’s easier.”

“Then I’ll transfer you.” Yue Bai checked the bill, opened Sang Wan’s WeChat, and sent the money over.

“You.” Sang Wan sighed helplessly before accepting it.

“You have to.” Yue Bai insisted.

Sang Wan met her steady gaze, noting the determination in her eyes. “Fine.”

She pocketed the phone. “Milk tea’s ready. Let’s grab it.”

They left the store and stepped into the milk tea shop. A few unclaimed drinks sat on the counter. Sang Wan gave their pickup number, took the cups from the staff, checked the labels, and placed Yue Bai’s in her hand.

Yue Bai’s load had grown heavier. Sang Wan noticed the untouched pig trotter, feeling its temperature—it had cooled somewhat.

“These are best eaten hot; the flavor suffers otherwise.” Sang Wan peeled open the plastic and took a small bite. “Still decent—warm enough. Eat it soon, or the texture goes off.”

Seeing this, Yue Bai started gnawing on hers too. They walked along the street, eating as they went. The braised trotters were soft and glutinous, with a slightly sticky mouthfeel.

Sang Wan ate with refined grace. Midway, she glanced at Yue Bai, who was devouring the same food—powdered seasoning dusted her lips.

Oblivious, Yue Bai continued, savoring as she peeled away the tender skin and meat.

Sang Wan finished hers, tossed the remnants in a trash bin, and pulled a pack of tissues from her pocket. She wiped her mouth, then offered one to Yue Bai, who had just finished. “Wipe up?”

Yue Bai dabbed casually and tossed the tissue away, but traces of powder lingered at her lip’s corner.

Sang Wan let out a soft sigh. She stepped closer, drew another tissue, and lifted it with slender fingers to Yue Bai’s mouth, pressing gently. “Still some here.”

Warm breath brushed her face, carrying a wave of sweet fragrance. Sang Wan’s features filled Yue Bai’s vision, their noses nearly touching. Yue Bai’s breath hitched entirely.

So close. She’d never been this intimate with anyone in all these years.

Those few seconds stretched like a quarter-hour, her limbs frozen in awkward disarray.

“There.” Sang Wan admired the now-clean lip corner with satisfaction. “Starting to let your guard down around Senior Sister?”

Yue Bai mumbled incoherently, at a loss for words. Sang Wan didn’t press her, smoothly changing the subject. “Shall we look around some more?”

They wandered the Pedestrian Street a while longer and grabbed dinner before heading back.

Before parting ways, Yue Bai checked the roommate group chat to confirm they’d returned. Once they had, she relaxed a fraction.

“Heading back now, Senior Sister?” Yue Bai asked for her opinion.

“Anything else you need to buy?” Sang Wan countered. “If not, let’s go.”

Yue Bai shook her head.

Rush hour meant no seats on the subway; they held the handrails and stood. Luckily, it was just two stops—ten minutes at most, not too tiring.

They exited the station and walked side by side toward the school gate. Sang Wan stayed quiet, so Yue Bai didn’t start a conversation either.

They arrived at the girls’ dormitory building.

“Senior Sister, do you live here?” Yue Bai asked in surprise, looking at her companion.

“No, the one up ahead.” Sang Wan tilted her chin toward the building in front. “This route was convenient anyway. Consider it me walking you back.”

“Oh.” Yue Bai fell silent for a few seconds before venturing, “Then I’ll head up, Senior Sister.”

“Mm.”

Yue Bai turned to leave.

“Yue Bai.” Sang Wan called after her.

Yue Bai looked back. “Senior Sister?”

“Are you going to tomorrow’s Freshman Welcome Party?” Sang Wan asked suddenly.

“Can I skip it?”

“You can.”

“Then I won’t.” Yue Bai replied without hesitation.

A flicker of disappointment crossed Sang Wan’s eyes, though she kept her smile in place. “Go on, then. Stay safe.”

“Bye, Senior Sister.”

Sang Wan watched her retreating figure until it faded from view. Her smile finally slipped away. She idly hooked a stray lock of hair behind her ear and murmured to herself, “But I suddenly really want you to see it…”

“Never mind. It’s not that important.” She turned and walked away, missing the small head peeking from a second-floor window in the dormitory behind her.

Yue Bai waited until Sang Wan had entered her own building before heading up to her floor.