After Stealing a Kiss from My Sponsor Sister - Chapter 13

The weather was clear and sunny.

The bright sun hung high in the sky.

Jiang Ya had scoured the academic standards of top students in the city’s best schools, her heart filled with unease.

This was bad. It seemed she had boasted too much.

Yu Shuang caught a glimpse of her expression out of the corner of her eye—not intentionally, but she noticed it nonetheless.

Miss Yu was moved by how quickly Jiang Ya had gotten back on the right path. She swallowed the explanation that she had just been joking and decided to let the kid immerse herself in the atmosphere of studying to cleanse her soul.

They made a stop at a service area along the way.

Xiao Huang, the little yellow dog, ran joyfully in circles on the open grass before the trio—two humans and one dog—continued their journey.

It was a short trip.

Yu Shuang drove calmly, while Jiang Ya sat stiffly upright. In the blink of an eye, they arrived at the toll station.

The ETC barrier lifted, and the sports car, like a drop of water, merged into the dense traffic of the capital.

Glancing at the time, Yu Shuang asked the kid, “What do you want for lunch?”

She received a reserved reply: “Anything is fine.”

Having spent half a month in the small town, aside from soaking in the beautiful scenery, none of the other facilities had been up to par. Yu Shuang decided to treat her recently tormented self and opened a chat with a private chef.

After sending a voice message, she quickly received a reply.

There were still seats available—reservation confirmed.

The menu followed shortly after.

Yu Shuang tossed her phone to Jiang Ya. “Order.”

Jiang Ya froze, holding the phone in her hands, her flustered demeanor finally showing a hint of the awkward innocence befitting a teenager.

“The menu has descriptions—main courses, soups, and recommended portion sizes for the number of people are all listed. I’m busy, so you do it.”

Yu Shuang kept both hands on the steering wheel, her eyes fixed on the road.

Jiang Ya scanned the menu and suggested, “Should I read it out loud so we can decide together?”

Yu Shuang vetoed the idea. “No need.”

“If you’re unsure, just pick the recommended ones.”

Despite the refusal, Jiang Ya still recited the dishes to Yu Shuang before confirming the order.

Only after Yu Shuang nodded did she send it off.

Soon, the restaurant provided an estimated wait time.

Switching the navigation, they arrived just in time.

Yu Shuang said, “When you have time, go get your driver’s license.”

Jiang Ya glanced at Miss Yu, who was focused on driving, and agreed, “Okay.”

Then, as if reconsidering, Yu Shuang shook her head. “But you probably won’t have time until after the college entrance exams. Never mind, it’s not urgent anyway.”

Watching Miss Yu tuck a strand of hair behind her ear and take a deep breath, then eyeing the winding, congested traffic ahead, Jiang Ya asked, “You don’t like driving?”

“I do. Just not in the city.”

She preferred mountain roads.

She loved the sense of unfettered freedom they offered.

But there was no need to taint the kid’s freshly cleansed academic soul with the thrill-seeking hobbies of privileged second-generation heirs.

Almost instinctively, Jiang Ya promised, “Then I’ll learn to drive in the future.”

“Sounds good.”

They drove a stretch, hit traffic, crawled forward, then drove again. By the time they reached their destination, Yu Shuang let out a long exhale.

Just as Xiao Huang took his first sip of water, their dishes began arriving one after another.

Yu Shuang adjusted her chopsticks and urged, “The food here is great. Try it—don’t hold back.”

The presentation was indeed impressive.

Jiang Ya sampled a few familiar dishes first, then tentatively picked up a slice of sashimi. The delicate, smooth texture melted in her mouth—so this was the taste of seafood she’d seen all over social media.

Yu Shuang grinned. “It’s better with wasabi. Try it.”

Mischievously, she rolled the fish in a generous dab of wasabi and placed it in the kid’s bowl, watching as the unsuspecting girl took a bite.

Yu Shuang laughed.

At the same time, tears welled up in Jiang Ya’s eyes from the sudden sting of the wasabi.

“Ahahahaha!” Yu Shuang nearly doubled over with laughter.

Jiang Ya blinked again, two clear trails of tears streaming down her face.

“Miss Yu…”

Jiang Ya was helpless.

Her voice was thick with a nasal tone.

But seeing Yu Shuang laughing so freely, she couldn’t help but feel her heart stir uncontrollably. Reality and fiction blurred in her mind, giving rise to an absurd thought—if Miss Yu could keep smiling like this, she wouldn’t mind eating another bite of wasabi.

“Sorry, sorry, I forgot it was your first time trying it,” Yu Shuang said without a hint of guilt, her expression unapologetic.

Jiang Ya bit her chopsticks and muttered, “Mhm, I’m sure it wasn’t on purpose. I know!”

Her expression was so aggrieved.

Yu Shuang couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter again.

Her long, seaweed-like hair, the upward tilt of her eyes, and her plump, rosy lips—Miss Yu leaned to the side as she laughed, her collarbones rising and falling with the motion, like another butterfly imprinted on her skin.

Her face flushed pink from laughter, a delicate hue more radiant than any makeup.

Jiang Ya knew Yu Shuang wasn’t wearing any makeup.

But Miss Yu’s striking features seemed naturally adorned, needing no embellishment.

Like a blooming red flower—opulent, enchanting.

And utterly untouchable by ordinary hands.

Jiang Ya lowered her lashes, veiling the strange look in her eyes.

Yu Shuang teased, “Are you mad?”

“No.”

“Oh? Then why do you sound so pitiful?”

Yu Shuang leaned in, trying to catch Jiang Ya’s expression, but the girl subtly retreated. “Then please stop teasing me.”

“Alright, alright, let’s eat.”

“By the way, their pour-over coffee is great. I’ll order a cup—how about some juice for you?”

Without waiting for Jiang Ya’s answer, Yu Shuang decided, “Grape juice, then. This variety is sweet!”

It really was sweet.

If only her heartbeat weren’t so frantic, it would’ve been perfect.

By the time they were nearly done eating, half the coffee was gone, leaving a bright strawberry aftertaste on her tongue. Then her phone screen lit up.

Yu Shuang opened it with a smile, but the moment she saw the image, her lips tightened.

“I need to make a call.”

When she returned, her smile had vanished completely. The remaining half of her coffee sat untouched. By the time Yu Jiao sent the address, Jiang Ya had finished eating. Yu Shuang paid the bill, and they left.

“Change of plans. I can’t go home yet—I need to make a stop first,” Yu Shuang announced as she fastened her seatbelt.

Jiang Ya asked, “Is something urgent?”

“You could say that. Just some grown-up business.”

Like finally getting rid of an engagement that should’ve been dissolved long ago.

–

When Madam He heard that Yu Shuang had come to visit, she let out an imperceptible sigh.

“How did she arrive?” Madam He asked the butler.

“She drove herself. Didn’t bring anything—oh, there seemed to be a girl in the car with her…”

Noticing Madam He’s frown, the butler quickly clarified, “Wearing a school uniform. A high school student, probably a relative’s child.”

Madam He paused, then relaxed slightly.

Still, considering the likely purpose of Yu Shuang’s visit, her unease lingered.

“Where’s Minqian?”

She was referring to her second son, He Minqian.

“Young Master has been at the company during the day these past few days and returns to his own place at night.”

“Good. Call him, then. Have him come over. Once the timing’s right, let Shuangshuang in.”

The butler understood and went to make the arrangements.

The door closed, and Lady He, who had been out admiring the flowers, lost her mood. She gazed at the gilded invitations on the round table—several different designs still under discussion, not yet sent to the guests.

Her fingers traced over the ornate calligraphy at the top: “He Minqian & Yu Shuang.” She let out a soft sigh.

Of all times…

–

By the time Yu Shuang met Lady He, over half an hour had passed.

After a polite and proper greeting, Lady He took her hand and asked after the elders with a smile. “You’ve come at just the right time. I was just agonizing over which design to choose for your and Minqian’s engagement invitations. Shuangshuang, help me pick one.”

With a gentle push of her jeweled fingers, Lady He slid several invitation samples toward Yu Shuang.

But Yu Shuang didn’t reach for them.

Instead, she spoke with graceful composure. “Actually, I came to discuss this very matter.”

“Oh?” Lady He withdrew her hand, her smile unwavering.

Yu Shuang continued, “There’s been a misunderstanding. Minqian and I were never in a romantic relationship, and considering recent events, I don’t think we’re suited for each other. I’d like to call off the engagement that was arranged between our families.”

“Fortunately, the invitations haven’t been sent yet. There’s still time.”

Lady He’s smile faded.

Knowing this would be a tough battle, Yu Shuang took a deep breath and subtly straightened her back.

“Shuangshuang, have you and Minqian had a falling out recently?”

Lady He offered an out.

Yu Shuang didn’t take it. “No,” she replied earnestly.

“It’s just that I’ve come to realize deeply that Minqian and I aren’t compatible.”

“Or, to be more precise—I’m the one who isn’t suitable.”

–

He Minqian rushed to the suburban villa as soon as he received the call.

Just as he parked at the entrance, he spotted a familiar black supercar.

He recognized it.

Tan Xiao’s ex had given it to her. After they broke up, Tan Xiao passed it on to Yu Shuang for mountain road drives.

Yu Shuang…

Yu Shuang had blocked him for half a month.

A storm of emotions churned inside He Minqian, none of them settled, when suddenly, he caught sight of a young girl’s face in the passenger seat. His heart lurched.

His body moved before he could think—he stepped out of the car and strode toward the supercar.

After a few steps, He Minqian and Jiang Ya inside the car locked eyes.

Jiang Ya, confused, saw a sharply dressed man approaching with an imposing aura. Thinking he had something to say, she casually rolled down the window.

But He Minqian stopped mid-stride.

Long, straight black hair. A fair face. Youthful, with an air of innocence.

Strikingly beautiful at first glance—the kind that drew attention.

He Minqian was reminded of someone he’d rather forget.

Though their temperaments weren’t identical, there was an uncanny resemblance in the finer details.

Jiang Ya sensed hostility and rejection in his gaze.

She had always been sharp at reading people’s emotions.

So her expression turned cold as well, meeting his stare with equal frostiness, neither submissive nor overbearing.

He Minqian exhaled sharply, turned, and walked away without another word.

No point in making a scene—no need to give the household staff something to gossip about.

His jaw clenched.

No matter what, this was between him and Yu Shuang. If there was anything to be said, it should come from Yu Shuang herself, not some random stranger.

Jiang Ya watched the man’s retreating figure, baffled.

What she didn’t know was that, from his current angle, He Minqian could only see her youthful, delicate face, glossy black hair, and slender neck.

Had he taken a few steps closer, her school uniform—hidden by the car door—would have been fully visible.

But the man didn’t come over, so naturally, he didn’t see it.