After Stealing a Kiss from My Sponsor Sister - Chapter 2

It felt like just a fleeting moment.

Yet it also seemed like an eternity had passed.

Jiang Ya realized she was holding her breath and immediately lowered her gaze, breaking the intensity of her stare.

Was it real?

Or just exhaustion playing tricks on her?

She—she had always had an inkling about her own inclinations.

But until this very moment, when it was confirmed, Jiang Ya had never truly been certain.

She…

Her lips parted slightly, and she felt a sudden dryness in her mouth.

Her heartbeat was racing.

The usually composed girl found her thoughts unexpectedly scattered.

Jiang Ya closed her eyes.

Forcing herself to calm down.

Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump-thump-thump.

Her heart pounded out a drumbeat.

Only she could hear it, clamoring loudly in her world, yet she was utterly powerless to stop it.

As Yu Shuang’s eyes adjusted to the light, she saw a young man approach her enthusiastically. “You must be President Yu, right?”

Frowning slightly, Yu Shuang nodded.

“President Yu, hello! I’m the one who called you earlier—Feng Gu, the municipal officer in charge of the Red Heart Program. Feng as in ‘two horses,’ haha. You can just call me Xiao Feng. Uh, really, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule…”

Feng Gu looked to be in his mid-twenties, fresh out of work, rubbing his hands together as he spoke, his enthusiasm tinged with nervousness.

After listening to a few polite phrases, Yu Shuang cut in, “Excuse me, just to confirm—the student I personally sponsored has decided to discontinue their education, so the final year of funding cannot be fulfilled. Due to this, my physical presence is required to sign a notarized termination of the sponsorship agreement. Is that correct?”

“Ah, yes, that’s right! The sponsored student is right here—Xiao Ya!”

Feng Gu turned and called out.

Jiang Ya snapped out of her daze and shot to her feet, moving so quickly that the weight of her overstuffed backpack nearly made her stumble.

Ah, how stupid.

Biting her lower lip, she suppressed the embarrassment and tried to stand as properly as possible.

“Alright. Where’s the notary?”

“In town, with my supervisor.”

“How long will the signing take?”

“Ah? Well, with the notarization, it shouldn’t take more than two hours…”

“Fine.”

Looking up, Jiang Ya realized Yu Shuang’s gaze hadn’t even glanced her way.

Her heart relaxed slightly.

She quickly slung her bulky backpack over her shoulders.

“Sorry for the wait. I’ve been quite busy these past few days.”

“No, no, it’s fine.”

“Thanks for your trouble. Here, have some water—I should still have some in my car…”

The trunk popped open, and Yu Shuang bent down to search. Beside her, Feng Gu waved his hands in polite refusal.

Once her backpack was secure, Jiang Ya glanced down at herself.

Her oversized, faded school uniform hung on her like a barrel, and her worn-out sneakers gaped open further at the toes with every movement.

The clamor in her heart paused for a beat.

Slowly, she reached down and smoothed the wrinkled hem of her shirt, then gave her pants a firm pat.

What else? Oh—chest out! Head up!

“Ah, you’re too kind, really, we couldn’t possibly…”

“It’s no trouble. Shall we go sign the agreement now?”

“Oh, yes, of course. You can leave your car here—just follow me.”

After much polite refusal, Feng Gu, now holding the water, finally turned and noticed Jiang Ya again.

He quickly introduced her, “This is the sponsored student, Jiang Ya.”

A calm voice came from behind Feng Gu: “The one voluntarily dropping out?”

The smile that had been forming on Jiang Ya’s face froze.

Feng Gu stepped aside, and the two finally faced each other.

Jiang Ya smiled.

Feng Gu: “Right, because the ID shows you’re still a minor, so this notarized agreement must be signed. It’s required.”

The movement of stepping aside played out before Jiang Ya’s eyes like a slow-motion frame-by-frame sequence. She swallowed hard and forced the corners of her lips to stay raised.

She even suspected her smile had stiffened.

Yu Shuang’s face came into view.

Thump-thump.

She heard her heart drumming again.

Yu Shuang looked at her.

Thump-thump-thump-thump.

Yu Shuang’s gaze swept past her.

“Hello.”

The greeting was light, almost indifferent—like it didn’t matter whether it was spoken or not.

Jiang Ya froze.

“Let’s go sign the agreement. I’m in a hurry.”

“Right, right—this way, please.”

The unspoken “hello” lodged in her throat, losing its chance to be voiced.

Jiang Ya’s eyelashes trembled slightly.

If she wasn’t mistaken, Yu Shuang had looked at her—but not really looked at her.

That gaze had slipped past her like drifting smoke, never lingering long enough for her reflection to form in the other’s pupils.

Had she imagined it?

Yu Shuang walked past her.

Her heartbeat steadied, and Jiang Ya slowly relaxed her stiffened smile.

No, she hadn’t imagined it.

–

It was just a minor moment.

After a brief pause, Jiang Ya turned and caught up with the two.

Yu Shuang took out two bottles of water, one of which Feng Gu handed to Jiang Ya.

She glanced down at the label—entirely in English, with only the ingredients listed in Chinese: 100% coconut water.

Twisting the cap open, she took a sip. It was crisp and sweet, untouched by artificial flavorings.

Just like the impression Yu Shuang gave—simple, refined.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Feng Gu chatting casually with her benefactor. Yu Shuang wasn’t talkative, but she didn’t seem dismissive either.

Was Jiang Ya being overly sensitive?

Or was she reading too much into it?

Maybe Yu Shuang really was just in a hurry…

The town was small, and within ten minutes, they arrived at its only café.

Feng Gu’s department head and the notary spotted them through the window and waved them over.

“This is my office director, Wang Yong, Director Wang.”

“And this is the notary overseeing the agreement signing.”

Director Wang: “Hello, hello! Thank you for making the trip, President Yu.”

Notary: “Good afternoon.”

The moment they sat down, Jiang Ya noticed Yu Shuang’s brows furrow slightly.

But then she smiled and greeted the director and notary. “No need for formalities—just call me by my name.”

The middle-aged director beamed. “Oh, we couldn’t possibly! President Yu is so accomplished—”

Yu Shuang tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and interjected, “All this ‘President’ talk makes me sound ancient.”

The director’s smile faltered for a split second before widening even further. “Of course, of course! Miss Yu is so elegant and youthful—we wouldn’t want to age you prematurely.” He waved for a server. “Miss Yu, what would you like to drink?”

Yu Shuang took the menu, her hand pausing briefly in Jiang Ya’s line of sight. The intricate nail art on her ring finger depicted a qipao collar, with pearls embedded like buttons. Upon closer inspection, delicate patterns of hidden florals adorned the design. On her index finger, three differently styled red flowers bloomed—some bold, others demure… Was this even just nail art anymore?

Yu Shuang had to call Jiang Ya’s name twice before she snapped out of her daze.

“Minors shouldn’t drink coffee. They have milk and orange juice—what’ll it be, kid?”

Kid…

Jiang Ya stared at Yu Shuang flipping through the menu and mumbled, “Anything’s fine.”

Yu Shuang didn’t press further. “Then milk it is. Good for growing bones.”

“What does Director Wang need? Alright… What about Xiao Feng and the notary? …Got it.”

“I’ll have a small latte, please.”

It was only then that Jiang Ya realized Yu Shuang had bypassed everyone else to ask her first.

Quite… respectful to elders and caring to the young.

The milk arrived, and Jiang Ya took a sip—warm.

Nutritional supplements or something… She hadn’t heard that kind of concern since Grandma passed…

The curling steam blurred the girl’s face as she stared blankly at the cup.

Meanwhile, the director had already struck up a lively conversation with Yu Shuang, mostly with him talking and her responding.

“Ms. Yu, terminating the agreement won’t affect the previous funding participation or the tax benefits you’ve already received…”

“But this contract was signed under your personal name. Actually, this year we’ve introduced some new options better suited for corporate entities…”

“Ms. Yu, you’re so accomplished at such a young age. Would you consider the new… It would be beneficial for your company too…”

After glancing at her watch twice, Yu Shuang understood—this was a sales pitch.

“…”

“My company does have needs, but let’s discuss those later. How about we sign the agreement first and then go into details?” Yu Shuang said with a faint smile.

“Of course, of course.”

The notary pulled out a form, checking boxes as they asked questions. Yu Shuang found the process too slow and, after getting the notary’s approval, took the form to fill out herself. In the quiet room, under Yu Shuang’s focused gaze, the sound of pen scratching paper was swift—swish, swish, swish—done in no time.

Yu Shuang worked fast, and the process moved quickly.

Photo documentation, signing the notarized acknowledgment.

Verification of the beneficiary’s information.

Jiang Ya. Female. Seventeen years old.

The “Honors” section was a long list—

First prize, Provincial Math Competition.

First prize, Provincial Physics Competition.

First prize, Municipal Math Competition.

First prize, Municipal Chemistry Competition.

Ranked third in the province, first in the city, and first in the school in the first mock college entrance exam.

…

Yu Shuang’s fingers, skimming over the paper, paused.

Feng Gu: “Her father passed away unexpectedly when she was young. Jiang Ya lived with her grandparents. Her grandfather died a few years ago, and her grandmother passed away at home half a month ago. The only relatives left are her uncle and aunt, who aren’t well-off—they have a son of their own to support, so…”

Yu Shuang was still staring at the honors list: “What about her mother?”

Feng Gu hesitated, glancing at Jiang Ya before answering, “She left when Jiang Ya was very young.”

“Passed away too?”

“Oh, no, no—literally left. Went out to work and never came back.”

Yu Shuang froze.

A breath caught in her chest, hard to exhale.

“We reported it to the police, but they couldn’t find her. Since Jiang Ya is almost an adult, they suggested…”

Feng Gu kept talking.

Yu Shuang murmured softly, “Sorry, my apologies. It’s been a busy day—my mind’s a bit muddled.”

This was directed at Jiang Ya.

For asking about her mother.

Jiang Ya’s eyes flickered. “It’s fine.”

Yu Shuang: “The elderly… it’s inevitable. My condolences.”

Jiang Ya’s eyes reddened instantly. “…Yeah. I know.”

Straightening her back, she added, though she wasn’t sure why, “It was a peaceful passing.”

Yu Shuang finally finished reading Jiang Ya’s honors. Her fingers lingered on the last line. After a moment’s hesitation, she heard herself ask again, “Have you really thought this through? Giving up your studies?”

“Yeah, I’ve already…”

“Alright.”

For a fleeting moment, Jiang Ya thought Yu Shuang was about to look up at her.

But she never did.

Yu Shuang turned to Feng Gu, “I’ve got the gist of the situation. Where do I sign?”

As the pen strokes landed on the paper, Jiang Ya felt, for the first time, a pang of inadequacy.

Check. Sign. Check. Sign.

Form after form, item after item requiring acknowledgment, everything followed procedure step by step.

Outside the café, the sky gradually darkened.

By the time the last form was signed, a light drizzle had begun to fall.

“That’s it for today. Thank you all for your hard work. I’ll take my leave now,” Yu Shuang said, setting down the pen.

The director was taken aback and quickly stood up. “Ah—Ms. Yu, what about the new project…?”

Yu Shuang glanced out the window and fastened her trench coat. “My lawyer is handling all of that. Xiao Feng has her WeChat. I’ll have her contact Xiao Feng later.”

The director exhaled in relief and tried once more to persuade her. “It’s raining outside now, perhaps—”

Yu Shuang cut in, “It’s settled then. I’ll head out first. Thank you all for today.”

“…”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Jiang Ya watched as Yu Shuang pushed open the glass door and stepped into the misty rain.

Clearly intending to brave the rain back to her car.

She never once really looked at her.

The thought surfaced abruptly in Jiang Ya’s mind.

Staring blankly at that retreating figure, Jiang Ya clenched her teeth, reached into her backpack, pulled something out, and dashed after her.

“Ms. Yu!”

“Ms. Yu! Sister!!”

Yu Shuang turned and saw the girl running toward her.

After a brief hesitation, she stopped.

Jiang Ya caught up to her, panting—Yu Shuang walked far too quickly.

“Ms. Yu, it’s raining. Take this umbrella.”

A folded plaid umbrella was thrust toward her.

Yu Shuang glanced at it and immediately declined, “No, you keep it.”

“Please take it!”

The umbrella was forcibly shoved into Yu Shuang’s hand.

Jiang Ya spoke rapidly, “Thank you for supporting me these past two years. When Grandma was still here, she often said we should thank you.”

“Please… consider this our gratitude.”

Jiang Ya’s eyes grew hot. “Though it’s insignificant,”

“Really, truly—thank you so much for your support these past two years.”

She bowed deeply.

Yu Shuang’s hand, which had been about to push the umbrella back, stilled. “Thank you.”

“But what about you…?”

Jiang Ya: “I’ll wait for the rain to stop before leaving.”

“Alright.”

Yu Shuang opened the umbrella. Only after mustering the courage to say all that did Jiang Ya finally dare to look up.

Even if just for a glance…

Above full, red lips was the upper half of a face now obscured by the umbrella’s edge.

“…”

Yu Shuang walked away.

Jiang Ya returned to the café. Before entering, she caught her reflection in the glass—somehow disheveled.

She forced a smile at her reflection.

Suddenly, Jiang Ya missed Grandma a little.

Just a little.

–

After Yu Shuang got into her car, the light drizzle soon turned into a downpour.

Rain pounded against the windshield. Even with the sports car’s grip, Yu Shuang had no choice but to slow down.

After rounding two more bends—thud—thud thud thud—

Sensing something off about the sound against the glass, Yu Shuang slammed on the brakes.

Then the ground shook violently…

When the world outside finally fell silent, Yu Shuang stepped out of the car and was met with a sight that left her speechless.

A mudslide.

It had cut straight across the mountain road ahead.

Had she braked a few seconds later, she and the car would have plunged straight down the mountain.

Slapping a hand to her face, Yu Shuang reflected on the day’s events—

A miserable environment, a troublesome dad, a pitiful underage kid, and her on the verge of a breakdown.

Staring at the road destroyed by the mudslide, Yu Shuang let out a heartfelt sigh:

“F*ck.”