After Stealing a Kiss from My Sponsor Sister - Chapter 5

The small mountain courtyard was serene and quiet.

After a quick tidy-up, eating a packet of biscuits, and taking a hot shower, Yu Shuang lay down on the bed.

The buckwheat pillow took a moment to adjust to, but soon she settled in. Before sleep, she glanced at the family group chat—silent, with no new messages. Only her aunt had sent her a private pat. Yu Shuang thought about it but didn’t reply, unwilling to hear more bad news that might make it harder to fall asleep.

Closing her eyes, the chaotic events of the day replayed like a slideshow in her mind.

She expected insomnia, but when she opened her eyes again, golden sunlight streamed through the window onto her quilt.

Surprisingly, she had slept soundly through the night.

The sound of running water filled the room as she wiped her face with a hot towel. In the mirror, Yu Shuang saw her reflection—bare-faced, her cheekbones and nose slightly flushed from the heat, but her eyes were hollow.

After a brief moment of self-scrutiny, she averted her gaze.

Stretching lazily, she stepped into the front courtyard, squinting against the bright sunlight.

Colorful afterimages lingered on her retinas.

When she opened her eyes again, the sight before her was breathtaking.

The courtyard walls were low, offering an unobstructed view of the blue sky, white clouds, and the distant green mountains. In some places, red bricks were laid along the top of the wall to channel water, their surfaces covered in lush, emerald moss. The ground was paved with stone slabs, not perfectly aligned, with tiny gaps between them where vibrant greenery thrived, growing wild and untamed.

The courtyard furnishings carried a nostalgic, old-world charm—several wicker-backed chairs scattered around, a large bamboo broom leaning against the wall like a small tree growing upside down, and two enamel basins placed under the eaves to catch rainwater.

Drip, drip, drip. Yu Shuang crouched beside them for a while, watching the droplets fall, her heart gradually settling into calm.

“Woof… whimper~”

Beside her reflection in the water basin, another furry face appeared.

Xiao Huang tilted its head.

Finally, Yu Shuang got a good look at the little dog.

Its head was dotted with patches of black fur—still just a puppy, no more than a few months old.

As Yu Shuang studied it, Xiao Huang tilted its head the other way.

“Xiao Huang.”

At the sound of its name, the little tail wagged furiously, and the puppy bounced around on all fours, tongue lolling in a happy grin.

Yu Shuang patted its head and smiled.

This place wasn’t half bad.

She was beginning to understand how Jiang Ya had cultivated such a pure and untainted aura.

It was just a shame that she had to be here under these circumstances…

On any other day, she would have stayed longer—sketching the scenery, soothing her mind.

“Miss Yu, breakfast is ready. Would you like to join me?”

The gentle girl stood under the eaves, her eyes shyly evasive, blending seamlessly into the picturesque mountain retreat.

Yu Shuang’s spirits lifted at the sight of the beauty and the scenery.

“Yes, thank you.”

It was the first genuine, relaxed smile she had managed since yesterday.

Jiang Ya seemed flustered by it, quickly lowering her gaze as if burned by something.

Xiao Huang buried its face in a dog bowl larger than its head, happily devouring its meal.

At the dining table, Yu Shuang took her time with breakfast, blowing softly on her porridge and sipping it slowly.

“Miss Yu, today you…” Jiang Ya began hesitantly.

Yu Shuang finished for her, “I’ve arranged with Xiao Feng to check on the car later. If it’s drivable, I’ll take it. If not, I’ll call the insurance and have the local authorities arrange a ride back to Shangjing.”

The light in Jiang Ya’s eyes dimmed instantly. “…I see.”

“That’s… that’s good.”

She lowered her head, dejected.

“Mm. Thank you for letting me stay last night. Does your family have an ancestral tablet for Grandma? I’d like to offer incense and say goodbye.”

“Of course there is.”

Three slender sandalwood incense sticks were lit with a deft flick of Yu Shuang’s wrist. The flames extinguished, leaving wisps of fragrant smoke curling upward.

The elderly man in the photograph smiled kindly. Yu Shuang bowed three times before carefully inserting the incense into the burner.

Inside the burner, three other sandalwood sticks had already burned halfway down.

Yu Shuang’s lips moved slightly, but in the end, she refrained from asking anything further.

Less than half an hour later, Feng Gu arrived to pick her up. After loading the luggage and exchanging farewells, Yu Shuang turned to leave.

Midway, her cheek twitched unconsciously, but she restrained herself—she didn’t look back.

As they passed Feng Gu’s house, someone darted out from the doorway and grabbed him. “Why did you run off this morning? I wasn’t done talking! Did YaYa really give up on the sponsorship? What’s a young girl like her supposed to do without school? Have you forgotten what I told you? Did you even try to talk sense into her—”

The more she spoke, the angrier she grew, finally twisting Feng Gu’s ear. He yelped, alternating between cries of “Mom!” and “It hurts!”

Yu Shuang: “…”

“Mom, we have company! My client’s right here—let go!”

Yu Shuang cleared her throat lightly. Under Feng’s mother’s gaze, she gestured politely. “No rush, Auntie. Please, handle your family matters first?”

Feng Gu: “…”

He was promptly dragged aside by the ear for a scolding.

Amidst the picturesque mountains and rivers, the local customs were refreshingly simple.

Yu Shuang tucked her hands into her trench coat and chuckled softly.

“Never showed up when the old man was alive, but now that he’s gone, suddenly they remember the house…”

“Such a well-behaved child… top grades…”

“Did you even take any of this to heart…?”

The fragmented murmurs drifted to her on the wind. Yu Shuang’s smile faded as she took a few more steps away until the voices were out of earshot.

The lush greenery of the mountains cast a cool shadow over her composed expression.

“Miss Yu, sorry about that,” Feng Gu said, rubbing his reddened ear as he returned. “It’s just about Jiang Ya. My mom’s worried…”

“Finished?”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Then let’s go. It’s getting late.”

“Right, this way.”

The landslide was worse than expected. Plans couldn’t keep up with the chaos—every available municipal resource had been diverted to disaster relief, containment, and reinforcement. By the time they reached town, the director was already leaving. He hastily apologized before hopping into a pickup truck, too preoccupied to worry about the client experience of someone like Yu Shuang. With a reflective vest thrown on, he was whisked away in a cloud of dust.

Feng Gu looked at Yu Shuang helplessly. At her suggestion, they set off to find transportation.

Though no further landslides occurred overnight, the roads remained uncleared. Most of the private vehicles stranded on the slopes were still stuck.

The insurance company called to inform them that all routes downhill were blocked—no way in or out.

Yu Shuang stood silently for a moment, her expression unreadable, until her phone rang. The caller ID showed “Yu Jiao”—her aunt.

By the time she hung up, her face was stormy.

Feng Gu watched her, heart pounding.

After several deep breaths, Yu Shuang suppressed her frustration and said, “Let’s head back into town first.”

Both local inns were fully booked.

Feng Gu tried arranging a car for her, but after a flurry of calls, it became clear every official vehicle had been requisitioned. Meanwhile, Yu Shuang, seated in town, never took her eyes off her phone, fingers flying across the screen as she exchanged messages, her face expressionless.

“Miss Yu… um…” Feng Gu steeled himself and approached her.

Yu Shuang looked up from her screen, and Feng Gu froze under her icy glare.

After sending two final messages, she locked her phone, exhaled, and spoke.

Feng Gu: “Huh?”

–

Hearing the knock at the door, Jiang Ya went to answer it.

When she saw the slender figure silhouetted against the backlight, for a moment, she wondered if she was dreaming.

Her gaze fixed unwaveringly, Jiang Ya couldn’t bear to blink.

Yu Shuang waved a hand in front of Jiang Ya’s face. “Snap out of it.”

It was real.

Feng Gu explained the situation to Jiang Ya, but she barely listened, her eyes darting back and forth between Feng Gu and Yu Shuang, stealing little glances, her distracted expression all too obvious.

Yu Shuang noticed. “Am I intruding?”

“No!”

Only after blurting it out did Jiang Ya realize how loud she’d been. She coughed and composed herself. “Not at all!”

“Miss Yu, you’re welcome to stay here as long as you like.”

Yu Shuang pulled out her phone. “Add me on WeChat.”

The girl’s cheeks flushed as she dashed into the courtyard to grab her phone, scanned the QR code, and sent a friend request.

The moment the request was accepted, whoosh—a transfer came through: 10,000 yuan.

Jiang Ya’s hand froze as understanding dawned. “Miss Yu…”

Yu Shuang’s expression remained unreadable. “At the start of the year, I had my fortune told. It said this year I should avoid taking advantage of others, or it’d stir up misfortune. Staying with you for a day is fine, but if it’s longer, we should be clear: if you won’t take rent, at least let me cover food expenses. I’ve sent you half a month’s worth based on my usual standard. We can settle the difference later—how’s that?”

Jiang Ya opened her mouth but no sound came out.

Yu Shuang added, “If you don’t take it, I’ll go stay at Xiao Feng’s place.”

“…Alright.”

Yu Shuang nodded, watching Jiang Ya, who stood there dumbfounded.

After a moment of silence, Yu Shuang reached out and tapped Jiang Ya’s screen—click—payment accepted.

“……”

Only then did Yu Shuang pick up her suitcase and step inside.

Jiang Ya glanced awkwardly between her phone and Yu Shuang, but Yu Shuang paid no mind. Instead, she scooped up the little yellow dog that was eagerly pawing at her leg and carried it inside.

Envious of a dog…

But Miss Yu said she’d had it calculated—business owners probably took these things seriously, right?

The explanation about the fortune-telling eventually put Jiang Ya at ease.

By the time she learned that Yu Shuang had made it up on the spot—that she didn’t believe in such things at all, let alone consulted fortune-tellers yearly—it was already much, much later.

For now, she believed it. And even better—Miss Yu was back!

Jiang Ya couldn’t hide the excitement in her voice. “Miss Yu, with this much for living expenses, what would you like for dinner tonight?”

Yu Shuang’s voice drifted from inside. “Meat. Need the energy to yell at people.”

“……”

“Got it!”

After answering, Jiang Ya grinned—a silly, happy grin.

Yu Shuang ended up staying for five days.

The first two were spent waiting for the city to clear the roads. On the third day, she argued with the insurance company.

Her already foul mood flared instantly. “Fine, leave a number. My lawyers will handle it. I won’t take a cent more than what’s owed, but if it’s in the contract, I’ll fight it to the end. Let’s see who outlasts who.”

The Yu family kept a legal team on retainer. Within a day, the insurance company caved, and the representative was suddenly replaced by a “clueless intern.”

Days four and five… a quiet retreat in the mountains.

No particular reason—just that the situation in the capital was far more complicated than Yu Shuang had anticipated. Far more.

“Ningning, I really think you should hold off on coming back.”

Her aunt’s earnest advice came through in their last phone call.

Yu Shuang sprawled across a rattan chair, her lush hair cascading as she tilted her head back, sunlight dancing over her fair skin, her slender neck and pronounced collarbones on display.

The scene would’ve been even more captivating if not for the Great Compassion Mantra blaring from her phone’s speaker.

That night, Yu Shuang skipped dinner. She had no appetite.

She slept until eight or nine in the evening, then got up to drink water—gulugulu—her stomach growled.

“Miss Yu.”

Yu Shuang turned around. The kid had appeared out of nowhere.

Jiang Ya: “You…”

“Not hungry.”

“Awake?”

“…”

“…”

Gulugulu—Yu Shuang’s stomach growled again, the sound especially loud in the silence of their staring contest.

“Mhm, just came out for some water.”

Holding her cup, she strolled leisurely back to her room, but the moment the door closed, her composure shattered. Yu Shuang flopped onto the bed.

A moment later, Jiang Ya knocked on the door. “Miss Yu!”

Yu Shuang clutched her head in frustration. Don’t bring it up, don’t bring it up, please don’t bring it up…

“I’m a little hungry.”

“I’m going to make some noodles. Would you like some too?”

“…”

Yu Shuang slowly replied, “You’re hungry?”

“Mhm.” The response from outside the door was firm.

Yu Shuang sat up gracefully, smoothing her hair back, and said with practiced poise, “Then I’ll trouble you.”

The blue flame of the gas stove licked the bottom of the pot as the water boiled. Jiang Ya tossed two handfuls of noodles into the bubbling water.

Under the dim light, the girl focused intently, her expression serious.

Yu Shuang leaned lazily against the doorframe, glass in hand, watching the scene.

The glow from the stove brightened Jiang Ya’s eyes.

—”Do you not like me very much?”

Just like the first time she had stopped her to ask.

Truthfully, this kid was perceptive.

Yu Shuang hadn’t lied—she’d just held back.

It wasn’t about liking or disliking. She just… didn’t want to invite trouble…

She exhaled softly.

She had been avoiding this kid.

From their first meeting, to signing the contract, to moving in, to… now.

Not listening, not looking, not thinking—as if that would keep her uninvolved.

But people were alive, after all. No matter how tightly she shut her eyes and covered her ears, after five full days, Yu Shuang had still heard everything—things she should and shouldn’t know.

Top grades, honor student every year, scholarship recipient.

Her grandmother had passed suddenly, leaving no will. There was an uncle’s family—the uncle wanted the house and promised to keep supporting Jiang Ya’s education afterward. Jiang Ya refused.

Then came the suspension of her studies and the termination of financial support.

What a… poor little thing…

At first, she hadn’t wanted to get involved. She had enough problems of her own—too many to handle.

Now? Yu Shuang smirked. Might as well add one more flea to the pile.

Besides, she wasn’t the type to ignore kindness.

The meals these past few days had been plentiful, with variety.

When she was irritable, the clingy little yellow cat just happened to be locked in its cage.

After the mail arrived, Jiang Ya received a package, and soon after, freshly washed, brand-new bedsheets appeared on her bed…

And now she said she was hungry…

Even Yu Shuang’s plastic father, Yu Mingyuan, at the peak of his paternal affection, probably couldn’t have been this considerate.

Frowning, rationally, Yu Shuang still didn’t want to invite trouble.

But she had never been a rational person.

Light footsteps sounded as Yu Shuang walked over to Jiang Ya. The girl glanced sideways, only to see those delicate features obscured by the rising steam, indistinct.

“It’ll be ready soon.”

Thinking Yu Shuang was impatient, Jiang Ya spoke up.

Yu Shuang took a sip of water but then asked, “Do you know what it means to not go to college?”

Jiang Ya’s hand, holding the chopsticks, paused. She didn’t answer immediately.

Yu Shuang wasn’t in a hurry either, taking another sip.

This was the third time Miss Yu had brought up her education. Jiang Ya could brush it off, but she didn’t want to.

She… knew that she and Miss Yu were merely passing acquaintances.

Even years later, when she looked back on these emotions, she would only categorize them as youthful infatuation, a mere awakening of her orientation.

But she didn’t want to dismiss her true feelings.

“Does that mean not going to college, not getting a bachelor’s degree?”

“…Perfectly nonsensical rhetoric.”

Jiang Ya was amused by Yu Shuang’s deadpan tone.

After laughing, she relaxed a little.

Jiang Ya: “With the current economic situation, even if I go to college, I won’t find a job, right?”

“…”

That… made sense.

Yu Shuang took a tactical sip of water and decided to change tactics. “Then if you don’t go to college, what can you do?”

Unexpectedly, the kid actually had a plan. “Make short videos.”

“There are millions of self-media creators out there. Only a handful actually make money.”

“I know. That’s why I opened two accounts. One focuses on pastoral scenery and food—just testing the waters. If it really doesn’t take off…”

Yu Shuang looked at Jiang Ya.

The girl seemed conflicted. She bit her lip and whispered in embarrassment, “Then I’ll just start dancing, relying on my face and figure.”

“…”

If anyone else had said this, Yu Shuang would’ve mocked them mercilessly.

But coming from Jiang Ya—she really did have the capital for it.

Taking a deep breath, Yu Shuang suddenly understood the frustration of her old homeroom teacher. “So, borderline content?”

Jiang Ya stayed silent.

Yu Shuang: “Appealing to men?”

“No.” This time, Jiang Ya was firm, her eyes bright. “Appealing to women.”

“How much money can male fans really fork over? Female fans have way higher spending power.”

Yu Shuang: “…”

“…………”

Damn. She’s actually done market research.

The small mountain courtyard was serene and quiet.

After a quick tidy-up, eating a packet of biscuits, and taking a hot shower, Yu Shuang lay down on the bed.

The buckwheat pillow took a moment to adjust to, but soon she settled in. Before sleep, she glanced at the family group chat—silent, with no new messages. Only her aunt had sent her a private pat. Yu Shuang thought about it but didn’t reply, unwilling to hear more bad news that might make it harder to fall asleep.

Closing her eyes, the chaotic events of the day replayed like a slideshow in her mind.

She expected insomnia, but when she opened her eyes again, golden sunlight streamed through the window onto her quilt.

Surprisingly, she had slept soundly through the night.

The sound of running water filled the room as she wiped her face with a hot towel. In the mirror, Yu Shuang saw her reflection—bare-faced, her cheekbones and nose slightly flushed from the heat, but her eyes were hollow.

After a brief moment of self-scrutiny, she averted her gaze.

Stretching lazily, she stepped into the front courtyard, squinting against the bright sunlight.

Colorful afterimages lingered on her retinas.

When she opened her eyes again, the sight before her was breathtaking.

The courtyard walls were low, offering an unobstructed view of the blue sky, white clouds, and the distant green mountains. In some places, red bricks were laid along the top of the wall to channel water, their surfaces covered in lush, emerald moss. The ground was paved with stone slabs, not perfectly aligned, with tiny gaps between them where vibrant greenery thrived, growing wild and untamed.

The courtyard furnishings carried a nostalgic, old-world charm—several wicker-backed chairs scattered around, a large bamboo broom leaning against the wall like a small tree growing upside down, and two enamel basins placed under the eaves to catch rainwater.

Drip, drip, drip. Yu Shuang crouched beside them for a while, watching the droplets fall, her heart gradually settling into calm.

“Woof… whimper~”

Beside her reflection in the water basin, another furry face appeared.

Xiao Huang tilted its head.

Finally, Yu Shuang got a good look at the little dog.

Its head was dotted with patches of black fur—still just a puppy, no more than a few months old.

As Yu Shuang studied it, Xiao Huang tilted its head the other way.

“Xiao Huang.”

At the sound of its name, the little tail wagged furiously, and the puppy bounced around on all fours, tongue lolling in a happy grin.

Yu Shuang patted its head and smiled.

This place wasn’t half bad.

She was beginning to understand how Jiang Ya had cultivated such a pure and untainted aura.

It was just a shame that she had to be here under these circumstances…

On any other day, she would have stayed longer—sketching the scenery, soothing her mind.

“Miss Yu, breakfast is ready. Would you like to join me?”

The gentle girl stood under the eaves, her eyes shyly evasive, blending seamlessly into the picturesque mountain retreat.

Yu Shuang’s spirits lifted at the sight of the beauty and the scenery.

“Yes, thank you.”

It was the first genuine, relaxed smile she had managed since yesterday.

Jiang Ya seemed flustered by it, quickly lowering her gaze as if burned by something.

Xiao Huang buried its face in a dog bowl larger than its head, happily devouring its meal.

At the dining table, Yu Shuang took her time with breakfast, blowing softly on her porridge and sipping it slowly.

“Miss Yu, today you…” Jiang Ya began hesitantly.

Yu Shuang finished for her, “I’ve arranged with Xiao Feng to check on the car later. If it’s drivable, I’ll take it. If not, I’ll call the insurance and have the local authorities arrange a ride back to Shangjing.”

The light in Jiang Ya’s eyes dimmed instantly. “…I see.”

“That’s… that’s good.”

She lowered her head, dejected.

“Mm. Thank you for letting me stay last night. Does your family have an ancestral tablet for Grandma? I’d like to offer incense and say goodbye.”

“Of course there is.”

Three slender sandalwood incense sticks were lit with a deft flick of Yu Shuang’s wrist. The flames extinguished, leaving wisps of fragrant smoke curling upward.

The elderly man in the photograph smiled kindly. Yu Shuang bowed three times before carefully inserting the incense into the burner.

Inside the burner, three other sandalwood sticks had already burned halfway down.

Yu Shuang’s lips moved slightly, but in the end, she refrained from asking anything further.

Less than half an hour later, Feng Gu arrived to pick her up. After loading the luggage and exchanging farewells, Yu Shuang turned to leave.

Midway, her cheek twitched unconsciously, but she restrained herself—she didn’t look back.

As they passed Feng Gu’s house, someone darted out from the doorway and grabbed him. “Why did you run off this morning? I wasn’t done talking! Did YaYa really give up on the sponsorship? What’s a young girl like her supposed to do without school? Have you forgotten what I told you? Did you even try to talk sense into her—”

The more she spoke, the angrier she grew, finally twisting Feng Gu’s ear. He yelped, alternating between cries of “Mom!” and “It hurts!”

Yu Shuang: “…”

“Mom, we have company! My client’s right here—let go!”

Yu Shuang cleared her throat lightly. Under Feng’s mother’s gaze, she gestured politely. “No rush, Auntie. Please, handle your family matters first?”

Feng Gu: “…”

He was promptly dragged aside by the ear for a scolding.

Amidst the picturesque mountains and rivers, the local customs were refreshingly simple.

Yu Shuang tucked her hands into her trench coat and chuckled softly.

“Never showed up when the old man was alive, but now that he’s gone, suddenly they remember the house…”

“Such a well-behaved child… top grades…”

“Did you even take any of this to heart…?”

The fragmented murmurs drifted to her on the wind. Yu Shuang’s smile faded as she took a few more steps away until the voices were out of earshot.

The lush greenery of the mountains cast a cool shadow over her composed expression.

“Miss Yu, sorry about that,” Feng Gu said, rubbing his reddened ear as he returned. “It’s just about Jiang Ya. My mom’s worried…”

“Finished?”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Then let’s go. It’s getting late.”

“Right, this way.”

The landslide was worse than expected. Plans couldn’t keep up with the chaos—every available municipal resource had been diverted to disaster relief, containment, and reinforcement. By the time they reached town, the director was already leaving. He hastily apologized before hopping into a pickup truck, too preoccupied to worry about the client experience of someone like Yu Shuang. With a reflective vest thrown on, he was whisked away in a cloud of dust.

Feng Gu looked at Yu Shuang helplessly. At her suggestion, they set off to find transportation.

Though no further landslides occurred overnight, the roads remained uncleared. Most of the private vehicles stranded on the slopes were still stuck.

The insurance company called to inform them that all routes downhill were blocked—no way in or out.

Yu Shuang stood silently for a moment, her expression unreadable, until her phone rang. The caller ID showed “Yu Jiao”—her aunt.

By the time she hung up, her face was stormy.

Feng Gu watched her, heart pounding.

After several deep breaths, Yu Shuang suppressed her frustration and said, “Let’s head back into town first.”

Both local inns were fully booked.

Feng Gu tried arranging a car for her, but after a flurry of calls, it became clear every official vehicle had been requisitioned. Meanwhile, Yu Shuang, seated in town, never took her eyes off her phone, fingers flying across the screen as she exchanged messages, her face expressionless.

“Miss Yu… um…” Feng Gu steeled himself and approached her.

Yu Shuang looked up from her screen, and Feng Gu froze under her icy glare.

After sending two final messages, she locked her phone, exhaled, and spoke.

Feng Gu: “Huh?”

–

Hearing the knock at the door, Jiang Ya went to answer it.

When she saw the slender figure silhouetted against the backlight, for a moment, she wondered if she was dreaming.

Her gaze fixed unwaveringly, Jiang Ya couldn’t bear to blink.

Yu Shuang waved a hand in front of Jiang Ya’s face. “Snap out of it.”

It was real.

Feng Gu explained the situation to Jiang Ya, but she barely listened, her eyes darting back and forth between Feng Gu and Yu Shuang, stealing little glances, her distracted expression all too obvious.

Yu Shuang noticed. “Am I intruding?”

“No!”

Only after blurting it out did Jiang Ya realize how loud she’d been. She coughed and composed herself. “Not at all!”

“Miss Yu, you’re welcome to stay here as long as you like.”

Yu Shuang pulled out her phone. “Add me on WeChat.”

The girl’s cheeks flushed as she dashed into the courtyard to grab her phone, scanned the QR code, and sent a friend request.

The moment the request was accepted, whoosh—a transfer came through: 10,000 yuan.

Jiang Ya’s hand froze as understanding dawned. “Miss Yu…”

Yu Shuang’s expression remained unreadable. “At the start of the year, I had my fortune told. It said this year I should avoid taking advantage of others, or it’d stir up misfortune. Staying with you for a day is fine, but if it’s longer, we should be clear: if you won’t take rent, at least let me cover food expenses. I’ve sent you half a month’s worth based on my usual standard. We can settle the difference later—how’s that?”

Jiang Ya opened her mouth but no sound came out.

Yu Shuang added, “If you don’t take it, I’ll go stay at Xiao Feng’s place.”

“…Alright.”

Yu Shuang nodded, watching Jiang Ya, who stood there dumbfounded.

After a moment of silence, Yu Shuang reached out and tapped Jiang Ya’s screen—click—payment accepted.

“……”

Only then did Yu Shuang pick up her suitcase and step inside.

Jiang Ya glanced awkwardly between her phone and Yu Shuang, but Yu Shuang paid no mind. Instead, she scooped up the little yellow dog that was eagerly pawing at her leg and carried it inside.

Envious of a dog…

But Miss Yu said she’d had it calculated—business owners probably took these things seriously, right?

The explanation about the fortune-telling eventually put Jiang Ya at ease.

By the time she learned that Yu Shuang had made it up on the spot—that she didn’t believe in such things at all, let alone consulted fortune-tellers yearly—it was already much, much later.

For now, she believed it. And even better—Miss Yu was back!

Jiang Ya couldn’t hide the excitement in her voice. “Miss Yu, with this much for living expenses, what would you like for dinner tonight?”

Yu Shuang’s voice drifted from inside. “Meat. Need the energy to yell at people.”

“……”

“Got it!”

After answering, Jiang Ya grinned—a silly, happy grin.

Yu Shuang ended up staying for five days.

The first two were spent waiting for the city to clear the roads. On the third day, she argued with the insurance company.

Her already foul mood flared instantly. “Fine, leave a number. My lawyers will handle it. I won’t take a cent more than what’s owed, but if it’s in the contract, I’ll fight it to the end. Let’s see who outlasts who.”

The Yu family kept a legal team on retainer. Within a day, the insurance company caved, and the representative was suddenly replaced by a “clueless intern.”

Days four and five… a quiet retreat in the mountains.

No particular reason—just that the situation in the capital was far more complicated than Yu Shuang had anticipated. Far more.

“Ningning, I really think you should hold off on coming back.”

Her aunt’s earnest advice came through in their last phone call.

Yu Shuang sprawled across a rattan chair, her lush hair cascading as she tilted her head back, sunlight dancing over her fair skin, her slender neck and pronounced collarbones on display.

The scene would’ve been even more captivating if not for the Great Compassion Mantra blaring from her phone’s speaker.

That night, Yu Shuang skipped dinner. She had no appetite.

She slept until eight or nine in the evening, then got up to drink water—gulugulu—her stomach growled.

“Miss Yu.”

Yu Shuang turned around. The kid had appeared out of nowhere.

Jiang Ya: “You…”

“Not hungry.”

“Awake?”

“…”

“…”

Gulugulu—Yu Shuang’s stomach growled again, the sound especially loud in the silence of their staring contest.

“Mhm, just came out for some water.”

Holding her cup, she strolled leisurely back to her room, but the moment the door closed, her composure shattered. Yu Shuang flopped onto the bed.

A moment later, Jiang Ya knocked on the door. “Miss Yu!”

Yu Shuang clutched her head in frustration. Don’t bring it up, don’t bring it up, please don’t bring it up…

“I’m a little hungry.”

“I’m going to make some noodles. Would you like some too?”

“…”

Yu Shuang slowly replied, “You’re hungry?”

“Mhm.” The response from outside the door was firm.

Yu Shuang sat up gracefully, smoothing her hair back, and said with practiced poise, “Then I’ll trouble you.”

The blue flame of the gas stove licked the bottom of the pot as the water boiled. Jiang Ya tossed two handfuls of noodles into the bubbling water.

Under the dim light, the girl focused intently, her expression serious.

Yu Shuang leaned lazily against the doorframe, glass in hand, watching the scene.

The glow from the stove brightened Jiang Ya’s eyes.

—”Do you not like me very much?”

Just like the first time she had stopped her to ask.

Truthfully, this kid was perceptive.

Yu Shuang hadn’t lied—she’d just held back.

It wasn’t about liking or disliking. She just… didn’t want to invite trouble…

She exhaled softly.

She had been avoiding this kid.

From their first meeting, to signing the contract, to moving in, to… now.

Not listening, not looking, not thinking—as if that would keep her uninvolved.

But people were alive, after all. No matter how tightly she shut her eyes and covered her ears, after five full days, Yu Shuang had still heard everything—things she should and shouldn’t know.

Top grades, honor student every year, scholarship recipient.

Her grandmother had passed suddenly, leaving no will. There was an uncle’s family—the uncle wanted the house and promised to keep supporting Jiang Ya’s education afterward. Jiang Ya refused.

Then came the suspension of her studies and the termination of financial support.

What a… poor little thing…

At first, she hadn’t wanted to get involved. She had enough problems of her own—too many to handle.

Now? Yu Shuang smirked. Might as well add one more flea to the pile.

Besides, she wasn’t the type to ignore kindness.

The meals these past few days had been plentiful, with variety.

When she was irritable, the clingy little yellow cat just happened to be locked in its cage.

After the mail arrived, Jiang Ya received a package, and soon after, freshly washed, brand-new bedsheets appeared on her bed…

And now she said she was hungry…

Even Yu Shuang’s plastic father, Yu Mingyuan, at the peak of his paternal affection, probably couldn’t have been this considerate.

Frowning, rationally, Yu Shuang still didn’t want to invite trouble.

But she had never been a rational person.

Light footsteps sounded as Yu Shuang walked over to Jiang Ya. The girl glanced sideways, only to see those delicate features obscured by the rising steam, indistinct.

“It’ll be ready soon.”

Thinking Yu Shuang was impatient, Jiang Ya spoke up.

Yu Shuang took a sip of water but then asked, “Do you know what it means to not go to college?”

Jiang Ya’s hand, holding the chopsticks, paused. She didn’t answer immediately.

Yu Shuang wasn’t in a hurry either, taking another sip.

This was the third time Miss Yu had brought up her education. Jiang Ya could brush it off, but she didn’t want to.

She… knew that she and Miss Yu were merely passing acquaintances.

Even years later, when she looked back on these emotions, she would only categorize them as youthful infatuation, a mere awakening of her orientation.

But she didn’t want to dismiss her true feelings.

“Does that mean not going to college, not getting a bachelor’s degree?”

“…Perfectly nonsensical rhetoric.”

Jiang Ya was amused by Yu Shuang’s deadpan tone.

After laughing, she relaxed a little.

Jiang Ya: “With the current economic situation, even if I go to college, I won’t find a job, right?”

“…”

That… made sense.

Yu Shuang took a tactical sip of water and decided to change tactics. “Then if you don’t go to college, what can you do?”

Unexpectedly, the kid actually had a plan. “Make short videos.”

“There are millions of self-media creators out there. Only a handful actually make money.”

“I know. That’s why I opened two accounts. One focuses on pastoral scenery and food—just testing the waters. If it really doesn’t take off…”

Yu Shuang looked at Jiang Ya.

The girl seemed conflicted. She bit her lip and whispered in embarrassment, “Then I’ll just start dancing, relying on my face and figure.”

“…”

If anyone else had said this, Yu Shuang would’ve mocked them mercilessly.

But coming from Jiang Ya—she really did have the capital for it.

Taking a deep breath, Yu Shuang suddenly understood the frustration of her old homeroom teacher. “So, borderline content?”

Jiang Ya stayed silent.

Yu Shuang: “Appealing to men?”

“No.” This time, Jiang Ya was firm, her eyes bright. “Appealing to women.”

“How much money can male fans really fork over? Female fans have way higher spending power.”

Yu Shuang: “…”

“…………”

Damn. She’s actually done market research.