When faced with Liu Yue’s question, Qiu Qianwei hesitated, “Fifth Sister, I’ll tell you when the time is right.”

Liu Yue was not convinced. “Now is the perfect time! Come on, let me help you evaluate your situation.”

Qiu Qianwei shook her head firmly, sticking to her decision. She was aware of her position as a professor at Qingling University and Wang Haoran’s as a student. If the word got out, it might create complications given their professional roles.

She decided to delay the topic by saying, “Let’s not discuss it for now. Our relationship isn’t stable enough yet. I’ll share more once it is.”

Liu Yue appeared slightly frustrated. “Seventh Sister, seriously, what’s wrong? Do you think I would try to steal your boyfriend?”

Hurriedly, Qiu Qianwei clarified, “That’s not what I meant, Fifth Sister.”

Liu Yue persisted, “I’m just looking out for you. I want to help you understand what kind of person your boyfriend is. Tell me about him!”

Caught between protecting Wang Haoran’s identity and preserving her bond with her sisters, Qiu Qianwei found herself in a bind.

Just then, Ji Shuiyao interjected, “Fifth Sister, Seventh Sister’s choice is undoubtedly a good one. There’s no need to worry.”

Liu Yue was surprised and inquired, “Do you know who her boyfriend is?”

Qiu Qianwei turned her attention to Ji Shuiyao as well.

Feeling the pressure of her own reasons for coming to Qingling, Ji Shuiyao chose her words carefully, “How would I know? But I trust Seventh Sister’s judgment. If she picked him, he must be remarkable. Let’s not press her. She’ll share when she’s ready.”

Grateful for the support, Qiu Qianwei chimed in, “Sixth Sister understands me so well!”

Acknowledging the sentiment, Liu Yue refrained from asking further about the boyfriend. Nonetheless, curiosity got the better of her, leading to another question, “Seventh Sister, how far has your relationship progressed?”

Qiu Qianwei, bashful, found herself answering with a small fib, “We’re just holding hands for now.” She worried slightly, as Fourth Sister Bu Feiyan knew more than she let on. Would she spill the beans?

Liu Yue accepted the answer with an “Oh,” assuming it was natural for someone as talented and beautiful as her sister to take things slowly after only beginning the relationship.

Ji Shuiyao, observing Qiu Qianwei, felt secretly smug. Seventh Sister had merely held hands, while she had shared more intimate moments with him.

Ah, what am I thinking? Ji Shuiyao shook off the thoughts. Despite her spontaneous decision to teach at Qingling, she had no desire to disrupt Seventh Sister’s happiness.

Attempting to divert her mind, she picked up a book but couldn’t focus. Closing her eyes, memories of helping Wang Haoran with first aid filled her thoughts, even causing her to subtly purse her lips at the recollection.

Finding it hard to ignore, Ji Shuiyao surrendered to her curiosity and messaged Wang Haoran with some scientific queries.

“This is just for scientific discussion, not personal. It definitely doesn’t betray Seventh Sister!” she reassured herself as she pressed send.

After a five-minute wait, Wang Haoran’s reply enlightened Ji Shuiyao’s understanding.

“Why did you choose to teach in Qingling’s Marine Biology Department?” came Wang Haoran’s follow-up.

Feeling a touch anxious, Ji Shuiyao composed her response, “Teaching is fulfilling. I always wanted to be a teacher, but my previous commitments kept me busy. With the institute now staffed better, I had the opportunity.”

Regretting her candidness, she couldn’t resist asking, “Why didn’t you choose Marine Biology?”

His reply was quick, “What would I learn there?”

Ji Shuiyao acknowledged, “True…”

Meanwhile, Qiu Qianwei tidied the table from her cooking mishap and joined Ji Shuiyao in the living room. She casually inquired, “Sixth Sister, who are you messaging?”

Startled, Ji Shuiyao dropped her phone. Retrieving it hastily, she replied, “Oh, just a fellow researcher. She’s a woman.”

Qiu Qianwei caught the odd emphasis and playfully speculated, “Could it be you also have a boyfriend? Let me see!”

Ji Shuiyao protectively hugged her phone.

Sensing intrigue, Qiu Qianwei teased, “Fifth Sister, it seems Sixth Sister’s hiding her own romance!”

“Really?” Liu Yue looked up from her laptop as she joined them.

Flustered, Ji Shuiyao denied it, “No, don’t believe Seventh Sister’s teasing,” her cheeks flushing crimson.

Though suspicion lingered, Qiu Qianwei and Liu Yue let it slide.

Liu Yue remarked, “Seventh Sister, Sixth Sister, what’s the big deal with men? I just don’t get you two.”

Qiu Qianwei laughed it off, reaching for her phone to send a message.

Glancing over, Ji Shuiyao noticed the chat was with Wang Haoran, intensifying her own guilty conscience. She turned her focus to her book, trying to escape her thoughts.

Liu Yue engaged with her laptop, updating her social media. With a large following, she enjoyed her role as a stock market influencer.