Chapter 56

Su Jinglan didn’t spell it out. In the darkness, their breaths rose and fell in unison, pressed extraordinarily close. Though the blanket separated them and she couldn’t feel the other’s body heat, she couldn’t stop the feverish warmth that the other’s presence ignited within her.

Her true aim wasn’t to explain why she’d stayed here with Ning Jiuwei.

The room plunged into profound silence. Ning Jiuwei held her breath as her thoughts scattered wildly from the question, teetering on the edge of that impassable abyss. She bit her own lip sharply, reining her mind back in.

“Has Designer Ning figured out why I stayed?” Su Jinglan dipped her head lower, her temple brushing Ning Jiuwei’s in an intimate grind—like lovers smoothing over a petty spat with tender gestures that erased all distance between them.

Ning Jiuwei reached out and planted her palm on Su Jinglan’s forehead, her middle and ring fingers pressing against the other’s brow. She tamped down her churning emotions. “Is President Su going to tell me?”

There was a hint of uncertainty in her voice, a tremor so faint it was barely there. But it traveled through their touching fingertips and skin, caught by Su Jinglan’s sharp senses. Su Jinglan gently clasped Ning Jiuwei’s hand and murmured softly, “You must have already guessed it—just like what you’re thinking right now.”

“I haven’t thought a thing.” Ning Jiuwei withdrew her hand with calm composure, her cover flawless in the unseeing dark.

Su Jinglan let out a soft chuckle. The pleasing sound skimmed along the pillow, nuzzled against Ning Jiuwei’s shoulder, and slipped into her ear, vibrating her eardrum and setting it tingling.

Ning Jiuwei pinched the flesh of her own palm in secret. Her freshly trimmed nails were smooth and blunt—no pain at all. Instead, it conjured memories of what had happened in the hotel.

“Good night, Jiuwei.” Su Jinglan didn’t drift off on Ning Jiuwei’s pillow. Instead, she obediently shifted back to her own.

Ning Jiuwei lay silent for a long moment before murmuring back, “Good night.”

She shut her eyes, and there in her mind materialized that pair of red-crowned cranes, collapsed in a pool of water.

A crane’s cry soared high and far, carrying up to five kilometers. But for a widowed one lost in inconsolable grief, the wail turned shrill and piercing, each note resonating deep in the chest. Ning Jiuwei pressed a hand to her heart, where suffocation mingled with sharp pain.

She thought no one would notice. But Su Jinglan—who’d bid good night from beside the pillow—drew her close through the blanket, wordlessly enfolding her in an embrace, chin resting atop her head.

“Where does it hurt?” Su Jinglan’s voice flowed gentle as water, pitched so softly it seemed any louder note might amplify Ning Jiuwei’s distress.

Ning Jiuwei’s eyes fluttered open, her thick lashes quivering and teasing the sensitive skin of Su Jinglan’s neck—like a fluffy little creature nuzzling in playful affection.

“Nowhere.” Ning Jiuwei closed her eyes again, making no move to pull away from the embrace.

Su Jinglan nuzzled her hair with exquisite tenderness, then smiled and said, “If anything hurts, tell me right away.”

Ning Jiuwei had grown used to living alone, to soothing her own turbulent feelings. Only now did she realize the quiet comfort of sharing a bed like this.

Marriage wasn’t required. Children weren’t necessary. But everyone deserved to feel loved.

“Got it. Thank you, President Su.”

The hand resting outside the blanket had chilled, turning icy with sluggish circulation. Su Jinglan instinctively tightened her hold, drawing the woman in her arms even closer.

Ning Jiuwei’s breathing evened out, slow and steady. She lifted Su Jinglan’s hand from atop her blanket and tucked it carefully back into the warmth of its own covers. On impulse, she straightened the other’s blanket corner as well.

The mood for sleep had been perfect the night before. When morning came and Su Jinglan stirred awake, Ning Jiuwei was still abed. Su Jinglan blinked her dry eyes until her vision sharpened, then curved her lips in a smile.

Brimming with warmth, she waited for Ning Jiuwei to open her eyes—and was ready with a greeting the instant she did.

“Morning, Designer Ning.”

Su Jinglan’s voice rang clear. Ning Jiuwei’s, fresh from sleep, came out husky and rich with magnetism. “Morning, President Su.”

The mood remained just as fine that day.

They freshened up separately and emerged from the bathroom at roughly the same time.

“Heading to the company now, Designer Ning?” Su Jinglan asked. “Shall we go together?”

Ning Jiuwei paused to think. Riding with President Su—or having President Su ride with her—would spark endless office gossip either way. She refused with gentle politeness. “I’ve got a client meeting first, then the company. Our routes don’t line up.”

The path to the underground parking lot was shared, at least. Su Jinglan walked out with her, and they each drove off in their own cars.

They traveled side by side for a short stretch. Then, at the left-turn junction leading to the company, Ning Jiuwei continued straight ahead, parting ways with Su Jinglan, who waited in the turn lane.

Traffic was sparse. Su Jinglan halted at the white stop line, her eyes fixed on the black Mercedes receding into the distance.

The straight light flipped red. The left-turn arrow blinked green. Su Jinglan tore her gaze away and pressed the accelerator.

She reached the company without a single delay. Assistant Lin was already stationed in the office, the sorted files neatly categorized and arrayed on Su Jinglan’s desk.

“President Su, you can sign off on these documents directly, but these ones need your careful review.”

The application approval reports that followed standard procedures all used uniform templates, so there were no major issues. Su Jinglan casually grabbed a fountain pen from the holder and signed the simpler files first.

Multitasking effortlessly, she signed documents while inquiring about Ning Jiuwei. “Is Designer Ning meeting a client this morning?”

She had anticipated the question about Ning Jiuwei. Assistant Lin was ready; she handed over the printed schedule that Assistant Tan had provided.

“This lists the clients Designer Ning is scheduled to meet over the next week. She’s seeing Miss Ye this morning.” Schedules were always subject to change, and this only reflected confirmed appointments so far. Even a listed client meeting might not pan out.

Su Jinglan scanned it once and committed everything to memory.

“Shred it,” she said, passing the schedule back to Assistant Lin.

Every one of her offices was equipped with a high-end shredder—one that didn’t just slice paper into strips but pulverized it into confetti.

Assistant Lin carried out the order, firing up the machine and feeding in the sheet.

Shen Lanyan’s design fees were ten times those of typical clients. With three pieces now commissioned, Ning Jiuwei had no need for other custom orders anytime soon. After her meeting and in-depth discussion with Miss Ye, Ning Jiuwei decided to take on the project.

“Miss Ye, that’s far enough. No need to see me out,” Ning Jiuwei said, stopping Ye Sinian at the elevator.

“Then I won’t,” Ye Sinian replied with easy grace. Her shoulder-length bob framed an elegant, scholarly air. Even her understated long skirt couldn’t conceal her innate aura of refined wealth. The fee she offered rivaled Shen Lanyan’s. “Just reach out anytime, Designer Ning.”

Ye Sinian watched Ning Jiuwei step into the elevator until the doors slid shut, then headed back to her studio.

Nestled in the heart of the business district, the Silver Prosperity Building housed lavish corporations that leased entire floors, while modest studios made do with a handful of rooms. Ye Sinian’s operation was small-scale, claiming just a single ninety-plus-square-meter space.

The elevator descended straight to the ground floor. Ning Jiuwei pulled out her phone and texted Assistant Tan to prepare the custom contract.

“Ning Jiuwei?” The voice came from behind her—warm-toned and instantly approachable.

Ning Jiuwei turned toward the sound. Seeing someone she hadn’t crossed paths with in ages stirred a sense of worlds apart.

“Doctor Shi,” she said evenly, pocketing her half-typed message and greeting Shi Wanxu.

Years had passed since their last encounter, yet Shi Wanxu looked much the same. Her almond eyes gleamed with vibrant energy. She typically sported a low ponytail, but today her long hair fell languidly over her shoulders. Her poised attire and commanding big-sister vibe made her medical profession hard to picture.

Ning Jiuwei took her in; Shi Wanxu did the same, her sharp eyes—adept at catching the slightest micro-expression—dissecting every nuance.

“I’m surprised Doctor Shi still recognizes me,” Ning Jiuwei remarked. She had matured into someone steady and inscrutable, far from the transparent student of old.

Shi Wanxu realized she couldn’t read Ning Jiuwei’s thoughts from her face alone. Approaching with a warm, inviting smile, her gaze fixed steadily. “I almost didn’t. I spotted you stepping out of the elevator and had to double-check.”

Up close, Ning Jiuwei noted the subtle signs of age on Shi Wanxu’s features—time’s gentle etchings.

A hub for commerce, entertainment, shopping, and dining, the Silver Prosperity Building offered plenty of spots to linger. Since fate had reunited them, Ning Jiuwei suggested coffee and a catch-up.

“Are you still at the Second Hospital, Doctor Shi?” Ning Jiuwei sipped her coffee with poised calm. “After all these years, I imagine you’re married by now?”

They chatted like long-lost friends, easing into talk of careers and personal lives.

Shi Wanxu shook her head with a smile and took a delicate sip of her espresso.

“By my reckoning, Doctor Shi, you must be nearing forty.” Ning Jiuwei knew her exact age: thirty-eight.

A job switch wasn’t odd, but singlehood at this stage raised an eyebrow.

“You don’t seem fazed,” Shi Wanxu observed, reading Ning Jiuwei’s posture and gaze before sharing her own update with a grin. “I’ve moved to the First Hospital now. I also teach a Cognitive Psychology course at Jiangji University—two clinic days a week, four lectures.”

Jiangji University sat in Xiajiang District, a remote administrative pocket an hour and a half’s drive away—or an hour by subway.

“No classes or patients today, Doctor Shi?”

“Two lectures this afternoon.” On the topic of teaching, Shi Wanxu turned the question back. “Want to sit in? I can get you on campus and let you audit for free.”

“Sounds good,” Ning Jiuwei replied, her lips quirking into a smile as she agreed.

Shi Wanxu glanced at her wristwatch. Lunchtime was fast approaching. Her afternoon classes were scheduled for the first and second periods, starting at 1:50 p.m. Heading over right after lunch would be perfect.

“How about we grab lunch together?” Shi Wanxu raised the coffee cup in her hand. “You treated me to coffee, so I’ll treat you to lunch.”

“No thanks, I have some work to handle and need to head back to the company.” Ning Jiuwei confirmed the class schedule and said, “Let’s meet at the school gate at 1:20 p.m.”

Shi Wanxu nodded with a smile. “Okay, see you at the school gate.”

Ning Jiuwei slid into the driver’s seat of her car and continued messaging Assistant Tan. By the time she reached the company, the diligent and capable Assistant Tan had already prepared the custom contract. It was stamped and ready for her signature.

“I’m heading to Jiangji University for a class this afternoon,” Ning Jiuwei said as she handed the signed contract to Assistant Tan. “If anything comes up, message me—don’t call.” She added, “Take this contract to Miss Ye for her signature.”

“Got it, Designer Ning.” Assistant Tan clutched the documents and couldn’t resist asking out of curiosity, “What class are you taking, Designer Ning? Further studies?”

“Something like that.”

Assistant Tan left with the documents in her arms. As she turned, she spotted the president standing just two steps from the door—clearly having overheard the conversation inside the office.

“President Su.” Assistant Tan gripped the files a little tighter and slipped past her.

Su Jinglan stepped into Ning Jiuwei’s office, her familiar gentle smile lighting up her face. “What class is Designer Ning attending this afternoon?”

“Psychology.” Ning Jiuwei didn’t hide it. She met Su Jinglan’s gaze, a faint sense of anticipation stirring in her heart.

“I’m free this afternoon, so I’ll tag along with Designer Ning.” Su Jinglan told her. “Jiangji University is my alma mater. I can swing by for a visit, and if there’s time, I’ll show Designer Ning around my old school.”

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