Chapter 2

Sang Ning reacted quickly and didn’t lose her composure. After staring at Shen Tingwan for a moment, she greeted her in the same standard way she always had whenever they met: “Senior Sister, long time no see…”

Their last meeting had been five years ago, when Shen Tingwan returned to the country temporarily and the club gathered once more. That time, the two sat far apart and didn’t even exchange greetings.

Their interactions were few and far between, so Sang Ning was surprised that Shen Tingwan still remembered her.

It was probably because of her ears. She was most easily remembered that way. Suddenly, the presence of her hearing aid grew stronger, gently tugging at her ear.

Shen Tingwan asked, “Do you remember now?”

Sang Ning smiled and nodded.

Shen Tingwan wasn’t surprised that she hadn’t been recognized right away. In her impression, this junior was sweet when she smiled, but otherwise neither cold nor warm. She seemed indifferent to everything except photography.

Yu Shuang, standing nearby, widened her eyes, appearing more excited than the person involved. “You two know each other?”

Sang Ning turned to explain to Yu Shuang, “University senior sister.”

They were from the same department, with Shen Tingwan two years ahead.

Seeing Sang Ning’s calm, unruffled expression, Yu Shuang was even more stunned. How could she forget such a beautiful senior sister? It was truly outrageous—maybe she had prosopagnosia.

“Your junior?” The other woman present spoke up. She leaned forward over the counter. “What would you like to drink? It’s on the house.”

Sang Ning shook her head immediately. “No need.”

“What’s with the politeness? Let your good senior sister treat you,” Wei Xue said with a beaming smile, tilting her head toward Shen Tingwan. “Such a fateful encounter—you have to let your junior drink whatever she wants, right?”

Being teased like that made Sang Ning even more embarrassed. She and Shen Tingwan weren’t that close at all.

Shen Tingwan ignored Wei Xue’s teasing and looked at Sang Ning. “It’s rare to run into each other like this. Help us taste-test a bit.”

With those words, the awkwardness eased considerably.

Yu Shuang’s mouth was quick and sweet: “Great, then we won’t hold back.”

Sang Ning: “…”

Shen Tingwan asked, “What would you like?”

Yu Shuang ordered the signature special latte, and Sang Ning got the same.

Shen Tingwan asked for specific taste preferences. “You two sit down first. It’ll be ready soon.”

“Thank you.”

After turning away, Yu Shuang winked at Sang Ning and said something. Seeing no reaction, she didn’t mind the trouble and sent Sang Ning a WeChat message instead.

Sang Ning checked the message.

[Yu Shuang] So suave and gentle!

It wasn’t the first time Sang Ning had heard people describe Shen Tingwan that way—an undisputed consensus.

Before long, the coffee was ready, and the four sat down at the table.

Sang Ning was still a bit dazed. She happened to sit directly across from Shen Tingwan, at a neither too close nor too distant distance.

She didn’t stare directly at Shen Tingwan. Her gaze occasionally brushed over, but she took in many details: longer hair now, slightly wavy; elegant light makeup; her speech and smiles exuding gentle refinement.

Not much had changed, just more intellectual maturity added to her memory of Shen Tingwan—a charm bestowed extra by time.

Shen Tingwan asked, “Staying in Birch City for work?”

“Mm.” Sang Ning’s fingers traced the coffee cup as she responded politely with small talk. “I heard Senior Sister is working abroad?”

Shen Tingwan replied, “I came back last month and plan to stay in Birch City from now on.”

She would stay in Birch City. Sang Ning remained outwardly calm and simply answered, “Birch City is pretty good too.”

Sang Ning never let conversations go cold, but she also didn’t pry too much into others’ affairs. This sense of propriety made her well-liked in social settings, so she got along with all kinds of people—but it was hard to form deep connections.

Shen Tingwan said, “Yes, pretty good.”

They exchanged a few inconsequential words—acquaintances, half-familiar at best. The situation matched Sang Ning’s expectations perfectly.

In contrast, on the other side, Yu Shuang was already chatting animatedly with Wei Xue, making them seem like the ones reuniting after a long separation.

From the conversation, Sang Ning learned that this coffee shop was opened by Wei Xue, who was Shen Tingwan’s childhood friend.

Wei Xue said, “You’re a photographer? So cool.”

“Not at all, just someone who takes photos,” Yu Shuang replied, her knack for getting familiar on full display. “I’m the one who’s jealous. From childhood, my dream was to open a coffee shop. Yours has such great style—I was drawn in the moment I saw it. And the owner is so beautiful; business must be booming.”

Sang Ning silently glanced at Yu Shuang, remembering how Yu Shuang had just said the place would close in half a year… Not blushing when lying was a remarkable skill.

“I’ll take your good words,” Wei Xue laughed, then added, “My shop is actually looking for a photographer to shoot some promo materials.”

Yu Shuang said, “Hire us! You treat us to coffee, and we’ll give you a discount.”

Wei Xue: “That good?”

Yu Shuang: “Absolutely.”

Sang Ning admired Yu Shuang too. As expected of the top salesperson among photographers—she’d exchanged business cards in under five minutes, never missing a chance to expand her network.

Thanks to Yu Shuang, their studio never lacked clients.

Shen Tingwan took the business card Yu Shuang handed over—for a studio called Weiming. She looked at Sang Ning. “You’re a photographer now?”

Sang Ning: “Mm.”

Shen Tingwan: “It suits you well.”

Sang Ning smiled faintly, unsure if Shen Tingwan had a deeper impression of her or if it was just politeness.

Wei Xue and Yu Shuang were still chatting enthusiastically, smoothly moving to exchanging WeChat contacts.

Ultimately, it was for work. In such cases, if Yu Shuang added someone, Sang Ning didn’t duplicate it. Besides, she already had Shen Tingwan’s WeChat, though they’d only messaged once.

After adding Yu Shuang, Shen Tingwan asked Sang Ning, “Did we add each other on WeChat?”

It was exactly what Sang Ning had been thinking—subtle. Pretending to think, Sang Ning replied, “I think so.”

Shen Tingwan smiled lightly. “I work at a magazine. I hope we get a chance to collaborate.”

Sang Ning’s fingertips brushed the coffee cup again, and she glanced at her briefly. “I hope so.”

Shen Tingwan raised an eyebrow slightly. That “I hope so” didn’t sound hopeful at all.

Yu Shuang asked enthusiastically, “Sister, which magazine?”

Shen Tingwan: “Observation.”

Yu Shuang: “Wow, that’s impressive.”

Shen Tingwan smiled modestly. “You’re too kind.”

Sang Ning picked up her cup to take another sip, only realizing when it reached her lips that it was empty.

Shen Tingwan noticed and asked, “Another cup?”

Sang Ning calmly set the cup down. “No need.”

Shen Tingwan said, “Too much caffeine at night affects sleep. If you like it, come back next time.”

Sang Ning nodded with a smile. As always, Shen Tingwan’s gentle way of speaking made people feel comfortable, no matter the occasion.

Wei Xue saw Sang Ning’s smile. “Tingwan, your junior is so sweet.”

Sang Ning was often called sweet and always accepted it with a smile, without explanation.

Shen Tingwan smiled without speaking. Sweet? Just an illusion.

*

At 8:30, Sang Ning and Yu Shuang left.

As soon as they stepped out, Yu Shuang couldn’t wait to complain. “I’m not saying, but what’s with your memory? You forgot a goddess like that?”

Sang Ning said softly, “We met a few times. Not close.”

Yu Shuang laughed. “I just realized how heartless you are. After so long, she still remembers you, and you say ‘not close.'”

Sang Ning walked absentmindedly. She knew many things about Shen Tingwan: a Birch City local from a well-off scholarly family. In middle school, Shen Tingwan frequently published articles in magazines, played piano, was multi-talented with excellent grades—a focal figure at school, the flawless high flower in everyone’s eyes.

But they truly weren’t close.

Their most intimate interaction was just like tonight: running into each other and calling her “Senior Sister.”

Yu Shuang continued, “She must have had tons of admirers in university, right? Definitely the type who appeals to both men and women.”

Sang Ning gazed into the distance. “Probably.”

The answer in her heart was more certain: Shen Tingwan never lacked admirers—so many that “being liked was a disturbance.”

Yu Shuang tilted her head and looked at Sang Ning a few times. “Are you sure you’re a lesbian?”

Sang Ning didn’t react at first, giving Yu Shuang a puzzled look.

Yu Shuang grew anxious. “How are you not excited at all seeing a beauty?! Don’t you think your senior sister’s vibe is total ‘lesbian dream girl’ material?”

Sang Ning paused, then looked at Yu Shuang calmly. She had been plenty excited tonight.

…

Shen Tingwan stayed a bit longer at Wei Xue’s shop and idly opened WeChat out of boredom.

She rarely posted Moments or checked them; WeChat was just a communication tool for her.

On a whim, she searched “Sang Ning” in her contacts. A matching contact appeared near the top, with a profile picture of a serene starry sky.

She tapped into the Moments page.

It was all photography-related: work shoots, daily records, and photos from charity events.

Shen Tingwan scrolled down slowly, looking with interest.

Sang Ning’s photos were inspired—clean and simple scenes full of story. She’d noticed it before: Sang Ning was very suited to be a photographer.

Further down was a behind-the-scenes shot.

Shen Tingwan tapped it open. The person in the frame held a camera, her side profile slim and delicate, with a serene and gentle temperament laced with resilience.

They had met again.

Quite fateful.