Spoiled? Sang Ning kept a calm expression, but waves surged in her heart—waves that only she knew about. She had thought she behaved properly that day, and Yu Shuang had said she was very well-mannered when drunk.
“I might have talked nonsense when drunk,” Sang Ning said, forcing herself to stay composed. “Don’t take it to heart.”
“You didn’t talk nonsense,” Shen Tingwan replied with a beautiful smile. “You just kept acting spoiled with me.”
Sang Ning: “…………”
Shen Tingwan looked at her pursed lips and quiet expression, then chuckled lightly. The contrast that day had been too great, and she grew a bit more curious. Just how much of a repressed tease was she?
Shen Tingwan continued eating her meal slowly and methodically. The cafeteria food wasn’t bad.
“Anyway,” Sang Ning said earnestly, “thank you, senior sister.”
Shen Tingwan looked up leisurely and stared at her without speaking.
Sang Ning asked, “What’s wrong?”
Shen Tingwan said, “Don’t say ‘thank you’ to me anymore.”
There was a hint of dominance in her tone, the kind reserved only for those she was close to. Sang Ning smiled silently.
Shen Tingwan insisted on hearing her response and pressed, “Got it?”
Sang Ning had no choice. “Got it.”
The two hurriedly ate lunch together in the cafeteria, exchanging few words before they each had to get back to work.
Back at the studio, Sang Ning received a call from Liu Yang about some work. Next month was National Day, and Liu Yang wanted to update a set of promotional photos for the homestay to attract more guests.
Sang Ning checked her schedule for the month—it wasn’t busy, so she could take it on.
She set the departure for Little Mi Mountain on Wednesday. Both Wednesday and Thursday were forecasted to be sunny, perfect for outdoor shooting.
This year’s summer in Birch City had been shorter than usual, and by late September, the weather had cooled down. Before she left, Liu Yang specially messaged her, saying the temperature in the mountains had dropped a lot and reminding her to dress warmly, or she’d freeze.
As soon as Sang Ning entered the mountains, she found it much colder than last time. The weather forecast said it would cool even more in the coming days.
She arrived in the afternoon. The moment they met, Liu Yang asked, “Have you had lunch?”
“I’ve eaten.”
Liu Yang said, “Go ahead with your work. I won’t bother you. We’ll eat dinner together tonight.”
Sang Ning replied, “Sure.”
It was the off-season for travel, and not a weekend, so the homestay had few guests, making it easy to get good shots.
Sang Ning planned to stay an extra night in Little Mi Mountain and shoot some sunrise photos the next morning—last time, she hadn’t caught the sunrise.
That evening, Liu Yang cooked personally, and Sang Ning helped out in the kitchen. She was slow to warm up and didn’t have many close friends, but once she got familiar with someone, she was very thoughtful and sincere.
It had taken several dealings for Sang Ning to get close to Liu Yang. Upon learning they were alumni, Liu Yang always came to her for photography needs and had introduced quite a few clients her way.
After dinner, Sang Ning took some nightscape photos, then carried her camera to the mountaintop to capture other scenery.
Traveling alone to different places and shooting various landscapes was something she was used to.
It was a weekday, so there weren’t many campers at the summit. A few young couples stood by the railing, chatting and laughing. With the evening mountain wind strong and cold, the couples naturally huddled together.
Sang Ning appeared solitary by comparison. She wrapped her fleece-lined jacket tighter around herself, her nose reddened slightly by the cold wind. Turning her head, she saw one girl hugging another, the scene warm and tinged with obvious ambiguity.
She felt a touch of envy.
How lucky it would be if the person you liked also liked you back.
She thought of Shen Tingwan but didn’t feel sad. She had never dared to hope for possession, so she felt at peace. She didn’t think secretly liking someone was painful either. On the contrary, just knowing Shen Tingwan was already fortunate enough.
Sang Ning raised her camera and captured the silhouette of the embracing pair: the forest, the starry sky, the hug, the lovers—a tiny frame filled with happiness. Looking at it, her mood lifted.
Afterward, she explained the photo to the two girls, who loved it after seeing it. She asked for their email and said she’d send it later.
Sang Ning didn’t do this often—it was troublesome—unless she captured a shot she really liked. Then she’d approach the subjects, explain, and only save it with permission.
After spending some time alone at the summit stargazing and zoning out for half an hour, she returned to the homestay. She needed to sleep early tonight for an early rise tomorrow.
The next day, before dawn, Sang Ning went back to the mountaintop to wait for sunrise. Fortunately, her early effort paid off, and she got some great photos.
After returning from the summit, she warmed herself with a cup of steaming soy milk and posted the sunrise photos to her Moments, tagging the location as Little Mi Mountain.
Around ten o’clock, she saw that Shen Tingwan had liked her post. She smiled even more happily—mission accomplished, she’d seen the sunrise.
…
Shen Tingwan wasn’t feeling well; she’d been coughing all morning.
She had caught a cold from the air conditioning the day before. She thought it was nothing at first, but by evening, her throat was inflamed. The medicine didn’t help much, and today it was worse. She took the day off from the company and rested at home.
Seeing Sang Ning’s sunrise post, she realized she’d gone back to Little Mi Mountain. Bored, she scrolled through Moments more and saw that the posts below Sang Ning’s were from Liu Yang—similar sunrise shots, plus a few photos of Sang Ning at work.
Only then did Shen Tingwan learn from Liu Yang’s Moments that Sang Ning had arrived yesterday.
The outdoor sunlight looked bright and cheerful, but in her condition, she had no energy to go out. That morning, she watched a movie—not a great one, boring enough to make her drowsy.
After handling a few urgent work emails from home, Shen Tingwan poured herself a glass of warm water to soothe her throat. It still hurt, so she checked next month’s work schedule again…
Then, she made a phone call.
Sang Ning was resting and eating fruit when Shen Tingwan called—a bit sudden. She had saved the number from their previous collaboration, but they mostly used WeChat and rarely called.
“Senior sister?”
Shen Tingwan said, “There’s something I need to tell you.”
Sang Ning heard how hoarse her voice was. “…What is it?”
Shen Tingwan explained the schedule adjustment for the shoot. “Probably early next month.”
Since she called specifically, Sang Ning guessed it was work-related, but she was surprised Shen Tingwan told her personally. She replied in a professional tone, “That works. We can coordinate anytime.”
After finishing the business, Shen Tingwan leaned on the sofa and casually asked, “Went to see your senior sister again?”
The topic shifted too quickly. Every time Shen Tingwan said “your senior sister,” Sang Ning felt a bit awkward. She explained, “It’s work. I came to the homestay for a shoot.”
Shen Tingwan acknowledged, “Mm.”
Neither spoke, and neither hung up immediately—a brief silence.
Shen Tingwan asked, “When are you coming back?”
“This afternoon…” Sang Ning’s attention was fully on her voice. “Are you not feeling well?”
“My throat’s inflamed. Resting at home.”
Sang Ning could tell it sounded serious. “Did you take medicine?”
Hearing the prompt concern eased Shen Tingwan’s mood, and she smiled as she answered, “I did.”
Sang Ning replied, “Mm.”
After handling business and chatting a bit personally, they hung up. Shen Tingwan looked at the call log on her phone and chuckled at herself for being bored, yet craving that earnest concern.
Sang Ning finished shooting that morning and didn’t eat lunch at Liu Yang’s homestay. She left the scenic area directly and took the high-speed rail back to Birch City. She bought a seaweed rice ball at the station for lunch.
She arrived home a little after three in the afternoon. The bus-to-high-speed-rail trip had been tiring.
Exhausted and dusty from travel, she headed straight to the bathroom for a shower and changed into clean clothes.
After blow-drying her hair, Sang Ning picked up her phone, hesitated for a while, and then called Shen Tingwan.
Shen Tingwan saw the caller ID “Sang Ning” and paused briefly—was it about work? She answered, “Hello?”
Her voice was still very hoarse. Sang Ning asked, “Feeling better?”
Shen Tingwan said, “A bit.”
Sang Ning: “Does your throat hurt?”
Shen Tingwan: “A little.”
Sang Ning asked quietly, “Are you home alone?”
Shen Tingwan replied with a “Mm,” surprised. Without business, it was just small talk. She smiled faintly—seemed like she was quite concerned.
“I’m back in Birch City,” Sang Ning said. “Want me to come keep you company?”
Shen Tingwan paused mid-page-turn, silent for a moment.
Sang Ning bit her lip lightly.
Was this inappropriate? Too much concern?
Shen Tingwan smiled. “You just got back. Rest well.”
Her tone remained gentle and intimate. Sang Ning relaxed a little. “It’s fine, I’m not tired. If you need me, I can come over…”
“No,” Shen Tingwan refused softly. “Even if you’re not tired, rest properly.”
No business trip was without fatigue.
Sang Ning lowered her head quietly, wanting to say more, but since Shen Tingwan had said so, she knew her limits. She replied softly, “Okay.”
They hung up.
Shen Tingwan chuckled soundlessly again, unable to explain why. Talking to Sang Ning was always interesting and comfortable. She was such a quiet person, few words, no sweet talk.
She read until evening but had no appetite for dinner and planned to skip it.
Around six, she suddenly saw a WeChat from Sang Ning.
【Sang Ning】I’ve rested well.
