Sang Ning was more stubborn than Shen Tingwan had imagined. After so many interactions, she had some understanding of Sang Ning’s temperament. If she slept on the sofa herself, that certain someone probably wouldn’t sleep well that night.
After making the suggestion, Shen Tingwan decided: “That’s it. Don’t argue.”
Sang Ning hesitated as if to speak but didn’t continue bickering with Shen Tingwan. Her voice carried a hint of hoarseness, sounding utterly exhausted.
The master bedroom was spacious, formed by combining two rooms, and the decor had good taste—Shen Tingwan had fallen in love with this place at first sight.
Sang Ning followed Shen Tingwan into the bedroom and glanced at the bathroom, feeling a bit dumbfounded. It was a semi-open glass design; from the bedside, one could vaguely see the shower and bathtub. It was a bold and distinctive style…
Shen Tingwan knew she was thin-skinned and turned her head to say, “There’s a guest bathroom next door.”
Sang Ning breathed a sigh of relief and responded with an “Mm.”
Shen Tingwan was truly exhausted. While Sang Ning went to the bathroom next door to shower, she closed the door and headed to the master bedroom’s shower.
Before showering, Sang Ning removed her hearing aid and placed it in the charging case to charge. She turned on the bathroom light—it was bright and tidy, clearly not used often.
Warm water cascaded down, quickly filling the bathroom with hot steam. Sang Ning washed absentmindedly; the shower failed to calm her mood.
After finishing, she packed up her changed clothes and tidied the bathroom. She loved cleanliness—after every shower, she never left a single strand of hair behind.
When she emerged from the bathroom, the rain had finally lessened.
Sang Ning checked her phone—it was nearly ten-thirty. She had healthy sleep habits, usually going to bed around eleven, and by this time, she would normally be preparing to sleep. But tonight, she felt no sleepiness at all.
At the master bedroom door, Sang Ning’s heart rate noticeably quickened… She worried Shen Tingwan might not be done showering inside, so she sat on the sofa to wait a little longer.
The house had a minimalist style, and Shen Tingwan’s things were few. Sang Ning guessed she didn’t often bring friends here—there were no guest rooms, all traces of solitary living.
Yu Shuang had sent several WeChat messages; she hadn’t replied earlier while watching the movie.
[Yu Shuang] At which friend’s place?
[Yu Shuang] ???
[Yu Shuang] Am I not your best friend?
Sang Ning feared saying it was Shen Tingwan’s place—Yu Shuang couldn’t keep her mouth shut and would blab. So she lied, saying it was a friend Yu Shuang didn’t know.
Yu Shuang was a night owl, active at this hour. She found Sang Ning’s reply puzzling; she knew Sang Ning’s social circle well, with few friends she didn’t know, let alone ones close enough for an overnight stay.
Shen Tingwan took her time showering. After blow-drying her hair, she still didn’t see Sang Ning return to the room. Realizing what was happening, she walked out toward the bedroom door.
Sang Ning was still sitting on the sofa looking at her phone, her hearing aid removed, unaware of Shen Tingwan opening the door.
Until she heard a voice: “Come in.”
In the quiet environment, Sang Ning could hear sounds without her hearing aid, though faintly. She looked up at the sound—Shen Tingwan had changed into a light-colored robe, her fair skin slightly flushed, probably from the recent shower.
Shen Tingwan thought she hadn’t heard clearly and repeated, “I’m done. Come in.”
“Mm.” Sang Ning nodded, maintaining her usual calm demeanor. But with the person she liked appearing like this, it was hard to stay composed. She followed Shen Tingwan back to the bedroom, her mind a whirlwind.
“The bedding was changed by the auntie today.” Shen Tingwan closed the door and turned to the person beside her. “Sleep on whichever side you prefer.”
Sang Ning: “Either side is fine for me.”
Just then, Shen Tingwan received a call from Jiang Yunchun—probably checking if she’d been drinking. “You go ahead and sleep. I’ll take this call.”
Waiting idly felt awkward, so Sang Ning lay down on the nearer side of the bed. Fortunately, the sheets were freshly changed, carrying only the scent of laundry beads.
Shen Tingwan answered the call, chatting idly with the old lady for a few minutes and getting nagged about drinking before hanging up.
When she returned to the bedroom, Shen Tingwan found Sang Ning lying on her side on one edge of the bed, eyes peacefully closed. Incredulously, she stared for a moment before smiling—how quickly had she fallen asleep?
She’d heard that simple-minded people fell asleep fast, and tonight Shen Tingwan witnessed it. She envied her a bit, lightening her steps as she approached the bed.
Sang Ning was still wide awake. When Shen Tingwan got into bed and lay down not far from her, turning off the light… every little movement was crystal clear to her with eyes closed, even amplified.
The 1.8-meter bed was more than ample for two people. They both had a sense of propriety; after lying down, they left space between them.
Though sharing the same bed, it wasn’t intimate.
Sang Ning found it slightly more bearable…
Shen Tingwan rarely shared a bed with anyone and usually slept poorly in such situations, but tonight it didn’t affect her much. Perhaps because she was too tired, or maybe because she felt a sense of trust toward Sang Ning—she was always unusually relaxed around her.
The rain sounds from outside were just right, like soothing white noise for sleep. Everything felt comfortable, and Shen Tingwan drifted off.
Sang Ning couldn’t hear the rain, but she sensitively felt Shen Tingwan turn over shallowly twice before falling completely still. She must be asleep.
Thinking over the night’s events, Sang Ning remained awake. Shen Tingwan had been so gentle and considerate toward her, leaving her unsatisfied and wanting to draw even closer… She buried the side of her face into the pillow, quietly inhaling, knowing it was too greedy.
Sang Ning didn’t know when she finally fell asleep—it must have been in the latter half of the night, after staying up until her head grew groggy.
Shen Tingwan slept well that night. She woke naturally at eight, and upon opening her eyes, she saw a clear, fair face on the pillow beside her. She was usually alone, so it took her a moment to gather her wits—
They had still slept properly, but compared to before sleep, the distance between them had closed considerably. Sang Ning had turned over during the night and now lay on her side facing Shen Tingwan in the morning light.
Shen Tingwan came to her senses, faintly feeling the warmth from the other person in the covers. She gazed lazily at the face on the pillow—soft and clear, like winter sunlight, not scorching but always warm.
The phone alarm on the bedside table rang and vibrated.
Sang Ning didn’t notice the alarm at all. She had a biological clock, but after staying up late, she was sleeping deeply now, her ears unable to hear other sounds.
The alarm kept ringing.
Shen Tingwan propped herself up and reached over to turn it off. She glanced down—Sang Ning was sleeping comfortably. She couldn’t help but smile quietly; she slept so soundly.
Considering she’d set an alarm, she probably had something to do. Shen Tingwan called out softly, “Time to get up.”
Sang Ning couldn’t hear the gentle whisper and remained motionless.
Shen Tingwan called again: “Sang Ning.”
Still no reaction.
Helpless, Shen Tingwan reached out and lightly patted her cheek, leaning close to her right ear: “Get up.”
Sang Ning only opened her eyes groggily when her cheek was touched, her head still foggy from the late night. Seeing Shen Tingwan’s face right in front of her, she thought she was dreaming and just stared blankly.
Her just-woken gaze was as undisciplined as when drunk… Shen Tingwan smiled and teased her: “Had enough looking?”
Sang Ning couldn’t hear clearly and turned her head, rubbing her face against Shen Tingwan’s palm before drifting back to sleep.
Shen Tingwan’s palm warmed, feeling a bit ticklish. Helpless, her gaze fell on a soft pair of lips. Realizing she’d lingered too long, she gently shifted her eyes away.
Her cheek was pinched twice more, and Sang Ning slowly woke from her dream. Seeing Shen Tingwan, she instinctively called out familiarly, “Senior.”
Her voice was soft and coquettish right after waking. Shen Tingwan smiled, momentarily stunned—she’d never imagined Sang Ning could be so coquettish. In this moment, it felt like they’d been living together for ages…
A brief silence.
Shen Tingwan teased her: “Finally awake? The alarm just went off.”
“I didn’t hear it…” Now fully awake, Sang Ning’s neck heated up. Looking at Shen Tingwan from close range, she tried hard to keep her heartbeat and breathing steady.
Shen Tingwan pulled back, and with the person awake, she got out of bed to freshen up.
Sang Ning sat up on the bed. Not lingering long, she went to the other bathroom to freshen up.
Afterward, Shen Tingwan layered a long knit cardigan over her robe and habitually started making coffee first. She ground the beans and glanced out the window—the raging wind and rain from yesterday had cleared, with sunlight just right.
“Senior.”
Shen Tingwan looked up. Sang Ning had changed clothes—long hair to her back, white T-shirt and jeans, holding a jacket, the morning light soft behind her.
Sang Ning saw her looking and didn’t speak. “What’s wrong?”
Shen Tingwan smiled and asked: “Want coffee?”
Sang Ning had a habit of drinking coffee too, and time wasn’t pressing. Looking at Shen Tingwan’s face, she couldn’t help nodding.
A bit more time together. Sang Ning sat on the high stool by the island counter, watching Shen Tingwan make coffee. The freshly ground beans released a rich, warm aroma.
Pressing the grounds, Shen Tingwan’s coffee-making motions were skilled. Sang Ning couldn’t help staring at her hands—every movement was pleasing to the eye.
Shen Tingwan asked: “Americano?”
Sang Ning glanced at her. “Mm.”
Shen Tingwan: “With ice?”
Sang Ning: “Yes.”
Shen Tingwan smiled while working, head lowered—progress, no “thank you.”
Seeing her smile like that, Sang Ning’s heart melted. Mornings after waking made one gentler. But she couldn’t stare too long; she turned to gaze out the floor-to-ceiling window. The whole city awakened under the sunlight, breathtakingly beautiful. She smiled happily—today was another good mood.
Shen Tingwan, now adept at directing, said, “Go get two ice cups.”
Sang Ning stood. “Okay.”
Shen Tingwan spaced out a little—from last night’s call until now, letting another person fully enter her life didn’t seem so resistant after all.
The coffee’s bitterness was refreshing. After finishing, Sang Ning set down her glass. “Senior, I have work this morning. I’ll head out first.”
Shen Tingwan was resting at home today. Watching the retreating back, she still called out, “Wait for me.”
Sang Ning: “Hm?”
Shen Tingwan: “I’ll change clothes. We’ll go together.”
