Chapter 29

Shen Tingwan said, “I’m on the way.”

Sang Ning stared at her, suddenly feeling as if she had returned to their first meeting years ago. But now, Shen Tingwan’s smile was more mature and gentle…

“It’ll be quick,” Shen Tingwan said softly. She washed her hands, dried them with a paper towel, then took off her knit sweater and headed to the bedroom.

As she turned away, Sang Ning’s gaze followed her back.

A few minutes later, Shen Tingwan emerged dressed casually, going out bare-faced as usual.

Downstairs, the bakery’s freshly baked bread filled the air with its aroma. The two bought some to eat for breakfast.

Back in the car, Sang Ning held the warm bread. Sunlight bathed the world outside, and when she glanced back, Shen Tingwan sat right beside her. In that moment, she already felt so happy—a scene she couldn’t even dream of.

Shen Tingwan didn’t usually eat in the car. Before starting the engine, she looked at Sang Ning. “Why aren’t you eating?”

Sang Ning didn’t eat in other people’s cars either—it felt unsanitary if she made a mess. “I’m not hungry yet.”

Shen Tingwan said, “It’s fine, go ahead.”

Sang Ning still shook her head. “I’m not used to eating in the car.”

Shen Tingwan gripped the steering wheel and smiled. Their lifestyles were quite similar, and their tastes matched too.

The car drove along in the warm sunlight.

Sang Ning checked the property group chat in her spare time. The power had only come back on at six that morning. Last night, she had been lucky that Shen Tingwan picked her up in time—otherwise, with the storm and blackout, it would have been a real hassle.

Traffic was decent that day, not too congested.

Shen Tingwan pulled up steadily in front of the studio.

Sang Ning unbuckled her seatbelt. Thinking Shen Tingwan was in a rush too, she didn’t invite her in. She turned to Shen Tingwan, paused for a second, and said, “I’m off to work.”

It sounded like she was dutifully reporting in. A hint of laughter flickered in Shen Tingwan’s eyes. “Mm.”

Sang Ning pushed open the car door and was about to get out when Shen Tingwan called her back.

Shen Tingwan handed her the bag of bread from the side. “You forgot your breakfast.”

Sang Ning took the breakfast bag with a smile and swallowed back her thanks. Without saying “thank you,” things between them felt even more intimate.

Shen Tingwan felt the same way—like they were dating… She laughed at herself for overthinking, then looked at Sang Ning’s face again and found it amusing. “You’re still half-asleep, aren’t you? So dazed.”

Sang Ning: “…”

Shen Tingwan stopped teasing her. “Go on, get to work.”

Sang Ning got out with her bags and headed to the studio. Yu Shuang hadn’t arrived yet; the door was still locked.

With some time to kill, Shen Tingwan stopped by Wei Xue’s Store nearby.

After Sang Ning turned on her computer, she saw a WeChat from Yu Shuang.

[Yu Shuang] I’m not coming to the studio this morning

[Yu Shuang] Order lunch and deduct 1

Sang Ning didn’t bother agonizing over lunch. She cooperated with a quick “1.”

Yu Shuang’s friend lived far away. She had client meetings outside that morning anyway, so she went straight there—it was more convenient.

At noon, after finishing her work, Yu Shuang picked up two portions of food on the way back. As she pushed open the studio door, she found Sang Ning passed out on the desk, the photo on her screen unfinished.

Yu Shuang rarely saw Sang Ning this exhausted.

Sang Ning relied heavily on sleep. If she slept well the night before, she stayed energized all day without needing a nap. Otherwise, she ended up like this—wilted.

Seeing her like that, Yu Shuang figured she’d stayed up late. She hesitated whether to wake her for lunch, but then her foot caught on a chair, making a noise.

No need to hesitate anymore.

Sang Ning jolted awake at the sudden sound, her neck sore. She rubbed it and looked up to see Yu Shuang. “You’re back.”

Yu Shuang had also bought a bag of oranges. She sat down and peeled one first.

The squeezed orange peel released a tangy-sweet scent into the air, invigorating. Sang Ning took the half Yu Shuang offered and ate a segment, feeling more alert.

Yu Shuang asked vaguely while eating, “How’d you get so tired? Stayed up late?”

Sang Ning said, “Mm.”

Without enough sleep, she couldn’t muster any energy.

Yu Shuang pondered for a moment. She hadn’t managed to pry out where Sang Ning had spent the night, and it seemed suspicious. Now she looked wiped out… She popped an orange segment into her mouth and suddenly found it sour. “You… didn’t stay up all night with your girlfriend, did you?”

Sang Ning nearly bit her own tongue.

The more Yu Shuang thought, the more it fit. Something felt off. “Sang Ning, are you secretly dating behind my back?”

Sang Ning: “No.”

Yu Shuang was dying of curiosity and pressed on. “Then where did you crash last night?”

Sang Ning sighed inwardly. Clearly, she wouldn’t let it go without an answer. She replied calmly, “My senior sister’s place.”

Yu Shuang: “Shen Tingwan?”

Sang Ning nodded.

Yu Shuang: “You said it was someone I didn’t know?”

Sang Ning started to explain.

Yu Shuang asked, gossiping and shocked, “You’re dating your senior sister?!”

Sang Ning: “…”

She knew Yu Shuang would react like that.

Yu Shuang stared blankly, her voice dropping a bit. “How intense was it to leave you this wiped out?”

“Don’t talk nonsense,” Sang Ning interrupted her wild imaginings in a panic. “It’s not like that. Just crashing at a friend’s place.”

Seeing Sang Ning explain so earnestly, Yu Shuang reined in her thoughts. “Why wouldn’t you tell me you stayed at your senior sister’s?”

Sang Ning thought about it—maybe she’d felt guilty for no reason. There was no need to hide it. She huffed, “I was afraid you’d blab and cause misunderstandings. Last time, you…”

Yu Shuang recalled the chat Shen Tingwan had overheard. “How was I blabbing last time? I was just stating facts.”

Sang Ning frowned. “Anyway, don’t spread it around.”

Yu Shuang: “You and your senior sister are pretty close now, huh? Close enough to spend the night.”

Sang Ning didn’t know how to respond.

Yu Shuang remembered how Shen Tingwan had taken such good care of drunk Sang Ning last time— so thoughtful. She sighed. “I want a beautiful, gentle senior sister to take care of me too.”

Sang Ning smiled. At least that topic was over.

Work was light on Wednesday. That morning, they gave the studio a thorough cleaning. With the sun out, everything looked bright and fresh.

Just then, a blue butterfly landed on the windowsill. Sang Ning spotted it, crept closer with her camera, and snapped several shots—an unexpected delight that lifted her mood.

After some quick editing, Sang Ning thought about posting the photos to her Moments but hesitated after drafting it. After mulling it over, she sent them directly to Shen Tingwan instead.

It had been over half a month since they’d messaged on WeChat.

Maybe it was Shen Tingwan’s joking words from before that gave her the courage to reach out.

Sang Ning’s mind blanked; she didn’t know what to say. In the end, she just sent the photos.

Shen Tingwan’s work schedule was packed; she had no time to check her phone. It wasn’t until after the morning topic meeting that she returned to her office for a brief lull.

She picked up her phone and was surprised by the message. Then she smiled. Several photos of a blue butterfly, dreamy and beautiful in the sunlight.

She smiled at them for a while. She messaged me first.

Half an hour passed, and Sang Ning checked her phone repeatedly. On what felt like the umpteenth glance, Shen Tingwan finally replied.

[Shen Tingwan] So pretty

[Shen Tingwan] Taken today?

Sang Ning replied immediately: Just now.

Afraid she’d be too slow and Shen Tingwan would get busy again.

[Shen Tingwan] Just finished a meeting

[Shen Tingwan] Not busy today?

[Sang Ning] Not busy today

[Sang Ning] Did a big cleanup this morning

A few minutes later.

[Shen Tingwan] What’s for lunch today?

Sang Ning’s heart warmed. Even when they weren’t talking, she’d been waiting for Shen Tingwan to message her. She replied: Not sure yet, depends on what Yu Shuang wants.

Lunch was usually Yu Shuang’s call; Sang Ning didn’t mind.

Soon, Shen Tingwan sent a voice message. Sang Ning usually converted voice notes to text, but this time she held the phone to her ear and listened carefully.

Shen Tingwan probably didn’t have time to type; it sounded like she was speaking while walking. “Don’t order lunch. There’s a great restaurant nearby—I ordered delivery for you.”

Sang Ning listened several times.

She didn’t say no need or thanks. She knew Shen Tingwan didn’t like hearing that.

Sang Ning told Yu Shuang someone was treating them to lunch—no need to order. Yu Shuang’s eyes lit up.

When the delivery arrived at noon, Yu Shuang’s eyes lit up even more. “Fancy spread! Who’s the generous soul?”

Sang Ning hesitated.

Yu Shuang guessed boldly, “Your senior sister?”

Sang Ning nodded by default.

Yu Shuang forgot about the food for a second and stared at her. “Sang Ning, don’t you think your senior sister is really good to you?”

“Yeah, she is,” Sang Ning agreed. Shen Tingwan was so considerate.

“So,” Yu Shuang analyzed carefully, “doesn’t it seem like she’s into you?”

“No.” Sang Ning smiled calmly and confidently. “She’s just that nice to people.”

Yu Shuang looked at the feast. “Then what’s all this? Isn’t it a bit too nice?”

“Just a senior sister looking after her junior,” Sang Ning said nonchalantly, changing the subject. “Let’s eat.”

“Sang Ning.” Yu Shuang couldn’t hold back. “Whoever tries to chase you would probably die of frustration.”

Sang Ning fell silent. She knew Shen Tingwan didn’t like women—Shen Tingwan had said so herself. It was impossible. And her standards for a partner were sky-high…

No reason to overthink it.

Sang Ning snapped a photo of the lunch and sent it to Shen Tingwan, saying it was delicious. No reply came.

Shen Tingwan must have been busy that afternoon. Sang Ning didn’t hear back until evening—around nine, when Shen Tingwan called.

Sang Ning picked up right away.

…

Shen Tingwan had just gotten home and was resting on the sofa. When the call connected, she heard the expected “Senior Sister” and made small talk. “Was lunch good today?”

“Delicious.” Hearing her voice so languid, Sang Ning asked, “Do you have a dinner tonight?”

“Yeah,” Shen Tingwan chuckled softly. “Just got home.”

Like last time, she seemed to call after drinking. Sang Ning couldn’t help asking, “Tired?”

Shen Tingwan’s heart warmed, an inexplicable feeling—like she was starting to rely on her junior sister’s concern. She wasn’t used to showing fatigue to others, but now it came naturally as a soft sigh. “Tired.”

Sang Ning pursed her lips. “Senior Sister.”

Shen Tingwan held the phone to her ear. “What?”

Sang Ning said, “No drinking tonight.”

Hearing that caring tone, Shen Tingwan laughed. “Should I call you Senior Sister instead?”

Sang Ning’s cheeks heated. It felt like a murmur right in her ear. Calming herself, she explained earnestly, “Grandma told me to keep an eye on you…”

Shen Tingwan breathed shallowly for a moment, then said softly, “Okay. I’ll listen to my junior sister.”