Seeing that Sang Ning had no intention of elaborating, no one pressed her further. The others continued chatting, openly sharing their own romantic experiences.
Sang Ning kept her head down and stayed quiet. Talking about this topic next to Shen Tingwan made her feel inevitably guilty, so she was distracted and accidentally knocked over a can of beer on the coffee table. She quickly righted the can, but a small patch of the table was still wet.
Shen Tingwan calmly handed her a tissue.
Sang Ning glanced at her quickly, took it, and wiped up the spill.
Shen Tingwan gave her a faint look. Was she really so out of it? She sipped her drink slowly. A moment later, she turned to the person on her left. “Is it because there’s someone you can’t let go of in your heart, so you haven’t dated?”
Her voice wasn’t loud, but since it came from her right ear, Sang Ning heard it clearly. She hadn’t expected Shen Tingwan to continue on this topic. She glanced at Shen Tingwan, her heart uneasy but her lips silent.
As soon as the topic came up, Sang Ning clammed up. Shen Tingwan knew her limits and didn’t press relentlessly. Seeing Sang Ning’s reaction, she couldn’t help but chuckle lightly. “Do you like them that much?”
Sang Ning didn’t know how to respond, her gaze flickering away as she continued to stay silent.
Shen Tingwan: “…”
Someone suddenly asked, “Sang Ning, I want to buy a camera. Can you recommend one? Something suitable for beginners, and how do I choose lenses?”
With a familiar topic, Sang Ning relaxed a bit and patiently asked about the person’s usual shooting preferences before recommending a few cameras and lenses tailored to their needs.
There was also a photography enthusiast in the group, and the three of them chatted animatedly.
When discussing something she was familiar with and interested in, Sang Ning spoke more than usual, but she was still a little distracted. Shen Tingwan seemed unusually quiet tonight.
During a lull in the conversation, she turned back to look at Shen Tingwan and called out, “Senior…”
Shen Tingwan looked at her. “Hm?”
Sang Ning asked, “Are you feeling unwell?”
Shen Tingwan smiled faintly. “No.”
Sang Ning: “Okay.”
They sat for over an hour before people started leaving one by one. Sang Ning saw that Shen Tingwan hadn’t gotten up, so she stayed a bit longer.
Shen Tingwan hummed lightly. “Aren’t you going back?”
Sang Ning hesitated, then took the initiative. “Let me walk you home. You’ve been drinking…”
Playing the thoughtful junior again. Shen Tingwan looked at her for a few seconds. “No need. I’ll catch a ride with a friend later. You go ahead and rest early.”
Sang Ning pressed her lips together, then said slowly, “Text me when you get home.” She had thought about this before saying it. Shen Tingwan had done the same for her, so it was fine to show concern.
Shen Tingwan felt a bit helpless, then smiled. “Alright.”
Only then did Sang Ning leave.
Once most people had gone, Wei Xue plopped down next to Shen Tingwan, sipping her drink as her gaze leisurely scanned her.
Shen Tingwan’s voice carried a hint of fatigue. “Why are you staring at me?”
Wei Xue grinned brightly, teasing her while drinking. “Unhappy that your junior has someone in her heart?”
Shen Tingwan frowned slightly and ignored the jab. “By the way, come shopping with me this weekend. I need to pick out some gifts for business partners.”
Wei Xue wanted to roll her eyes. “You only think of me at times like this.”
Shen Tingwan smiled. “Dinner’s on me.”
Wei Xue leaned lazily on the sofa. “Fine.”
…
After Sang Ning got home, she took a shower. She hadn’t even dried her hair when she picked up her phone to check—still no message from Shen Tingwan.
She lay in bed, unable to sleep past eleven until Shen Tingwan finally texted.
【Shen Tingwan】Home safe.
【Sang Ning】Rest early.
Shen Tingwan paused at the instant reply. It was like she was waiting for my message.
【Shen Tingwan】You too.
【Sang Ning】Mm.
Sang Ning waited a few minutes in the chat as usual, but no more messages came. She set her phone down, turned off the light, and finally wrapped herself in the blanket to sleep.
Shen Tingwan drew a bath with hot water to soothe her tired body, but her heart wasn’t settled.
Over the weekend, she dragged Wei Xue along to shop. At the counter, she picked out a few perfumes—safe, inoffensive scents suitable for gifts.
The sales assistant recommended a few new arrivals.
Shen Tingwan really liked one: a clean, warm woody fragrance with a pleasant, slightly sweet dry-down. Her first thought was of Sang Ning—it would suit her perfectly.
Fragrances were deeply personal, and Shen Tingwan rarely associated a scent with a specific person. She had many friends but didn’t usually pay them much mind. As she looked at the perfume, she realized she was paying too much attention to Sang Ning— even shopping brought her to mind.
The sales assistant had packaged the gift perfumes and asked warmly, “Is there anything else you need?”
Shen Tingwan set down the one she’d been holding and smiled. “No, that’s all.”
The sales assistant beamed. “If you like this one, you should get it. It’s popular and in short supply everywhere.”
Shen Tingwan thought for a moment and nodded. “Mm, package it up.”
Wei Xue, watching from the side, looked at her in surprise and muttered, “No way, sis. You fell for such a basic sales tactic?”
Shen Tingwan replied calmly, “It smells nice. I want it.”
The weather had cooled, and street vendors everywhere were selling roasted sweet potatoes, their sweet, fragrant aroma tempting passersby.
Sang Ning finished an outdoor shoot in the afternoon and bought two on her way back to the studio—she knew Yu Shuang had a sweet tooth.
Sure enough, as soon as she returned, Yu Shuang sniffed it out and came over. “Whoa, I was just getting hungry. Love you.”
Sang Ning smiled and handed her one, cradling her own to warm her hands.
With no clients in the studio that afternoon and nice sunshine outside, the two teased the cats while eating sweet potatoes, stealing a moment of leisure to ease their work fatigue.
The two orange cats caught the scent and wanted some too. Sang Ning broke off a small piece to feed them, then snapped a few photos.
She didn’t send them to Shen Tingwan but posted them to her Moments.
Lately, they’d only messaged twice, both initiated by her with photos. Shen Tingwan hadn’t sent anything proactive or called. Maybe she’s too busy… or in a bad mood and doesn’t want to talk…*
Yu Shuang was almost done with hers and eyed the large half Sang Ning still had. “What are you spacing out about?”
“Nothing.” Sang Ning smiled and continued eating her now-lukewarm sweet potato. Her lips curved up, but there was disappointment in her heart. People really did get greedier. It had only been a week without contact— a month would be normal.
Shen Tingwan wouldn’t need her every moment. Their lives only intersected occasionally, not constantly.
Though reserved, Sang Ning was optimistic at heart and wouldn’t wallow. She’d show up the moment Shen Tingwan needed her, and when she didn’t, Sang Ning would live her own life peacefully. That was how it had always been.
Liking someone without expectations felt meaningless at times, but she couldn’t just stop. So she let things flow naturally. Going with the flow was what she was best at.
With less work lately, Sang Ning went jogging almost every night. Yu Shuang had joined her for a while but quit, saying the barbecue stalls were too tempting.
Sang Ning adjusted her night run route to pass near the studio, which went by Wei Xue’s café. Shen Tingwan must have been really busy—she hadn’t shown up at the café even on the weekend.
Shen Tingwan had indeed been busy: hosting partners, discussing new projects, and attending two events out of town.
She flew back to Birch City at night, exhausted. Before bed, she had a glass of fruit wine and suddenly wanted to call someone. She dithered but didn’t hit dial.
On Friday as they wrapped up, Yu Shuang grabbed her. “KTV tonight? With some friends—you know them all.”
Sang Ning: “Nah, I’m going running.”
“You’ve been running every day lately,” Yu Shuang asked with concern. “Stressed?”
“Just want to.”
Yu Shuang had no counter.
It got dark early. After work, Sang Ning jogged her new route. The wind was strong that night, cool at first, but after a few kilometers, her body warmed up.
As she passed the small street in front of the café, she glanced casually—and her heart skipped. With no expectations, she spotted a familiar figure by the window.
She stopped jogging, her heart rate and breathing still elevated. As she considered going in, she saw Shen Tingwan look out the window.
Shen Tingwan hadn’t expected to see Sang Ning with a turn of her head—standing quietly in the night, looking like she’d just finished running, still breathless.
They locked eyes through the glass, both mildly stunned for three or five seconds, maybe longer.
When Sang Ning pushed open the café door, her heart rate hadn’t settled. Fortunately, the run provided cover.
Shen Tingwan wore a thin sweater that looked cozy, giving her an intellectual, gentle air.
Sang Ning approached and gazed at her. “Senior…”
Shen Tingwan tilted her face up slightly. “Running?”
Sang Ning: “Mm.”
Shen Tingwan smiled. “Sit.”
Sang Ning sat across from her at the small square table—not far apart. She noticed the magazine by Shen Tingwan’s hand.
Shen Tingwan: “What do you want to drink? My treat.”
Sang Ning shook her head.
Shen Tingwan still had the server bring a cup of warm water.
Sang Ning took a sip.
Shen Tingwan glanced at her and flipped a page in the magazine.
They sat in silence for a moment, the atmosphere oddly awkward. Sang Ning had drunk half her water. “Senior.”
Always starting with “senior.” Shen Tingwan laughed. “You love calling me that so much?”
Sang Ning smiled briefly too, then made small talk after the quiet. “Been busy lately?”
Shen Tingwan nodded.
Sang Ning glanced at her again, probing carefully. “…Are you in a bad mood?”
Shen Tingwan: “Hm?”
The ambiguous response left Sang Ning confused. She tried to sound natural. “You haven’t messaged me.”
Her heart fluttered after saying it—she regretted it. No messages were normal.
Shen Tingwan stared at her face, silent for a moment.
Sang Ning figured she must be in a bad mood, sitting alone reading quietly. “Senior, I won’t bother you then…”
As Shen Tingwan saw her stand to leave, she grabbed her wrist.
Sang Ning froze and looked at her.
Shen Tingwan smiled helplessly. “You’re not bothering me.”
Sang Ning just wanted her to be happy. Mimicking how Shen Tingwan coaxed others, she asked softly, “Want me to keep you company?”
