Chapter 54

Sang Ning had grown accustomed to liking Shen Tingwan in a restrained and patient way, always passive and cautious, as if she had been granted some special privilege. Now, she hugged Shen Tingwan even more intimately, proactively pressing her body close and rubbing her face against her neck. A single embrace left their breaths hot and heavy.

Shen Tingwan hugged her tightly in return, responding promptly. After years of secret admiration without daring to get close, she had harbored much timidity and self-deprecation. Before, Shen Tingwan hadn’t known, but now she didn’t want Sang Ning to like her so cautiously, without expecting reciprocation.

Sang Ning had a reserved personality and didn’t cling indefinitely. She slightly loosened her hold on Shen Tingwan’s waist.

Shen Tingwan looked at her face up close and asked softly, “Not hugging anymore?”

Sang Ning’s face heated up. She wanted to hold her while kissing those slightly parted red lips…

Some passersby walked by, chattering noisily, shattering the ambiguous air that had belonged solely to the two of them.

Sang Ning lowered her head as if nothing had happened.

Shen Tingwan looked at her and burst into laughter.

This time, they strolled through every corner of the campus—from the library to the academic buildings, from the dorms to the gymnasium.

The sunlight was beautiful that day, bathing their path.

Sang Ning had brought a lightweight camera and snapped photos along the way. In the end, the lens unconsciously focused entirely on Shen Tingwan. She would occasionally call out in a drawn-out tone, “Senior~”

Shen Tingwan turned toward the person behind the lens upon hearing her, her smile blooming like a flower. The moment Sang Ning picked up the camera, she lit up with joy—simple and easily satisfied.

Capturing Shen Tingwan’s smile made Sang Ning grin even wider unconsciously. This birthday truly made her deliriously happy; she was doing what she loved, with the person she loved most right by her side.

Their hands parted when taking photos, but as soon as she finished, Sang Ning proactively took Shen Tingwan’s hand again. Since they were dating, she wanted to do it right.

Shen Tingwan found her earnest demeanor amusing and wanted to laugh.

After walking hand in hand for a stretch, Sang Ning gathered her courage and said, “Senior.”

Shen Tingwan looked at her. “Hm?”

Sang Ning squinted slightly in the sunlight. “I’ve never dated before. If I do anything wrong, tell me.” She wanted to give Shen Tingwan the very best.

Shen Tingwan hadn’t expected that their romance, starting near thirty, would be so pure and innocent. “I’ve never dated either, but I should be a little better than a block of wood.”

Sang Ning: “…”

After wandering for a long time, they finally grew tired and sat down on the grass under the flowering trees to bask in the sun.

Gazing at the familiar academic building, Shen Tingwan’s memories stirred. She turned to the person beside her. “Did you hear a lot about me back then?”

Sang Ning nodded. “Everyone talked about you often.”

“What did they say? That I was excellent and perfect or something?”

“Pretty much.”

“That I was the moon in the sky?” Shen Tingwan said with a self-deprecating laugh; she’d heard similar praises many times.

Sang Ning watched her quietly. Shen Tingwan didn’t seem to like being evaluated that way. That day, she had even said she wasn’t as good as imagined.

“Don’t think like that, okay? It’s tiring to be put on such a high pedestal…” Shen Tingwan spoke gently. She didn’t care what others thought, but she cared about Sang Ning’s view. She hoped Sang Ning liked the real her.

“Mm.” Sang Ning understood that someone like Shen Tingwan would face immense expectations, and expectations could be a subtle form of violence. After a moment’s thought, she said earnestly to Shen Tingwan, “You can be however you want around me.”

Shen Tingwan paused, warmed by her words. Her smile relaxed. “Even if I’m not like you imagined, you’d still like me?”

Sang Ning gazed at her intently. “Yes.”

Those beautiful eyes were speaking words of love again—sincere, more moving than flowery sweet talk. Shen Tingwan loved being looked at like this by Sang Ning; it was as warm and comfortable as basking in the sun.

This was probably the most romantic birthday Sang Ning had ever had.

During the day, they admired the pink flowering trees. In the evening, Shen Tingwan took her to a high-altitude restaurant for dinner—the highest spot in Birch City, with a stunning panoramic night view. Even after returning home, the surprises continued.

Shen Tingwan had prepared the room in advance. The moment Sang Ning walked in, aromatic candles flickered beautifully, casting pretty shadows. A bouquet of fresh flowers was handed to her.

“Happy birthday.”

Shen Tingwan said it gently once more.

Sang Ning held the flowers quietly.

Shen Tingwan’s voice softened. “Dazed?”

Sang Ning was easily satisfied. She had thought just having dinner with Shen Tingwan would make her happy, but this… “Why did you prepare so much?”

Shen Tingwan scraped her cheek with a finger. “Because it’s my girlfriend’s birthday.”

Sang Ning smiled warmly. Through the flickering light and shadows, she looked at Shen Tingwan’s face. Her once placid life now brimmed with surprises and romance because of her.

Shen Tingwan said, “Time to unwrap the gift and eat cake.”

Sang Ning carefully opened the gift box to find a pair of couple’s bracelets.

“Do you like them?”

“I love them.” Sang Ning nodded repeatedly. Anything from Shen Tingwan, she loved—and couple’s style doubled it.

They shared the cake just between the two of them; Shen Tingwan hadn’t ordered a large one. After lighting the birthday candles, she urged Sang Ning to make a wish.

Sang Ning closed her eyes devoutly. In past years, her birthday wishes had been for career success and family health. This year, she added one more: to always be together with her senior.

She opened her eyes and gently blew out the candles, wondering if this year’s wish was too greedy…

They sat on the sofa, eating cake while looking through the photos from the day.

Shen Tingwan scrolled back, her smile deepening. She turned to Sang Ning. “All of me?” There were plenty of candid shots.

Sang Ning fed herself a bite of cake, a bit embarrassed.

Shen Tingwan set down the camera and brought up an old score, asking slowly, “That time at the coffee shop, did you pretend not to recognize me on purpose?”

Sang Ning looked at her: “…”

Shen Tingwan pressed, “Pretending to be aloof with me?”

Sang Ning tried to defend herself. “I wasn’t aloof.”

Shen Tingwan leaned in and pinched her waist. “Weren’t you?” she teased softly.

Sang Ning was sensitive to tickling and twisted away with a laugh, knowing Shen Tingwan held a grudge about not being recognized. “I was wrong…”

Shen Tingwan laughed; she admitted fault quickly. Looking at Sang Ning, her tone grew more serious. “One more question.”

Sang Ning asked, “What?”

“Why did you say I wouldn’t like you?”

Shen Tingwan remembered it vividly. That night, the loneliness and sadness in Sang Ning’s eyes when she said it was laughable—the person she’d held reservations about was herself.

“I never thought you’d like women…” Sang Ning said softly. Besides that, she felt Shen Tingwan deserved someone better.

Shen Tingwan thought she’d been obvious and chuckled awkwardly. “You never noticed I treated you differently?”

“I thought you were that nice to all your friends.” Sang Ning answered distractedly. Shen Tingwan was too close; she lowered her eyes to read her lips, her attention fixed on those nearby red lips.

Shen Tingwan watched her wandering gaze quietly, her breath quickening. This time, she didn’t hold back. She leaned in directly and kissed those soft lips.

Sang Ning’s eyes were still half-lowered when the warm, soft touch on her lips made her tremble lightly.

Kissing her senior…

Perhaps from years of subconscious longing, Sang Ning naturally took Shen Tingwan’s lip between hers, closing her eyes to kiss her.

In the late-night stillness, their breaths intertwined quietly.

Shen Tingwan drew closer, pressing their bodies together.

Sang Ning was clumsy yet earnest, her breath shaky as she tilted her head for shallow pecks on Shen Tingwan’s lip. Just their lips brushing sent tingles through her whole body.

Shen Tingwan kissed her lips twice more, then parted them slightly and whispered with half-open eyes, “Hold me.”

Sang Ning didn’t catch it clearly, but Shen Tingwan guided her arm, making her understand. Greedily planting light kisses, she wrapped her arms around Shen Tingwan’s slender waist. The kisses fell like raindrops.

Shen Tingwan’s breath grew disordered from the kisses. Sang Ning was more proactive than she’d imagined. She raised a hand, threading her fingers into Sang Ning’s hair and cradling the back of her head.

“Mm.” Sang Ning let out a soft hum, mimicking her by parting her lips slightly. Inexperienced and eager, she sought more of that warm sweetness. Somewhat boldly, she eased Shen Tingwan down onto the sofa—a better position for kissing and embracing.

Their lips parted briefly before meeting again in perfect sync. After hugging tightly on the sofa, their kisses deepened, trading caresses back and forth.

When Shen Tingwan sucked on her lip, Sang Ning melted completely, her mind a mess. She forgot how to breathe, reluctant to part, and soon gasped for air.

Shen Tingwan released her lips, letting her catch her breath.

Their gaze at that moment turned Sang Ning’s face thoroughly red. At a loss, she murmured in a daze, “Senior…”

Shen Tingwan melted at the sweet sound, curving her lips into a smile.

Seeing it, Sang Ning flushed hotter and asked shyly, “Am I really bad at this?”

Shen Tingwan laughed and ruffled the back of her head, leaning in to kiss her ear with a husky sigh. “So sweet.”