“Good.” Sang Ning’s voice carried a laugh as she agreed readily.
Sang Ning’s work schedule was even tighter than Shen Tingwan’s. As a freelancer, her vacations were hard to pin down, and when she got busy, she wouldn’t rest for half a month. Shen Tingwan often worked overtime and attended social events, but her weekends off were stable.
Their rest times didn’t align much. Even after getting together, they didn’t meet much more frequently than before.
Previously, ninety percent of Sang Ning’s life had been filled with photography gigs. Now, she wanted to change that and wished she could see Shen Tingwan every day.
On Friday, Sang Ning’s shooting tasks weren’t heavy. At noon, Shen Tingwan messaged her to ask what she wanted for dinner and told her to order.
Shen Tingwan went to have dinner with Jiang Yunchun every Friday, and if Sang Ning had time, she joined them too.
Sang Ning didn’t make any special requests and just said whatever.
Shen Tingwan told her: Everyone orders one dish they love—it’s a family tradition.
Sang Ning smiled happily at that and finally ordered a steamed fish.
In the afternoon, Sang Ning finished work before five. She played with the cats in the studio for a bit, checked the time, and headed out right on schedule.
As the end of the month approached and the Spring Festival loomed, Shen Tingwan had more content to oversee. Her afternoon meeting lasted over an hour.
After it ended, the deputy editor chuckled, “Teacher Shen, switching up your style?”
Shen Tingwan smiled without responding—she couldn’t explain.
The kiss mark on her neck hadn’t faded for days. She’d covered it meticulously every day, so people in the office thought she’d gone the abstinence route. Thinking of the culprit’s innocent face, she almost laughed in exasperation.
At five-thirty, Shen Tingwan clocked out on time and planned to drive to the studio first. But Sang Ning called her, saying she was already downstairs at her company.
Sang Ning waited ten minutes under the office building when a familiar car pulled up.
Shen Tingwan got out.
Sang Ning walked toward Shen Tingwan, her smile blooming brighter. She held a huge bouquet of flowers—quite flashy, drawing glances from passersby.
Shen Tingwan’s lips curved up. Plenty of people had sent her flowers before, and such romance never moved her. But with Sang Ning, it felt entirely different. Every time she saw Sang Ning’s clumsy yet earnest expression, ripples spread through her heart.
The faint, elegant floral scent wafted over. Shen Tingwan looked at the flowers, then at the person holding them. “Are you really chasing me?”
Sang Ning vaguely remembered the drunken words she’d said to Shen Tingwan that night. She played along. “Want me to chase you?”
“Yes,” Shen Tingwan replied solemnly. “I want to be chased by my aloof junior.”
Sang Ning burst out laughing at the teasing.
They stood face-to-face, sharing a tacit smile for a moment. Shen Tingwan took the flowers. “Weren’t we supposed to meet at the studio? How’d you end up here?”
Sang Ning looked up at her. “I finished early, so I came straight over.”
Seeing the laughter in her eyes, Shen Tingwan leaned closer and asked softly, “So impatient to see me?”
Sang Ning gazed at her face, embarrassed but honest. “Yeah.”
Shen Tingwan’s heart stirred silently. She was always stirred by these occasional glimpses of raw honesty. She took Sang Ning’s hand and scratched lightly at her palm.
Sang Ning’s heart sweetened for a long while.
They arrived at the old Western-style house. The auntie was still preparing dinner, and Jiang Yunchun sat on the sofa with her reading glasses on, petting a cat while reading a book.
Hearing the door open, the old lady looked toward the entrance. Seeing Shen Tingwan with a bouquet, she smiled warmly. “No holiday or anything—who sent the flowers?”
Shen Tingwan smiled and answered, “Your little Teacher Sang sent them.”
Jiang Yunchun glanced at Sang Ning and said with a squint-eyed grin, “You two sisters sure have some flair.”
Shen Tingwan chuckled.
Sang Ning: “…”
Dinner was still a ways off, so Jiang Yunchun pulled Sang Ning over to look at her recent photos. Shen Tingwan stepped out to the balcony to take a call from a friend.
As they viewed the photos, Jiang Yunchun asked quietly, “Little Ning, has Wanwan been up to something lately?”
Sang Ning wasn’t good at lying and squeezed out a feigned clueless, “I don’t know.”
Jiang Yunchun pondered it over and shook her head. She still thought it unlikely. “Probably not. With her personality, dating’s tough.”
Sang Ning couldn’t help but ask curiously upon hearing that, “Why?”
Jiang Yunchun murmured softly, “She’s big on personal space. Always says she can’t handle living with someone. She’s been single all these years.”
Is that so? Sang Ning couldn’t elaborate to the old lady, but she found Shen Tingwan quite clingy—always wanting to hold her while sleeping…
Sure enough, steamed fish appeared on the dinner table that evening. Jiang Yunchun treated her well now too; Sang Ning no longer felt like just a guest.
Jiang Yunchun assumed Shen Tingwan would stay over as usual and said to Sang Ning, “Little Ning, why not stay tonight? Grandma will make you something delicious tomorrow morning.”
Shen Tingwan knew exactly what her grandmother was scheming—Sang Ning staying over meant more photo sessions.
Sang Ning subtly glanced at Shen Tingwan.
Shen Tingwan sipped her lotus root soup. “Why look at me? Stay if you want.”
Sang Ning thought for a moment, then smiled and explained to Jiang Yunchun, “Grandma, I have something tonight. Next time, I’ll keep you company.”
Shen Tingwan sipped her soup slowly and chuckled softly.
“Then go handle your business,” Jiang Yunchun said, not pressing. “You can come to Grandma’s anytime you want.”
Naturally, Shen Tingwan didn’t stay over either. Jiang Yunchun was actually glad—her granddaughter seemed less moody and happier.
After dinner, they chatted with the old lady a bit more before leaving around eight. Shen Tingwan smiled and asked, “What business do you have tonight?”
“Accompanying my girlfriend.” Sang Ning played along straight-faced with the knowing question. She’d promised the whole weekend to Shen Tingwan anyway, and it had been days since they’d been alone together.
One joked and teased, the other answered earnestly—they matched surprisingly well.
Shen Tingwan’s eyes sparkled with amusement as she pinched her cheek.
Back home late at night, Shen Tingwan shrugged off her coat and looked at Sang Ning. “Not going back tonight?”
Sang Ning nodded. Of course she wanted to hold her while sleeping—she’d been craving it for days.
Shen Tingwan said, “I’m going to shower.”
Their living habits were similar; both had mild germaphobia, so the first thing they did after getting home was shower. Sang Ning grabbed pajamas and showered first, familiar with the routine.
After her shower, Sang Ning saw the master bedroom door ajar and walked in.
Shen Tingwan had finished too, wrapped in a white absorbent bathrobe. With her makeup off, her features looked clean and gentle.
Sang Ning stood there, staring. How could a woman look good in anything?
Shen Tingwan turned to her. “Come help me pick a dress.”
Sang Ning followed her into the walk-in closet. They’d agreed last time she’d help choose one for the annual party.
“Which one? Or should I try them all on for you?” Shen Tingwan pulled out a few dresses. Before Sang Ning could answer, she added, “I’ll try them all.”
Sang Ning’s little wish fulfilled, she smiled happily. “Okay.”
Shen Tingwan’s figure and proportions were flawless; she handled any style effortlessly. Without makeup tonight, her bare face was stunning.
Sang Ning watched, utterly mesmerized, to the point that when asked to pick, she couldn’t decide—choice paralysis.
Shen Tingwan laughed softly. “Were you even paying attention?”
Sang Ning’s face heated as she replied, “Yes.”
Finally, Shen Tingwan changed into a strapless long gown with a high slit that accentuated her slim waist and long legs. She watched Sang Ning’s reaction. “This one?”
Sang Ning’s heart pounded. “Yeah.”
With the dress settled, Shen Tingwan opened a nearby drawer, picked out accessories, and finally took the necklace Sang Ning had given her. “Help me put it on.”
“Okay.” Sang Ning took the necklace, leaned in close, and fastened it face-to-face—a familiar scene.
Shen Tingwan stared at her long lashes and slightly flushed cheeks, suddenly smiling.
Once clasped, Sang Ning met Shen Tingwan’s gaze without pulling away.
Both recalled the last time with the necklace. This time, after locking eyes, they kissed tacitly.
What once required restraint was now rightful. With a sense of making up for lost time, the kiss deepened quickly.
In the deep kiss, Sang Ning lost control of her emotions. She pressed Shen Tingwan against the wardrobe behind her, hooked her neck, and panted as their lips and tongues intertwined.
Shen Tingwan wrapped her arms around the soft waist. When Sang Ning leaned in again, she dodged back playfully.
Sang Ning’s kiss met air, her face flushing in embarrassment.
Shen Tingwan chuckled lightly. She knew Sang Ning could hold back but loved teasing her until she couldn’t.
Sang Ning shyly nipped at her lip corner…
Even sheep could bite now. Shen Tingwan laughed against her nose, her watery gaze tender. “Junior bullying senior?”
Sang Ning stared at her lips, heart in chaos. She’d been aroused watching Shen Tingwan change clothes tonight, and now this teasing—she couldn’t take Shen Tingwan provoking her like this, not after so many times… Her lashes trembled as she kissed her fiercely.
An innocent person, once passionate, was hard to resist. Shen Tingwan parted her lips, her tongue tip teasing lightly.
Sang Ning sucked at her tongue tip, itchiness hard to contain. How much innocence could she have left for someone she’d liked for seven or eight years? She held Shen Tingwan tight, kissing until her body trembled lightly. When their lips parted, she was deeply moved and murmured involuntarily, “Senior…”
“Hm?” Shen Tingwan met her affectionate gaze, heart burning. Her fingers traced Sang Ning’s back through the thin pajamas.
Sang Ning stared straight into her eyes, a tingling sensation spreading from the wandering fingertips on her back. The atmosphere was something wondrous; in Shen Tingwan’s eyes, she saw the same desire mirrored.
They held each other, kissing cheeks and hair, breaths disordered and hot. The falling kisses were gentle, but the desire in their eyes grew thicker.
Shen Tingwan smiled and stroked her hair.
Sang Ning rubbed her forehead against hers and kissed her lips again, restlessly. Tonight, she didn’t want to hold back anything.
Feeling her breaths grow hotter and heavier, Shen Tingwan turned to nibble her earlobe affectionately. It was getting hard to bear as she asked, “Want me to teach you?”
