Shen An circled back from E Building to D Building.
Coincidentally, just as he approached D Building, his phone buzzed with a message from Chen Nannan: “I’m here. Have you made it back to the apartment?”
“Are you downstairs at D Building?” Shen An asked.
“Yeah, just arrived. Are you around?”
Shen An caught the faint urgency seeping through the screen, and the corner of his mouth quirked up. He held off on replying.
He took a few more steps and stopped on the other side of the D Building entrance. From this vantage point, he could clearly see Chen Nannan standing right in front of the main gate, a bag in her hand.
Right then, she kept glancing up at the building, as if she could spot the 13th floor—spot his apartment—with her naked eyes alone.
A mischievous urge welled up in Shen An. He crept a little closer, to an angle where he could make out her facial expressions.
His eyesight was sharp, and the spot he’d chosen was conveniently unlit. Chen Nannan didn’t notice him at all.
He stayed hidden for a moment longer, then typed back: “I… I haven’t gotten back yet.”
Disappointment instantly clouded Chen Nannan’s expectant little face.
But she rallied quickly and replied: “No problem. How much longer will it take? I’ll wait for you here.”
Shen An stifled a laugh. “Sorry, Senior Sister. It might be really late on my end. I don’t even know when I’ll make it back.”
Chen Nannan’s brows furrowed tightly. “Didn’t you just say you’d be back soon?”
“Uh, something came up suddenly. I didn’t want it to.”
“You…”
The forced cheer on Chen Nannan’s face shattered completely. Thick disappointment wrapped around her.
“It’ll go bad.”
“Huh?”
“The sago dew will go bad.”
“No worries. Next time we get a chance, we can head to the South District together and eat it there.”
“Oh.”
Chen Nannan slipped her phone into her pocket. With heavy disappointment, she glanced up at the 13th floor one more time.
Then she turned and walked away.
But she only took a few steps before stopping.
Her shoulders trembled faintly as an inexplicable mix of anger and bitterness flooded her heart.
Shen An could only see her back; he couldn’t make out her hurt, disappointed little face.
What the hell…
If you’re not coming back, just say so sooner…
Why wait until I’ve bought everything, come all the way to your building, before telling me?
So annoying!!
Chen Nannan gritted her teeth. In a fit of pique, she slammed the bag onto the ground. Moisture visibly seeped from what had been a dry bag.
Damn.
Shen An realized he’d taken the prank too far.
He stepped out from his hiding spot and hurried to Chen Nannan’s side.
Lost in her anger, she didn’t even register the footsteps approaching from behind.
Shen An found it amusing, a little cute—and felt a twinge of guilt.
He slowed as he reached her from behind and said softly, “Who got Senior Sister so mad? Throwing stuff away like that.”
The sudden voice startled Chen Nannan. But before the shock could settle, its familiar timbre turned her disappointment into stunned joy.
She whipped around, locking eyes with Shen An’s bright gaze, twinkling with mischief.
Eh…
Chen Nannan froze for a moment. Once her thoughts caught up, she said with a hint of excitement, “Don’t you have something to do?”
No, wait~
Collecting herself further, she realized Shen An had been teasing her on purpose.
She tamped down her smile and repeated coolly, “Don’t you have something to do?”
Shen An ignored it and leaned in closer. Looking faintly tired, he rested his chin on her shoulder, shifting half his weight onto her slender frame.
Chen Nannan let out a small yelp and staggered back on instinct. Fortunately, Shen An wasn’t pressing his full weight down. She stumbled two steps but steadied herself.
Then, for some reason, her small hands didn’t push him away. Instead, they settled affectionately on his back, silently permitting his boldness.
Shen An wasted no time wrapping his arms around her waist. “Senior Sister… I’m so tired.”
He drew a deep breath against her chest—a fresh, clean whiff of perfume.
More than anger, Chen Nannan felt confusion and worry.
She rarely saw Shen An looking this vulnerable.
Gently, she patted his back, setting aside—for the moment—the hands encircling her waist. “What’s wrong?”
“So tired…”
Shen An mumbled, almost whining to her.
Chen Nannan’s heart softened. Her tone turned gentle. “Is it the Art Troupe?”
“Yeah.”
Shen An launched into his complaints. “You have no idea how slammed I’ve been lately…”
“That so-called private secretary gig? Sounds fancy, but it’s just me handling a whole department’s workload solo.”
“New student interviews, shuttling messages between departments, Zhao Qingyu dumping reports on me to compile…”
“Every morning I wake up to work. I even dream about reports…”
“I regret it so much. Should’ve taken your advice, thought it over longer before jumping into the Art Troupe.”
“Now I’m nothing but a beast of burden. So tired~”
Zhao Qingyu: ???
Lucky for Shen An, Zhao Qingyu wasn’t there—or she might’ve hacked him into pieces.
But Chen Nannan fell for it hook, line, and sinker.
It wasn’t just Shen An showing dependence on her. His venting proved she was his safe harbor.
She fixated on every little detail of their relationship. The closer they grew, the more she demanded.
She wouldn’t stand for him enduring any hardship. He deserved to be doted on—by her alone.
Just as she doted on him.
In some ways, she was domineering, her possessiveness running deep.
Shen An’s vulnerability made all her sharp edges retract. Her nurturing instincts surged.
She stroked his back tenderly, comforting him with endless patience. “Doesn’t that just show how capable you are? The able-bodied always get the most work.”
“And you’ve survived the crunch time. Things will ease up now.”
“It’s okay. Really.”
Shen An lifted his head slightly and delivered another knockout punch. “I miss you so much, Senior Sister. Do you miss me?”
Boom.
Ripples of blush spread across Chen Nannan’s little face. No moonlight glow could match the brilliance bursting in her eyes.
That gentle gaze, like stars cascading from the Milky Way, melted onto Shen An’s face, one by one.
She nodded, shy yet resolute, and whispered softly, “I miss you too.”
“Then hug me tight. I want to feel exactly how much.”
Shen An said it with perfect seriousness.
Hug…?
Chen Nannan’s face burned. The hand lightly stroking his back shifted slowly to his waist.
“Like… this?”
She murmured, voice barely audible.
“Has to be tighter.”
“Fine, fine… I’ll hug tighter.”
Chen Nannan endured her pounding heart and the tension thrumming through her body. She squeezed harder.
Shen An matched her force, and they clung together tightly, as if they might fuse into one.
Satisfied, he nuzzled her shoulder. “Mm. Senior Sister really does miss me.”
Chen Nannan rested against his shoulder. She pressed her little mouth to his shirt and mumbled, “You tricked me.”
Shen An paused. “No, I didn’t.”
“Yes. You did.”
In the corner he couldn’t see, Chen Nannan’s lips pouted.
“When did I trick you?” Shen An chuckled.
“Just now! Right now!”
Chen Nannan wasn’t over it yet.
She huffed lightly. “If you missed me that much, why tease me?”
“Sneaking around just to watch me make a fool of myself?”
She didn’t sound like his senior sister anymore.
She sounded like his little girlfriend.
That petulant whine, soft and sticky—how was it any different from a girlfriend’s?
Shen An ruffled her silky hair, breathing in her perfume. In a low voice, he said, “I was scared my longing was too fierce and overwhelming. Had to ease into it.”
“Otherwise, I’d be swinging you around in my arms right now.”
Pfft~
Chen Nannan hadn’t truly been angry.
She just wanted an explanation.
A decent one.
Shen An’s hit the mark—beyond her expectations.
She let out a crisp laugh and teased back coquettishly, “Swinging me around? What are you, a washing machine?”
“I’m your washing machine. Chen-brand premium only.”
“Pah~”
Chen Nannan’s cheeks and heart raced. She warned herself not to keep up the playful banter.
Much longer, and she’d lose all control.
“You… you were at the apartment the whole time?”
“Nope. Just beat you back by a little.”
“Really? Then where were you?”
“Waiting for you~”
“Hmph. I mean before that. Where’d you go?”
“Sigh. What else? Suffering.” Shen An griped. “No sooner had class ended at noon than Zhao Qingyu hauled me off.”
“Said it was lunch, then dumped a pile of new tasks on me.”
“Don’t get me started…”
Gloom laced his tone, but Chen Nannan didn’t question it.
Her view of Zhao Qingyu had shifted so far that even sharing lunch with Shen An, she didn’t suspect any ulterior motives.
Chen Nannan gave a faint smile, chuckling softly. “Doesn’t that mean you’ll be swamped again?”
“I don’t mind being busy,” Shen An replied, “as long as you’re not, Senior Sister. We can still steal away for a night like this—a little rendezvous.”
Shen An grinned.
Chen Nannan shot him a shy, reproachful glance. “What rendezvous? I just happened to swing by to check on you.”
“Yeah, yeah, sure.”
Shen An nodded along.
“Hmph.”
Chen Nannan knew her excuse rang hollow, but couldn’t this guy at least pretend to play along seriously?
“Oh no!” Shen An suddenly released her. A flicker of reluctance stirred in Chen Nannan’s heart, but she couldn’t help asking, “What’s wrong?”
“My sago dew!”
Shen An spun around and scooped up the bag.
“Ouch, Senior Sister, you chucked it so hard some spilled out.”
His face twisted in heartache.
Chen Nannan’s lips pursed in a pout as she huffed cutely. “That’s your own fault. Who told you to tease me?”
“Self-inflicted trouble… can’t be helped…”
Shen An muttered glumly.
Chen Nannan couldn’t stand seeing him so downcast. She whispered, “The dessert shop in the South District hasn’t closed yet.”
Shen An blinked, the corners of his mouth curving up. “South District’s too far. Tonight, I want to take you somewhere else, Senior Sister.”
“Eh?” Chen Nannan blinked her eyes. “Where to?”
“Our old spot.”
Shen An tilted his head back, gazing at the bright moon hanging in the sky. “The weather’s perfect tonight. It’d be a shame not to take in the view.”
Chen Nannan caught on right away.
She ducked her head bashfully and fell silent.
“Don’t you want to go, Senior Sister?”
Shen An scratched his head. “If you’re too busy, we can skip it.”
Chen Nannan shot him an annoyed yet shy glare, turning her head aside as she murmured, “Lead the way, you idiot.”
“Heh heh heh.”
Seizing the moment, Shen An slipped his arm around hers. “Careful now—the path’s dark.”
Pfft.
Lights were everywhere; how could it possibly be dark?
Chen Nannan silently cursed his slyness in her heart, but in the end, she didn’t pull away from his strong grasp.
And so, with him holding her arm, they walked from the North District toward the teaching building in the Central District.
