Chapter 13

Sang Ning walked quickly outdoors when a voice chased after her from behind.

“Sang Ning, I wasn’t talking about you. It was my fault—I spoke without thinking. I didn’t mean anything else. Don’t be mad.”

Sang Ning stopped in her tracks as Zheng Cheng caught up to her. Her expression remained calm, and her tone was equally steady. “I’m not mad.”

Zheng Cheng said, “You’re just upset with me.”

Sang Ning: “…”

She truly couldn’t call it anger. She had heard words like these too many times before, and getting upset every time would be exhausting.

“I have something to do, so I’m leaving first.”

Zheng Cheng kept apologizing relentlessly. “Don’t be mad, okay?”

Sang Ning wasn’t angry, but she was starting to feel annoyed.

“Give me a few minutes. I have something I want to say to you.”

Sang Ning had a vague idea of what Zheng Cheng wanted to say. She figured it might be best to give him a clear rejection to avoid any future entanglement. “Go ahead.”

“I wasn’t joking earlier. I’m serious. Will you consider me?”

Sang Ning replied politely but firmly, “No, I don’t like you.”

Zheng Cheng gave an awkward laugh. “You… don’t have to reply so quickly.”

“That’s my answer.” Sang Ning was concise. “I’m leaving.”

She quietly sidestepped the person blocking her path and continued forward, but after just a couple of steps, she was blocked again.

“Give me a chance…”

Sang Ning frowned. “Don’t do this. I really will get mad.”

“Sang Ning, I don’t mind your ears. Honestly, it’s hard for you to find someone who doesn’t, right? So why not give me a chance? I won’t let you down.”

His self-proclaimed heartfelt confession.

As the two stood in a standoff, a cool, rational voice drifted over on the wind. “If you truly didn’t mind, you wouldn’t emphasize it, and you wouldn’t use that line to guilt-trip her.”

Sang Ning recognized the familiar voice and turned around to see Shen Tingwan walking toward her.

Shen Tingwan stared quietly at the man giving his “heartfelt confession,” a faint smile on her lips but her gaze sharp. “I’m her friend.”

Zheng Cheng felt guilty under her stare. He couldn’t refute her pointed words. His face flushed red then pale, and in the end, he walked off sullenly without another word.

Sang Ning stared at her in a daze. “Senior…”

Shen Tingwan’s voice softened. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” Sang Ning smiled easily. “Thank you.”

Shen Tingwan nodded. “Good, as long as you’re okay.”

Sang Ning met her gaze, suddenly unsure of what to say next. She just stood there, feeling a bit foolish.

Shen Tingwan spoke first. “Want some ice cream?”

Sang Ning: “Huh?”

Outside the mall was a food street lined with all sorts of snacks and plenty of tables and chairs for resting and eating.

Shen Tingwan bought two soft-serve cones and sat down on a rattan chair, handing one to Sang Ning.

Sang Ning took it with a “thank you.” It was lime-flavored. She stared at it blankly for a moment.

Shen Tingwan reminded her, “Eat it before it melts.”

The summer breeze was sweltering, and in just that short time, the ice cream had begun to melt. Sang Ning brought it to her lips and took a small bite. It was very sweet.

Shen Tingwan ate hers slowly as well.

Sang Ning could tell that Shen Tingwan had been worried about her. As she ate her cone, she smiled in relief. “I’ve dealt with this kind of thing before. It’s nothing.”

Though she was often looked at with strange eyes, plenty of people had confessed to her. They all seemed to think she was easy to win over. Even when she rejected them, she often received odd looks, as if she didn’t even have the right to refuse…

The world was full of inexplicable, unfair things. It wasn’t worth getting upset or angry over every one. She had gradually learned to make peace with it that way.

The smile she tucked away in her eyes was optimistic and resilient. Hearing Sang Ning’s practiced tone, Shen Tingwan figured this must happen to her often…

She didn’t say anything and simply passed a napkin to Sang Ning’s side.

Sang Ning looked down and realized the melting ice cream had gotten on her fingers. She took the thoughtfully offered napkin and wiped them clean.

The two sat on the street, enjoying the breeze as they quietly ate their ice cream.

Shen Tingwan noticed Sang Ning’s downcast eyes and distracted air, as if lost in thought. She ventured softly, “Thinking about your ‘white moonlight’?”

Hearing those three words from Shen Tingwan’s mouth left Sang Ning stunned. She looked up, her response feeble. “N-no…”

Shen Tingwan smiled. With her troubles written all over her face, “You can’t lie at all.”

Sang Ning: “…”

She was at a complete loss.

Shen Tingwan finished her ice cream and wiped her hands with a napkin. She couldn’t help but wonder what kind of person could occupy Sang Ning’s thoughts like this. Someone usually so cool and aloof actually liked another person.

After a moment, she gave in to her curiosity. “What kind of person is it? If you don’t mind sharing.”

Sang Ning’s heart raced quietly. She never imagined she’d be discussing this with Shen Tingwan one day. Gazing at Shen Tingwan’s face, she paused, then answered earnestly, “A really nice, gentle person.”

She seized the chance to say those words to Shen Tingwan.

It felt like a secret confession…

Shen Tingwan looked into her eyes and smiled helplessly. Whenever she talked about this, her gaze softened. She must really like them.

Sang Ning promptly looked down again, afraid her eyes would give her away if she stared too long.

Her phone rang. Shen Tingwan glanced at it—Wei Xue calling, probably because she hadn’t replied to her WeChat messages.

As soon as she picked up, Wei Xue’s voice came through like a debt collector. “Where are you? Where’d you go?”

Shen Tingwan said, “I have something to do. I’m heading out.”

Wei Xue: “You ditched me again? We were supposed to drink together.”

Shen Tingwan brushed her off in a couple of sentences and ended the call.

Sang Ning guessed that the “something” Shen Tingwan mentioned was likely because of her. Feeling guilty, she said, “Senior, I’m really fine. You don’t need to keep me company. I should head back too.”

Shen Tingwan replied, “Wei Xue wants me to go drinking, but I don’t feel like it.”

Sang Ning picked up on the fatigue in her voice. “Then head back early and rest.”

“Are you free right now?” Shen Tingwan asked. “Accompany me somewhere?”

Sang Ning paused. “Where?”

Shen Tingwan said, “My grandma’s house.”

It was so sudden that Sang Ning stared at her.

“To play with cats. She has a dog too.” Shen Tingwan explained. She had seen the photos Sang Ning posted of street sweeping, always featuring small animals, so she figured she liked them. “Come on. My grandma loves a lively atmosphere and has been hoping I’d bring a friend over.”

Sang Ning hesitated but ultimately couldn’t refuse and followed Shen Tingwan’s footsteps.

Shen Tingwan had been drinking, so Sang Ning drove that evening. Due to a childhood psychological shadow regarding cars, Sang Ning drove especially carefully.

Seeing how serious she was every moment, Shen Tingwan smiled quietly.

They stopped by a pet store first and bought some snacks for cats and dogs. Sang Ning also picked out some toys as a visitor’s gift.

Jiang Yunchun lived in the old district, quite a distance away. Sang Ning drove for over forty minutes before turning into the underground garage at Shen Tingwan’s directions.

They arrived at an old small Western-style house. Shen Tingwan unlocked the door and walked in, saying, “My grandma is very kind and easy to get along with. Just relax.”

“Mm.” Somehow following Shen Tingwan home left Sang Ning a bit tense, but also reassured in a way she couldn’t explain. Being with Shen Tingwan made her feel secure.

As they entered the entryway, Sang Ning paused. A cat and a dog enthusiastically surrounded them. In the living room, an elderly lady held a camera, snapping photos of a cat.

Shen Tingwan called out, “Grandma.”

Jiang Yunchun stopped photographing. “You’re here.”

“Hello, Grandma.” Sang Ning smiled and greeted Jiang Yunchun. The elegant, graceful old lady made her think Shen Tingwan’s temperament might be hereditary.

“Hello.” Jiang Yunchun beamed. “Oh my, what a pretty young lady.”

Sang Ning felt shy from the compliment. She understood now why Shen Tingwan said her grandma was kind—the lady started calling her “Little Ning” after just hearing her name, as if they’d known each other forever.

Jiang Yunchun had a sharp nose and sniffed the alcohol on Shen Tingwan. “Did you drink again?”

Shen Tingwan: “Not much.”

Jiang Yunchun shook her head in disdain. “Don’t come over after drinking next time. It bothers me.”

Shen Tingwan smiled then. “You couldn’t bear it.”

Sang Ning watched Shen Tingwan in a daze for half a second. So she could act spoiled like this…

Jiang Yunchun wore a helpless smile. She turned to Sang Ning. “I made lotus seed, lily, and red bean soup. Since it’s your first time, you have to try Grandma’s cooking.”

“Thank you, Grandma.”

“You’re welcome. Such a good girl.” Jiang Yunchun knew Shen Tingwan wouldn’t bring just anyone over. Whoever she brought must be very close. Naturally, she liked her granddaughter’s favorite person too, by extension.

The old lady set the camera on the table and joined the two young ones for the sweet soup.

The cats and dog crowded around. Shen Tingwan briefly introduced them to Sang Ning: the fatter orange cat was Bouncy, the slimmer white cat was Jumpy, and the Shiba Inu was Pi Pi—all pets Jiang Yunchun had raised for years.

“You’re a photographer.” After hearing Sang Ning’s profession, Jiang Yunchun’s eyes lit up. “Teacher Little Sang, I have so many questions to ask you.”

Shen Tingwan nearly laughed at the new title. Lately, the old lady’s gaming phase had faded, and she’d become obsessed with photography, dragging her old friends to the park daily to take photos.

After finishing the soup, Jiang Yunchun pestered Sang Ning with photography questions, using the two cats and dog as models.

With a common topic, Sang Ning relaxed a lot and patiently explained camera modes and composition techniques to the old lady.

Shen Tingwan watched the two chat animatedly, feeling like the odd one out.

Jiang Yunchun asked Sang Ning many things, then eagerly grabbed her camera to practice. Pi Pi wasn’t cooperating, so she chased after it for shots.

Sang Ning sat on the sofa edge petting the cats. Bouncy was very affectionate, rubbing against her pants and licking her hand.

Shen Tingwan walked over and sat on the sofa too, petting a kitten’s head. She tore open a bag of treats for Sang Ning to feed them.

Now both cats got excited. Sang Ning was utterly charmed, smiling down at them.

Shen Tingwan turned her head to gaze at her, her own lips curving gently. “Happy?”

Sang Ning turned back to look at Shen Tingwan, hesitating before whispering, “Thank you, Senior.”

Shen Tingwan met her eyes. “What are you thanking me for now?”

Sang Ning: “For cheering me up.”

Shen Tingwan’s smile deepened. “Did it work?”

Sang Ning was speechless, offering a restrained smile.

Shen Tingwan stared at her soft smile. “Sang Ning.”

Sang Ning: “Mm?”

“You’re wonderful. No matter who ends up with you, it won’t be a compromise for them.” Shen Tingwan couldn’t help saying softly. She thought being liked so gently and earnestly by a girl like this would be a happy thing.

Sang Ning looked at her clumsily, her throat feeling bitter and choked, certain emotions swelling in her heart.

“Teacher Little Sang, take a look at this one. How’d I do?” Jiang Yunchun approached, breaking the quiet atmosphere between them.

Shen Tingwan made room for Jiang Yunchun and reminded her, “Grandma, it’s late. Shouldn’t you rest? The doctor told you not to stay up.”

Jiang Yunchun brushed it off. “I know.”

Sang Ning realized it was nearly eleven. She hadn’t noticed the time while playing with the camera and Jiang Yunchun. “It’s too late, Grandma. I should go.”

“It’s this late already?” Jiang Yunchun worried about letting the young lady go alone, and Shen Tingwan couldn’t drive after drinking. “Little Ning, just stay over.”

Sang Ning shook her head quickly. “No need.”

“Don’t be so polite. There are guest rooms.” Jiang Yunchun smiled. “You can sleep in Wanwan’s room too.”