Sang Ning knew the bouquet held no special meaning, but she still cradled it carefully in her arms. She didn’t thank Shen Tingwan, saying instead, “Happy Qixi.”
Perhaps it was an illusion, but Shen Tingwan felt her smile was genuinely sweet this time. “In a good mood today?”
Sang Ning smiled faintly, silently thinking to herself, Because it has to do with you.
Jiang Yunchun interjected, “Did you two plan this?”
Neither of them understood what the old lady meant.
Jiang Yunchun looked left and right. Both were wearing light-colored shirts. She laughed, “You look like you’re wearing matching couple outfits.”
Sang Ning was even more bewildered…
Shen Tingwan took a glance too and teased along with her, “You know, it really does.”
Sang Ning kept her composure. She knew she was the only one not being upfront.
“Alright, wash up and eat.” Jiang Yunchun said, “I’ll stir-fry some greens.”
The two were ushered out of the kitchen by Jiang Yunchun. The lunch the old lady had prepared was truly heartfelt—five dishes and a soup, all her specialties, fragrant and flavorful.
“So many dishes today.” Shen Tingwan noted the spread. To receive such treatment, Jiang Yunchun really liked Sang Ning.
“Not too many. Let Teacher Xiao Sang taste my cooking.” Jiang Yunchun removed her apron and sat down. “Eat up, eat up.”
Jiang Yunchun wasn’t like most elderly folks who fussed over etiquette and politeness. She was just like a grandmother making a meal for her juniors and chatting casually.
Sang Ning rarely felt so at ease while visiting someone.
Jiang Yunchun seemed to be waiting for praise. “Does it suit your taste?”
“It suits my taste perfectly,” Sang Ning nodded repeatedly. “Better than any restaurant out there.”
Jiang Yunchun smiled in satisfaction. She was confident in her culinary skills. “This is authentic old Birch City flavor—hard to find outside these days. Back then, if I hadn’t become a teacher, I would’ve gone into cooking…”
Shen Tingwan laughed at her. “Teacher Jiang, getting smug again.”
“Teacher Jiang has every reason to be smug.” Jiang Yunchun immediately pulled someone in to back her up. “Xiao Ning, don’t you think?”
Sang Ning smiled. “Yes.”
Shen Tingwan chuckled too, ladling a bowl of meatball soup and placing it in front of Jiang Yunchun. Then she ladled another for the person across from her. “Careful, it’s hot.”
Sang Ning was always warmed by Shen Tingwan’s casual gestures. This Qixi felt too fulfilling.
“Wanwan loves this meatball soup the most. She was picky as a kid and wouldn’t eat unless I made this for her.”
Sang Ning sipped the soup, warmth spreading all the way to her stomach. She paused, then asked Jiang Yunchun, “Grandma, how do you make this meatball soup? It’s so good—I want to learn.”
Shen Tingwan answered for Jiang Yunchun, explaining the recipe clearly and methodically.
“You can talk the talk but can’t walk the walk.” Jiang Yunchun chuckled.
“That’s fine—as long as you can make it.” Shen Tingwan replied.
Jiang Yunchun: “Will you let me make it for you for a lifetime?”
Shen Tingwan didn’t continue, afraid Jiang Yunchun would say something sentimental again.
During the meal, Jiang Yunchun shared stories from Shen Tingwan’s childhood.
From the conversation, Sang Ning could sense that Shen Tingwan had grown up immersed in happiness. Listening, she felt happy deep down too. She always hoped the person she liked would have smooth sailing forever.
The cicadas grew louder in the afternoon.
After lunch, Jiang Yunchun eagerly pulled out her camera and said to Sang Ning, “Got a new lens. Everyone says it’s great for portraits.”
Sang Ning took a look. “Mm, this one’s perfect for people shots.”
Jiang Yunchun added, “Teach me more today. I’m waiting to wow my sisters with photos.”
Sang Ning was amused. “Definitely.”
Seeing the two tinkering with the camera again, Shen Tingwan figured she wasn’t needed. She sat on the sofa, casually flipping through a book.
Not long after.
She heard Jiang Yunchun suddenly say, “Wanwan, be a model for a bit.”
Shen Tingwan looked up and saw Sang Ning holding the camera, aimed right at her. She didn’t dodge, smiling straight at the lens instead.
Sang Ning was momentarily entranced. Through the screen, it felt like that smile was meant only for her—but the illusion was brief. She pressed the shutter, capturing the captivating moment.
Jiang Yunchun: “Let me see.”
Sang Ning showed her the photo.
“Professional is professional.” Jiang Yunchun admired it closely, growing more pleased the longer she looked. “The model’s a beauty too—stunning.”
Sang Ning shared some portrait photography tips with Jiang Yunchun, then handed over the camera. Jiang Yunchun busied herself practicing and absorbing it all.
Bored, Shen Tingwan unpacked the bouquet she’d brought back, arranging it in a vase for some room decor and vitality.
Sang Ning noticed and stepped forward to help, trimming excess leaves, cutting the stems, and inserting them into the vase.
Shen Tingwan picked up a pink rose and pricked her finger on a thorn.
The usually quiet Sang Ning spotted it. “Did it prick you?”
Shen Tingwan: “It’s nothing.”
Sang Ning took the rose from her hand. “Let me.”
Seeing how adeptly Sang Ning took care of her, Shen Tingwan said, “Are you the senior or am I?”
Sang Ning: “…”
Sang Ning was more steady and mature than her peers. Because of her ears, she hated troubling others, so she’d been sensible and independent since childhood, often the one taking care of people.
After the teasing, Sang Ning continued trimming the roses with her head down.
Shen Tingwan wouldn’t let her. In a soft voice, she said, “I’ll grab some gloves.”
Soon everything was arranged. With the flowers in water, they’d bloom longer, pleasing to the eye.
The shutter clicked nonstop nearby. They turned to see Jiang Yunchun snapping away—ready-made models right there. She took shot after shot from various angles.
The two had no choice but to let the old lady have her fun.
Twilight came in a blink. Sang Ning accompanied Jiang Yunchun photographing the sunset—the evening sky was especially brilliant. As Sang Ning shot the heavens, her smile shone brightly too.
Jiang Yunchun had worried she’d be a bother, but seeing Sang Ning enjoying it eased her mind.
Shen Tingwan stood by leisurely, watching. Suddenly, the scene felt like a beautiful oil painting. She pulled out her phone and snapped a photo too.
It grew half-dark before Jiang Yunchun finally insisted Sang Ning stay for dinner. Unable to resist her enthusiasm, Sang Ning joined them. Afterward, she hitched a ride home with Shen Tingwan.
Back at her apartment, Sang Ning hugged the flowers Shen Tingwan had given her. She stared at the bouquet in a daze for a long while. She’d be sleepless again tonight…
She snapped a photo of it and posted to her Moments.
Visible only to herself.
Shen Tingwan went home, soaked in a hot bath to unwind, but still couldn’t sleep easily. Before bed, she habitually poured a glass of wine. Sipping it, she idly checked her phone and opened WeChat. A bunch of unread Qixi greetings—she ignored them.
Sang Ning lay in bed, wide awake too. When Shen Tingwan messaged her late at night, it scattered her sleepiness even more.
【Shen Tingwan】Tired today?
【Shen Tingwan】On vacation and still helping Jiang Teacher with photos.
Sang Ning replied after seeing it.
【Sang Ning】Not tired.
【Sang Ning】I take photos on days off anyway.
Shen Tingwan smiled helplessly and asked: Still up this late?
【Sang Ning】Not sleepy yet.
Shen Tingwan sent the photo she’d taken at dusk. The sunset light was gorgeous, with Sang Ning standing in the glow, camera raised—full of atmosphere.
Sang Ning opened it and realized it was of herself.
【Shen Tingwan】It looked good, so I took it.
Sang Ning’s face warmed… It was just a polite, ordinary comment, but her reaction was over the top.
Two minutes later.
Shen Tingwan got a prim reply: Great shot. She laughed for a while at the old-cadre tone.
Sang Ning saved the photo, habitually waiting a bit longer to make sure Shen Tingwan wouldn’t message again before closing the chat.
*
The next day was Sunday. Shen Tingwan was dragged by Wei Xue to a home goods mall to shop for her new place.
Wei Xue had bought the house years ago, started renovations the year before last, and let it air out for nearly a year since. Now she was ready to move in.
Wei Xue was the type who loved new things and tired of the old quickly—especially with a new home. Everything inside and out needed replacing, and they had plenty to browse today.
“This one’s nice—get a set.” Wei Xue picked things up as she went.
“Easy there.” Shen Tingwan asked her, “Haven’t set a move-in date yet?”
Wei Xue: “I specially got a feng shui master to pick a day. Results in a couple days.”
Shen Tingwan: “You believe in that?”
Wei Xue explained confidently, “Better safe than sorry. It’ll boost career and love luck.”
Shen Tingwan accompanied her shopping, picking up some small items herself. She spotted a tea set Jiang Yunchun would like.
They wandered to the plush toy area. Shen Tingwan saw a rabbit with a camera strap—kind of cute. She looped around and picked it up.
Wei Xue assumed it was for some kid at home and didn’t ask.
After several floors, they were worn out. While Wei Xue went for drinks, Shen Tingwan sat on a bench and checked her phone.
Jiang Yunchun had sent a bunch of messages—photos from yesterday, clearly fishing for compliments.
Shen Tingwan scrolled through them. They were indeed well-composed, with an artistic vibe—natural and comfortable.
Wei Xue returned with two fruit teas and saw Shen Tingwan engrossed in her phone. She glanced over casually and vaguely recognized the person in the photos…
“That junior’s pretty cute.”
Shen Tingwan looked up.
Wei Xue eyed her, drawing out her words deliberately: “No wonder you won’t let me near her. Senior wants her for herself, huh?”
