Shen Tingwan interrupted Wei Xue’s teasing. “Don’t talk nonsense.”
Wei Xue gave her a skeptical look.
Shen Tingwan smiled without responding, ignoring her as she picked up her lemon tea and took a sip.
Wei Xue didn’t continue the teasing—it wasn’t fun. From what she knew of Shen Tingwan, she was as calm as still water; Wei Xue had never seen her smitten with anyone.
“Grandma’s been obsessed with photography lately, and she’s pretty good at it.” Shen Tingwan showed Wei Xue the photos Jiang Yunchun had taken but didn’t bother showing her the ones of Sang Ning.
Wei Xue glanced at them. “Your grandma should switch careers and become a photographer. No kidding, she has real talent.”
Shen Tingwan said, “She’s been showing off these photos to everyone every day.”
Wei Xue picked up her phone. “I have to compliment Grandma.”
“She’ll be thrilled.”
After chatting for a bit and resting, the two continued shopping at the mall. Wei Xue had made a huge haul—the trunk wouldn’t have fit it all, but luckily the mall offered delivery services.
That evening, Shen Tingwan returned to the old Western-style house.
Jiang Yunchun sat on the sofa playing ball with Pi Pi. As soon as she tossed the ball, the little dog obediently fetched it, wagging its butt tirelessly.
Seeing her with shopping bags, Jiang Yunchun asked curiously, “What’d you buy?”
Shen Tingwan set the bags on the coffee table. “You’ll see when you look.”
Jiang Yunchun eagerly opened the “mystery boxes.” Sure enough, she fell in love with the tea cup set—she adored pretty little trinkets like that.
Shen Tingwan sat down on the sofa too, casually picking up the camera nearby to look through Jiang Yunchun’s photos. She must have gotten tired from shooting yesterday because there weren’t many from today. Flipping back, she reached the ones from yesterday.
“Xiao Xue says I have talent,” Jiang Yunchun said proudly with a smile. “Xiao Ning complimented my photos too.”
Shen Tingwan replied, “Yes, Teacher Jiang picks up anything quickly.”
“It’s all thanks to Xiao Ning’s teaching. Such a gentle, patient girl. I really wish I had another granddaughter like her.” Jiang Yunchun chattered on before changing the subject. “What kind of type does Xiao Ning like? Do you think we have anyone suitable in the family?”
Shen Tingwan smiled helplessly and told the old lady not to worry about it.
She suddenly recalled that night when they’d talked about “white moonlight”—Sang Ning’s eyes had been full of gentle sincerity, brimming with love. She probably wouldn’t fall for anyone but the one in her heart.
Jiang Yunchun unwrapped a scented diffuser and sniffed it, then said like she was calling roll in class, “Now, tell me about you.”
Shen Tingwan came back to herself. “What about me?”
“I’m not pressuring you,” Jiang Yunchun said earnestly. “Aren’t you lonely on your own?”
Shen Tingwan knew Jiang Yunchun only brought these things up out of concern, so she patiently reassured the elderly woman. “Don’t worry, I’m not lonely.”
Hearing this, Jiang Yunchun didn’t nag further. “As long as you’re happy with your life, that’s what matters.”
“Mm.” Shen Tingwan was quite content with her current life—everything was fine. At her age, having seen all sorts of messy realities, she no longer held many rosy illusions about love.
Wei Xue had said her optimistic and carefree nature stemmed from underlying pessimism about reality. Shen Tingwan hadn’t argued; she knew it was true.
September arrived, and Birch City enjoyed many clear, sunny days.
Wei Xue settled on a moving date. A high-priced feng shui master said the fifth was auspicious. After completing the housewarming rituals, she planned to invite friends over for a lively gathering that first weekend after the move.
Sang Ning learned about it from Shen Tingwan.
After her run that day, she saw a WeChat message from Shen Tingwan asking if she was free that weekend to join the party at Wei Xue’s new place.
It was Shen Tingwan who had sent the message, so of course she would be there…
That weekend, Sang Ning and Yu Shuang went together, bringing small gifts. The complex wasn’t far from the studio, so they took a ride and arrived in under half an hour.
As soon as they entered, Sang Ning heard laughter and chatter from inside—quite a few people had already arrived.
“Sister Wei, you could pivot to being an interior design blogger. It looks even better in person than in the photos.” Yu Shuang stood in the entryway, gushing nonstop. “Such great taste.”
Sang Ning believed Yu Shuang meant it this time. The decor wasn’t some cookie-cutter template; it blended multiple styles seamlessly, clearly the result of thought and money.
The house was a duplex with plenty of space. Everyone gathered in the living room on the first floor, and many faces were familiar from the previous café gathering.
Yu Shuang had already integrated into Wei Xue’s social circle, having gone out with them several times, so she knew everyone there. Sang Ning was only really familiar with Shen Tingwan and Wei Xue.
As she stepped into the foyer, Sang Ning spotted Shen Tingwan right away. She stood by the Western kitchen, chatting and drinking with others. The island counter held various bartending tools and colorful bottles of liquor.
Shen Tingwan happened to turn her head, her gaze naturally landing on the doorway.
“You two are here—come play cards with us!” Wei Xue excitedly pulled Sang Ning and Yu Shuang into the “battle,” saying the more the merrier.
Sang Ning let Wei Xue usher her toward the living room.
A voice called from behind: “Sang Ning.”
Sang Ning turned back at the sound of Shen Tingwan calling her name.
Shen Tingwan smiled faintly. “Could you come help out for a bit?”
Sang Ning said, “Sure.”
“Don’t boss the underclassman around.” Wei Xue urged Sang Ning, “Come on, ignore her and let’s play cards.”
Sang Ning wasn’t that interested in cards anyway. She smiled and told Wei Xue it was fine, then went over to Shen Tingwan.
Shen Tingwan eyed the approaching figure and reminded her, “They’re drinking as punishment if they lose.”
Sang Ning realized she was helping her out of it again and smiled at her. “Thanks, senior sister.”
Shen Tingwan frowned slightly. She sure loves saying thank you. She handed over a glass of lime sparkling water from nearby. “Try this. I made it.”
Sang Ning glanced at the glass.
Shen Tingwan quickly added, “No alcohol.”
Only then did Sang Ning relax, putting the straw to her lips and sipping. The chilled sparkling water carried hints of lemon and mint, with just the right sweetness.
“How is it?”
“Delicious.” Sang Ning took another sip—it was refreshing and thirst-quenching. “You can mix drinks too?”
Shen Tingwan asked, “Is the technique decent?”
Sang Ning nodded.
Shen Tingwan didn’t stand on ceremony. “Finish it and help me cut some fruit.”
Sang Ning said again, “Sure.”
Every time Shen Tingwan heard her say “sure,” she felt like this girl had such a good temper—no matter how you teased her, she’d never get mad.
For lunch, Wei Xue had specially hired a hotel’s star chef to cook at the house—an extravagantly lavish spread. Afterward, she pushed everyone to play cards again.
All the drinks that day were mixed by Shen Tingwan herself. Considering some people didn’t drink, she’d prepared both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions.
In the afternoon, Sang Ning got pulled into poker too. Knowing she couldn’t drink, everyone let her substitute with beverages.
They played Texas Hold’em again, just like last time. Wei Xue was terrible but addicted, downing several drinks and on the verge of elimination, yet still trash-talking.
Sang Ning’s luck wasn’t great either. After a few rounds, her glass was empty. She grabbed another. Shen Tingwan was skilled at mixing—every one tasted great.
After a few more rounds,
Shen Tingwan noticed her cheeks were flushed. “What’s with your face? Allergic reaction?”
Sang Ning realized something was off only after the reminder—her head felt dizzy. She looked at her glass; she must have grabbed one with alcohol. The juice had masked the taste, so she hadn’t noticed.
Shen Tingwan checked her glass too. “You drank alcohol?”
Sang Ning sighed. “Wrong one.”
Shen Tingwan asked, “You okay?”
Sang Ning couldn’t claim she was fine—she knew her limits and couldn’t handle alcohol.
Wei Xue’s circle was full of heavy drinkers; she’d never seen someone get tipsy off one glass. She laughed, “One drink won’t get you drunk, right?”
“She really can’t drink,” Yu Shuang said, knowing Sang Ning’s situation well. “Go rest.”
“Yeah, I’m out. You guys keep playing.” Sang Ning stood, but the alcohol hit hard—her head spun immediately.
Seeing Sang Ning wasn’t doing well, Shen Tingwan asked, “Can you walk?”
Sang Ning managed one word: “Yes.”
Shen Tingwan wasn’t reassured and accompanied her anyway, letting the others continue.
There was a guest room on the west side of the first floor. Sang Ning’s steps were unsteady, like walking on clouds, wobbling along—but Shen Tingwan steadied her.
Sang Ning sat on the bed. Shen Tingwan saw her flushed cheeks. “Alcohol allergy?”
Sang Ning shook her head—it wasn’t that severe, just poor tolerance.
Seeing her like this, Shen Tingwan felt both pity and amusement. Drunk off one glass—no wonder she avoids it.*
Wei Xue brought over a glass of lemon honey water and set it aside. “You okay? Want me to stay with her? You can head back out.”
“I’m good. I’ll stay with her.”
“Call if you need anything.”
…
Sang Ning hadn’t caught their conversation clearly—her head buzzed, and her hearing worsened with the drunkenness. She shook her head.
This was her second time drunk. The first was three years ago at a New Year’s party; even beer had left her dizzy all night and into the next day. She’d sworn off alcohol since. She hadn’t expected to mess up like this today…
Even drunk, Sang Ning stayed quiet, not making a fuss. She just felt floaty, like she was dreaming.
This time, Shen Tingwan was in her drunken dream. She heard her voice close by, ethereal and elusive.
Shen Tingwan sat beside her. “Drink some lemon water.”
Sang Ning cradled the glass and drank half of it sullenly. It quenched her thirst but didn’t sober her up.
In her haze, Shen Tingwan used a tissue to wipe water from her mouth.
Drunk people tended to be more honest, lacking the energy for pretense. Unlike usual, Sang Ning didn’t pull away from Shen Tingwan’s care. Her gaze fixed unabashedly on Shen Tingwan’s face, staring intently.
Shen Tingwan smiled back at her. Gone was her usual reserve; now she seemed almost shamelessly bold.
Sang Ning stared at her gentle smile for a long time.
Seeing her gaze so dazed and lost, Shen Tingwan couldn’t help asking, “Do you know who I am?”
Sang Ning answered like an obedient student: “Senior sister.”
Shen Tingwan thought and asked, “Which senior sister?”
Sang Ning, hazy but earnest, said her name: “Shen Tingwan.”
Hearing her enunciate it syllable by syllable, Shen Tingwan found it amusing. She wasn’t so far gone that she couldn’t recognize people.
Sang Ning looked at her, and from that short distance, called out again without thinking: “Senior sister…”
This time, it was softer. Shen Tingwan asked, “Want more water?”
Sang Ning shook her head, still not looking away. Her gaze was greedy, filled to the brim with one person.
Sang Ning had long lashes and beautiful eyes that always sparkled.
It was the gaze of someone pure-hearted, yet it hid secrets. Shen Tingwan looked back, growing curious about those secrets.
After being stared at so long, Shen Tingwan murmured, “Do you like staring at people when you’re drunk?”
Sang Ning huffed an indignant “Mm” as if it were the most natural thing, then—worried she might miss Shen Tingwan’s words—let her eyes linger on her lips. The Cupid’s bow was pretty; she really wanted to touch it with her finger.
Shen Tingwan pressed her lips together lightly, knowing Sang Ning read lips like that, but such a gaze felt rather improper…
Sang Ning still didn’t reach out. Being able to look was enough; she had to be content.
Shen Tingwan spoke to distract her. “Feeling bad?”
Sang Ning’s gaze was hazy yet focused as she hummed softly at Shen Tingwan: “Mm, uncomfortable.”
Her eyes seemed to hold water, soft enough to melt anyone’s heart. Seeing this, Shen Tingwan reached out, ruffled her hair gently, and soothed her.
Sang Ning melted completely, her eyes stinging as if she might cry. She felt even more like she was dreaming. She wanted to say something, but all that came out was: “Senior sister.”
She loved calling Shen Tingwan “senior sister.” She always said it so seriously. So many words she dared not voice—probably never would—were tucked into those calls of “senior sister.” Even drunk, it was the same.
Non-drinkers felt awful after even a little alcohol. Shen Tingwan comforted her, “Don’t talk. Sleep it off, and you’ll be fine.”
“Mm.” Sang Ning quieted, then added proactively, “Don’t go.”
Each word sounded like coquetry. Shen Tingwan smiled, her voice gentler. “I won’t. I’ll stay with you.”
Sang Ning leaned closer, greedy: “Didn’t hear.”
Shen Tingwan felt breath tinged with faint alcohol draw near. She paused slightly, then leaned to her right ear and said, “I won’t go. I’ll stay with you.”
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