Chapter 27

Both sides of the phone fell silent for a moment. Sang Ning had the illusion that she could hear Shen Tingwan’s breathing. Was this teasing her for not reaching out first?

Shen Tingwan didn’t wait for her to respond. “I’ll come pick you up right now.”

Sang Ning glanced at the rain outside the window. “Senior.”

Shen Tingwan: “Hm?”

Hearing that soft response, Sang Ning could imagine Shen Tingwan patiently waiting for her to speak. Her desire to see her swelled. Nestled on the sofa, she said softly to Shen Tingwan, “Wait until the rain lets up a bit.”

Shen Tingwan laughed, having expected a polite refusal. She asked again, “Are you afraid of the dark?”

Sang Ning hugged a pillow to her chest. Normally, she would have said “No” to anyone else, but in that moment, she couldn’t help telling Shen Tingwan the truth. “A little.”

The darkness made her feel insecure.

Shen Tingwan thought for a second. “Don’t hang up.”

Sang Ning paused. How could someone be this thoughtful? On second thought, that was just how Shen Tingwan was.

She pressed her ear close to the phone, listening intently to the sounds on the other end. She could pretty much guess what Shen Tingwan was doing. It wasn’t long before she heard the sound of a door closing.

“Senior.”

Shen Tingwan had switched to speakerphone. Hearing Sang Ning suddenly call out to her, she asked, “Scared?”

“No,” Sang Ning explained. “The rain’s still pretty heavy right now.”

Shen Tingwan said, “It’s okay.”

…

They didn’t chat constantly, just kept the call connected. Sang Ning’s side remained quiet, while she could hear faint noises from Shen Tingwan’s end.

The click of a car unlocking, the door shutting. After Shen Tingwan got in, she played some music, turning the rain into background noise. It surprisingly created a nice atmosphere.

Sang Ning kept the phone pressed to her ear the whole time, listening to the quiet music. She could feel Shen Tingwan drawing closer—

It brought peace, but also quickened her heartbeat.

Sang Ning spaced out in the darkness. Because she’d rushed to Shen Tingwan’s side the last time she’d been sick, Shen Tingwan was returning the favor tonight, right? That had to be it.

As she drove, Shen Tingwan occasionally spoke. “Ten more minutes.”

Sang Ning responded over the phone. “Okay.”

Shen Tingwan smiled. This unfamiliar, wondrous feeling—she was always very private and had never kept a call like this with anyone else.

A dozen minutes later, following Sang Ning’s directions, Shen Tingwan pulled into the apartment’s underground garage. Backup generators kept the elevator running.

“I’m here. Open the door.”

The call had lasted as long as Sang Ning’s heart had been racing. She made her way to the door in the dim light and, upon vaguely seeing Shen Tingwan, felt her pulse peak.

Scented candles flickered in the room, casting swaying shadows and a faint, clear fragrance.

With the night as cover, Sang Ning stared at her face a little longer. “Senior.”

The candlelight softened her gaze. Shen Tingwan smiled at the dazed woman standing there. “Can I come in?”

Sang Ning nodded in realization and stepped aside. “No need to change shoes.”

Even in the faint light, Shen Tingwan could sense how tidy the room was. “Better change.”

Sang Ning fetched a pair of clean slippers. “They’re washed and unused.”

After closing the door, Shen Tingwan changed shoes in the entryway. “Packed your things?”

Sang Ning asked, “What?”

Shen Tingwan looked at her in the dim light, her eyes curving with amusement. “Planning to wear mine?”

Sang Ning: “…”

Her mind had been all over the place that night; she’d completely forgotten.

Shen Tingwan laughed at her. “Scared silly?”

“You sit. I’ll pack.” Sang Ning turned and, not paying attention, bumped her forehead on the cabinet. The pain snapped her back to reality.

Seeing how careless she was, Shen Tingwan stepped forward. “Not hurt, right?”

Sang Ning looked up to find Shen Tingwan leaning close, her nostrils filled with Shen Tingwan’s personal scent—not perfume, just her unique fragrance.

Shen Tingwan said softly, “Let me see.”

Sang Ning wanted to lean even closer, to inhale more, but the impulse scared her. She stepped back properly. “I’m fine.”

In the dimness, their voices were both soft, like feathers brushing each other’s ears.

Sang Ning turned to pack. Shen Tingwan sat on the sofa waiting. The room was small but neat and cozy.

Sang Ning had been muddled all evening. It took her a while after Shen Tingwan entered to remember to ask, “Want some water?”

Shen Tingwan: “No need. We’ll head out once you’re packed.”

Sang Ning grabbed pajamas, a change of clothes, and toiletries. She packed quickly and didn’t keep Shen Tingwan waiting long.

After fumbling in the dark for so long, they finally saw each other’s faces clearly in the car.

Shen Tingwan didn’t start driving right away. She turned to look at the passenger seat.

Sang Ning turned her head too.

Shen Tingwan leaned in slightly. “Let me check your forehead. Couldn’t see earlier.”

Sang Ning’s mind went blank for a moment. She sat stiffly as Shen Tingwan examined her, her gaze sweeping over her face—agonizing yet joyful.

Shen Tingwan smiled. “No bump.”

Sang Ning feigned composure. “Okay.”

The rain still poured when they got home.

Warm lights filled the room. Sang Ning noticed the fatigue on Shen Tingwan’s face. From Wei Xue’s Moments, she knew Shen Tingwan had only returned to Birch City that afternoon. The jet lag from an international trip must have been exhausting.

They hadn’t eaten dinner. After picking her up, Shen Tingwan felt hungry. She asked, “Had dinner?”

Sang Ning shot back, “You?”

Shen Tingwan: “Not yet.”

Sang Ning then admitted, “Me neither.”

Shen Tingwan picked up her phone. “Let’s order takeout. Eat together.”

Sang Ning: “I’ll order.”

Shen Tingwan sighed helplessly. “Fine, no fighting you. You’re treating.”

Considering the weather, they chose a nearby restaurant. But after over half an hour, the vendor called to say they might need to cancel.

The rain outside grew heavier.

They were lucky to have made it back in time.

In this weather, delivery would be impossible.

Shen Tingwan had just returned from abroad; her fridge was empty. Fortunately, the freezer had some frozen dumplings to tide them over.

The kitchen was well-equipped. Shen Tingwan didn’t cook and usually had a housekeeper come over.

Seeing Shen Tingwan prepare to boil dumplings, Sang Ning took over. “I’ll do it.”

Shen Tingwan glanced at her. “I can boil dumplings.”

Sang Ning insisted, “Let me. You rest.”

Shen Tingwan watched her with interest, leaning against the counter. Sometimes she felt Sang Ning really cared, yet she always seemed so nonchalant… She smiled. “Worried I’ll tire myself out?”

Sang Ning wasn’t good at playful banter like “Yeah.” She sidestepped with a faint smile. “It’ll be quick.”

Always so earnest—Shen Tingwan was helpless against it. “Okay.”

Worried it would be monotonous, Sang Ning asked, “Want some pan-fried ones too?”

Shen Tingwan enjoyed the thoughtfulness. “Yes.”

Sang Ning busied herself skillfully.

Shen Tingwan didn’t go to the living room. She stood nearby watching.

Sang Ning made boiled dumplings with a simple soup flavored with sesame oil and dried shrimp skins, and pan-fried ones. It was basic, but better than going hungry.

Steam rose from the boiled dumplings on the table. Shen Tingwan sipped the soup—warm and comforting.

The rain poured outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, shrouding the view in mist. No nightscape visible, like an apocalyptic movie scene. In contrast, the room felt leisurely and warm as they ate quietly across from each other.

Shen Tingwan glanced at Sang Ning, who was eating small bites. She usually ate alone or with groups; she’d never cooked and dined at home like this with just a friend. It felt warmer than eating solo.

The silence stretched. Meeting Shen Tingwan’s gaze, Sang Ning made small talk. “Is it okay?”

Shen Tingwan praised softly, “It’s good. You know your way around the kitchen.”

Sang Ning smiled, lips pursed.

They ate some more.

Shen Tingwan chatted idly. “Busy lately?”

“Not too bad.” Sang Ning recalled Shen Tingwan hadn’t sent her lunch photos in a while and politely asked back, “You?”

Shen Tingwan looked at her, drawling, “Why do you ask?”

Sang Ning: “…You seem busy.”

Shen Tingwan smiled down at her bowl. “A bit.”

After dinner, it was still early. They decided on a movie. Sang Ning had no preference, and neither did Shen Tingwan particularly, so they picked one at random.

Shen Tingwan went to the kitchen and sliced some lemon to mix drinks.

Sang Ning sat on the sofa watching the movie. Seeing Shen Tingwan bring beverages, she couldn’t help recalling last time and felt a twinge of nervousness.

“No alcohol in this one.” Shen Tingwan handed her a glass. Seeing her hesitate, she laughed. “Don’t trust me?”

Sang Ning took it. “I do.”

It was a sci-fi flick with a tight plot; lose focus for a second, and you’d fall behind. Sang Ning’s mind wasn’t fully on it and only half-followed. Shen Tingwan sat to her right, a small distance away. She asked, “Drink every day?”

Sang Ning rarely initiated chat. Shen Tingwan’s attention shifted from the screen. “Pretty much. A little before bed to help sleep.”

Just like Jiang Yunchun had said—Shen Tingwan had a habit of drinking before bed. Sang Ning glanced at her. “Grandma says not to drink too much.”

Shen Tingwan: “Already teaming up with Grandma to manage me?”

Sang Ning was at a loss. As if she had the right. She checked her phone; Yu Shuang had messaged asking about her situation. She told Yu Shuang she was at a friend’s and not to worry.

Shen Tingwan watched the movie quietly.

Once Sang Ning caught up with the plot, she focused more. The film had funny bits, and with her low laugh threshold, she chuckled.

Shen Tingwan: “Such a low laugh threshold?”

Sang Ning replied earnestly, “It’s pretty funny.”

Shen Tingwan had high thresholds for both laughs and tears, but Sang Ning’s sincere response amused her.

Sang Ning laughed along. Being with her always lifted her spirits, doubly so tonight.

The atmosphere was serene and relaxed. On off nights without socializing, this was Shen Tingwan’s routine: movie and a drink. Just tonight, she had company.

When the movie ended, time had passed. Shen Tingwan asked, “Ready for a shower and bed? I’ll show you the bathroom.”

Sang Ning figured Shen Tingwan needed rest after such a long day.

Shen Tingwan led her inside. “You’ll sleep in my room tonight.”

Sang Ning hadn’t expected that. “Huh?”

“I only have one bed.” Shen Tingwan explained. She disliked used furniture, so she’d rented a bare apartment and furnished it herself. She’d never had anyone stay over, so no extra bed.

Sang Ning quickly suggested, “I’ll take the sofa.”

Shen Tingwan: “I’ll sleep on the sofa tonight.”

Sang Ning shot back fast. “No…”

“Nothing wrong with that.” Shen Tingwan had planned to take the sofa anyway. She’d picked it carefully—spacious enough for two, no issue for one night.

Sang Ning frowned. “No way.”

Shen Tingwan looked at her silently. Who knew this usually mild, sheep-like person could be so stubborn? After a standoff, she proposed, “We both sleep on the bed. That work?”