Chapter 36

Shen Tingwan’s voice, just after waking up, was slightly hoarse. Sang Ning didn’t catch it clearly, but getting caught red-handed was enough to make her feel guilty, instantly sobering her up a bit.

Shen Tingwan smiled. Seeing the look in her eyes, she guessed that Sang Ning hadn’t fully woken up yet; otherwise, she wouldn’t be staring so boldly.

Sang Ning didn’t dare meet her gaze for too long, so she turned to look at the phone on the side and asked softly, “Did the alarm go off?”

“It hasn’t gone off,” Shen Tingwan had just checked the time. “Go back to sleep. I’ll wake you when it does.”

“Mm.” Being enveloped in gentleness so early in the morning, this was the second time Sang Ning had seen Shen Tingwan sleeping beside her, and it still felt like a dream— so close yet so distant.

It was just getting light outside. Waking up too early still made her sleepy, and soon, Sang Ning drifted off again.

Shen Tingwan lazily glanced at the person beside her. Sang Ning was sleeping peacefully, her face pressed against the soft pillow, her long hair slightly disheveled and scattered.

She looked so warm overall that for a moment, Shen Tingwan wanted to pull her into her arms…

Shen Tingwan’s sleepiness faded a little. Her peripheral gaze lingered a bit longer on that fair face. She didn’t know why Sang Ning wasn’t with the person she was so hung up on, but she thought that white moonlight was a bit unlucky.

After catching another hour of sleep, Sang Ning missed the alarm again—it was Shen Tingwan pinching her cheek to wake her up. Her high-frequency hearing loss made her especially insensitive to alarm tones.

It was another sunny day.

After washing up, Sang Ning came out to see steaming porridge on the dining table for breakfast.

Shen Tingwan didn’t sleep well in general. After waking up once in the morning, she hadn’t gone back to sleep and had ordered takeout breakfast ahead of time.

Sang Ning’s complexion was still pallid, but much better than the night before. She sat down at the table and drank porridge with Shen Tingwan.

Shen Tingwan looked at her face and asked, “Does it still hurt?”

Sang Ning smiled and said, “It doesn’t hurt anymore.”

Shen Tingwan took a bite of fried egg, chewing slowly before looking up at her again. “Sang Ning.”

Sang Ning paused in her porridge drinking. “Mm?”

Thinking of last night’s situation, Shen Tingwan couldn’t help but say softly, “You’re really a bit silly.”

Sang Ning pressed her lips together and said nothing.

Shen Tingwan thought she felt wronged and quickly changed her tune. “It’s my fault for asking you to come over and cook.”

Sang Ning couldn’t stand hearing her speak ill of herself and immediately refuted, “No, it’s not.”

Shen Tingwan paused, inexplicably recalling that day when Sang Ning had stubbornly said to her, “I know Senior is great…” “I’ll drive you to the studio after we eat.”

Sang Ning blurted out without thinking, “No need to trouble yourself.”

Afraid of troubling her again. Shen Tingwan frowned with a smile. “Don’t say that to me in the future either.”

Under the urging of her gaze, Sang Ning said, “Mm.”

After breakfast, Shen Tingwan changed into her clothes and came out— a shirt paired with a trench coat, very professional. She’d put on light makeup, her features beautiful and well-defined. The light makeup with red lips suited her, making her look bright and gentle.

Sang Ning was usually bare-faced. Thinking her complexion was too poor today, she rummaged in her bag for a tube of lipstick and went to the full-length mirror in the entryway to touch it up.

Shen Tingwan walked over to watch.

Sang Ning got slightly distracted, and the lipstick smeared beyond her lip line.

Shen Tingwan grabbed a wet wipe and said to her, “Turn your face this way.”

Sang Ning froze for a moment.

Shen Tingwan lowered her eyes and gently wiped away the excess lipstick from the edge of her lip. Then she took the lipstick from Sang Ning’s hand and applied it for her.

They were about the same height, with Shen Tingwan slightly taller. Sang Ning didn’t refuse; she was instantly frozen, not knowing what to say or even how to breathe.

Shen Tingwan said, “Lift your head a little.”

Sang Ning felt at a loss, then obeyed like a marionette, tilting her head up slightly.

Seeing her lips pressed together, Shen Tingwan chuckled softly as a reminder. “Open your mouth a bit.”

Sang Ning obediently parted her lips slightly. Her gaze briefly swept over the red lips in front of her, feeling Shen Tingwan’s warm breath faintly brushing over…

Sang Ning’s lips were neither thick nor thin, pale in color, soft.

Shen Tingwan gently applied the lipstick over her lips, from the upper to the lower— an excessively intimate contact… but she did it anyway.

Sang Ning felt each second stretch on endlessly, especially since Shen Tingwan applied it so carefully. It didn’t just itch on her lips; her whole heart felt ticklish.

Shen Tingwan’s red lips moved slightly as she said very softly, “All done.”

Sang Ning responded, “Mm.”

They were too close; when their gazes brushed, it felt like the prelude to a kiss.

Sang Ning quietly pulled back a little distance.

Shen Tingwan had also briefly lost herself in the moment. Seeing Sang Ning’s cheeks and ears flushed red, she smiled first and couldn’t help asking, “Why are you blushing?”

Sang Ning felt flustered inside but comforted herself that Shen Tingwan wouldn’t overthink it.

Shen Tingwan smiled. “Let’s go.”

On the drive to the studio, Sang Ning’s heart remained unsettled the whole way. They didn’t talk much— she was usually quiet anyway. It wasn’t until she got out of the car that she hurriedly said to Shen Tingwan, “I have to get to work.”

Shen Tingwan sat in the car and watched her figure disappear from view before driving to the magazine office.

*

The next week, Sang Ning busied herself with work and trip planning. In a few days, she was going on vacation with her family, so she needed to finish her current projects ahead of time.

Once their circumstances improved, the family went on two trips a year. With relatively flexible schedules, they deliberately avoided peak holiday times.

This time, they planned to visit a few scenic spots in the neighboring province— five days and four nights of touring ancient towns, mountain hiking, and cave exploring. The itinerary wasn’t rushed.

Sang Ning loved going out with her family. Her Little Aunt was like a peer to her, and Sang Mingjuan had a laid-back, non-nagging personality. The trips were always pleasant.

Shen Tingwan only learned Sang Ning was traveling when she received a photo of scenery from her.

Sang Ning had her own little world and wasn’t one to share much, but she made an exception for Shen Tingwan. During those few days away, she wanted to tell her about all the good food and fun things, but knowing Shen Tingwan was busy, she feared bombarding her, so she sent just one or two messages a day.

The magazine office had a fast-paced rhythm. While Sang Ning was out enjoying mountains and waters, Shen Tingwan was stuck in endless meetings and socializing.

She usually didn’t check her phone messages when busy— looking only made her more exhausted. But lately, that habit had changed a bit; she’d glance at them when she had a moment.

【Sang Ning】 Caught a cloud puppy

【Sang Ning】 [Picture]

Sent that morning, Shen Tingwan only saw it at noon. She smiled at the photo— a cloud with a few strokes doodled into a puppy outline. Adorably quirky.

Sang Ning had been very happy these past few days. Sunny weather, no crowds, beautiful ancient towns, delicious bamboo-tube rice from street vendors…

Sang Ning was someone who could find joy in everyday life— quiet yet vibrant. Anyone who got to know her a little would enjoy her company.

Shen Tingwan was the opposite. On the surface, she navigated social scenes effortlessly with bright smiles, but in reality, her energy was low. Every time she saw a message from Sang Ning, she could borrow some good mood from it— like recharging.

After work in the evening, Shen Tingwan had originally planned to visit Jiang Yunchun, but she didn’t want her grandmother seeing her too worn out. The old lady wasn’t in great health, and she didn’t want to worry her extra.

Exhausted, she returned home. The warm lights dispelled the darkness but not the emptiness. When tired, she lost her appetite and made do with half a box of blueberries for dinner.

After her bath, Shen Tingwan sat in the study reading. She had a daily reading habit, about an hour or so.

A little past eight in the evening, Sang Ning sent her a video— a nighttime water town scene, filmed from a black-awning boat, swaying gently with a leisurely vibe.

【Shen Tingwan】 Looks great

【Shen Tingwan】 I want to go too. Bored at home

A minute later.

【Sang Ning】 Can we video call?

Shen Tingwan said yes, and right away, Sang Ning called. When she picked up, the screen filled with romantic night scenery as Sang Ning held the phone to film the surroundings for her. She smiled— so thoughtful.

Sang Ning was a bit distracted because Shen Tingwan kept the camera on selfie mode, still in her sleep robe. She continued filming the scenery for Shen Tingwan, shifting the lens slightly toward the distant sky. “There are fireworks right now. Look.”

Shen Tingwan stared at the screen and laughed, her seriousness evident from her voice alone.

The little boat drifted leisurely around the water town for who knows how long, and Sang Ning filmed it all for Shen Tingwan. Across the vast distance, they shared the same view.

Shen Tingwan’s mood relaxed a lot. “Aren’t you tired filming like this?”

Sang Ning looked at her and answered from off-camera, “Not tired.”

It wasn’t until the night cruise ended that Sang Ning hung up. Once ashore, Sang Mingjing glanced at her and gossiped quietly, “Are you dating someone?”

Sang Ning looked at her Little Aunt. “No.”

Sang Mingjing had seen her on video, lips curved in a smile the whole time. “Then who were you videoing with, grinning like that?”

Without hesitation, Sang Ning smiled and gave her standard answer, “A very good friend.”

After chatting with Sang Mingjing, Sang Ning looked down at her phone again.

【Shen Tingwan】 What time do you get back tomorrow?

Sang Ning, always meticulous, switched apps to check her ticket before replying: Around 5:30.

【Shen Tingwan】 With family?

Sang Ning briefly explained: Mom and Little Aunt going straight home, me back to Birch City.

The next message.

Shen Tingwan: I’m free. I’ll pick you up.

Sang Ning stared at the message in a daze. Shen Tingwan was really too good to her…

The next afternoon, Sang Ning headed back. She arrived at Birch City station right at dusk and messaged Shen Tingwan ahead of time before pulling her suitcase toward the agreed exit.

Shen Tingwan had said ten minutes ago that she was already there.

Just as Sang Ning exited the station, she looked around anxiously. Weekends were crowded, and she always felt a bit tense and disoriented in crowds due to her hearing.

She didn’t spot the familiar figure at first until someone tugged her hand. Sang Ning turned in place, the disorientation vanishing, replaced by surprise.

Shen Tingwan smiled quietly and took her suitcase.

Sang Ning smiled back at her.

Shen Tingwan saw her radiant smile. “Had a great time?”

Sang Ning realized she was grinning too widely.

Shen Tingwan: “Dinner together tonight.”

Sang Ning: “Okay.”

The suitcase was inconvenient, so Shen Tingwan drove first to Sang Ning’s apartment. It was about a forty-minute drive from Birch City station. By the time they arrived, it was dark.

This was Shen Tingwan’s second time at Sang Ning’s place. The lights were bright this time, the small room tidy and spotless.

Sang Ning: “Have a seat.”

Shen Tingwan sat on the sofa and noticed photos on the coffee table. She casually asked Sang Ning, “Can I take a look?”

Sang Ning was in the kitchen pouring water and casually replied “Mm,” then realized what it was…

When Shen Tingwan saw the second photo, her lowered gaze froze. It was a picture of her drinking at a bar— one Wei Xue had posted to her Moments during a business trip to Europe.

She held the photo in hand and looked up at Sang Ning.