Sang Ning ended the brief call and said to Shen Tingwan, “Liu Yang Jie is here too. She’ll come over in a bit.”
Shen Tingwan: “Mm.”
A few minutes later, Liu Yang arrived with a friend. “Ningning.”
Sang Ning greeted her with a smile too.
“I thought you two had left.”
“Not yet.”
Since they’d run into each other, they decided to join for the evening reunion dinner. It was more lively with fellow alumni. Back in school, it hadn’t felt like much, but once out of campus, running into old schoolmates felt especially warm and familiar.
As dinnertime approached, the group headed to a small eatery off campus.
Although Sang Ning walked beside Shen Tingwan, she didn’t talk much to her. Shen Tingwan was too popular and got chatted up the whole way.
“What time did you get here?” Liu Yang asked.
“A little after three.” Sang Ning chatted idly with Liu Yang as they walked.
“Did you pick up the souvenirs?”
“Yeah.”
Shen Tingwan had originally worried Sang Ning might feel bored, but when she turned to look, Sang Ning was chatting sporadically with Liu Yang, paying no attention to her.
The tables at the small eatery weren’t big, and with so many people, they ended up splitting into two tables.
“Ningning, sit here.” Liu Yang was outgoing and familiar with Sang Ning, so she habitually looked after her junior.
Sang Ning glanced at Shen Tingwan with her peripheral vision. Shen Tingwan sat closer to Liu Yang. Afraid that deliberately going around to sit by Shen Tingwan would seem too obvious, and since Liu Yang had already called her over, Sang Ning naturally took the empty seat by Liu Yang.
Shen Tingwan was also called to her seat by others.
In the end, the two sat diagonally across from each other.
The small eatery was popular with students for its affordable stir-fries—no fancy dishes, just order and cook fresh, so the food came out quickly.
“Senior Sister, are you back in the country?”
“Senior Sister, what do you do for work now?”
“Senior Sister…”
In social settings like this, Shen Tingwan once again became the center of attention, with calls of “Senior Sister” ringing out enthusiastically around the table.
Sang Ning felt like she was back in university days, quietly watching Shen Tingwan chat and laugh with others from the sidelines. It hadn’t bothered her back then, but now the feeling wasn’t so pleasant.
Liu Yang: “The stir-fried shredded tripe is pretty good.”
Sang Ning snapped back and smiled at Liu Yang. “Everything here tastes great.”
Aside from Shen Tingwan, Sang Ning was most familiar with Liu Yang. With Liu Yang there that night, she occasionally chatted with her, so she didn’t seem too quiet.
Liu Yang glanced at Shen Tingwan and leaned in to sigh to Sang Ning, “Pretty senior sisters really are popular.”
“Yeah, she was always popular…” As Sang Ning spoke, she reached for tissues. The dishes were flavorful, and the tissue box on the table emptied quickly. Just as she thought to grab another, a pack of tissues was handed to her right away.
It was from Shen Tingwan.
So timely—Sang Ning paused and looked at her, then smiled and took it.
Shen Tingwan silently withdrew her hand.
With so many people, they didn’t exchange a single word during the meal.
After dinner, some wanted to continue to the next round, while others left. It was up to personal preference. Shen Tingwan was invited too, but she politely declined.
Everyone dispersed.
Shen Tingwan waited at the door for a bit.
Sang Ning walked over, and only then did they speak. “Senior Sister.”
Seeing Sang Ning standing with Liu Yang, Shen Tingwan asked, “Are you going to keep hanging out, or heading back now?”
“Not hanging out. I’m going back.” Sang Ning knew Shen Tingwan had drunk alcohol. “I’ll drive.”
Shen Tingwan: “I can call a ride. No need to go out of your way to drive me. Go have fun if you want.”
Sang Ning still said, “I’m not going.”
Shen Tingwan hummed an “Mm.”
Nearby, Liu Yang was also preparing to leave. She waved to Sang Ning. “Ningning, I’m heading out. See you tomorrow.”
Sang Ning nodded at Liu Yang with a smile.
Shen Tingwan saw it all and smiled imperceptibly. So she smiled that gently at all her acquaintances. After Liu Yang left, she looked at the person in front of her. “Got another date tomorrow night?”
“We agreed I’d treat her to dinner. Every time I go to Little Mi Mountain, Liu Yang Jie treats me.” Sang Ning explained simply. Liu Yang had come to Birch City, so treating her to a meal was only right.
Shen Tingwan thought of how Sang Ning had chatted intimately with others at the table earlier. If she could be a sweet junior to her, she could do the same for others—maybe even softer and sweeter.
*
The next day was Sunday. Shen Tingwan had a free day and tried not to schedule too many activities or socializing on Sundays, preferring to rest alone.
Bored by evening, she saw that Sang Ning had posted a dinner photo on her Moments half an hour ago. The table was in an apartment, with two drink cups and two sets of bowls and chopsticks. Liu Yang had liked it and commented: Culinary skills on point.
Shen Tingwan stared at the photo for a while before sending a message.
Sang Ning checked her phone promptly.
【Shen Tingwan】Eating at home?
【Sang Ning】Yeah
【Sang Ning】Made it myself tonight
A few minutes later.
【Shen Tingwan】Is Liu Yang staying at your place?
【Sang Ning】No, she’s at a hotel
After a moment, Shen Tingwan got a new message.
【Sang Ning】What did you have for dinner?
【Shen Tingwan】Porridge
【Shen Tingwan】Not much appetite
Sang Ning saw she had no appetite and typed: Are you feeling unwell?
Shen Tingwan paused, then replied with two words: A little.
【Sang Ning】Where?
【Shen Tingwan】Headache from the drinks
【Sang Ning】Is it bad?
Seeing the prompt concern, Shen Tingwan wasn’t bored enough to fake illness. She replied: It’s fine.
Ten minutes later.
Sang Ning messaged: Feeling better?
Shen Tingwan replied “All good.”
Sang Ning was distracted throughout the meal. Liu Yang also loved photography and had planned to go riverside street photography for night shots after dinner.
Liu Yang noticed. “Do you have something on?”
Sang Ning nodded awkwardly. She kept thinking about Shen Tingwan and had no mind for street shooting.
“No worries, go handle it,” Liu Yang said easily. “I’ll find friends to hit the bar.”
Around eight, Sang Ning messaged Shen Tingwan, but got no reply. She called, but no answer. Maybe she hadn’t seen it.
With no response and remembering Shen Tingwan had drunk, Sang Ning grew worried. She threw on her coat, went out, and took a cab over.
Shen Tingwan was in the shower. She took her time, and only after finishing skincare did she see two missed calls and unread WeChat messages on her phone.
【Sang Ning】Want me to come over?
Shen Tingwan immediately called back. “I was in the shower, didn’t see it.”
Sang Ning heard her voice didn’t sound drunk and relaxed. “Better now?”
Hearing how worried she was, Shen Tingwan regretted teasing her and said softly, “Really fine. No need to come…”
Sang Ning said sullenly then, “I’ve already come. Got something for you.”
Shen Tingwan was slightly stunned.
Soon, Sang Ning came upstairs and rang the doorbell. Shen Tingwan opened the door and saw her cheeks and nose tip flushed red from the cold wind.
It was early winter, and Birch City’s nights were quite chilly.
Shen Tingwan pulled her inside first.
Sang Ning had been there several times and knew her way around.
Shen Tingwan poured her a cup of warm water.
Sang Ning sat on the sofa, sipped the water, and felt much warmer.
Shen Tingwan was silent for a long time, then looked at her and asked, “Weren’t you supposed to hang out with your senior sister tonight? How’d you end up here?”
Sang Ning: “Just dinner.”
Shen Tingwan smiled. “Not staying longer?”
Sang Ning pressed her lips and said nothing. She set down the cup and changed the subject. “Forgot to give you a gift last time. Brought it now.”
Shen Tingwan: “A gift?”
Sang Ning handed her the bag she’d brought.
Shen Tingwan took out a gift box, opened it, and saw a pure silver necklace with a unique, beautiful design. She looked at the necklace, then at the person in front of her, and merely smiled faintly, showing no delighted surprise at receiving a gift. “Because I gave you perfume, this is the return gift?”
Sang Ning had given the gift hoping to make Shen Tingwan happy. Calling it a return gift felt too impersonal—Shen Tingwan wouldn’t like that. She said honestly, “Bought it while traveling before. Forgot to give it to you that day.”
She’d spotted the necklace while strolling an ancient town. It was a niche designer’s work incorporating water town elements, very distinctive. She’d thought it would look great on Shen Tingwan.
Only then did Shen Tingwan’s smile deepen a bit. “Mm, I like it.”
Seeing her happy, Sang Ning smiled too. “Glad you do.”
A movie was playing on the TV. Sang Ning turned to look at the screen.
Shen Tingwan took out the necklace. The silver pendant swayed before her eyes. She watched it with interest for a moment, then glanced sideways and handed the necklace to Sang Ning. “Help me put it on.”
Sang Ning took it, momentarily at a loss. “Hm?”
Shen Tingwan brushed her long hair back, exposing her neck, and faced her.
Sang Ning had meant to stand and go behind her, but Shen Tingwan leaned forward toward her. Staring at the fair, slender neck, Sang Ning’s mind went blank. Under Shen Tingwan’s expectant gaze, she raised her hand, looped it around, tilted her head, and helped clasp the necklace.
An excessively intimate position.
Shen Tingwan didn’t avert her gaze, just watching her face up close like this.
Sang Ning regretted it. Too close. Shen Tingwan had just showered, her fragrance warm and enveloping her from all sides. Lowering her eyes, she caught sight of sexy, beautiful collarbones, with nowhere safe to look.
The clasp was tricky. Sang Ning fumbled awkwardly for ages without success.
Shen Tingwan wasn’t impatient, just stayed close, letting her take her time. Unknowingly, her breathing grew slightly erratic. In a low, husky voice, she asked, “Not done yet?”
Her lips were right by Sang Ning’s right ear, the warm breath palpable. Sang Ning’s heart pounded wildly. She endured it and mumbled, “Not yet…”
Shen Tingwan glanced at the flushed ear and admitted she was being a bit deliberate now. She wasn’t pure toward Sang Ning, or she wouldn’t keep breaking these intimate boundaries like this. She was also curious—did Sang Ning have other thoughts about her? Or rather, she hoped she did.
Finally, after a long while, Sang Ning clasped it.
Shen Tingwan didn’t pull away. Up close, she asked, “You wanted to be with me more, that’s why you hurried over tonight?”
