Chapter 39

This distance made everything ambiguous. Sang Ning habitually read her lip movements, staring at the lips so close at hand, her heartbeat thrown into even greater chaos.

Shen Tingwan took it all in, her gaze quietly brushing over those pale lips. She stayed calm at all times, but right now, her heart wasn’t settled.

Sang Ning’s whole body stiffened as she straightened her back, naturally pulling away the distance. She held back her fluttering heart. “I wasn’t too reassured, so I came over to check.”

It was a perfectly proper sentence, like concern between friends. She was good at that.

Shen Tingwan couldn’t read much from those clear eyes and smiled a beat late. “That worried about me? I told you I was fine.”

“If you’re fine, then I’ll head back.” The words slipped softly from Sang Ning’s lips. Her first instinct was to leave quickly—her heart was too restless. Facing Shen Tingwan like this was hard to bear; she was about to lose control of something, afraid she’d reveal her own lack of candor.

Shen Tingwan gazed at her. “Leaving so soon?”

Sang Ning explained calmly, “I still have work to do. Need to go back and pull an all-nighter…”

Seeing how serious she looked, Shen Tingwan felt both helpless and heartbroken. “Not minding the hassle to come all this way?”

Sang Ning shook her head at her. “I’m off.”

The door closed, leaving the room cold and empty once more. Shen Tingwan looked down at the necklace, then thought of how she blushed at the slightest tease, and drifted off with a smile.

After hurrying away, Sang Ning finally let her heartbeat run wild, taking deep breaths. She took a cab back to her apartment and headed straight to the bathroom for a shower, but the swirling thoughts in her mind weren’t washed away by the hot water.

She lay in bed, drifting into a heavy sleep after a long while. That night, she had an even more brazenly scorching dream than the last one—

In the morning, she woke from the dream and splashed her face with cold water, the chill sharpening her mind.

Once awake from the dream, reality set in. Sang Ning squeezed onto the subway for two stops to get to work as usual. Weekends meant it was always busier than normal.

Yu Shuang burst into the office cursing. “Ah, damn this Monday.”

Sang Ning had just arrived too, rinsing her mug and filling it with hot water. Hearing Yu Shuang’s grumbling, she couldn’t help but smile.

As Yu Shuang passed by Sang Ning’s desk, she looked over in surprise. “Whoa, you sprayed perfume today.”

Sang Ning felt a bit awkward but replied faintly, “Mm.”

“This scent smells great. Suits you perfectly.” Yu Shuang was curious. “Didn’t you never use perfume before?”

“Sometimes I do.” Sang Ning brushed it off vaguely. Shen Tingwan must love perfume; she always had different scents on her.

It was still early after work that evening, so Sang Ning went for a night run. When she reached the coffee shop area, she habitually glanced toward the window seat—now she thought of her almost every day. She knew it was too greedy, but she couldn’t control it.

Facing the cold wind, Sang Ning ran another stretch along the street, pushing hard. When she stopped, she was panting.

…

Shen Tingwan had been busy all day with meetings big and small, only freeing up a bit in the evening. She opened WeChat; there were plenty of unread messages, but none from the one she hoped for.

Wei Xue messaged asking if she had time tomorrow night to come play at the store. It then hit her that tomorrow was Halloween—Wei Xue loved excitement and never let a holiday pass quietly.

When Shen Tingwan’s call came in, Sang Ning was wandering aimlessly down the street. Seeing the caller ID made her breathing quicken a bit; she answered eagerly. “Senior Sister.”

Hearing that warm call, Shen Tingwan couldn’t help but smile. She made small talk. “Busy?”

Sang Ning stopped walking, focusing on her voice. “No, just finished my run.”

Shen Tingwan was still at the office and could hear the noisy background on the other end—she must be outside. “Not cold?”

“Not cold. Running warms you up.” Sang Ning smiled as she spoke, feeling even warmer from the concern.

Hearing the laugh over the phone made Shen Tingwan’s heart itch a little. She was used to being alone and didn’t usually think of others, so when she did, it stood out. After a half-second pause, she asked, “Free tomorrow night?”

The topic switch was a bit abrupt.

Sang Ning hummed. “Hm?”

Shen Tingwan stared out at the night view, saying whatever came to mind. “Let’s meet up…”

Sang Ning paused—maybe Shen Tingwan’s voice was too soft, but that faint ambiguity burrowed into her ear. She knew it was just her own one-sided fancy, but she still couldn’t help a brief burst of joy.

How could she resist such a gentle invitation to meet? Sang Ning agreed on instinct, then remembered to ask, “What’s up?”

Worried she might be upset about something again.

Shen Tingwan laughed and explained, “Halloween. Wei Xue’s store has tasting samples.”

That made sense. Sang Ning looked down and replied okay—as long as there was a chance to meet, she wouldn’t pass it up.

Wei Xue knew how to make a fuss; she’d had the staff decorate the store days in advance, giving it a full Halloween vibe.

After finishing an outdoor shoot, Sang Ning headed to the coffee shop in the evening, going with Yu Shuang.

The mall had already turned on the heat. Sang Ning pushed open the glass door of the coffee shop and was enveloped in warmth. She walked further in, slowing her steps as she spotted a familiar scene: Shen Tingwan stood at the bar, smiling brightly.

From early summer to early winter—it had been nearly half a year in the blink of an eye.

Shen Tingwan noticed the arrival right away. From that not-too-close distance, her gaze landed on her, watching her approach step by step.

Sang Ning walked over. Shen Tingwan’s makeup was a touch heavier than usual today, her red lips striking, adding a seductive charm to her gentleness. Her smile was captivating; Sang Ning couldn’t tear her eyes away and even forgot to greet her.

Shen Tingwan eyed her with a smile, recalling their reunion that day. Leaning against the bar, she leaned forward a bit. “Didn’t recognize me again?”

Sang Ning pressed her lips together. “…”

What a grudge-holder.

Yu Shuang gushed, “Sis, you look so beautiful today.”

Shen Tingwan politely said, “Thanks,” then glanced at the person beside her, stiff as a board. “You two sit first. Get whatever you want to eat yourselves.”

She was playing bartender again tonight.

Sang Ning had brought her camera on purpose—Halloween night, she planned to take some street photos. The store’s setup had great atmosphere, so she snapped a few with her camera.

Friends had asked her to take some shots, and Sang Ning happily played free photographer.

As Shen Tingwan mixed drinks, her gaze occasionally swept over the person quietly snapping photos with the camera, a smile tugging at her lips.

“Teacher Shen,” Wei Xue leaned against the bar too, taking a sip of her drink. She glanced at Shen Tingwan. “Eyes glued—you wouldn’t really have your eye on the junior, would you?”

Though Wei Xue had joked a few times, she hadn’t thought Shen Tingwan would actually take an interest in Sang Ning. After all, Sang Ning had mentioned her white moonlight twice, and with Shen Tingwan’s rational and clear-headed nature, she surely wouldn’t consider it.

Wei Xue reminded her softly, “She has a white moonlight in her heart, you know. You don’t mind?”

Shen Tingwan said nothing, her expression calm and unruffled, betraying no emotion. Of course she knew not to provoke someone who had feelings for another—like Wei Xue, who could flirt endlessly but only truly cared for the one in her heart.

Wei Xue went off to join the photo fun too.

They stayed in the coffee shop for half an hour before the others started games. Sang Ning put on her jacket, ready to head outside to shoot.

She’d originally planned a street sweep along the Riverside Scenic Belt that weekend, but that night she’d gone to see Shen Tingwan instead, putting it off. She planned to do it tonight—the delayed plan had to be completed, or it’d nag at her.

Shen Tingwan knew she was going street shooting that evening. “Take me with you?”

Sang Ning was of course delighted.

Shen Tingwan drove them all the way to the Riverside Scenic Belt. Plenty of spots had events tonight, making the atmosphere lively.

Sang Ning walked and shot with her camera, Shen Tingwan at her side. Once she got into shooting, she immersed herself fully. She glanced at Shen Tingwan. “Won’t you get bored?”

Shen Tingwan smiled at her. “No.”

Seeing her bright smile, Sang Ning couldn’t help calling out, “Senior Sister…”

Shen Tingwan asked, “What?”

Sang Ning mustered her courage. “Can I shoot you?”

Shen Tingwan thought of the secretly kept photos again. She drew closer, teasing, “You’ve always wanted to shoot me, haven’t you?”

Sang Ning found admitting or denying equally awkward.

Shen Tingwan arched a brow lightly, a bit insistent. “Say yes, and I’ll let you.”

Sang Ning stared, dazed.

Shen Tingwan’s smile bloomed brighter. “Not teasing. Shoot if you want.”

Sang Ning happily raised her camera. Now she had a legitimate chance to shoot her, fulfilling a long-hidden wish.

Shen Tingwan was used to lenses from work and posed naturally and generously.

Through the viewfinder, their eyes met. Sang Ning grew bolder, staring unabashedly at her face—her eyes, nose, lips.

Shen Tingwan photographed beautifully; every moment begged to be captured. Sang Ning lost herself in the joy, calling “Senior Sister” countless times with a smile while shooting.

The wind carried a chill, but each “Senior Sister” that reached her was warm and sweet. Shen Tingwan’s mood had been average, but she couldn’t hold back a smile now, her hair tousled by the wind, her heart too.

That night, Sang Ning spent most of her time shooting Shen Tingwan, snapping over a hundred shots before realizing she should hold back. She turned to the river view.

Shen Tingwan went to a nearby milk tea shop and bought a hot milk tea, handing it to Sang Ning.

Sang Ning sat on a bench, seeing just one cup. “You’re not having any?”

“I don’t drink much milk tea.” Shen Tingwan sat too, taking the camera from her hand. “Hold this to warm your hands.”

So thoughtful. Sang Ning had held the camera all evening, her hands chilled by the wind. She gave it to Shen Tingwan and obediently cupped the milk tea to warm up, sipping some. From hands to stomach, everything warmed, feeling much better.

Seeing this obedient, compliant look, Shen Tingwan smiled, lips curving.

Sang Ning gazed back at her with a smile, a bit silly. This night was too heart-fluttering—probably the kind she’d remember for life.

Shen Tingwan saw her cheeks reddened by the wind and lifted her hand, warming the cool face with her warm palm.

Sang Ning forgot her milk tea; the gesture softened her gaze.

Looking at her with those warm eyes again—Shen Tingwan smiled and asked, “Warmer now?”

Sang Ning nodded. “Mm.”

Shen Tingwan: “Is Senior Sister good to you?”

Sang Ning’s eyes curved in a smile, dazed but responding to every wish. “Good.”

Shen Tingwan stared at her, then helplessly pinched her cheek lightly.

Sang Ning didn’t know why Shen Tingwan did that and didn’t ask—whatever Shen Tingwan did to her was fine.

Seeing that, Shen Tingwan said, “Letting me bully you?”

Sang Ning vaguely sensed Shen Tingwan’s mood was a bit heavy and cooed back like soothing her, “Mm,” seriously enough.

Shen Tingwan continued helplessly, pinching again.

“Senior Sister,” Sang Ning asked patiently, “What’s wrong?”

Shen Tingwan looked at her features. “My heart’s a bit chaotic…”