Faced with the sudden coquettish whine, Sang Ning blushed uncontrollably, but when she felt at a loss, she usually appeared overly calm, just like at that moment. She quietly gazed at the face so close to hers, her heart swaying in some unknown corner.
Seeing her flushed face, Shen Tingwan smiled.
“You always tease me,” Sang Ning muttered. She was getting used to Shen Tingwan’s antics. After the little joke, Shen Tingwan’s mood seemed much better, and her appetite improved too.
After dinner, Shen Tingwan helped clear the table and said fairly, “You cooked, so I’ll do the dishes.”
Sang Ning said, “No.”
Shen Tingwan stared at her.
Sang Ning got the hint and stopped refusing.
The two washed the dishes together. The dish soap foamed up in the water, covering their hands in bubbles. Sang Ning’s lips curved in a smile the whole time—something boring became fun when done with her.
Shen Tingwan smiled and asked, “Why are you so happy washing dishes?”
Sang Ning hadn’t even realized she was smiling until she was reminded. She figured Shen Tingwan must be pretty happy too, or she wouldn’t have dabbed foam on Sang Ning’s nose tip when she turned her head…
The foam faded, but the itch spread.
The person in front of her smiled gently. Sang Ning couldn’t hold back and dabbed some foam on her cheek in retaliation.
Shen Tingwan paused, then laughed outright. “Getting bold, are we? Daring to bully your senior?”
Sang Ning’s eyes curved more with laughter. “You started it.”
The two faced each other, laughing childishly for a while. Their intertwined giggles stood out especially in the night.
Sang Ning was happy often, but rarely laughed this joyfully. Being with Shen Tingwan always felt different. When she laughed heartily, a beautiful dimple appeared on her left cheek.
Shen Tingwan stared at her laughing eyes, her tone gentle yet commanding: “Help me wipe it off.”
Her voice was soft, almost coquettish. Sang Ning’s heart raced as she agreed, washed her hands clean, grabbed a tissue to wipe Shen Tingwan’s cheek, then absentmindedly wiped her own nose tip.
Shen Tingwan watched silently, her gaze lingering on Sang Ning’s lips for two extra seconds. Then she remembered something. “Did you use that perfume from last time?”
“I did. I like the scent.”
Shen Tingwan smiled. “I thought you hadn’t.”
Sang Ning just hadn’t used it around Shen Tingwan—she felt inexplicably shy.
The next day, Sang Ning received a work email from the magazine. The next issue featured a travel theme and needed scenic photos from the Coastal Resort in Q City.
When Yu Shuang heard about the assignment, she sighed enviously. “A company-funded trip? I hear the scenery there is amazing.”
“It’s pretty busy,” Sang Ning said. “Just two days, probably no time to sightsee.”
Yu Shuang replied, “Still better than the studio.”
Sang Ning smiled, agreeing.
Yu Shuang propped her chin, eyeing her with a brilliant grin. “Excited to go on the trip with your senior?”
Sang Ning toned down her smile and said ambiguously, “It’s been a while since I’ve been to the beach.”
“Why do I feel like… you’re especially happy around your senior?” Yu Shuang hinted.
Sang Ning denied it. “No.”
“Be honest,” Yu Shuang pressed boldly. “Do you have a bit of a crush on her?”
Sang Ning denied it instantly. “No.”
“If you don’t, why get so defensive?” Yu Shuang teased. Then she thought about it. “If your senior’s straight, you’d better not. You don’t want to end up like Nainai…”
Sang Ning fell silent.
Nainai was their friend who’d crushed on her straight bestie for years. Last month, she’d attended the wedding as bridesmaid and given a huge red envelope.
On Tuesday morning, Sang Ning set off for Q City as planned. The magazine provided a dedicated car, about a four-hour drive. She pulled a suitcase—staying one night in a hotel, not much luggage except her heavy camera gear.
After the clear weather, temperatures warmed up. Q City was even hotter, so Sang Ning wore summer clothes underneath with a warm jacket.
Though it was a work trip with Shen Tingwan, they didn’t ride together. Sang Ning shared a car with the editorial staff. The other woman, surnamed Chen, was an enthusiastic girl who smiled brightly. Little Chen was the lead editor, and Sang Ning would work with her for the next two days.
They arrived at the resort hotel around noon. The magazine’s travel perks were good—single rooms for everyone.
Sang Ning unpacked, then stood by the window, catching a glimpse of the sea. Soon, Little Chen from next door knocked to call her—lunch for the whole group.
The midday heat had Sang Ning ditching her jacket as she walked with Little Chen to the elevators. After hours in the car, she’d been drowsy, but when the elevator doors opened…
Sang Ning spotted a familiar, beautiful face.
Shen Tingwan was talking to someone. When the elevator stopped, she looked ahead and smiled with red lips.
Sang Ning smiled silently back at her. It had been days since they’d met… She didn’t call her “senior” like usual but addressed her as “Chief Editor Shen” like the other staff.
In the elevator, Sang Ning stood on Shen Tingwan’s side.
Shen Tingwan caught the familiar perfume scent and smiled casually.
Sang Ning’s breathing grew warm. Shen Tingwan wore a shirt with a slightly open collar, revealing a long, fair neck—and the necklace at her collarbone was the one Sang Ning had given her.
Lunch was hosted by the hotel at a large round table, a networking meal with seating arrangements.
Sang Ning sat some distance from Shen Tingwan, but one glance up let her see her. Throughout the meal, her eyes swept over that face and neck countless times.
She loved watching Shen Tingwan chat and laugh with poise—far more mature and captivating than before.
Their gazes occasionally met across the distance. Sang Ning wondered if it was her imagination, but Shen Tingwan’s eyes seemed to linger half a second longer.
When dessert stained her hands, Sang Ning went to the restroom. While washing up, she heard high heels approaching. For some reason, she knew it was Shen Tingwan. A glance in the mirror confirmed it.
The coincidence made Sang Ning’s heart race. She turned. “Senior.”
Shen Tingwan washed her hands too, slowly drying them with a tissue. She smiled at the girl before her. “Got something to say to me?”
Sang Ning looked puzzled. “No.”
Shen Tingwan pressed, “Then why were you staring at me all through lunch?”
“I…”
Sang Ning only managed one syllable before trailing off. Was it that obvious?
Shen Tingwan brushed it off with a smile. “I’ve got engagements this afternoon and evening—no dinner together tonight.”
“Okay.” Sang Ning asked, “When will you be done?”
Shen Tingwan said, “Not sure. Might be late.”
They probably wouldn’t meet, then. Sang Ning felt a twinge of disappointment. Though it was work, she’d secretly hoped to see her. While talking, she stole extra looks at Shen Tingwan’s face. “Don’t drink too much.”
Shen Tingwan smiled. “Got it.”
They didn’t chat privately long before heading back out.
After two p.m., Sang Ning got busy too, with the lead editor and resort staff.
The work was tedious but light—mostly wandering and shooting. Sang Ning had a keen eye; even over-photographed spots yielded unique angles from her. The scenic staff praised her effusively.
They wrapped up at dusk. The hotel gave buffet vouchers for dinner at the first-floor restaurant.
Free time after work. Sang Ning relaxed while Shen Tingwan was still tied up—her tasks seemed lighter.
At night, Little Chen invited her bar-hopping, but Sang Ning politely declined with a smile. She’d once forced herself to socialize for the sake of fitting in, but now she knew: live comfortably, no need to change.
The resort had a private beach—cozy, uncrowded. Sang Ning snapped some photos and zoned out on the sand.
In the end, her mind filled only with Shen Tingwan. She wrote “Shen Tingwan” in the sand with her finger, smoothed it over, then wrote it again—
Sang Ning thought the night would drag on boringly until past nine, when Shen Tingwan called.
As soon as she picked up, Shen Tingwan asked directly, “Where are you?”
Sang Ning’s flat mood leaped with joy; she couldn’t hide the smile in her voice. “At the private beach. You done?”
“Yeah.” Shen Tingwan sighed lightly. “I’ll come find you.”
Ten minutes later, Sang Ning saw Shen Tingwan walking toward her.
“How long have you been sitting here?” Shen Tingwan asked.
Sang Ning checked the time and was surprised herself. “Two hours.”
“Two hours? Taking photos?”
Sang Ning smiled and said she’d taken a few…
They sat together on the beach. Sang Ning smelled alcohol on Shen Tingwan—she didn’t like the scent usually, but on her, it was pleasant.
“Show me the photos,” Shen Tingwan said.
Sang Ning handed over her camera.
Shen Tingwan flipped through; only under ten from nighttime. “Two hours for this many?”
Sang Ning smiled awkwardly. She glanced at the sand. Her feelings for Shen Tingwan now brought a chaotic unease, making her heart restless. Before, her affection had been calm; now, it felt tugged uncontrollably.
Waves lapped the shore rhythmically. Shen Tingwan quieted down but soon got another call.
“Mom, what’s up?” Shen Tingwan listened for half a minute, then laughed. “I’m busy, out on a work trip—no lying.”
“…You want me married that bad? Even Teacher Jiang doesn’t nag… Fine… Got it… When I get back to Birch City…”
Sang Ning inevitably overheard, guessing the topic. She kept her head down, drawing X’s in the sand.
After hanging up, Shen Tingwan teased her. “So childish.”
Sang Ning looked up, forced a smile, then gazed at the vast sea.
Shen Tingwan looked at the sea too. After a moment, she asked softly, “Family set up a blind date. Should I go?”
Sang Ning pinched her fingers, wincing slightly, and smiled faintly. “Why ask me?”
Shen Tingwan still watched her.
“Up to you,” Sang Ning said softly. She had no right to say more—everyone’s situations differed. Some married for love, others for other reasons. She didn’t know Shen Tingwan’s thoughts…
After thinking, she said, “Senior.”
“Yeah?”
Sang Ning said earnestly, “Whatever happens, don’t wrong yourself.”
Shen Tingwan smiled warmly, seeing her seriousness, and explained quickly, “Just kidding earlier. Not going.”
Sang Ning hummed an “Mm.” You must be happy,* her eyes told Shen Tingwan.
Shen Tingwan gazed into those sparkling eyes; beneath the calm, her heart raced suddenly.
Sang Ning kept hugging her knees, watching the sea.
The night deepened, growing cooler. Shen Tingwan saw how long she’d sat by the sea. “Let’s head back. Wind’s strong.”
Sang Ning worried alcohol plus wind might give her a headache.
When Shen Tingwan stood, her head swam faintly.
Sang Ning noticed and steadied her, concerned. “Did you drink a lot tonight?”
Shen Tingwan paused, looking at her, then nodded.
![The Awakened Cannon Fodder Beauty [Quick Transmigration]](https://i3.wp.com/dobytranslations.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/llllll.png?resize=151,215 "The Awakened Cannon Fodder Beauty [Quick Transmigration]")
