Chapter 46

Sang Ning could tell that Shen Tingwan really needed company. “I’m not leaving.”

Shen Tingwan laughed at herself for being so thick-skinned again, but she had been exhausted for too long. She really wanted to get a good night’s sleep, and with Sang Ning there, she inexplicably felt much more at ease. She had grown a little dependent.

That night, the two slept on the same bed again, keeping some distance between them. Not long after Sang Ning got into bed, Shen Tingwan drifted off to sleep from fatigue.

With the lights off, Sang Ning lay awake in the darkness. She turned her head to look at the other side and stayed silent for a long time.

That night, Shen Tingwan slept peacefully for once—probably because she had been so sleep-deprived lately. When she woke up the next day, it was already ten o’clock.

The spot beside her was empty; she was the only one left on the bed. She had no idea when Sang Ning had left.

Shen Tingwan sat up in bed and walked out of the bedroom. On the dining table sat a serving of breakfast, with a note tucked underneath.

She picked up the note, which had two lines of neat, elegant handwriting:

I had work to do, so I left first. Remember to eat breakfast.

If you’re not sleeping well, cut back on the coffee.

Shen Tingwan stared at the note and smiled for a long time.

Sang Ning spent the morning busy in the photography studio. During a break, she saw a WeChat message from Shen Tingwan: a photo of the breakfast, paired with milk. No coffee.

Jiang Yunchun still needed to stay in the hospital for recovery for a while. Seeing that there were no major issues, Shen Tingwan returned to the company to resume work. Having taken more than a week off, a pile of tasks had accumulated, and she was swamped.

That afternoon, after finishing an outdoor shoot, Sang Ning returned to the studio and saw Yu Shuang chatting with someone.

It wasn’t a client; it was their friend Nainai. Ever since her “breakup,” Nainai had been coming to Yu Shuang often for comfort.

Today, Nainai had a listless, hungover face, her eyes still puffy from crying.

Sang Ning didn’t ask what happened, but she guessed Nainai was still upset about the previous matter.

Yu Shuang couldn’t hold back at the sight of her. “Sis, you were even her bridesmaid. It’s been so long—haven’t you gotten over it yet?”

Nainai said listlessly, “I dreamed about her again last night.”

Yu Shuang felt a headache coming on. She could console her once or twice, but after so many times, all that was left was frustration. “I told you not to fall for a straight girl.”

Nainai said, “Sigh, but she was really good to me before—always hugging and kissing me…”

Yu Shuang munched on a biscuit and grumbled, “Then she turned around and went on a blind date and got married in a flash.”

Nainai said, “I thought I had a chance.”

Yu Shuang: “You know how straight girls are—they don’t hold back when they make a move…”

Sang Ning sat at the computer nearby, working while listening to their conversation. She had heard this dialogue more than once.

Her gaze blurred for a moment as she suddenly thought of that night with Shen Tingwan… She felt Yu Shuang was right.

In the end, Nainai said, “What can I do? I just like her. I can’t forget her.”

Yu Shuang was completely speechless. She looked to Sang Ning for help. “I can’t talk her out of it anymore. You try.”

Sang Ning: “…”

She couldn’t persuade her at all.

A WeChat notification came in.

[Shen Tingwan] Meeting’s over.

[Shen Tingwan] There’s an event this month, so I’ll have to go on a business trip again.

[Shen Tingwan] Dinner meeting tonight.

Sang Ning stared at the pinned message. Shen Tingwan made a habit of reporting her schedule to her now. Their relationship had grown so intimate; Shen Tingwan seemed to treat her like a close friend.

They hadn’t seen each other for a few days, as Shen Tingwan had been working overtime almost every day, and Sang Ning hadn’t been idle either. One evening while working late, Jiang Yunchun video-called her to ask about operating the Polaroid camera.

Sang Ning patiently taught the old lady over the video call.

Jiang Yunchun smiled sheepishly. “I’m getting old—my memory’s not what it used to be. I need you to teach me the same thing over and over.”

Sang Ning enjoyed chatting with Jiang Yunchun. The old lady was interesting, warm, and affectionate. “No way, Grandma, you’re already amazing.”

Jiang Yunchun beamed at the compliment. Seeing Sang Ning in what looked like an office, she asked, “Still working overtime?”

“Yeah, a bit busy these past couple of days.” Sang Ning took the chance to check on the old lady’s health.

“Alright, don’t worry about me. Once I’m discharged, Grandma will cook you something delicious.” After a few words, Jiang Yunchun changed the subject. “Xiao Ning, Grandma has something to ask you.”

Sang Ning: “What is it?”

“How’s Wanwan’s dating going?” Jiang Yunchun asked curiously. She didn’t want to pester Shen Tingwan about her love life for fear of annoying her, but she still wanted to show concern.

Sang Ning was a bit stunned. “What dating?”

Jiang Yunchun: “Didn’t Wanwan go on a blind date a couple of days ago? I saw the photos—they looked pretty compatible.”

Sang Ning recalled Shen Tingwan mentioning a dinner meeting a couple of days ago. Realizing what it was, she looked a little dazed and smiled as she replied, “I… don’t know.”

Jiang Yunchun: “She didn’t tell you?”

Sang Ning’s smile stiffened. “Yeah.”

“Grandma won’t bother you while you’re busy anymore.”

After the video call ended, Sang Ning woodenly set down her phone. Maybe she had changed her mind and gone on the blind date after all. She sat there in a daze for a moment before returning to her work at the computer.

Sang Ning tried hard to focus on the photos on the screen, but her thoughts scattered in all directions. Shen Tingwan must have thought the person was suitable to give them a chance…

She used to not be able to imagine what Shen Tingwan would be like in a relationship, but now she could—gentle and coquettish for sure… Sang Ning sighed, feeling a weight pressing on her chest.

She knew she had no right to feel anything else. If her senior met someone she liked, she would be happy for her.

Back to work.

When her heart was in turmoil, Sang Ning liked to keep herself busy. Being busy left no room for overthinking, and the studio had plenty of orders right now anyway.

Yu Shuang noticed Sang Ning working overtime for several days straight. “Are you short on cash lately?”

Sang Ning said, “No.”

Yu Shuang: “Then why are you pushing so hard?”

Sang Ning said flatly, “It’s okay.”

Yu Shuang gave a thumbs-up. “Born workhorse.”

Sang Ning: “…”

That night, Sang Ning worked overtime again. She had been slumped over her desk for nearly ten minutes when her phone buzzed beside her. Shen Tingwan was calling. She picked up a bit slower than usual, first calming her emotions.

“Senior…”

“Still busy?” Shen Tingwan guessed she was working, since she usually answered right away.

Sang Ning: “Yeah…”

Shen Tingwan laughed on the other end. “Why do you sound so wilted?”

Hearing that gentle laugh, Sang Ning bit her lip. The sourness buried deep in her heart swelled rapidly. She knew she had no right, but she couldn’t control it.

She was best at enduring, so her tone stayed natural. “Overtime’s too tiring.”

Shen Tingwan: “I ordered you some late-night snacks. Pick them up in a bit—they should arrive in about twenty minutes.”

Sang Ning lowered her head. She really wanted to say, Don’t be so nice to me.

The timing was spot on. About twenty minutes later, Shen Tingwan called again, saying it had arrived and to come out and get it.

Sang Ning slowly got up and opened the studio’s glass door. Her gaze froze.

Shen Tingwan stood right in front of her, smiling brightly, the streetlight illuminating her beautiful face.

Sang Ning’s jumbled thoughts left her unsure how to react, making her seem a bit dumbstruck.

Shen Tingwan didn’t see the smile she expected and teased, “Don’t want to see me?”

Sang Ning managed a faint smile at the corner of her mouth. “No.”

Shen Tingwan: “Let’s eat late-night snacks together.”

Sang Ning nodded. “Okay.”

It was a local spot famous for Hong Kong-style dim sum. The rice noodle rolls and shrimp dumplings were both things Sang Ning liked. She ate quietly, chewing slowly.

Seeing her not enjoying it like usual, Shen Tingwan asked, “Tired to the point you don’t want to eat?”

Sang Ning smiled a little. “A bit.”

Though she always smiled, Shen Tingwan could now tell when it was genuine happiness or fake—the real one came with dimples in her cheeks. “I’ve been pretty tired lately too. We can get a SPA together on your day off.”

“Mm…” Sang Ning slowly ate another rice noodle roll, brewing for a moment before smiling casually and asking, “Senior, how did the date go?”

Shen Tingwan paused her chopsticks. “What?”

Sang Ning tried to keep her expression natural. “Grandma asked me the night before last if your blind date went well.”

Shen Tingwan gazed at her eyes and brows.

Sang Ning looked back at her silently.

“It wasn’t a blind date. That day was just a dinner meeting,” Shen Tingwan explained. “Grandma must have misunderstood.”

Sang Ning hummed softly. “…Mm.”

Shen Tingwan tilted her head to look at her. “You thought I was busy with a date?”

Sang Ning’s fingertips twitched as she gave a standard reply. “Grandma said so.”

Shen Tingwan smiled helplessly. “Don’t you know what I do every day?”

Sang Ning smiled back. “Mm, you’d tell me if you had a date.”

Shen Tingwan slowly raised her eyes and asked, “Do you want to urge me to find someone too?”

Sang Ning found it hard to talk about this with Shen Tingwan, but she answered seriously. “No, that’s up to you.”

The two ate quietly for a while.

“Senior.”

Shen Tingwan looked up. “Mm.”

With a selfish motive, Sang Ning seized the chance to say what was on her mind. “If you date someone, make sure it’s a really good person.”

It was a sincere blessing, paired with earnest eyes—very touching.

For the first time, Shen Tingwan couldn’t read someone so clearly. She felt Sang Ning was overly considerate toward her, to the point of ambiguity, but Sang Ning didn’t seem to want anything more.

Treating her as well as a girlfriend would, yet only wanting to be ordinary friends?

After the late-night snacks, Shen Tingwan sat in the studio a bit longer. Sang Ning knew she was waiting, so she shut down her computer soon after.

The two left together.

*

Early the next morning, Yu Shuang had a lollipop in her mouth and mumbled, “Sang Ning, for your birthday—are you going home or staying in Birch City?”

“Don’t know yet. It’s still early.” Sang Ning’s birthday was in late December, not even mid-month yet.

Sang Ning usually celebrated her birthday in one of three ways: with Yu Shuang, back home, or alone. But this year, she felt Shen Tingwan might accompany her…

She had a preferred answer in her heart.

Yu Shuang joked, “If you want me to keep you company, book in advance.”

Sang Ning smiled. “Sure.”

At five in the afternoon, Sang Ning got a call from her university roommate Tan Xiaoqiu. Tan Xiaoqiu was in Birch City on a business trip these past few days, and they hadn’t seen each other in a while. They agreed to have dinner that evening.

“Sang Ning, I’m done with work. Heading to your studio now.”

“Okay, I’ll wait for you.”

Tan Xiaoqiu said she wanted to check out the studio first, then go eat.

They hadn’t met since graduation. Sang Ning almost didn’t recognize the coolly dressed girl who walked in—her style had changed a lot.

Sang Ning had changed quite a bit too. Still quiet, but much more confident than in university.

As soon as they met, Tan Xiaoqiu exclaimed, “Wow, little beauty turned into a big beauty!”

Sang Ning smiled. “You’ve changed a lot too—I almost didn’t recognize you.”

Tan Xiaoqiu said, “Depends on my mood. Lately, I’ve been going for cool girl vibes.”

Sang Ning had been closest to Tan Xiaoqiu in university. Though they lived in different cities after graduation, they stayed in touch occasionally. Tan Xiaoqiu had a righteous, no-nonsense personality and had helped her out a lot back then.

They sat and had a glass of water. Sang Ning showed Tan Xiaoqiu around the studio as they caught up.

Tan Xiaoqiu praised as she looked around. “Switching careers to photographer—you didn’t join the university Photography Society for nothing.”

Tan Xiaoqiu had signed up for the Photography Society with Sang Ning back then, but her interest was low, so she rarely participated.

The studio wasn’t big, so they finished the tour quickly. They planned to go for hotpot that evening.

As they prepared to head out, Sang Ning saw a WeChat from Shen Tingwan.

[Shen Tingwan] Done with work.

[Shen Tingwan] No idea what to eat yet.

Sang Ning thought for a moment and asked Tan Xiaoqiu, “Xiaoqiu, can I bring a friend tonight? You know her.”

Tan Xiaoqiu: “Sure, who’s it?”

Sang Ning smiled—she asked because she knew Tan Xiaoqiu’s personality. “Shen Tingwan.”

Tan Xiaoqiu was surprised. “The Shen Tingwan I know?”

Sang Ning: “Yeah.”

“You’re that close?” Tan Xiaoqiu widened her eyes. “When did you hook up with the goddess? How’d you do it?”

Sang Ning: “…”

It was amazing. Just a few months ago, she had thought Shen Tingwan was unattainable. Now, she no longer felt that distance.

Unknowingly, Shen Tingwan had become real to her—no longer just a dream from the past.

As soon as Tan Xiaoqiu heard it was Shen Tingwan, she urged, “Call her, call her!”

Sang Ning called Shen Tingwan directly. “Senior, do you want to come over?”

Shen Tingwan knew Sang Ning was having dinner with her university roommate that night. “Is it okay if I join?”

Sang Ning: “It’s fine—I asked.”

Shen Tingwan: “I’m coming now. Wait for me.”

Tan Xiaoqiu was excited. “How long till Senior Shen gets here?”

“Should be less than twenty minutes without traffic.” Sang Ning was happy too. Though she saw Shen Tingwan often now, every meeting still made her heart leap. She could never see her too much.

There was a bit of traffic on the road, so it took Shen Tingwan over twenty minutes to arrive.

Tan Xiaoqiu spotted the person coming in and greeted her enthusiastically. “Senior, I’m Tan Xiaoqiu. We’ve met at the club before.”

“Hello.” Shen Tingwan smiled politely. She suddenly recalled the time she had met Sang Ning at the coffee shop—and surprisingly, she hadn’t been recognized…

“Senior, you’re getting prettier and prettier.”

“Thank you.” Shen Tingwan glanced at Sang Ning standing nearby. She was a junior too, but her mouth was so much sweeter. She then said to Tan Xiaoqiu, “Once we’re out of school, don’t call me senior anymore. We’re all friends now.”

Sang Ning was a bit stunned. So she didn’t like being called senior?