Chapter 48

Sang Ning remained quiet throughout, but her heart raced wildly. She lowered her head and tried to pick up some noodles, snapping a few strands in the process, unable to lift them as they swelled in the soup.

Faced with the “girlfriend” claim, Shen Tingwan admitted it calmly and naturally.

Sang Ning quietly tried to pick up more noodles without drawing attention. She wasn’t surprised—Shen Tingwan was always so composed. Compared to saying she didn’t like girls, this was a more straightforward way to brush off the advance.

The girl who had asked for her contact information finally left in embarrassment.

Shen Tingwan turned back to Sang Ning. “Scared?”

Sang Ning feigned composure as well. “No…”

Shen Tingwan curved her red lips into a smile.

Sang Ning returned a smile laced with mixed emotions. She thought Shen Tingwan might offer some explanation, but Shen Tingwan didn’t seem worried about any misunderstanding and said nothing more. It was obviously just a joking excuse, so there was no need to explain it specially.

After dinner, they took a leisurely stroll to digest the food before heading back.

Late into the night, Sang Ning lay awake.

Though she tried hard not to overthink it, her mind replayed the scene of Shen Tingwan acknowledging her as her girlfriend over and over. She kept recalling Shen Tingwan’s tone and smile from that moment, spending the entire night in a daze. This might have been the closest she’d ever come to her “dream coming true.”

Shen Tingwan also stayed up late. In the end, she had a little drink—her reliance on alcohol wasn’t something she could shake off easily.

She took off the necklace around her neck and toyed with it in her hand, thinking about the person who had given it to her.

Realizing that Sang Ning had joined the club because of her, she still found it hard to believe. She’d always thought Sang Ning simply liked photography.

Shen Tingwan stared at the necklace, her thoughts drifting back to their university days.

Though she hadn’t interacted much with Sang Ning back then, she had quite a few impressions of her. They bumped into each other from time to time. She rarely participated in club activities or group events, but whenever she did, Sang Ning was always there…

Lost in thought, she took a sip of wine. Was she being too sensitive?

Shen Tingwan smiled quietly as she sipped her soup, thinking to herself, I do have a situation now.*

That night, Shen Tingwan watched TV with Jiang Yunchun for a while before returning to her room to shower. When she came out, the two cats ran to her legs, rubbing and nuzzling against her affectionately.

She first recorded a short video and shared it.

Sang Ning saw the red notification dot on the pinned chat and smiled. She knew Shen Tingwan had been staying with Jiang Yunchun lately and often sent her videos of cats and dogs in the evenings.

She opened the video and saw Shen Tingwan petting the cat, which looked blissfully content and utterly adorable.

Soon, another message arrived.

【Shen Tingwan】Want a video call to see them?

Sang Ning replied with a simple “Mm,” and the next moment, she received a video call invitation. She accepted immediately, then stared at the screen in a daze.

Shen Tingwan sat on the sofa with a cat in her lap, her gentle smile on full display.

She’d just showered again, and Sang Ning couldn’t help but feel her heart skip every time she saw her like this. She tried to focus on the cat, but her gaze kept wandering. If Shen Tingwan knew about her restless thoughts, she definitely wouldn’t video call like this…

Shen Tingwan teased the cat while asking, “Cute?”

Sang Ning smiled and said, “Cute. They look even fatter in the video than in photos.”

Shen Tingwan only heard the audio and saw that Sang Ning’s camera wasn’t on her face—it was pointed elsewhere. She asked casually, “Not convenient to show your face?”

Caught by Shen Tingwan’s words, Sang Ning awkwardly switched to selfie mode. She rarely did video calls, not even with her family.

Sang Ning wore pajamas and leaned against her bed.

Shen Tingwan stared at the screen: a clear, attractive face. With her long hair down, Sang Ning had an artistic vibe. She asked softly, “What are you up to?”

Sang Ning stared at her own face on the screen. “Watched some videos. About to sleep.”

Shen Tingwan looked at her. “Can you fall asleep this early?”

Sang Ning said, “I usually sleep before eleven. Staying up late makes me groggy the next day.”

Shen Tingwan smiled.

Sang Ning asked helplessly why she was laughing.

Shen Tingwan said, “How are you so young yet act like an old cadre?”

“It’s healthier not to stay up late.” Sang Ning casually turned it back on her. “You shouldn’t stay up too late either.”

“So bossy? First no drinking, now no staying up late.” Shen Tingwan’s lips curved in a smile. Suddenly, she wished they weren’t separated by a screen but right there together.

Sang Ning realized she might be nagging too much and thought for a moment. “Then I won’t say it anymore.”

Shen Tingwan chuckled with a furrowed brow, helpless against her seriousness. “Sang Ning, can’t you tell I’m teasing you?”

Sang Ning smiled helplessly too. She loved hearing Shen Tingwan call her name—her heart raced every time.

Shen Tingwan gazed at her smile for a long while before saying softly, “Fine, I’ll listen to you.”

Sang Ning’s heart warmed. Ever since being called her “girlfriend” that day, she found herself daydreaming more easily around Shen Tingwan. Sometimes, she even had brief illusions that they were dating—like right now.

The feeling brought a faint, inexplicable sense of loss. In the end, it was just an illusion. And lately, reality felt farther away than ever.

The cat had scampered off at some point, leaving just the two of them on the video. They chatted about this and that—nothing important.

Shen Tingwan checked the time. “Time to sleep. Good night.”

Sang Ning said to her, “Good night.”

Deep down, she was reluctant to end it and wanted to keep looking.

Because of Shen Tingwan’s gentle good night, Sang Ning fell asleep even later than usual.

The next day brought the usual busy workday. During lunch break, Yu Shuang asked curiously, “Why do you keep checking your phone lately?”

Sang Ning played dumb. “Do I?”

Yu Shuang felt like Sang Ning had been off lately. “Do you have something on your mind?”

“Ran into a troublesome client.” Sang Ning huffed. She had been restless lately—that chaotic, helpless feeling was growing. She couldn’t control her growing affection for Shen Tingwan anymore, lost in wild thoughts too often.

Yu Shuang gloated. “A client even you can’t handle? Spill.”

Sang Ning changed the subject. “I’m sleepy. Gonna nap.”

Yu Shuang: “…”

Sang Ning napped on her desk for over ten minutes, dreaming most of the time. When she woke, she felt a profound sense of loss, her eyes slightly damp. In the dream, Shen Tingwan had discovered her long-hidden feelings and avoided her—they couldn’t even be friends anymore.

…

That evening, Shen Tingwan attended a gathering. A friend had returned to the country, and Wei Xue had organized a welcome dinner. The friend had just gotten into a relationship and brought their girlfriend along.

After some drinks, the lovey-dovey couple in the honeymoon phase couldn’t hold back. One got drunk and burrowed into the other’s arms, all sweetness and clinginess.

“Stop shoving dog food down our throats,” Wei Xue teased while watching the spectacle. “Why don’t you kiss for us to see?”

Shen Tingwan glanced over and smiled while sipping her wine.

Wei Xue raised her glass with a grin. “What, jealous of people in love?”

Shen Tingwan smiled without replying.

Wei Xue thought about it—Shen Tingwan probably couldn’t handle this level of clinginess even if she were dating. From what she knew, Shen Tingwan wouldn’t like someone too needy; she needed personal space.

A woman with red lipstick boldly joked, “Teacher Shen, we’re both single. How about considering me?”

Wei Xue laughed first. “No chance. You’re not her type.”

The woman feigned regret. “What type does she like then?”

“Quiet and sweet.” Wei Xue winked at Shen Tingwan, practically naming names. “Right, Teacher Shen?”

Shen Tingwan responded to Wei Xue’s teasing unhurriedly. “Yes.”

Now it was Wei Xue’s turn to be speechless. She just admitted it like that?

Midway, Shen Tingwan got up to use the restroom, and Wei Xue followed.

They stood together washing their hands. Wei Xue pumped out some soap and lathered up. She glanced at Shen Tingwan. “You really don’t mind if someone already has their eye on another person?”

The person she’s thinking of… Shen Tingwan grabbed a paper towel to dry her hands, pondering something. Instead of answering directly, she suddenly asked, “Let me ask you something.”

Wei Xue: “What?”

Shen Tingwan: “Did you ever tell Sang Ning my birthday?”

Wei Xue was baffled by the question.

Shen Tingwan pressed, “Did you tell her?”

Wei Xue thought for a moment and answered confidently, “No, I never did…”

Shen Tingwan lowered her head slightly and tossed the used paper towel into the trash. She’d been surprised back then that Sang Ning remembered her birthday when they weren’t close yet. Sang Ning had said she’d heard it from Wei Xue, so she hadn’t thought much of it.

So how did Sang Ning know her birthday?

Shen Tingwan only drank enough at the gathering to not overdo it and didn’t stay too late. As she left the venue, she originally planned to call a designated driver, but after a moment’s thought, she called Sang Ning.

Sang Ning had gone for another night run. As she walked back, her phone buzzed. “Senior Sister, what’s up?”

Hearing her voice, Shen Tingwan said, “Nothing much. My gathering just ended…”

The sentence hung incomplete. Sang Ning stopped in her tracks and offered proactively, “Want me to pick you up?”

Shen Tingwan said softly, “Aren’t you tired?”

Sang Ning replied quickly, “Not tired.”

Shen Tingwan paused for a moment. “Okay.”

“Send me your location. I’ll be right there.” Shen Tingwan had mentioned the gathering with friends tonight but hadn’t asked her to pick her up. Yet she’d called suddenly—Sang Ning figured she needed her.

Less than half an hour later, Shen Tingwan saw Sang Ning arrive.

The wind outside was strong and chilly. As Sang Ning approached, she asked, “Not cold standing out here?”

Shen Tingwan looked at the person who had shown up first thing and fell silent. Was she being too sensitive? Whenever she made a request, Sang Ning always rushed over immediately—even back when they weren’t that close…

“What’s wrong?” Sang Ning sensed she was quieter than usual and grew worried. “Are you feeling unwell?”

Shen Tingwan ventured, “Can you stay with me a bit longer tonight?”

Sang Ning looked at her without hesitation. “Of course.”