Chapter 53

These past few months, Sang Ning had dreamed of Shen Tingwan too many times. Upon waking, she instinctively stared at her face, her mind lingering briefly between dream and reality.

She quickly distinguished reality. Shen Tingwan’s embrace felt warm and real.

Shen Tingwan looked at her too and asked softly, “Did you dream of me?”

Had she talked in her sleep? Sang Ning’s heart tightened as she stared at her lips, pretending not to understand the lip-reading. “Hm?” After all, it was a dream she couldn’t voice aloud.

Shen Tingwan lowered her gaze, finding her dazed expression adorable.

Sang Ning fully woke up. Though reluctant to end the embrace, she said, “I should get up.”

Shen Tingwan smiled silently and leaned close to her right ear again. “I’ll drive you.”

Speaking right by her ear like that made Sang Ning even more reluctant. “You rest.”

Shen Tingwan pinched the back of her neck like one would a kitten and bargained softly, “No.”

Sang Ning laughed. Her heart itched unbearably, so she secretly tilted her head and planted a scorching hot kiss on Shen Tingwan’s hair, greedily kissing twice.

That morning, Sang Ning still had to go to the studio. Now that she was back in Birch City, she felt bad making Yu Shuang shoulder her work alone—Yu Shuang had been busy lately too.

She finished washing up in the bathroom when Shen Tingwan handed her a set of clean clothes. “Don’t wear yesterday’s. Wear mine today.”

She had even prepared underwear. Sang Ning stared, stunned.

“The underwear is new,” Shen Tingwan explained, then casually laughed and asked, “We should be about the same size, right?”

“…” Sang Ning was suddenly speechless, unsure how to respond. But seeing Shen Tingwan say it so openly, she braced herself and replied, “Yeah.”

Seeing her face about to turn beet red again, Shen Tingwan held back a laugh and handed her the clothes before returning to her room to change.

Sang Ning looked at the complete outfit in her hands—clearly thoughtfully matched. It was obvious Shen Tingwan paid attention to styling; even the underwear color coordinated.

Shen Tingwan came out after changing and bumped into Sang Ning face-to-face. Her gaze lingered a bit longer. The outfit she had picked based on Sang Ning’s temperament suited her perfectly.

Sang Ning admired how Shen Tingwan could stare at someone without blushing or her heart racing. After changing, she picked up her hearing aid and tilted her head to put it on skillfully.

Shen Tingwan watched from the side, then stepped closer. “Teach me. Let me do it.”

Sang Ning handed her the hearing aid for her left ear and explained simply—nothing special about it. Just hook it over the ear and insert the earpiece into the ear canal.

Shen Tingwan’s movements were gentle and attentive as she fitted it carefully.

After her hearing deteriorated, Sang Ning’s ears had become especially sensitive to touch. When Shen Tingwan’s fingers brushed her ear and gently inserted the earpiece, Sang Ning’s head twitched slightly.

Shen Tingwan’s voice carried a laugh. “So ticklish?”

Sang Ning muttered helplessly, “My ears are ticklish.”

Shen Tingwan pushed the earpiece in a bit more. “Is this okay?”

Sang Ning: “A little further in.”

Shen Tingwan: “Mm…”

Sang Ning usually put on her hearing aid herself, but at that moment, Shen Tingwan made her feel viscerally that she was no longer alone.

She hadn’t asked if Shen Tingwan minded her ears, but she believed she didn’t. In Shen Tingwan’s presence, she felt equally respected—perhaps that’s why she had fallen for her back then.

Shen Tingwan pinched her cheek casually. “Let’s go.”

With the hearing aid on, sounds became louder and clearer, but Sang Ning still preferred Shen Tingwan speaking close to her right ear—the most real, the most tender.

Shen Tingwan had the day off and planned to visit Jiang Yunchun, with a family banquet that evening—her schedule was packed. She drove Sang Ning to the studio first.

A ginkgo path lay before the studio. After winter set in, the leaves had turned yellow, rustling down in the sunlight with every gust of wind.

The two sat in the car, wordlessly watching the falling leaves for a moment.

Shen Tingwan turned to glance at Sang Ning’s profile. Sang Ning happened to turn back too. Their gazes met quietly, a faint warmth enveloping the car.

“Senior,” Sang Ning gazed at her, “I’m off to work.”

She was a woman of few words, but her sparkling eyes spoke volumes. Shen Tingwan saw the reluctance in them, warming her heart. She had always thought Sang Ning was like winter sunlight; now, in early winter, that sunlight truly belonged to her.

After speaking, Sang Ning got out to leave.

On a whim, Shen Tingwan grabbed her hand, not letting her go yet.

Sang Ning turned back and met Shen Tingwan’s smiling face head-on. The curve of her lips was beautiful, sending Sang Ning’s heart racing like a startled deer, her mouth going dry.

Shen Tingwan looked at her silently for two seconds, then laughed helplessly. “Go on, get to work.”

As their hands parted, Sang Ning felt an emptiness in her heart. She got out, silently stepping on the leaves as she walked toward the studio.

Shen Tingwan watched her slender figure in the sunlight and smiled again. What a blockhead.

…

Sang Ning entered the studio. Yu Shuang hadn’t arrived yet; it was empty.

She entered work mode slowly that day, easily distracted. She wore Shen Tingwan’s clothes, and even used the same perfume as her today.

Shen Tingwan must really like this scent—she’d smelled it on her more than once. Mature yet understated, with a seductive sweetness up close. Scents held memories, pulling her back to yesterday evening’s embrace with Shen Tingwan again and again.

That morning, Yu Shuang strode in boisterously, snapping Sang Ning out of her thoughts. She eyed her up and down. “That outfit today is so stylish.”

Sang Ning curved her lips in a smile, her eyes crinkling too.

Seeing her beaming so brightly, full of life, Yu Shuang remarked, “Smiling so happily. A few days ago, you were all wilted.”

Sang Ning couldn’t suppress her smile.

After returning to Birch City, they’d both been busy with work. Sang Ning had thought they’d have to wait until her birthday to meet, but on Thursday noon, Shen Tingwan showed up at the studio with three packed lunches.

Yu Shuang lit up at the free food.

The three gathered around a small round table—perfect fit. Seeing Sang Ning not taking photos, Yu Shuang teased, “Sang Ning, no pics for your mom today?”

Shen Tingwan raised a brow. “Pics of what?”

“She takes photos of every meal for her mom,” Yu Shuang laughed. “Such a good girl.”

Sang Ning was impressed by Yu Shuang’s memory—she still remembered that.

Shen Tingwan looked at Sang Ning and chuckled. “A good girl, huh.”

“…” Sang Ning stiffened slightly. As Shen Tingwan said it, a high heel rubbed against her leg under the table.

After eating a bit, Shen Tingwan picked up her phone.

The next second, Sang Ning received a WeChat from her: Do you mind others knowing about us?

【Sang Ning】Not at all.

【Sang Ning】Do you?

Shen Tingwan replied: Of course not.

Sang Ning looked up at her, feeling a sense of security settle in her heart. Even before they got together, she knew Shen Tingwan was reliable and trustworthy.

After lunch, with some time left, they sunbathed outside the studio. A little cat came over; Sang Ning fed it snacks and asked Shen Tingwan, “Not busy? You came at noon.”

Shen Tingwan explained, “Only free midday. Evening has socializing—no time to keep you company…”

Sang Ning: “It’s fine. No need.”

Shen Tingwan: “You don’t want to see your girlfriend at all?”

Sang Ning immediately said, “No, that’s not it.”

Seeing her like that, Shen Tingwan wanted to pull her into a hug—if they weren’t outside. She checked the time. “I should go.”

Sang Ning nodded. “Mm.”

Only after watching Shen Tingwan leave did Sang Ning return to the studio, where Yu Shuang caught her immediately. “That lovesick look. Don’t tell me you’re innocent.”

Sang Ning knew she couldn’t hide it—and she wouldn’t in the future anyway—so she came clean.

“You’re really together?!” Yu Shuang was shocked. “Didn’t you say you had zero interest in your senior before?”

Sang Ning casually confessed something even more shocking to Yu Shuang. “Didn’t I mention before that I liked someone for a long time?”

“You weren’t joking?” Yu Shuang’s eyes widened. “It’s your senior, isn’t it?”

Sang Ning admitted calmly, “Yeah.”

Yu Shuang questioned life itself, speechless for a long while.

Under Yu Shuang’s barrage of questions, Sang Ning spilled all her pent-up feelings—none of it was a secret anymore.

After hearing it all, Yu Shuang’s emotions were complicated, but she finally said, “Sang Ning, you sure can hold it in.”

Sang Ning said quietly, “I never thought she’d like me back.”

Why would her senior like her? Over those long years, she was convinced Shen Tingwan would fall for someone perfect in every way…

Yu Shuang had always seen Sang Ning as resilient and confident. This was the first time she heard her speak so humbly. “Why not? You’re great too.”

Sang Ning smiled warmly. What a good friend.

Yu Shuang was happy for her too. How many people turned a crush into reality? “Now I’m relieved.”

Sang Ning asked, “Relieved about what?”

Yu Shuang: “Your senior’s so gentle. She definitely won’t bully you.”

Sang Ning smiled.

Yu Shuang gossiped curiously, “You held out so long—no fireworks?”

Sang Ning just looked at her quietly: “…”

Yu Shuang knew that look was pure innocence. “Keep pretending you’re pure!”

*

Sang Ning’s birthday was the day before Christmas Eve, a Saturday.

She usually kept birthdays simple—dinner with Yu Shuang or family. This time, with Shen Tingwan, she felt much more anticipation.

After returning to Birch City, work kept them busy. Her birthday was their first real date.

Shen Tingwan asked if she wanted to stroll the campus. Sang Ning had no objections—as long as it was with her, anywhere was fine.

Birch University’s kapok trees were in full bloom, covered in romantic pinkish-red flowers that drew crowds.

On holiday, the campus bustled noisily. Shen Tingwan naturally took Sang Ning’s hand, keeping her close.

Sang Ning glanced back at her. Before, when Shen Tingwan held her hand in crowds like this, it felt bittersweet. Now, only sweetness remained.

They didn’t let go. After a short walk, they tacitly intertwined their fingers tightly. Just hand-holding made Sang Ning’s heart pound nonstop.

Shen Tingwan led her past the library and turned onto a path before the academic building.

Sang Ning looked at the familiar route, suddenly recalling the past.

Shen Tingwan asked, “Remember this path?”

Sang Ning smiled, touched. “I do…”

Shen Tingwan tugged her hand gently. “Want Senior to take you to Wenyuan Building?”

Sang Ning finally realized why Shen Tingwan brought her here. They walked the path to Wenyuan Building again—this time, fingers tightly laced. The person once impossibly distant was now firmly in her grasp.

They reached the lawn behind Wenyuan Building.

Shen Tingwan smiled and asked, “Happy?”

Sang Ning’s heart raced from that smile. Unable to resist, she hugged her first—tightly, pouring out her affection.

“You can take initiative?” Shen Tingwan hugged back, feeling Sang Ning’s usual caution. She continued by her ear, “I like when you’re proactive…”