Chapter 58

Released on May 29, 2026

Sang Ning felt like there was something behind her words.

Shen Tingwan glanced at her and turned back into the room.

Sang Ning silently followed.

They reached the kitchen, where Shen Tingwan poured herself a glass of water and sipped it slowly. She asked casually, “What did your senior sister want?”

Sang Ning looked at her, wondering if she was overthinking it, but she faintly sensed that Shen Tingwan always sounded a bit sour whenever she mentioned those three words—probably because she’d once accused her of being “biased.”

“Liu Yang Jie introduced me to a job,” Sang Ning proactively reported her schedule. “Next week, there’s a ski resort that needs shooting. It’ll take two days.”

As an independent photographer, she mostly relied on connections from acquaintances. Liu Yang knew a lot of people through her business, and whenever there was a shooting need, she’d pass it along. She even promoted Sang Ning in her Moments from time to time.

Shen Tingwan asked nonchalantly, “Are you two going together?”

Sang Ning nodded. “She’s going skiing anyway.”

After a brief pause, Shen Tingwan asked, “Just the two of you?”

“No, there are others too.”

“Mm.”

Sang Ning saw Pi Pi run over and act coquettish toward her, so she lowered her head and smiled broadly.

Shen Tingwan watched from the side for a moment, then stepped forward and ruffled her hair.

Sang Ning’s hair got a bit messy. She looked up at Shen Tingwan with a frowning smile, letting her tease.

Shen Tingwan stared at that face full of innocence and thought of how someone had kissed her impatiently the night before. She smiled imperceptibly.

New Year’s Day was only a one-day holiday, so Sang Ning went back to work.

After the studio got a cat, her happiness at work skyrocketed.

Lanlan was very affectionate—easy to pet and hold. Whenever Sang Ning worked for a long stretch, she’d hug the cat for a break.

That noon, Shen Tingwan dropped by the studio again. It wasn’t far from the magazine office, so she occasionally came over for lunch when she had time.

Yu Shuang was out on assignment and hadn’t returned yet, so it was just the two of them for lunch.

After eating, Sang Ning took Shen Tingwan to rest in the photography studio. There was a sofa by the window where they could catch the sun.

Suddenly inspired, Sang Ning skipped resting. She fiddled with the set and lighting in the studio, happily absorbed in it.

Shen Tingwan sat on the sofa, quietly watching her bustle about. An ordinary afternoon like this might have felt boring alone, but suddenly she understood the meaning of sharing it with someone.

Sang Ning turned back and saw Shen Tingwan staring at her. It gave her an inexplicable sense of security. She sat on the window-side sofa, basking in the sun, her hair strands glowing like they were lit up.

Shen Tingwan curved her red lips at her.

Sang Ning lost interest in working. She set aside what she was doing and walked toward the sofa.

Shen Tingwan sat there, tilting her head up slightly to look at her. “Finally remembered to rest?”

Sang Ning flashed a smile.

“Come here.” Shen Tingwan reached out, hooked her hand, and gently tugged her down to sit beside her. They leaned together on the sofa, soaking in the sun.

Lanlan lay obediently nearby, looking a bit dazed. Shen Tingwan petted the cat and said softly, “She’s pretty similar to you.”

Her voice was too quiet for Sang Ning to catch it clearly. Her gaze fell on those moving red lips. “What?”

Shen Tingwan looked at her. “Like you…”

Sang Ning still stared at her lips.

Shen Tingwan lowered her eyes.

The half-started conversation came to an abrupt halt.

The afternoon sun was warm, golden ginkgo leaves drifting outside the window, while their gently entwined breaths burned hot—

She didn’t know how much time passed.

Suddenly, Yu Shuang’s voice boomed from outside, calling loudly, “Lanlan, Lanlan…”

Lanlan, who had been sleeping, bolted out of the studio at the sound, rushing to greet Yu Shuang.

Yu Shuang scooped up the cat and sniffed it deeply a couple times. Soon, she saw Sang Ning and Shen Tingwan emerge from the studio.

“I’m heading out first.” Shen Tingwan smiled and said goodbye, leaving leisurely.

After Shen Tingwan left, Sang Ning touched her neck and made small talk with Yu Shuang. “Did you have lunch?”

Yu Shuang looked at her flushed face and silently handed her a tissue.

Sang Ning asked puzzledly, “What for?”

Yu Shuang said, “Go look in a mirror.”

Sang Ning went to the bathroom, wiped her lips with the tissue, and left behind a vivid lipstick mark.

“…………”

Sang Ning came out acting as if nothing had happened. Yu Shuang unscrewed a bottle of coconut water and sipped it, giving the person in front of her a meaningful look.

Silence lingered for a bit.

Unable to hold back her gossip, Yu Shuang asked, “How far have you two gone?”

Sang Ning chose not to answer.

Yu Shuang thought of how Sang Ning had crushed on her for so long—seven or eight years—and pressed on. “You held back when your senior sister kissed you?”

Sang Ning gave a low hum. “…Back to work.”

Yu Shuang found Sang Ning amazing. She knew plenty but was incredibly pure.

The day before, Sang Ning had been sunbathing in Birch City; the next day, she was bundled in a down jacket at the ski resort with Liu Yang and some friends.

The resort’s elevation was higher than Little Mi Mountain, and it was freezing cold. Sang Ning was fully geared with hat, scarf, and gloves, wrapped up like a rice dumpling.

Sunny days in a row made her love the way sunlight fell on the snow—uniquely warm. She took lots of photos and sent a bunch of videos to Shen Tingwan.

At noon, when Shen Tingwan had a moment, she video-called.

Sang Ning picked up, her eyes brimming with laughter like two crescent moons. She showed Shen Tingwan the scenery around. “Isn’t it beautiful?”

“Beautiful,” Shen Tingwan said from her office, envious. “When will you take me?”

They hadn’t traveled alone together yet. Sang Ning thought about it happily. “When you have time off. Besides skiing, you can see the frost rime here.”

Shen Tingwan asked, “Do you ski?”

Sang Ning was purely there for work this time. “No, do you?”

Shen Tingwan’s lips curved. “Yes. Next time, my girlfriend will teach you.”

Hearing that, Sang Ning’s heart sweetened for a good while. She couldn’t help saying, “How do you know how to do everything?”

Shen Tingwan raised a brow. “Impressive?”

Sang Ning’s smile deepened as she stared at the screen, praising her earnestly. “Very impressive.”

They didn’t chat long before Sang Ning was called to eat. After lunch, she officially started work.

This trip was more tiring than usual, especially the second day shooting outdoors. Walking in snow was inconvenient, her gear bulky, and she had to heft the big camera.

As the shoot wrapped up, Sang Ning wasn’t careful with her footing and twisted her ankle badly in the snow. Back inside, she took off her sock and saw her ankle swelling up.

It hurt fiercely. She got an ice pack from the staff for cold compress. Luckily, the shoot was nearly done; walking was just the issue now.

Liu Yang heard she was hurt and rushed back from the slopes. “What happened?”

Sang Ning said, “Sprained it.”

The resort had a clinic. Liu Yang went with her for a check. No X-ray there, but initial exam showed ligament strain, no fracture. The medic bandaged it simply.

Seeing the state, Liu Yang said, “I’ll drive you back.”

Sang Ning felt bad and instinctively refused. “No need. You guys keep playing.”

Liu Yang was straightforward with friends. “How will you get back like this? A few hours won’t matter. Let’s go.”

Down the mountain, Liu Yang drove straight to Birch City and first to a hospital—just to be safe with an X-ray.

…

Shen Tingwan had to work overtime that day. In the evening, she called Sang Ning to ask if she’d returned to Birch City and learned about the injury during the shoot.

“Why didn’t you tell me this afternoon?”

Sang Ning explained over the phone, “A friend already took me to the hospital. It’s not serious. Don’t worry.”

Shen Tingwan lowered her head and asked, “Where are you now? Still at the hospital?”

Sang Ning had already been sent home by Liu Yang.

Shen Tingwan said, “I’m coming over right now.”

Sang Ning had guessed she’d rush over immediately… so she hadn’t told Shen Tingwan right away after getting hurt.

About half an hour later, Shen Tingwan parked downstairs and went up to knock.

Liu Yang opened the door.

Shen Tingwan knew Liu Yang had taken care of Sang Ning that afternoon. She smiled politely. “Thanks for your hard work today.”

Liu Yang smiled. “No trouble. It’s what you do for a junior.”

Shen Tingwan entered and saw Sang Ning resting on the sofa, her left ankle wrapped in bandages.

“Liu Yang Jie,” Sang Ning remembered she hadn’t properly introduced. “This is my girlfriend.”

Shen Tingwan glanced at her. So you do know.*

Liu Yang was surprised but nodded soon after. “You’re together now?”

“Mm.” Sang Ning had never publicly come out, but she admitted it generously and naturally.

“Congratulations.” Liu Yang saw she wasn’t needed anymore. “I have to meet friends tonight, so I’ll head out.”

Shen Tingwan smiled lightly. “Really troubled you this time. Dinner on me next time.”

Liu Yang waved it off. “No need.”

After Liu Yang left, Shen Tingwan sat by the sofa and checked Sang Ning’s ankle. Still swollen. She asked softly, “Does it hurt?”

Sang Ning smiled breezily. “It’s okay, not too bad.”

Shen Tingwan didn’t smile, staring at her face. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Sang Ning’s voice softened. “It wasn’t that serious. Don’t worry…”

The air went quiet for a few seconds.

Shen Tingwan kept staring. “You still remember I’m your girlfriend?”