Sang Ning was embarrassed by her own words that had slipped out. She released Shen Tingwan, her face burning as she mumbled vaguely, “You go ahead and shower. I’ll head out.”
Shen Tingwan’s arms suddenly felt empty, left standing there. She stared at Sang Ning’s retreating back and chuckled helplessly for a while. So repressed.
Sang Ning showered too, brushing her teeth meticulously until her mouth was filled with a fresh, sweet fragrance.
The two sat on the sofa watching TV.
Shen Tingwan grew tired of watching and leaned her head on Sang Ning’s shoulder.
Sang Ning turned her head.
Shen Tingwan thought of what she had said earlier in the bathroom and wanted to laugh again. So she was thinking about that all along… Up close, she watched her, refusing to make the first move.
Sang Ning was still embarrassed. “Are you sleepy?”
Shen Tingwan stared at her. “Mm.”
Sang Ning said softly, “Let’s go to bed then.”
They were in bed before eleven again. Ever since this young old cadre had moved in, Shen Tingwan’s own schedule had become healthy and regular.
Lying in bed, Sang Ning took the initiative to hug Shen Tingwan. Her palm brushed over her waist, pulling her close. The scent of the body wash was so enticing that she couldn’t help leaning in to sniff Shen Tingwan’s neck.
Shen Tingwan felt ticklish for a moment, then turned slightly, smiling as she hugged the clingy person back.
Sang Ning quietly curved her lips into a smile. She rarely took the initiative with Shen Tingwan, and even when she did, it was tense. But this embrace was completely relaxed—no more tentative affection.
“Did your ankle hurt after walking so much today?”
“It doesn’t hurt.” Sang Ning had taken off her hearing aid after showering, but Shen Tingwan always spoke close to her right ear thoughtfully, so she heard clearly.
They hugged quietly for a while.
Sang Ning lifted her head to look at Shen Tingwan, hesitating as if she wanted to say something.
Shen Tingwan noticed. “What are you thinking?”
Sang Ning hesitated a little before asking softly, probing, “Are you jealous of Liu Yang Jie?”
Shen Tingwan’s lips pressed together lightly. “…”
“She’s just a friend.” Sang Ning explained earnestly. She sensed that Shen Tingwan minded a bit, so it was better to clear it up.
Shen Tingwan stared at her for two seconds, half-joking, “You’ve never liked her?”
Sang Ning quickly said, “No.”
Shen Tingwan’s tone carried a hint of doubt. “You seem pretty accommodating to her.”
“No way, you’re overthinking it.” Sang Ning hurriedly explained, afraid of any misunderstanding.
Shen Tingwan admitted she was overthinking a little. She loved the way Sang Ning looked at her too much—greedily, she didn’t want that gaze on anyone else. She touched Sang Ning’s cheek. “So you’re only accommodating to me? I thought you were this nice to all your senior alumnae.”
Sang Ning looked at her. “Only to you.”
Shen Tingwan’s gaze lingered on her eyes, her possessiveness prompting her to press further. “You’ve only looked at me like this?”
Sang Ning nodded seriously. “Mm.”
Shen Tingwan’s heart fluttered again under that gaze. She hugged her tighter, brushing aside the hair by her ear, her lips nearly brushing her right ear.
The almost-kiss at her ear sent a faint tingle through Sang Ning’s body. She tightened her arms around Shen Tingwan’s waist.
Shen Tingwan laughed softly by her ear. “Didn’t you want to kiss me?”
Sang Ning’s heart stirred restlessly. She tilted her head slightly, forehead meeting Shen Tingwan’s. They rubbed foreheads, gazing into each other’s eyes, breaths teasing one another.
Shen Tingwan’s smile deepened as she leaned in a bit closer.
Sang Ning’s eyelashes trembled. As her palm cradled the back of Shen Tingwan’s head, she parted her lips and kissed her. Clumsy and timid as she was, Shen Tingwan always gave her courage.
Shen Tingwan closed her eyes, fingers caressing her ear, lips responding eagerly to the kiss.
Receiving the response, Sang Ning grew more fervent. Since New Year’s, they kissed every time they met. Shen Tingwan hadn’t kissed her for days this time—she guessed there had been some lingering emotions. Only now, with their heated kiss, did she feel at ease.
When their lips parted, Shen Tingwan teased her for being too eager, pecking her lip corner with a soft sigh. “You like it like this?”
Forgetting her shyness after the first kiss, Sang Ning leaned in again. After a few light kisses, she pried open her lips and teeth, her tongue tip gently sweeping the upper palate. The kiss deepened… She no longer held back now, knowing Shen Tingwan would respond.
Shen Tingwan held her tightly, sighing through her nose amid the kiss, her body tingling like an electric current. She’s finally gotten the hang of it—not as awkward as before.
Hearing Shen Tingwan’s breathing grow erratic, Sang Ning’s heart burned. She shifted slightly atop her, burying her head for an even deeper kiss.
Shen Tingwan sank a bit into the bedding, half-opening her eyes to brush aside Sang Ning’s long hair, tucking it behind her ear, all while their lips and tongues entwined.
The kiss left them breathless. Sang Ning held back again, pursing her lips to stop. Kissing like this on the bed was hard to endure for her—her thoughts about Shen Tingwan weren’t innocent at all…
Shen Tingwan opened her eyes, cheeks faintly flushed, still lightly panting.
Sang Ning met her gaze, her chest heaving more intensely, yet she restrained her impulses. We’ve only just gotten together. Thinking about those things is too soon.
Shen Tingwan’s heart still raced. Her slender fingers stroked Sang Ning’s hair before she tilted her head to kiss her earlobe.
Sang Ning bit her lip, returning the kiss on her cheek instead, then lowered her head to hug her.
Seeing the prim and proper hug with no further movement for a long time, Shen Tingwan asked hoarsely, “Sleepy?”
Sang Ning lied through her pounding heart. “Mm…”
It was eleven. Shen Tingwan pinched her waist and laughed. “Old cadre.”
Sang Ning: “…”
The next day was a weekend. When Shen Tingwan woke, her arms were empty. Sang Ning sat at the edge of the bed. She hooked Sang Ning’s finger. “Up so early?”
Sang Ning turned to see her just-woken appearance and wanted to stay in bed too. “I need to go to the studio to finish a job.”
Shen Tingwan frowned. “Your injury’s barely healed. No work allowed.”
“It’s post-production, not shooting. The client is rushing it.” Seeing it was a rare weekend off for her, Sang Ning coaxed with a smile, “You keep sleeping.”
Shen Tingwan was still groggy and wanted to pull her back to cuddle. She lay there another ten minutes before getting up too.
After washing up, Sang Ning saw Shen Tingwan emerge in her pajamas. “Why not sleep more?”
Shen Tingwan tossed her long hair back. “I’ll take you there.”
Yu Shuang was at the studio that morning too. Seeing Sang Ning arrive, she said, “Why not rest a few more days? No need to love work this much.”
Sang Ning replied, “Just finishing some post-production.”
Yu Shuang asked with concern, “Your foot okay now?”
“Yeah, no big issue.” Sang Ning smiled, sat at the computer, booted it up, and dove into work mode.
Sang Ning was always diligent at work, taking on many jobs. Freelancing offered freedom but unstable income, so she hustled when possible to cushion the slow seasons.
With work delayed these past days, she had a pile to catch up on—busy days ahead.
That night, she worked overtime until nine and received a call from Shen Tingwan. “Not done yet?”
Sang Ning was exhausted too. “Mm.”
Shen Tingwan said, “I’ll pick you up later.”
Sang Ning thought of the overtime post-production ahead—easier at her own apartment. “No need to pick me up. I’ll stay at my apartment; more convenient for overtime.”
There was a pause on the other end.
Then Shen Tingwan’s unhurried voice came. “So when work gets busy, you don’t need me anymore?”
“No.”
“I’m kidding.” Shen Tingwan, afraid she’d take it seriously, added, “Rest during shoots. Your injury’s recent.”
Sang Ning laughed. “Got it.”
Shen Tingwan chuckled too.
Sang Ning called out, “Senior…”
Even after dating, she hadn’t changed the address, but now “senior” sounded sweeter. Shen Tingwan loved hearing it. She laughed softly. “What?”
Sang Ning coaxed her girlfriend. “I’ll make it up to you properly once I’m done.”
“Okay.” Shen Tingwan didn’t hang up right away, and neither did Sang Ning. After a standoff, she said warmly, “You hang up first.”
Sang Ning hummed an “mm,” as if the little habit was discovered—she always waited for Shen Tingwan to end calls first.
That night, Shen Tingwan soaked in a bath. Sleeping alone felt unfamiliar now. She tossed and turned, unable to sleep for a long time.
Wei Xue called, asking when she was free to gather and celebrate her new relationship.
Shen Tingwan hadn’t planned to hide the relationship, and with Wei Xue’s big mouth, many friends already knew.
Shen Tingwan didn’t agree immediately. Knowing Sang Ning wasn’t big on socializing, she checked first. “…It’s fine if you don’t want to go.”
“I do.” Sang Ning disliked socializing but wanted to learn more about Shen Tingwan, so she was eager to meet her circle.
That Saturday evening, Sang Ning went with Shen Tingwan to Wei Xue’s home again. Many were familiar from the housewarming—not total strangers.
Due to their new relationship, Sang Ning drew lots of attention and curiosity at the dinner. Soon, others pressed her. “Spill it—how’d you snag Teacher Shen?”
Sang Ning realized then: they were together, but she’d never actually pursued Shen Tingwan, despite crushing on her senior for years.
Shen Tingwan smiled. “I pursued her.”
“Teacher Shen chasing someone? Mind blown.” Everyone was shocked—Shen Tingwan was notoriously aloof and hard to catch.
Sang Ning had expected this reaction. She smiled politely. Of course they’d be surprised she’s with me…*
While distracted, a hand under the table took hers. Sang Ning turned; Shen Tingwan smiled at her. She squeezed back secretly.
“Tsk, you can’t envy a senior-alumna bond like that.” Wei Xue teased. Having heard from Shen Tingwan about Sang Ning’s crush, she wondered if it’d moved her—but no, she knew Shen Tingwan too well. No one could sway her without genuine feelings.
They chatted about wine, perfume, luxury goods—topics Sang Ning knew little about. But she loved watching Shen Tingwan converse effortlessly. Even seriously chatting, Shen Tingwan kept holding her hand under the table, making her heart feel honey-sweet.
Later, they drank and played games. Sang Ning wasn’t great at cards, but with Shen Tingwan teaching her, she wasn’t awkward.
Someone called, “Sang Ning, drink up.”
Sang Ning shook her head with a smile. “I don’t drink.”
“Your girlfriend’s such a pro, and you don’t? Come on, this one’s low-proof—no problem.” They handed her a small can.
Sang Ning took it politely but didn’t drink.
Shen Tingwan still vividly remembered Sang Ning drunk—that was here at Wei Xue’s too. She turned with a smile. “It’s fine not to drink. If she does, she’ll cling and act all cute with me again.”
Sang Ning: “…………”
They played games—losers drank or answered truth questions. Sang Ning got lucky and rarely lost, but Wei Xue caught her once.
Knowing she didn’t drink, Wei Xue went straight for gossip. Rare chance for dirt on Shen Tingwan—she wouldn’t hold back. Winking at Sang Ning, she grinned. “What’s your senior’s favorite position?”
