Chapter 65

Sang Ning finally called Sang Mingjuan back.

Sang Mingjuan asked if she had been busy all day and whether she was working overtime.

Sang Ning awkwardly said yes, too embarrassed to admit what she had actually been doing—still squeezed together with Shen Tingwan on the sofa at this hour.

After a few simple words with Sang Mingjuan, Sang Ning ended the call. “My mom says she’s going to make some braised beef for you to try.”

Shen Tingwan smiled. “I’m in for a treat.”

“She seems to really like you.” Sang Ning felt a bit happy, but then she thought, who wouldn’t like Shen Tingwan?

Shen Tingwan smiled in response. “Is that so?”

In just a few words, the living room was completely enveloped by the night. Only an ambient lamp remained lit, casting a warm, romantic glow.

The blanket wasn’t very thick, so Sang Ning held her close, warming her with her own body.

Shen Tingwan cooperated by wrapping her arms around her in return. Her body was like a little furnace—comfortable to hold, easing away the fatigue.

Sang Ning glanced at the smudges of kiss marks on Shen Tingwan’s shoulder and chest. She definitely wouldn’t be able to wear that strapless gown to the annual gala.

The weekend passed with the two of them holed up at home, hardly going out. They enjoyed two undisturbed days filled with blushing excitement.

The holiday ended in the blink of an eye. Sang Ning was full of reluctance. Her work schedule was packed next—she had several products to shoot, and one required traveling out of town. She wouldn’t get another break until the Spring Festival, and even then, they wouldn’t see each other for a long time.

On Sunday evening, Sang Ning didn’t return to her apartment. She stayed over, planning to go to bed early since she had work the next day. She behaved herself while sleeping, simply holding Shen Tingwan.

But shortly after the lights went out, her hair was gently brushed aside, and a light kiss landed on her ear.

Holding Shen Tingwan in bed had already made Sang Ning’s heart restless. After that kiss on her ear, she didn’t hold back at all. In the darkness, she kissed Shen Tingwan’s lips.

It came suddenly, and Shen Tingwan let out a soft moan, thinking she had already fallen asleep. “Not asleep?”

“Mm.” Sang Ning continued kissing her greedily, feeling like she had been utterly shameless these past few days. But she could tell Shen Tingwan liked it too, so she grew bolder.

So easy to tease, Shen Tingwan thought, recalling how she had deliberately flirted with her before… only to get no reaction. She whispered softly, “I used to think I had fallen for a block of wood—no matter how I teased, nothing.”

Sang Ning fell silent for a moment in the darkness before explaining quietly, “It wasn’t that I didn’t like it… I just didn’t dare think too much.”

Not unresponsive because she didn’t like it, but because she treasured it too much.

Shen Tingwan fell quiet too.

Sang Ning thought they were going to sleep and held back from kissing more. But the next moment, her lips were captured in the dimness. The familiar, beloved scent wrapped around her in a sweet, enticing deep kiss.

Shen Tingwan’s response was passionate.

Sang Ning let out an impatient hum through her nose and kissed back deeply and urgently. She had held back so much before—now she indulged just as fiercely.

In the quiet night, the intertwined sounds of their passionate deep kisses stirred the heart.

Sang Ning was always shy about making noise.

Shen Tingwan would lean close to her ear and say softly yet commandingly, “You don’t have to hold back.”

Whenever that happened, Sang Ning had no resistance at all. She would kiss her and let out soft hums, unable to hold back as she called out, “Senior.”

Shen Tingwan loved teasing her at moments like this. “Do you like your senior?”

“Yes.” Sang Ning agreed obediently to everything, feeling Shen Tingwan’s passion. She thought, Shen Tingwan must have held back for a long time too…

They didn’t manage to sleep early, and soon it was late into the night.

Shen Tingwan sighed, rubbing the back of the person in her arms. In a husky voice, she reminded her, “You have work tomorrow.”

“Mm.” Sang Ning’s breathing was erratic. Seeing that Shen Tingwan was tired again, she kissed her ear and said, “I’ll help you wash up.”

Shen Tingwan didn’t let her. She got out of bed and headed to the bathroom herself.

Sang Ning rolled over on the bed. That porcelain-white, slender back and those pretty dimples at her waist drew her gaze. She stared for a few extra seconds, her heart racing. This view of Shen Tingwan’s back belonged to her alone.

Shen Tingwan turned her head and caught that restless gaze.

Sang Ning lazily buried her face in the pillow.

Shen Tingwan laughed. How does she manage to be both naughty and so innocent?

After the weekend, Sang Ning’s sleep schedule was completely messed up. She didn’t go to bed until after midnight every night and woke up in a groggy, dead-to-the-world state every morning.

These past few days, the first thing Shen Tingwan saw upon waking was Sang Ning sleeping exhaustedly in her arms. It was helpless yet amusing. A bit too unrestrained.

After washing up in the morning, Shen Tingwan saw that the person on the bed had no intention of waking. She sat on the edge of the bed, knowing Sang Ning couldn’t hear clearly while asleep, so she leaned down close to her right ear.

When her earlobe was gently sucked and kissed, Sang Ning let out a sensitive hum. This method worked much better than any alarm clock—she opened her eyes quickly. Seeing Shen Tingwan’s face so close, she broke into a quiet smile first.

Shen Tingwan touched her ear. “Time to get up.”

Sang Ning stared at her, unusually reluctant to leave the bed today. Being with Shen Tingwan brought out so many different sides of her—willful, unreserved, openly happy every day. She liked Shen Tingwan, and she liked the version of herself when they were together.

Seeing the way she looked at her, Shen Tingwan said, “Even if you’re acting spoiled, it’s still time to get up.”

Sang Ning looked at her and chuckled softly. “I’m not acting spoiled.”

Shen Tingwan smiled silently, pulled her up to sit on the bed, dragged her to the bathroom to wash up, or they’d be late for work.

Overslept yet up early, Sang Ning was in a lazy, drowsy state all day—low energy, body sore and tired.

Yu Shuang saw that after two days of rest, she looked even more exhausted. Sipping coffee at her desk, she asked, “What did you do these past two days?”

Sang Ning was stumped and couldn’t answer.

Yu Shuang bit her straw. “Spent the weekend with your girlfriend?”

Sang Ning said earnestly, “Yeah.”

Yu Shuang could tell from her state that she had stayed up late—someone with a usually good schedule looked especially wrecked after one bad night. She stared at Sang Ning for a moment, then smiled meaningfully. “I get it.”

Sang Ning: “…”

Lanlan came running over and, uncharacteristically, meowed twice.

Yu Shuang got excited and urged her to meow a few more times, but Lanlan gave a haughty look and refused to cooperate.

Sang Ning laughed. She tore open a cat treat and fed her, chatting with Yu Shuang along the way. “What about Lanlan? Get someone to come feed her?”

The studio usually had people around, but during Spring Festival, everyone went home. Yu Shuang wasn’t local either.

Spring Festival was just days away. They had planned for friends staying in Birch City to help, but those friends had last-minute travel plans. Boarding at a pet shop didn’t feel reliable—it had suddenly become a problem.

Yu Shuang knew Shen Tingwan was local and asked after a thought, “Can your senior help take care of her?”

“She’s busy over Spring Festival and going traveling.” Sang Ning thought about it—they would be apart for quite a while.

Yu Shuang petted the cat’s head. “If worst comes to worst, hire someone to come feed her. Find someone reliable.”

Sang Ning thought that worked.

Lanlan’s care was resolved that afternoon. Shen Tingwan brought it up herself and suggested dropping her off with Professor Jiang.

The old lady loved little animals and was delighted. Knowing it was their studio’s lucky cat, she promised to take good care of her.

Sang Ning packed her suitcase and headed out of town to the filming site that afternoon, staying busy for two days.

Perhaps from all the intense emotions lately, her period came a week early. Combined with her high-intensity work, the end-of-year days were exhausting.

The day before leaving Birch City, Sang Ning dropped Lanlan off at Jiang Yunchun’s and asked her grandmother to help care for her. Professor Jiang enthusiastically kept her for dinner, and she didn’t get back until evening.

Shen Tingwan was busy with the annual gala that day, starting from the afternoon. In the evening, she made time to call. “Are you back?”

Sang Ning’s voice sounded a bit wilted. “Yeah, resting at home.”

Shen Tingwan asked, “Does it hurt?”

Sang Ning pressed a hand warmer to her lower abdomen. “A little uncomfortable, but it’s okay.”

Shen Tingwan had warned her ahead of time. “Rest well at home. Don’t come pick me up tonight, or I’ll be mad.”

Sang Ning had planned to pick her up but could only agree meekly now. She had to head back to Muyang tomorrow and had wanted to see her before leaving.

Shen Tingwan laughed softly. “I’ll come find you once I’m done. I’ll stay at your place tonight.”

Sang Ning perked up. Even without her saying it, Shen Tingwan understood her little thoughts.

The gala ran until past nine at night. Shen Tingwan turned down other invitations and had the driver take her to the apartment.

Sang Ning had been exhausted and weak these days. She lay in bed and dozed on and off, sleeping lightly. Around ten, she vaguely heard the door open.

They both had each other’s fingerprints for the doors.

Sang Ning sat up in bed and saw Shen Tingwan come in, changing out of her high heels at the entryway.

She stared blankly for a moment. Shen Tingwan hadn’t worn that strapless dress today—instead, she sported a suit set with long wavy hair and red lips, looking both gentle and dashing.

Sang Ning almost wanted to grab her camera and snap a photo.

Shen Tingwan walked over and teased her chin like she would a cat. “Why the silly face?”

It tickled, and Sang Ning gazed at her with eyes full of sweetness.

Pale-faced and worn out, Shen Tingwan felt a pang of heartache. “Go lie back in bed. Wait for me to shower, then I’ll hold you.”

Her thoughts seen through again, Sang Ning obediently lay back down.

It was Shen Tingwan’s first night over here, and Sang Ning had prepared toiletries in advance, neatly arranged in the clean little bathroom.

After washing away the smell of alcohol, she relaxed. Shen Tingwan changed into pajamas before pulling back the covers and getting into bed.

Sang Ning’s bed wasn’t large—only 1.5 meters—but it was plenty for the two of them, especially since they always slept cuddled up.

She was completely unreserved now. The moment Shen Tingwan got into bed, she immediately scooted over and hugged her waist.

Shen Tingwan just laughed.

Sang Ning realized something and asked quietly, “Am I too clingy?”

Shen Tingwan cupped her face, making her meet her eyes. “Too clingy? When you get busy, you forget you even have a girlfriend.”

Sang Ning had removed her hearing aid after showering and stared at her lips to read them, growing more distracted the longer she watched. Shen Tingwan gently pinched her cheeks, her voice softening…

When they parted, Sang Ning’s lips were much rosier, her cheeks flushed too, still staring at Shen Tingwan.

Shen Tingwan touched her lips. “Don’t think about anything else. It’s your period.”

Sang Ning faltered, defending herself. “…I wasn’t.”

Shen Tingwan kissed the bridge of her nose. “Pretending to be innocent won’t work anymore.”

“…”

Sang Ning’s ears burned as she buried her face in Shen Tingwan’s chest.

They held each other for a moment.

Shen Tingwan asked, “Heading back tomorrow?”

Sang Ning nodded reluctantly. “Yeah.”

“Have fun.” Shen Tingwan didn’t say things like come back to Birch City early. It was a rare long vacation—she should spend it properly with family.

Sang Ning knew Shen Tingwan was going on a vacation trip with friends too. “You too.”

They shifted into a comfortable position and fell asleep in each other’s arms.

Tonight, they could finally sleep well. Shen Tingwan’s dependence was growing stronger. Having tasted the comfort of sleeping together, she hadn’t slept well alone these days. Seeing how clingily Sang Ning held her, she asked, “Like holding me to sleep?”

Sang Ning answered honestly. “Yeah.”

Shen Tingwan’s lips curved. She negotiated with her, “How about you get to hold me every night from now on?”

Sang Ning didn’t catch on. “What?”

Shen Tingwan leaned close to her ear, unable to hold back. “Let’s live together.”

Sang Ning was surprised. She knew Shen Tingwan liked a bit of personal space. “You don’t have to accommodate me or change your habits…”

Hearing that, Shen Tingwan laughed. “I’m not accommodating. I want to too.”

Sang Ning asked quietly, “Don’t you dislike living with someone?”

Shen Tingwan kissed her ear. “You’re different.”