Chapter 70

Work was as busy as usual. Besides daily shoots, the studio was also occupied with recruiting an assistant. They had interviewed quite a few candidates but hadn’t settled on one yet.

After a busy morning, Sang Ning had takeout for lunch with Yu Shuang. She saw a WeChat message from Shen Tingwan asking her to pick between two shower gel scents.

Sang Ning replied that either was fine, saying that any scent would smell great on Shen Tingwan.

Shen Tingwan insisted she had to choose one.

Sang Ning had no choice but to decide by a process of elimination.

Yu Shuang saw her smiling and knew she was chatting with Shen Tingwan. She let out a “tsk” and asked idly, “What are you two talking about that’s got you so happy?”

Sang Ning was stumped by Yu Shuang’s question. It was just about picking a shower gel, and she knew Yu Shuang would tease her if she found out.

Life for two was more complicated than for one. There were many things to discuss and consider, but both of them enjoyed it tirelessly. Their days were suddenly filled with all sorts of trivial, fulfilling happiness.

After a few days of clear weather, spring arrived with its warm flowers blooming. Birch City was a mild place with short winters and early springs.

On Friday afternoon, the Deaf-Mute School was holding an art festival, and Sang Ning had the time that day, so she agreed to help out.

The event ran until five o’clock. Afterward, Sang Ning had dinner with a few friends, chatting as they ate.

One girl scrolled through her phone excitedly and said, “The cherry blossoms on Tanlong Road are blooming. Let’s go check them out later.”

“They’re not photoshopped, are they?” another girl teased with a laugh. “Everyone’s lips are sealed tight—no posting heavily edited photos on social media.”

Sang Ning took a look too. “It’s pretty much like that in real life. I photographed it before.”

A friend asked, “It’s not far from here anyway. You coming, Sang Ning?”

“Sure, let’s go.” Sang Ning thought about how Shen Tingwan had to work late that night, so she’d be bored alone at home. She let Shen Tingwan know her plans, and Shen Tingwan said she’d pick her up after finishing work.

Someone drove, making it convenient. They arrived in less than twenty minutes.

Upon reaching the destination, everyone couldn’t help but exclaim in awe, agreeing it was worth the trip.

Night-blooming cherry blossoms had a unique charm—quiet and brilliant in the darkness.

Sang Ning first took a video with her phone. Whenever she encountered something beautiful, she always wanted to share it with Shen Tingwan right away.

Although Sang Ning was a professional photographer, her friends didn’t take it for granted that she’d take their photos. Still, she offered to help, and this mutual respect made their socializing relaxed and comfortable.

After strolling around, the friends sat on a bench to chat.

Sang Ning took a few more shots. She was always immersed when photographing until a friend called out from behind her:

“Sang Ning, your senior’s here.”

Sang Ning turned back hurriedly at the sound.

From the other side amid the blooming flowers, Shen Tingwan walked toward her leisurely. She wore a white shirt and khaki pants, the breeze tousling her hair—mature and gentle.

Sang Ning stood in place, smiling as she raised her camera and pressed the shutter many times. In the camera screen, Shen Tingwan drew closer and closer.

Shen Tingwan naturally stepped in front of the lens and smiled, asking, “Got enough shots?”

Sang Ning took two more before lowering the camera. “Finished early?”

“Mm.” Shen Tingwan smoothed the bangs on her forehead, then stood beside her to look at the photos.

Sang Ning looked at her smugly. “Are they pretty?”

Shen Tingwan tilted her head with an unmodest smile. “The model’s pretty.”

Sang Ning nodded at her. “The prettiest.”

Her words were getting sweeter and sweeter. Shen Tingwan laughed outright, ruffled her hair, then took the camera and aimed it at the person in front of her.

Sang Ning’s smile in the lens was bright and clear. She was always the one taking photos for others, but now Shen Tingwan always took photos of her.

After a while, a friend kindly offered, “If you don’t mind my skills, I can take a few of you and your senior.”

Shen Tingwan glanced at Sang Ning.

Sang Ning looked back at her and smiled at the friend, explaining, “She’s my girlfriend now.”

The friend took the camera, surprised for a moment. “Your senior’s your girlfriend now?”

Sang Ning smiled. “Yeah.”

The friend: “You two look great together!”

Sang Ning wouldn’t volunteer it to everyone she met, but when she ran into friends, she didn’t hide it either. She introduced her openly and naturally.

They admired the flowers until eight at night. Once Shen Tingwan arrived, Sang Ning didn’t need to bum a ride from her friends.

They strolled a bit more along the way, with Shen Tingwan carrying the camera for her. “Was the afternoon event tiring?”

“Not tiring, it was pretty lively.” Sang Ning beamed. “I ran into Xiao Yan. She asked about you.”

“Next time there’s an event, I’ll come too.”

“Okay…” As they walked, Sang Ning seemed to think of something. After a few meters, she took the initiative to say to Shen Tingwan, “Didn’t you ask before about what sparked my interest in charity work?”

Shen Tingwan looked at her. “Mm?”

“It was because of you.” Sang Ning stopped and faced her. “Actually, before college, I was pretty down. Sometimes a little kindness can change a person a lot—like how I met you.”

No matter if this affection was reciprocated or not, it had made her better. She had always felt lucky just to have met Shen Tingwan; meeting her was enough.

Shen Tingwan’s gaze softened like water. She gently pulled Sang Ning into a hug. “Because you’re amazing to begin with.”

Sang Ning’s eyes reddened a bit.

Shen Tingwan stroked her hair and continued gently, “Even back in college, I thought this junior was so impressive, so full of vitality.”

Sang Ning’s heart pounded wildly. She had once thought Shen Tingwan only remembered her because of her hearing impairment.

Shen Tingwan teased, “She just seemed to dislike me a little…”

Sang Ning laughed through her reddened eyes. “No way.”

Shen Tingwan hugged her and whispered in her ear, “I should have been thicker-skinned with you back in college.”

Sang Ning’s heart fluttered intensely. She hugged her tightly, not dwelling on what-ifs. The present was already so happy.

That night when they got home, Sang Ning needed to work a bit longer.

Shen Tingwan had specially added a long desk in the study before the New Year, big enough for two people to work.

The room was full of traces of their shared life. Sang Ning was great at organizing and decorating, and after she moved in, Shen Tingwan felt the atmosphere had become much warmer.

After her shower that evening, Shen Tingwan went to the study and saw Sang Ning still sitting diligently at the computer, working meticulously.

“Not done yet?”

Sang Ning turned back and paused her gaze. “Mm… not yet.”

She wasn’t used to procrastinating.

Shen Tingwan found a book on the bookshelf and sat on the single sofa by the window. She hooked her long hair behind her ear and flipped through the pages leisurely.

Sang Ning could glimpse her reading from the corner of her eye and kept getting distracted, her work efficiency dropping noticeably.

Shen Tingwan noticed her glances and smiled. “What’s up? Am I bothering you?”

Sang Ning was too embarrassed to admit it and huffed, “No.”

Shen Tingwan: “Got time now?”

Sang Ning: “Hm?”

Shen Tingwan: “Come help me look at a draft.”

“Okay.” Sang Ning got up and walked over, knowing Shen Tingwan had been writing a column piece lately.

Shen Tingwan reached out and pulled her into her lap, half-holding her, then picked up the iPad nearby and opened the document.

They pressed close together. Sang Ning stared at the dense text, but her attention wouldn’t focus for the moment.

Shen Tingwan pointed with her fingertip and asked, “Does this point work for you? Or…”

Sang Ning hadn’t put her hearing aid back on after her shower. She stared at Shen Tingwan’s moving lips, not catching the string of soft words clearly.

Shen Tingwan smiled and gazed into her eyes. “Are you even listening?”

“I…” Sang Ning felt awkward, still staring at her lips. “Didn’t hear clearly.”

Shen Tingwan said nothing and set the iPad aside. Sang Ning quieted too, her lashes lowering. “Weren’t we looking at the draft…”

The conversation cut off abruptly. Their lips met and rubbed together, and soon the room filled only with the sounds of kissing and the soft gasps as it deepened.

In just a few kisses, Sang Ning felt restless. As she deepened the kiss, her palm on Shen Tingwan’s shoulder slid downward, slowly parting the cardigan draped over her nightgown.

Living together had changed a lot; they had become less shy too. They did whatever they wanted, holding nothing back from each other.

Shen Tingwan wore a light, airy nightgown underneath. She nipped at Sang Ning’s lip and sighed, “No more overtime?”

Sang Ning pursed her lips, her eyes hazy as she looked at her. With Shen Tingwan sitting beside her like this, she had no mind for work, but she couldn’t say it.

After so many times, Shen Tingwan could read her thoughts with a single look—she was being naughty. She brushed her nose against hers and laughed. “You’re not as focused on work as I thought.”

Sang Ning flushed with embarrassment. Seeing the nightgown that was open from back to waist underneath, she was sure it was deliberate. “You did this on purpose?”

“Yeah.” Shen Tingwan cupped her face and rubbed it, admitting righteously.

Sang Ning was speechless and burrowed in sulkily, nipping her earlobe.

Shen Tingwan turned to kiss her soft lips, their tongues teasing close and far. She held grudges; back when she couldn’t flirt, now she flirted back doubly. “Overtime or your senior?”