It was past nine in the evening when Jiang Yunchun called, and the two had already gotten into bed.
Shen Tingwan told the old lady that she was preparing to rest. Jiang Yunchun exclaimed in surprise, “You’re going to sleep this early?”
Shen Tingwan replied helplessly, “Yeah…”
Jiang Yunchun realized belatedly what was going on—the young couple in the heat of romance must have been getting all lovey-dovey. She laughed and said, “Come over for dinner with Little Ning tomorrow night.”
Shen Tingwan smiled and agreed.
Jiang Yunchun already knew about their relationship. They hadn’t planned to tell her yet, but the old lady had guessed most of it herself.
Shen Tingwan had simply come clean that day.
Jiang Yunchun was an open-minded elderly woman who accepted it quickly. After learning the truth, she even grumbled that the young ones had kept it from her. She had always gotten along well with Sang Ning, and now she treated her like her own granddaughter.
The two had to sync their rhythms in life. Shen Tingwan now went to bed early and woke up early too. Sang Ning couldn’t stay up late; after their late-night romps, she always slept in the next day.
After their bodies relaxed together, drowsiness set in. When Shen Tingwan was too tired to move, Sang Ning would carry her to the bathroom and carefully clean her up. When Sang Ning felt lazy, Shen Tingwan did the same for her.
They slept soundly through the night.
Sang Ning hadn’t set an alarm again. She was used to being woken up every morning by Shen Tingwan kissing her ear.
The ticklish sensation at her ear root in the early morning made her refrain from opening her eyes right away. Instead, she wrapped her arms around Shen Tingwan and pulled her close, wanting the kisses to last a little longer.
Shen Tingwan knew she was awake. She rolled over and gently pressed herself on top of Sang Ning, pinching her waist.
Sang Ning could no longer pretend. She opened her eyes and looked at her, her shoulders trembling with laughter.
Shen Tingwan didn’t want to get up either. She could laze in bed for a few more minutes, so she simply stayed on top, hugging her.
Sang Ning gazed at her lazily too, tightening her arms around her waist. Their smooth, soft bodies pressed together in perfect warmth.
Seeing her sweet smile first thing in the morning put Shen Tingwan in high spirits. She leaned close to Sang Ning’s right ear. “I’ll pick you up after work tonight. What do you want for dinner?”
They were going to her grandmother’s for dinner that evening. Sang Ning was now skilled at ordering. She thought for a moment. “Salt-and-pepper shrimp.”
Shen Tingwan kissed her forehead. “Get up, you lazybug.”
Sang Ning kissed her chin in return. “Okay.”
…
At dinner, Jiang Yunchun was warmly enthusiastic, urging her constantly. “Little Ning, eat more. Grandma made the soup you love.”
“Thank you, Grandma.”
Jiang Yunchun beamed with kindly affection. “As long as you like it.”
Shen Tingwan teased from the side with a laugh. “Teacher Jiang, starting to play favorites now?”
Jiang Yunchun retorted, “When did I play favorites?”
Shen Tingwan ladled soup for both of them. “You used to not let me come over, but now you look forward to your Little Sang Teacher visiting every week.”
“The situation’s different now.” Jiang Yunchun was genuinely delighted from the bottom of her heart. In the past, Shen Tingwan often came over stressed and in a bad mood. Now, with Sang Ning, she was always happy and carefree. It made her feel at ease just watching them.
Sang Ning listened to their banter and, out of habit, placed the peeled shrimp meat into Shen Tingwan’s bowl.
Shen Tingwan casually wiped the corner of her mouth for her.
Sang Ning’s face heated up. She shot Shen Tingwan a look— it was embarrassing to be too affectionate in front of Grandma.
Shen Tingwan’s lips curved up.
Jiang Yunchun watched them with a delighted squint. Her precious granddaughter was no longer alone, and the weight on her heart finally lifted. The more she looked, the more she liked them. Both girls were thoughtful and caring—such a perfect match.
After dinner, Sang Ning held Shen Tingwan’s hand while Shen Tingwan held Pi Pi’s leash. The three strolled leisurely through the neighborhood.
Sang Ning silently gripped Shen Tingwan’s hand tighter. Their days were ordinary and plain, but her heart leaped with joy every day.
Cicadas chirped through the night—it was peak summer again.
Shen Tingwan’s birthday fell in the height of summer.
In previous years, every July 3rd, Sang Ning couldn’t help imagining how Shen Tingwan spent the day. Was she surrounded by friends like a star among the moon? Or did she already have someone she liked to keep her company?
This year, she was no longer an outsider.
Shen Tingwan had turned down all invitations in advance, reserving her birthday for just the two of them.
Sang Ning had the day off and prepared everything at home—from a candlelit dinner to the birthday cake—all made by hand.
Shen Tingwan was moved when she saw it. “Wasn’t it tiring?”
Sang Ning shook her head with a smile. It would be tiring not to do anything for the person she loved. She wanted to do so much for Shen Tingwan. Fortunately, they had all the time in the world ahead.
Shen Tingwan hugged her. “I love it so much.”
Sang Ning earnestly kissed the corner of her mouth, her voice trembling with happiness. “Happy birthday.”
Not the “Happy birthday” posted in her Moments visible only to herself, nor the feigned indifference of “Happy birthday,” but a “Happy birthday” whispered between kisses…
Shen Tingwan smiled and kissed her back.
Sang Ning’s smile bloomed like a flower. Childishly, she pecked her lips once more.
It was just the two of them, like last year’s birthday, but this year it was lively and sweet.
Sang Ning had secretly taught herself to make the cream cake. The piping and decorations looked professional, and she’d tried the flavor many times to perfect it to Shen Tingwan’s taste.
Under Sang Ning’s sparkling gaze, Shen Tingwan made her wish sincerely. She hoped Sang Ning would always be happy and free from grievances.
Sang Ning watched her unwaveringly, her own eyes full of bliss.
They cut a slice of cake and sat on the rug to share it. Shen Tingwan took a bite. “Little Sang Teacher, you could open a dessert shop.”
Sang Ning’s eyes sparkled with mirth. “I’ll make it for you often.”
Shen Tingwan fed her a bite, thinking her smile was sweeter than the cake. She asked tentatively, “Can I have some wine tonight?”
Sang Ning volunteered eagerly. “I’ll drink with you.”
Shen Tingwan pinched her cheeks and laughed. “One glass and you’re out. You’ll drink with me?”
Sang Ning insisted. “I’ll drink less.”
It was rare for her to be in the mood to join in, so Shen Tingwan mixed two cocktails, halving the alcohol in one.
Sang Ning clinked glasses with her. The first sip was refreshingly lemony—perfect for summer.
Shen Tingwan sipped leisurely, then noticed Sang Ning staring. “What’s so fascinating about me drinking?”
Sang Ning blinked. “You’re beautiful…”
Shen Tingwan saw the faint flush of drunkenness on her cheeks. “Drunk after just a few sips?”
Sang Ning stared quietly. She found Shen Tingwan incredibly sexy when she drank. That photo she’d secretly saved from the bar had stunned her at first sight.
Shen Tingwan’s gaze shifted. “Want to taste mine?”
Sang Ning mumbled in a daze, “Huh?”
Shen Tingwan took another small sip, held it in her mouth, and leaned in with a smile to Sang Ning’s lips.
Sang Ning’s face turned red as she understood. She met the kiss.
Shen Tingwan slowly passed the wine between their lips.
“Mm…” Sang Ning already thought Shen Tingwan was tantalizing when drinking. This was even more so. Instinctively greedy, she swallowed every drop of the intoxicating liquid.
Shen Tingwan kissed her flushed cheek. “Tasty?”
Her voice and smile were both gentle and seductive. Sang Ning adored it, clinging to her. “More.”
Shen Tingwan obliged.
Sang Ning had been fine at first, but gradually, she got drunk from the feeding. She kissed Shen Tingwan urgently, eventually kneeling astride her lap, cupping her face, and kissing as deeply as she could.
Shen Tingwan leaned back against the sofa, tilting her head to respond just as deeply.
Sang Ning finally pulled away gasping for breath, her eyes soft and unfocused. She called sweetly, “Senior, Wanwan…”
Shen Tingwan panted too, thinking that the occasional drink wasn’t bad. She teased with a smile, “Not calling me wife this time?”
Sang Ning complied naturally, nipping her earlobe. “Wife…”
Shen Tingwan’s heart melted. She lowered her eyes to her red lips and kissed her again.
Sang Ning hummed softly amid the kisses. She was too shy to admit it, but even simple kissing with Shen Tingwan made her surge with desire.
Shen Tingwan’s heartbeat quickened effortlessly. Relaxed and immersed in their world, the tipsy deep kisses were especially arousing.
Sang Ning clung to a thread of reason, remembering she hadn’t given her birthday gift yet. In her haze, she parted their wet lips. “Birthday gift.”
Shen Tingwan’s eyes were misty. “Hm?”
Sang Ning rummaged in the coffee table drawer for a small gift box. Inside were two exquisite rings. Despite her drunkenness, she took Shen Tingwan’s hand and slipped the silver ring perfectly onto her ring finger—she’d secretly measured it while she slept.
Shen Tingwan watched her earnest, dazed expression, her heart surging. “Want to claim me?”
“Yeah.” Sang Ning gazed at her features, her voice soft. “Mine alone.”
“Of course, you’re the only one.” Shen Tingwan smiled tenderly and put the other ring on her.
Once the rings were on, Sang Ning finally collapsed contentedly into her arms, humming drunkenly. “I’m so happy.”
The night was serene and romantic, their heartbeats blending sweetly. Shen Tingwan held her, kissing her hair lingeringly. She never tired of this tranquility—she wanted it to last forever.
*
Peaceful days flowed like a gentle stream, day after day.
Changes quietly unfolded in Sang Ning’s calm life. She bought a new car, her studio secured long-term partnerships with several brands, and her career steadily progressed.
In her spare time, Sang Ning still regularly printed and collected photos. The album originally dedicated to Shen Tingwan had become their shared memoir, growing thicker.
Spring cherry blossoms, summer Milky Way, autumn maple groves, winter snow-capped mountains. Every season in the album was one they’d walked together.
Sang Ning shot in the studio until evening.
Yu Shuang called to her. “Let’s go, let’s go.”
Sang Ning set down her camera. “Okay, coming right now.”
Yu Shuang had started dating too, grinning happily every day, now complaining that work kept her too busy to see her girlfriend.
That evening was the anniversary celebration at Wei Xue’s coffee shop. Everyone was invited to join the fun.
Sang Ning pushed open the glass door of the coffee shop and walked in familiarly, but her steps slowed. Shen Tingwan stood at the counter in a shirt, just like that first summer.
Shen Tingwan looked up and saw her. Her eyes lit up first with a smile. “What would you like to drink?”
Sang Ning ordered properly. “Signature latte.”
The girl beside her was a new hire who didn’t recognize Sang Ning yet. She said enthusiastically, “We’re having our anniversary celebration with specials.”
Shen Tingwan handed over a coupon casually, raising a brow at her.
Sang Ning took it, just as expected—Shen Tingwan didn’t let go. Now, both wore rings on their ring fingers.
They smiled at each other.
Sang Ning’s heart still pounded.
The girl sensed something. “Teacher Shen, you two know each other?”
Sang Ning heard Shen Tingwan say gently, “My wife.”
They left the coffee shop late into the night, stars accompanying them, the moon no longer lonely.
Sang Ning knew many things wouldn’t change with time—like how Shen Tingwan always held her right hand in crowds and spoke into her right ear.
Happiness became their everyday norm, turning into habit and reliance, coloring each day.
Shen Tingwan asked, “Want to shoot the meteor shower this year?”
“Sure.” Sang Ning took her hand, smiling brightly.
Shen Tingwan stared into her smiling, curved eyes. She’d matured, but her gaze hadn’t changed a bit. Shen Tingwan hadn’t believed in forever before, but every time she looked into Sang Ning’s eyes—forever was right there beside her.
They strolled leisurely down the street, green and vibrant, the air scented with vanilla ice cream and toasted bread.
An ordinary day drew to a close, and they awaited tomorrow together.
(Main Story Complete)
