Chapter 79: Side Story Five [Memories]

Like a seed, her affection took root and sprouted in her heart, and Sang Ning began to harbor a secret.

Birch City’s winters were mild, especially on sunny days.

On Thursday afternoon, with no classes, Sang Ning picked up her camera and prepared to head out.

Tan Xiaoqiu was napping. Sang Ning pulled back the curtain on the upper bunk a little and glanced out at her. “Going out to take photos again?”

Sang Ning replied, “Yeah.”

Tan Xiaoqiu drawled lazily, “Want me to come with you?”

“No need, you sleep,” Sang Ning said with a soft laugh. She was used to going out alone and didn’t feel lonely at all.

Sang Ning put on a thicker jacket, gently closed the dorm door, and headed outside. The warm sunlight fell on her, feeling cozy and comfortable.

The metasequoias on campus were in full bloom, dotting the area with gentle pink everywhere. Every year at this time, they drew plenty of tourists who booked visits in advance.

The campus buzzed with activity.

Sang Ning strolled leisurely, stopping here and there to snap quite a few photos.

She eventually reached the study café next to the library, where her steps slowed. Pretending to be casual, she peered through the glass.

Luck was on her side today—she spotted her.

Sang Ning stole a glance at the figure by the window, and her mood brightened instantly. She lingered on the path outside the study room, photographing a cat basking in the sun on the grass.

Shen Tingwan had plans to study abroad and was busy in her junior year, often coming to this on-campus café to study. Unbeknownst to her, her coffee had run dry. She stretched her neck and shifted her gaze from the book to the window to rest her eyes.

She spotted a familiar profile. Sang Ning was bent over photographing the cat, a smile curving her lips.

Shen Tingwan had run into this junior with her camera around campus more than once. Propping her chin, she watched the serene smile in the sunlight. Sang Ning—her name suited her perfectly.

To increase her chances of “running into” her, Sang Ning often came here to feed the cats and had gotten chummy with the little ones, who even posed for her photos. After shooting for a bit, she glanced back at the café, only to see a girl had joined Shen Tingwan at her table. The two were chatting idly.

Shen Tingwan never lacked friends, and the people around her were all outgoing and lively. Sang Ning figured her senior probably preferred dealing with upbeat types.

Before long, Shen Tingwan left the café with her friend.

Sang Ning stood in the corner, silently gazing at the beautiful retreating figure for a long time, until it vanished completely from sight.

By the second semester of her freshman year, Sang Ning’s after-school life had become much richer. Besides actively participating in Photography Society events, she had also joined a school public welfare group, living a calm yet fulfilling routine.

Even in those uneventful days, little troubles occasionally cropped up.

Lately, Sang Ning had been “running into” a guy from her major frequently. In class, she often caught him staring at her.

After one elective ended, she bumped into him at the stairwell on her way down.

Awkwardly, he asked, “Wanna head to the cafeteria together?”

Sang Ning shook her head and declined.

Still, he kept paying attention to her in all sorts of ways.

Suddenly, Sang Ning truly understood how bothersome it was to be watched by someone she didn’t like. The internet was right—being secretly crushed on was really annoying…

Not long after, the guy confessed to her.

He wasn’t tall, had an average look with acne scars all over his face, but he confessed with such confidence that when she firmly rejected him, he looked genuinely surprised.

Starting from middle school, Sang Ning had been confessed to now and then. She could guess some people’s mindset: because she was “flawed,” they thought her standards were low, that she’d be easy to win over—as long as they were a bit nice to her, she’d be “touched.”

As if she was destined to not deserve anyone outstanding.

After turning down the confession, Sang Ning walked alone from the academic building back to the dorm, passing through the usual tree-lined path. There, she ran into Shen Tingwan, who was heading to the library. She blanked for a second, then composed herself and greeted properly, “Senior…”

They were in the same college, so run-ins were common. The most Sang Ning had ever said to her was “Senior.”

Shen Tingwan smiled faintly. “Class over?”

“Yeah.” Sang Ning gave her a faint smile.

Shen Tingwan’s lips curved up. The girl before her smiled sweetly, yet with a cool detachment.

Sang Ning’s heart fluttered. Shen Tingwan always smiled so gently and beautifully—no wonder so many people liked her. For her senior, being liked was probably a nuisance in excess. Not long ago, a girl from the Photography Society had confessed to Shen Tingwan in a huge scene, only to be decisively rejected.

Shen Tingwan’s gentleness was just politeness and friendliness—it didn’t mean anyone could get close. Sang Ning knew this well. She had no intention of getting close. Among all who liked Shen Tingwan, she was the quietest and most unnoticeable.

After their encounter, they parted ways in different directions.

Sang Ning paused and turned back, smiling at the retreating figure. She didn’t hope for anything; just crossing paths occasionally made her happy for ages.

Every encounter, Sang Ning behaved impeccably, even mindful of how long her gaze lingered on Shen Tingwan. She couldn’t control her feelings, but she could control them so they wouldn’t disturb her senior.

Sang Ning stuck firmly to the “no disturbance” principle. She never tried adding Shen Tingwan on contacts, but one time by chance, she did.

That evening, during class, she saw a familiar profile pic in her friend requests and froze, a tingling shock running through her. Shen Tingwan had added her via a WeChat group chat.

After accepting, she sent, “Hi, Senior,” and waited anxiously for nearly an hour before a reply came.

Shen Tingwan was studying and usually ignored her phone then. During a break, she checked and saw Sang Ning had accepted right away.

Sang Ning immediately read the message—it was just notifying her about the photo exhibition. No personal matters, of course…

【Sang Ning】Thanks, Senior.

【Shen Tingwan】You’re welcome.

【Shen Tingwan】The photos are great.

Sang Ning’s joy swelled; she buried her head and grinned to herself for ages. After much fretting, her reply was simply: Yeah, thanks.

Shen Tingwan looked at the screen. After two curt replies, nothing more. On a whim, she asked her friend nearby, “Do I seem unapproachable?”

“Nah,” her friend said puzzled. “Why?”

Shen Tingwan smiled. “Nothing.”

After adding contacts, Sang Ning had even more reasons to be happy, though Shen Tingwan didn’t post on her Moments often.

Secretly crushing didn’t seem so bitter; it added surprises and anticipation to her otherwise steady days. Seeing Shen Tingwan occasionally boosted her mood, and when she didn’t, Sang Ning just lived her life diligently.

One day, as Tan Xiaoqiu munched on snacks, she suddenly said, “Sang Ning, you’ve changed a lot.”

Sang Ning asked, “Have I?”

Tan Xiaoqiu nodded firmly. “Totally different from freshman year.”

Sang Ning realized her changes late. Maybe because she often thought of Shen Tingwan, wanting to face the world as boldly and brightly as her senior.

Time flew, and graduation season arrived in a blink.

Sang Ning was now in her sophomore year-end, and run-ins with Shen Tingwan became rare. She pored over her senior’s Moments repeatedly—Shen Tingwan was about to leave campus for abroad.

One night, she wrote a postcard at her desk but never found a chance to give it away. In the end, she tucked it into a book.

Summer had arrived.

Sang Ning’s last encounter with Shen Tingwan on campus was by that café. She squatted by the grass feeding cats and snapping photos with her camera.

A figure approached.

Sang Ning turned and was stunned to see Shen Tingwan.

The summer breeze carried her fragrance, like some flower. Sang Ning stood, her heart pounding wildly. “Senior…”

Shen Tingwan gazed at her, glancing at the camera. “Taking cat photos again?”

This time, Sang Ning didn’t avert her eyes, greedily taking in her face with a smile. “Yeah.”

Shen Tingwan thought the smile was quiet yet fervent. So many times they’d met, Sang Ning always had her camera—like photography was all she cared about.

They stood under the tree shade, a short distance apart, gazing quietly at each other and smiling for a moment.

All sounds faded from Sang Ning’s ears. In that instant, she desperately wanted to raise her camera and snap her—but she didn’t.

Someone called from behind, “Shen Tingwan.”

Shen Tingwan glanced back at her friend, then smiled at the somewhat special junior. “See you.”

Sang Ning pressed her lips, clumsy and unsure what to say, finally just smiling at her.

Shen Tingwan turned and walked toward the bright sunlight.

Sang Ning watched her back longer than usual this time. Would they meet again? The sun dazzled her eyes to heat. Though she’d never had her, a sour pang of loss welled up anyway.

The familiar figure receded into the distance.

Sang Ning stood dazed, watching, and whispered in her heart, “Senior, congratulations on graduating.”