Chapter 55: Give Me a Little More Time

The hospital was indeed not far from the stir-fry restaurant, and they arrived after a short walk.

“Welcome,” a familiar voice rang out beside them.

Shen Jia Yan greeted first. “Boss, table for two.”

The female boss hurried over. “Right away.” She led them to a spot by the window. “Two beauties, sit here. Great view.”

“Okay, thank you.”

The boss smiled and handed them the menu. “Take a look and see what you’d like.”

Shen Jia Yan was about to speak when the boss suddenly paused, studying her closely before asking tentatively, “Hey, didn’t you two go to the key high school nearby?”

“That’s right. You remember us?” Shen Jia Yan was a bit surprised that the boss still remembered them.

The boss chuckled. “I do. You came here often before, especially you.” She looked at Shen Jia Yan, frowning in thought. “I remember one time you added dishes for another table of students and paid their bill, right?” She glanced at Wen Wan Ning and continued, “Yeah, it was that table with this classmate you added for and covered.”

Wen Wan Ning’s lips curved up. “That’s us. You have a great memory.”

Shen Jia Yan chimed in. “The boss is the boss, after all. No wonder your little shop is always packed.”

“Hahaha…” The boss was delighted by her words. “Such a sweet-talker. I’ll throw in an extra dish for you today.”

Wen Wan Ning waved her hands quickly. “No need to trouble yourself. You’re running a business, too.”

“Yeah, Boss, and two of us can’t eat that much. No need to waste it,” Shen Jia Yan added.

The boss waved her off with a hearty laugh. “Oh, come on, don’t refuse. I rely on repeat customers for business, and you’re old regulars. An extra dish today is our reunion gift.”

As she spoke, she jotted it down on the order slip. “Complimentary dish—blanched water spinach.”

Both of them froze.

The boss really was the boss.

Shen Jia Yan spoke first. “Boss, you even remember our favorite dish? That’s impressive.”

“Psh.” The boss brushed back her bangs and raised her eyebrows proudly. “Doing business means being attentive. That’s how my little shop stays thriving.”

“Hahaha…”

Soon, steaming hot dishes were brought out.

The blanched water spinach was vibrant green and tender, drizzled with clear oil. The braised pork ribs were aromatic and appetizingly colored. The vermicelli shrimp glistened golden, with the shrimp shells slightly curled, whetting their appetites.

Wen Wan Ning picked up a shrimp and placed it in Shen Jia Yan’s bowl. “Your arm’s injured. Get some extra protein.”

Being cared for so thoughtfully and gently by Wen Wan Ning made Shen Jia Yan feel incredibly happy, her lips curving up uncontrollably.

She muttered softly, “Being sick is great.”

“Shen Jia Yan!” Wen Wan Ning heard her and said sternly, “If you say that again, I won’t talk to you.”

Shen Jia Yan quickly admitted fault. “I’m wrong. I won’t say it anymore.”

After dinner, they bid farewell to the boss and left the stir-fry restaurant.

A gentle night breeze blew, and the neon lights along the streets cast soft halos in the humid air.

Shen Jia Yan glanced at her watch. “Let’s go. I’ll walk you home.”

“You’re the patient. I should walk you,” Wen Wan Ning insisted, still worried.

Shen Jia Yan smiled without agreeing or refusing, simply hailing a cab.

When the taxi pulled up, she thought for a moment and sat in the front passenger seat. She didn’t want Wen Wan Ning to beat her to paying the fare later.

They got in one after the other.

Shen Jia Yan gave the address. “Sir, to New City Elegance Residence.” Wen Wan Ning’s neighborhood.

Wen Wan Ning frowned instantly upon hearing it and said softly to the front seat, “Didn’t we agree I’d send you?”

Shen Jia Yan turned, a sly glint in her eye. “I never agreed.”

“You—” Wen Wan Ning gave her a look and leaned back, gazing out the window.

Seeing she was upset, Shen Jia Yan explained, “Don’t be mad. It’s just too late now. I don’t feel safe with you going home alone. I’m different—I’m a freestyle fighting expert. Most people can’t take me. I can go home anytime.”

“Pfft.” Wen Wan Ning laughed. “Fine, fine, you’re the tough one.”

Before long, the taxi veered toward a man waving on the roadside and stopped.

The man got in right away. Without waiting for Shen Jia Yan to speak, the driver took off again.

“What’s that supposed to mean, sir? We didn’t agree to carpool,” Shen Jia Yan said, her tone noticeably cooler, brows furrowed.

The driver said placatingly, “Sorry about that. It’s late, hard to get a cab. He’s alone, so I picked him up. Don’t worry, we’ll drop you off first.”

It was an excuse. Anyone could see he just wanted extra cash.

Shen Jia Yan wasn’t unreasonable, but with Wen Wan Ning in the car, she didn’t want her uncomfortable sharing space with a stranger.

She glanced back at Wen Wan Ning, who was quietly staring out the window, streetlights flickering across her face.

Shen Jia Yan lowered her voice. “We paid for a private ride.”

The driver glanced at her in the rearview mirror and chuckled awkwardly. “Cut me some slack. It’s late.”

The car jolted suddenly, and the stranger’s briefcase brushed Wen Wan Ning’s shoulder. Shen Jia Yan caught it from the corner of her eye and immediately shot a sharp look at the driver. “Pull over.”

Her voice wasn’t loud, but it carried unyielding resolve. Wen Wan Ning turned in surprise, seeing Shen Jia Yan’s clenched jaw—a rare sight of her angry.

The driver grumbled as he slowed but persisted. “It’s just one more person…”

“Stop the car!” Shen Jia Yan pulled out her phone. “Or I’ll complain right now.”

The car screeched to a halt. The stranger got out cursing, slamming the door. The driver tried to argue, but Shen Jia Yan had already scanned to pay the full fare. She got out, moved to the back seat, and said, “No change needed. Follow the navigation now.”

Back on the road, the car was silent except for the hum of the AC vents. Wen Wan Ning gently stroked the back of Shen Jia Yan’s hand.

Noticing it was cool, Shen Jia Yan said softly, “Scared?”

Wen Wan Ning shook her head, her lips curving slightly. “No, I just saw you being so firm for the first time.”

She added right away, “Actually, second time. The first was Christmas.” Also when you were protecting me.

Shen Jia Yan chuckled lightly, saying nothing.

I just don’t want you to feel wronged…

Soon, the cab stopped at the gates of New City Elegance Residence.

Shen Jia Yan got out with Wen Wan Ning.

Wen Wan Ning turned to her. “Why’d you get out? Won’t you need another cab?”

Shen Jia Yan looked down with a smile, casual. “I don’t like that driver. Shady character.”

It sounded offhand, but couldn’t hide the reluctance in her eyes.

She wanted to walk more with Wen Wan Ning, to prolong the perfect atmosphere.

Wen Wan Ning caught the flicker in her eyes and suddenly understood. She smiled without exposing the flimsy excuse, her voice soft with a teasing lilt. “Then, walk me to my building? Freestyle fighting expert?”

Shen Jia Yan’s eyes lit up, blurting out, “Sure.” Her tone was resolute, like accepting a vital mission.

Streetlights cast warm yellow pools in the night. Shen Jia Yan’s canvas shoes stepped on Wen Wan Ning’s shadow as they walked, maintaining a perfect half-arm’s distance. Night breeze carried floral scents through the greenery, Wen Wan Ning’s hair tips brushing Shen Jia Yan’s shoulder like a feather tickling her heart.

She suddenly thought such nights were wonderful.

Even if just walking her partway, even with that unspoken barrier between them.

They walked on, steps slower now, neither wanting the path to end too soon.

Before long, they reached Wen Wan Ning’s building.

She stood below, glanced up at her window, then turned to Shen Jia Yan. “Today… thank you.”

Shen Jia Yan’s eyes held a smile. “For what?”

“For blocking that suitcase,” Wen Wan Ning said softly. “And for always being by my side.”

Shen Jia Yan gazed at her, eyes brimming with undisguised tenderness and affection. “As long as you’re willing, I’ll always be here.”

Wen Wan Ning smiled, eyes curving gently.

Then, she reached out lightly and took Shen Jia Yan’s hand, her gaze earnest. “Jia Yan, give me a little more time.”

Shen Jia Yan froze.

Wen Wan Ning hadn’t spelled it out, but Shen Jia Yan understood. She knew Shen Jia Yan liked her, and she felt the same, so she was asking for time—maybe they really could be together…

She stared at Wen Wan Ning, emotions surging in her eyes like long-pent-up starlight finally piercing clouds to flood the night sky.

She said nothing, just gently gripped back, fingertips trembling slightly but firmly. “Okay.” She smiled, voice quivering yet certain. “I’ll wait for you.”

Wen Wan Ning looked at her, eyes shining with emotion. She nodded lightly, lips curving in a smile of relief and anticipation—like shedding a heavy burden, or quietly making a promise.

The night breeze stirred her hair and Shen Jia Yan’s heart.

Under the streetlight, their shadows stretched long, overlapping—like their feelings now, drawing close yet leaving a little space, awaiting the day they could embrace fully without reserve.

Shen Jia Yan gazed at her, eyes full of tenderness. “No matter how long, I’ll wait.”

As long as she could be with Wen Wan Ning, through anything, any wait—she was willing.

Wen Wan Ning bowed her head softly. “Thank you, Yan Yan.” The nickname intimate.

Thank you for liking me, for waiting for me.