The morning sunlight slipped through the gaps in the curtains, quietly spilling onto Shen Jia Yan’s face.
She slowly opened her eyes, her mind still hazy with sleep, but the corners of her mouth involuntarily curved up in a gentle smile.
The dream from last night had been so tender, featuring Wen Wan Ning’s captivating face, her soft laughter, and tulips blooming in the little courtyard.
She rolled over, burying her face in the pillow, happily savoring that gentle dream once more.
Then, she reached for her phone on the bedside table, checked the time, unlocked the screen, opened WeChat, and sent a message to Wen Wan Ning: 【Good morning. (Puppy peeking out.jpg)】
It wasn’t long before she received a reply: 【Good morning. (Kitten peeking out.jpg)】
Shen Jia Yan looked at the little cat and puppy emojis in the chat box—so much like a couple’s banter—and her eyebrows and the corners of her eyes couldn’t help but lift in delight.
Jiang Jing knocked and entered. “Are you up?” She caught sight of Shen Jia Yan’s expression and asked, “What’s got you so happy first thing in the morning? Your mouth is grinning all the way to your ears.”
Shen Jia Yan composed her expression upon hearing this. “Is it? Maybe it’s because I woke up to see my favorite mom—that’s enough to make me happy.”
Jiang Jing pressed her lips together, coughed lightly twice. “You’re such a sweet talker. Get up quickly; breakfast is downstairs.”
“Heehee, okay.”
After breakfast, Shen Yan said to Shen Jia Yan, “Yan Yan, when the time comes, have Uncle Li take you to the station. Mom and Dad have some work to handle.”
Shen Jia Yan set down her water cup. “Okay, you two go ahead and get busy. Don’t worry about me.” She added playfully, “My license isn’t done yet, but once it is, I won’t even need to trouble Uncle Li—I can drive myself.”
Shen Yan smiled indulgently.
The train ticket was for noon at twelve.
Shen Jia Yan packed her things and got in the car right at eleven, heading to the station.
Sunlight filtered through the clouds onto the city streets, with a gentle breeze and the fresh air unique to early spring.
She wore a light gray wool coat, sharply tailored yet casually stylish, paired with a black zip-up sweater underneath, its collar slightly open to reveal a stretch of fair neck. Slim white jeans hugged her legs, finished with short brown Martin boots—clean and neat.
Her shoulder-length hair fell loosely, the ends slightly curled, swaying lightly with her steps, giving her a refreshing vibe with a touch of handsomeness.
They arrived at the station.
Shen Jia Yan grabbed her things and got out.
A backpack slung over one shoulder, a paper bag in hand—filled with small cakes and milk tea from Wen Wan Ning’s favorite dessert shop.
She had just asked Uncle Li to pull over on the way so she could buy them herself.
She walked into the station, greeted by the familiar clamor: crowds bustling about, train announcements blaring over the speakers, the air mixed with coffee scents and the rumble of suitcase wheels on the floor.
She stopped at the entrance to the waiting hall, her gaze sweeping over the throng, her lips curving up unconsciously.
Then, she pulled out her phone and messaged Wen Wan Ning: 【I’m in the waiting hall. Ticket’s picked up. No need to rush.】
After sending, she leaned against a pillar, one hand gripping the paper bag tightly, the other in her coat pocket, her eyes scanning the crowd for that familiar figure.
Sunlight poured down from the glass ceiling, falling on her—and warming her heart.
She didn’t have to wait long.
A few seconds later, her phone buzzed.
Wen Wan Ning’s reply: 【I think I see you.】
Shen Jia Yan froze, then jerked her head up.
Sure enough, in the crowd not far away, the figure that made her heart race was walking toward her.
Wen Wan Ning wore a creamy white knit coat that made her skin look even fairer. Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders, shimmering faintly in the sunlight. One hand in her coat pocket, the other lightly on her canvas shoulder bag, her steps unhurried.
Shen Jia Yan stood rooted to the spot, her heart pounding wildly.
Wen Wan Ning stopped three steps away, her lips curving into a gentle arc. Sunlight filtered through her hair, casting tiny shadows on her cheeks, her eyes beneath her lashes sparkling brilliantly.
“Wait long?” she asked softly, her voice like a feather brushing Shen Jia Yan’s heart.
Shen Jia Yan shook her head, suddenly finding her throat tight. “Just got here.”
Wen Wan Ning eyed the paper bag in her hand, her brows furrowing slightly as she quickly took it. “Is your arm better? And you’re carrying stuff?” Her tone was clearly worried.
Shen Jia Yan blinked, then remembered her injured arm. After two days of ointment, there was just some bruising left—no big deal.
She smiled. “It’s fine already. Nothing serious.”
Wen Wan Ning wasn’t convinced and gently touched her arm. “Really okay?”
Shen Jia Yan instinctively pulled back a little, but Wen Wan Ning caught the motion. She sighed. “Come sit over there with me.”
Before Shen Jia Yan could react, Wen Wan Ning pulled her to a bench in the waiting area.
She rolled up Shen Jia Yan’s sleeve, revealing the clear bruise. “And you say it’s fine,” her voice dropped, laced with heartache and reproach. “The bruising hasn’t even faded.”
Shen Jia Yan tried to pull her hand back, but Wen Wan Ning held it gently. Her thumb brushed ever so lightly over the bruise, like handling a fragile treasure.
“It really doesn’t hurt anymore,” Shen Jia Yan explained softly, reluctant to pull away from the touch. “It just looks scary.”
“Have you been applying the ointment on time?” Wen Wan Ning asked.
Shen Jia Yan straightened up immediately, nodding earnestly. “Yes! I followed the doctor’s schedule exactly—no slacking.”
Her sudden seriousness made Wen Wan Ning chuckle.
“No heavy stuff until the bruise is gone.”
Shen Jia Yan explained, “The bag’s not heavy. Open it and see.”
Wen Wan Ning took the paper bag from beside her and opened it.
A faint sweet aroma wafted up with the steam. Inside were two neat little cake boxes, alongside a sealed hot milk tea, the cup’s exterior already damp—clearly bought fresh.
It was her favorite cake from her favorite dessert shop.
Her heart warmed. She looked up at Shen Jia Yan. “You went out of your way to buy this?”
The shop wasn’t on the route from Shen Jia Yan’s home to the station.
Shen Jia Yan touched her nose sheepishly. “I remembered you said you loved the strawberry cake from there, so I got it.” She pointed to the milk tea. “And this—your usual taro boba, half sugar.”
“You…” Wen Wan Ning frowned, her tone mixing reproach and concern. “With your arm like that, you still went to line up? That place takes at least half an hour in the morning.”
Shen Jia Yan waved her hands hurriedly. “Not many people today; didn’t wait long.” Her eyes flickered briefly before she added, “Sweet things make people happy.” I want you to be happy.
The words landed like sugar, melting straight into Wen Wan Ning’s heart.
The announcement blared that the train was arriving, and the crowd surged toward the gates. Shen Jia Yan stood, naturally taking Wen Wan Ning’s hand. “Let’s go.”
They moved slowly with the flow. Suddenly, Shen Jia Yan leaned close to her ear. “You look especially beautiful today.” Her warm breath grazed Wen Wan Ning’s ear, nearly making her miss a step.
Shen Jia Yan swiftly steadied her waist. The sudden closeness made them both hold their breath. Wen Wan Ning caught the faint citrus scent on Shen Jia Yan, mingled with the warm smell of sun-warmed clothes, leaving her dazed for a moment.
“Watch the step,” Shen Jia Yan reminded softly, her voice laced with irrepressible amusement. She let go but stayed close enough to catch her again if needed.
Wen Wan Ning’s ears tinged pink, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.
She ducked her head, pretending to adjust her canvas bag, trying to hide her fluster—but her trembling lashes betrayed her racing heart.
Shen Jia Yan watched her reaction, a smug curve tugging at her lips.
Once on the train, Shen Jia Yan still let Wen Wan Ning take the window seat—she knew she liked the view.
Before sitting, Wen Wan Ning reached up to push their luggage further back on the rack and double-checked it wouldn’t fall.
Shen Jia Yan noticed the little gesture, her heart warming. She gently took Wen Wan Ning’s wrist. “It’s fine. The luggage is secure this time.”
Wen Wan Ning finally sat, though she still glanced up at the rack. Sunlight streamed through the window, outlining her soft profile.
“It’s really okay,” Shen Jia Yan soothed gently, quietly flipping up the armrest between their seats. “See? The bag’s way in there.”
Wen Wan Ning turned, finding Shen Jia Yan gazing at her intently, eyes full of tender amusement. She suddenly felt shy. “I just… got a bit scared.”
Shen Jia Yan’s heart melted. She hesitated, then gently patted Wen Wan Ning’s hand on her lap. “I know.” Her thumb stroked the back of it soothingly. “I’ll be more careful from now on.”
Wen Wan Ning blinked, her lips curving up as if finally soothed.
She murmured a soft “Mm,” then leaned back, relaxing fully.
The train rode smoothly for over half an hour.
Shen Jia Yan took a small cake from the bag and set it on Wen Wan Ning’s tray table. “Want some?”
Wen Wan Ning had been staring out the window, lost in thought. She turned at the voice, her gaze landing on the delicate cake, her lips curving unconsciously. “Okay.”
She picked up the little fork but paused to glance at Shen Jia Yan first. “Have you eaten?”
Shen Jia Yan was about to say yes, but a spark of mischief hit her. She tested, “Not yet.”
Wen Wan Ning slid the cake between them. “Then let’s share.”
“Sure.”
As Shen Jia Yan reached for the fork beside the cake, Wen Wan Ning stopped her. “Jia Yan.”
“Yeah?”
