Shen Jia Yan was just about to pick up the fork Wen Wan Ning had placed next to the cake when Wen Wan Ning pressed it down. “Yan Yan.”
“Hm?”
Wen Wan Ning took another fork from the bag and handed it to her. “I used that one… This one’s for you.”
“Oh…” Shen Jia Yan paused, then took the fork. “Thanks.”
Had she been too eager? Had she been too intimate with Wan Ning and made her uncomfortable?
Shen Jia Yan’s fingers tightened slightly around the new fork, her knuckles turning white. She lowered her gaze to hide the fleeting disappointment, took a bite of the cake, and forced a smile. “It’s pretty good.”
Wen Wan Ning seemed to notice something. She gave Shen Jia Yan a hesitant glance but said nothing. The two of them silently shared the cake, the air filled with the sweet scent of strawberries and a subtle awkwardness.
Shen Jia Yan chewed mechanically; the delicious cake now tasted like wax. She stole a glance at Wen Wan Ning’s profile. The other girl was focused on the scenery outside the window, her eyelashes casting faint shadows in the sunlight.
“Wan Ning.” Shen Jia Yan mustered her courage to speak, her voice tight. “Am I…”
Before Shen Jia Yan could finish, Wen Wan Ning softly interrupted with a “Yan Yan.”
She froze, her lips slightly parted. The words “Am I making you uncomfortable?” ultimately didn’t come out.
Wen Wan Ning set down her fork and turned to face her, looking at her earnestly.
Sunlight streamed through the window onto her face, illuminating the gentleness in her eyes and the apologetic smile at the corners of her mouth.
“Give me a little more time,” she said softly, her tone carrying a hint of pleading and a soft resolve.
She still needed to handle some things.
Shen Jia Yan looked at her, feeling as if something gently pressed on her heart— a bit painful, yet warm.
She didn’t speak, just softly hummed in acknowledgment.
At six in the evening, the bus arrived in North City.
Since both of their schools’ Student Unions had matters needing their attention, they didn’t make plans for dinner and parted ways at the subway station.
Shen Jia Yan sat on the subway, leaning against the window.
The carriage wasn’t too crowded, and the soft lights made her profile glow faintly.
She looked down at her fingers, still scented with cake, the tips seemingly retaining the warmth of Wen Wan Ning’s touch.
Her mind inadvertently replayed Wen Wan Ning’s slight resistance when she wanted to use the same fork, and a trace of disappointment swept through her heart again.
She knew Wen Wan Ning wasn’t rejecting her but was trying to get closer.
She understood Wan Ning’s hesitation too.
Their relationship had just sprouted, like the first breeze of spring—gentle, but not yet steady.
She sighed and leaned lightly against the window, closing her eyes. In her mind appeared the image of Wen Wan Ning eating cake on the train, a bit of cream on her lips, her gaze so gentle it seemed to envelop Shen Jia Yan entirely.
At that moment, she thought that if possible, she’d be willing to spend a lifetime slowly drawing near, slowly entering her world.
The subway rocked gently as lights from outside flashed by one after another.
She exhaled softly, as if blowing away those tiny disappointments.
Then, she pulled out her phone from her pocket, opened the food delivery app, and ordered a tasty, healthy meal, addressing it to Wen Wan Ning’s dormitory building at Jingbei University.
She was a bit worried that Wan Ning wouldn’t eat properly after returning to school. After all, she had a “history” of developing chronic gastritis from poor eating habits.
After returning to school, the two reported to each other that they were safe and then busied themselves with their own affairs.
Xu Jingyao saw Shen Jia Yan return to the dorm with a smile on her face and knew something must have happened.
Wearing a gossipy expression, she slyly said, “That Moments post from the past couple days wasn’t simple, huh?” Especially Wen Wan Ning’s like.
The last time Wen Wan Ning came to their school to watch Shen Jia Yan’s performance, she had shamelessly added her on WeChat, becoming their mutual friend.
As Shen Jia Yan packed her backpack, she asked, “What’s up? It’s not like I haven’t posted Moments before.”
Xu Jingyao bounced up from the bed, hugging a pillow with a “you can’t fool me” look. “You posted that night sky photo with the caption ‘Tonight’s stars seem brighter than any day before.’ You think I can’t tell that has a hidden meaning?”
Shen Jia Yan froze, then couldn’t help laughing.
She knew Xu Jingyao would suspect eventually, but she hadn’t expected the “interrogation” right upon arriving at the dorm.
She neither denied nor explained much, just lightly replied, “The stars were just pretty that day.”
“Get real!” Xu Jingyao rolled her eyes dramatically. “You rarely post Moments, and when you do, it’s just a still life without even a caption. When did you get all literary?”
She leaned in closer, lowering her voice. “Does it have to do with Wen Wan Ning?”
Shen Jia Yan’s movements paused as she organized her backpack, but the corners of her mouth quietly curved up.
She didn’t answer right away, just softly hummed, casual yet brimming with unconcealable tenderness.
Xu Jingyao’s eyes widened suddenly, as if she’d caught irrefutable evidence. She nearly dropped her pillow in excitement. “As expected! I knew it! Are you two… together?”
Her shout drew Fu Jinxi and Zhang Min’s attention too. They all leaned in, three pairs of eyes fixed intently on Shen Jia Yan.
Seeing their excited, gossipy faces, Shen Jia Yan couldn’t help laughing out loud.
She slowly zipped up her backpack, her tone calm but laced with irrepressible sweetness. “Not yet, but… it could be considered some progress.”
Xu Jingyao immediately pressed, “Progress is great!” She smirked on one side. “Spill the details—what kind of progress?”
Shen Jia Yan looked at the three in full “gossip trial mode,” smiled, took a sip of water, and slowly said, “She told me to give her some time.” Her voice was gentle, carrying an unmistakable smile.
She didn’t say much, but that one sentence was enough to set the entire dorm ablaze.
Xu Jingyao got so excited she nearly smacked the bed frame. “That obviously means she likes you too! Togetherness is just around the corner!”
Fu Jinxi nodded. “Sounds like mutual secret crushes finally breaking the ice!”
Zhang Min looked touched. “You two are finally coming out! I’ve been waiting for this day forever!”
Shen Jia Yan felt a bit embarrassed by their words and shyly said, “No more chatting with you all. I have Student Union stuff; I’m heading out.”
“Hey, hey, don’t run!” Xu Jingyao reached to stop her. “We haven’t finished asking!”
Shen Jia Yan swiftly opened the dorm door and left.
On the way, she received a WeChat from Wen Wan Ning: [Got dinner, thanks. Remember to eat too.]
[Okay. (Good puppy.jpg)]
After replying, she opened her phone calendar and looked at the marked “April 26th,” her heart filled with anticipation.
She’d confess properly that day—on Wen Wan Ning’s birthday.
Over the next two weeks, Shen Jia Yan was very busy preparing for Wen Wan Ning’s birthday, as well as Student Union and Music Society activities.
Tacitly, Wen Wan Ning was busy too—especially after returning home again the week after they went back together, she became even busier.
Their contact lessened, and Wen Wan Ning’s attitude didn’t seem as enthusiastic as before.
Shen Jia Yan didn’t take it too much to heart. For one, most of her thoughts were on the birthday surprise; for two, she understood Wan Ning was busy with classes, Student Union work, and grad school prep, leaving little time for casual chats.
She consulted classmates in broadcasting and television directing for video editing tips, learned to make videos, and commissioned a few sketches from art design majors.
Two days before the birthday, she opened the WeChat friend list and messaged Wen Wan Ning’s roommate, Yu Xiaohuan.
She had quietly contacted Su Yang to add her as a friend through Su Yang.
Shen Jia Yan: [Hi, I’m Shen Jia Yan, Wan Ning’s classmate.]
Yu Xiaohuan: [I know you. I watched your performance. We’re somewhat familiar; no need to be so formal (silly laugh.jpg)]
Shen Jia Yan smiled at the reply. Wan Ning’s roommate was pretty enthusiastic.
[Okay (shy.jpg)]
Then she sent another: [I’m contacting you because I need your help with something. Don’t tell Wan Ning (shh.jpg)]
Yu Xiaohuan glanced at Wen Wan Ning and replied with a light laugh: [Sure, what is it?]
Shen Jia Yan thought for a moment and typed: [In two days, it’s Wan Ning’s birthday. As her good friend, I want to give her a birthday surprise and need your help.]
She didn’t know if Wen Wan Ning had talked about her with her roommates or their matters, or if she’d want others to know, so she stuck to the “good friend” identity for now.
Yu Xiaohuan frowned and replied: [But on Wan Ning’s birthday, we planned to go out for a celebratory dinner. We might return late.]
Shen Jia Yan thought and typed: [No problem. I can wait no matter how late. Have fun; that’s most important.]
Yu Xiaohuan already suspected Shen Jia Yan liked Wen Wan Ning. Though Wan Ning hadn’t said anything, it was obvious, and she thought they’d make a happy pair—Shen Jia Yan was truly good to her.
Their chat confirmed Shen Jia Yan’s thoughtfulness, strengthening her suspicion.
[Okay, what do you need me to do?]
[I made a birthday video that needs a laptop to play. Also, leave your dorm key with Su Yang; I’ll pick it up from her. Put the cake in place and set up the video before you return, so you see it upon entering.]
She added: [Don’t worry, I won’t touch or look at your stuff. (Hand raise promise.jpg)]
Yu Xiaohuan laughed at the emoji.
Pretty cute.
Wen Wan Ning heard the laugh and turned. “What’s so funny?”
“Oh, that,” she quickly explained. “Watched a variety show; it was hilarious.”
Wen Wan Ning nodded and said no more.
Yu Xiaohuan breathed a sigh of relief.
Then she thought about how she hadn’t seen Wen Wan Ning talking much with Shen Jia Yan lately. Wan Ning often spaced out, skipped activities outside class and study sessions, and even took leave from Student Union work a few times.
Probably family matters; she’d been going home frequently.
Yu Xiaohuan didn’t dwell and returned to WeChat: [Okay, I’ll leave my laptop on the desk—you’ll see it right away. Key to Su Yang before we go.]
Shen Jia Yan’s eyes curved up as she replied instantly: [Great, thanks, thanks (thanks.jpg)]
