Indulgence - Chapter 34
Chapter 34
"Jealous again?"
Jiang Nian asked directly in a low voice.
Yao Ran frowned, suddenly speechless. She avoided Jiang Nian's gaze, looking instead at the tree branches rustling in the wind nearby, not wanting to address the question.
Jiang Nian knew she'd said the wrong thing again and fell silent as well. She saw Yao Ran's expression return to its usual placid state, but the words she had just hurled at her were clearly filled with both annoyance and jealousy. How could she possibly not care?
Yao Ran knew she was being overly sensitive tonight. It was just her habit to assume the worst-case scenario for everything. That way, when the worst did happen, she wouldn't be caught off guard. She was like this at work and in her personal life. That was why the divorce and Lin Xuan's deception had left her relatively unscathed.
"I'm not pursuing anyone else." Jiang Nian looked at Yao Ran, her gaze scorching. She wasn't one for beating around the bush, and each word she spoke was more direct than the last. "I only want to pursue you."
Such a blunt, raw confession was enough to make one's heart race. Yao Ran's eyes flickered. How could she toss out such intimate words so casually, without a hint of shame?
Always left speechless by Jiang Nian, Yao Ran stubbed out her cigarette in the nearby trash can. As she turned to leave, her high heel caught on the edge of a step.
Jiang Nian's hands were quick to steady her, her arm wrapping skillfully around the slender waist.
Just like that other night, they were pressed lightly together, her arm around Yao Ran's waist. The romantic moonlight in the night sky made the ambiguous atmosphere all the more heart-fluttering.
Jiang Nian didn't immediately remove her hand from Yao Ran's waist. Taking advantage of the accidental embrace, she leaned in and admitted her fault in a low, coaxing whisper, "What will it take for you to not be angry?"
If their lips drew any closer, they would lose their heads in ambiguity again tonight... Yao Ran was still relatively calm at this moment. She looked at Jiang Nian, and though her heart was pounding, she commanded in a small voice, "Don't hold me."
Jiang Nian immediately released her, not wanting to make her uncomfortable.
The back alley was quiet, with only the occasional couple passing by. Their verbal tug-of-war made them look like a couple in the middle of a tiff.
They stood in a stalemate for a moment.
"I wasn't just saying things the other day. I haven't contacted you these past few days because I was afraid you'd think I was pestering you," Jiang Nian finally said what was on her mind. "But I still wanted to see you, so I agreed when Sister Ruan asked me to come sing tonight."
Weren't you having a good time earlier? Why are you acting all wronged now? Yao Ran listened in silence, still not knowing what to say.
Jiang Nian quietly watched Yao Ran, not emphasizing anything else. If she wasn't willing to believe her, any explanation would just sound like a player's excuse.
To finally have her heart truly moved for the first time, only to...
The more she thought about it, the more wronged she felt.
That expression again. Seeing Jiang Nian's dejected and wronged look, Yao Ran felt that, by comparison, her own rationality made her seem cold-hearted.
Having said all she needed to, Jiang Nian lingered for another moment before asking, "Do you need a ride back?"
"No..." Yao Ran finally spoke. She paused for a moment. "I didn't drink that much."
"Okay." Jiang Nian looked at her. Although it was still a refusal, her tone was much softer than before.
Without another word, they went their separate ways.
Back home that night, Jiang Nian lay in bed, unable to sleep for a long time. She seemed to understand why Ruan Xin had said Yao Ran liked things "subtle and slow-burning." Was she being too direct?
Tossing and turning, she thought about the resentful words Yao Ran had spoken that evening, and her heart filled with a bittersweet feeling.
Being sullen just meant she cared.
She was only angry because she cared...
The next time they met was on Friday night, at the archery range Jiang Nian frequented.
Jiang Nian hadn't expected to run into Yao Ran here. It was rare to see Yao Ran in casual attire—a white top and loose black trousers, though she still exuded a quiet, elegant aura.
She had come with Ruan Xin, accompanied by another woman in her thirties whom Jiang Nian didn't recognize.
Ruan Xin had arranged a get-together tonight to connect Yao Ran with Director He from SL Group. He Qin enjoyed sports, so she had conveniently suggested the archery range, a perfect place for relaxed conversation.
When Yao Ran entered the range, she had actually spotted Jiang Nian before Ruan Xin did. Jiang Nian was wearing a form-fitting top that accentuated her figure and a pair of cargo pants that made her waist look even slimmer. Though the range was crowded, Jiang Nian was, once again, the most eye-catching person there.
"Jiang Nian, you're here too," Ruan Xin was the first to greet her. "I was actually planning to call you tonight."
Jiang Nian put down the bow in her hand and silently stared at Yao Ran. She was a regular at this club; after finishing a large tattoo piece, she liked to come here to stretch and relax.
"You guys came to play too?"
Jiang Nian looked at Ruan Xin again.
"Yeah, brought a friend." Ruan Xin asked, "Are you alone?"
Jiang Nian smiled. "Yeah. I was tattooing all afternoon, so I came to unwind."
Before Ruan Xin could say anything, the woman standing beside her spoke up enthusiastically.
"If you're alone, come play with us," He Qin said with a bright smile, her eyes sweeping over Jiang Nian, from her face to her figure and back to her face again. She added leisurely, "You look like a pro."
"Not at all, I'm just an amateur," Jiang Nian replied with a faint smile, afraid the silent person next to her might misunderstand something again...
"You're so aloof. Everyone here today is an aloof beauty," He Qin joked, her eyes lingering on Jiang Nian's figure, unable to look away. She really liked this type; her waist-to-hip ratio was nearly perfect.
Jiang Nian noticed the other woman's gaze wasn't exactly restrained.
He Qin didn't hold back her praise. "You have a great body."
"Thanks." Jiang Nian gave an awkward smile and glanced at Yao Ran. She's not going to get angry again, is she? I haven't done anything.
Yao Ran remained impassive.
Since they were all acquaintances, they naturally played together.
He Qin and Ruan Xin knew the basics, but it was Yao Ran's first time. A male instructor patrolling the range saw a great beauty and eagerly came over to offer free instruction.
Jiang Nian didn't wait a second. She quickly walked over and said to the male instructor, "No need to trouble yourself. I can teach her."
The instructor smiled and said, "It's no problem, this is my job."
But Jiang Nian replied softly, "She doesn't like people getting close to her."
Her tone was not particularly friendly.
The male instructor had no choice but to walk away, dejected.
After shooing away the instructor who had come over to hit on her, Jiang Nian returned to Yao Ran's side. Seeing Yao Ran looking at her quietly, she whispered back, "Was I wrong?"
She didn't like others getting close, only liked Jiang Nian's touch. This was their "secret."
Yao Ran didn't deny it.
Jiang Nian lowered her eyes to look at her. "I'll teach you."
Yao Ran paused. "Okay." Jiang Nian's proximity didn't make her feel as uncomfortable.
"Hold it like this, then push forward..."
Jiang Nian began to teach her properly. She was naturally a better teacher than the instructors, because when Yao Ran's posture was off, she could take her hand and slowly adjust it.
"Raise your arm a little higher. No, like this..." Jiang Nian resorted to teaching her hand-over-hand.
As their long, slender fingers touched, both of them became a little distracted.
Jiang Nian lowered her head. "Your stance is wrong."
Yao Ran: "Hm?"
Jiang Nian told her in a low voice, "Spread your legs a little wider..."
The words made both of their minds turn to less innocent thoughts, and they fell silent. Embarrassed, Yao Ran turned her head and shot Jiang Nian a light glare.
Jiang Nian: "What's wrong?"
"You're too close," Yao Ran reminded her helplessly.
"Okay." Jiang Nian was quite obedient and immediately created some distance. She couldn't help but joke, "You're so hard to teach, Director Yao."
Yao Ran continued helplessly, "You don't have to teach me."
Jiang Nian was an expert at being shameless and immediately changed her tune. "I'm willing to teach you."
Yao Ran was helpless against such thick skin, especially when it was smiling at her like that.
This was their first relatively intimate conversation since that night's confession.
Jiang Nian felt like she could slowly get closer. Her eyes fixed on Yao Ran's face, she couldn't resist asking quietly, "Are you less angry today?"
The voice by her ear was gentle enough to soften Yao Ran's heart.
Jiang Nian thought that if she needed time to adjust, then she could approach slowly. As long as she didn't hide from her...
Before Yao Ran could give an answer, Jiang Nian began to teach her seriously.
Although they had put some distance between them, from an outsider's perspective, they still looked intimate.
Ruan Xin drew her bow and shot two arrows. When she turned back, she saw Jiang Nian teaching Yao Ran up close and was momentarily stunned. Jiang Nian was standing right beside Yao Ran, teaching her hand-over-hand. Their bodies were so close their hips were nearly touching, and they were leaning in, whispering to each other.
Were they here for archery or to flirt?
Ruan Xin still found it hard to believe. What was Director Yao, who usually didn't let anyone touch her, doing right now?
Neither Jiang Nian nor Yao Ran realized how intimate their posture looked to others, perhaps because the intimacy they shared in private was far more intense than this.
He Qin played for a while, then her gaze also swept to the side. She smiled at Jiang Nian and said, "Teacher Jiang, come teach me too. I feel like my form isn't quite standard either."
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