Indulgence - Chapter 38

Chapter 38

"Yao Ran, it's quite lively tonight."

Just then, an acquaintance came over to greet them, and the hands they had linked together came apart. Jiang Nian stood beside Yao Ran without a change in expression, the ambiguous atmosphere from moments before vanishing in an instant.

Ruan Xin had invited many friends tonight, a number of whom Yao Ran also knew. Upon seeing her, they wanted to pull her over for a drink, but Yao Ran politely declined with a smile.

After the event officially began, the music grew more energetic. People, both with and without partners, started flocking to the dance floor.

Jiang Nian didn't go anywhere, simply staying obediently by Yao Ran's side, quietly keeping her company. Their gazes would occasionally meet by chance, but they didn't speak much.

Ruan Xin's event was a great success; the nightclub's amorous atmosphere was electric. Jiang Nian and Yao Ran simultaneously glanced to their side, where two women in masks removed each other's masks, exchanged a smile, and then embraced in a direct kiss.

Yao Ran quickly averted her gaze, only for it to meet Jiang Nian's. The ambiguity spread between them as well; a bar was a setting that too easily stirred sensitive feelings for them.

Amid the noise, another voice called out from behind, "Jiang Nian!"

There were so many people here tonight that Jiang Nian had run into a friend.

"Want to dance? Come on! Let's go together."

Jiang Nian shook her head and said loudly, "I'm not going, you guys have fun."

"Hey, come on, it's rare for it to be this lively!" the person said, reaching out to take Jiang Nian's arm.

Jiang Nian dodged as if she'd received an electric shock, terrified of the physical contact. "No, thanks."

She really did have a lot of friends, running into them so easily. Seeing this, Yao Ran said to her, "You should go."

Jiang Nian just stared at her. "I'm not going."

Yao Ran was speechless.

The friend didn't insist. "Alright then."

Guests were still pouring in. Yao Ran frowned; for her, the environment was far too noisy.

The music grew louder, making it impossible to hear anything anyone said. Jiang Nian looked at Yao Ran, then took it upon herself to take her hand again, leading her toward the exit.

Yao Ran followed her steps.

Together, they squeezed through the boisterous, restless crowd.

Yao Ran didn't know what Jiang Nian was up to this time, but every time Jiang Nian led her forward by the hand like this, it shattered her placid calm and made her heart race. It was as if she was being pulled into another world, one brimming with passion, and not just physically…

Deep down, she liked this feeling.

Jiang Nian led Yao Ran out of the bar and into that familiar back alley. This time, however, she was well-behaved. She didn't press Yao Ran against the wall and kiss her the moment they were outside, kissing her lips and tongue with varying intensity, then moving from her neck to her collarbone, as she had that night.

The night wind was scorching yet fresh.

Afraid Yao Ran might misunderstand, Jiang Nian promptly let go of her hand and didn't stand too close. She just smiled and asked, "It was too stuffy in there. Do you feel better now?"

"Yes," Yao Ran said, letting out a breath. They were indeed much calmer now, unlike before, when everything had been a reckless rush of blood to the head.

Jiang Nian added, "Let's not go back in. It's only going to get more crowded later."

Yao Ran looked at Jiang Nian in silence. It seemed she could always find a way to make her feel most at ease. Knowing that Jiang Nian enjoyed lively places, she said, "You go have fun. You don't have to keep me company."

Is this reserved woman genuinely clueless or just pretending? Jiang Nian gazed at her. "I only came over tonight because I knew you'd be here."

After speaking, Jiang Nian rubbed her stomach.

Yao Ran asked, "What's wrong?"

"I was afraid I'd be late and miss you," Jiang Nian said. "I came straight here after work without eating. I'm a little hungry."

Yao Ran was at a loss for words.

Shameless people never minced their words.

Jiang Nian was still waiting for a response.

Yao Ran could only say helplessly, "If you're hungry, go get something to eat."

Jiang Nian seized the opportunity and asked in a low voice, "Will you come with me?"

Seeing her feigned look of weakness, Yao Ran nodded slightly. "I haven't eaten either."

Jiang Nian smiled. "What a coincidence."

Yao Ran was speechless.

"Let's go eat somewhere nearby then," Jiang Nian immediately amended. "There's a restaurant with really good food. I'll take you."

Yao Ran hummed in agreement. She hadn't eaten dinner either; sometimes when she was busy, she didn't feel very hungry and would just skip it.

There were quite a few restaurants near Spring Breeze Lane, not the cookie-cutter chain types, but each with its own unique flavor and character.

Jiang Nian took Yao Ran to a private kitchen restaurant in a less conspicuous location.

Although Yao Ran often passed through this area, she probably would have never discovered this little shop hidden in the streets if Jiang Nian hadn't brought her.

They went up to the second floor, which still had a fair number of customers at this hour. After they were seated, Jiang Nian asked Yao Ran, "What would you like to eat?"

Yao Ran replied, "I'm fine with anything."

Jiang Nian asked again, "Is there anything you don't eat?"

"No."

Jiang Nian had a feeling that was the case. She felt that a person like Director Yao wouldn't have a single willful bone in her body, not even being a picky eater. She ordered a few of the popular house specialties.

Yao Ran reminded her, "Don't order too much. The two of us won't be able to finish it."

"It's fine, we can ask them to make half portions."

"They can do that?"

Jiang Nian said mysteriously, "It's a hidden rule."

Yao Ran smiled faintly. Jiang Nian was her complete opposite, skilled in all aspects of food, drink, and entertainment. Going out with someone like her was very comfortable.

After they ordered, the waiter considerately asked, "Should we prepare it the standard way, or are there any preferences we should be aware of?"

Thinking that Yao Ran ate everything, Jiang Nian said directly, "Standard is fine."

Yao Ran thought for a moment, then said to the waiter in a soft voice, "No ginger, please. Thank you."

Jiang Nian looked at Yao Ran in disbelief. This was clearly to accommodate her own tastes.

"No ginger, is that right?" the waiter confirmed. "Then this ginger-flavored duck…"

Yao Ran said, "Don't put it in that either."

The waiter smiled awkwardly. "We can't make the ginger-flavored duck without ginger."

"Then we'll cancel that dish."

Yao Ran said they had ordered enough food anyway.

"Alright, please wait a moment."

Jiang Nian said, "You don't have to accommodate my tastes. The ginger-flavored duck is their specialty; it's really good."

Yao Ran replied, "It's fine."

After ordering, they waited for the food to arrive.

Jiang Nian remembered mentioning only once that she didn't eat ginger. She looked at Yao Ran and asked, "You remember that so clearly?"

Yao Ran knew what Jiang Nian was referring to. She took a sip of the tea beside her and answered lightly, "My memory is pretty good."

Jiang Nian blinked and smiled, trying to make conversation. "Is that so?"

Out of politeness, Yao Ran would usually accommodate others' tastes, provided, of course, that she remembered such details. She was usually busy with so many things that she didn't typically remember such trifles… Perhaps the way Jiang Nian looked while drinking the ginger tea that morning had been so awkward and funny that it had left a deep impression, making it hard to forget.

Jiang Nian pouted. If you cared, you cared. What's this about having a good memory? But thinking about it, a sweet feeling still bloomed in her heart.

The steaming hot dishes arrived quickly. They were all made to order, arriving at the table full of aroma and smelling delicious.

No wonder this restaurant's business was so good, still full of customers at this hour. The food was indeed excellent. Especially for Yao Ran, who was used to hotel cuisine, a home-style meal like this was a stunningly pleasant surprise.

"Try this, it's a must-order every time." Jiang Nian moved the signature dish in front of Yao Ran. "It's best while it's hot."

Although it was just the two of them eating, Jiang Nian's presence made it feel quite lively.

As she ate, Jiang Nian complained about the bizarre customers who came to her studio. Yao Ran listened attentively, occasionally finding it amusing. Despite one being talkative and the other quiet, there was no awkwardness of being out of sync.

After dinner, Jiang Nian took Yao Ran for a stroll through the nearby night market to help with digestion.

The street, full of the buzz of everyday life, was just the right amount of lively. This kind of relaxing pastime was still somewhat unfamiliar to Yao Ran.

"There's a lot of other good food around here," Jiang Nian said, turning around to face Yao Ran with great enthusiasm. "When you have time, shall I take you around to try it all?"

Yao Ran was impressed. How could this person be so energetic all the time, especially after working overtime all evening?

When Yao Ran didn't answer immediately, Jiang Nian wasn't disappointed; she just smiled. Passing a bubble tea shop that was having a promotion, she said to Yao Ran on a whim, "Director Yao, let me treat you to bubble tea."

Yao Ran said, "I don't drink it."

Jiang Nian's eyes were full of anticipation. "If you buy two, you get a blind box."

A blind box?

Yao Ran chuckled.

But Jiang Nian's smile was radiant. "Let's try it."

Her voice had a wheedling tone, making even Yao Ran feel a little embarrassed for her. In the end, the two of them went to the bubble tea shop and bought two drinks.

"You open it." Jiang Nian handed the blind box to Yao Ran. "I'm afraid my luck is bad, and I won't get a cute one."

Yao Ran was quite helpless but still complied, unwrapping the package. She opened it to reveal a chubby, yellowish Shiba Inu. Handing it to Jiang Nian, she couldn't help but say, "It's something you'd like."

Jiang Nian was delighted. She did indeed like it.

Yao Ran really couldn't hold back a teasing remark. "You're already thirty. Aren't you being a little childish?"

Jiang Nian paused, looking as if she wanted to say something but held back.

"I've never seen someone your age act so childishly."

Jiang Nian gave a dry laugh and said, as if bargaining, "Can you please stop calling me childish?"

Yao Ran asked, "Am I wrong?"

Jiang Nian's words held a deeper meaning. "Director Yao, I'm actually very mature."

Yao Ran vaguely understood the implication. Back when they played spin the bottle, she had said she liked mature types.

The two of them fell silent for a moment.

Jiang Nian picked up the little trinket in her hand and naturally moved on to the next topic. "Isn't this cute?"

Yao Ran was instantly amused and laughed.

Jiang Nian smiled too, the corners of her mouth turned high. She loved to see her smile.

The sudden shared laughter made the air romantic.

Standing on the bustling street, with the boundless night and the unrestrained evening breeze behind them, Yao Ran looked at Jiang Nian and felt that at this moment, she exuded an even greater sense of freedom. When she smiled, it carried an intense, unrestrained passion.

A woman like this was indeed captivating.

After that confession, Yao Ran could naturally sense Jiang Nian's cautious approach, including her efforts to give her a sense of security. It was just that her personality made it difficult to trust anything easily. She gazed at Jiang Nian now, at her pure and sincere eyes, and wondered if she was being rational to a fault.

---

With some free time over the next two days, Jiang Nian finished the half-done wood carving she had started earlier. It was the one modeled after Si Mao, the one she had promised to give to Yao Ran.

She took a picture and sent it to Yao Ran.

【Jiang Nian】Si Mao's wood carving is done. Isn't it nice? I promised to give it to you. Let me know when you're free, and I'll bring it to you.

It seemed she always had to find a reason to see the reserved woman.

Jiang Nian packaged the dried wood carving and placed it in a gift box she had prepared long ago.

Yao Ran was probably busy during the day. It wasn't until evening that Jiang Nian received a reply. As she looked at the message, her heart pounded:

【Yao Ran】Okay. I'm free tonight.

Get instant access to all chapters now.

Previous Table of Contents Next