Indulgence - Chapter 42
Chapter 42
Jiang Nian looked at Yao Ran. "You still haven't answered me."
"Hm?" Yao Ran said.
"The happy puppy, do you like it?" Jiang Nian pressed. She knew Yao Ran liked it, she just wasn't the type to say so. But Jiang Nian wanted to hear her say it herself.
Yao Ran had noticed that Jiang Nian loved to ask her if she "liked" things. About anything and everything. Such a shameless person. She answered softly, "I like it. Thank you."
Jiang Nian didn't particularly like hearing her say thank you. "As long as you like it. You don't have to thank me."
After last night, the quiet, ambiguous atmosphere between them had grown even thicker. It was in every glance they shared—one fervent, the other reserved.
They had too many memories that were far from innocent, and whenever they were alone like this, a "dangerous" feeling would easily arise.
"I'm heading up," Yao Ran said coolly.
"Okay." Jiang Nian took the bouquet and tucked it into her arms. "Goodbye."
The car door closed softly.
Through the windshield, Jiang Nian stared at the tall, cool, and ascetic figure walking away, her heart full. When, she wondered, would Yao Ran stop restraining herself around her?
Back in her apartment, Yao Ran looked down at the bouquet in her hands. A splash of bright color had been added to the cold, empty room. She stared at it for a moment, lost in thought. It seemed her life had become like this, too, ever since meeting Jiang Nian.
The night was silent.
After her shower, Yao Ran idly checked her phone and opened her Moments to scroll through. It was a habit she had only recently developed. When she came across Jiang Nian's posts, she would subconsciously linger on them for a few extra seconds. She couldn't lie to herself; she was indeed paying too much "attention" to Jiang Nian, whether intentionally or not.
Jiang Nian posted frequently, so there was almost always something new to see. Ten minutes ago, she had posted two photos: the bouquet and the "happy puppy," with a simple caption: Love it.
Yao Ran saw it… How could someone be so fond of wearing their heart on their sleeve?
Just then, a new WeChat message arrived. Yao Ran saw that Jiang Nian had also changed her profile picture to the "happy puppy." She clicked on it; it actually suited Jiang Nian's personality quite well.
【Jiang Nian】I'm home.
【Jiang Nian】Good night.
It was accompanied by a cute sticker of Si Mao. Looking at it, Yao Ran couldn't help but smile. She replied simply: Okay, good night.
Jiang Nian was on the sofa playing with Si Mao. After receiving the cool greeting, she thought for a moment, then took a close-up photo of Si Mao's face and sent it over.
【Jiang Nian】If you miss Si Mao, just come over.
Yao Ran read into it, her mind flashing back to that day when a certain someone had shamelessly asked her while kissing her, "You missed me, didn't you?"
Jiang Nian started messaging Yao Ran much more frequently. Since she had said she was going to pursue her, she would do it openly. She wasn't one for coyness, and after that night, with Yao Ran's tacit permission, her skin had grown even thicker.
Anything she found interesting, she would immediately send to the cool, reserved woman.
Aside from work-related messages, Yao Ran's WeChat was now mostly filled with messages from Jiang Nian. But she didn't mute Jiang Nian's notifications, and she would look at them when she had a spare moment. It was as if her quiet life had suddenly become lively. She was a little unused to it, but not opposed.
One day, Ruan Xin was passing by Yao Ran's company and asked her to lunch. She noticed Yao Ran glancing at her phone from time to time, a faint, unreadable smile on her lips. "Director Yao seems to be in a good mood lately?" she asked.
Yao Ran sipped her soup gracefully. "It's alright."
Ruan Xin was in a pretty good mood herself. She smiled and asked, "Is the busy bee free? Do you want to go to East Lake this weekend? I hear the sunset is beautiful."
Yao Ran usually took some time to relax after a busy period. She asked Ruan Xin, "Who's going?"
"Just Qiao Zhiyu and the others, all old friends." Ruan Xin paused, then added, "And Xu Xia. She's been wanting to go."
Xu Xia again. Yao Ran always felt that Ruan Xin and Xu Xia were a little too close, in a way that could easily be misunderstood. In fact, she had suspected something once before. After all, Ruan Xin liked women and hadn't had a girlfriend in years, only ever being close with Xu Xia.
But when she'd brought it up, Ruan Xin had vehemently denied it, saying that while she liked younger girls, she didn't like them that well-behaved. She said that girls who were too obedient and sensible were boring, and that she only saw Xu Xia as a younger sister.
Because Ruan Xin's denial had been so firm, Yao Ran hadn't given it much thought since, even though she had sensed a hint of ambiguity when she'd run into them in the office last time.
Ruan Xin gave Yao Ran a look and asked tentatively, "Should we invite Jiang Nian?"
Yao Ran lifted her eyes.
"It's up to you whether you invite her or not," Ruan Xin said. She looked at Yao Ran with a smile and teased, "Director Yao, do you know you seem very hard to pursue?"
Yao Ran didn't deny it. Perhaps compared to others, she really was overly cautious and slow to warm up.
"If you're being pursued by someone you're interested in, you could make yourself seem a little easier to get," Ruan Xin continued, still in a joking manner. She knew that with Yao Ran's personality, she would never be the one to initiate a pursuit.
After a simple meal, Yao Ran returned to her company. While waiting for the elevator, she took out her phone and sent a message.
Jiang Nian was drinking coffee to wake herself up when she received the message.
【The Big Stoic】Ruan Xin is planning a trip to East Lake this weekend. She asked if you want to go.
Seeing a message initiated by Yao Ran, Jiang Nian hesitated for a moment before typing: Are you going?
【The Big Stoic】Yes.
Reading the message, Jiang Nian broke into a wide grin. She could have just asked me if I wanted to go with her, couldn't she? she grumbled inwardly. Why bring Ruan Xin into it and talk in circles?
Yao Ran quickly received a reply and looked down at her phone.
【Jiang Nian】I want to go too.
A reply she had expected.
About six or seven people went to East Lake this time, which was perfect for two cars. Ruan Xin drove, with Xu Xia in the passenger seat, while Yao Ran and Jiang Nian sat side-by-side in the back. Jiang Nian had brought her camera and sketchbook again, her essentials for any outing. Her department in university often came here for sketching, so she was familiar with all the scenery along the way.
East Lake was a scenic spot quite close to the city, less than a two-hour drive away. They set off in the afternoon, just in time to see the sunset and have an outdoor barbecue.
As the evening glow filled the sky, the group of friends chatted and ate barbecue. The atmosphere was lively and just right.
Ruan Xin noticed a guitar placed stylishly outside the small shop and casually asked Yao Ran, "Yao Ran, do you still know how to play the guitar?"
Hearing Ruan Xin's question, Jiang Nian looked at Yao Ran beside her in surprise.
Qiao Zhiyu, who had known Yao Ran for several years, was also surprised. "You can play the guitar? I've never seen you play before."
Yao Ran said calmly, "I learned for a while, a long time ago. I haven't touched one in ages."
"Is this perhaps the most rebellious thing Director Yao has ever done?" Ruan Xin joked, continuing the story as they ate. "She's always studied piano. When I was in college, I wanted to learn guitar, so I dragged her along with me. In the end, I didn't learn, but she did."
The most rebellious thing. Yao Ran smiled imperceptibly. If she hadn't met Jiang Nian, that would indeed have been the most rebellious thing she had ever done.
"Want to give it a try?" Ruan Xin urged. "Our Director Yao was the campus belle back then. She mesmerized a whole crowd of guys and girls playing guitar at the university gala. She was just too cool and aloof for anyone to catch up to."
Jiang Nian listened intently, enjoying these stories. She almost never heard Yao Ran talk about herself.
Yao Ran cut Ruan Xin off. "That was years ago. Stop bringing it up."
"Want to try?" Jiang Nian turned to look at her and said softly, "I want to hear you."
"It's been a long time since I've played," Yao Ran said.
Jiang Nian just kept staring at her with pleading eyes.
Seeing the pure anticipation in her eyes, and the silent plea, Yao Ran felt helpless. After a moment's pause, she said, "Alright, I'll try."
Ruan Xin borrowed the guitar from the owner.
Yao Ran took a moment to get a feel for it, then looked at the sheet music and strummed the strings. She chose the song herself, feeling it was perfect for the current atmosphere.
It was light and bright, like a gentle summer evening breeze.
Just like this very moment.
Jiang Nian was entranced, or more accurately, she was captivated by the sight. Watching Yao Ran hold the guitar and play so lightly, she understood perfectly how Director Yao had charmed so many people back then. Icy yet gentle, her cool, focused expression drew people in, making them want to get closer.
And yet, she wouldn't let anyone get close.
Jiang Nian gazed at her lowered, calm eyes and suddenly realized—had Yao Ran been giving her special privileges all along? From their accidental spark at the beginning to their slow approach now, everyone said she was aloof, but with her, Yao Ran would occasionally reveal a sliver of passion.
Although Yao Ran was still reserved while playing the guitar, Jiang Nian could feel that she was relaxed… She probably hadn't been very happy all these years, even getting married to someone she didn't love. With Yao Ran's personality, she would internalize any grievance or frustration, no matter how great.
After finishing the simple little tune, Yao Ran put the guitar down.
The others praised her. "That was beautiful! You play so well, play a couple more!"
"No, I don't know many songs," Yao Ran said with a modest smile.
Jiang Nian didn't press her. Director Yao in this state was too heart-stirring. She was feeling a bit possessive…
After the barbecue, everyone went for a walk by the lake to aid their digestion.
Jiang Nian was familiar with the area and knew the best angle for watching the sunset. She led Yao Ran down a separate path.
Yao Ran saw her acting all mysterious but didn't ask questions. She simply enjoyed the feeling of Jiang Nian holding her hand as they walked at a leisurely pace.
Jiang Nian led her to a bench by the lake and sat down, smiling. "From this angle, isn't the sunset even more beautiful?"
Yao Ran gazed out at the sparkling surface of the lake and smiled in contentment. "Yes."
"Have you been here before?" Yao Ran asked.
"I used to come here often to sketch back in university," Jiang Nian said lazily, enjoying the breeze.
"You were an art major?"
"Oil painting."
"How did you become a tattoo artist?"
It was a question many people asked, but hearing it from Yao Ran's lips, Jiang Nian was a little surprised and a little happy. She hadn't thought Director Yao would be curious about anyone. She asked Yao Ran, "Do you think being a tattoo artist is a bad thing?"
"No," Yao Ran said softly. "It's pretty cool."
Those three words sounded a bit out of place coming from Yao Ran, but they weren't insincere. Jiang Nian looked at her and smiled. "My family was completely against it. We even had a falling out over it. But I think it's pretty cool too. I get to meet different people and hear lots of interesting stories."
She always managed to speak of unpleasant things in a light and carefree way. Yao Ran thought to herself that they were indeed two different kinds of people.
The sun slowly set. The moment when twilight and night intertwined was the most romantic and beautiful. Time seemed to flow very, very slowly…
It was getting dark.
They sat in silence for a while.
Yao Ran felt the person beside her lean closer. She turned to look and saw Jiang Nian dozing off, her head resting on her shoulder.
The twilight by the lake was beautiful. She turned her head to look at Jiang Nian again and wanted to smile. Why was it that whenever they went out, she always seemed like she hadn't gotten enough sleep?
A breeze came, and Yao Ran reached out to tidy her hair. Her gaze remained on Jiang Nian's face, and for some reason, she couldn't resist reaching out to gently caress it.
Jiang Nian felt a palm touching her face. She opened her eyes at just the right moment.
Yao Ran started to pull her hand back.
Jiang Nian silently caught her hand, holding it gently in her own. Her voice was a little hoarse. "It's okay. You can touch me. For as long as you want."
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