Indulgence - Chapter 73

Chapter 73

About half an hour later.

"Sister, over here."

Yao Qi waved.

Jiang Nian had actually spotted Yao Ran before Yao Qi did. She was wearing a long trench coat today, and the moment she walked in, her elegant aura made her stand out, making her hard to miss.

She knew I was here, but she still came… Jiang Nian's heart fluttered when she looked up and saw Yao Ran, but then she felt she was overthinking it. She must be worried about Yao Qi, right?

Yao Ran looked in Yao Qi's direction and walked over unhurriedly.

"I told you, you don't need to pick me up. Aren't you busy today?" Yao Qi knew how hard Yao Ran worked and rarely troubled her.

"It's fine," Yao Ran said. "I was afraid you'd drink too much, so I came to check."

"I'm not a child anymore. Stop treating me like I haven't grown up. I know how to take care of myself," Yao Qi sighed in dissatisfaction. But since she was already here, she pulled out a chair next to her and said to Yao Ran, "Let me buy you a drink."

Yao Ran sat down and said simply, "I'm not drinking. I drove."

Yao Qi understood and asked the waiter for a glass of fresh-squeezed juice.

Mimi smiled politely at Yao Ran, while Jiang Nian just looked at her, remaining somewhat quiet.

The atmosphere whenever they met wasn't particularly stiff. It was like two people who weren't very familiar with each other meeting; an outsider would never guess their past relationship.

Jiang Nian understood. After all, Director Yao was so good at putting on a front in public.

Yao Ran glanced at Jiang Nian's flushed cheeks and figured she must have had quite a bit to drink tonight. The juice arrived quickly, and she lowered her head, sipping it through the straw.

Jiang Nian also lowered her head and took a sip of her drink.

From the moment she entered the bar, Yao Ran's intellectual and aloof appearance had attracted a lot of attention, but her gentleness carried a sense of distance that made people hesitant to approach. Jiang Nian's gaze swept over her, intentionally or not, feeling as if it were the first time she had met her in a bar—a complete ice queen.

Every time she saw Yao Ran's reserved and cool demeanor, Jiang Nian couldn't help but think about the little moments when they were together, about her gentle yet passionate side, the way she would smile so alluringly…

All of that suddenly felt so distant, as if it no longer belonged to her. Jiang Nian dejectedly lowered her head and continued to drink in silence.

The two didn't speak, but the atmosphere at the table wasn't awkward. Yao Qi was clinging to Yao Ran, complaining nonstop, while Mimi chatted with Jiang Nian about tattoos, seeming very interested.

The instrumental music playing was lyrical and romantic, not disruptive, perfect for conversation.

"Where does a tattoo hurt the most?"

Hearing Mimi's question, Jiang Nian looked up and told her, "Everyone's experience is a little different, but places like the neck and abdomen usually hurt more."

Mimi asked again, "What about the chest?"

Jiang Nian held her glass. "The chest is okay, not a particularly painful spot."

Mimi's voice held a smile. "Mm, I want to get one on my chest. You can do it for me then. I really like your style…"

Before Jiang Nian could reply, Yao Qi whined from the side, "Sister, are you even listening to me?"

Yao Ran had indeed zoned out slightly.

Jiang Nian glanced over.

Yao Ran remained cool and detached, taking another sip of her juice.

Jiang Nian seemed lost in thought, then drained the alcohol in her glass. Tonight, she had been drinking one mouthful after another, silently consuming quite a bit.

Yao Ran knew Jiang Nian's tolerance for alcohol and wanted to remind her to drink less, just like before, but she realized it wasn't her place. Seeing that Yao Qi had also drunk a lot, she said to her, "That's enough for tonight. Let's go home."

"Hey…" Her glass was taken right out of her hand. Yao Qi was a bit speechless, but considering Yao Ran might wait for her all night, she couldn't just heartlessly party too late. She looked at the others and asked, "Are you still drinking?"

"It's getting late, let's go back," Mimi also said.

"Mm," Yao Qi hummed, propping her head up.

Jiang Nian had also drunk a lot in silence, and the signs of intoxication were obvious on her face.

Since Mimi wasn't much of a drinker, she had only had a small glass and was still very sober. Seeing Jiang Nian's state, she said, "Let me take you home."

"No need, I can manage on my own."

Jiang Nian deliberately lowered her voice, which made it sound even weaker.

Mimi looked at her face. "You seem a little drunk."

Jiang Nian didn't say anything, secretly waiting for something. After a moment, she heard Yao Ran speak in a detached tone, "Let's go together. I'll drive you."

"That's too much trouble," Mimi said, a little embarrassed. She smiled at Yao Ran. "You can just take Qiqi. We'll get back on our own."

Yao Ran blinked but still said, "It's fine."

Jiang Nian was quick to agree. "Okay."

"Let's go," Yao Qi urged from the side. She also felt bad letting two friends who had been drinking go home by themselves.

The car was parked in the open-air lot downstairs.

The night wind grew colder as it got later. The sweater Jiang Nian was wearing wasn't warm enough, and she could feel the chill seeping into her body with every gust.

Yao Qi took the front passenger seat. Jiang Nian froze for a second before obediently getting into the back. She sat behind the passenger seat, and by lifting her gaze slightly, she could see a beautiful and delicate profile.

The car moved at a steady speed in silence. Yao Ran wasn't very talkative, especially when driving. Yao Qi also quieted down after getting in the car, closing her eyes to rest.

According to the route, Yao Ran would drop Yao Qi off first, then Mimi…

She and Jiang Nian were on the way.

Mimi turned her head and saw that Jiang Nian had been sullen and listless all night. She asked, "Are you feeling sick from drinking too much?"

The silence in the car was broken.

Jiang Nian responded softly, "I'm okay."

"You drank a lot tonight," Mimi added in a low voice. "If you need it, you can borrow my shoulder."

Jiang Nian smiled and shook her head.

…

It was quiet in the car, and even soft whispers could be heard clearly. Yao Ran quietly glanced at the rearview mirror before her eyes returned to the road ahead, her expression remaining impassive.

The night grew darker.

Yao Ran dropped Yao Qi off first, and not long after, Mimi also got out of the car. Then, only the two of them were left, one in the front and one in the back. Although it was just as quiet, the atmosphere instantly changed, filled with an indescribable awkwardness.

The car was temporarily parked on the side of the road.

Jiang Nian thought for a moment, then pushed the door open and got out.

Yao Ran looked back, only to see Jiang Nian pull open the front passenger door and get in.

Their eyes met for a moment. Jiang Nian said nothing, skillfully pulling the seatbelt across and buckling it. Sitting in the back would be strange and awkward too.

Yao Ran also turned her head in silence and drove towards the familiar streets.

After getting in, Jiang Nian leaned back against the seat and closed her eyes to rest, but she wasn't asleep. On the contrary, her mind was in turmoil, thinking about this and that.

It was already late autumn. In Spring Breeze Lane, the spring breeze was no more. As the autumn wind swept through, the ground was covered in a carpet of withered yellow leaves. The scenery was still beautiful, a different kind of romance from that of high summer.

Outside the familiar residential complex, Yao Ran brought the car to a steady stop. She turned her head to look. Jiang Nian's head was tilted, and she had fallen asleep against the seat, her face turned towards her.

She was wearing light makeup, but it couldn't hide the faint blush on her cheeks from the alcohol. Yao Ran stared for a while. Jiang Nian exuded such a youthful vitality. She often couldn't figure out how she had been so completely charmed by a girl like this.

She stared for a moment.

Yao Ran called her softly, "We're here."

But Jiang Nian's eyes remained closed, showing no sign of waking up.

Yao Ran raised her voice slightly. "We're here."

"Hmm?" Jiang Nian hummed, her brows furrowing tightly.

Seeing her like this, Yao Ran asked, "What's wrong?"

Jiang Nian leaned against the seat, continuing to hum groggily, lingering in the car. "I'm dizzy. Let me rest for a bit."

"..." You knew you'd feel sick, yet you drank so much. Yao Ran held the steering wheel. Staying like this wasn't a solution. After sitting quietly for another moment, she looked at Jiang Nian. "I'll walk you up."

"Mm," Jiang Nian replied with her eyes half-closed. In truth, she was exaggerating a little, unable to resist testing the waters. Tonight, she felt that Yao Ran hadn't been so resolute about letting go…

Just as Yao Qi had said, she was so serious. A love that serious, could it be let go of just like that?

The two took the elevator upstairs.

It had been a long time since Yao Ran had been to Jiang Nian's place. The last time was the day they broke up. The scene was still vivid in her mind; it had been very unpleasant. After escorting Jiang Nian to her door, she said, "I'm leaving."

Just then, Jiang Nian's body swayed, her steps a little unsteady.

With quick reflexes, Yao Ran steadied the person beside her, frowning helplessly. "Be careful."

Jiang Nian leaned against her and whimpered softly, "I feel sick."

Yao Ran tilted her head to look at her flushed cheeks and helped her into the apartment first.

Jiang Nian sat down on the sofa. Seeing Yao Ran get up, she couldn't help but take her hand. The touch was very, very light, but she was reluctant to let go.

Yao Ran saw how dazed she was. "I'll get you some water."

Only then did Jiang Nian release her fingers.

Yao Ran walked to the kitchen and heard lazy footsteps following behind her. She picked up a glass, preparing to fill it with water.

Jiang Nian stood behind her, watching. It felt like old times again. Yao Ran wouldn't say much, but she would always take care of her meticulously.

"I wasn't on a date with that girl," Jiang Nian said suddenly.

Yao Ran's hand, holding the glass, paused.

"It was your sister who asked me out for a drink, that's why I went," Jiang Nian explained. Because it was so quiet, it sounded like she was talking to herself.

Yao Ran listened in silence without turning around. This statement immediately muddled the lines of their relationship again.

Jiang Nian looked at her and insisted softly, "I think you care."

The room was silent, but though her voice was soft, every word was heard clearly.

Yao Ran didn't refute it. Since they had already broken up because they weren't suitable, there was nothing wrong with Jiang Nian being with someone else; it had nothing to do with her. But deep down, she did care. She didn't want to see the passion Jiang Nian had for her transferred to someone else. She had never thought of herself as so unreasonable, so indecisive…

She could have chosen not to come tonight.

Jiang Nian moved a little closer from behind, resting her forehead on Yao Ran's shoulder, but she didn't wrap her arms around her waist from behind like she used to.

It wasn't intimate. Yao Ran could sense Jiang Nian's caution, or rather, her fear of getting too close.

Jiang Nian buried her head in Yao Ran's shoulder, secretly inhaling the scent she loved as her eyes gradually welled up. She sniffled and asked, "No matter what I do, you'll always think I'm childish and impulsive, won't you?"

"I want to be more mature, I want to give you a sense of security… I want to see you, but I'm afraid you'll hate me more and more, thinking I'm just being childish and pestering you…" She was stubbornly fixated on this issue, her slightly trembling, choked voice full of grievance.

Yao Ran thought of the night Jiang Nian had called her, only to text later saying it was an accident… She listened quietly for a moment, then turned around to see that Jiang Nian was crying again, the depths of her eyes red.

When Jiang Nian saw Yao Ran turn around, she couldn't stop herself from hugging her. Using her dizziness and discomfort as a pretext, she greedily hugged her tighter and tighter. She thought anxiously, Don't push me away…

The hug was sudden, but Yao Ran didn't push her away. She felt a damp cheek nuzzling into the crook of her neck.

There was no disgust or resistance. Jiang Nian's heart settled. She couldn't help but bury her face in Yao Ran's neck, instinctively taking in the scent she loved.

Like a puppy. The familiar, clingy hug. She was still this clingy after drinking. Yao Ran felt kisses on her neck. She patted Jiang Nian's head and commanded softly, "Behave."

"Mm," Jiang Nian immediately became docile, as if she'd been caught misbehaving. She just held her. "I'll listen to you."

She agreed so quickly that Yao Ran didn't know what to say.

Jiang Nian pleaded softly, "I'll be good, don't leave me."

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