Indulgence - Chapter 86

Chapter 86

They chatted about trivial, everyday things, their video call lasting for over an hour. It only ended when Yao Ran heard Xue Ying calling for Jiang Nian.

Yao Ran didn't mention coming out to her family just yet. She was afraid Jiang Nian would worry, and she didn't want to spoil her relaxing holiday.

In previous years, Yao Ran would travel with Ruan Xin for the Spring Festival, but this year Ruan Xin had her own plans. She and Xu Xia had gone abroad, posting seven or eight times a day on her Moments, no longer hiding their relationship.

The next morning, Yao Ran woke up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. The wind and snow were raging outside, not suitable for travel, which was just as well since she had no plans to go out anyway.

She made a simple breakfast, then handled some work from home. It was a simple, dull day. This kind of life used to be her norm, but now it felt like an exception, something she was no longer used to.

After two cups of coffee in the afternoon, she looked up and realized it was almost dark. The snow outside hadn't stopped, but it had lessened considerably, now falling in a light, romantic flutter. She subconsciously calculated the time in her head—it would still be a few days before Jiang Nian came back.

Before long, the sky had completely darkened.

Just as she was feeling bored, Yao Ran received a call from Jiang Nian. She answered it.

"Are you home?"

"I am."

"I bought you flowers. They'll be there soon."

"More flowers," Yao Ran chuckled. Jiang Nian would send her flowers from time to time, not necessarily on special occasions. She probably sensed her low spirits last night.

Jiang Nian laughed but said nothing.

After about ten minutes, a few soft knocks sounded at the door.

Yao Ran walked to the entryway. When she opened the door and saw who was standing there, her expression froze for a moment before breaking into a wry smile. The sudden surprise made her heart race.

Jiang Nian stood at the door, holding a huge bouquet of flowers and grinning from ear to ear, snowflakes still clinging to the ends of her hair. She asked excitedly, "Do you like it?"

Yao Ran smiled. Seeing that her face was numb from the north wind, she took the flowers and pulled her inside.

Once inside, Jiang Nian finally felt warm. It was freezing in Beilin today, and she hadn't worn enough layers.

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming back today? I would have picked you up."

Jiang Nian grumbled silently with a smile. She really is allergic to romance. Besides, the snow was so heavy today and the road conditions were bad; she couldn't bear to let her come out to the airport.

Si Mao also rushed over at the first opportunity.

Jiang Nian patted Si Mao's head and said with a smile, "Were you a good boy and kept Mama company while I was gone?"

Si Mao panted, wagging his tail furiously.

Yao Ran helped Jiang Nian take off her cotton-padded jacket, which was damp from the melted snowflakes.

Jiang Nian took the opportunity to wrap her arms around her in a deep embrace, her nose red as she smiled at her.

Yao Ran hugged her back, her voice soft. "Wasn't this a hassle?"

"Someone missed me so much, of course I had to come back right away," Jiang Nian said smugly. "I couldn't get a ticket for a morning flight, so I only just got back."

Saying she'd come back and then doing it immediately—that wholehearted passion hadn't changed one bit. Yao Ran touched her frozen cheek, warming it for her.

Jiang Nian comfortably rubbed against her palm.

Yao Ran's eyes were full of mirth, but she still said, "It would have been fine to come back a few days later. You should spend more time with your mom."

"Director Xue is living her best life. She's not short on company," Jiang Nian said. She had rushed back because she sensed a hint of sadness and unhappiness in Yao Ran's voice during their video call. She wanted to be by her side as soon as possible.

Jiang Nian hugged her tighter, her gaze fixed on Yao Ran's face as she asked again, "This surprise, do you like it?"

Yao Ran's heart warmed. She realized that all the romance in her life seemed to come from Jiang Nian. She cupped Jiang Nian's cheek with her palm and pressed a kiss directly onto her lips.

"Mhm." Jiang Nian instantly quieted down. She smiled and began to suckle and kiss Yao Ran's lips in return.

The kiss after a short separation soothed their longing. Their gentle, hot breaths comforted each other. This feeling of mutual yearning was overwhelmingly heart-stirring.

After the kiss, Jiang Nian whispered, "I really missed you too."

Yao Ran cherished the warmth in her arms. "Mhm."

After a short rest, it was already dinnertime, too late to cook. The wind and snow outside had died down considerably, so the two of them went out to eat.

They went to a Western restaurant in a nearby mall. The atmosphere was nice, and they drank a good amount of red wine, so they both felt warm all over when they left.

They walked hand in hand down the street.

The light snow falling from the sky was just right.

Jiang Nian held out her palm to catch some flakes, her face lit with happiness. She turned back to look at Yao Ran, who was so beautiful under the streetlights it was impossible to look away. "The snow is so beautiful this year, isn't it?"

It was actually no different from previous years, but as Yao Ran gazed at Jiang Nian's face under the falling snow, she nodded. The warmth from their joined hands seemed to seep into her heart. This was the most romantic and warmest winter she had ever had.

As they walked, Jiang Nian said, "I thought for a while that I wouldn't be able to spend this winter with you."

Yao Ran fell silent. She rarely regretted anything. But if she imagined having really pushed Jiang Nian away, she would have regretted it…

Jiang Nian squeezed her hand. "From now on, we have to spend every winter together."

Yao Ran: "Mhm."

"Spring, too."

"And summer."

"Autumn as well."

Jiang Nian murmured like this all the way, and Yao Ran just watched her and smiled all the way.

Continuing down the familiar street, Jiang Nian couldn't help but ask, "Were you unhappy at home these past few days?" She had a feeling that Yao Ran hadn't told her something that night.

Jiang Nian ventured a guess, "Were you forced to go on a blind date?"

"No." Worried she would overthink it, Yao Ran told her, "I've already made things clear with my family about us."

Jiang Nian froze, stopping in her tracks. "You came out to your family?!"

Yao Ran: "Mhm."

"Did they give you a hard time?" Jiang Nian suddenly grew anxious, her brow furrowing tightly. "Why didn't you tell me beforehand?"

"No, I explained everything clearly." Yao Ran knew the Yao family wouldn't be supportive, but at her age, she could make her own decisions. There was nothing they could do even if they disapproved.

Although Yao Ran spoke with a calm nonchalance, Jiang Nian was still worried. She said stubbornly, "You should have told me." Something this big should be faced by both of them together.

Yao Ran hadn't, in fact, told Jiang Nian beforehand. If she had, knowing Jiang Nian's personality, she would have insisted on going with her. She didn't want Jiang Nian to suffer that kind of grievance. She could handle it herself.

Jiang Nian asked again, "They can't accept it, can they?"

Yao Ran smiled gently. "The person who is with you is me."

Jiang Nian fell silent.

Yao Ran turned around and ruffled her hair.

Jiang Nian hesitated, then looked at Yao Ran. "I don't want you to suffer any grievances alone."

"I didn't. I'm really fine."

Jiang Nian said obstinately, "Not even a little bit."

Yao Ran smiled. "Mhm."

Having been outside for a long time in the evening, a chill swept over them. Jiang Nian paid it no mind. She knew Yao Ran had quietly solved the problem all by herself, for her sake.

After a long silence.

Jiang Nian's eyes grew a little hot. She said to Yao Ran earnestly, "Even though I'm younger than you, you don't have to bear more for me. I can take care of you."

Seeing her red-rimmed eyes and her soft, serious expression, Yao Ran's own eyes began to feel warm. She silently pulled Jiang Nian into a hug.

Jiang Nian's embrace was just as firm.

Yao Ran gently stroked the back of her head and said in a low voice, "Next time, I'll discuss everything with you, okay?"

Only then did Jiang Nian smile. "Mhm."

"It's cold. Let's go back."

"Okay."

After they got home, Yao Ran stopped Jiang Nian. "I have a gift for you too."

So mysterious. Jiang Nian's eyes lit up. "What is it?"

Yao Ran had prepared the gift in advance, just waiting for Jiang Nian to return.

Walking over to the sofa, Yao Ran picked up a beautifully wrapped gift box.

When Jiang Nian received the box, she thought it might be a necklace, but when she opened it, she found a pair of rings. She was so ecstatic she felt disoriented, laughing as she said, "Is this... a proposal? I do..."

She answered in a flash.

Yao Ran hadn't expected that to be Jiang Nian's first reaction and was amused.

A beat later, Jiang Nian realized they were a matching pair of couple's rings. She felt she had been far too forward, saying "I do" before even being proposed to, but it still made her so happy she couldn't think straight.

Yao Ran had asked a designer friend to create them before the New Year; it was a one-of-a-kind design. She had intended it as their first gift after coming out to her family. Since Jiang Nian had returned early, she decided to give it to her early.

Jiang Nian's eyes crinkled with a smile. "They're so beautiful! I love them!"

No matter what she was given, she was always this happy. Yao Ran took out one of the rings and slipped it onto her finger.

Jiang Nian stared intently at Yao Ran's face, then picked up the other ring and slid it onto her finger. Planning a future you could see with the person you love was truly this wonderful and romantic.

The moment Yao Ran looked up, a warm kiss was pressed to her lips.

Jiang Nian greedily kissed her again.

Before Yao Ran could say anything else, a deep kiss swept over her. They embraced and tumbled onto the sofa, their wet kiss sweet and fervent. It was just like their first kiss—Jiang Nian always kissed deeply and forcefully, her hands misbehaving... except now, Yao Ran was aroused much faster, soon humming softly, "Mhm."

Jiang Nian smiled and deepened the kiss, using every trick in the book to tease and arouse her on the sofa.

Yao Ran caressed Jiang Nian's waist and back, knowing she wouldn't be able to stay still tonight. The sighs escaping her lips soon grew heavier, even escalating into a loss of control.

The two hadn't seen each other for days, so naturally, it wouldn't end so easily.

---

The next day, the snowstorm stopped, and the warm sun began to rise.

When Yao Ran lazily opened her eyes, Jiang Nian was already up. She picked up the robe that had fallen onto the carpet, put it on, and walked out of the bedroom. Sunlight streamed in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, filling the room with brightness.

Jiang Nian was in the kitchen, humming a little tune as she prepared breakfast.

The scene was indescribably peaceful and beautiful.

Yao Ran walked over and, just as Jiang Nian used to cling to her, hugged her from behind. It just felt comfortable, something she wanted to do.

Jiang Nian turned her head in surprise, rarely seeing Director Yao in such a relaxed and languid state. She snickered, thinking, Looks like she really missed me. She asked softly, "Were you not used to being alone while I was gone?"

Yao Ran tacitly agreed.

Jiang Nian smiled sweetly. She wanted Yao Ran to rely on her.

Yao Ran thought back to her state before she met Jiang Nian. She had never imagined her life would be like this. She said softly, "I never thought about living with someone before..."

Jiang Nian could sense that. Yao Ran had been resisting any emotional entanglement before, which was why she had been so hard to pursue. She asked, "And then?"

Playing dumb. Yao Ran lowered her eyes to look at her for a moment, her tone teasing, "And then I ran into a little liar."

Jiang Nian was speechless for a moment, then thought she looked adorable, not having fully woken up. She couldn't get enough of the sight.

"The little liar has already been punished," Jiang Nian muttered. During the two months they were apart, she had been miserable, thinking she was really going to be kicked to the curb.

Yao Ran pinched her cheek.

Jiang Nian lifted her head, letting her bully and lecture her.

Yao Ran couldn't help but smile. There was nothing to be done about it. Once you fell for someone, you fell for them.

"Although the little liar stole your heart..." Jiang Nian gazed at her, "she will always be by your side."

She will always be by your side.

Yao Ran's smile deepened.

Jiang Nian planted a kiss on the beautiful corner of her mouth, her own smile radiant. There were countless mornings and nights in the future, and they would spend all of them together.

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