Indulgence - Chapter 8
Chapter 8
"Does that mean I don't have a chance since I'm younger than her?" a girl joked, letting out an exaggerated sigh of regret.
More than half of Ruan Xin's friends were lesbians, so no one was surprised by such a question.
Ruan Xin laughed. "You don't have a chance. She's not interested in anyone too young."
Not interested in younger people? Jiang Nian's gaze darkened slightly.
Yao Ran smiled politely, letting Ruan Xin field the questions for her. In truth, Ruan Xin wasn't wrong. Although she hadn't given much thought to relationships, if she were to date someone, they would have to be mature enough.
She reached out and gave the empty beer bottle on the table a spin. Since she didn't use much force, it only went around once before landing almost back where it started.
This time, however, it was pointing at Jiang Nian.
Seeing that Jiang Nian was the one to be questioned, someone piped up, "Ask her something juicy."
Everyone knew how to read the room. Some people were suited for serious conversation, while others could handle things that were less so. Someone like Jiang Nian, who looked like she knew how to have a good time, was usually classified as the latter.
Jiang Nian was game. She turned to the side to face Yao Ran, looking ready for whatever question was coming. "Go ahead."
Normally, any random question would have sufficed, but suddenly facing Jiang Nian, Yao Ran's mind went blank for a moment. She thought for a bit. "You're a tattoo artist. How come you don't have any tattoos?"
Before Jiang Nian could answer, the others started laughing and teasing. "Why are you asking her something so serious?"
If anyone else had asked, the topic would have likely veered into R-rated territory, but with Yao Ran asking, it was destined to stay tame.
Ruan Xin seized on the key point. "You've never seen her, so how would you know she doesn't have any?"
Yao Ran was at a loss for words. Jiang Nian's outfit tonight was very understated, not revealing much skin at all. Her question did sound rather odd.
She has seen me... Jiang Nian could only refute Ruan Xin in her mind.
"A lot of tattoos are in private places, only for a partner to see." Ruan Xin shot Jiang Nian a look, her expression saying I know everything. "Am I right?"
Jiang Nian's first reaction was, "I don't have a partner."
Seeing her rush to explain and clarify, Ruan Xin sensed something was up. "No partner, huh? Who are you trying to send a message to?"
The table erupted in a chorus of laughter.
It only made Yao Ran seem even quieter.
"I don't have any tattoos. Not all tattoo artists do; it's a personal choice." Jiang Nian steered the conversation back on track, answering Yao Ran in all seriousness. "It's because I'm afraid of pain."
Yao Ran looked at her saying she was afraid of pain with such a straight face and felt an inexplicable urge to laugh. She clearly looked so cool and aloof, and was expressionless when holding the machine to tattoo someone.
After a few more rounds of the little game, everyone had participated, and the atmosphere had indeed become much livelier.
Jiang Nian had a few beers and felt the person beside her suddenly get up, leaving an empty space. She put down her glass and glanced in the direction Yao Ran had gone.
The casual game continued.
But ten minutes passed, and the person beside her still hadn't returned.
Using the excuse of going to the restroom, Jiang Nian also left the table. She walked in the direction Yao Ran had gone but didn't see her in the restroom. She wasn't there.
She searched around and finally spotted a familiar silhouette in a rather hidden smoking area.
Yao Ran was leaning against the wall, her head lowered as she took a light drag from her cigarette, not noticing Jiang Nian in the shadows.
Her shirt was unbuttoned one more button than before, revealing her neck and collarbone. With a deep breath, a wisp of smoke filtered out from between her thin lips.
The smoke slowly dissipated, as if adding a hazy filter over her features, a beauty that couldn't be clearly seen.
When she parted her lips again to hold the cigarette, Jiang Nian caught a faint glimpse of the tip of her tongue, and her heart began to pound uncontrollably. It was a strange feeling; it was clearly a cold demeanor, yet it was fatally sexy.
Her repression never seemed to show on the surface, only revealing itself in hidden corners.
By the time Yao Ran noticed Jiang Nian, she had already quietly smoked more than half of her cigarette. It was only because Jiang Nian took the initiative to walk over that she saw her.
She subconsciously lowered the hand holding the cigarette. No one around her knew about this, nor would anyone imagine she smoked. It didn't match the "persona" she had in others' eyes.
Jiang Nian hadn't expected it either. What did it feel like? It was like the best-behaved, top student at school secretly doing something "out of line."
Jiang Nian had felt it that day when they kissed—she wasn't as cold as she appeared on the surface.
Caught so suddenly, Yao Ran didn't know how to react for a moment. The slender cigarette continued to burn quietly in her hand.
"Sister Ruan was worried you drank too much, so she asked me to come check on you," Jiang Nian said.
"I didn't drink tonight," Yao Ran stated bluntly.
"Right," Jiang Nian replied. Of course, she knew Yao Ran hadn't had a drop to drink, but saying so made the situation less awkward. She glanced at Yao Ran's lowered right hand. Her long, beautiful fingers made even the slim cigarette she held look exquisite.
"It's okay, you can continue."
Yao Ran remained frozen, unmoved.
Jiang Nian's lips curved into a smile, and she said in a slightly mischievous tone, "I'll keep it a secret for you."
A secret? Yao Ran felt a little more relaxed. In fact, in front of Jiang Nian, she didn't really need to hide anything. After all, they had already done something far more impulsive and out of line.
With that thought, she slowly took another drag, then slowly exhaled.
Jiang Nian also leaned against the wall, standing at a distance that was neither too close nor too far, neither leaving nor disturbing her. She saw that Yao Ran's movements were practiced; this must be a secret she had kept for many years.
Seeing that Jiang Nian wasn't leaving, Yao Ran asked casually, "Do you want one?"
Jiang Nian shook her head. "I don't smoke."
Yao Ran: "..."
Then why are you standing here?
After the brief exchange, they both fell silent, sinking into a quiet, strange atmosphere. Their only interaction was sharing the faint scent of tobacco.
The lighting in the smoking area was much brighter, but it was still a dim, yellowish hue. A bar was inherently a place for passion and romantic encounters, so every corner's light and shadow exuded an ambiguous air.
The light fell on their faces, a scene that felt familiar. The memory of their hurried breaths during their deep kiss was still vivid...
Yao Ran suddenly felt stuffy and wanted to unbutton another button for some air, but with someone next to her, it was inconvenient. She stubbed out her cigarette, preparing to leave.
Such a small, hidden space was not suitable for the two of them to be alone.
Jiang Nian, too, was reminded of images she shouldn't be thinking about. She pursed her lips slightly. In the next moment, the woman before her brushed past and was gone.
She watched as Yao Ran, upon going back out, immediately resumed her usual elegant and calm demeanor, showing no trace of a gloomy mood. It was as if she were hiding a lifetime of secrets.
Yao Ran left the bar directly through a side door, not planning to go back in. She sent Ruan Xin a message on WeChat, telling her she was leaving.
She stood on the street outside the bar for a while, letting the wind blow on her, aimless. Just then, a hand suddenly steadied her shoulder. The person reeked of alcohol—
Yao Ran turned and saw a familiar face.
"Long time no see... I wanted a drink, so I came to your place. Give you and your friend some business. Since we ran into each other, want to have a drink together?"
Yao Ran didn't think there was anything left for them to talk about. "We're already divorced," she said calmly.
A late spring cold snap had hit, and Beilin's temperature had dropped erratically again over the past two days. The air was cold and stuffy.
Jiang Nian had lost her interest in drinking as well, so she walked out of Moments. The street seemed much livelier than usual tonight, with many people standing around.
She heard a commotion and saw what looked like a cliché drama of a man chasing a woman playing out, which explained the crowd of onlookers.
Jiang Nian had no interest in gawking at other people's business. She ambled lazily down the street, but after just a few steps, she stopped.
She saw Yao Ran, and beside her was a tall man. He looked like he had had a lot to drink and was very emotional, pestering her relentlessly.
Jiang Nian immediately wanted to rush over, but then she heard what the man was saying over and over:
"I told you, you're the only one in my heart, why won't you trust me? Do you have no feelings for me at all?"
"...I know I was wrong... but was it all my fault? Aren't you at fault too?! What husband can accept a frigid wife who won't even let him touch her! I'm a man... or have you always had someone else on the side?"
Jiang Nian's legs felt as if they were filled with lead. She stood rooted to the spot, her mind going completely blank.
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