Indulgence - Chapter 27
Chapter 27
She likes to hear you sing.
Jiang Nian instantly perked up. A smile rose to her lips as she glanced at Yao Ran, as if asking with her eyes if the statement was true.
Yao Ran, however, remained composed, not a hint of awkwardness on her face.
Jiang Nian's gaze was reasonably restrained, and since Yao Ran was always so calm and collected, their exchange looked like nothing more than a glance between ordinary friends.
When they were around other people, keeping the "secret" between them was already a tacit understanding.
Tonight was no different.
Ruan Xin hadn't intended to play matchmaker. Although she usually urged Yao Ran to find a partner, it ultimately depended on Yao Ran's own wishes, and it wasn't her place to rashly stir things up. No matter how close they were, she knew to maintain that boundary. She simply wanted to hear Jiang Nian sing, and the words had just slipped out. Besides, the last time Jiang Nian sang on stage, Yao Ran had indeed been watching with rapt attention.
With all eyes on her, Jiang Nian faced the microphone and agreed generously, "Alright."
The next song happened to be "I Don't Want to Let You Be Alone," a song she had performed at a university arts festival, where it had become a small hit. It was a song she excelled at, so she didn't bother changing it. Following the intro, she quickly got into the zone.
She wasn't feeling her best tonight, so her performance wasn't as good as usual. Fortunately, she was familiar with the song and knew it well, so she managed to sing it with relative ease.
Once Jiang Nian started singing, the previous clamor in the private room died down, and everyone listened quietly.
Yao Ran took an occasional sip of her drink, the familiar voice transformed into a song that lingered in her ears.
"...I don't want to let you be alone
Alone, drifting in the sea of people
I don't want you to walk by yourself
Through the moments of wind and rain..."
When Jiang Nian sang, her voice was clear and unique, full of vitality yet earnest and gentle. It had its own distinct style. Especially during the chorus, everyone realized Ruan Xin hadn't been exaggerating; it was truly stunning.
Jiang Nian finished the song.
"That was beautiful, beautiful," Ruan Xin said, leading the applause enthusiastically. Seeing how seriously Jiang Nian had sung, she couldn't resist teasing her, "Singing with so much emotion... who were you thinking about?"
Someone chimed in, "Her partner, probably."
Jiang Nian smiled and promptly corrected them, "I don't have a partner. I'm single."
This was the second time Yao Ran had heard Jiang Nian emphasize this.
Since they were Ruan Xin's guests, they gossiped a bit more. "If you don't mind us asking, do you like women or men?"
"I like women."
Jiang Nian admitted it frankly.
At this, someone volunteered to play matchmaker. "What's your type? I can introduce you to someone."
"No, thank you." Jiang Nian immediately declined with a smile, subconsciously glancing at Yao Ran... but Director Yao, as expected, remained perfectly calm, showing no reaction.
"You're overthinking it. Does she need you to introduce people to her? There are plenty of people chasing her," Ruan Xin said with a laugh.
Yao Ran lowered her head.
Someone as skilled as her certainly didn't need introductions.
Jiang Nian quickly clarified, "No, not many people are pursuing me." After saying this, she quietly glanced at Yao Ran again, afraid of causing a misunderstanding.
But Yao Ran avoided her gaze, letting them continue their idle chat.
Jiang Nian was speechless.
"Sorry, everyone, I have to go. Have fun," the girl next to her said, standing up and bidding farewell.
Yao Ran shifted to let her pass. Once the girl left, only an empty seat separated them.
Seeing Jiang Nian so nervous, Ruan Xin felt a mix of amusement and sympathy. She had already talked to her last time, so why was she still hung up on Yao Ran?
"Jiang Nian," Ruan Xin changed the subject, teasing her, "if we hired you as a resident singer at our bar, we'd never have to worry about business."
Jiang Nian played along, "Why don't you make an offer, Director Ruan?"
"Director Yao, what do you think?" Ruan Xin looked at Yao Ran, discussing it with her as if it were a serious proposal. "Hiring a great beauty to sing for us."
Jiang Nian also turned to look at Yao Ran and blurted out, "Director Yao, do you want me?"
The moment the words left her mouth, both of them froze for half a second. The phrase was quite suggestive, inevitably stirring up a sense of awkwardness between them.
Jiang Nian looked at her eyes, her heart pounding.
Yao Ran also glanced at her briefly before offering a faint, composed smile in response to the joke. She picked up her glass and slowly sipped her drink.
Her long, slender fingers had fine, distinct knuckles. As she held the transparent glass, her hands looked even more beautiful. She didn't keep long nails; they were neat and clean.
Jiang Nian's gaze swept over them, and her mouth suddenly felt dry.
That day, she never thought Yao Ran would initiate contact.
She had been so uncomfortable, ready to go to the bathroom and take care of it herself... but then she saw Yao Ran fumbling with a finger cot, clumsily trying to open it. Seeing Yao Ran's cool expression as she did this, Jiang Nian couldn't take it anymore. Shamelessly, she pressed her forehead against Yao Ran's and impatiently helped her with it.
It was also the first time Yao Ran had felt a possessive desire for another person, even if it was in the heat of the moment. She didn't know if people who were afraid of pain were also particularly sensitive, but—she had never heard sounds like that before. Blushing, she had whispered a reminder, "Be quieter."
But Jiang Nian had clung to her, panting and whimpering coquettishly, "I can't help it."
She couldn't help the pain.
And when the sensations surged, she couldn't help it even more.
...
Jiang Nian pursed her lips, wanting something to quench her thirst. All the drinks on the table were iced, so she casually grabbed a can of soda, popped the tab, and took two sips.
The ice-cold liquid flowed down her throat, cool and refreshing.
"Sing a few more. We haven't had enough," someone called out to Jiang Nian. The others had been there for a while and were tired of singing themselves; just listening to someone else was nice.
"You're already here, you can't just sing one song," Ruan Xin added. "Sing a few more for us."
Jiang Nian thought for a moment, then took out her phone and sent a text message. Then she looked at Yao Ran, raising an eyebrow and surreptitiously gesturing for her to check her phone.
Yao Ran was puzzled, but under the "urging," she looked at her phone.
【Jiang Nian】Any songs you want to hear?
Yao Ran's eyelashes lowered. A moment later, she typed a reply.
Jiang Nian saw the new message. The response was just what she'd expect from a certain someone: Don't ask me, ask them.
Everyone else was waiting for Jiang Nian to sing.
But Yao Ran heard Jiang Nian say, "I'm not feeling my best today, so I won't sing anymore. Maybe next time."
After speaking, Jiang Nian passed the microphone to someone else. She wasn't one to spoil the fun, but she wouldn't force herself to do something that made her uncomfortable either.
Ruan Xin was emotionally intelligent and wouldn't make a friend feel awkward. Seeing that Jiang Nian didn't want to continue, she stopped trying to coax her.
Around ten o'clock, people in the room began to leave one after another.
Ruan Xin had drunk quite a bit that night and was resting her head on Xu Xia's shoulder with her eyes closed.
"Let's go, I'll take you home," Yao Ran said to Ruan Xin. She had stayed behind because she was worried about how much Ruan Xin had had to drink.
"It's okay, Sister Ran. I can take her home," Xu Xia offered. "I'll take good care of her."
Ruan Xin opened her eyes as well. "You should go home and rest. Xu Xia can take me. She's staying at my place tonight anyway."
"Alright, be safe then." Yao Ran trusted Xu Xia. Although she was young, the girl was sensible and knew how to take care of people. Since Xu Xia often stayed at Ruan Xin's, it was more convenient.
After saying her goodbyes, Yao Ran picked up her bag and left the room. As she was about to head for the elevators, she looked up and saw Jiang Nian still standing in the corridor.
As if she was waiting for her...
She had a faint suspicion.
As she got closer, Yao Ran slowed her pace.
"You've been drinking. I'll drive you," Jiang Nian said. She guessed Yao Ran hadn't driven tonight, and now that she'd been drinking, she couldn't. Jiang Nian herself smelled strongly of alcohol, likely from a business dinner.
Yao Ran replied calmly, "That's not necessary."
"I drove here tonight. It's on my way, no trouble at all," Jiang Nian added.
Yao Ran was about to refuse again.
"Just think of it as me thanking you on behalf of Si Mao," Jiang Nian said with a light laugh. "Director Yao, I have a very good memory. Thank you for taking us to the hospital last time."
Hearing Jiang Nian say "us" made Yao Ran find the situation comical.
Jiang Nian urged her, "Let's go, it's getting late."
It was late, and the underground garage was deserted. The sound of high heels clicking on the concrete echoed slightly.
Yao Ran ended up getting into Jiang Nian's car. It had been modified and was as eye-catching and high-profile as its owner—a vintage olive green, exquisite and beautiful.
After getting in, Jiang Nian asked her which residential complex she lived in, and Yao Ran gave her an address. Jiang Nian had heard of it; it was a well-known lake-view property in Beilin.
The navigation showed it would take nearly forty minutes. Jiang Nian knew Yao Ran had rushed over after a business dinner and must be exhausted. "You can get some sleep. I'll wake you when we get there."
Yao Ran was indeed tired, but she was naturally insecure. She never napped in other people's cars; it made her feel uneasy.
Jiang Nian said no more and put on some instrumental music—a soothing and relaxing piano piece.
The familiar style and melody surprised Yao Ran; it was exactly what she usually listened to. Although their relationship was awkward, she couldn't deny that being with Jiang Nian was often comfortable and easy.
Perhaps Miss Jiang is just too good at pleasing people, Yao Ran thought. Anyone would feel comfortable around her...
Jiang Nian was quiet the entire way. On one hand, she didn't want to disturb the person in the passenger seat. On the other, her lower abdomen was aching with a heavy pain, which had probably gotten worse after she drank the iced soda that evening.
During the nearly forty-minute drive, Yao Ran noticed Jiang Nian's excessive quietness but didn't say anything.
When the car entered the underground garage of her complex, Yao Ran was about to unbuckle her seatbelt when she noticed that Jiang Nian's complexion was off.
Jiang Nian had rushed over after work and hadn't put on much makeup. Her light makeup was practically a bare face, so her poor color was extremely obvious.
Yao Ran asked her, "Are you not feeling well?"
"Yeah." Jiang Nian turned to look at Yao Ran. "It's my period. It hurts a little."
Their eyes met for a moment.
Yao Ran: "Will you be okay driving back by yourself?"
Jiang Nian bit her lip and looked at her silently. "..."
Yao Ran saw her "fragile and pitiful" gaze, which made her feel as if she were being heartless.
Jiang Nian stared at her for a while, then frowned and muttered, "If I rest for a bit, it should be fine, I guess."
Now it was Yao Ran's turn to be speechless. What did she mean, it should be fine, I guess?
This sudden situation left Yao Ran in a bind—she couldn't stay, but she couldn't just get out and leave either.
Just then, Jiang Nian slumped over the steering wheel without a sound. Her right hand, which was gripping the wheel, moved to her lower abdomen and began to rub it.
Yao Ran saw this. "Is it very painful?"
Jiang Nian nodded. "Mmm..."
"Do you need to go to the hospital?"
Jiang Nian looked at her and answered in a low voice, "It's not that serious. I just need to recover for a bit."
The two of them sat in the car at a stalemate for a while. Yao Ran checked the time. It was already eleven o'clock. This wasn't a solution.
"It's too dangerous for you to drive back like this." Seeing her condition, Yao Ran finally said, "Stay at my place tonight."
Jiang Nian bit her lip. "Okay."
She had to admit to herself... she was exaggerating just a little.
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