Indulgence - Chapter 28
Chapter 28
After pretending to be strangers all night, Jiang Nian just wanted to see her "care" about her, like that night she took her to the hospital. But she hadn't expected Yao Ran to say she could stay at her place tonight.
Looking at Jiang Nian's current state, Yao Ran felt it wouldn't be right to just leave her like this. If it were any other acquaintance, she would also let them stay for a night...
No other meaning.
"Let's go. Upstairs first."
Yao Ran unbuckled her seatbelt and got out of the car.
Jiang Nian got out too.
The car was parked right by the elevator in the underground garage, just a few steps away. The apartments here were one unit per elevator, and since it was late, the elevator was empty and came down quickly.
Inside the elevator, Yao Ran saw Jiang Nian was still clutching her abdomen, looking like she was in a lot of pain. "If it's serious, go to the hospital. Don't just endure it."
Jiang Nian was indeed in more pain than usual. She shook her head at Yao Ran and said, "It's been like this before."
Remembering that Jiang Nian was generally more sensitive to pain, Yao Ran didn't say more and reached out to press the button for the 17th floor.
The elevator began to ascend and arrived shortly after.
Yao Ran lived in this apartment alone and rarely had visitors; even Ruan Xin had only been over a few times. She was usually busy with work and spent little time at home.
As the door opened, the lights in the room turned on automatically.
Jiang Nian followed Yao Ran inside. Although the lighting was warm, the minimalist decor still felt cold, which suited Director Yao's temperament quite well.
Standing in the entryway, Yao Ran took out a pair of slippers for Jiang Nian to change into.
As Jiang Nian was about to change her shoes, she unexpectedly saw a familiar wooden dog carving on the entryway cabinet. Against the cool white backdrop, the lively little dog was particularly eye-catching.
After changing her shoes, Yao Ran also noticed it, placed in the most prominent spot right by the door.
Jiang Nian looked at the lucky puppy, then at Yao Ran. She couldn't help but lift the corners of her lips into a smile. So she put it where she can see it every day...
Yao Ran wanted to say something to change the subject.
Jiang Nian touched the little wooden dog and asked with a pointed smile, "You like it that much?"
Yao Ran: "..."
Who gives a gift and then asks a follow-up question like that?
There was a smile in Jiang Nian's eyes as well. "If you like it, I can give you more."
Yao Ran: "No need."
Jiang Nian gazed at Yao Ran silently, a thoughtful look on her face. Why did she feel like some people loved to say one thing and mean another? She blinked and smiled. "I don't give away the wood carvings I make myself easily."
Yao Ran quietly looked at Jiang Nian's smiling eyes. She was flirting again... Did she always emphasize that she was single to make it easier to be ambiguous with people?
Jiang Nian asked again, "Are you sure you don't want more?"
Yao Ran suddenly recalled the scene of Jiang Nian laughing and putting her arm around someone else's waist that day. A faint, ironic smile touched her lips as she retorted coolly, "How many people have you said these things to?"
Jiang Nian's smile faltered for a moment. She explained, "I'm being serious. I'm not lying to you."
Although Jiang Nian's playful smile gave off a "frivolous" impression, when she was serious, her eyes were filled with frank sincerity.
Yao Ran paused, unsure whether to believe her or not. Seeing that Jiang Nian was becoming more talkative, she asked, "Does it not hurt anymore?"
Jiang Nian felt that Yao Ran's next sentence would be "If it doesn't hurt, you can go home." She said, "It hurts—"
If it hurts, then quiet down. Yao Ran thought to herself, "Sit down and rest first."
"Mm."
Jiang Nian sat on the sofa to rest. For some reason, it was taking a long time to feel better this time. She rubbed her abdomen back and forth with her palm.
Yao Ran turned and went to the kitchen.
A moment later, Jiang Nian saw Yao Ran return to the sofa, placing a hot drink and a box of medicine on the coffee table without a word.
It was probably brown sugar ginger tea. Jiang Nian caught a whiff of ginger. She looked at the steaming tea and said "Thank you" to Yao Ran. A sudden cramp hit her, and she frowned deeply, bending over and burying her head.
Yao Ran sat down beside her. "Are you okay?"
Perhaps lying has its price. The pain was now genuinely hard to bear. Just as Yao Ran came over, Jiang Nian naturally leaned against her. "It hurts so much."
The movement was familiar; this wasn't the first time for them.
Yao Ran was helpless. She turned to see that her lips were pale. She couldn't help but say, "Then why were you drinking cold drinks tonight if it hurts?"
Huh? Jiang Nian looked up at Yao Ran. She had thought she wouldn't even spare her a glance... She whimpered at Yao Ran, "I know I was wrong."
It was a soft, coquettish plea. Yao Ran didn't know what to say. Why was she admitting her mistake to her?
Smelling the familiar fragrance, Jiang Nian wanted to push her luck, to continue acting cute, to have her hold her and massage her stomach. It would surely feel much better.
When they were alone, the atmosphere became ambiguous again. Cuddling and snuggling, and on the sofa... Yao Ran felt it was inappropriate. She said to Jiang Nian in a cool tone, "There's pain medicine. Take it."
The indifferent sentence was like a splash of cold water, instantly sobering Jiang Nian up. She's not my girlfriend. She won't indulge me. Making me a cup of ginger tea is her limit.
After speaking, Yao Ran got up from the sofa and left.
Jiang Nian picked up the brown sugar ginger tea from the coffee table. It was still steaming. She took a small sip, and her expression nearly contorted. She had hated the taste of ginger since she was a child and wouldn't touch it.
But tonight, holding her breath, she forced herself to drink it, her mind racing—
If we were a couple, Yao Ran would be holding me in her arms right now, gently rubbing my stomach, and kissing the corner of my mouth while sweetly coaxing me, "Darling, take your medicine."
The ginger taste grew stronger towards the bottom. Jiang Nian downed it in one go. She thought that even if they were girlfriends, Director Yao probably wouldn't be that gentle and enthusiastic.
"The bathroom is over there. I've put out toiletries for you to use. You can sleep in the bedroom next door tonight." Yao Ran traveled for work quite a bit and didn't use hotel amenities, so she always had disposable toiletries at home.
"Mm, thank you for the trouble."
After telling Jiang Nian this, Yao Ran prepared to go to her own bedroom.
Jiang Nian called out to her, "Yao Ran."
Yao Ran stopped. Calling each other by their full names should be a very formal thing, but when they did it, there was an indescribable "intimacy."
"What is it?" Yao Ran turned back.
"You didn't feel sick from drinking today, did you?" Jiang Nian asked.
The sudden question of concern. Yao Ran looked at her. "No."
"Mm," Jiang Nian smiled. "That's good."
Yao Ran's eyes flickered. As she turned to leave, she said, "You should rest early."
Jiang Nian continued to smile happily. "Okay."
The painkiller worked well. Jiang Nian didn't feel any pain while sleeping that night. She had a carefree personality and wasn't picky about beds, so she slept soundly at Yao Ran's place.
Yao Ran had an internal clock and, unless there were special circumstances, she usually woke up on time the next day.
At around eight, Yao Ran got up and started preparing breakfast in the kitchen. She usually only had breakfast at home, eating her other meals out, so she hadn't hired a cook.
Her breakfast was simple, just some light food that was quick and easy to prepare. As she was toasting bread, she thought for a moment and added two more slices.
By the time breakfast was ready, there was still no sound from the guest bedroom. Yao Ran thought of how Jiang Nian always slept in so soundly. She was probably still asleep. She has no sense of propriety at all, so casual even when staying at someone else's house.
After a while, Yao Ran still walked towards the guest bedroom. She couldn't just leave for work and let the other person stay in her house.
At the door, Yao Ran knocked lightly. Assuming Jiang Nian was still fast asleep, she habitually turned the doorknob.
The door was unlocked and opened directly. The result—
Jiang Nian was already up. She was standing by the bed, her long curly hair slightly messy. She was wearing a pair of jeans on the bottom, but on top, she was only wearing a black bra, a style with very little fabric.
Yao Ran's eyes fixed on the sight—a full, beautiful bust and a firm, flat stomach, all in plain view.
Jiang Nian stood there, not reacting for a moment either. Still a bit groggy from sleep, she didn't even try to cover herself when she saw Yao Ran. They had already seen and touched everything there was to see and touch between them; there seemed to be nothing to hide.
"Sorry."
Yao Ran immediately turned her head away.
Jiang Nian replied, "It's fine."
Yao Ran was silent. She turned back and closed the door.
Jiang Nian stood there in a daze for a moment. Director Yao's cool and shy expression made her want to laugh.
The door was closed, but the image lingered in her mind as if on a delay. Yao Ran rubbed her forehead, her heart rate slightly elevated.
After changing, Jiang Nian went to the master bathroom to wash up. When she was done, she saw Yao Ran sitting at the dining table, eating breakfast in a slow, methodical manner.
"Morning," Jiang Nian greeted her.
"Morning." Yao Ran had returned to her unflappable state, sipping the hot milk in her hand.
Jiang Nian looked at the table, her expression one of pleasant surprise. She stared at Yao Ran. "You made me breakfast?" She found it a bit hard to believe it was for her.
Yao Ran: "It was on the way."
She was telling the truth; it really hadn't been any trouble.
On the way?
Jiang Nian saw another cup of brown sugar ginger tea on the table, feeling both happy and distressed.
Is this her way of returning the favor?
Jiang Nian had a gut feeling that if she asked directly, Yao Ran would deny it. She sat down opposite Yao Ran and started eating the still-warm egg sandwich.
Yao Ran looked up. It seemed to be the first time two people had sat together for breakfast at this dining table.
Yao Ran spoke even less while eating, chewing quietly.
Jiang Nian looked at the brown sugar ginger tea beside her, feeling a headache coming on. She still picked up the glass, held her breath, and started drinking. After finishing, her face couldn't help but contort into a meme-like expression.
Yao Ran glanced over. "What's wrong?"
"I'm not used to the taste of ginger," Jiang Nian said, her eyebrows furrowed.
Yao Ran bit into her sandwich without a word. Seeing her expression, she couldn't hold back a faint smile that briefly touched the corners of her lips. It was amusing.
After finishing the drink, Jiang Nian felt a sense of relief. Catching this trace of a smile, she smiled too.
Their soft words and light laughter made the morning air feel relaxed and comfortable. Yao Ran quickly looked down and reminded her, "I have to go to the company after breakfast."
Jiang Nian nodded. "Mm, I'll take you there after I'm done." With that, she started eating her sandwich faster.
The question and answer felt so natural, like a young couple.
Yao Ran raised her eyes and explained, "That's not what I meant. You don't have to take me."
Jiang Nian looked at her.
Yao Ran had finished eating by then and got up to walk to the kitchen.
Jiang Nian quickly finished as well and picked up her glass to take it to the kitchen.
The kitchen was open-concept, bright and spacious. As Jiang Nian went over, she happened to run into Yao Ran turning around, and they gently bumped into each other.
For a moment, it felt as if their breaths had collided as well.
The morning light filtered into the room, soft and warm.
Jiang Nian gazed at her lightly made-up face, her eyes suddenly landing on the corner of her mouth. She felt an urge to lean in.
They were close, their chests brushing against each other. At that very moment, Yao Ran remembered the scene she had walked in on in the bedroom earlier...
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