Indulgence - Chapter 39
Chapter 39
Was she just free tonight, or did she actually want to see me? Jiang Nian thought of Yao Ran's way of silently caring, and the latter didn't seem impossible.
Yao Ran was still in her office when she received the reply:
【Jiang Nian】Want to have dinner together tonight?
She typed back: I have a business dinner tonight.
【Jiang Nian】When does it end?
...
Yao Ran didn't deliberately avoid Jiang Nian, but rather tacitly acknowledged the hazy ambiguity between them. She was conflicted and wavering. This impulsive relationship had come unexpectedly, just as Jiang Nian had unexpectedly burst into her life.
She was used to living a life by the book, planning everything in an orderly fashion. With Jiang Nian, it was the first time she was trying to put reason second. Call it impulsive, but she couldn't control it. Something in her heart had a grip on her, and she was reluctant to let go.
She wasn't sure if this was right or not.
That evening, Yao Ran had a dinner with the project team from SL. He Qin had some skills; she had been very proactive in facilitating the collaboration. Yao Ran, of course, had done her homework before choosing to meet with He Qin. Right now, He Qin's position at SL wasn't yet stable, and she urgently needed some ace projects to show for herself. Their partnership was mutually beneficial, a fact they were both well aware of.
After the dinner, Yao Ran invited a few senior executives to Moments for drinks on her personal account. Since she had her own venue, there was no need to pick another place, which was more convenient. Owning a bar was also very useful for building and maintaining connections.
Ruan Xin had initially thought Yao Ran agreed to open a bar on a whim, but that wasn't the case. Yao Ran had weighed many factors. She never did anything on a whim, except for...
Arriving at Moments with her guests, Yao Ran heard a familiar singing voice. She looked towards the stage and saw that the person singing was once again Jiang Nian.
"Isn't that Jiang Nian?" He Qin looked at Yao Ran and asked with a smile. Although they had only met once, she had left a deep impression.
Yao Ran replied simply, "Mm."
"It really is her. She sings so well, her voice is really nice." He Qin was intrigued, gently swirling the wine glass in her hand, her eyes fixed on the stage.
Jiang Nian knew in advance that Yao Ran was treating guests at Moments tonight, which was why she had come to sing. After one song, she spotted Yao Ran in the familiar area and, with a lift of her red lips, shamelessly sang another.
Yao Ran also sensed that Jiang Nian had probably spotted her.
Jiang Nian didn't know what songs Yao Ran liked, so she sang an old love song that she was good at. Her heartfelt and emotional performance, coupled with her purpose and excellent form, earned a round of cheers from the audience. Her singing was truly moving.
Yao Ran sipped her drink, listening quietly.
"I find her quite interesting. I'd like to get to know her." He Qin turned to speak to Yao Ran again. Now that they were partners, she spoke much more familiarly, smiling at Yao Ran. "How about we ask her to join us for a drink later? We barely talked last time we met."
Yao Ran explained, "She probably came with friends."
He Qin casually asked, "Does she have a partner?"
The questions came one after another, the subtext clear. Yao Ran glanced at He Qin and remained silent. Just as Ruan Xin had said, Jiang Nian was indeed popular in this circle.
Just then, the second song ended, met with enthusiastic applause.
Jiang Nian had come alone tonight. After finishing her song, she walked off the stage towards Yao Ran's table. It was an easy spot to find; Ruan Xin had specially reserved that area for her friends, and it wasn't open for public booking.
Knowing that Yao Ran was at a work function, Jiang Nian didn't plan to impose and was about to find a seat nearby. But unexpectedly, as she got closer, someone waved at her enthusiastically.
Jiang Nian walked over and recognized the person waving as He Qin.
"Don't you remember me?" He Qin smiled.
"I remember," Jiang Nian replied with a smile. It was hard to forget someone who had so meaningfully slipped her a business card.
"Come, have a drink with us," He Qin invited warmly.
"I probably shouldn't. I don't want to disturb your business." Jiang Nian stole a glance at Yao Ran.
"It's no problem. Tonight is just a private get-together among friends." He Qin even asked Yao Ran, "Director Yao, do you mind?"
Since she had put it that way, Yao Ran could hardly say, "I mind."
In that case, Jiang Nian unabashedly walked straight to Yao Ran's side. She was a natural social butterfly and wasn't intimidated by such occasions.
"Come on," He Qin said.
Jiang Nian's gaze immediately turned to Yao Ran, as if waiting for something.
Their eyes met, and an unspoken understanding passed between them. Yao Ran, without changing her expression, shifted slightly—a seemingly very casual gesture.
It wasn't spacious, but Jiang Nian sat down beside Yao Ran, their shoulders occasionally brushing.
"Are you a resident singer here?" He Qin poured a glass of wine and pushed it towards Jiang Nian.
"No." As Jiang Nian took the drink, she shot a quick glance at the person beside her. "I just come here for fun sometimes."
"Cheers."
He Qin raised her glass.
"Mm." Jiang Nian clinked glasses with He Qin, then turned to do the same with Yao Ran, even saying with a practiced smile, "Director Yao, what a coincidence tonight."
Coincidence? Yao Ran glanced back at her with a slight frown. She's probably been waiting all night, hasn't she?
Jiang Nian shamelessly insisted, "Cheers."
Yao Ran picked up her glass and clinked it against hers.
Jiang Nian drank fiercely, downing half the glass in one go. Only when it was in her mouth did she realize this liquor was different from what she usually drank. It burned her throat, and she had to force herself not to choke.
Yao Ran couldn't help but quietly remind her, "This is strong. Drink less."
"Mm," Jiang Nian replied just as quietly. Every time she heard a word of concern from the brooder, no matter how faint, it would make her happy for a while.
"Come, Director Yao, let me toast you. I'll be counting on your guidance in the future."
"You're too kind."
As usual, there was a round of pleasantries. After one round, Yao Ran put down her glass and stopped drinking. A few people from He Qin's team were persistent, trying to persuade her to drink more, but Yao Ran skillfully deflected, unwilling to have more.
"Director Yao can't drink anymore. I'll drink on her behalf," Jiang Nian said cheerfully. She just didn't want to see Yao Ran being pestered by this group and wanted to block a few drinks for her. She subconsciously felt that Yao Ran probably wasn't a good drinker.
Yao Ran pulled at Jiang Nian and told her, "You don't have to do that."
Jiang Nian smiled. "It's fine."
Seeing that Jiang Nian was young and drank decisively, the others started to get rowdy. He Qin laughed. "I didn't realize you were such a good drinker. Come on, we must have a few more."
Yao Ran was afraid Jiang Nian would get drunk. "Don't push yourself."
"It's okay, I can hold my liquor."
Jiang Nian's alcohol tolerance was, at best, sufficient for her own circle. She usually drank cocktails that weren't too high in alcohol content. The people tonight were old hands in the business world; any one of them could out-drink Jiang Nian, having no problem mixing various hard liquors.
"No more drinking," Yao Ran finally snatched the glass from Jiang Nian's hand, her tone somewhat forceful.
The after-effects kicked in. Jiang Nian realized something was wrong. This liquor was much stronger than what she was used to. Her body was starting to feel sick, but she forced herself to endure it.
"She's not drunk yet," He Qin was still joking beside them. "Jiang Nian, let's not go home until we're drunk tonight, okay?"
"Director He, it's getting late. Let's call it a night," Yao Ran's voice turned cold. "Everyone's had a long day. We'll drink again when we have time."
He Qin was having a good time and didn't want to stop, but Yao Ran was firm, so everyone let it go.
Jiang Nian's cheeks were flushed, and her head felt heavy and dizzy. She couldn't hold on any longer.
Seeing her in this state, Yao Ran regretted not stopping her sooner. She unscrewed a bottle of water and handed it to Jiang Nian. "Drink some water."
"Mm." Jiang Nian was completely deflated now, unable to pretend anymore. She whimpered at Yao Ran, "I feel a little sick."
"Are you okay?" He Qin hadn't left yet. She sat down next to Jiang Nian to ask with concern, then moved closer. "Want me to take you home?"
"No." Although Jiang Nian was drunk, she firmly rejected He Qin. Seeing He Qin try to get closer and grab her, she resisted through her discomfort. "Don't touch me."
After saying that, Jiang Nian leaned directly against Yao Ran, resting her head on her shoulder to ease the dizziness.
"Is she drunk?" He Qin looked at Jiang Nian and said to Yao Ran, "My driver will be here soon. I can take her home."
Yao Ran replied quickly, "No need to trouble you. I'll take her."
Jiang Nian closed her eyes and continued to lean into Yao Ran's embrace. The familiar, pleasant scent gave her a sense of security, a desire to rely on her.
Yao Ran looked down at her. Despite her exasperation, she let Jiang Nian take liberties. Though the situation was awkward, she said to He Qin with an air of composure, "Director He, you should go first."
A subtle change came over He Qin's eyes. She looked at Yao Ran for a long moment, then laughed as if in sudden realization. "Oh, so she's your person."
Yao Ran didn't explain further.
"Then why didn't you say so earlier?" He Qin couldn't help but give a bitter, complaining laugh, speechless. She thought to herself that she had spent the whole night posturing for nothing.
He Qin was a straightforward person. Seeing she had no chance, she left the person to Yao Ran without a second glance, turning and walking away with a swing of her hips.
Yao Ran let Jiang Nian rest against her for a while. Seeing her state, she was naturally worried about her going home alone. "I'll take you home."
Jiang Nian nodded obediently.
She had pushed herself too hard tonight. Jiang Nian had never been this drunk before. Her legs felt wobbly when she walked, and her head was painfully dizzy.
It was the second time Yao Ran had gone to Jiang Nian's place.
As the door opened, Si Mao ran out from the bedroom, wagging his tail enthusiastically in greeting.
Yao Ran closed the door and first helped Jiang Nian to the sofa. As Jiang Nian bent over, her body wavered, and she quickly wrapped her arms around her to steady her.
They fell onto the sofa together, not too heavily, with Yao Ran pressing down on top of Jiang Nian.
A familiar scene.
"Mmm..."
Jiang Nian hummed.
Afraid of hurting her, Yao Ran tried to shift to the side.
But Jiang Nian took advantage of the atmosphere and wrapped her arms around her waist, whimpering sweetly to the person on top of her, "I feel so sick." She was the type who couldn't endure discomfort.
Yao Ran saw that her face had changed color. Of course she felt sick. Her voice was soft. "Then why did you drink so much?"
Jiang Nian said stubbornly, "I didn't want them to give you a hard time..."
I can handle myself; you didn't have to do that. Yao Ran didn't say the very rational words. She just stared silently at Jiang Nian's face, not speaking for a long time. Isn't she being too foolish?
"Don't push yourself next time. It's dangerous to get drunk," Yao Ran said in a low voice.
Jiang Nian's gaze drifted over her face, catching a hint of heartache. She insisted, "Because you were there. I knew you wouldn't leave me..."
Yao Ran fell silent. Jiang Nian seemed too simple and straightforward. She should have protected her a bit more tonight.
"You really do care about me..." Jiang Nian felt that Yao Ran's eyes were full of tenderness at that moment, a tenderness she had only shown when they were passionate in bed. Her cheeks were flushed, and she couldn't help but press her hot face into the crook of Yao Ran's neck, nuzzling her coquettishly, seeking the cool fragrance.
Yao Ran tilted her neck back slightly, her palm gently ruffling Jiang Nian's hair a couple of times, trying to get her to behave. But the breath escaping her lips was scalding—
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