Indulgence - Chapter 51
Chapter 51
With the addition of two new tattoo artists to the studio, Jiang Nian's pressure eased considerably.
In truth, this should have been on the agenda long ago. The studio had developed well over the past two years, and the number of daily appointments had doubled. Originally, there were only three tattoo artists in the shop, including Jiang Nian, which wasn't enough to handle the workload.
This evening, it was nearly ten by the time she finished work. Jiang Nian took off her mask and came out of the operating room, running into Yu Zhao, who was also coming out.
"You're done too?" Jiang Nian asked with a smile.
"Mmm."
Yu Zhao was a new tattoo artist at the studio and also an old acquaintance of Jiang Nian's. They had met on a design website, admired each other's work, and gradually became familiar. Technically, Yu Zhao was Jiang Nian's senior in the industry, and Jiang Nian had learned a lot from her.
Jiang Nian was surprised she was able to get Yu Zhao to come over. Yu Zhao had been in the business for a long time and was a highly experienced freelance tattoo artist who had always taken on clients independently.
The two headed downstairs. As they walked, Jiang Nian asked, "Are you getting used to it here?"
"I'm getting used to it. The atmosphere is great."
"The people in our studio are all very easygoing and friendly. You can be casual too."
"Yeah, I like this kind of thing. It's comfortable."
They reached the first floor. Jiang Nian saw Ruan Xin visiting the office again and greeted her with a "Sister Ruan."
"Oh, and who is this beauty?" Ruan Xin looked at the unfamiliar woman beside Jiang Nian.
Jiang Nian answered for her, "The new chief tattoo artist at our studio."
Yu Zhao smiled at Jiang Nian. "Don't say that."
"Is there a beauty requirement for the tattoo artists in your studio? Every single one is so gorgeous," Ruan Xin said, complimenting Yu Zhao.
"Thank you. My name is Yu Zhao." Yu Zhao also had a proactive and enthusiastic personality, but she was gentler with people than Jiang Nian was.
Ruan Xin was always friendly towards beautiful women. She briefly introduced herself and, while at it, promoted the bar she owned across the street.
"Is Director Ruan thinking of mooching coffee off me again?" Jiang Nian joked with Ruan Xin.
"Yeah, the coffee here is just better," Ruan Xin bantered familiarly with Jiang Nian. "Teacher Jiang isn't going to be stingy, is she?"
"You can drink until you're full," Jiang Nian said upon hearing Ruan Xin's words. "Take two bags of beans back with you later."
"Just kidding." Ruan Xin wasn't shameless enough to both drink and take. She was just bored and had dropped by. Seeing that Jiang Nian seemed free, she said, "I'm so bored, just came to sit for a bit."
"Why don't you ask Xu Xia to keep you company?" Jiang Nian asked with a smile.
"She went out of town for an exchange program," Ruan Xin replied naturally.
"No wonder."
Jiang Nian's words were laced with meaning.
Ruan Xin gave an awkward smile, then changed the subject. "Are you free now? Let me buy you a drink."
Jiang Nian had nothing else to do. The few design drafts she had weren't urgent, and most importantly, Yao Ran was also busy tonight, so they had no time for a date. She hadn't felt it before, but now that they were together, it seemed their opportunities to meet were pitifully few.
"Sure."
"Teacher Yu, would you like to join?" Ruan Xin asked Yu Zhao as well. She just liked having more people around for the liveliness, and it was a good chance to meet new friends.
"I can." Yu Zhao quickly agreed. After accepting, she asked Jiang Nian, "I don't have anything else tonight, do I?"
Jiang Nian said, "Nope. Let's go together. It's a good chance to show you around the neighborhood."
Yu Zhao nodded. "Okay."
Ruan Xin was generous, saying that since she was meeting a new friend, drinks were on her tonight. Yu Zhao naturally felt a bit embarrassed. Ruan Xin was easygoing and said that she could just come by to support the business more often in the future.
That night, Jiang Nian was somewhat distracted while drinking. She checked the time, said something to Ruan Xin and the others, and went to the restroom.
Yao Ran was done with work after ten. She promptly took out her phone to check, and sure enough, Jiang Nian had sent her a WeChat message.
【Jiang Nian】 Drinking with Sister Ruan
Jiang Nian usually didn't call Yao Ran directly, afraid of disturbing the workaholic.
Yao Ran replied after seeing it: Don't drink too much. She remembered how Jiang Nian had been the last time she was drunk. However, since she was with Ruan Xin, she didn't need to worry too much. Ruan Xin had always taken good care of her friends.
【Jiang Nian】 Are you done with work?
Yao Ran replied simply: Mmm. Immediately after, she saw an incoming voice call from Jiang Nian.
Compared to texting, Yao Ran actually preferred voice calls. Jiang Nian had a nice voice; it was a bit soft when she spoke quietly, which was relaxing to listen to.
The bar was noisy, but the restroom was relatively quiet. "I just finished work not long ago too. Sister Ruan happened to come to the studio and dragged me out for a drink."
Reporting her daily trifles, Yao Ran listened and replied with another soft, "Mmm."
"What about you?" Jiang Nian asked with a laugh. "What are you doing now?"
It was the kind of everyday chat just to make conversation, a little cloying. Yao Ran slowed her pace more than usual, answering unhurriedly, "Just finished a negotiation meeting. I'm about to head back."
Jiang Nian: "Mmm..."
She waited for the other person to continue.
Yao Ran could tell she was waiting for her to say more. After a moment of silence, she added in a low voice, "Don't drink too late. Go home early."
Was that all? Jiang Nian bit her lip in frustration. After that night, they had both been busy with their own things, their schedules didn't line up, and they hadn't seen each other for several days.
How could a new couple be like them? Weren't they supposed to be in the honeymoon phase, missing each other like crazy if they didn't see each other for a day?
Jiang Nian said, "There's a beautiful woman singing at your bar tonight. Would Director Yao like to come and listen?"
A beautiful woman singing...
Yao Ran couldn't help but smile silently.
Jiang Nian had originally planned to just say "I want to see you tonight," but she hesitated and held back. She could hear the fatigue in Yao Ran's voice and changed her tune, "I'm just kidding. You must be tired today, right?"
She was tired. Yao Ran paused for a moment, then said, "I'll be over in a bit."
"Huh?" Jiang Nian thought she was just earnestly indulging her and said, "If you're really tired, go home and get some rest..."
Yao Ran said in a low voice, "About fifteen minutes."
Jiang Nian didn't say anything more, her face beaming with happiness.
Yao Ran was punctual. If she said fifteen minutes, she would absolutely not be late.
Jiang Nian had counted on this. So, the moment Yao Ran walked into the bar, she heard a familiar singing voice. The person on stage stood in the spotlight, a seductive smile on her face, singing a love song with lingering emotion.
When Yao Ran saw her, she grumbled internally again, such a show-off. She stood near the front of the stage and waited, listening to Jiang Nian sing another song.
After spotting Yao Ran, Jiang Nian's gaze became more focused. There were many people listening to the music in the bar, but she was only singing for that one person below the stage.
After finishing the song, Jiang Nian couldn't wait to get off the stage. She walked over to Yao Ran, the dim lighting unable to hide her bright smile.
She led Yao Ran back to their booth.
"The busy woman finally decided to grace us with her presence," Ruan Xin said, her eyes playful and teasing when she saw Yao Ran.
Yu Zhao smiled and praised, "Jiang Nian, you could debut with your singing."
"Teacher Yu is too kind." Jiang Nian replied politely. She had intended to introduce Yu Zhao to Yao Ran.
Yu Zhao quickly interjected, "Don't keep calling me Teacher Yu. You used to call me sister."
"..."
Jiang Nian was instantly embarrassed.
Yao Ran was also very quiet.
Ruan Xin was leisurely snacking on dried fruits, watching the scene as if it were a show. Why did the atmosphere feel a bit off?
Jiang Nian said to Yu Zhao with a smile, "You're my senior. There's nothing wrong with me calling you Teacher Yu."
After saying that, she glanced at Yao Ran.
Yao Ran's expression was the same as usual, with no change.
Yu Zhao smiled. She looked at Yao Ran and asked Jiang Nian, "And this is?"
"I haven't introduced you yet. This is my girlfriend, Yao Ran," Jiang Nian said excitedly.
Yu Zhao was stunned for a moment, then smiled and greeted Yao Ran, "Hello, my name is Yu Zhao. I'm a tattoo artist like Jiang Nian. We're old friends."
Yao Ran smiled faintly. "Hello."
Jiang Nian added, "I invited her to join our studio, so now we're colleagues."
After they were seated.
Yu Zhao sighed to Jiang Nian, "I'm so envious, your girlfriend is so beautiful."
Hearing this, Jiang Nian's smile grew wider. She wasn't modest at all. "Right?"
Yao Ran looked at her, signaling with her eyes for her to tone it down a bit. But Jiang Nian just gave her a more flamboyant and proud smile in return.
Yu Zhao asked Jiang Nian curiously, "When did you get into a relationship?"
"Just recently."
Yu Zhao smiled. "I... am quite surprised that you're actually in a relationship."
Something about that sounded strange. Jiang Nian laughed dryly. "Why can't I be in a relationship?"
Yu Zhao didn't continue, just smiling it off. In her memory, Jiang Nian never lacked ambiguous partners, but she had never seen her actually date someone. Jiang Nian was the type to fall for someone at first sight, then lose interest in a few days. This was a first.
"Congratulations. Let's have a toast."
"Thanks." Jiang Nian was well-behaved.
"I drove, so I won't be drinking tonight," Yao Ran explained.
Yu Zhao was easygoing, smiling. "No problem."
Ruan Xin, who had been quiet for a while, gave Yao Ran a look. "Did Director Yao come here specifically to see your girlfriend? Usually when I ask you to come, it's like trying to invite a deity. A girlfriend really is different. Ai, I never realized you'd choose romance over friendship."
Jiang Nian was amused.
Yao Ran turned her head to look at Ruan Xin. "Say less."
Ruan Xin now completely disbelieved Yao Ran's cold and aloof public persona; she was reserved to an extreme degree. She also found it strange. When Yao Ran and Jiang Nian interacted normally, they seemed like they barely knew each other. But the way they kissed that night, touching and holding each other, was too skilled to be their first time.
After Yao Ran arrived, Jiang Nian had one more drink and then said she was tired.
"Yeah, it's getting late. We'll get together again next time." Ruan Xin knew how to read the room. She thought about how Yao Ran had been celibate for so many years, and these two had just confirmed their relationship... she was very understanding.
Jiang Nian also said goodbye to Yu Zhao and left the noisy bar with Yao Ran.
Jiang Nian felt that Yao Ran was a bit quiet. She knew Yao Ran was very sensitive and asked cautiously, "Are you angry?"
Yao Ran glanced at her.
"Teacher Yu and I are just regular friends, not what you're thinking," Jiang Nian explained hurriedly. "Not that kind of 'sister'."
Yao Ran looked at her anxious explanation and fell silent. If she got angry over something like this, she'd be too petty...
"It's really not," Jiang Nian emphasized. "I'll never call anyone else sister again. I'll only..."
Yao Ran thought about what happened in bed a few days ago and felt very embarrassed. She promptly cut Jiang Nian off, "You don't have to call me that either."
Jiang Nian: "..."
Seeing Jiang Nian's anxiety, Yao Ran said, "I'm not angry."
Jiang Nian breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. "Okay."
They walked side by side on the street. A couple passed by, walking hand in hand, looking much more clingy than them.
There was a hint of envy in Jiang Nian's eyes. She looked at Yao Ran. It always felt like besides in bed, they acted like regular friends.
"What is it?" Yao Ran asked.
Jiang Nian smiled. "Are you still not used to having a girlfriend?"
After being alone for so many years, suddenly having another person by her side, Yao Ran indeed hadn't fully adapted. She answered truthfully, "A little."
Jiang Nian fell silent and pouted. She was just now realizing that the feeling of not being needed was actually quite upsetting.
Seeing this, Yao Ran turned to face her. "I'll get used to it slowly."
Jiang Nian smiled again. Director Yao was really serious about this relationship. She tentatively asked, "Can you be a little faster?"
Yao Ran stared at her.
Jiang Nian felt like she was truly smitten. She immediately added, "It's okay if you're slow too. Anyway..."
Yao Ran was curious. "Anyway what?"
Jiang Nian took a step forward and directly hugged the person in front of her.
They were still on the street. Yao Ran swallowed the words she was about to say. She lowered her head slightly and hugged Jiang Nian back.
A smile played on Jiang Nian's lips as she immersed herself in the embrace. She secretly moved closer to Yao Ran's ear and kissed her several times behind it.
Then she said, "Anyway, I'll seduce you."
The skin behind her ear was sensitive. The kisses made Yao Ran's heart tingle. She hugged Jiang Nian and sighed, "So improper."
Jiang Nian laughed in her arms, her embrace growing tighter, more entwined.
Yao Ran felt that hugging Jiang Nian was like hugging summer itself. She was so vibrant and full of life that her own life was also starting to bid farewell to its calm and dull state.
After hugging for a while, Jiang Nian said, full of reluctance, "Can I stay at your place tonight? I'll drive you to work tomorrow."
Yao Ran's arm was around her waist. After a moment's pause, she whispered, "I'm on my period."
Jiang Nian pulled her head out from the crook of her neck and looked at Yao Ran helplessly. "Director Yao, can't you think about something else?"
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