Indulgence - Chapter 81

Chapter 81

The two spent the weekend being lovey-dovey.

On Monday morning, Yao Ran's internal clock failed her; she was jolted awake by her alarm. She opened her eyes to the familiar sleeping face beside her. Jiang Nian was a restless sleeper who liked to cling to her.

Jiang Nian had a client appointment in the morning, so she couldn't sleep in either. She sat up in bed with Yao Ran, eyes half-closed, and wrapped her arms around her waist like sticky toffee.

Yao Ran wanted to smile at the sight. She reminded her, "If you sleep any longer, you'll be late."

Jiang Nian rested comfortably on her shoulder. "Mm, I don't want to get up. I'm so tired."

So you do know what tired is. Yao Ran reached out and gently patted her cheek to wake her up.

Only then did Jiang Nian open her eyes. Seeing the person in front of her, she beamed and leaned down to kiss her on the shoulder.

Yao Ran looked at her smile and smiled back. The empty part of her heart had been filled again.

When changing, Yao Ran deliberately chose a turtleneck sweater. Her neck was covered in hickeys, but luckily it was winter, making them easy to hide. But she didn't say anything to Jiang Nian; Jiang Nian's body was in no better state... She realized she had been far too unrestrained.

It had been snowing for several days, and the roadsides were a vast expanse of white.

It wasn't that busy at the studio, so everyone took a break to build snowmen outside. They were all young and had a great time playing together.

Jiang Nian took a picture of a rather romantic snowy street, with snowflakes fluttering down from the sky. When she posted it to her Moments, she again set it to be visible only to a certain person, with the caption: The snow is so beautiful today, did you see it?

When they were apart and she missed her but didn't dare to seek her out, she would post something like this. Even though she never received a reply.

Around noon, Jiang Nian checked her phone and found that there was a reply to her post.

Yao Ran had replied to her:

I saw it.

Jiang Nian stared at the reply for a long time, smiling to herself. Her heart felt a mix of sourness and sweetness. It felt as if they had never been apart, just had a little tiff.

Yao Ran had always seen them. And it was easy to tell that some of Jiang Nian's posts were visible only to her...

Knowing Yao Ran was free, Jiang Nian sent her a photo of herself with a small snowman shaped like a dog.

After opening the photo, Yao Ran couldn't help but chuckle. Her gaze fell on Jiang Nian's face in the picture, and she immediately replied: Silly.

Jiang Nian also looked down and smiled, replying: How is it silly? It's obviously so cute.

The next second.

Yao Ran: Mm, cute.

This meaningless chat made Jiang Nian happy for a while. A moment later, she saw another message from Yao Ran:

I'll pick you up after work. Don't go alone.

Jiang Nian had just been harassed, and Yao Ran was still worried.

Because of this, they tacitly started living together again, just like before.

However, Jiang Nian discovered that Director Yao seemed to be clingier than before. Now, whether she had been drinking or not, she would pull her in for a hug when they slept at night.

Being held, Jiang Nian could never behave for long. She would start nuzzling and kissing her, her fingers expertly untying her robe, her palm caressing everywhere as she kissed her.

Yao Ran let her do as she pleased. Once their lips met, both were equally passionate and tender.

The time apart hadn't changed anything; it had only strengthened their feelings.

When she received a call from Xue Ying that night, Jiang Nian was drowsily hugging Yao Ran, the flush on her face not yet completely faded.

Yao Ran handed her the phone. Seeing "Director Xue," she knew it was Jiang Nian's mother.

Jiang Nian answered the phone, "Director Xue?"

Yao Ran found the way the mother and daughter communicated interesting, like friends. She thought Jiang Nian's lively and cheerful personality was probably inseparable from her mother's influence.

Xue Ying heard the laziness in Jiang Nian's voice, as if she were sleeping. She teased, "My little night owl is asleep so early?"

Jiang Nian was at a loss for words for a moment, then she looked at Yao Ran and smiled before asking Xue Ying, "What's up?"

Xue Ying asked about her daughter's daily life and also when she was planning to come to Haicheng.

Only then did Jiang Nian remember that she had mentioned to Xue Ying before about wanting to go to Haicheng to see her, to travel and clear her head. She had been heartbroken from the breakup at the time.

After a brief chat, Jiang Nian ended the call and hugged Yao Ran softly for a while. She thought for a moment and asked, "For the New Year's Day holiday, how about we go on a trip?"

Yao Ran: "Okay."

Jiang Nian said with a lazy smile, "You didn't even ask where we're going."

Yao Ran looked at her and said anywhere was fine.

"Mm, I knew it. As long as you're with me, anywhere is fine," Jiang Nian said, cupping her face, her tone growing more smug. "As long as you're with your happy puppy, you're especially happy."

Yao Ran smiled and frowned, ruffling her cheeky face.

Jiang Nian's tone turned serious. "Let's go to Haicheng. I want to take you home. Is that okay?"

She thought this might give her a little more security. She was afraid Yao Ran didn't think she was serious enough.

Yao Ran could sense Jiang Nian's intentions. She slowly stroked Jiang Nian's hair and responded softly, "Okay."

Jiang Nian smiled happily. "My mom will definitely love you."

Yao Ran: "So certain?"

"My mom is also a workaholic, so she has a special appreciation for other workaholics," Jiang Nian said half-jokingly. "Besides, my girlfriend is so beautiful and elegant, everyone loves her..."

Yao Ran smiled helplessly at her. "So improper."

Jiang Nian hugged her and said with a sweet smile, "My mom will also like the person I like. She's very respectful of me." She didn't want Yao Ran to feel pressured.

---

On the first day of the new year, Jiang Nian took Yao Ran back to Haicheng to visit for a couple of days and to formally meet her mother.

Haicheng was slightly warmer than Beilin; it hadn't snowed yet.

After her divorce, Xue Ying had started the second chapter of her career in Haicheng and had been living there ever since.

Although Jiang Nian lived with her father after the divorce, she kept in more frequent contact with Xue Ying, and their relationship was closer.

Giving up custody of Jiang Nian was something Xue Ying regretted to this day. She was always busy with her career and thought Jiang Nian would be better cared for at the Jiang family home, but that wasn't the case. Later, she wanted to ask Jiang Nian to come to Haicheng with her, but Jiang Nian said all her friends were in Beilin and she didn't want to move.

Xue Ying always felt she owed her daughter too much, so she always doted on Jiang Nian unconditionally and respected all her choices. She was the one who supported Jiang Nian's decision to become a tattoo artist and would even proudly boast to others that her daughter was super cool.

Hearing that Jiang Nian was coming over and bringing her girlfriend, Xue Ying canceled various work commitments in advance and personally drove to the airport to pick them up.

"Mom—" After exiting the terminal, Jiang Nian spotted Xue Ying right away. Once she got closer, she gave Xue Ying a big hug.

Xue Ying beamed with joy.

After the hug, Jiang Nian led Yao Ran to Xue Ying. "Director Xue, let me introduce you. This is my girlfriend."

"Hello, Auntie," Yao Ran said with a smile. Xue Ying looked much younger than she had imagined.

Xue Ying smiled radiantly in response. She was fifty-two this year, and though wrinkles had appeared at the corners of her eyes, she was still a true beauty. Jiang Nian's temperament was more like Xue Ying's, free-spirited and passionate.

"Ranran, right?" Xue Ying's smile deepened. "You're even prettier than in the photos Niannian showed me."

"Thank you, Auntie."

Jiang Nian knew Xue Ying would be especially happy. A woman as gentle and cultured as Yao Ran would be liked by anyone.

Xue Ying also took the opportunity to praise her daughter. "Darling, you have great taste."

Jiang Nian was not at all modest. "Of course."

"Let's go, home first."

Jiang Nian told Xue Ying everything, so Xue Ying had a general understanding of their situation. To be honest, she was quite surprised when Jiang Nian said she wanted to bring her girlfriend to meet her. The person who had never been serious was suddenly getting serious.

She was naturally pleased that Jiang Nian was being serious; she couldn't always act like she hadn't grown up. It was a concern for her as well.

On the way home, Xue Ying chatted with Yao Ran for a while. Learning that Yao Ran also came from a venture capital background gave them more in common, and she liked her even more.

Jiang Nian was a little sleepy and habitually leaned against Yao Ran. Yao Ran wanted her to be more proper, but she was helpless against her clinginess.

Xue Ying occasionally glanced in the rearview mirror, looking quite happy. The more she looked, the more perfect they seemed for each other.

That evening, Xue Ying personally busied herself in the kitchen. Every time Jiang Nian came over, she would cook herself, making her daughter's favorite dishes. It was a way of making up for the past.

Jiang Nian and Yao Ran went to the kitchen to help a little.

When Xue Ying saw Jiang Nian chopping vegetables with practiced ease, she was truly shocked. She asked in surprise, "Darling, when did you learn to do this?"

Hearing Xue Ying's tone, Yao Ran glanced at Jiang Nian. It was clear Jiang Nian hadn't known how to cook before.

Jiang Nian smiled nonchalantly and said, "It's not that hard."

The atmosphere at the dinner table was relaxed. Xue Ying had even specifically asked Jiang Nian in advance what dishes Yao Ran liked. "Ranran, have some more."

"Thank you, Auntie."

"Don't be polite. Just make yourself at home. You'll be coming here often in the future, anyway." Xue Ying was enthusiastic towards Yao Ran, partly because this was the person her daughter liked, and partly because she felt as if she had suddenly gained another daughter, one who was mature and sensible. She was delighted.

Jiang Nian whispered to Yao Ran on the side, "Our Director Xue doesn't cook for just anyone."

Xue Ying overheard and objected, "You heartless little brat, when have I not cooked for you when you came over?"

Jiang Nian just laughed.

With all the talking and laughing, Yao Ran gradually relaxed. The meal was pleasant and easy, even more relaxing than eating at her own home.

After dinner, Jiang Nian heard the two workaholics happily discussing finance. She couldn't understand and found it boring, so she went to take a shower.

Xue Ying chatted alone with Yao Ran for a while, and eventually, the conversation turned back to Jiang Nian.

"Come to think of it, there's a bit of an age gap between you two. Have you thought it through?"

"Actually, she only told me how old she was after we got together." Yao Ran had guessed Xue Ying would bring this up. She explained calmly, "I also thought it wasn't quite appropriate at first. Later, I calmly considered many things. Auntie, I'm serious about Jiang Nian. I've thought carefully about the future."

"Mm, as long as you're serious." That was the sentence Xue Ying was waiting for. She looked at Yao Ran and added, "If that little brat dares to be not serious with you, I'll be the first to teach her a lesson."

Yao Ran was amused. Jiang Nian must have inherited Xue Ying's personality; sometimes even their tone of voice was similar.

"Niannian's temper, you might have to be a bit more tolerant... She's been willful since she was little, still like a child who hasn't grown up. She might not be very good at taking care of people."

Hearing Xue Ying say this, Yao Ran fell into a thoughtful silence. Jiang Nian did give off a willful impression, but thinking back, Jiang Nian had never thrown a tantrum in front of her and was never vague about taking care of her.

"Auntie, she's very good to me, very considerate," Yao Ran said with a gentle smile. "Don't worry, I'll take good care of her too."

Now it was Xue Ying's turn to be silent. It was the first time she had heard someone describe her daughter as "considerate." Was this still her heartless daughter?

A moment of silence.

Xue Ying couldn't help but smile. She remarked with a sigh, "Niannian loves you very much. I was shocked to see her cooking today. She didn't even know how to steam rice before."

Yao Ran was touched. "Mm."

Xue Ying checked the time. "It's getting late. You should both get some rest."

...

Yao Ran returned to the room. When she came out of the shower, she saw that Jiang Nian had fallen asleep, likely exhausted from the journey.

She walked to the bedside and sat down gently, stroking Jiang Nian's hair, her thoughts returning to what Xue Ying had said. She gazed at Jiang Nian's face, lost in thought for a moment, then leaned down and kissed her forehead.

Jiang Nian wasn't fully asleep. She opened her eyes at that moment, catching her in the act. She smiled softly at the person before her and asked in a husky voice, "Do you often sneak kisses like this?"

Yao Ran's gaze upon her was as gentle as water. Under that gaze, she leaned down again and kissed Jiang Nian lightly on the lips, this time openly.

Jiang Nian's heart melted. She was so happy it felt like a dream. She even felt that they were only now truly in their honeymoon phase, because Yao Ran was starting to initiate things with her, to openly express her possessiveness and affection, no longer holding back her passion.

"Director Yao, how come you're getting less and less reserved?"

Yao Ran smiled, teasing her intentionally, "Mm, should I be more reserved from now on?"

"No," Jiang Nian immediately refused with a frown. She then asked, "What were you and my mom talking about? For so long?"

Yao Ran ruffled her head, her voice earnest and gentle, "We talked about how we'll be good together."

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