Indulgence - Chapter 85
Chapter 85
In the blink of an eye, the Spring Festival was approaching. Red decorations began to appear in Spring Breeze Lane, and the festive atmosphere grew stronger.
The studio was also about to close for the holiday. The number of appointments in the last two days was higher than usual, and for several days straight, Jiang Nian was busy until after nine at night before she could finish up.
If Yao Ran got off work a little early, she would bring dinner over, and the two would eat together in the office. After eating, she would stay at the studio a while longer, waiting for Jiang Nian to finish so they could go home together.
This evening, it was past nine again. When Jiang Nian returned to the office and saw Yao Ran, she lazily wrapped her arms around her.
"Tired?" Yao Ran asked her.
"Yeah."
Jiang Nian let out a soft, low hum.
Yao Ran looked at her and smiled faintly. She was a girl who usually looked quite cool, but in reality, she could be very coquettish.
Jiang Nian could be flashy, but she rarely acted coy with people. Yao Ran, however, was an exception. Even before they had confirmed their relationship, she couldn't help but be soft and clingy with Yao Ran.
Yao Ran let her hold on, reaching up to rub the back of her neck. She knew that working with her head down for long periods would make her shoulders and neck uncomfortable. "Let's go home."
"Mhm," Jiang Nian replied with a smile. She loved hearing Yao Ran's soft, gentle voice by her ear. It was so pleasant, a form of relaxing enjoyment. Thinking about New Year's Eve being just a few days away, she asked, "Are you spending the Spring Festival at home?"
"Mhm."
Jiang Nian felt like she had asked a pointless question. Of course she would be going home.
Yao Ran looked at her. "Are you going to Haicheng?"
Jiang Nian hadn't been back to the Jiang family home in two years. When it came to reunion holidays like the Spring Festival, she usually went to Haicheng to spend it with Xue Ying. The mother and daughter enjoyed the peace and quiet.
"Mhm, I usually spend it with my mom."
"Have fun."
Jiang Nian wrapped her arms around her waist, a hint of reluctance in her eyes. "We're going to be apart for quite a few days..."
Yao Ran told her, "It's not that long."
Jiang Nian raised an eyebrow, feigning a dissatisfied tone. "Aren't you going to miss me at all?"
Yao Ran laughed at her cheesiness.
The night before New Year's Eve, Jiang Nian set off for Haicheng. Yao Ran drove her to the airport.
Jiang Nian unbuckled her seatbelt but lingered in the car. "I'll bring you back a gift."
Yao Ran: "Okay."
"I have to go."
Jiang Nian was still dawdling.
Her little thoughts were too easy to guess. Yao Ran couldn't help but smile. Indulging her, she leaned over and kissed the corner of her mouth. "Have a safe trip."
Jiang Nian didn't respond. Taking advantage of the proximity, she wrapped her arms around her and deepened the kiss. Yao Ran parted her red lips in tacit understanding, knowing she wouldn't be content with just a peck, and complied with her every move.
It was a long while before they broke apart. Jiang Nian's eyes were smiling as she said softly, "I'll miss you."
That smile was incredibly sweet to Yao Ran. She caressed Jiang Nian's cheek. "You're going to be late."
Jiang Nian smiled helplessly. "..."
Such a mood killer.
The Yao family had many social obligations, so these past few days were hardly a vacation for Yao Ran.
In comparison, Jiang Nian's holiday was much more comfortable. With her daughter finally visiting, Xue Ying would temporarily push aside all her work, and the two of them would spend a few days relaxing and having fun.
After becoming long-distance, Jiang Nian started messaging Yao Ran more frequently. Whenever she encountered something delicious or fun, she had to share it with Yao Ran. She was worried that Yao Ran might be unhappy during this time; every time Yao Ran went back to the Yao family home, it seemed to end unpleasantly.
Thanks to Jiang Nian's occasional messages, Yao Ran's Spring Festival was not as boring as it used to be.
On the fourth day of the new year, the Yao family wasn't receiving any other guests. The atmosphere at the dinner table that evening was quiet and somber.
Yao Qi had been lectured for several days and didn't dare to make a peep now that she was home.
Ding Mengwei looked at Yao Ran and said in a soft, gentle voice, "Is that Director Chen pursuing you?"
Yao Ran replied coolly, "No, it's just a business partnership."
"He's a fine-looking man. I think he's quite good," Ding Mengwei said, glancing at Yao Ran's father.
Her father chimed in, "He is quite good."
Yao Ran raised an eyebrow slightly. How could she not understand the subtext?
Ding Mengwei continued, "You could try to develop things. I think you two are a good match."
Yao Qi listened quietly, mentally complaining for the umpteenth time about how old-fashioned her parents were. Her sister was such an outstanding person with a successful career, so why did she have to get married to a man? All under the beautiful pretext that a family makes one's life complete.
After a brief silence, Yao Ran looked up. "Actually, there's something I'd like to tell you."
Ding Mengwei asked, "What is it?"
Yao Ran's tone was as calm as ever. She said bluntly, "I have a girlfriend."
As expected, everyone else at the table fell into a complete silence.
Yao Ran had come out in a nonchalant manner. She hadn't planned on hiding it; this was part of her plan, to find an opportunity during the new year to make things clear with her family.
"What did you say?" Ding Mengwei was in disbelief. From childhood to adulthood, her eldest daughter had always been the one who gave her the least trouble—sensible and outstanding, always walking the enviable "right track" in life.
Yao Ran didn't mind repeating herself. "I have a girlfriend, and our relationship is very stable. You don't need to worry about these things anymore."
Yao Qi's eyes widened as she stared at Yao Ran, not expecting her to say it so directly. She had been helping Yao Ran keep it a secret all this time.
The atmosphere grew tense. It was clear that Yao Ran's parents could not accept this, and their expressions turned cold.
This was also within Yao Ran's expectations. She hadn't said it to receive their blessing, but merely to state a fact. As for the rest, it wasn't important.
After dinner, Yao Ran didn't linger in the unpleasant atmosphere and left the Yao family home directly.
Yao Qi also found an excuse to leave with Yao Ran.
Once in the car, Yao Qi looked at Yao Ran with an expression full of admiration. "Sis."
"What is it?"
"You've really opened my eyes," Yao Qi exclaimed. "You either don't rebel at all, or you drop a bombshell on Mom and Dad."
Hearing the word "rebel," Yao Ran smiled. The education she had received since she was young was all about meeting various external expectations, to the point that it had slowly become a habit. She had walked the well-planned path of her life too conventionally. Now, she felt a sense of lightness all over.
"Actually, I'm quite happy that you're with Jiang Nian," Yao Qi said again.
Yao Ran asked, "Why?"
"I want you to be happy, and I can see that you're very happy when you're with Jiang Nian." Yao Qi gave a wry smile, becoming serious for once. "I'm such a good-for-nothing. Since we were little, so much pressure has been placed on you..."
"Don't think that way." Yao Ran actually hoped that Yao Qi could always prioritize being happy and carefree. There was nothing wrong with that.
"Anyway, no matter what, I'll always support you," Yao Qi said with a smile.
Yao Ran nodded. "Mhm."
It was past eight in the evening when Yao Ran returned to her own apartment. The moment she opened the door, Si Mao came flying towards her, jumping around with excitement.
With Jiang Nian in Haicheng, Si Mao was the only one at home to keep her company these past few days.
After Yao Ran sat down on the sofa, Si Mao continued to stick to her, nuzzling and licking her in her arms, being incredibly affectionate. She smiled and stroked Si Mao's head. He was a clingy one, too...
Her mind drifted, and she found herself thinking of her own "happy puppy."
Picking up her phone to check the time, Yao Ran made a voice call to Jiang Nian. Jiang Nian was probably still out having fun, as the call didn't connect.
Half an hour later, her phone vibrated. She saw that Jiang Nian was calling her back.
Yao Ran answered very quickly.
So quickly that Jiang Nian on the other end was taken aback, as if Yao Ran had been waiting for her call. She explained, "I was out, and my phone ran out of battery and shut down."
"Mhm, are you home?"
"Just got back," Jiang Nian said.
Holding Si Mao in her arms, Yao Ran found that hearing Jiang Nian's voice only made the feeling of missing her grow stronger. She paused, then asked softly, "Is it a good time for a video call?"
Wanting to video call the moment she answered was unusual. Jiang Nian sensed it, a faint feeling that Yao Ran seemed to be in low spirits. She hesitated for a moment before asking, "What's wrong?"
Hearing her voice, Yao Ran momentarily lost her composure and blurted out, "I want to see you."
It was a rather sweet and needy thing to say, and it made Jiang Nian freeze for a second. She couldn't suppress the smile on her lips. "Have you been drinking?"
Yao Ran lowered her eyes and said, "No."
Jiang Nian was even happier, taking the opportunity to tease her. "Director Yao, it's only been a few days, hasn't it?"
Yao Ran let out a soft laugh.
Jiang Nian walked back to her bedroom and immediately switched to a video call.
As before, Yao Ran answered in the first second, her eyes carefully studying the face on the screen.
Jiang Nian asked with concern, "Have you been too tired these past few days?"
Yao Ran: "It's been okay."
Jiang Nian grinned at the screen. "Miss your girlfriend?"
Yao Ran was quiet for a moment, still not used to saying too many sweet nothings. She just stared at the screen.
Jiang Nian moved closer to the screen, her voice turning gentle as she pressed, "Did you?" She was determined to hear the usually reserved woman say something sweet.
Under Jiang Nian's coaxing, which had a hint of a whine, Yao Ran helplessly admitted, "A little."
Jiang Nian's eyes curved into crescents as she smiled, feigning doubt. "Is it 'a little,' or 'a lot'?"
Yao Ran felt she was becoming as pushy as Jiang Nian. After seeing her on the screen, she now wanted her right by her side...
She answered in a low voice, "A lot."
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