Being Raised in Captivity by the Former Canary - Chapter 10

Instead of meeting at their usual bar, Quan Ruo’an drove straight to Hara’s doorstep.

Hara came to the door to greet her. The moment their eyes met, she said:

“You’ve lost weight.”

“You look depressed.”

“It’s obvious you’ve been single for a long time, hasn’t it?”

“Stop talking nonsense,” Quan Ruo’an retorted, wanting to ignore her teasing.

“You abandoned us all without a word, disappearing without a trace. Where have you been all these years? Z City? J City?”

They continued talking as they walked inside.

“H City,” Quan Ruo’an replied.

Hara: “Were you making pyramid scheme calls in some office building?”

Quan Ruo’an chuckled.

Hara sized her up, then handed her a champagne glass. “Looks like you’re doing alright. Still wearing designer brands.”

Quan Ruo’an simply shook her head, offering no further explanation.

The golden, translucent champagne poured into the slender glass, resembling a thin layer of icy mist.

Hara took out a cigarette case and placed a slender cigarette between her lips. She then offered the case to the woman on the sofa, who looked noticeably downcast.

“I quit,” Quan Ruo’an said flatly, his gaze fixed on the familiar cigarette brand.

“Why?” Hara asked, visibly surprised, her tone tinged with amusement.

“No money.” Quan Ruo’an added a few more words, as if trying to ease the awkwardness of their long-overdue reunion. “Quitting was tough at first. I smoked a while, then just quit altogether.”

“You smoked Style cigarettes? I can’t even picture it,” Hara’s voice rose sharply, then she chuckled. “Really not smoking anymore?”

“No.”

Hara retrieved the cigarette case with a hint of disappointment.

After a few sips of their drinks, they chatted about various topics. As the conversation wound down, Hara slid an envelope across the table, which she had prepared in advance.

Quan Ruo’an’s lashes lowered slightly.

“A credit card with 150,000 on it. You can pay it back, right?”

Quan Ruo’an said, “No need.”

“No need? Weren’t you returning to R City to make a comeback?”

Quan Ruo’an’s eyes flickered with contemplation.

Hara’s voice continued in his ear, “Your cousin… oh, wait, I mean your lover. Have you seen her yet? She seems to be doing quite well—a rising star in their circle.”

“She abandoned all of us so ruthlessly back then, including her. Why don’t you go see her?” Hara suggested. “You spent a fortune on her back then—buying her a house and a car. If she has any conscience, she’ll help you through this.”

His friend’s words were as sharp as ever, grating on his ears.

“My mother actually left me some assets,” Quan Ruo’an said. “That’s partly why I came back. But I’ll wait until Ruo Shui gets out of prison before doing anything.”

“What will you do in the meantime? Do you have a place to stay?”

Quan Ruo’an hesitated before answering, “Yes.”

He was staying in the same residential complex as her old suburban villa.

Fortunately, Hara didn’t press further.

Otherwise, Quan Ruo’an wouldn’t have known how to answer.

After saying goodbye to Hara, Quan Ruo’an took out his phone.

The phone, which had been on silent mode, now had several messages, all time-stamped half an hour earlier.

Xiao Xue: Is the meeting over? Can I come pick you up?

Quan Ruo’an was still getting used to the sudden notifications.

He typed back: I have a car.

The reply came instantly: Then come pick me up.

Let’s have dinner together.

Quan Ruo’an glanced at the time—it was already 5:30 PM.

By the time he picked up Jiang Jixue, it would indeed be about time for dinner.

Without overthinking it, he replied with a simple Okay and drove toward the suburbs.

“Ah!” Jiang Jixue exclaimed, dropping her phone onto the sofa.

Did Elder Sister really agree so easily?

Her face still wore a look of shock. She even doubted if the person on the other end was actually Quan Ruo’an. She couldn’t imagine him giving in so readily.

Jiang Jixue glanced at her wristwatch. She had no idea how long it would take Quan Ruo’an to arrive from the other location, so she needed to hurry and get ready.

Wearing a dress in late spring was still a bit chilly, but Jiang Jixue didn’t hesitate to choose a lavender-colored, off-the-shoulder chiffon dress from her overflowing closet.

She couldn’t remember when she started imagining her elder sister’s reaction whenever she bought new clothes.

Over time, she had mentally ranked her wardrobe, categorizing which outfits she most wanted to wear for her sister and which she’d show off secondarily.

The purple dress topped the list, becoming her armor in the ethereal dreams she repeatedly constructed.

Jiang Jixue applied light makeup. With her fair skin and delicate features, heavy makeup would appear too intense. Moreover, she wanted to evoke a certain woman’s protective instincts, so she styled herself to resemble a “white moonlight” figure—pure, innocent, and unattainable.

Would Quan Ruo’an still like this look after all these years?

Just as she finished applying a glossy lip gloss, the sound of the keypad unlocking echoed from outside.

Jiang Jixue quickly set down the lip gloss, smoothed her hair, and pushed open the door.

She collided head-on with Quan Ruo’an, who was walking toward her.

Jiang Jixue, caught off guard, stumbled into Quan Ruo’an’s arms, her forehead bumping squarely against his chin.

“Ah!” Jiang Jixue let out a soft, pained cry.

Quan Ruo’an’s hand instinctively reached out to steady her, but he froze mid-air.

“Did you hurt yourself?” Quan Ruo’an asked, his voice softening without him even realizing it.

Jiang Jixue rubbed her forehead and looked up at him with clear, reproachful eyes. “It hurt,” she complained, her tone tinged with grievance.

“Do you have ice at home?” Quan Ruo’an offered. “I can help you rub it.”

Jiang Jixue shook her head. “Never mind. I’m a little hungry. Let’s go eat.”

“Didn’t you eat much for lunch?” Quan Ruo’an asked.

Jiang Jixue shook her head honestly. “I didn’t eat anything.”

I didn’t eat because you left, and I wasn’t in the mood, Jiang Jixue thought to herself.

Quan Ruo’an wanted to say more, to scold her gently, but as he opened his mouth, he suddenly remembered their current situation and status. He swallowed all the words of concern and reproach.

Jiang Jixue, noticing the absence of the words she expected, felt a pang of disappointment.

But as soon as she settled into the passenger seat, that small sense of loss strangely vanished.

Jiang Jixue entered the destination into the GPS. When Quan Ruo’an saw the address, he paused in surprise.

It was a Turkish restaurant they used to frequent together.

Turkish cuisine was known for its generous portions and delicious flavors.

Many couples, it seemed, had a favorite restaurant that served as their exclusive dating spot. But once the relationship ended, they would never set foot in that place again.

This unspoken, universally understood habit seemed to be a given.

Quan Ruo’an felt an indescribable emotion stirring within her.

Whenever she was with Xiao Xue, she could always sense this feeling approaching. From the first moment she lost control, it had taken root in her heart, gradually spreading like a thorny vine, slowly crossing a certain boundary.

It profoundly told her that Xiao Xue was different from everyone else.

She was special to her.

She could accept her transgressions.

Jiang Jixue, completely unaware of this, leaned forward to adjust the car’s screen. As the music started playing, she withdrew her hand, her knuckles accidentally brushing against Quan Ruo’an’s.

The back of Quan Ruo’an’s hand was delicate and cool. Jiang Jixue could feel the thinness of her skin, like stroking the smooth, polished surface of jade.

Jiang Jixue turned to look at her, inadvertently catching Quan Ruo’an staring straight ahead, her expression cold and solemn.

Jiang Jixue couldn’t remember the last time she had seen Quan Ruo’an wear such a solemn expression. Quan Ruo’an only looked this serious when she was deeply troubled or conflicted; otherwise, she was usually witty and easygoing.

Just like years ago, Jiang Jixue’s heart unconsciously quickened, as it always did.

“Don’t you want to listen to music?” Jiang Jixue asked, remembering their current relationship and circumstances. She steadied her voice.

“No.”

“Then why do you look so unhappy? Is it because we’re at the restaurant we used to frequent?”

Quan Ruo’an hesitated for a long moment before finally forcing out, “It’s not because of that.”

Jiang Jixue stared at her profile, lost in thought for a while.

The rest of the drive passed in silence.

At the reserved restaurant, a waiter led them to a window seat. Below, the scenery was breathtaking, illuminated by dazzling lights. The interior was warm and brightly lit, creating a cozy atmosphere.

Quan Ruo’an sat in her familiar spot, facing the person who had once been most familiar to her. But ever since she saw the address on the navigation system, she had suddenly lost her appetite.

Perhaps I’m the only one who cares about these things, she thought.

Their relationship was no longer what it had been, yet they were here, as if trying to relive the past by savoring old flavors.

Who was trapped in place, unwilling to move for so long?

The two of them casually ate a few bites, leaving most of the dishes untouched. Then, as if by unspoken agreement, they put down their chopsticks and began the journey home.

Quan Ruo’an leaned back in the passenger seat, her expression hazy and languid despite not having drunk any alcohol.

While waiting at a red light, Jiang Jixue glanced at her profile, her throat tightening. This face, this person, still made her heart pound. This must be what it means to be restless and infatuated, Jiang Jixue thought.

“Have you looked enough? Want to get closer for a better view?”

The woman, who had been resting with her eyes closed, suddenly opened them, her gaze locking onto Jiang Jixue’s face.

Their eyes met unexpectedly.

The car behind them honked repeatedly, jolting Jiang Jixue back to reality. She frantically stepped on the gas pedal.

Back at home, they shed their coats.

Quan Ruo’an sat on the sofa, looking utterly exhausted. Her eyes were lightly closed, and her smooth black hair cascaded down her shoulder.

Suddenly, a delicate fragrance drifted into her nostrils.

Quan Ruo’an opened her eyes to find Jiang Jixue’s stunningly beautiful face inches from hers. Jiang Jixue leaned closer, her knee pressing between Quan Ruo’an’s thighs, her hands braced on either side of the sofa. Quan Ruo’an could feel the cushions sinking beneath her weight.

Jiang Jixue was like a seductive enchantress lurking in the night, her gaze burning, her warm breath wrapping around Quan Ruo’an like a silken embrace.

“I…” Jiang Jixue’s throat bobbed, and a single word slipped out before she could stop it.

Even though she hadn’t yet decided what to say or how to begin, almost subconsciously, Jiang Jixue reached out and cupped Quan Ruo’an’s face. Closing her eyes, she leaned in and pressed her lips against his, sucking gently.

“Mmm… ah…” A soft moan escaped Quan Ruo’an’s lips.

Hearing this, a surge of heat rose within Jiang Jixue, and she pressed herself almost entirely against Quan Ruo’an’s body. She frantically drew forth memories of their past from him.

Quan Ruo’an’s willingness to reciprocate surprised and moved Jiang Jixue deeply. A wild thought bloomed in her mind: could she, fueled by this current passion, dare to ask for more? Could she finally act on the forbidden desires she had long harbored?

After the kiss, Quan Ruo’an’s lips glowed with a vibrant, glistening sheen from Jiang Jixue’s relentless kisses. She gasped for air, her body limp and half-collapsed against the sofa. Her clear, watery eyes met Jiang Jixue’s equally glistening gaze.

Having shed the shackles of her former identity, Xiao Xue was finally daring to express her desires openly. No longer would she remain silent, wanting but too shy to speak, resorting to feigned indifference and coy resistance, pinning all her hopes on Quan Ruo’an understanding her unspoken longing.