Being Raised in Captivity by the Former Canary - Chapter 24

Working together, the two were indeed much faster, with clear divisions of labor and each leveraging their strengths. What would have taken several days was completed in half the time.

 

As they rested at the bar, Yue Tingqin handed Jiang Jixue a drink.

 

“For you, Master Jiang. You’ve worked hard too.”

 

Jiang Jixue took the glass and sipped it lightly.

 

She turned to Yue Tingqin. “Sister Han wants me to ask if you’d consider staying on as a bartender.”

 

Yue Tingqin was taken aback. “Ha ha ha, she must be joking! I only know the basics.”

 

Jiang Jixue smiled, pressed her lips together, and took another few sips.

 

“Jixue, I remember your birthday is coming up,” Yue Tingqin suddenly said.

 

“Eh? How did you know?”

 

“I’m on the student council. I have access to your information.”

 

Jiang Jixue didn’t think much of it; after all, they were roommates, so it wasn’t strange for him to pay attention to such details.

 

During the silence, Yue Tingqin asked again, “Do you have any plans for your birthday?”

 

Even if she didn’t, Jiang Jixue casually replied, “I’m celebrating with my elder sister.”

 

“Elder Sister?” Yue Tingqin repeated the words, his voice filled with suspicion.

 

Jiang Jixue finally realized her mistake and quickly corrected herself. “Um, my girlfriend…”

 

Every time she referred to Quan Ruo’an as her girlfriend, she felt a pang of guilt and a flicker of self-disgust at her own shamelessness.

 

Yue Tingqin’s eyes darkened slightly, but he smiled and said, “Lesbians do sometimes call their partners ‘Elder Sister.'”

 

“Lesbian? That’s such a formal and old-fashioned term,” Jiang Jixue remarked casually.

 

She couldn’t stand hearing words like “partner” or “girlfriend”—they burned her ears.

 

And she felt deeply unworthy of such labels.

 

Of course, she couldn’t reveal these feelings of inadequacy; they had to remain hidden within herself.

 

“So, will you be at school on your birthday?”

 

“Of course! We still have half a day of classes, right?”

 

Even though it was a large, easy lecture, Jiang Jixue never skipped class or asked someone to cover for her.

 

“Right,” Yue Tingqin said. “I’ve prepared a birthday gift for you. You absolutely have to come!”

 

Jiang Jixue was slightly surprised by Yue Tingqin’s actions. “Tingqin, I didn’t even know when your birthday was.”

 

Unable to ask directly, she opted for a more subtle approach.

 

“I was born on January 1st. It’s already passed,” Yue Tingqin replied. “But I’m looking forward to receiving a gift from you next year.”

 

“…Okay, definitely,” Jiang Jixue said, already pulling out her phone to add the date to Yue Tingqin’s contact entry.

 

Yue Tingqin watched her actions, a smile spreading across her face.

 

She didn’t need a reminder to remember Jiang Jixue’s birthday—she even knew the lunar date.

 

After four days of painting at the bar, the mural was finally completed by 7 PM. She had spent half the day at school and the other half at the bar.

 

Today also happened to be her twenty-second birthday.

 

Jiang Jixue’s earlier claim about “spending it with her girlfriend” had fallen apart on its own.

 

Sister Han, knowing it was her birthday, had the kitchen prepare a bowl of longevity noodles. At 7 PM, as everyone sat preparing for the evening, Jiang Jixue and Yue Tingqin sat at the bar, drinking one glass after another. The two bartenders had already become quite familiar with them.

 

“Sister Han said it’s your birthday today, so she told us to go all out for you,” one of the female bartenders said.

 

Jiang Jixue smiled at them. “Then I really owe Sister Han my thanks.”

 

The bartender added, “But Sister Han also instructed us not to let you get too drunk, so we’ve mostly chosen low-alcohol drinks for you.”

 

“Don’t worry, I have a high tolerance. I don’t get drunk easily.”

 

“We can tell.”

 

The bartenders chatted with them briefly before moving on to other tasks.

 

Yue Tingqin tilted his glass. “Happy birthday.”

 

Jiang Jixue murmured a “Thank you” and clinked glasses with him, taking a sip.

 

Yue Tingqin’s gift to her was a painting—a half-portrait of her.

 

Receiving a half-portrait painted by a classmate from the same major evoked indescribable emotions. Part of it was gratitude, but there was also admiration and joy.

 

Overall, she was deeply moved.

 

“Tingqin, why did you want to give me a painting?” As they sat on the high stools, Jiang Jixue’s toes began to swing.

 

“Giving a ready-made gift felt impersonal. I personally prefer handmade things—pottery, clay sculptures, carved seals, and of course, paintings.”

 

Hearing her words, Jiang Jixue felt a pang of emotion, thinking of someone. Her elder sister always gave her luxury brands, perhaps because busy people like them didn’t appreciate such things.

 

Jiang Jixue suppressed her fleeting disappointment and turned to look at Yue Tingqin’s profile. “Are you an INFJ?”

 

Yue Tingqin’s smile deepened. “Is it that obvious? Then I’ll guess you’re an INFP.”

 

“No, you’re wrong. I’m actually an INTP,” Jiang Jixue corrected him.

 

Lazy and reassuring.

 

Before they knew it, it was past nine o’clock at the bar. Since Jiang Jixue had fallen asleep, Sister Han asked Yue Tingqin to help her to the office in the back.

 

After Yue Tingqin helped her inside, he didn’t leave. He sat on the office sofa, sipping cup after cup of chrysanthemum and wolfberry tea.

 

She quietly took off her coat and draped it over the sleeping woman. Jiang Jixue’s breathing was steady, her cheeks flushed pink, half her face hidden by strands of hair.

 

Yue Tingqin sat beside her, gazing down at her for an unknown length of time.

 

Meanwhile, Ruo Shui had already arranged a booth and was leading the group to their reserved seats.

 

Perhaps because it was where she first met Miss Jiang, Sister Quan always showed a particular fondness for this place, having visited several times now.

 

Ruo Shui understood some of the reasons behind this preference and knew Quan Ruo’an’s habits well, so she always reserved the same seats they had occupied during their first visit.

 

Sister Han, greeting the staff, followed Quan Ruo’an’s group and struck up a conversation. “Miss Quan, did you see that wall? It was painted by the student you wanted to contact last time. Did she agree to paint for you?”

 

Sister Han had no idea whether Jiang Jixue had accepted Quan Ruo’an’s offer. She never considered the possibility of a patronage arrangement, assuming it was simply a matter of the boss admiring the student’s talent and wanting to commission a painting.

 

“She painted this wall too?” Quan Ruo’an’s gaze fell on the vibrant, colorful mural, completely ignoring Sister Han’s question about her personal affairs.

 

“Yes, it was just finished a few hours ago. She brought her classmate this time, and the two of them worked much faster. Her classmate is quite skilled too. Would you like me to…” Sister Han genuinely believed her boss wanted to hire student artists for a commission and was eagerly trying to recommend them.

 

Quan Ruo’an narrowed his eyes and turned to Ruo Shui. “Did you tell her?”

 

Ruo Shui quickly replied, “I told Sister Quan you’d be back by eleven and asked Miss Jiang not to rest yet.”

 

She paused, then added, “But she didn’t answer the call, so I sent a message. I haven’t received a reply from Miss Jiang yet.”

 

Ruo Shui whispered this into Quan Ruo’an’s ear. Quan Ruo’an turned to Sister Han. “Is she still at the bar?”

 

“Do you mean Xiao Jiang or her classmate?” Sister Han asked, then answered herself before Quan Ruo’an could reply. “They’re both resting in the back tea room right now.”

 

“Where’s the tea room? Boss Han, would you mind showing me? I have something I’d like to discuss with her classmate.” Quan Ruo’an’s smile was polite and generous, projecting the image of a refined, wealthy, and kind-hearted person.

 

“…Ah, sure,” Sister Han agreed without hesitation.

 

Her office doubled as a tea room, serving as a space for rest, work, and receiving guests.

 

Quan Ruo’an excused himself from the group and followed Sister Han alone to the tea room at the back.

 

Just as they reached the door, it swung open from inside.

 

Quan Ruo’an and Yue Tingqin locked eyes.

 

They both saw a flicker of surprise on each other’s faces.

 

“Miss Quan, this is Xiao Jiang’s classmate,” Sister Han said, stepping forward to introduce them.

 

Yue Tingqin nodded politely to Quan Ruo’an, then, without waiting for a response, turned to Sister Han and said, “Boss Han, I’m going to the restroom.”

 

With that, she brushed past them and left.

 

Quan Ruo’an’s expression remained impassive, her dark hair cascading down her back. In the dim light, her sharp profile and striking features radiated an inexplicable chill.

 

Sister Han pulled the door wide open. “Miss Quan, please come in.”

 

“Thank you,” Quan Ruo’an said with a nod, taking the empty seat next to Jiang Jixue without hesitation.

 

Feeling the lingering warmth of the previous occupant in the seat beside Jiang Jixue, Quan Ruo’an made no attempt to hide her disgust. She stood up in front of Sister Han and moved to sit on Jiang Jixue’s other side, deliberately tossing Yue Tingqin’s jacket aside. “I don’t want it to get wrinkled,” she said pointedly.

 

Sister Han: ???

 

“How much did she drink?” Quan Ruo’an asked, her gaze falling on Jiang Jixue’s peacefully sleeping face.

 

“It’s Xiao Jiang’s birthday today, so I let her have a few drinks. But they were all low-alcohol cocktails mixed by the bartender.”

 

Quan Ruo’an raised her eyelids. “Is there any hangover soup?”

 

Sister Han immediately understood her meaning and stood up. “I’ll have the kitchen make some.”

 

“Mm.”

 

As Sister Han left, she closed the door behind her, leaving the two women alone in the sealed room.

 

Quan Ruo’an’s gaze deepened. She reached out and gently brushed a stray strand of hair from Jiang Jixue’s face with her index finger.

 

Jiang Jixue nuzzled against her finger. “Mmm~ Elder Sister…”

 

Quan Ruo’an’s finger froze.

 

Even with her eyes closed, Jiang Jixue managed to grab Quan Ruo’an’s suit sleeve. The cool, smooth fabric felt comforting against her cheek.

 

Watching the woman lean against her arm, Quan Ruo’an unconsciously curled the corners of her lips into a smile. Yet the warmth in her eyes, juxtaposed with her cold, stern expression, revealed a hint of eerie darkness.

 

“Xiao Xue, let go,” Quan Ruo’an said, her voice so low it was impossible to discern her emotions.

 

Jiang Jixue shifted upward, pressing her entire face against Quan Ruo’an’s leg.

 

“Elder Sister…”

 

The familiar scent of perfume made her feel as if she could embrace Quan Ruo’an even in her dreams.

 

Quan Ruo’an’s face remained expressionless. She withdrew her fingers from Jiang Jixue’s hair and began stroking her cheek instead. Meanwhile, Jiang Jixue’s hand, hidden within her sleeve, clenched tighter and tighter, loosening a cufflink that the woman, even in her sleep, managed to “cause trouble” with, now clutched in her palm.

 

“Xiao Xue, be good,” Quan Ruo’an’s voice was like an enchanting spell, both awakening and mesmerizing.

 

At this moment, the magic was meant to awaken.

 

Jiang Jixue’s eyes fluttered open, her vision blurry. She saw a pair of smiling eyes gazing down at her.

 

It really is Elder Sister…

 

Jiang Jixue’s mind froze for a few seconds before she realized this was real. She immediately bolted upright in panic, staring in shock at the woman who had inexplicably “fallen from the sky” beside her.

 

“Elder Sister?”

 

Quan Ruo’an’s face remained expressionless, her demeanor nonchalant as she murmured a casual “Mhm.”

 

As she responded, her eyebrows arched slightly, but a cold smile flickered in her eyes.