Being Raised in Captivity by the Former Canary - Chapter 8

Five years ago marked Jiang Jixue’s second year as Quan Ruo’an’s Golden Canary.

For most of that year, Jiang Jixue was in a constant state of self-erosion, followed by fragmented reconstruction.

The truth of whether she had fallen in love with Quan Ruo’an.

R City, late spring.

Jiang Jixue, a third-year university student with no classes that day, and Quan Ruo’an, who had just returned from a business trip, decided to spend a few days relaxing at the villa in the suburbs.

Since they usually met at the apartment outside campus, they rarely came here, so Jiang Jixue hadn’t brought many clothes.

Moreover… Quan Ruo’an’s temper had been unusually irritable those days, intensifying her desires. Jiang Jixue had to change her undergarments two or three times a day.

When Quan Ruo’an was agitated, she craved stimulation, while Jiang Jixue was both highly sensitive and easily teased.

The few clothes Jiang Jixue had brought were quickly used up.

Emerging from the bathroom, Jiang Jixue found Quan Ruo’an sitting at the kitchen island, her eyes lowered as she looked at something on an iPad.

“Get ready in twenty minutes. We’re going out for Japanese food later,” Quan Ruo’an ordered coldly, her gaze fixed on the screen without even a glance up. She then returned to her task with focused indifference.

Jiang Jixue stood behind her, clutching the bath towel, feeling utterly helpless.

The entire house was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. After a long moment, Jiang Jixue, clutching the edge of her bath towel, spoke softly.

“Elder Sister… I don’t have any clothes to wear.”

“What happened to the clothes you brought?” Quan Ruo’an asked.

“…They all got wet.”

Hearing the distinct tremor in Jiang Jixue’s voice behind her, Quan Ruo’an suppressed the irritation that flickered between her brows.

The sound of the uncased iPad landing on the marble island countertop was particularly crisp.

Quan Ruo’an stood up and walked toward the master bedroom without looking back.

Knowing her intention, Jiang Jixue followed.

This was Jiang Jixue’s first time entering Quan Ruo’an’s walk-in closet. The intimate space revealed the owner’s refined taste. The clothes in the wooden display cabinets were dazzlingly diverse, yet meticulously organized.

Bags and accessories were arranged in a separate area, while garments were divided into long and short sections, all featuring the season’s most fashionable and trendy styles.

Quan Ruo’an leaned lazily against one of the cabinets, nodding toward the little Golden Canary still wrapped in a bath towel. “Pick whatever you like.”

Jiang Jixue had to simultaneously hold the towel in place to avoid exposing herself while carefully selecting a matching outfit from the fragrant garments.

“Towel off.”

Jiang Jixue was earnestly choosing appropriate attire when the sudden command startled her.

Jiang Jixue froze for a moment, then obediently removed the bath towel. She moved neither too slowly nor too hastily. As soon as the towel slipped off, the person behind her reached out and took the damp towel from her.

“Elder Sister… underwear.”

Quan Ruo’an’s gaze traced the girl’s smooth, flowing spine. Her eyes thoughtful, she slowly replied, “The bottom left corner, first and second drawers, are clean and new. You can wear those.”

Jiang Jixue bent down to pull open the drawers.

Her movements unconsciously slowed.

Feeling the naked gaze on her back made her bl00d boil with excitement. Her mind went dizzy, and strange thoughts flooded her consciousness.

Would Elder Sister want to… here too?

Before the thought could fully form, her hand moved faster. Jiang Jixue grabbed a set of underwear and began to put it on.

There was no time to act on the fantasies that always drifted unbidden into her mind.

“If someone is covered head to toe in luxury brand logos, they’ll look like a nouveau riche,” Quan Ruo’an suddenly remarked, pulling a garment from the rack. “Try this on.”

Quan Ruo’an handed Jiang Jixue a plain, unbranded shirt.

Jiang Jixue obediently took it and put it on.

The rest of the outfit was also personally selected by Quan Ruo’an, down to the pair of earrings.

As Jiang Jixue fastened her wristwatch, she caught her elder sister’s satisfied expression in the full-length mirror.

Now dressed entirely in Quan Ruo’an’s clothes, Jiang Jixue felt completely transformed, like a bird adorned with vibrant plumage, perched on a high branch, exuding an air of refined elegance and aristocratic grace.

Quan Ruo’an’s gaze lingered on her, as if admiring a doll she had meticulously dressed herself.

Perhaps it was because Jiang Jixue was her possession that Quan Ruo’an felt a sense of accomplishment in making her look so beautiful.

Jiang Jixue absorbed every detail, strangely imprinting Quan Ruo’an’s expression and words from that day deep within her heart.

The Japanese restaurant was located in the bustling city center, requiring a half-hour drive.

The two had barely settled into their private room when Quan Ruo’an’s phone lit up on the table. She glanced at it and left without a word.

The door closed, sealing out the noise of the outside world. Jiang Jixue could only sit at the table and wait for her.

After a while, Quan Ruo’an returned, but this time she was accompanied by a woman.

An exceptionally beautiful woman.

The woman had long, flowing chestnut-colored hair in loose waves. She wore a high-waisted white crop top with cutout stripes, and her eyelashes fluttered like the wings of a dark insect under the warm lighting.

“Oh, Rowan, you didn’t mention there would be someone else?”

Quan Ruo’an smirked. She had been sitting across from Jiang Jixue, but now, seemingly to make room for the woman, she moved to sit beside Jiang Jixue.

The woman naturally took the seat opposite them.

Soon, a waiter entered to add another set of silverware.

“Let me introduce you. This is Hara,” Quan Ruo’an said, adding casually, “We just ran into each other outside.”

“Rowan, your new girlfriend?” Hara’s gaze lingered on Jiang Jixue’s face.

Quan Ruo’an didn’t flinch, quickly denying it. “No. A distant cousin. She’s studying in R City and brought her little niece here for a treat this weekend.”

As her airtight explanation reached Jiang Jixue’s ears, a sharp pain twisted in her heart.

Though she knew perfectly well that she was merely her elder sister’s pet Golden Canary—Golden Canaries shouldn’t have feelings, and they were never meant to be brought out into the open—hearing her sister deny their relationship with her own lips still stung deeply.

“What’s your name, little sister?”

Before she could dwell on her hurt, Jiang Jixue composed herself, politely curving her lips into a smile as she replied to Hara, “Eira.”

Quan Ruo’an chuckled from the side, “How come I’ve never heard Xiao Xue has an English name?”

Feeling Quan Ruo’an’s gaze lingering on her face, Jiang Jixue awkwardly turned away, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “It’s a name I had as a child. I’ve just kept using it.”

Hara glanced at Quan Ruo’an before continuing, “This is our little group’s treasured sushi spot. We usually don’t bring new friends here. When I saw Rowan with someone, I didn’t even dare approach them to confirm.”

Hara was about to elaborate further, but Quan Ruo’an cut her off, gesturing with his chin toward the tuna sashimi in front of her. “Your tuna sashimi. Eat it and talk less.”

“Oh, is it wrong to want to chat with you after so long? Or would you prefer we get a room alone after I take your sister home?” Hara’s last question was probing. Quan Ruo’an’s face remained impassive as he flatly refused with an overly curt “No.”

The two continued their desultory conversation, the surrounding voices fading into a noisy, indistinct hum.

“What are you daydreaming about?” Quan Ruo’an’s low voice murmured in her ear.

A piece of sashimi appeared on her plate. Jiang Jixue looked up to meet Quan Ruo’an’s concerned gaze and his handsome, gentle features.

“Nothing,” Jiang Jixue murmured, lowering her head to savor the sashimi he had personally placed on her plate.

It was icy cold, rich, tender, and melted in her mouth. Yet as she chewed, she couldn’t taste anything at all.

When they finished, Quan Ruo’an told Jiang Jixue to wait in the car while he spoke with Hara.

Jiang Jixue sat in the passenger seat, her hand hovering over the seatbelt before releasing it. She smiled at him. “I’ll wait here for you, Elder Sister.”

In the darkness, Quan Ruo’an’s eyes gleamed like pools of liquid ink. Standing outside the car door, she leaned down slightly and gazed at Jiang Jixue, saying softly, “Be good.” Then she crossed the street with Hara.

As soon as they settled into a quiet bar across the street, Quan Ruo’an said, “What else do you want to say? Five minutes. There’s someone waiting in the car.”

“Why the rush?” Hara leaned in, offering a glass of wine to Quan Ruo’an’s lips.

“I just don’t like making people wait too long.” Quan Ruo’an turned her face away with a cold laugh, slapping away the hand reaching for her.

“Not drinking?” Hara lowered her gaze, withdrawing her hand and taking a sip herself.

Quan Ruo’an: “Didn’t you see I drove here?”

“Is she really your sister?”

Quan Ruo’an remained silent.

Hara’s long nails hooked under Quan Ruo’an’s chin again. “Why won’t you admit it? Are you afraid of… hurting her? Or is this just your usual style—flirting without committing?”

“You’re overthinking things.” Quan Ruo’an’s expression was cold, tinged with irritation.

She didn’t want to tell anyone she had started playing the sugar daddy game herself.

“You don’t bring just anyone to Food Market.”

“It’s just a place to eat,” Quan Ruo’an said, rising to face Hara. “Do I need to vet my dining companions? Let’s just leave it at that. Your tongue is getting sharper by the day. Some things are better kept between close friends. Don’t say such things in front of outsiders—it makes it sound like we have some history.”

“Ha ha ha!” Hara’s laughter rang out. Her gaze casually flicked to a spot behind Quan Ruo’an. When she recognized the person approaching, she exclaimed in surprise, “Oh, your sister’s here!”

Quan Ruo’an turned around.

Jiang Jixue stood behind them, her expression somewhat dazed.

Jiang Jixue’s youthful, student-like demeanor seemed out of place in the dimly lit, intimate atmosphere. Her brow furrowed slightly, her clear eyes betraying a hint of confusion.

Caught eavesdropping, Jiang Jixue met Quan Ruo’an’s scrutinizing gaze. Her voice trembled as she hurried forward, explaining anxiously, “Elder Sister… I came to bring you an umbrella. It’s raining outside.”

Quan Ruo’an’s gaze followed her words downward, confirming the long umbrella in her hand. “I was just about to leave anyway,” she said flatly, her tone revealing neither pleasure nor displeasure.

Jiang Jixue’s heart pounded in her chest.

She couldn’t tell if her elder sister was truly angry. After a polite nod to Hara, Jiang Jixue immediately followed Quan Ruo’an’s brisk steps as they walked outside together.

Jiang Jixue held up the umbrella for Quan Ruo’an. The large black umbrella enveloped them both, shielding them from the dense, fine rain that fell against the dark sky.

Quan Ruo’an’s gaze fell on the car logo on the umbrella handle, instantly recognizing where Jiang Jixue had gotten it. “Do you think I couldn’t have gotten an umbrella myself?” she suddenly asked.

“N-no. I didn’t think that far ahead. I just didn’t want you to get wet, Elder Sister…”

Quan Ruo’an let out a soft scoff. “How clever of you.”

They reached the car, and Quan Ruo’an folded the umbrella and got in. She didn’t start the engine immediately, and Jiang Jixue didn’t dare ask why.

Thin beaded curtains cascaded down the car windows, streams of raindrops merging into rivulets that constantly shifted across the glass.

Jiang Jixue turned her head away, her mind easily wandering in the confined space.

Quan Ruo’an’s two sentences kept churning in her heart, grinding against her emotions until they felt like they’d been pierced through a thousand times.

One sentence was, “Not my girlfriend.”

The other was, “Not in front of outsiders.”

Though these were facts, their stark clarity made her suddenly realize that she had unknowingly fallen in love with her Gold Master long ago.

She had personally driven herself into a no-win situation.

Now she could only survive in the narrow space between love and indifference, seizing fleeting moments to acknowledge and confront her true feelings.