Captive Moon: Redeemed the Wrong Temptress (GL) - Chapter 5

Jiang Yunong’s fingertips brushed against the button, barely exerting any force as she gently flicked it open.

The rain-soaked suit jacket parted halfway, revealing a slightly yellowed shirt clinging to Bai Lan’s skin. The pale fabric seemed to glaze her porcelain-like flesh with a milky sheen. Jiang Yunong could even see the subtle rhythm of Bai Lan’s body—the rise and fall of her chest with each breath, creating an elegant, undulating rhythm.

With another deft movement, Bai Lan unbuttoned another button. This time, Jiang Yunong heard the jacket fall to the floor with a soft thud, a sound that resonated deep within her.

Jiang Yunong’s gaze followed the sound upward, her soul drawn from her body by the sight before her. She saw a white orchid, its heart the blush of a woman’s cheek, its veins the blue of blood. She saw a jade statue of the moon goddess, its proportions exquisitely perfect.

Jiang Yunong couldn’t help but cover her flushed face. Emotion surged outward with each breath. Jiang Yunong’s breathing grew ragged.

Her gaze drifted down, landing precisely where she longed to explore: Bai Lan’s shoulder and neck.

There, two white magnolias bloomed—one large, one small—resembling night-blooming cereus flowers, yet tinged with pink at their edges. One magnolia was vibrant and bold, the other refined and elegant. These contradictory qualities intertwined, each enhancing the other. They made Bai Lan seem like a celestial spring incarnate, beautiful yet untouchable, sacred.

But Bai Lan seemed dissatisfied with this. As if sensing Jiang Yunong’s curiosity, she lifted a finger and slowly raised the hem of her robe. Her fingers crept upward, inch by inch.

In the moment before the revelation, Jiang Yunong’s rationality suddenly pierced her mind like a sharp pain. She gasped. “No, no, no! Stop!”

Bai Lan’s hand froze, suspended mid-air.

Jiang Yunong’s eyes fell on Bai Lan’s abdomen, revealing the faint outline of her mermaid’s tail. It was the first time she had ever observed a woman she admired so closely.

In the past, the most Jiang Yunong had ever seen were photos of beautiful women. She barely dared to look, forcing herself to tear her gaze away from their exposed skin.

“Let go…” Jiang Yunong’s voice was already weak as she tried to stop Bai Lan from teasing her further.

Bai Lan obediently released her, seemingly oblivious to her own allure. She was as docile as a gentle fawn. No matter how her body had matured, her eyes remained perpetually dewy and pure.

How could Jiang Yunong harbor such impure thoughts when those eyes were fixed on her?

Jiang Yunong tossed Bai Lan’s coat back to her. She still covered her face, too afraid to let go. Her cheeks were flushed, and her ears burned. This was utterly mortifying.

“Didn’t you want to look?” Bai Lan slowly put on her coat.

Jiang Yunong watched out of the corner of her eye. Where did this magnolia-like woman come from?

“Xiaoyu, whatever you want, I can make it happen.”

Bai Lan seemed oblivious to the doubt in Jiang Yunong’s eyes. She remained kneeling, leaning forward until her face was almost touching Jiang Yunong’s nose.

“It’s just taking off a little. You haven’t even done anything. Why are you stopping me?”

Paired with her innocent gaze, Jiang Yunong believed she genuinely didn’t understand.

“I’m not…” Jiang Yunong pushed back, nearly toppling over. “I just wanted to see your tattoo.”

The white magnolia tattoo was beautiful. But Jiang Yunong was certain she had never seen it before.

“Ah. Then how about this?” Bai Lan pulled her dress off one shoulder.

“I’ve seen enough,” Jiang Yunong said, her neck flushed. She tilted her head back, refusing to look again. Staring at the ceiling, she suddenly found its white bland and uninteresting.

“Really? The skin around the tattoo feels different. Would Xiaoyu like to touch it?”

Jiang Yunong didn’t realize Bai Lan was simply trying to prove her worth. Since Jiang Yunong had spent so much on her, she felt she needed to do something to make it worth her while.

“But… you have another one on your wrist, don’t you?” Jiang Yunong couldn’t resist such an alluring invitation. But she still had her pride, so she settled for the next best thing.

Bai Lan extended her hand.

Jiang Yunong carefully touched the tattooed area on her wrist, as if handling delicate porcelain. Bai Lan’s hand was cold, like a moon carved from ice.

Jiang Yunong examined it closely. Though she only felt a subtle difference in texture, the brief contact was enough to make her blush crimson, speechless. She forgot to withdraw her hand, sitting there frozen in place.

Bai Lan blinked slowly, as if the two of them had slowed time itself.

Then the balcony wind swept through, and Jiang Yunong heard Tangyuan’s squeaks. She suddenly pulled her hand away.

“I… I need to go to work. You can use the bathroom. As for clothes… I’ll find you something new, then I really have to go.”

Jiang Yunong felt unbearably hot. Surprisingly, she felt no signs of a cold today, just a headache and stomachache.

“I’ll be here, waiting patiently for Xiaoyu to come home,” Bai Lan said, still kneeling in the same spot.

Even with only her eyes visible through her wet hair, she looked like a pitiful little rabbit drenched in the rain.

“I’ll try to be back as soon as possible. There’s food in the fridge—snacks and everything—feel free to eat whatever you want. Just make yourself at home.”

Jiang Yunong rummaged through the closet and found a set of winter pajamas she’d prepared for herself earlier. They were perfect for today’s weather.

“Okay,” Bai Lan replied.

It seemed Bai Lan only ever said “okay” to whatever Jiang Yunong said.

Jiang Yunong handed Bai Lan the pajamas. “Don’t be so stiff. We’re going to be living together from now on. Smile for me?”

With that, she flashed a warm, friendly smile. The smile was like a lamp—dazzlingly bright and so warm it drew you in irresistibly.

“Is that so?” Bai Lan looked up again, a faint smile playing on her lips.

“You look so cute when you smile,” Jiang Yunong couldn’t resist ruffling Bai Lan’s hair. “You should smile more often.”

Maybe this isn’t a lamp; it’s the scorching sun, Bai Lan thought, jolting. Why else would I feel like I can’t open my eyes and feel so hot?

“Oh, right! The two little ones on the balcony are my pets. I’ve already replaced everything they need for today. Just don’t let them escape, okay?” Jiang Yunong reminded her before leaving. “See you tonight, Bai Lan-jie.”

Bai Lan waved goodbye, watching quietly as Jiang Yunong stepped into the elevator.

As soon as the door closed behind her, Bai Lan collapsed. Clutching her head, she wasn’t surprised she had a fever.

Fighting the dizziness, she struggled to crawl toward the bathroom.

Jiang Yunong arrived at work right on time. She scurried in, keeping her head down, and finally slipped into her cubicle. Just as she was putting her things down, Team Leader Yan stormed into the office.

“Jiang Yunong, you’re late,” Team Leader Yan snapped, her face twisted into a venomous scowl.

“Team Leader Yan, I clocked in at 8:58,” Jiang Yunong managed to say, fighting her nausea.

“Our team meeting starts at 9:00. You weren’t there. What else would you call it but tardiness?”

While Jiang Yunong had indeed clocked in on time, it was now 9:03, and as Team Leader Yan pointed out, she had missed the team meeting.

“Two hundred points deducted from your performance review,” Team Leader Yan declared, marking it down without another word.

Sweat beaded on Jiang Yunong’s forehead. Her mouth hung open, but she couldn’t utter a word.

“Come to the team meeting,” Team Leader Yan snapped, turning on her heel and striding away. As if punishing Jiang Yunong was nothing more than a trivial matter.

Jiang Yunong didn’t even have time for a sip of water before grabbing her laptop and hurrying into the meeting room. Inside, only one seat remained. Without even glancing at her neighbor, Jiang Yunong had no choice but to take it.

“Late again,” a voice rasped, thick with the scent of cigarettes. Jiang Yunong felt a sudden chill, her gaze hardening.

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