Captive Moon: Redeemed the Wrong Temptress (GL) - Chapter 7

What had Bai Lan eaten or drunk? She was ill, and this kiss should have tasted bitter.

Jiang Yunong’s mouth was forced open, and something soft slipped inside. The candy’s sweetness amplified and spread through her mouth.

Jiang Yunong struggled slightly, her hands and feet pressing against the foot of the bed, nearly trapped by Bai Lan.

Bai Lan’s kisses were chaotic and clumsy, lacking any technique. She only knew to brush her lips against Jiang Yunong’s, then lick the upper lip’s curve with her tongue.

After a long while, when Jiang Yunong had grown accustomed to the peculiar sweetness and the intense yet tender kiss, her hands rested on Bai Lan’s waist, her toes curled tightly against the floor, trembling slightly. She realized Bai Lan might simply be seeking a little water.

They kissed until Bai Lan’s strength gave out. The moment their lips parted, the feverish woman collapsed like a kite with a severed string, falling limply into Jiang Yunong’s arms. Tears clung to her lashes, and her lips glistened with moisture.

Every spot Jiang Yunong had caressed was flushed crimson, like an overripe peach.

Jiang Yunong heard her own heart pounding faster and faster. The frantic rhythm drowned out her thoughts, leaving her no choice but to hold Bai Lan close.

After what felt like an eternity, Jiang Yunong noticed Bai Lan’s still-rapid breathing. Her awareness snapped back into focus.

“Do you have a fever?” she asked, futilely reaching for Bai Lan’s forehead.

“How have you been feeling today? Tsk, it’s my fault for not noticing you were sick,” Jiang Yunong said, flustered as she carried Bai Lan to the bed.

The moment she laid Bai Lan down, Jiang Yunong caught the lingering scent of bath gel clinging to her skin. The feverish heat intensified the fragrance, making it almost overwhelming. Jiang Yunong’s fingers recoiled sharply, and she abruptly pulled away from Bai Lan.

If I stay in this position any longer…

Jiang Yunong pressed her temples. She knew exactly why she had kept Bai Lan around. The sudden surge of kindness and conscience were merely superficial excuses. As a lesbian, she had simply felt an unspeakable desire for this mature and beautiful woman.

And Bai Lan was so obedient. Obedient like a lamb fallen before a hunter, ready to be slaughtered.

Bai Lan now lay on the bed, her breathing ragged, her face flushed crimson. Strands of hair, still damp from the shower, clung to her skin.

Jiang Yunong didn’t dare look back, not even for a second.

“The common medicines are in the blue box on the bookshelf in the study. It’s easy to spot. I’ll get you a fever-reducing powder first.”

Jiang Yunong forced herself to calm down from her earlier panic. Because she didn’t turn around, she didn’t see the tears at the corners of Bai Lan’s eyes.

By the time Jiang Yunong stumbled back to the bedroom with a pile of bottles and jars, Bai Lan was covering her face, sobbing softly.

“Ah… what’s wrong?” Jiang Yunong set the items on the bedside table and quickly helped Bai Lan sit up.

Bai Lan leaned into Jiang Yunong’s arms, instantly feeling more at ease. She gripped Jiang Yunong’s shirt, pressing her head gently against her chest. “Don’t leave me.”

Jiang Yunong looked into Bai Lan’s tear-streaked eyes, her heart clenching with pain. “I won’t leave. I just need to go to work.”

In truth, she didn’t understand why she felt this pain. To her, Bai Lan was still a stranger she had shared a single night with. How could a few tears cause such a sharp pain in her chest?

“Mmm,” Bai Lan murmured, snuggling back into Jiang Yunong’s arms.

“What medicine should I take?”

Bai Lan sat up from Jiang Yunong’s embrace.

Jiang Yunong lined up the medicines and explained their use: “Take this one after the water boils, then wait half an hour before taking this one. I’ll go get a fever patch from the freezer right away.”

Bai Lan nodded like a confused child. “If you feel unwell in the future, just text me. You can choose any medicine from the blue box to take first. Water and fever patches are also available,” Jiang Yunong said, patting Bai Lan’s head.

The fluffy head tilted gently with Jiang Yunong’s touch.

“Don’t wait so long to take medicine next time. Honestly, why were you sitting on the floor? You’d already changed your clothes—why not just sleep in bed?”

As Jiang Yunong stirred the medicine, she scolded Bai Lan.

“It’s your stuff. I can’t touch it without your permission,” Bai Lan replied honestly.

Jiang Yunong sighed helplessly. “I’m giving you full permission now. From now on, treat this place like your own home. Eat whatever you want, do whatever you want, sleep wherever you want. Understand?”

Bai Lan looked confused.

“Give me your contact information. If you’re ever unsure about something, just text me.” Jiang Yunong brought the lukewarm medicine to Bai Lan’s lips.

Bai Lan sipped it slowly. Jiang Yunong then placed a fever patch on her forehead.

“Have you eaten anything?”

Bai Lan watched Jiang Yunong take the bowl from her hand. At the question, her eyes flickered.

Jiang Yunong let out a sharp exhale through her nose.

Bai Lan lowered her head silently. “No.”

“Well, I added some food to your pet’s bowl. It’s right there. It looked like it was starving, scratching at its cage.”

“Tangyuan? The big rat lying on the floor?”

Bai Lan nodded, her eyes still shining with anticipation.

Jiang Yunong was stunned for a moment. Was Bai Lan trying to take credit?

Jiang Yunong pressed her fingers to her temples, utterly exasperated. Raising a person was far more troublesome than raising a pet. The young woman she had brought home just sat obediently in place, slowly making herself sick.

“You’ll understand after staying here a while longer,” Jiang Yunong said, leading Bai Lan toward the balcony. “Tangyuan is a bottomless pit.”

“When did you add food, and how much?”

Bai Lan pursed her lips but answered honestly, “Three o’clock this afternoon. I filled it up.”

Jiang Yunong stared at Tangyuan, who was lying contentedly in her cage, belly up, completely full. She was speechless.

“You’re such a glutton,” she said, poking Tangyuan’s belly. The little creature immediately struggled violently.

“From now on, feed her at five o’clock. Two meals a day max, and filling the bowl is fine, but absolutely no more than that.”

Jiang Yunong was adamant about not feeding Tangyuan again. Tangyuan gazed up at Jiang Yunong with the same innocent, wide eyes as Bai Lan.

“But won’t it be hungry with only two meals a day?” Bai Lan asked.

“Sigh, do you think it got this fat by accident?” Jiang Yunong had been through this routine before.

She poured some food for the parrot. “This is Mango. He’s very smart and can say a lot of words. But generally, you should ignore him.”

“He keeps telling me to feed Tangyuan.”

“Exactly. That’s what I mean by ignoring him. He’s just a mischievous parrot who enjoys watching me scold Tangyuan.”

No sooner had they finished speaking than Mango flapped his wings, unable to contain himself. “Wrong! Wrong!”

“Hungry, woman! Food!” Mango hopped around in his cage, speaking more clearly than a child.

“Didn’t I just give you some? Here, eat it yourself. We’re going to have dinner now.”

Jiang Yunong addressed Mango in Cantonese, her voice full of energy. “Oh, food, oh—” Mango finally hopped over to peck at the treat.

Just as the two women were about to leave the balcony, it started hopping again. “Woman, Luo Yunjian.”

Bai Lan remembered that name.

Jiang Yunong froze for a moment. Then she reminded herself that parrots don’t understand breakups.

Sighing, she planted her hands on her hips and shouted, “She’s not Luo Yunjian! Her name is Bai Lan! Get it right!”

Mango tilted its head, studying Bai Lan. The parrot didn’t recognize this woman. “Luo Yunjian is Luo Yunjian.”

Jiang Yunong was about to lose her temper. “Bai Lan! She’s Bai Lan! If you get it wrong tomorrow, no more treats for you!”

“Bad woman! Bad!” Mango squawked furiously.

As they stepped off the balcony, Bai Lan burst into laughter.

“They’re so funny,” she said. During her feverish day, she’d spent most of her time observing the two little creatures.

“Yeah. After a long day at work, arguing with Mango and watching Tangyuan fly around the apartment helps me unwind.”

Jiang Yunong was an orphan who had been living alone since she was very young. Without the companionship of her pets, she doubted she would have made it through middle school.

Bai Lan watched Tangyuan fly around the room. The chinchilla’s leaping ability was astonishing.

“So cute,” Bai Lan murmured, watching the fluffy white creature. Her pain seemed to fade a little.

Jiang Yunong picked up Tangyuan. “You can pet her, even hold her. Just be careful—she might drop chocolate pellets.”

Bai Lan gently stroked Tangyuan’s face.

“By the way, why does Mango keep calling you ‘woman, woman’?” Bai Lan asked casually.

As soon as the words left her mouth, she looked up and saw Jiang Yunong’s expression darken. She realized she’d asked the wrong question.

“I’m sorry…”

“Ah, it’s nothing. Don’t worry about it,” Jiang Yunong replied, regaining her composure and forcing a small smile. “It’s just something my ex used to say.”

Now, the only one who still called her that was the parrot Luo Yunjian had corrupted.

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