Captive Moon: Redeemed the Wrong Temptress (GL) - Chapter 9

“How did you climb to that position?”

“What did you do to the old madam? You’re the only one with access to her diet!”

“I’m so disappointed in you. How could you make such a judgment?”

The relentless stream of words, devoid of logic or meaning, yet brimming with fury and malice, crashed over Bai Lan’s consciousness like a tidal wave.

The moment she was knocked down, Bai Lan felt an icy desolation engulf her. Before her stretched only boundless darkness. She felt as if she were floating in the vacuum of space, the crushing pressure threatening to suffocate her.

The temperature plummeted to freezing, and a sudden shiver jolted her senses awake. Cold sweat seeped from her back.

Clenching her fists, Bai Lan forced herself to focus on the stir-fry in the pan. The flickering flames singed Bai Lan’s eyelids, and the unfamiliar voices dissolved in the pain.

She exhaled slowly, her movements still mechanical, and used the spatula to poke at the largest piece of meat.

Only after transferring the stir-fry back to the plate did Bai Lan finally shake off the suffocating weight that had left her speechless.

“Sister, are you alright?” Jiang Yunong finally noticed the sweat beading on Bai Lan’s forehead.

Bai Lan turned her head, panting, strands of hair clinging to her face like she’d just finished exercising.

“I told you I should have done this. You’re still recovering,” Jiang Yunong said, picking up a tissue to wipe away Bai Lan’s sweat.

Bai Lan realized how much she had lost control of herself. The kind-hearted girl before her showed no hint of blame, only concern.

Bai Lan’s heartstrings tightened as Jiang Yunong’s hand drew closer. Another bead of sweat slid down her temple. She couldn’t help but close her eyes, obediently leaning forward to offer her face to Jiang Yunong’s hand.

Unaware of the gentle curve of her lips, Jiang Yunong carefully wiped away Bai Lan’s sweat. She even separated strands of hair, tucking them behind Bai Lan’s ear.

“Your face is flushed. It’s cute, but don’t push yourself. I’ll handle the rest.”

Even after wiping away the sweat, Jiang Yunong lingered, reluctant to let go. Hearing the compliment, Bai Lan slowly opened her eyes, only to realize Jiang Yunong had already withdrawn her hand.

Still bent forward, her head lower than Jiang Yunong’s, she tilted her gaze upward, her lashes fluttering slightly, casting trembling reflections of the overhead light. Her glass-like eyes, clear and luminous, met Jiang Yunong’s.

She blinked, and Jiang Yunong felt her own cheeks flush.

“Alright, Bai Lan-jie, go sit down. I’ll bring the dishes out right away.”

She instinctively reached out, then hesitated, unsure whether she should touch Bai Lan’s head. At that moment, Bai Lan truly resembled Tangyuan in his youth.

An animal’s eyes were so clear, so sincere. Bai Lan’s eyes often reminded Jiang Yunong of small animals. She only needed to think of Tangyuan to stop.

When a soft, warm sensation pressed against her hand, Jiang Yunong’s heart skipped a beat.

Bai Lan had pressed her flushed, feverish cheek against Jiang Yunong’s hand, her face still glowing from being called “cute.” But she didn’t stop there. She gently rubbed her cheek against Jiang Yunong’s hand, as if hoping the warmth of her feverish face could warm Jiang Yunong’s hand, which had grown cold to the bone.

And even after that, Bai Lan, who had been looking down, lifted her lashes as if seeking praise, gazing up at Jiang Yunong with her dewy eyes.

Jiang Yunong’s hand flinched involuntarily. Bai Lan’s fingertips still rested on the back of her hand. The sudden movement made Bai Lan tremble for a moment.

“Is it too hot?” Bai Lan touched her forehead.

“Not exactly…” Jiang Yunong thought. Soft was probably a more accurate description than hot.

She had truly felt how smooth and supple Bai Lan’s skin was.

Jiang Yunong pressed her lips together. She reached out and patted Bai Lan’s head. “Good girl. Go on out now.”

Bai Lan lowered her head, obediently accepting the caress, and left the kitchen.

Jiang Yunong picked up the seasonings, relit the stove, and stir-fried the meat and vegetables again.

Carrying the dish out of the kitchen, Jiang Yunong saw Bai Lan sitting upright and proper.

“You should eat something else first. It’ll get cold otherwise,” Jiang Yunong said with an embarrassed smile.

“I want to wait for you,” Bai Lan replied, her gaze intensely earnest.

“Hurry up and eat. You’re still recovering. Don’t wait next time,” Jiang Yunong said, arranging the dishes.

Only then did she notice the soup Bai Lan had already ladled out for her, along with the side dishes neatly arranged beside the rice.

Jiang Yunong felt like she was watching a puppy constantly pushing its hard-earned food toward her.

“Oh, you’re really…” Jiang Yunong didn’t know what to say.

Bai Lan, on the other hand, had fully embraced her role.

“Hurry and eat,” Jiang Yunong said, realizing that no matter what she said, Bai Lan would stubbornly keep taking care of her.

Jiang Yunong could only push the dishes slightly closer to Bai Lan and occasionally put food on her plate. In return, Jiang Yunong received even more food.

“I can’t finish all this, Sis! Please stop giving me more,” Jiang Yunong said, staring in disbelief at the small mountain of food piling up before her.

Bai Lan finally stopped. Then she tasted Jiang Yunong’s reheated dish. She froze in place for a long moment, only then realizing how bland her own attempt had been.

Yet Jiang Yunong hadn’t gotten angry. Instead, she quietly took the dish back to redo it, rubbing her head and calling out a sweet “Jiejie.”

Bai Lan couldn’t describe the mix of emotions churning inside her. She only knew that if she were to mix a drink right now, she’d choose a strong brandy as the base.

Her body felt flushed with warmth. Bai Lan didn’t know what to say.

Jiang Yunong was being so good to her. How could she ever repay her?

Guilt swirled in her heart like strong liquor, intoxicating her emotions. A sharp ache kept rising from the bridge of her nose.

“I’ll clear the table,” Bai Lan said hastily, stopping Jiang Yunong as she reached for the dishes after they finished eating.

“Two people will be faster, right?” Jiang Yunong didn’t stop, stacking the bowls on the plates and carrying them away.

“But you have work…” Bai Lan could only scramble to gather the remaining dishes into the large soup bowl and follow Jiang Yunong.

“It’ll only take two minutes,” Jiang Yunong said, dumping the leftovers into the food waste bag and loading the plates into the dishwasher.

“I’ll show you how to use it. Just put the dishes in, press the ‘mode’ button three times, and then press ‘start’.”

Bai Lan numbly placed the dishes in the dishwasher and followed Jiang Yunong’s instructions.

“I need to rush to file the registration. Sis, tell me how to deal with Deng Hao later, okay? Find something to do to keep yourself busy, just try not to make too much noise.”

Watching the dishwasher start its cycle, Jiang Yunong gave her instructions and hurried back to the study.

Bai Lan listened to the dishwasher’s hum, frozen in place for two minutes. Then, mechanically, she began wiping the barely dirty dining table over and over again.

She was a useless servant, not even a proper pet. Fortunately, she had a kind-hearted Master.

After clearing the dining table, Bai Lan retreated to a corner of the living room, biting her arm as she buried her face in her tear-soaked sleeve.

Jiang Yunong worked late into the night, finishing up at one in the morning. She shut down her computer and exhaled deeply. It was late, and the day’s warmth had long dissipated.

As she left the study, she noticed the living room and bedroom lights were off, and there wasn’t a sound. Something felt wrong. Where was Bai Lan?

Jiang Yunong slowed her pace, trying to move as quietly as possible. She peeked into the bedroom and was met by a pair of very close eyes. She’d forgotten to put Tangyuan, the chinchilla, back in its cage.

Ignoring it for now, Jiang Yunong tiptoed over to the bed and peered over the edge. Still no sign of Bai Lan.

“Bai Lan?” Jiang Yunong frowned.

After confirming the bathroom was empty, Jiang Yunong hurried to the storage room, but Bai Lan wasn’t there either.

Finally, Jiang Yunong returned to the living room, switched on the lights, and spotted Bai Lan huddled in a corner.

“Bai Lan, what are you doing squatting here? If you’re tired, go to bed.”

As she approached, she noticed Bai Lan trembling violently, in waves, as if both terrified and crying.

“Bai Lan? Sis?” Jiang Yunong knelt down and gently stroked her head. “What’s wrong? Are you afraid of the dark?”

Bai Lan flinched at her touch and jerked her head up. Jiang Yunong saw her face streaked with tears. And red, blood-tinged scratches she had clawed into her own skin.

When Bai Lan saw her, she shuddered again, then knelt, crawled forward, desperately trying to reach Jiang Yunong.

“Jiang… Yunong…” Bai Lan whispered her name.

“I’m here. Don’t cry. Calm down,” Jiang Yunong said, quickly scooting closer to Bai Lan.

Bai Lan seemed oblivious to Jiang Yunong’s presence, lost in some murky swamp of her own mind. Her tear-filled eyes stared blankly ahead, devoid of focus, with crimson tears streaming incessantly down her cheeks.

Jiang Yunong had no choice but to pull her into an embrace. “Bai Lan, sister, wake up. What’s wrong?”

The warmth of the embrace seemed to slowly pull Bai Lan out of her earlier, unsettling frenzy. She slumped against Jiang Yunong’s shoulder.

This didn’t resemble the behavior of a patient prone to breakdowns. Instead, it was more like a vulnerable child afraid of the dark.

Now that her guide had finally returned to her side, she clung tightly to her beacon of light.

Jiang Yunong shifted her position, tightening her hold.

Looking down, Jiang Yunong could see Bai Lan’s pitiful, fragile tear-streaked face.

Bai Lan, finally recognizing the person holding her, became even more proactive than Jiang Yunong. She took Jiang Yunong’s hand and pressed it against her own shoulder, then wrapped her arms around Jiang Yunong.

Finally, she kissed Jiang Yunong’s lips, spreading the salty bitterness of her tears into Jiang Yunong’s mouth.

Jiang Yunong’s desire was now overwhelmingly satisfied. She restrained herself with all her might. Instead, she cupped Bai Lan’s head and carefully deepened the kiss, making it gentle and reassuring.

Bai Lan once again offered herself completely to Jiang Yunong, utterly compliant, urging her to taste every bitterness in her heart and every sweetness in her body.

She coaxed Jiang Yunong closer, closer still, until Jiang Yunong pressed her down onto the ground.

At that very moment, moonlight pierced through the rain clouds, bathing their faces in its glow.

Jiang Yunong bit down hard on her lip. Reluctantly, she wiped away the tear with her thumb, then pulled Bai Lan into a tight embrace, pressing her back firmly against her chest.

“Are you okay?” After a long moment, Jiang Yunong finally managed to calm the sudden surge of emotion and desire in her heart.

“It’s nothing…” Bai Lan mumbled, burying her face in Jiang Yunong’s shoulder. She was simply disgusted with her own uselessness. The scratches on her face were proof of her self-loathing.

“Are you done with work?” Bai Lan’s voice was pitifully weak.

“Mm-hmm. Let’s call it a day. Shall we go back and rest?” Jiang Yunong finally loosened her grip.

But Bai Lan suddenly threw herself into Jiang Yunong’s arms. “Yunong… aren’t you cold?” She had felt Jiang Yunong’s icy hands.

“I… I am a little cold,” Jiang Yunong admitted.

“Then don’t let go. Hold me,” Bai Lan whispered, her words brushing against Jiang Yunong’s ear.

Jiang Yunong pressed her lips together, temporarily sealing away the soft sweetness. She carried Bai Lan into the bedroom, half-hugging and half-carrying her.

Once inside, she released Bai Lan, who clung to her, watching as Jiang Yunong cleaned up the mess Tangyuan had made on the floor.

“I’ll clean up next time,” Bai Lan said weakly. This feeling of helplessness gnawed at Bai Lan’s heart.

“We can take turns,” Jiang Yunong finally said after a long silence.

“Then… how about I teach you how to deal with that annoying male colleague?” Bai Lan frowned. Besides warming Jiang Yunong’s body, what else could she do?

“Sure. Tell me, and I’ll see if I can manage it.” Jiang Yunong finished sweeping, returned Tangyuan to its cage, and tucked blankets over both small creatures.

“It actually sounds quite feasible,” Jiang Yunong mused after hearing Bai Lan’s suggestion.

The worst-case scenario would be failing to achieve a permanent solution and making an enemy.

“Be careful,” Bai Lan said, releasing Jiang Yunong’s hand as she saw her about to get into bed.

A chill ran down Jiang Yunong’s back.

“You… you’re not going to sleep with me?”

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