Forbidden To Be Tempted

At the end of summer when Jiang Yu was 18 years old, she changed her name and secretly carried 500 yuan that she had saved. She escaped from her suffocating home, using the excuse of going to work.

At that time, it was the year 2005 when high-speed trains were not yet available in China. Airplanes were considered a luxurious means of transportation for the wealthy. For Jiang Yu, who was destitute, the only option to travel from a small southern county to a major city in the east was to take the slow, non-air-conditioned train.

The hard seat tickets were much cheaper than the sleeping berth tickets, so she didn't hesitate to choose the former. Enduring a long and swaying journey of twenty hours, she believed she could bear it and make it through.

She felt like a caged bird, filled with curiosity and excitement about the outside world and its freedom. Despite feeling scared to be alone, her heart yearned for a life of freedom.

The long train made a five-minute stop at the station. There were many people getting on and off the train. Jiang Yu tightly held onto her backpack and followed the crowd, walking while searching for her train carriage. It was at this moment that she noticed people in the corner.

Two adult men and a little girl.

The girl appeared to be around five or six years old, fair-skinned, but thin. She had two braids on her head and was dressed in a brand new floral dress, looking quite eye-catching from head to toe.

The two men beside her had darting eyes, constantly looking around, appearing very cautious and suspicious.

Everyone around them seemed to be in a hurry, except for them, who seemed out of place.

Jiang Yu glanced at the little girl a few more times and found her exceptionally cute. Then she saw the man in the blue shirt handing over a package to the man in the black shirt. After receiving it, the latter patted the little girl's shoulder and said something before walking away.

Without thinking much, she averted her gaze and continued walking towards her designated train carriage.

There were three minutes left before the train starts moving.

As she found her carriage and was about to board, she suddenly heard a child crying. She turned her head and saw the man in the blue shirt pulling the little girl, his expression somewhat unnatural.

"Why are you crying just because I didn't buy you snacks? Hurry up and go home with father!" he scolded while looking around.

The little girl cried and sat on the ground, saying, "Wuwuwu, you're not my daddy..."

The surrounding passengers entering and exiting the station glanced over, but no one stopped, thinking it was someone else's family matter.

The small girl, lacking the strength of an adult, was being dragged and pulled, crying heart-wrenchingly, pitiful and helpless. At that moment, Jiang Yu couldn't help but think of herself.

At the age of six, she had also been dragged around by her grandmother.

Due to her young age, she didn't have enough power to resist. The anger and humiliation of being controlled and oppressed had been deeply imprinted in her heart for years, unforgettable. That's why she longed to grow up and have power.

"Hey—" Jiang Yu's mind went blank as she rushed forward. "Let her go!"

With her height of nearly 1.8 meters, slightly taller than the man, and a cold expression that warned others to stay away, she didn't look like someone to mess with, exuding an intimidating presence.

The man cautiously stepped back, glaring at her. "Who are you? It's none of your business how I educate my daughter, you crazy person!"

"She's not your daughter! There was a man in black who handed her over to you and then ran away, I saw it!"

"You... What nonsense are you spouting, little girl!"

"Capture the kidnapper! Child trafficking!" Jiang Yu rushed forward and grabbed the man's arm, shouting loudly.

This noise attracted the attention of the patrolling train police in front, and three or four people ran towards them. The surrounding passengers also slowed down their steps. The man instantly panicked, pushing her away and turning to run. He quickly disappeared into the crowd, fleeing into the exit corridor.

"Wuwuwu..." The little girl remained sitting on the ground.

Jiang Yu quickly helped her up, took out a tissue, and gently wiped away her tears. With a soothing tone, she asked, "Little friend, where is your father?"

"Daddy is gone..." the girl said, choking with sobs.

Several train police officers rushed over, asking about the situation. Jiang Yu comforted the girl while explaining that they couldn't catch the trafficker at the moment, but they could look for the girl's father. He couldn't have gone far.

"Be good, little friend. Don't cry, everything will be alright..." She hugged the girl's thin body and spoke softly to soothe her.

The small arms naturally wrapped around her neck, emitting a unique milk fragrance that only children possess.

It was pure and comforting.

The train police decided to check the surveillance footage to find the girl's family. At that moment, the train sounded a long whistle, indicating that it was about to depart. Only a few scattered people remained on the platform. Jiang Yu snapped out of her daze and let go of the girl.

"Little friend, sister needs to get on the train. You should go with the police uncles and let them help you find your daddy, okay? Here, this little bunny is for you. Let it accompany you."

She took out the bunny she had embroidered herself from her pocket and placed it in the girl's small palm.

The little girl sniffled and said in a childish voice, "Thank you, sister..."

One second before the train car door closed, Jiang Yu rushed in just in time, and the train slowly started moving. She clung to the side of the door and looked through the sealed window at the platform. The little figure held the white bundle and followed the police officers, occasionally turning her head to look back.

Until they could no longer see each other...

After a long and arduous journey, Jiang Yu didn't dwell on this matter anymore. During her stay in Jiangcheng, she completely forgot about it.

….

Source: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=4738582

This translation is originally posted on

love4baihe.blogspot.com

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Memories flooded back, and Jiang Yu held the small white bunny in a daze, her lips trembling uncontrollably.

She never expected to see this bunny again after over a decade.

She thought she had forgotten it forever.

The bunny was small, with slightly yellowed white threads on its body. Its ears were a bit dirty, and her initials "J" were embroidered below the neck with black thread, representing her because she was born in the Year of the Rabbit.

Could that little girl be...

Her eyelashes trembled, and she looked at Cheng Suran in disbelief.

"Seems like someone gave it to me when I was a child..." Cheng Suran stared at the bunny, unsure.

Jiang Yu pressed on, "Do you remember who gave it to you?"

Cheng Suran shook her head gently, "I don't remember." She noticed Jiang Yu's strange expression, as if she was very interested in this bunny. "Sister, do you like it? Then I'll give it to you."

"Do you remember riding a train when you were about five or six years old?" Jiang Yu didn't answer directly but responded with a question, gripping Cheng Suran's shoulders.

Even without a definite answer, she had a guess. The girl who nearly got sold by her own father at the hometown train station fourteen years ago might be Cheng Suran. Besides their age, this bunny was the best proof--

There was a subtle connection between them.

Their similar life experiences intersected at some point in the past, and now, after wandering through the sea of people and the passage of time, they unexpectedly met again, but in such a hidden way.

As if everything was destined.

Cheng Suran was startled, her shoulders hunched, and she lowered her gaze, thinking for a moment. She said, "I vaguely remember riding it when I was very young, but I don't remember exactly how old I was. And I had a dream before..."

In her dream, there was a green train, a platform, and her father. The rest of the images were blurry, but in the depths of her memory, there was always a gentle voice.

Reality and dream seemed to blur together.

Suddenly, a thought flashed through her mind. She was stunned for a moment, raised her gaze, and stared directly at Jiang Yu, murmuring, "Sister, could it be that you gave me this bunny?"

The two of them looked at each other in silence.

The bedroom was quiet, with bright lights from the ceiling casting sparse shadows, enveloping their stiff bodies. In the silence, it felt like something was fermenting and then boiling.

After a while, Jiang Yu nodded gently.

Cheng Suran's mouth slightly opened, only hearing the sound of her heartbeat growing more intense, unsure if it was joy or nervousness.

On the night they officially met for the first time, she felt a sense of familiarity when she looked at this face, like a person from a distant dream, ethereal yet present. After finding out about Jiang Yu's identity and confirming that she had seen her on television and the internet, she felt a sense of loss.

But it wasn't just that.

Not only did she see Jiang Yu on TV, but a long, long time ago, they had an intersection in their lives, even though she had long lost the memory of it. But that familiar feeling was deeply etched in her soul.

Doesn't this mean that they have a destined connection?

"I saw you when I was a child, right? But... I don't remember anything. Sister, please tell me what's going on..." Cheng Suran anxiously grabbed Jiang Yu's hand.

Jiang Yu's expression darkened slightly, and she withdrew her hand as if she had been electrocuted, avoiding Cheng Suran's gaze.

Cheng Suran was young back then, so it was normal for her not to remember, but Jiang Yu remembered. And once that memory was revealed, it meant that they would have a deeper bond, one that couldn't be maintained purely through monetary transactions.

Everything would become tainted, out of control.

In an instant, she snapped back to reality.

No, it couldn't happen.

"Sister? What's wrong? Please tell me?" Cheng Suran softly nestled in her embrace, acting coquettishly.

Jiang Yu coughed lightly, turned her face away, and spoke in a distant tone, "I don't remember the specifics either, but when I was eighteen, I took a train to Jiangcheng. I saw a little girl crying on the platform, so I gave her this bunny."

"And then?"

"And then she stopped crying, and I got on the train. I haven't seen her since."

"Do you remember why I was crying back then?" Cheng Suran cupped Jiang Yu's face.

Jiang Yu frowned and struggled for a moment, "I don't remember."

"Which platform did you board the train from? Did you see me on the boarding platform or when you arrived at Jiangcheng's platform?" Cheng Suran pursued, sensing something through Jiang Yu's evasive gaze and refusing to let go.

"I don't remember."

"Sister, this is fate between us, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it's quite a coincidence. Alright, go wash up and sleep." Jiang Yu pushed the girl away, without lifting her eyelids, got up, and went to the other side of the bed, lifting the blanket and crawling inside.

She fled without a trace.

The little bunny rolled off the bed.

Cheng Suran bent down to pick it up, holding it in the palm of her hand. When she turned her head, she saw that Jiang Yu had already lain down, with her back facing her, only revealing half of her disheveled hair.

Her intuition told her that her sister hadn't told the whole truth.

At least not everything.

Why?

If it was really something insignificant, why couldn't she tell her the truth? If she didn't care, why was she avoiding it? The person who had always been composed and calm in front of her was now acting like this, with emotions visible on her face. How could she not overthink it?

But if Jiang Yu didn't speak, she couldn't force her to open her mouth.

She hated that she couldn't remember anything.

It felt like she was hanging in mid-air, suspended by an invisible rope, unable to reach the sky or the ground. It felt like cat's claws scratching at her heart, unwilling but helpless.

In this moment, she suddenly had the urge to confess, to say everything regardless of the consequences. But courage was fleeting, and as she opened her mouth, the words retreated in cowardice.

It was as if she was challenging her own limits.

She could barely hold it back...

After sitting in silence for a long time, Cheng Suran quietly put away the little bunny and went into the bathroom to take a shower.

The sound of water dripping was like rain pouring down.

Jiang Yu lay on the bed on her side, her mind buzzing, a congested dizziness engulfing her.

As long as she had control over the situation, it was safe. She knew Cheng Suran wouldn't dare, and as long as it remained unspoken, they would still have the purest monetary transaction relationship, allowing her to be at ease.

She tightly closed her eyes, her fingers pinching the palm of her hand, pressed against her chest, and let out a long sigh.

In a hidden corner of her heart, unknown to others, a little bit of joy and happiness quietly bloomed...

….

Two days before the business trip was the weekend, and the company organized a dinner party. They rented a villa in the outskirts for a party, which could be considered as the annual gathering.

    Every employee attending the party could bring one family member or friend. So everyone brought their partners if they had one, or friends if they didn't. Excluding the models who had work outside that day, the group was lively and bustling.

Jiang Yu brought Cheng Suran with her.

The winter landscape was bare, with the trees stripped of their leaves, giving a somewhat desolate and barren feeling. Several small buildings were scattered throughout the villa, accommodating over a hundred people.

Several cars arrived at the villa one after another, and everyone went to their assigned rooms.

"Ranran, I'll leave the things here for now. I'll be right back," Jiang Yu pushed the luggage to the side of the wall and then left.

Cheng Suran softly replied, "Okay," and squatted down to open her own suitcase, slowly unpacking her things.

Before long, there was a knock on the door.

—tok tok tok

"?"

She's back so soon? And knocking?

Cheng Suran stood up, but before she could take a step, the door was pushed open slowly, revealing a tall and slender figure that was not familiar to her.

"Oh, only little sister is here," Bai Lu stepped into the room and closed the door behind her.

Cheng Suran was slightly stunned, feeling a little uneasy for some reason. She forced a smile and asked, "Are you looking for sister?"

"Sister?"

Bai Lu raised an eyebrow and chuckled lightly. She scanned the room before returning her gaze to Cheng Suran, a hint of mockery in her tone as she said, "Shouldn't it be benefactor instead?"