Pillowside Passion - Chapter 13

13:

At breakfast in the hotel restaurant, You Jin chose lighter fare, sipping soy milk and handing Du Qingting a glass of milk. Du Qingting, famished, drank it down and wanted to try a bit of everything. You Jin patiently cut her steak for her.

Tilting her head, You Jin asked, “When you draw manga, what do couples in love do?”

The question stumped Du Qingting. In her manga, the early stages were chaotic, with characters acting wild, like they’d just been let out of a cage.

Their emotions tangled to the point of obsession, and once they got together, a night in bed resolved all conflicts. What “couple behavior” was there after that?

Du Qingting shook her head. “I don’t know.”

You Jin speared a piece of meat with her silver fork, bringing it to Du Qingting’s lips. Pinching her chin, she said, “Come on, open up.”

Du Qingting froze slightly.

Their table was by the panoramic window, offering a stunning view. You Jin sat with the light behind her, her hair pinned up with a clip, a single strand framing her face. Holding a spoon, she gazed at Du Qingting with a gentle smile.

It was too seductive.

Du Qingting met her gaze, opened her mouth, and ate the bite.

You Jin smiled. “Want more?”

Du Qingting nodded. “Feed me till I’m stuffed.”

Outside, the rain continued to drizzle. The restaurant’s big screen displayed weather updates and transportation notices, predicting ferry services would resume at 11 a.m. The two were lost in their sweet moment, though You Jin didn’t feed her much more, stopping once she was full. But Du Qingting noted this as something to learn.

They didn’t plan to go out that morning. After breakfast, they headed to the lounge, ordered tea and desserts, and settled in. You Jin worked on documents while Du Qingting canceled her flight.

You Jin covered the cancellation fees, pulling out some cash to hand her. Du Qingting took it with a “tch,” her heart secretly thrilled.

You Jin said, “It’s the money you gave me last time.”

“No wonder it smells so good.”

The 700-plus yuan Du Qingting had won at cards—those two had tried to hustle her, but she’d played recklessly, leaving them with nothing. She patted the red bills, then neatly folded them into her pocket. “Pocket money… Nah, I should frame these.”

You Jin laughed. Du Qingting asked, “Do you play cards?”

You Jin shook her head. “Nope.”

Du Qingting let out an “oh.”

“I usually play with my close friends, going out for a couple of rounds, but I’m not addicted.” For her, cards were just a way to pass the time.

You Jin scooped a bit of cake and brought it to her lips. “Good girl.”

Du Qingting ate it, her heart swelling with the joy of being in love. Squinting, she noticed unfriendly stares from across the room. Warily, she asked, “Those two have been staring at us forever. What’s their deal?”

You Jin glanced over. “They’re the ones you played cards with yesterday.”

Du Qingting let out an “ah,” realizing how awkward her earlier words might’ve sounded. She turned slightly, shielding her face with her hand. “They won’t start a fight, will they? Should we hide?”

“I thought you’d be the one picking a fight with them.”

“Well… I did win their money.” Du Qingting grinned. She noticed the couple approaching and picked up a small strawberry from her mousse, pressing it to You Jin’s lips. The red tip grazed her thin lips, a dab of cream resting on her lip. You Jin’s lips pressed down softly, impossibly tender.

Du Qingting leaned in, blocking others’ view with her hand, and licked the cream from You Jin’s lip, savoring it. She didn’t want anyone else seeing this captivating woman.

She fed the rest of the strawberry to You Jin, who bit off the red part. Du Qingting ate the cream left on her lips, smiling as she gazed at her, unable to get enough. She glanced at the dessert tray, looking for more to feed her.

You Jin pressed a finger to her lips, stopping another kiss. “Not going out this afternoon?”

“What’s that got to do with this?”

“Your kissing’s gotten too good. It’s making me weak,” You Jin sighed softly. “When I go weak, I can’t move.”

Du Qingting bit her lip repeatedly, her hand brushing You Jin’s lips. Her kissing had improved, but her lips still felt thin.

That small detail thrilled her.

She lowered her hand, propping her head, eyes fixed on You Jin. Why go out? Her girlfriend was so beautiful. Honestly, she should just lock herself in a room and stare at her all day… lock her up?

She mentally slapped herself. What was she thinking? But this woman… Du Qingting thought she’d make the perfect delicate wife.

She wanted to be a domineering CEO, working all day to pamper her.

They only stayed in the lounge for ten minutes before leaving, mostly because Du Qingting, new to love, couldn’t stop kissing. She knew she shouldn’t distract You Jin from work but couldn’t restrain herself, constantly brushing against her, asking what she was doing even though she knew she was working.

You Jin couldn’t handle it either.

Back in the room, the door closed.

You Jin sat on Du Qingting’s lap, working, while Du Qingting wrapped her arms around her waist. She played on her phone, then leaned in to breathe in You Jin’s scent, pretending to talk just to steal another kiss. You Jin responded every time.

Du Qingting felt a pang of guilt. “I’m totally distracting you, aren’t I?”

You Jin pinched her chin. “Not at all. I was already frustrated and getting a headache from work. You’re helping me de-stress. No pressure.”

Du Qingting was elated, losing all restraint.

There was no escaping her kisses.

And her kissing had gotten better.

Holding You Jin’s waist, careful not to squeeze too hard, she loosened her grip, clenching her fists. She wanted to learn something new, like pushing a corporate older sister onto a desk. Would You Jin teach her that?

She couldn’t help asking, “What are you teaching me tonight?”

“We’ll talk about it tonight,” You Jin said, revealing nothing, though her eyes and smile seemed to say everything. “Be good.”

Du Qingting stole a quick kiss, wondering where to go that afternoon.

After two days of heavy rain, some parts of the island were off-limits. Diving and swimming were out.

The nearest open attraction was the Love Stone. The island was called Honeymoon Island for a reason—a giant volcanic rock shaped like a human heart stood on the coast, enduring since ancient times. Local tradition said couples getting married would wrap chains around it and hang padlocks to symbolize their bond.

Du Qingting skimmed a travel guide, reading comments about the “social death lock.” Some wrote about locks left with exes or even ex-husbands, vowing never to return to Xianghai.

That afternoon, the rain stopped. They strolled to the mountain’s base, initially just to take a look and snap some photos.

At the foot of the mountain, Du Qingting gazed at the giant stone at the peak. “Let’s do it.”

“Let’s buy a lock and write our names.”

You Jin said, “Didn’t you see the news? A couple came here on their honeymoon, bought a lock then returned a month later with a chainsaw after their cooling-off period. They got detained at security.”

Du Qingting hadn’t thought that far. “Aren’t we in a fling? Why think about breaking up?” She tilted her head, blowing lightly in You Jin’s ear, teasing her. “So… even sister doesn’t know everything. I need someone to teach her about love, huh?”

You Jin’s brows flickered as she looked at her.

Du Qingting said, “If you don’t want to go, we can head back to the room and practice kissing some more.”

You Jin nodded. “Let’s go.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah, buy the biggest one.”

You Jin reached over, slipping her hand into Du Qingting’s pocket to pull out her hand, gripping it tightly. “Alright, let’s hold hands and go.”

It wasn’t Du Qingting’s first time holding hands, but it was her first with a girlfriend. Her palm grew warm.

The lock shop was crowded. They queued outside, Du Qingting’s fingers intertwining with You Jin’s, gently rubbing against her.

Inside, Du Qingting didn’t check prices, grabbing the two biggest locks—each as large as both their hands, true shop treasures.

The shopkeeper treated them like VIPs, explaining they could engrave names on the locks and offering envelopes to write messages, which would be mailed to them later by date.

They wrote their names at the counter for engraving. As the clerk took the locks, Du Qingting stopped them, asking if she could add a message.

Paying an extra ten yuan, she wrote carefully, shielding it from You Jin:

[If there’s a future, I hope she’ll be my delicate wife — Du Qingting]

You Jin opened her mouth, hesitating, then took the pen, shielding her own message as she wrote.

“What did you write?” Du Qingting asked, curious.

You Jin smiled lightly, hiding her hand. “Not telling you.”

After handing it to the clerk, Du Qingting spotted other souvenirs, grabbing a few and asking You Jin if she wanted them.

“Are you buying all this for me?” You Jin asked.

Du Qingting nodded, paying quickly. “Spending little sister’s money—sweet, right?”

“Sweet.”

You Jin said, “Thanks, little sister.”

Her gentle, almost obedient tone stirred Du Qingting. “Want to buy more?”

You Jin didn’t answer directly, instead smoothing out a knot in Du Qingting’s hair. “If we get married someday… will you buy everything for me?”

M-married?

Du Qingting couldn’t pin down her feelings—a mix of panic and anticipation, leaving her rattled. “Why bring that up all of a sudden…”

“Can’t I? I thought you wanted me to play along, consider everything. We’re so sweet, won’t we get married someday?” You Jin said. “When you bought me those things, I even thought, if we had a kid, we should name them Little Cutie.”

You Jin leaned over, kissing her cheek.

Unaware that “henpecked husband” would one day enter her life’s dictionary, or that such a husband hands over their salary and bank card to their wife, Du Qingting said, “Buy, buy, buy! This is nothing. If we get married, I’ll buy you a wedding dress.”

You Jin gripped her hand tightly. “Thank you, girlfriend.” Leaning close, she whispered in her ear, “I’ll wear whatever style you like.”

Du Qingting’s bones turned to jelly. Biting her lip, she clutched You Jin’s hand, looking around for a spot to steal a kiss.

You Jin kissed her cheek. “Help me pick out some stuff first, girlfriend.”

Du Qingting squeezed her hand. “I’ll buy you a bikini first.”

“Deal.”

—

The path was steep, and by halfway up the mountain, their legs were wobbly. They said only couples climbed it, and it wasn’t an exaggeration—many gave up, cursing how exhausting it was, love be damned.

Carrying two massive locks, Du Qingting’s arms nearly gave out. Even gym buffs lifting weights didn’t have her kind of workout.

Despite the overcast sky, she was drenched in sweat.

You Jin, concerned, said, “What if you tire your arms? Let me carry them for a bit.”

You Jin was a businesswoman, not as physically fit as Du Qingting, the wild pup. Du Qingting lightly held her, refusing to let her take the locks.

You Jin asked her to extend her arms, massaging her forearms and shoulders to ease the tension. Du Qingting asked if she was tired. You Jin shook her head. “How could I be tired with my girlfriend?”

That gave Du Qingting a burst of energy. Carrying the two huge locks and thick chains, she climbed step by step, more devout than a pilgrim.

They were exhausted by the time they reached the top.

But they were the first couple to arrive that day.

The giant heart-shaped stone was wrapped in thin chains, densely covered with locks, some rusted beyond recognition. A wooden sign nearby prohibited visitors from bringing knives or chainsaws.

Du Qingting hung her lock first, snapping it shut with force, the bolt clanging into place. She glanced at You Jin.

In the light, You Jin stood before the temple by the heart stone, sea breeze tousling her hair. Hands clasped, head bowed, she closed her eyes, utterly reverent.

Du Qingting watched, hands on hips, waiting until she finished. “Praying for wealth? Business folks believe in that, right? Does it work?” She considered praying for her parents.

You Jin pressed her forehead to her fingers, serious. “This is the temple of the Matchmaker God. I’m praying to win one heart, never to part.”

“Oh, did it work?” Du Qingting asked, dazed.

You Jin paused, catching a strand of her hair with the hand she’d prayed with. “I think I’m close.”

Du Qingting stood beside her, posture perfect, praying more earnestly than anyone.

The waves crashed. Both were equally devout.

God, oh God.

This woman will be my wife.

You Jin hung her lock next to Du Qingting’s, snapping them together.

One lock read “One Life,” the other “One World.”

A lifetime together.

“These seven days will be my most beautiful memory,” Du Qingting said, wind gently lifting her hair.

Then, without hesitation, she tossed the lock’s key into the trash bin. You Jin hadn’t even processed it when Du Qingting pointed to the key in her hand, teasing, “Why are you keeping it? Throw it! Don’t you love me enough?”