Pillowside Passion - Chapter 16

16:

Morning, fed to the brim by You Jin then off to the restaurant for breakfast. The two returned to change clothes. Du Qingting plopped a hat on her head, her mouth never stopping as she repeatedly confirmed with You Jin what they’d do today—swimming, wearing bikinis…

Turning her head, she saw You Jin peeling off her white shirt.

You Jin always knew how to keep things intriguing. With her back to Du Qingting, she revealed a smooth fair back, her fingers deftly tying the strings of her bikini top before slipping on a sheer, cicada-wing-thin sun-protective shirt.

When she turned around, the mint-green bikini underneath was vibrant, hugging her full curves, concealing her allure while exposing her slender waist and long legs.

Du Qingting watched quietly from the side, as if admiring a painting, her heart swelling with emotions. Thank goodness she escaped that arranged marriage, or she’d be in a temple now tapping wooden fish, abstaining from desire and freedom.

Du Qingting’s outfit wasn’t as seductive—hers was black, the thin fabric clinging to her body, showing off her proud abs that practically begged to be poked. You Jin glanced at them, clearly tempted to touch it but Du Qingting teased her by tugging at the edge of her bikini, revealing a hint of her hip line, then pulling away before You Jin could make a move.

Just to tease her.

Leaving the room and heading to the elevator, they drew quite a few stares.

You Jin asked, “Can you dive? Need me to teach you?”

Du Qingting nodded vigorously. “No, I can’t.”

You Jin raised an eyebrow. “Not even a little experience?”

Du Qingting nodded even harder. “Really can’t. Don’t even know how to swim.” She grinned. “You might have to teach me hand-in-hand.”

You Jin pursed her lips. “Alright, we’ll start with some pool practice for breath-holding dives. Later, I’ll teach you actual diving. You still need to learn to swim.”

There was a large swimming complex next to the hotel. You Jin put on a sun-shading hat as they stepped out. Du Qingting, watching her shadow, suddenly realized she’d lied—she could swim. Back in the day, she’d competed with You Jin over swimming more than once.

After surviving the college entrance exams, it was summer and she’d worn next to nothing, sneaking off to bars. Knowing she hadn’t done well on the exams, she leaned into her rebellious streak, hitting up pool parties with friends, dancing in swimsuits, and dousing herself with champagne when drunk.

She was wild, driving her parents to despair. They had no choice but to turn to You Jin.

You Jin’s way of handling her was simple. One night, when Du Qingting had made plans with friends to wear skimpy outfits and party at a suburban villa, she woke up to find her wardrobe entirely replaced with thongs—even her pajamas weren’t spared.

Holding a thong, she confronted You Jin, who gave her a disdainful look. Young and fiery, Du Qingting grew angrier the more she thought about it. She dove into the pool to swim in front of You Jin, determined to outdo her.

Then, climbing out of the pool, she realized her only normal clothes were soaked, and she had nothing else to wear.

In her youthful recklessness, she ended up eating breakfast with You Jin, wearing nothing but a thong.

You Jin ate her breakfast with elegance, commenting, “Wow, spicy.”

Whether it was spicy or not, Du Qingting didn’t know. She just remembered that night, shivering under the covers as You Jin leaned against the door, asking if she wanted to borrow her pajamas. Stubbornly, she lay there, cold from head to toe.

Her wild spirit was tamed thoroughly after that. She never dared to go drinking with her shady friends again.

Whatever.

Du Qingting entered the swimming complex with enthusiasm. Nearby, two girls with floaties were chatting, complaining about forgetting their camera and video recorder. Apparently, hiring someone to record a video cost 200 yuan.

Two hundred was steep, but capturing sweet moments seemed worth it.

Du Qingting kept this in mind and went to rent a camcorder. With her manuscript royalties in hand, her wallet was flush, so she splurged and rented it for the day, instructing the operator to film carefully.

She directed the cameraman to focus on You Jin, but frowned, dissatisfied with their sloppy technique. “The footage isn’t good enough. It doesn’t capture even a fraction of my girlfriend’s beauty.”

The cameraman quickly adjusted. “I’ll find a better angle.”

“Let me do it.”

Du Qingting carefully adjusted the camera, finding a perfect shot.

You Jin sat by the pool, putting on a diving mask that gently covered her nose. Du Qingting broke into a smile, but then noticed two girls sitting beside You Jin—one in a sun hat, the other chatting her up, both with striking figures.

Handing the camera back to the operator, Du Qingting walked toward You Jin, who was now alone. The two girls left as she approached. She asked You Jin, “Who were they?”

“Don’t know them. Sounded like they’re from Kyoto too. They just asked where I got my swimsuit,” You Jin replied.

Du Qingting frowned. “You told them?”

“I said my girlfriend bought it.”

Du Qingting wanted to praise her, good girl.

You Jin stood and walked to the pool’s edge, calling out “girlfriend” before leaning back—her slender body slipping into the water like a mermaid. She blew a bubble at Du Qingting, then gracefully turned and swam forward, limbs stretching fluidly.

“Stunning,” the cameraman remarked.

No kidding. Her long hair fanned out in the water as she swam a lap and resurfaced. The pool was crowded, and several people stood to watch her.

Du Qingting watched with pride, itching to jump in and swim with her. But remembering her lie, she could only pretend to be a landlubber, splashing around.

You Jin swam back and leaned against the poolside next to Du Qingting, playfully splashing water at her feet.

“Pretty?” she asked.

“Yeah.”

No wonder myths often spoke of humans capturing mermaids and sirens. Seeing someone this beautiful, even drowning in the sea would feel worth it.

Du Qingting took a step forward, but You Jin shook her head, stopping her. “Not safe. Be good.” Her legs kicked lightly, and she dove back under, the water rippling softly around her.

Du Qingting crouched, watching the “fish” underwater, wanting to scoop her up.

You Jin surfaced, her lips curving into a smile that bloomed like water. This woman was deliberately seducing her in the pool.

Du Qingting’s heart raced.

“Wanna learn?” You Jin asked, water dripping from her hair. Before she could climb out, Du Qingting wrapped a towel around her shoulders. You Jin looked up. “Hm?”

She wiped her hair with the towel, but Du Qingting stopped her. “Don’t move.”

You Jin raised an eyebrow, confused.

“Too many people are looking at you,” Du Qingting said, biting her lip, annoyed. She wanted to glare at them, so irritating.

But You Jin, oblivious, climbed out, water cascading off her as she wiped her face with the towel. Like a goddess walking by the pool, she drew eyes effortlessly. Du Qingting followed, practically wanting to catch the water dripping from her.

Du Qingting let out a hiss. Could she be a bit more reserved?

You Jin settled onto a lounge chair, leaning back and looking at Du Qingting, who stood in front of her. She nudged Du Qingting’s calf with her foot. “What’s wrong?”

From where she touched, a tingle spread through Du Qingting’s body. She sat down and said, “Girlfriend, maybe wear a bit more?”

You Jin chuckled. “Aren’t you the wild one? Why so conservative all of a sudden? It’s swimming, how do you swim in something too covered up?”

Du Qingting leaned closer, but You Jin pressed a finger to her lips, saying, “You’re so shy, if I kissed you in front of all these people, would you die of embarrassment? Or… should we kiss back in the room?”

“That’s not it…” For some reason, Du Qingting, usually so bold, felt a twinge of inferiority in front of You Jin’s effortless charm.

“Kiss me, just a little.”

She hooked her arms around You Jin’s neck, leaning in like a puppy begging for a pat, urging You Jin to get closer. “Ugh, I suddenly really want a kiss.”

You Jin laughed, moving her finger away.

People were staring at You Jin like she was prey, and it irked Du Qingting. She quickly pressed her lips to You Jin’s.

You Jin didn’t let the kiss happen, standing and walking back to the pool. “Didn’t you want to learn?”

Du Qingting had a plan—pretend she couldn’t swim, let You Jin teach her, get close for a bit, then surprise her by swimming and blowing her mind.

She shot the cameraman a look. You Jin noticed she’d hired someone to film but only glanced over without stopping her.

The cameraman strode forward. “Got it.”

After giving instructions, Du Qingting put on her diving mask, ready to join You Jin in the water. You Jin looked her over and said, “You’re this old and still can’t swim? Alright… let’s start with doggy paddle.”

“Huh?” Du Qingting almost choked. “Nothing else to teach?” Meeting You Jin’s gaze, she backtracked. “Doggy paddle’s fine, but… if I beat you at it, will you grant me a wish?”

“What wish?” You Jin asked, looking at her.

Du Qingting leaned in, eyeing You Jin’s water-soaked bikini, and whispered, “You teach me to kiss a little lower. Tonight, in my room, you stop when I say stop. Deal?”

You Jin hesitated for a few seconds. “Deal.”

You Jin gestured for her to get in the water. Du Qingting stood in the pool, and You Jin held her waist, guiding her to lean forward, their bodies close. “Alright, paddle with both hands… good job.”

Du Qingting pretended to struggle, brushing against You Jin a couple of times. You Jin giggled, tickled by her antics. Du Qingting splashed water at You Jin’s mask, then quickly “learned” in two strokes before You Jin could glare.

They started racing. You Jin surged ahead, but turned to see Du Qingting still flailing behind with both hands. You Jin swam back to guide her.

“No rush, take it slow,” she said gently.

Du Qingting reached the end, and You Jin laughed. “You lose.”

Du Qingting wiped her face, catching sight of the camera pointed at her from the deck. Her face flushed with embarrassment.

“Forget it, I’m done.” She climbed the ladder, feeling humiliated with so many eyes on her. She’d thought she could win, and the defeat stung. She was ready to tell the cameraman to delete the footage.

You Jin, still in the water, called out from the edge. “Wanna go another round?”

Du Qingting didn’t respond, waving the cameraman over.

“Best of three,” You Jin said. “How will you know if you don’t try? Just don’t lose every round.”

Du Qingting stepped back, and You Jin nodded. Her ankles dipped back into the water as she slowly returned. She raised her arms, striking a strong swimming pose, then spun gracefully and started doggy paddling. “Let’s go.”

You Jin swam ahead, but Du Qingting, seizing a moment, switched techniques and reached the end first. You Jin arrived a second later. In the next round, Du Qingting paddled even harder, drawing a small crowd. She dove under, determined.

You Jin reached the edge a step behind her again. Best of three—You Jin lost two rounds. Du Qingting smirked, staring at You Jin’s dripping face. “I won.”

You Jin climbed out, holding her hand as they stepped onto the deck. She sighed, “Didn’t expect you to win. Maybe I tired myself out with the dives earlier.”

Du Qingting grinned, sitting on a lounge chair to catch her breath.

Watching You Jin sip juice, she suddenly felt her victory wasn’t entirely fair. She leaned in and asked, “You didn’t let me win on purpose, did you?”

You Jin didn’t answer at first. Du Qingting kept staring, watching water drip from her hair. You Jin draped a towel over her head.

“No way, you actually let me win? You knew I cheated…” Du Qingting pressed, already sensing the truth but wanting to hear it. “That takes the fun out of winning.”

You Jin didn’t mind her tricks, it wasn’t a fair competition to begin with. She said, “No big deal. Cheating just means you’re clever. Losing to you isn’t embarrassing. I’m happy to let you win.”

She handed Du Qingting the straw. Du Qingting didn’t drink, stunned by the words “happy to let you win,” her heart and tongue sweetened. You Jin pinched her chin, adding, “Dating’s gotta have some sweetness.” Her lips brushed Du Qingting’s in a rewarding kiss. “What can I do? Our little puppy won me over from the start.”