Pillowside Passion - Chapter 22

22:

You Jin stood with her back to the light, lips pursed, not immediately answering. She listened quietly, her figure radiant in the glow, her gaze deep, seemingly touched.

Du Qingting couldn’t quite gauge her thoughts. She loved her gentleness but worried it might be an act. Still, she could feel this woman sizing her up, weighing how much truth was in her words.

Du Qingting waited quietly, her heartbeat growing louder with each moment.

You Jin said, “We’ve only been together for seven days.” Her gaze held a trace of doubt. The more uncertain she seemed, the harder Du Qingting tried to prove herself. “Seven days is enough to fall in love. Love doesn’t care about time. Dating me won’t be a loss—I’m a great, homely girlfriend.”

You Jin raised her eyes, finally looking at her with curiosity. “Then tell me, what makes it a good deal? Let me weigh what’s so great about this honeymoon with you.”

“I…” Du Qingting started to speak.

You Jin cut in, “Can you cook?”

“Uh…” No.

“Can you do laundry?” You Jin asked again.

“Uh…”

Hand-washing underwear counts, right?

Seeing the amusement in You Jin’s eyes, Du Qingting hurriedly nodded. “Buy a washing machine, a robot vacuum, hire a maid to cook three meals a day.”

You Jin said seriously, “Then marrying you wouldn’t be a loss.”

“Definitely! If you don’t like the maid’s cooking, I can learn.” Du Qingting pinched her fingers. “Plus, morning kisses, noon kisses, evening kisses… I can do any position you like, learn whatever you want, and call you Sister You Jin every day.”

You Jin laughed, her tone softening. “For real?”

“Would I lie to you?”

“Being in love and being married are different,” You Jin said, sounding rational.

Du Qingting thought for a moment, then said earnestly, “Starting today, I’ll learn to show you my sincerity. Give me a chance, okay?”

You Jin was persuaded, glancing at the phone on the nightstand, hesitating. “Hm… let’s record it then. If we make it to marriage and you turn bad, I’ll have evidence.”

“Okay.” Du Qingting held her down, afraid she’d slip away, and quickly grabbed the phone. You Jin stayed put, waiting for her. Du Qingting started recording, asking her to repeat what she’d said. After finishing, Du Qingting, learning to be clever with this woman, said, “Now you say something too. Don’t let me pour my heart into loving and marrying you, only for you to toy with me.”

You Jin lowered her head, looking into her eyes earnestly. “I won’t toy with you. I’ll date you seriously and marry you.”

Du Qingting said, “Add my name.”

“Xiao Qingting,” You Jin blinked. “Is that enough?”

Du Qingting felt it wasn’t enough; she wanted more, preferably something spicier. “Say more, like I did. Say we’re perfect for each other, that we’re a match made in heaven.”

“No way, it’d be embarrassing if someone heard.” You Jin refused. “That’s enough, be good, don’t be greedy, okay?”

Her eyes comfortedDu Qingting, but Du Qingting wasn’t satisfied, her heart full of regret. She playfully insisted You Jin say one more thing, or she wouldn’t let her leave. You Jin finally gave in.

Du Qingting had deliberately used You Jin’s phone. Handing it back, she said smoothly, “Add me on WeChat later, send me the recording, one copy for each of us.”

“Okay,” You Jin agreed.

Du Qingting added, “Can you tell me your name?”

“Wait until today’s over. Isn’t it the last day?” You Jin’s hand rested on Du Qingting’s head, ruffling it, then pinching her ear. “Let’s keep dating like this, no breaking up. You’ll find out after today. So look forward to it.”

Like a movie or something else, the reveal always comes with a tease. Du Qingting’s heart itched, and she took a deep breath, feeling she was about to unravel the mystery. “Okay.”

“I hope you remember what you said now, and before.” You Jin leaned closer, saying, “Marriage, buying me a wedding dress—I remember everything you said.”

Du Qingting nodded vigorously, committing it to memory. She stepped back, allowing You Jin to move away from the floor-to-ceiling window to get her clothes for the day.

“If I don’t keep my word, I’m a puppy!” Du Qingting declared behind her.

You Jin turned, flicking her nose. “Aren’t you one already?”

After lingering, they went to the restaurant. Du Qingting showed off her girlfriend charm, avoiding meats You Jin didn’t eat, picking her favorite dishes, and pairing them with yogurt and oatmeal, almost wanting to feed her bite by bite.

You Jin, full, checked her phone. Su Qinxi had sent 18 messages, mostly gossip: “How’s the puppy? Fierce? Her eyes want to devour you. Two days enough?” You Jin scrolled to the top for the important part. Du Qingting, pouring her tea, caught a glimpse of the messages.

S Su: [Can’t get out of bed, darling?]

“Darling?” Du Qingting asked softly. “Xu Yang?”

“Sort of,” You Jin said, focusing on the key point. Yesterday’s contract signing—she’d been too busy with her puppy to attend, leaving the others nervous, fearing she’d back out.

“Got work to do? I’ll take you if there’s no rush. Can you ride a motorcycle?” Du Qingting said, pulling out her phone. She’d found a rental shop online yesterday. Missing a seaside motorcycle ride would be a shame.

You Jin nodded. “Rode one once.”

“I’ll drive,” Du Qingting said, more excited than her.

The shop wasn’t far. A quick call, and they delivered a full set of gear. Du Qingting took the rider’s outfit upstairs to change. Her stunning girlfriend matched her style, swapping her skirt for a white shirt, black vest, leather arm cuffs, and a blue helmet, sitting behind her.

Riding the motorcycle, Du Qingting looked incredibly cool.

You Jin sat behind, holding her waist.

Du Qingting had never imagined who’d ride behind her. Now, with her girlfriend’s hands on her waist, driving felt electric, her grip on the handlebars tight as the wind whistled past. She loved it, loved it so much.

Was this woman AI? How was she so perfect for her?

With a girlfriend like this, what more could she want?

At their destination, Du Qingting reluctantly parked. You Jin got off, unbuckling her helmet and handing it over. Her curly hair was slightly messy. She slipped on a thin blazer from the back seat, covering her shirt and everything else, smoothing her hair. “I’m heading up.”

“I’ll wait here,” Du Qingting said, holding the helmet, smiling, her gaze glued to her.

You Jin nodded slightly, walking up the steps. Du Qingting quickly called out, following a few steps to tug her blazer and adjust her tie. “Be proper in front of others, but a mess with me.”

“Okay, as you wish.” You Jin tidied up and went up.

No sea breeze here, just stifling heat. Du Qingting leaned against the motorcycle at the company entrance, her face flushed from the heat, standing out among the crowd, unwilling to leave her girlfriend’s side.

She looked up at the company name.

Searching it on her phone, it was a pharmaceutical company.

What did her girlfriend do?

From a medical family?

Du Qingting didn’t know much about this, researching for a while.

Inside the meeting room, Su Qinxi crossed her long legs, glancing at You Jin repeatedly. Sipping tea, she smirked, watching You Jin sign papers. “Now you sign fast.”

“Someone’s waiting downstairs,” You Jin said.

Su Qinxi whispered, “You didn’t see yourself walking in, swaying like a breeze. So formal, your blind puppy might lose it.”

You Jin said, “Something like that.”

The others, unable to hear their whispers, thought they were deliberating, growing nervous.

You Jin’s lips curved, flipping through the documents to confirm. Smiling, she put away her pen, looking at Xu Yang across the table. “Done, take it.”

She handed the papers to Xu Yang, signaling it was hers. Xu Yang quickly took them, knowing this deal was hers, her heart trembling at the thought of the bonus. “Thank you, President You.”

“You worked hard,” You Jin said, smiling at the pharmaceutical CEO. “She took good care of us.”

A few words from a partner carry weight in business. The CEO, seeing their fondness for Xu Yang, praised her too. He shook You Jin’s hand, then Su Qinxi’s, saying, “Dinner tonight? Tomorrow, I’ll arrange something.”

Su Qinxi glanced at You Jin. “No need for arrangements. President You likely have no time.”

“Tonight, I saw a great Xianghai restaurant. Such a pity we haven’t dined with President You these days,” the CEO said. Only on You Jin’s first day in Xianghai had they eaten together; after she went to the island, they hadn’t managed a single meal.

You Jin smiled. “I’m busy.”

Su Qinxi said, “She’s busy dating, getting married.”

The CEO’s eyes widened, shocked. “What? I haven’t heard.”

You Jin nodded, confirming it, not elaborating. The CEO insisted she inform him about the wedding. You Jin smiled and agreed.

Du Qingting was still waiting downstairs. Su Qinxi had started the topic, so You Jin got up to leave, leaving the rest to her.

Su Qinxi waved. “Go be busy.”.

“Dating.” So sweet. She squinted, “Makes me want to date too.”

Looking at Xu Yang, she smiled. Xu Yang’s heart skipped, glancing at You Jin’s retreating figure, full of charm in her heels.

No wonder they were the big bosses.

You Jin saw Du Qingting downstairs.

Du Qingting was checking the time on her phone. Though it was just signing papers, with all the chatter, half an hour had passed.

Bored, she looked around, then a voice sounded. “Kept you waiting.”

Du Qingting stood straight, beaming at her. “Did I ever tell you I love waiting for you?”

“No, but now I know,” You Jin replied. “Next time, I’ll bring you along.”

Du Qingting handed her the helmet, swinging her long leg over the bike. Turning to You Jin, she said, “Hop on.” Noticing You Jin’s gentle gaze, as if she had something to say, she asked, “What’s up?”

“Nothing.” You Jin put on the helmet, lowering the visor, its slight blur giving her a soft, hazy beauty.

Du Qingting rode toward the scenic area. They’d spent too long on the island and hadn’t visited nearby attractions.

A seaside night, strolling slowly, held a cozy charm.

They wandered, played.

As night deepened, they stopped by the sea.

Feeling the breeze, watching the moon and stars.

Hand in hand, Du Qingting felt swept up in love again—calm, or perhaps laced with desire.

Always endlessly romantic.

That night, Du Qingting rode with her along the seaside road.

You Jin held her waist tightly from behind, resting lightly on her shoulder. Du Qingting asked, “Scared?”

You Jin said, “I want to hold you.”

I want to hold you.

Not scared?

Du Qingting recalled that rainy night when You Jin held her the same way, lightly against her shoulder, close then apart.

Back then…

Did You Jin want to hold her?

Du Qingting frowned, quickly banishing the memory. You Jin wanting to hold her back then? That’d be terrifying.

Her girlfriend’s arms were around her waist, the breeze blowing, still breathtakingly beautiful. As her girlfriend shifted, Du Qingting wanted to ask, but she whispered something in her ear.

Du Qingting heard it clearly, nearly flooring the accelerator.

Taking a deep breath, she used all her willpower to keep the bike steady. The air was sweet.

You Jin said, “I like you.”

At the rental shop, Du Qingting didn’t get off right away, softly calling to the person behind her. “Asleep?”

“No,” You Jin said.

Du Qingting parked. “We’re here.”

“Mhm.”

They removed their helmets, and the shop staff came to collect the bike. Du Qingting signed and paid, and they walked through the flower market back to the hotel.

The market was still lively. They glanced around, spotting a succulent that released a fragrance when touched, with heart-shaped leaves. You Jin bought two pots—one for her, one for Du Qingting.

At night, the fragrant flowers sat by the bedside. You Jin, in her formal attire, leaned against the bed, legs slightly apart, her tie still centered, her shirt creased at the chest. With her cuffed arm, she beckoned, “Baby, come do it.”

Du Qingting tugged at her collar, climbing up like a puppy.

They tangled and fell asleep, deep and intense. With rain coming, they used a thicker blanket. Du Qingting’s arm rested on You Jin’s waist.

At some point, Du Qingting felt her hand being moved. Half-awake, she mumbled “You Jin,” reaching out to hug her tightly, wanting to roll over and press against her but worrying it’d be uncomfortable, so she only draped her leg over her.

Then her forehead was gently touched.

The voice beside her said, “It’s me.”

When she woke up again, You Jin wasn’t in bed. Du Qingting sat up, calling out twice. No answer in the bedroom. She got up, checked the bathroom, then the living room—empty. Standing still, she wondered if You Jin had gone to work early.

Du Qingting opened the bedroom curtains. It had rained lightly, but the sky was clear now. Something felt off. These past days, they’d been so clingy; her girlfriend wouldn’t leave without a word unless it was urgent.

Urgent…

Du Qingting returned to the bedroom, opening the closet. Their clothes had hung there, but now the suits and dresses were gone, leaving only her T-shirts and hoodies.

Her head ached.

She rushed out to search the hotel but found nothing. At the front desk, they checked the room number and told her the woman had checked out last night, revealing nothing more, citing her as a VIP client.

“She’s our VIP; we can’t disclose her information.”

“When did she leave? She was sleeping next to me last night!” Du Qingting leaned on the counter, incredulous. “You’re sure she checked out?”

“Yes, but your room is still reserved. You can stay as long as you like.”

“She’s gone; why would I stay?” Du Qingting’s mind was a mess. She grabbed her hair. “Let me see her name.”

“Sorry, we have rules. Didn’t she tell you?”

Du Qingting choked.

So, the woman had vanished mysteriously, their honeymoon over, everything finished.

Du Qingting couldn’t let go, yet felt this was the inevitable end. Back in the room, she sat on the living room sofa, lighting a cigarette.

Xu Yang hadn’t shown up either.

Maybe Xu Yang ran off with her girlfriend?

What the hell?

She wanted to strangle Xu Yang.

The next day, Du Qingting remembered You Jin’s pharmaceutical company. She cleaned herself up, put on her collar, and rode the motorcycle there in light rain, feeling like she was in a Wong Kar-wai film, chasing a woman lost in a typhoon and summer.

At the company, she waited. No luck the first day. The second day, at 8:30 a.m., she spotted Xu Yang. She approached, her tone sharp, radiating anger. “Do you know where Xu Yang went?”

A colleague beside Xu Yang, confused, pointed at her. “But she’s Xu Yang.”

“What?” Du Qingting was stunned, staring at them, noticing Xu Yang’s name tag. “What’s going on?”

Xu Yang, understanding her purpose, explained briefly. She sent her colleague inside, telling Du Qingting, “They went back.”

“Back to Kyoto?”

Xu Yang: “Maybe.”

“Maybe?”Du Qingting needed certainty.

Xu Yang said, “Well… I heard she has someone she likes, almost got married, but something happened. She was working in Xianghai and took the chance to clear her mind. She probably went back to deal with it. You could check on Kyoto.”

“She likes someone?” Du Qingting was baffled, never hearing this. Thinking back, she’d always been the one venting about emotions; the woman never mentioned her own.

“Did they betray her? Got with someone else? Cheated?”

The more Du Qingting spoke, the more she believed it was the latter. Flashes of You Jin’s melancholic moments came to mind, her long sighs while holding Du Qingting’s face. Her heart ached intensely.

Before Xu Yang could respond or finish the hints Su Qinxi had prepared, Du Qingting’s anger flared. “Damn, who would dare betray her? If I see them, I’ll make them pay!”

Xu Yang thought, no need for hints; Du Qingting had already condemned them.

Du Qingting, face dark, said, “I’m going to Kyoto to find her.”

Looking at Xu Yang, she pleaded, “Can you give me her info? I’m begging you.”

Du Qingting clasped her hands. “Please, I’ve never begged anyone.”

Xu Yang softened, sighing. “I can only give you President Su’s number. I don’t have your girlfriend’s number either.” She truly didn’t; she dealt more with Su Qinxi.

Du Qingting took the number, noting it was a Kyoto number. She called, but no one answered. Searching it on WeChat, she found an account, likely a work one, but got no reply after adding it.

She showed her phone. “Add me on WeChat. If I can’t find her, give me a lead, but don’t say it was you. She’s my boss; I can’t lose my job. Please understand.”

“Deal.” Du Qingting didn’t push, quickly scanning the code.

Xu Yang pointed to the company, jogging inside. She nearly missed clocking in, and her manager, already upset about her getting the deal, snapped, “Why so late? Just one project, and you’re done?”

Xu Yang nodded. “Sorry, I was talking to President You’s fiancée.” She apologized, bowing, seeing the manager’s face turn livid, secretly thrilled. Yes, take that, jerk.

Glancing back at Du Qingting, who hadn’t left, she sighed softly, wanting to say to go back but holding back.

Du Qingting kept calling Su Qinxi, getting no answer. She grew convinced Su liked You Jin and might have taken her girlfriend, maybe seduced her.

Why else would she vanish?

They’d agreed to be honest today.

That night, her girlfriend didn’t return, no word, Su Qinxi’s phone unreachable, WeChat unaccepted.

Du Qingting got an iced beer downstairs, standing on the balcony, looking at the dark, vacant room next door. Looking up at the starless night, she lit another cigarette. Not in the mood to smoke, just annoyed, she bit the filter, leaving it to burn out by the glass.

Finishing the beer, she reached for a mint, but her pocket was empty. Since You Jin carried candies for her, she hadn’t bought any herself.

Her heart still burned. Thinking it over, she thought of her mom, who seemed to be studying Buddhism with You Jin’s mom at a temple.

Without overthinking, she checked her mom’s WeChat Moments.

The more she thought, the worse she felt.

She missed her girlfriend.

Missed that woman, her tenderness, her beauty.

Like a dream.

Du Qingting didn’t check out, staying a few days, holding a sliver of hope that she’d return to Kyoto.

As time passed with no sign, she began to feel the woman had never existed, a dream in the fog. When checking out, she asked the front desk, “Did I check in alone initially?”

Though puzzled, they answered politely, “No.”

These days, her mixed-race friend abroad messaged her. A publisher wanted to publish her work, emailing her since they couldn’t reach her. They offered 500,000 yuan with more if it sold well, asking if she’d come abroad to discuss.

In her industry, 500,000 yuan was substantial.

Before, Du Qingting didn’t need the money and, fearing family embarrassment if exposed, usually rejected such offers. But after falling in love, worried about finances, she considered publishing to support her girlfriend.

Seeing her friend’s invitation to go abroad, she felt down, uninterested, only wanting to talk about her girlfriend.

Her girlfriend, where was she?

She replied: [I might’ve been dumped.]

That afternoon, her friend flooded her inbox, essentially asking: [Who dumped you? Why? Tell me everything.]

Leaving the hotel, the seaside fog was thick. Looking back, the villa hotel was hazy, yet she lingered on every moment they’d shared.

Logically, with the woman gone, she should move on. But she was hooked, unable to forget, lost in it.

On the island, their intimacy, sweetness, and passion had enveloped her like a whirlpool. Especially in bed, in the heat of the moment, the woman gasps, calling her good, loving her mischief.

Her ears burned thinking of it.

Du Qingting bought a scalped ferry ticket to the island.

The island was packed with tourists. She indirectly asked the hotel, but they revealed nothing, confirming no You Jin had checked in again. The beach volleyball players were new, no trace of her on the lounge chairs.

It was as if the typhoon had cleared, leaving her alone, trapped in that stormy day.

Everything after leaving the island felt like a dream.

After half a day, she bought a plane ticket—not abroad, but to Kyoto to find her.

Carrying her luggage, camera around her neck, holding the potted plant, a bottle of water her girlfriend bought her (unopened, too precious to drink), and various small items, she couldn’t pass airport security.

She switched to a high-speed train, but they wouldn’t allow the water, plant, or jars either. Gritting her teeth, she chose a 17-hour sleeper train to Kyoto, guarding the plant’s scent, unwilling to let it get damaged.

The train rocked. Du Qingting lay on the narrow bunk, protecting the plant from bumps, inhaling its fragrance, and pulled out her phone to watch their videos. The woman’s loving gaze didn’t seem fake.

Xu Yang said she’d been hurt by someone. Du Qingting noticed You Jin often looked at her with sadness and confusion, sometimes as if seeing another woman. If so, it made sense—she’d asked to be called You Jin because she was hurt, using Du Qingting as a substitute while seeing her as someone else’s.

Du Qingting didn’t mind being her balm. They’d started with lust, after all. And later, on the motorcycle, her soft, sincere “I like you” didn’t feel like a lie.

Du Qingting ached for her.

Damn it.

She imagined finding her, holding her waist, and beating whoever hurt her. A satisfying revenge story.

She rewatched the island videos, the woman’s focused, gentle gaze, her light touch on her hair. She must crave love, which explained her cautious response to Du Qingting’s confession, her hesitation, and recording to fear regret.

Du Qingting swore again to find her, love her, cherish her, and never be like that scumbag.
Touching the fragrant succulent, less sweet than her but a lingering trace, it eased her longing.

Closing her eyes, fearing they’d never meet again, she turned to faith, praying, “God, Buddha, please let us meet again.”