Pillowside Passion - Chapter 28

28:

Du Qingting was caught off guard by the apology, standing rooted to the spot as she looked at You Jin. You Jin’s lips glistened with a candy-like sheen, exuding a sweet yogurt scent that was almost intoxicating just by being near her.

Du Qingting frantically searched for reasons to refuse, trying to keep her body from acting on impulse.

You Jin propped herself up slightly with her hands, her long, crossed legs uncrossing as she sat on the black-and-gray bedsheets. Her white blouse and fitted skirt made her beauty almost impossible to fault.

After all, the two had once been in a passionate relationship, and Du Qingting could read certain hints with just a glance—she knew You Jin was inviting her to sit on her lap and kiss her.

Du Qingting’s rationality struggled to stay in control. She tensed up and said, “Your mom is still downstairs. It’s… it’s not appropriate for us to do this.”

“Then we won’t leave any traces. Or, after kissing, I won’t go downstairs, so they won’t see anything,” You Jin replied. Du Qingting thought to herself, Wouldn’t that make it even more obvious?

You Jin continued, “I believe my Xiao Qingting can kiss wonderfully. After all, your kissing skills have become quite polished.”

Her gaze was encouraging, her posture alluring, as if saying, Come kiss me. If you mess it up, I’ll sneakily stay in, and if you do well, I’ll praise you.

Du Qingting swallowed hard, her body betraying her. More terrifying than the urge to kiss was the desire to do more—her body’s memories were making her mind race with reckless thoughts.

“Don’t you want to kiss?” You Jin’s words cut through, and she smiled, ever understanding. “It’s okay if you don’t want to.”

“I…” Du Qingting’s words stuck in her throat. Her mind was screaming that she did want to kiss, and her body had already surrendered. It was just… her mouth hadn’t caught up yet. She really needed some “healing” to sort out this internal struggle.

She couldn’t understand how her body had fallen so quickly.

Du Qingting verbally resisted, saying, “I just think there are still things between us that haven’t been sorted out. It’s not the right time to kiss.”

“Alright.” You Jin stood and walked over to her, leaning slightly to look at Du Qingting’s lips. As Du Qingting flinched, You Jin gently took her hand and said, “Just a little kiss to ease the moment. I want to kiss you, but if you’re not willing, consider it me stealing a kiss.”

Her lips brushed lightly against the corner of Du Qingting’s mouth—soft, restrained, like a dragonfly skimming water, carrying a unique fragrance. They had kissed countless times during their passionate days, practically glued to each other 24/7.

You Jin said she only kissed the corner of her mouth, but in reality, her lips grazed Du Qingting’s lip line. Her kissing technique was impeccable, slipping a small piece of candy to Du Qingting’s lips. Du Qingting froze, her heart pounding wildly as she tasted You Jin’s scent again after so long.

If this was a “stolen kiss,” shouldn’t it leave her breathless, with nowhere to place her tongue? She actually wanted to be kissed like that.

Itchy and sweet, You Jin pulled back, keeping the candy in her mouth.

You Jin pursed her lips and said, “You’ve really grown up. You don’t need your big sister’s praise anymore. Such a pity…” Her tone was soft, with a hint of grievance.

Du Qingting’s body tensed. She wasn’t unaffected, she was just pretending to be! She took a deep breath, thinking she really needed You Jin to “heal” her.

Her mind was a mess. In the past, when they got along well… could You Jin have praised her like this back then?

After brushing past her lips, You Jin’s fingers gently touched Du Qingting’s lips, stroking them slowly. “No rush. We still have a few days,” she said.

Du Qingting mumbled in agreement.

Looking at You Jin’s face, her lips and tongue felt dry. So captivating, so tempting—and with the name “You Jin,” it became dangerously irresistible.

You Jin smiled gently, as if she didn’t want to pressure her, always putting Du Qingting first. Her fingers traced Du Qingting’s lips repeatedly, circling a few times until Du Qingting felt a slight sting. She was about to grab You Jin’s wrist when You Jin’s hand slid to the back of her head, rubbing gently. Without high heels at home, they were about the same height, and for some reason, Du Qingting instinctively lowered her head slightly.

“Alright, sit for a bit,” You Jin said.

Du Qingting couldn’t handle it. She’d just climbed out of the emotional pit, and now this? “No, does this need healing too? Isn’t it too soon?”

You Jin clarified, “I meant just sit for a while.”

Du Qingting realized her mistake.

You Jin chuckled softly. “You came so early today. Stay a bit longer. We’ll kiss when you say it’s okay.”

She pulled a chair for Du Qingting, who sat across from her bed. You Jin sat facing her, chewing on a piece of milk candy. The candy in Du Qingting’s mouth was slowly melting too.

Du Qingting looked up and saw a desk by the floor-to-ceiling window with two photo frames—one large, one small. The large one was of You Jin and Little Butterfly, while the small one seemed to be of You Jin and Xiao Qingting, from a long time ago.

Du Qingting couldn’t recall when it was taken. The small frame made it hard to see clearly, but she vaguely remembered they were standing side by side, both quite young.

Too shy to go look closely, Du Qingting sat for a while. You Jin brought her laptop over and worked on some files, occasionally touching Du Qingting’s face. “Finished the candy?”

The candy was one Du Qingting had bought while getting a toolkit.

“Want me to feed you another piece?” You Jin teased with a smile.

Du Qingting didn’t respond.

You Jin said, “Such a tough mouth. Even candy doesn’t soften it.”

Du Qingting stayed in You Jin’s bedroom for three hours. After finishing her work, You Jin walked her downstairs. At the door, Du Qingting heard You Jin sigh.

She hadn’t realized it was already so dark. Surprisingly, her mom was still there, waiting in the pavilion.

You Jin chatted with her mom for a bit, smiling sweetly. A breeze blew, making the summer heat feel like autumn had arrived.

Du Qingting felt her mom’s eyes on her. She avoided Liu Sumei’s gaze, feeling guilty. Perhaps because her mom was there, Liu Sumei didn’t say anything harsh, though her expression carried a hint of displeasure.

Chen Huiru glanced at her, said goodbye to Liu Sumei with a smile, and then turned to You Jin. “Come to our place for dinner sometime, okay?”

“Definitely,” You Jin nodded. As she saw them off, she slipped something into Du Qingting’s palm while Chen Huiru wasn’t looking. Du Qingting opened her hand to find a mint candy.

The mother and daughter walked quietly out of the Yu residence. Du Qingting shoved her hands in her pockets and tentatively asked, “Why’d you come over today?”

Chen Huiru lifted the bag in her hand. “What do you think?”

Du Qingting glanced at her mom’s chest, noticing the necklace already on. Her mom had always been simple and unadorned, but she loved showing off anything her dad bought her.

Chen Huiru studied her daughter and said, “What about you? What’s with your lips? You were upstairs with You Jin for so long… were you kissing?”

Du Qingting’s eyes widened. She instinctively touched the corner of her mouth, shocked. “What are you talking about? No way!”

She worried if You Jin’s lipstick had left a mark.

Chen Huiru said, “Your lips look a bit red. I was just teasing you.”

Du Qingting let out a relieved “oh,” thinking her mom was too cunning. “I was just scratching my lips because they were itchy.”

Chen Huiru continued, “Right. I told you back then, You Jin is beautiful, maybe even prettier than that girlfriend of yours. Told you to go for her. So, don’t you feel like you’ve hit the jackpot now?”

Du Qingting didn’t respond, walking toward home with her head down.

“You two really didn’t kiss? What were you doing upstairs all that time?” Chen Huiru had a lot of questions. “Why were you messing with their lawn?”

Chen Huiru wasn’t naive. Despite what You Jin said, she sensed there was more to it.

“Stop asking!” Du Qingting bolted, feeling like her calf muscles had developed from all the running around lately.

Chen Huiru strolled behind, endlessly praising You Jin and urging Du Qingting to consider her, saying there wouldn’t be another chance like this. She watched her daughter’s expression closely.

Speaking as someone with experience, she added, “You can try kissing. Sometimes you find a spark, and it’s the perfect match.”

Du Qingting found her mom annoying, feeling restless. She quickened her pace, keeping three or four steps ahead, and licked the corner of her lips.

The yogurt flavor was sweet.

But the sweetness was faint, gone after one lick.

“You don’t get it,” Chen Huiru said, repeating her daughter’s words.

She sighed. “Ugh, I really think You Jin is great. You kids don’t understand anything.”

Back home, Du Qingting looked at her lips in the mirror while showering, touching them lightly. No taste lingered.

After her shower, she lay in bed, arms behind her head, when a message came in.

It was from You Jin.

[Today’s apology might not have been formal, but every word was sincere. I’m deeply sorry for hurting you in the past.]

Du Qingting bit her lip.

Sorry?

She used to be scared of You Jin, thinking she was too controlling, but looking back as an adult, she realized she wasn’t entirely blameless either.

You Jin: [These aren’t just recent thoughts. I’ve wanted to say this for years.]

The room was dark, and Du Qingting stared at her phone, rolling over a few times. The weather was humid, signaling rain. She paced her room, punched her bed, and went to the balcony to feel the breeze, staring at her phone.

It finally felt real—You Jin had actually apologized. Memories of senior year had faded—studying, exams, the process was a blur. But You Jin remained the sharpest memory.

She lingered on the balcony, the wind blowing. She typed a reply but was startled by a noise.

Du Nuanzhi came out of her room, leaning over to look at her. “What’s up, sis? Burying your love again?”

“You’re the one saying that!” Du Qingting frowned.

“Who else?” Du Nuanzhi saw her anxious expression and asked, “Why aren’t you sleeping? Realizing You Jin is prettier than you thought, torn between her and your girlfriend?”

“No such thing! Go to bed!”

“Can’t sleep. I’m stressed about school starting,” Du Nuanzhi sighed.

Du Qingting ignored her, scrolling through videos on the balcony. By midnight, she was hungry and raided the fridge.

Late at night, Gu Rui texted, asking if she had time to hang out, maybe hit up the nightlife. Du Qingting hesitated, staring at the message for over ten minutes.

She realized she might be sleepless because of You Jin’s apology.

She reread You Jin’s message.

You Jin had really apologized.

Why the sudden apology?

Du Qingting typed a single word in reply: [Okay.]

She was about to put her phone down when You Jin replied instantly.

You Jin: [Sleep early.]

It was already late. Du Qingting texted: [Why aren’t you sleeping?]

You Jin: [Waiting for your reply.]

What did that mean?

Du Qingting tried to parse the simple words, heavy with meaning.

Was You Jin waiting for her forgiveness?

Honestly, if it was just about not praising her or being too strict back then, an apology wasn’t necessary.

Her heart was a mess.

There was one thing You Jin hadn’t mentioned.

Du Qingting unwrapped the mint candy, typing with some embarrassment but wanting to say it.

[That time you sat on me and slapped me…]

That incident felt like it crossed a line, but it was hard to bring up.

She deleted the message, holding back. The problem was, thinking about You Jin’s lips made her restless.

She was still excited, sucking on the mint candy, her lips tingling. She sat up and continued typing: […and kicked my face. Is that included in your apology?]

Sending it, she cringed hard. After all, she’d mistaken You Jin for “Miss Wang” and vented by shouting her name.

She moved to retract the message, her finger hovering over the screen.

You Jin’s status switched to “typing,” and she replied: [That doesn’t count.]

Du Qingting felt a pang of disappointment. She really cared about that incident.

Another message came: [But you can hit me back. Anywhere you want.]

Du Qingting’s eyes widened.

You Jin: [Also, if we’re apologizing, shouldn’t you explain why you barged into my room and laughed back then?]

Back then, she’d rush into You Jin’s room and saw something.

The room’s layout had changed over the years, but the feeling today was the same.

You Jin… was quite alluring.

Du Qingting couldn’t answer that question.

Her face flushed.

How could she explain? She wasn’t mocking You Jin—she was shocked, with a hint of delight, seeing the stern, cold You Jin like that on her bed…

She thought for a moment and asked: [If I hadn’t laughed, would you have hit me?]

You Jin sent a text and a voice message: [Sleep early. I want to see you early tomorrow.]

Du Qingting had learned a lesson since adding You Jin on WeChat: unless absolutely necessary, never open a voice message from “You Jin” turned “Big Sister You Jin” late at night.

It started raining before dawn, a steady drizzle filling the villa with dampness.

The Yu family’s housekeeper served breakfast, telling the two women that Du Qingting had come early with an umbrella but ran back when the rain got heavier.

Liu Sumei asked, “What was she here for?”

You Jin smiled. “Probably because I said yesterday I wanted to see her early tomorrow.”

Liu Sumei said nothing. The housekeeper laughed, “Oh, that’s sweet. Qingting takes after her mom. If they got married, our Little Jin would have a cute little wife.”

“Love-struck fool,” Liu Sumei remarked.

You Jin said, “I think you’re praising her.”

She checked the time on her phone, smiling. “Has she been here long?”

“I was up at six, and the rain got heavy by 7:30.”

Du Qingting’s clothes were soaked when she got back. She showered, dried her hair, and sat in the living room checking emails.

She still wanted to negotiate that copyright deal. At 25, she couldn’t keep relying on family money—especially since there wasn’t much left to spend.

She replied to the publisher, expressing willingness to negotiate, preferably at a higher price. The publisher responded quickly with a contract.

Du Qingting also replied to Evelyn: [I’m fine, still alive.]

Looking outside, the rain continued. She considered going back to the Yu residence, recalling the promise to discuss things once the lawn was fixed. Her heart raced, what were they discussing?

She texted You Jin: [Still talking today?]

You Jin: [Wait for the rain to stop. Rest today, take it easy, don’t catch a cold.]

Du Qingting thought, Perfect. Another talk would mean more social embarrassment, she’d collapse from the intensity.

She typed: [Went to your place earlier, no one was home. What were you doing?]

She deleted it and sent: [Okay.]

She downloaded the contract to print, knowing a copyright deal needed caution. With no agent, she’d need a lawyer’s advice.

Du Qingting waited for the rain to ease before heading out.

It took most of the day. Her dad was home with her mom, all lovey-dovey. Her sister, preparing for school, was sighing and rummaging, annoying Du Qingting.

She locked her room. Soon, the housekeeper mentioned a visitor. From the balcony, Du Qingting saw You Jin’s car pull up briefly and leave.

Her door was knocked. Chen Huiru ran over, saying, “You Jin brought you pear soup, sweetie. Come out and drink it if you’re not annoyed.” She kept praising, “You Jin is so thoughtful.”

Her mom had the housekeeper leave the soup at the door. Du Qingting waited until she left to grab it. The thermos was warm, the sweet aroma of pear and red dates wafting out, soothing her heart before she even drank.

She wondered why her mom’s praise didn’t hit as hard as You Jin’s.

It was like she was poisoned. The first glance seduced her, the second praised her, and she was hooked, head over heels.

Du Qingting drank half, hiding it from her mom. She placed it back at the door, planning to head out when the rain eased.

The rain didn’t stop until afternoon. Bored, she finished the rest of the soup.

By 4 p.m., the rain lightened. She grabbed her phone, found a law firm, and headed out. Her motorcycle’s gas tank had scratches from her last escape.

Not long after leaving, the rain intensified. The law firm was far, and she got soaked. She ducked into a nearby mall.

Looking back, the rain poured, darkening the sky early. She checked the forecast. “Still raining? Wasn’t it supposed to be light?”

She bought an umbrella, passing clothing stores, thinking she should buy something nice to wear for negotiations at You Jin’s to look confident.

Then she remembered something and texted You Jin: [Your lawn okay?]

You Jin: [Why not ask if I’m okay?]

Du Qingting: [What’s wrong with you?]

You Jin: [It’s raining, no umbrella. Come pick me up.]

Du Qingting: [?]

You Jin: [I want you to pick me up from work.]

She sent a location—a high-end restaurant, likely for a business meeting or contract signing.

Du Qingting: [On my motorcycle, only one helmet.]

You Jin: [Where are you?]

Not wanting to seem like she was lying, Du Qingting sent her location.

No reply came. The rain grew heavier. She sat in a milk tea shop, checking her phone. Gu Rui texted about a high school reunion, asking if she’d come.

She wanted to go. She replied to You Jin first, then Gu Rui. Staying cooped up was boring, might as well have fun.

But Gu Rui’s next message came: [I told everyone we’ll help you find someone. I’ve got your back, bro. No way you’re marrying someone you don’t love. Need a party? Send me a photo!]

Du Qingting’s scalp tingled. She cursed under her breath, “What’s wrong with you? How did I end up friends with this idiot?”

Like attracts like, she supposed. She wasn’t much better back then. She replied: [No need, thanks.]

Gu Rui: [Don’t. I always teased you, but I don’t want you marrying someone you don’t love. It’s settled.]

Du Qingting was glad she hadn’t sent Gu Rui a photo, or he’d be waving You Jin’s picture around for a “wife hunt.”

Gu Rui, the social butterfly, had bar connections. He’d probably make a video or photo for a “find Du Qingting’s wife” party.

She used to be one of those idiots, causing trouble with them. Now she couldn’t handle it.

God, You Jin should’ve slapped me harder back then.

Frantically typing, she cursed Gu Rui’s ancestors.

[I was just in Xianghai playing with Jiang Mingyue.]

Gu Rui: [Wow, she’s your old flame, huh? You’ve been through a lot, but your first love is still the one.]

[So, you into that woman or rekindling with Jiang Mingyue? Mingyue’s got good looks with some effort.]

[If you like Mingyue, no party. I’ll help you chase her across the country!]

Du Qingting was dumbfounded.

What was Gu Rui imagining, saying she was rekindling with Jiang Mingyue?

Du Qingting: [Just hanging out. Since when were we a thing?]

Gu Rui sent a voice message: “She did your homework, copied your tests. You wore her hair tie on your wrist. Everyone in class thought you two were a couple.”

“What? I didn’t know that!” Du Qingting was stunned. Were people that gossipy back then? She sent a voice message: “She did my homework and tests because I paid her. What hair tie?”

Gu Rui: “The hair tie! Everyone saw it. You hid your stomach, shoved your arm in the drawer. When people teased you, you looked pissed, snapped at everyone. No one dared ask, and you stuffed her hair tie in your coat.”

Du Qingting was baffled, then remembered—it was that awkward moment she recalled yesterday.

She’d forgotten to return Jiang Mingyue’s hair tie, kept it at home out of embarrassment, and later bought her an expensive hair clip as repayment.
How could that be misunderstood?

The late August rain poured heavily but without much wind.

She couldn’t keep chatting, her stomach was starting to hurt. She checked the time and sent a voice message: “Stop being crazy. I’m busy.”
Nearly messing things up, she went to a nearby store, bought another umbrella, and took a cab, urging the driver to hurry.

Twenty minutes later, at the restaurant, she checked Gu Rui’s messages. The idiot had planned the reunion’s itinerary.

Thanks a lot.

She texted You Jin, looked inside, but didn’t see her. The front desk said her group had left.

“They’re gone already?” Du Qingting clutched her phone.

The driver urged her to leave.

She waved him off.

You Jin texted: [Where are you? I’m here.]

Du Qingting: [?]

Realizing what happened, she chased the starting cab. “Sorry, driver, change the route, head back.”
At the mall, she got out, opened her umbrella, and ran to the entrance. A car pulled up. She lowered her umbrella, looked up, and saw You Jin in the driver’s seat, window down.

Du Qingting stepped closer, peering in. “How’d you get here?”

You Jin said, “I came to pick you up.”

Softly, she added, “It’s raining. You’d get wet riding your motorcycle.”

“Get in.”

Du Qingting folded her umbrella, got in, and You Jin turned to her. She was wet. You Jin handed her a towel. “Good thing you texted, or we’d have missed each other.”

Du Qingting said, “No big deal, just turned back. It’s just a bit of rain.” She asked, “No business dinner?”

You Jin slowed the car, then started again. “No need to drink at a business dinner.”

“Oh.”

“Have you eaten? I’ll take you for food,” You Jin said.

Du Qingting said, “Didn’t you just eat?”

You Jin: “I had two bites and left.”

Du Qingting thought it was late, and a storm was coming. “No need, I ate.”

But You Jin seemed to know she hadn’t. She pulled into a shop, bought some bread, her shoulder wet. Back in the car, she handed it to Du Qingting. “Eat something.”

Du Qingting nodded, popping a cream puff in her mouth. The heavy rain reminded her of that night long ago.

What You Jin said behind her on the motorcycle, was it the same as what she said in Xianghai?

You Jin drove slowly as the rain intensified. Du Qingting watched her hands, recalling yesterday’s tone: “Oh, so that’s where the hair tie came from.”
Did You Jin misunderstand too?

Staring too long, You Jin noticed. “What’s wrong?”

Du Qingting looked out the window. “Nothing.”

You Jin said, “Learn to drive. I’ll get you a car.”

“No need.” Du Qingting wasn’t into cars. They were expensive, and maintenance wasn’t cheap. Why take You Jin’s car?

You Jin turned the wheel, her tone gentle. “A car’s convenient. You won’t get wet, and riding a motorcycle in the rain isn’t safe.”

Du Qingting glanced at her, wondering if she’d misread You Jin’s tone back then. She saw You Jin’s wet shoulder.

She replied, “We’ll see.”

The car stopped at Du Qingting’s house. Chen Huiru ran out, asking if they’d eaten and inviting them in.

You Jin politely declined, not planning to drive back.

She got out, looked at Du Qingting, and said, “Give me your umbrella.”

“Your car?” Du Qingting handed it over, holding it above her. “What’s with the car? Broken?”

The rain pounded heavily.

“It’s Su Qinxi’s car,” You Jin said.

“Oh.”

Du Qingting didn’t get it, couldn’t she just drive it back and return it tomorrow?

She held the umbrella, walking You Jin back to check the lawn. It wasn’t bald; the grass looked fine in the rain. She walked You Jin to the living room door but didn’t go in. “I’m heading back.”

As You Jin went inside, Liu Sumei came downstairs, seeing her at the door. “Back so early? I was about to send someone for you.”
You Jin walked in. “Du Qingting picked me up.”

Liu Sumei was silent.

You Jin raised her voice slightly. “She came specially for me. I told you she’s great.”

After a pause, Liu Sumei said, “She’s pretty thoughtful.”

Du Qingting, still nearby, heard clearly. She held the unopened umbrella, only opening it at their gate.

She rummaged through her pockets, found her earbud case, and put them in. They beeped—dead battery.

She quickly scrolled through their chat, replaying last night’s voice message.

The rain pattered on her umbrella, the sky dim.
She held the phone to her ear, volume maxed to drown out the rain. You Jin’s voice said, “If we went back, whether you laughed or not, I wouldn’t have hit you. I’d have said, ‘Little puppy, come lick big sister.’”