Pillowside Passion - Chapter 29

29:

The rain turned into a downpour by six o’clock, accompanied by gusts of wind that nearly toppled the umbrella. It raged relentlessly for an entire day.

Du Qingting returned home soaked to the bone.

That voice message, she listened to it for about an hour. As she listened, she thought to herself: if she didn’t respond to You Jin, would You Jin think she hadn’t forgiven her, hadn’t accepted that possibility?

Lost in thought, she got drenched on her way back. While taking a hot shower, she played the voice message again, listening as she washed, growing increasingly restless. After drying her hands, she pressed replay.

Lying in bed, she played it again for no reason.

It was like she was possessed, inexplicably fond of that sentence.

What if time could rewind, and You Jin had really said those words? What would have happened?

Thank goodness she hadn’t listened to it last night. If she had, she’d have stayed up two nights straight, unable to sleep, endlessly wondering how to respond. Thank goodness You Jin hadn’t asked if she’d listened, or followed up with, “If I did that, what would you do?”

Yeah.

That was the question.

If You Jin had said, “Come lick your big sister.”

Would she have gone to lick?

Du Qingting no longer had a clear answer. So many years had passed, and she’d forgotten her mindset back then. All she remembered was You Jin lying on the bed, herself leaning against the door. It wasn’t as cool that day, it was stiflingly hot.

She gazed at the person inside, and the person inside seemed just as flustered. Amid the sultry breeze, their eyes met, and she couldn’t help but smile.

It had rained that night too, though she couldn’t recall how heavy it was. All she remembered was waking in a daze, her waist heavy, only to find You Jin drenched, sitting on her waist… yes, sitting on her waist, soaked. You Jin had slapped her awake. She was bewildered, and then got kicked a couple of times.

In her dream, their kisses were fragmented.

Thinking back, it must’ve been so late. You Jin had come all the way from her place just to slap her.

But what if things had been resolved differently?

If You Jin had crooked her finger and said, “Puppy, come lick me.”

What would she have done? Run away in fear… or go weak in the knees, unable to move? Or perhaps… urged by the hot breeze, would she have tasted the sweet honey?

With these strange thoughts, Du Qingting opened their chat and sent You Jin a message: [Asleep?]

No reply.

She sent another: [It’s still raining.]

She hesitated on the third message, typed it out, then deleted it letter by letter. Just then, You Jin replied: [Just showered, not asleep.]

Du Qingting didn’t know how to respond.

You Jin: [Drink some Banlangen tonight.]

Du Qingting: [I’m fine, super healthy.]

You Jin: [Energetic little puppy.]

Memories surged, and Du Qingting felt You Jin was smiling as she typed.

You Jin: [Why the sudden message? Hmm?]

Du Qingting: [Just checking if I’m going to your place tomorrow.]

It was a random excuse, something to say: [What time?]

You Jin: [It’s raining, no need to come early. I’d feel bad if you got wet.]

Du Qingting’s heart skipped a beat. You Jin probably didn’t know why she was messaging, did she? Du Qingting felt a bit shameless—she was just trying to ease the aftereffects of that voice message, even wanting You Jin to “cure” her, to let her hear it again.

It was addictive. Her rationality told her not to listen, but her body craved it.

Across the screen, You Jin didn’t understand her thoughts and didn’t send any flirty voice messages. They chatted all night, so innocently that Du Qingting started feeling parched, craving something spicier.

You Jin sent a goodnight message. Du Qingting typed “Sister” several times, only to delete it each time.

You Jin: [Got something to say? Why’s it taking so long to reply? What are you writing?]

Du Qingting: [Nothing, just fixed some typos.]

Afraid of being found out, she added: [Hands are wet, typing’s tricky.]

You Jin: [No worries, I’d love to see your typos too.]

Du Qingting paused, recalling something her mom often mentioned. As a kid, she loved writing You Jin’s name: [I used to mess up your name all the time. Didn’t you hate it?]

You Jin: [I just said don’t scribble it wrong, not that I hated it.]

[After all, you kept writing Wang Huo instead of You Jin. It was infuriating.]

Du Qingting found the texts satisfying.

But the more she read, the hungrier she got.

When You Jin sent a [Goodnight], she wished it had been a voice message.

Oh, Du Qingting.

You’re such a pervert… If You Jin had really said that, you’d probably turn into a lapdog, wouldn’t you? You wouldn’t run at all.

The night was so tame it felt malnourishing. Du Qingting lay in bed until 3 a.m., unable to sleep despite the white noise of the rain.

Wearing earphones, she listened to the voice message for ages, eventually digging up the original backup.

She replayed that awkward, cringe-inducing kissy conversation, especially the line, “Energetic little puppy.”

The next morning, it turned cold.

Chen Huiru called Du Qingting several times to get up. She sneezed repeatedly, her nose stuffy, feeling groggy—unsure if it was from lack of sleep or catching a cold yesterday.

Chen Huiru was downstairs making autumn pear paste and brought her a steaming bowl, urging her to drink it to ward off the chill. Du Qingting took a sip, it wasn’t bad. Chen Huiru said, “Take two jars to You Jin and Aunt Liu. It’s autumn; this is perfect for them.”

At that moment, Du Qingting felt a memory stir. She glanced at the rain outside. “It’s raining. Can’t we wait till it clears? It’s not like this is anything special.”

“Do you know how to chase a girl? You’ve got to send her things every day, big or small. Girls don’t always need expensive stuff. Back when your dad was a carpenter, he made me a wooden hairpin, and I loved it to death.”

The rain continued into the next day. When her dad came home, they had breakfast early. Du Qingting brought her breakfast upstairs to eat at a small table.

After eating, she heard a car outside and rushed to look, but it drove off quickly. She stared at the car below.

Wasn’t it needed anymore? Why didn’t they come for her?

Du Qingting was still a bit afraid of You Jin—the awkwardness lingered—but she kept thinking about that thing with You Jin. She stuffed a thin-skinned dumpling in her mouth, nearly choking, and sipped some soup before heading downstairs with her bowl.

Setting the bowl down, she mentally rehearsed her words before asking, “Whose car just passed by? It looked pretty fancy.”

“Probably Aunt Liu’s car,” Chen Huiru said with a hint of envy. “That’s what money gets you, car after car. All I can do is show off my jewelry.” She glanced at her husband, adding, “Cars are just cars. They’re not as nice as my jewelry. You can only drive them.”

Du Qingting ignored the rest and asked, “The car in the yard—is it not being moved?”

“What’s wrong with it staying there? Is it in your way?” Chen Huiru said. “You kids just don’t get it.”

Du Nuanzhi, eating her rice, chimed in, “Yeah, what’s wrong with it staying? Don’t be so petty.”

Du Qingting, already full, shoved another bun in her mouth. Whatever.

The housekeeper came over and said, “Should we fix the lawn? I was upstairs earlier and noticed our yard’s gone bald in spots. The rain washed away patches of grass. No idea why.”

Du Qingting stuffed another bun in her mouth.

Chen Huiru shot her a look. Du Qingting quietly went to the living room, turned on the TV, and shifted everyone’s attention.

Du Nuanzhi, still eating, asked, “School starts in a few days. Have you guys planned anything?”

Chen Huiru: “I’ll take you!”

Du Nuanzhi shook her head. “No way. You’ll show up at school decked out in gold and diamonds. If you take me, I’ll never live a simple life there.”

Chen Huiru saw her point. “Then your sister can take you.”

Du Nuanzhi shook her head again. “She can’t even drive. What, the driver goes in front, and she follows on her motorcycle like an escort?”

Du Qingting gritted her teeth. “I signed up for driving lessons yesterday.”

“Wow, so touching, thanks, Sis. But can you get your license before school starts?” Du Nuanzhi blinked.

Chen Huiru looked at Du Wenbo, who was eating. “Your dad’s busy and might not be able to take you. How about Uncle Wang?”

“No need. If none of you can do it,” Du Nuanzhi said, “I’ll ask Sister You Jin if she can take me. Her driving me will get all the heads turning! Plus, I’d get to ride in her new car!”

Chen Huiru said softly, “She’s busy. Don’t keep bothering Xiao Jin.”

“No way. Sister You Jin said last time that if I need anything for college, I can go straight to her.” Du Nuanzhi sipped her soup. “Seriously, if she takes me, I’ll have so much face. Way better than you guys flashing your wealth. You wouldn’t get a beauty stan’s moment of glory.”

“…Fine, ask her then,” Chen Huiru said.

Du Wenbo glanced at the person on the couch and coughed. “Let’s not trouble her.”

“I want to,” Du Nuanzhi insisted.

Du Qingting gritted her teeth. “Beauty stan.”

“People who don’t get Sister You’s beauty are doomed to miss out. No taste, totally out of touch.”

Du Qingting turned up the TV volume, suddenly recalling something she’d once said: if her little sister got older… and ended up with You Jin…

How hadn’t You Jin strangled her back then?

Her temper was too good.

Meanwhile, her sister kept yapping. Now that she was starting college, the whole family revolved around her. After eating, Du Nuanzhi fiddled with her phone. Du Qingting was messing with hers too when Du Nuanzhi’s sudden shout startled her. Waving her phone, Du Nuanzhi said, “Mom, Sister You agreed! She said she’ll make time to take me to school on the first day.”

Du Qingting glanced at her phone. Why hadn’t You Jin replied to her message? She’d just asked if You Jin’s mom was home.

Damn.

So annoying.

Annoyed at herself, even more annoyed at that beauty stan.

Du Qingting sat up. Du Nuanzhi felt her glare and hid her phone. Du Qingting said coldly, “Yapping all day—aren’t you annoying? It’s just starting college.”

Du Nuanzhi, unfazed by the jab, kept playing with her phone and asked her mom, “How did Sis get to college back then?”

“Her? She refused to come back, so I had your dad’s secretary handle it. Found her a place, and she went to register and study on her own.”

“Oh, no wonder she’s jealous of me.”

“Jealous of you? I love you too much, dear sister.” Du Qingting looked at her seriously and said, “I’ll give you a big back-to-school gift to make you the biggest showoff. Want it?”

“You gonna hit me?” Du Nuanzhi squinted at her.

“As if I could. You know Evelyn? She’s my friend. Want me to get her to take you to school?”

In front of her sister, Du Qingting called Evelyn, but no one answered. She tried again, still no answer.

“Pfft—”

Du Nuanzhi burst out laughing mockingly.

“Evelyn? As if she’d know you. She’s a supermodel, okay?”

Du Qingting was mortified. Not staying long, she grabbed an umbrella as the rain lightened, packed the two jars of pear paste, and left.

As she stepped out, Chen Huiru was thrilled, whispering to Du Nuanzhi, “I think your sister’s got a thing for You Jin. She’s definitely starting to like her.”

“What makes you think that? She was complaining about Sister You’s car in our yard all day.”

“Look, before when I told her to meet You Jin or sent her a photo, she didn’t care at all. Now, I tell her to go, and she dawdles but goes. That’s progress.” Chen Huiru, who knew her daughter well, said, “Actually, when your sister was little, she was a bit of a beauty stan like you.”

Du Nuanzhi let out a “wow.” “That’s rough, then. Face-blind, thinking everyone looks the same, no beauties in her world.”

“That’s why You Jin saved your sister. She sees everyone the same, but You Jin stands out. In her plain world, the most beautiful person appeared. How lucky is that?” Chen Huiru was optimistic. “And they live so close, seeing each other every day.”

Du Nuanzhi thought about it, her mom had a point.

“But what about her ex? Isn’t it too fast to move on? Is my sister kind of a jerk?”

Chen Huiru trusted her judgment. “I don’t care. I think You Jin’s the best.” She warned her not to mention this in front of You Jin, saying seriously, “Some random woman trying to get into our family? No way. If I meet her, I’ll make sure she knows what the class difference is.”

“Extreme. Extra.” Du Nuanzhi shook her head at her mom.

Du Qingting arrived at You’s house but didn’t dare go in. The door was closed, likely meaning someone was home. She paced outside with the pear paste.

Zhang Guixiang saw her and told Liu Sumei, pointing outside. Liu Sumei, on the phone with You Jin’s dad, said, “Nothing big, just the Du kid pining away again.”

You Qingchuan asked, “That Xiao Qingting?”

Liu Sumei hummed in confirmation.

“How’s it going with them?”

“A while back, she swore she loved Xiao Jin, even came over to shove photos at me, threatening me. Now she sneaks over every day, peeking through the door or squatting under a tree watching Xiao Jin. In a few days, she’ll not only bald the lawn but strip the bark off the trees.”

Liu Sumei finished, and Zhang Guixiang chuckled. You Qingchuan paused, then said, “We’ll talk when I’m back.” He added, “What’s she doing now? Still loafing around?”

They chatted a bit more. When Liu Sumei looked outside again, Du Qingting was on her tiptoes, peering upstairs, even using her phone’s zoom to look.

About half an hour later, Zhang Guixiang opened the door and said softly, “Xiao Jin had something urgent this morning and left.”

Oh.

So she drove off this morning.

Du Qingting nodded and said okay.

She planned to hand the pear paste to the housekeeper and leave, but the housekeeper whispered, “She’ll be back soon.”

Du Qingting: “…”

With that, she couldn’t just leave.

“Is Aunt Liu home?” Du Qingting asked.

“More or less,” Zhang Guixiang said.

Du Qingting thought about it and decided to leave anyway, handing over the pear paste. “I’ll come back later. My clothes are wet, I’ll go change and return.”

As the housekeeper took it, she dropped a hint: “Xiao Jin’s dad is coming back soon. Prepare well to make a good impression.”

Du Qingting’s teeth ached from the pressure. “Thank you so much…”

The stress was even worse now.

“No need to thank me. Your love for Xiao Jin really moves me.” Whether the photo-shoving moved Liu Sumei was unclear, but Zhang Guixiang was won over. She gave a thumbs-up. “Keep it up! I’m rooting for you!”

“Heh,” Du Qingting laughed awkwardly. “Thanks.”

This time, Du Qingting waited until evening without a reply from You Jin. She sneaked to You’s house a few times, worried about being spotted by Liu Sumei, always going stealthily.

She messaged You Jin again: [When are you back?]

You Jin saw the message instantly.

She held her phone, not replying right away.

She took another sip of wine.

Placing the phone to her lips, she sent a voice message: “Miss me?”

Su Qinxi, also drinking, heard her voice and questioned her sanity. This wasn’t sweet sauce, why did she always think You Jin had a sweet vibe?

Du Qingting saw the voice message and shot up. She’d already showered and was lying down but jumped off the bed, rummaged for earphones, and sat on the bed to listen, taking a deep breath. She typed back: [Meeting today?]

She sent it too fast, regretted it, and added: [Are you drinking?]

Su Qinxi, holding her glass, saw the message too. You Jin was about to reply but looked at Su Qinxi and handed her the phone.

Soon, Du Qingting got a message.

It was that flirty voice from Xianghai.

“She’s drunk. Probably won’t be back till late.”

Du Qingting instantly knew it wasn’t You Jin. She replied quickly: [Where are you guys?]

No response. Du Qingting felt uneasy.

By 10:30 p.m., a new contact appeared in her friend list—Su Qinxi, whom she’d repeatedly tried to add, had finally accepted.

Su: [Location.]

Du Qingting checked the location, put on clothes, and headed to the garage. Upstairs, Chen Huiru asked, “Going out this late?”

Du Qingting put on her helmet, grabbed an extra one, and went to the garage, only to remember her motorcycle was still at the mall’s underground parking lot from riding back with You Jin yesterday.

Su sent another message: [Bring some food. This client’s clueless—just drinking, no food. Our stomachs are wrecked.]

At the restaurant, Su Qinxi and You Jin were still at the event, holding drinks. Su Qinxi clinked glasses with You Jin and said, “Damn, I really want to see your blind puppy. I told you to bring me along when you two meet, but you didn’t.”

You Jin ignored her. “You want to see everything.”

Both a bit tipsy, she said, “Don’t mess with her.”

“As if I’d dare. Seeing her makes my toes curl, I can’t help but laugh. You don’t know how hard I’m holding it in. I’m wondering if I should meet her face-to-face later.”

You Jin paused. “You sent her the location?”

Su Qinxi said, “I figured you two made up. The Yixiao guy added me, so I accepted her old friend request and sent her the location to pick you up.”

You Jin frowned, looking at the night through the window. “Her bike’s not even here. Getting a car would take her far.”

“Then she won’t come?” Su Qinxi scratched her head. “What about my car? You drove it yesterday and didn’t return it. She could take it.”

You Jin said, “She can’t drive.” She stood, went to the window, and sent two messages. “It’s too late for her to come. Not safe.”

Su Qinxi looked outside—no one. She called her assistant to bring her car, cursing the client while doing so. You Jin stayed by the window, looking down. No one came. Su Qinxi started to worry, what if she didn’t show up?

“How about we find a hotel to crash at?” Su Qinxi suggested.

You Jin glanced at her, her expression complex, as if blaming her for messing up her plans.

“What’s your deal?” Su Qinxi asked.

You Jin sipped her wine, fingers on the glass, and quietly shared her plan. Su Qinxi was dumbfounded, barely holding back a “holy crap.”

She said, “My bad, Boss You. I’m guilty of sin.”

You Jin said, “You think I held off messaging her all day for what?”

Su Qinxi was stunned. She thought You Jin was playing hard to get, not setting a trap. She sipped her wine, consoling, “Maybe, maybe she won’t come today.”

You Jin held her glass, eyes already hazy with drunkenness. “Wait a bit. You sent her the message, she’ll come. She’ll definitely pick me up.”

“You’re that sure your blind puppy will show? She didn’t pick you up yesterday,” Su Qinxi said.

You Jin said, “Yesterday, I lost my patience and went to get her.”

“If I tell her I’m here and need a ride, she’ll come.”

“So confident…”

“Yeah,” You Jin said. “It’s always been like that. Unless I’m playing games with her and don’t speak up, she won’t know, and she won’t come.”

Su Qinxi downed her drink.

Another round later, after half an hour, they wrapped up work and left together. You Jin hurried downstairs. Su Qinxi, leaning against the wall, rubbed her stomach, cursing, “Damn Yixiao, this shitty company. Not a bite to eat, just endless toasts. My stomach’s ruined. Once we close this deal, I’ll make them pay. They did this on purpose.”

You Jin wasn’t faring much better, her expression sour.

They waited downstairs for ten minutes. It was past midnight, with hardly anyone around.

The rain came and went, irritatingly inconsistent. Su Qinxi grumbled about it, scanning the area. “Where’s your blind puppy?”

Before she finished, a motorcycle horn sounded. She looked over, a helmeted figure appeared in the distance.

Du Qingting rode up.

She eyed the two standing at the entrance, squinting.

Both in suits, standing straight, their shadows stretched long by the light. They were talking close.

The last time You Jin and Su Qinxi vanished together, Du Qingting held a grudge against Su Qinxi. Seeing them together now, she was even more annoyed.

You Jin heard the sound but didn’t turn. She faced away, said something to her assistant, then turned back, slipping on her glasses. Pushing them up, she smiled at Du Qingting.

Du Qingting’s heart sank, a strange feeling rising. She rode over, glanced at You Jin, then at Su Qinxi, lifted her visor, and looked back. “Food’s in the back.”

Su Qinxi froze for a few seconds.

She did the math, taking a cab to get the bike and come here. Du Qingting had spent at least two hours, plus brought several big boxes of food.
She turned to You Jin and said, “Damn, a pure love warrior.”

Du Qingting grabbed the packed food from the back, handing a portion to Su Qinxi. Su Qinxi’s “thanks” was cut short when she saw the bag, peanuts? Peanuts?

Du Qingting said, “No need to thank me. Got you some peanuts to go with your drinks. Have a couple more, you’ll feel better.”

Su Qinxi: “…”

Du Qingting handed a fancy wooden box to You Jin. “Didn’t know what you wanted, so I grabbed something from a nearby restaurant.”

You Jin’s lips curved, her smile tinged with drunkenness.

“So, I kinda like rainy days.”

Du Qingting didn’t get it, but Su Qinxi did. Holding her peanuts, she watched You Jin climb onto Du Qingting’s motorcycle, arms wrapping around her waist.

Du Qingting said, “Let’s find a place for you to eat first.”

You Jin didn’t reply. After a few minutes of riding, she said, “Xiao Qingting, I’m a bit dizzy.”

“Gonna puke?” Du Qingting glanced at the lights ahead, ready to pull over.

“Not puking.” You Jin leaned closer, her breath heavy with alcohol, forehead brushing Du Qingting’s shoulder. Du Qingting said, “Hold on tighter.”

You Jin hummed.

“I’m holding tight.”

Du Qingting recalled what You Jin said last time on the back seat. She focused on the traffic lights, trying not to get distracted.

Finally home, she slowed the bike, keeping the noise low, especially near her house, practically tiptoeing.

But the person behind her tightened her grip and said, “Stop here. I’ll walk.”

Du Qingting figured it was fine and stopped. Crickets chirped in the bushes. You Jin got off, removed her helmet, and stood beside Du Qingting. Du Qingting lifted her visor. “I’ll park and grab the food box for you… Never mind, I’ll walk you over.”

Before she finished, You Jin kissed her cheek.
You Jin, head lowered, eyes red from the alcohol, said, “Su Qinxi asked why I didn’t reply to you today.”

Du Qingting wanted to know too. Her cheek warmed, and she wanted to touch it but couldn’t.

“Why?” She wondered if it was because she hadn’t listened to You Jin’s voice message that night or replied, so You Jin was getting back at her.

But You Jin said, “I told her it’s because…”

“Because I wanted to knock on your door while tipsy, let you hug me, kiss me, tell you I miss you, and sneak into your room to sleep with you. Then, the next day, like an affair, you’d watch out for your family while I slipped out.”

Her tone was regretful, soft. “Didn’t expect… she’d tell you where I was. Can’t play drunk now.”

Du Qingting’s eyes widened, stunned.
“Huh?”

You Jin leaned close to her ear. “I’m being so honest… Can we do it tonight?” She added, “I miss you so much, puppy.”