Pillowside Passion - Chapter 3

3:

Her words brushed against Du Qingting’s cheek.

Du Qingting was hooked, a fish ready to bite.

“Whatever I want is fine?”

The woman echoed, “Whatever you want.”

Du Qingting studied her face. Her age was hard to pin down, but one thing was clear: she was older, and more mature.

You Jin set her glass down, her tone considerate. “You’ve been drinking all night. Should I order something for you to eat, to fill your stomach?”

Her fingers tapped lightly on the table, and she complimented the butterfly bow at Du Qingting’s waist. Du Qingting wondered, Is that something worth complimenting?

“Three…”

“Two…”

Du Qingting seized the last second, grabbing her wrist. “…I want… I want to hit you.”

“Hm?” You Jin tilted her head, puzzled.

Du Qingting explained, “Growing up, You Jin controlled me, and I’ve always had this weird resistance. For a while, I couldn’t stand anyone older than me. I’ve always wanted to fight back.”

No response came. Cautiously, she asked, “What are you thinking about?”

“I’m wondering if you don’t want to live anymore,” the woman whispered in her ear.

Du Qingting’s eyes gleamed with drunken mischief. Maybe she was right, she must’ve been driven mad by You Jin. Otherwise, how could she dare suggest something so bold? Only with a stranger could she be this reckless.

If she was going to crash and burn, might as well make it spectacular.

The woman, like a snake flicking its tongue, spoke softly. “From what you’re saying, your life sounds so stifled, so oppressed.”

“You’re right.”

“So, where do you want to hit me?”

Du Qingting closed her eyes. Wherever You Jin had struck her, she wanted to strike back. Looking at the woman again, the bar’s dim light glinted off the silver frames on her cheeks. She couldn’t help but think… if only her arranged match was this gentle and considerate.

Hesitantly, she said, “Your palm.”

A moment later, You Jin rose from the barstool.

Du Qingting’s heart sank. Had her odd request been rejected? But the woman didn’t leave. With a push, she sent the creamy white chair sliding far across the room.

Still in her suit, trousers sharp and tailored, You Jin beckoned with a finger and offered her palm.

“Like this?”

Du Qingting’s grip tightened on her glass. She was losing it, unsure if it was the alcohol or some hallucination. If she imagined this woman as You Jin… if this was You Jin… if…

“Can I pretend you’re my arranged match?” Du Qingting stood behind her, staring nervously at her palm. “I want to call her name and curse her out.”

“Go ahead.”

The woman’s eyes curved with a smile.

Du Qingting didn’t hold back. Gritting her teeth, she spat, “You Jin.”

She sneered, “Look at you now.”

You Jin raised a brow.

She was too beautiful, too perfect.

Du Qingting vented bitterly, “You said my exam was a mistake, and you even threatened to break my legs. You Jin, I freaking hate you.”

You Jin’s voice was low. “Yeah, a mistake and you still scored 680. She’s awful.”

Du Qingting felt a pang of embarrassment.

“I never had a good day under you.”

“Arranged marriage? In your dreams.”

“You Jin, even if you begged on your knees, I wouldn’t marry you.”

Du Qingting noticed that every time she said “You Jin,” the woman didn’t flinch—seemed almost pleased. Her restraint and guilt melted away.

You Jin asked, “Feel better now?”

Du Qingting pressed on, “Even if you clung to my leg and admitted you were wrong, I’d never be with you.”

Hitting an “older sister” felt rebellious. Du Qingting had fantasized about getting back at You Jin countless times during school. Powerless back then, she’d dream before bed about landing one hit on You Jin’s palm. Waking up in the middle of the night, she’d be so thrilled she’d roll off the bed.

But she still wasn’t satisfied.

She tipped the rest of her whiskey.

A splash hit You Jin’s white sleeve. She let out a short “ah,” looking at Du Qingting, momentarily flustered, then frowning—probably her clean-freak side kicking in.

Du Qingting suddenly feared her, lowering her voice. “Do you know how many times I dreamed of doing this to you? How dare you act all high and mighty? Back then, when I saw you in the house and smiled, you had the nerve to bully me and hit me.”

You Jin glanced up, her fingers rubbing her palm lightly. Du Qingting caught every move.

Feeling sheepish, she loosened her grip.

You Jin stood.

“Isn’t this a bad state?”

Her pale skin gleamed as she rolled up her wet sleeve, revealing a stretch of arm. She secured it with a gemstone cufflink, returning to her pristine self.

Du Qingting swallowed hard, stealing another glance, then another.

You Jin smiled faintly. “My turn.”

Minutes later, Du Qingting sensed the woman must have someone she deeply resented. You Jin seemed a bit guilty.

Du Qingting thought for a moment and comforted her. “It’s fine. You’re not like her. You’re gentler. You Jin… she never treated me like a person.”

“Oh… so that’s how it was.” You Jin rubbed her tingling fingers.

Du Qingting nodded, reluctant to leave. She desperately wanted to stay, but the woman said it was late and wouldn’t let her spend the night, opening the door to send her back.

At the door, You Jin seemed shy, leaning against the frame. “I’m a bit weird. I didn’t dare to get involved just now. Do you mind?”

Du Qingting propped a hand on the wall. “Not at all. We’re a damn perfect match.”

“Then why not be bolder? Treat me fully as her and say it again.”

“Am I not convincing enough? Maybe I’m not playing her well.” You Jin adjusted her glasses, tapping the frame.

Du Qingting gazed into her eyes.

A scene flashed in her mind.

Her lips parted, but as the woman’s eyes met hers, she said, “You Jin, we’re a damn perfect match.”

How could she be You Jin?

You Jin was an old antique!

You Jin’s eyes fluttered shut briefly, as if making a decision. “Come back anytime when you’re upset. If you don’t mind, I have a small request… Could you help me tomorrow? I’m struggling with someone. If… if it’s inconvenient, forget it…”

Du Qingting couldn’t describe the feeling. Leaning against the wall, she asked curiously, “Didn’t you just let loose?”

You Jin pinched her fingers. “It’s not my thing. I like taking care of younger sisters, spoiling them… Not all older sisters bully the younger ones.”

After some thought, Du Qingting felt they were fated. Treating this woman as You Jin’s stand-in made her oddly happier.

She sighed, “You’re such a good sister.”

She nodded, agreeing to help, and asked, “What do you like?”

You Jin said there was no rush.

They lingered at Du Qingting’s door, chatting about nothing, neither wanting to part.

You Jin asked, “Any insights?”

Du Qingting replied, “Whoever gets married is an idiot.”

Giving up a forest for one tree?

Utterly foolish!

As the door closed, Du Qingting’s throat felt dry. She raised her hand, recalling You Jin’s whisper in her ear:

“Rest well.”

“Hiss.”

Du Qingting returned to her room, savoring the moment. “She’s unreal…” She thought she’d long forgotten You Jin, but who knew smacking her palm could feel this good? So thrilling, so absolutely unreal.

She couldn’t lie down to sleep. Sprawled on her stomach, forehead pressed to the pillow, the woman’s exquisite face flashed in her mind. She pounded her fist, buzzing with anticipation for tomorrow.