Pillowside Passion - Chapter 42

42:

Receiving the message, Du Qingting couldn’t help but lightly lick her lips. The weather was hot, the blazing sun hovering overhead.

She touched her cheek, looking up to see boys playing basketball nearby. Some wore white T-shirts, others basketball jerseys, a mix of colors, each one playing with vigor, youthful and unrestrained.

She placed her phone under her lips, softly saying, “Reporting to Master, Little Dog has received the message.”

After speaking, she held the phone, leaning back. She tilted her head to check it, the sunlight glaring, making her squint as she waited for You Jin’s reply.

After several minutes, someone approached her. “Hey, can I add you on WeChat?”

Du Qingting looked up, unsure if it was the light, but the person was just a blurry white outline in her vision.

“What?” she asked.

“Can I add you on WeChat?” the boy repeated.

Du Qingting shook her head. “No way, I don’t like guys. I like older sisters.”

The boy froze, staring at her, but persisted, “Just add me, even as a contact…”

Du Qingting could guess why, probably dared by friends. She pointed at the basketball court. “Take a shot, and I’ll add you.”

His eyes lit up slightly. “For real?”

“For real,” she said.

The boy walked to the court, borrowing a basketball from the players. As he dribbled twice, Du Qingting grabbed her flowers and stood, heading to the bleachers. Holding her phone, she said, “Reporting to Master, someone just tried to add your Little Dog. Little Dog has firmly rejected them for you.”

“Please reward your Little Dog, Master.”

After sending, she hopped up a step, pausing, feeling utterly foolish. You Jin still hadn’t replied.

She waited a long time, ready to find her mom and sister.

You Jin sent a voice message: “My Little Dog is so obedient. I’m thrilled and am applying for your reward.” There was laughter in the background. You Jin added, “Do you know where my company is?”

Du Qingting replied quickly, “I know.”

You Jin hummed, “Have you been there?”

Du Qingting paused, unsure how to respond. You Jin said, “Thinking of my Little Dog sneaking to see me makes my heart feel so sweet.”

Du Qingting couldn’t handle her voice.

“I went once.”

“Good.” You Jin sent another voice message. “Get busy then.”

Du Qingting stared at the message, thinking, Busy with what? Knowing You Jin was probably occupied, she didn’t disturb her further.

Holding her flowers, she walked to the gym. Not seeing her parents’ car, she noticed a crowd buzzing about “Evelyn.” No one could believe Evelyn had shown up so dramatically.

An international model at their school?

But someone had posted photos to the school forum and group chats, and soon everyone believed Evelyn had been there.

Too bad they were a step late, she’d already sped off on her motorcycle.

Du Qingting shook her head. This batch of college students was too slow.

She texted Evelyn, who replied quickly: [Baby, I didn’t even get to show off enough. Three hours of makeup for ten minutes of fame. So annoying.]

Du Qingting: “…”

[I didn’t tell you to only show up for ten minutes.]

[My manager, ugh. How was it? Didn’t I blow your mind? You said I’m big in China, why didn’t anyone stop me?]

Du Qingting: [You sped off so fast and didn’t call the press. Your fan club leader’s probably still welcoming freshmen.]

Just then, a girl with an “Anime Club” banner ran by, shouting, “Evelyn! Where’s Evelyn? My alpha! Ahhh!”

Du Qingting snapped a photo and sent it: [Your fan club leader. Gone crazy already.]

Evelyn: [Such a pity. I could’ve taken my fan leader for a campus spin. Damn manager.]

Hate!
Hate!
Hate!

Du Qingting didn’t reply.

Why did Evelyn sign with that manager? Because she was Asian. During their video call, Evelyn was smitten, thinking, I’m done for, I want her.

But in person, her manager was 158 cm.

Evelyn thought she could make it work, but the manager firmly rejected her, saying she was career-driven and wouldn’t mess around with her models.

Evelyn was heartbroken but soon asked, “Can I mess around with other models in the company then?”

The manager gave her a cold look, shutting it down completely.

Du Qingting shook her head, Evelyn’s contrast was too much.

Evelyn: [Of course, baby, I’m not that casual. Today, I was just for your sister, only gave her a ride~]

Du Qingting wandered around, remembering her money-grubbing sister. She called to ask which dorm area her sister was in.

The campus was huge. Chen Huiru texted that it was Mei Garden. Checking a map from a campus club, Du Qingting was shocked—it was a four- or five-kilometer walk. Her legs would be done for.

She texted her mom to pick her up.

First, she sent You Jin a short video, holding her flowers in one hand, pointing at the map with the other. “Look, my sister’s spot, my spot. Why isn’t registration at the back gate?”

You Jin: [That far? Walking there will make your legs super toned, huh?]

Du Qingting sniffed her flowers, reading the message.

Chen Huiru: [Send your location, your dad will pick you up.]

Du Qingting: [No need, I’ll walk.]

She stuffed her phone in her pocket, kicked her legs, and trudged on with her flowers, refusing a ride. Tired, she walked slowly, grabbing a water bottle from a vending machine and continuing.

Mid-Autumn Festival was near, and some clubs were handing out mooncakes at their booths.

Du Qingting wasn’t big on mooncakes, but with younger girls calling her “senior” and stuffing them in her hands—and some calling her “junior”—she took two, thinking one for her, one for You Jin.

Alternating between fast and slow, she reached her sister’s dorm after forty minutes, taking the elevator up. The hallway buzzed with talk: “Evelyn was here! Reporters showed up; our school’s gonna blow up.”

“Who’s Nuan Nuan?”

“Heard there was someone on her motorcycle.”

Pushing open the dorm door, Du Qingting saw her sister clutching her big-screen phone, talking. “Xiao Ye, Xiao Ye, I’m that Nuan Nuan! Evelyn’s my sister’s bestie, she called me ‘baby.’ Ugh, I forgot to take a photo. I could die. My sister said she knew Evelyn, and I didn’t believe her…”

“Even if my sister’s always been full of herself, I should’ve trusted her just once. So painful.”

Her sister rambled on, unstoppable. Du Qingting’s mouth twitched. “How long’s this been going on?”

“Since she could walk steadily,” Chen Huiru said. “It’s been almost two hours.”

Du Qingting cleared her throat. “Nuan, grab me a chair.”

“Got it!” Du Nuanzhi hurried to get one.

Du Qingting called again, “Sticky Rice, get me some water.”

Du Nuanzhi rushed to fetch it, unscrewing the bottle cap, then kneading her fists to massage Du Qingting’s legs. “Sis, is this okay? Good enough? So, about Evelyn…”

Du Qingting nodded, checking her phone. No reply from You Jin, but Evelyn had a +1 notification.

“It’s really Evelyn!” Du Nuanzhi craned her neck to see.

Du Qingting opened the chat. Evelyn had sent a list, asking, [Baby, I don’t know some of these words. Can you translate?]

Du Nuanzhi spotted “only gave your sister a ride” and chimed in, “I know, I know! She’s so cute. It’s Evelyn, alright—not knowing words but writing ‘Happy college start, Nuan Nuan.’ Sis, tell her this is roasted squab, Kobe beef, Australian prawns…”

Du Nuanzhi added, “Sis, why don’t you buy it for her? Buy it… An illiterate Evelyn is so cute.”

Du Qingting: “She’s faking it. She knows the words; her handwriting’s just ugly.”

“Faking it’s cute, ugly handwriting’s even cuter.”

“…Pay up first.” Du Qingting pursed her lips—sisters settled accounts clearly. Ready for a lecture, her sister transferred 100,000 yuan without a word. Du Qingting’s eyes widened. “You still owe me 50,000 yuan.”

Without hesitation, another 100,000 yuan came through. Checking her sister’s balance—300,000 yuan left—Du Qingting’s mind filled with question marks. She didn’t say more, ordering all the dishes Evelyn didn’t “know.”

Evelyn: [Thanks, baby.]

Du Qingting: [My sister ordered.]

Evelyn sent a voice message, her voice cool and lazy. “Thanks, little sister. I’m eating it all today.”

Du Nuanzhi clenched her fists, nearly fainting with joy. “She called me little sister! Sis, can I send a voice reply?”

Du Qingting handed her the phone.

Her sister cleared her throat, pursed her lips, and said, “Thank you, dear Evelyn.”

Du Qingting cringed, wiping the phone twice before texting You Jin: [Making my sister’s bed.]

The family was in the dorm, clueless about what to do. Luggage sat on the bed. Her mom, who never lifted a finger, complained, “Should’ve brought the maid. I chipped a pearl on my new manicure.”

“Give me a break,” Du Qingting said. “It’s a small task.”

She climbed onto the bed, swiftly making it—quilt, sheets, mat, and mosquito net pulled up. “Who bought this stuff? You should get a blackout curtain too.”

“I bought it myself. Doesn’t everyone get this?”

Du Qingting climbed down, brushing off the lint. “I’m out.”

Without waiting for family praise, she checked her phone. You Jin replied: [Wow, my Little Dog can make beds? So impressive.]

Du Qingting’s lips curved. Washing her hands at the sink, she sent a soft voice message: “I can do a lot. Want to see me make a bed? I’ll record a video.”

A voice message came back. She listened by her ear.

You Jin: “No need. Making a bed for someone else makes me a tiny bit jealous.”

Du Qingting glanced at her parents, stepping back to fake looking out the window. “If I make your bed and you lie in it, how’s that?”

You Jin: “That works, Little Dog.”

Du Qingting exhaled, the dorm now tidy. She told her mom, “I’m leaving.”

“No, Sis!” Du Nuanzhi rushed over, clinging to her arm. “Let me talk to Evelyn more. Or name a price—give me her phone number or WeChat, please, please!”

Du Qingting refused, squatting as her sister clung tightly, refusing to let go.

“Don’t push it,” Du Qingting said. “Chase your star, but don’t bother her. Evelyn’s busy. Chatting cuts into her rest. That ride’s enough to savor for a while.”

“But, but… I can just look, not bother her. Please, Sis…”

Du Qingting coldly pulled her hand free. “I’m out.”

Du Nuanzhi nearly cried. Du Qingting ignored her, pocketing her phone and leaving.

Chen Huiru shook her head at the sisters.

Du Wenbo, seeing family harmony, patted her shoulder. “Isn’t this nice? Why the long face?”

Chen Huiru sighed. “I just feel like we raised two dogs.”

“Huh?” Du Wenbo didn’t get it.

She glared. “It’s your fault, your genes are too strong.”

One blind dog, one fangirl dog.

So dog, too dog.

Evelyn, tall and imposing, couldn’t possibly be a bottom.

If they’re dogs, fine, but both bottoms—what then?

Du Qingting jogged out, exiting through the back gate. Cars jammed the road, horns blaring. Chatting with You Jin eased the boredom. She headed to the subway station, overflowing with people.

Du Nuanzhi called, wailing. Du Qingting ignored her, squeezing onto the subway after a wait.

The school season clogged the city. Leaving at 9 a.m., she got home at 1:30 p.m.

The upside? The restaurant she wanted, booked that morning, confirmed her reservation.

At home, she put the flowers in a vase, watered her touch-me-not plant, napped, then showered at 4 p.m., changed, and headed out.

She rode her motorcycle.

Traffic was heavy, but her bike maneuvered well. Forty minutes later, she reached You Jin’s company, sitting at a café across the street.

She texted You Jin: [Reporting, your Little Dog has reached the destination, awaiting Sister’s end of work for dinner.]

You Jin stood by the floor-to-ceiling window.

Her eyes curved, lips smiling.

A subordinate reporting nearby thought she approved their proposal, raising their voice. Su Qinxi, flipping through files on the sofa, paused, confused by her expression.

She tilted her head.

You Jin said, “Redo it. It’s not good enough.”

The planner blinked, puzzled. “Huh?”

You Jin: “It’s subpar.”

The planner was baffled. Ms. You suddenly seemed so calm, her expression soft, not a hint of impatience.

Su Qinxi lifted her chin, signaling the planner to leave.

The planner left. Su Qinxi stretched, relaxing. Maybe her partner’s laid-back vibe rubbed off on her.

“Hiss,” Su Qinxi sighed, comfortable.

The company closed at 5 p.m., but executives often stayed late, sometimes until 8. Today, You Jin kept checking the time.

At 6 p.m., confirming no messages from the boardroom, You Jin shut her computer. “Let’s go.”

“This early?” Su Qinxi laughed. “Rushing for a date?”

“Something like that.” You Jin stood, ready to leave.

Su Qinxi didn’t linger either. They left together. “Congrats, progress made.”

“Thanks.”

Du Qingting ordered a coffee—too bitter to drink, too sweet was cloying. She sipped once, then waited.

Seeing people leave the building across the street, she stood at the café entrance. You Jin’s company was bustling, dizzying her.

Ten minutes later, she saw someone emerge.

You Jin, in a black suit, led the way, standing out among the employees. Su Qinxi, in a pink suit, followed, giving Du Qingting a teasing smile.

You Jin descended the steps, hands in her trouser pockets, her suit perfectly tailored, accentuating her figure. A white moon-shaped ear clip with a pearl adorned her ear.

She wore glasses, as she often did during the day, unless she forgot and wore contacts.

Approaching Du Qingting, she unbuttoned the metal clasp at her waist, slipping off her suit jacket and draping it over her arm.

“Sorry for the wait.”

“Not long.”

Su Qinxi, passing by, teased, “Someone’s heart was practically drying up waiting.”

You Jin didn’t respond, her cheeks holding a smile. Du Qingting didn’t catch who she meant and stayed quiet.

Once Su Qinxi left, You Jin leaned in, whispering, “Reporting to Little Dog, Sister has reached the destination.”

After all the flirty messages, hearing it face-to-face made Du Qingting shy. “Get on.”

At night, the city’s student crowd hadn’t thinned. People were out eating and hanging out, clogging bus stops and subway stations.

Du Qingting’s motorcycle moved freely.

You Jin wrapped her arms around her waist.

September’s weather went wild. It should’ve cooled, but it stayed hot, even at night.

The motorcycle cruised steadily, the breeze hitting them both.

Du Qingting’s waist warmed.

“You Jin.”

You Jin heard but paused before responding.

She realized Du Qingting rarely called her name since returning. She used to think it was impolite, but now she oddly craved hearing it.

No follow-up came.

You Jin asked, “What’s up?”

Du Qingting: “Just calling you. Nothing.”

She was too shy to ask about that rainy night on her motorcycle—what had You Jin said?

At the restaurant, Du Qingting led her inside. You Jin looked up—it was a Chinese restaurant called “Good Fate Night Talks.”

Inside, the ambiance was elegant. Du Qingting chose well, but she’d overlooked something: everyone here wore cheongsams with hairpins.

She suddenly understood Evelyn’s obsession with Eastern beauties. You Jin in a cheongsam would be stunning. Sitting down, Du Qingting felt embarrassed. “Sorry, I should’ve told you the restaurant so you could prepare.”

You Jin, across from her, asked, “Apologizing to yourself or to me?”

Du Qingting paused.

You Jin: “Cheongsams look good?”

Du Qingting nodded, then, fearing she’d upset her, said, “I think everyone’s a coat rack to me. I just like the style.”

“Want to see me in a cheongsam?”

She did.

You Jin’s lips curved. “It’s easy to make that happen.” Her eyes were sultry, her suit out of place here, yet carrying an indescribable charm, like a seductive spirit sealed in it, tempting one to peel it off.

She removed her cufflinks, rolling up her sleeves, revealing her wrist. After washing her hands, she wiped them with a handkerchief.

A server in a cheongsam brought their food.

The nearby curtain swayed, tinkling musically, utterly charming. Du Qingting’s eyes kept drifting to it.

They ordered Chinese dishes. Du Qingting knew You Jin’s tastes—she didn’t like Western food, avoided steaks or lamb chops, and shunned heavy flavors like French cuisine.

Her pickiness was almost pitiful, as if she found no joy in food, no pleasure on her tongue.

The meal was pleasant. They went upstairs to listen to a pipa performance and sip tea. You Jin’s suit didn’t feel out of place now—she looked like a worldly, overseas-returned tycoon. Du Qingting, the odd one out, listened to the music, eyeing a painting nearby.

After one act, they stood. Du Qingting reached for You Jin’s jacket, checking the time—9 p.m. already.

Descending the stairs, Du Qingting moved quickly, turning to wait for You Jin. You Jin said, “This place is nice.”

As Du Qingting was about to reply, a familiar voice came from the entrance.

Gu Rui, talking to someone, said, “This place. I’m planning to bring her here for dinner, have her wear her best cheongsam. How’s that for a setup, buddy?”

“Tch, classy.”

“Gotta call Du Qingting, she’s our officiant.”

You Jin’s heel grazed the last step, pausing. “Your friend’s here. I’ll step back.”

Du Qingting’s mouth opened, but before she could speak, Gu Rui walked in, startled to see her. He hung up his phone. “Yo, Sister Du, what’re you doing here? How’d you end up here?”

Du Qingting frowned. “What’re you doing here?”

“Meeting my Iron Iron here. She’s wearing a cheongsam for me. I’m reserving a spot, sending her pics to see if she likes it.” Gu Rui glanced upstairs, not seeing who she was with, then looked back, eyeing the jacket on her arm.

“Why do you have a suit jacket?” he asked.

Du Qingting: “It’s mine.”

“…You’re dressing like a grown-up now?” Gu Rui teased, urging her, “C’mon, put it on, let me see.”

Du Qingting: “Enough, you’re annoying. Go do your thing. Spots here are hard to book, don’t miss out on seeing your Iron Iron.”

“No rush, my dad’s got it.”

Du Qingting was done with this idiot. Wanting him gone, she slipped on the jacket. Same height as You Jin, it fit, but her slimmer frame made the structured suit look loose and wild.

“Damn, you look hot,” Gu Rui said, envious. “Your build’s perfect for suits.”

“Get lost.”

“Are you dressing up to flirt with girls here? That won’t do—this is a couples’ restaurant.”

“Stop talking nonsense and go. I’m here for storytelling.”

“Wow, you’ve got time for that? Instead of reading more comics?” Gu Rui said.

Annoyed, Du Qingting leaned her arm on the carved red railing. “What, wanna get hit?”

“You look both hot and wild,” Gu Rui commented. “Oh, wow.”

Wild and untamed in a suit, undeniably striking.

The same jacket looked different on them. Gu Rui admired it, but his phone buzzed. Not wanting to anger her into hitting him, he headed to a private room.

Du Qingting waited, ensuring Gu Rui didn’t return, then looked up the stairs. You Jin had vanished. She took off the jacket, catching a jasmine scent. Sniffing the sleeve, she smiled.

“Looks good.”

A voice came from upstairs, You Jin’s gaze soft on her.

It was her first time seeing Du Qingting in a suit. Leaning on the railing, she looked down, saying softly, “The person in the suit looks good.”

Du Qingting, mid-removal, paused, looking at herself—white shirt inside, black suit outside. Gu Rui said she looked hot, and he wasn’t wrong. With a few shirt buttons undone, she had a wild little wolf-dog vibe.

Feeling guilty as You Jin quietly hid, Du Qingting climbed two steps. Hearing Gu Rui’s voice pulling You Jin upstairs to the performance area, she followed.

Downstairs, pipa strings plucked, and the opera began.

You Jin leaned against the corridor.

Du Qingting, in her suit, blended into the scene.
You Jin said, “It’s fine, I got my compensation.”

Seeing Du Qingting in her suit, like she’d stolen it, immature yet endearing, made her happy.

“Really looks good?” Du Qingting, less confident face-to-face, asked.

You Jin’s hand slipped inside the suit’s lining, brushing her waist and hip, feeling something bulky in her pocket. “What’s this?”

“Mooncakes.”

“Oh.”

Downstairs, the opera sang: “Oh, the lady said, ‘Miss, what a fine moon and flowers~’ A mistaken sedan led to the right bride, an oath of sisterhood, a bow to heaven and earth, oh my lady~”

Du Qingting asked, “Did you enjoy dinner?”

“Not bad, the tea was fragrant too,” You Jin said.

Du Qingting exhaled, feeling the opera’s sultry tone. She stepped closer, brushing You Jin’s lips, licking her lip bead, teasing her tongue, kissing until her eyes fluttered hazily. “Happy with the meal… want to try something else?”

“With this dessert, I’m hooked,” You Jin said, eyes half-closed. “Tastes like honeyed love, today’s best.”

Gu Rui, sneaking upstairs, froze, seeing them kiss. Stole someone’s wife and now kisses her?
Du Qingting’s heart softened. Not sure why, she leaned in again, grazing You Jin’s lips. The opera’s singing fueled her wildness, loving the “little lady” lines. She wanted You Jin to savor desire. Removing You Jin’s glasses, she hung them on her own nose, pushing them up. Her vision was fine, but the glasses made her eyes swell, dizzying her. About to say she wouldn’t wear them next time, she saw You Jin staring.

You Jin pinched her chin, the silver glasses on her Little Dog’s nose. Du Qingting gazed back, stunned.

You Jin straightened, leaning to her ear. “Don’t take them off. Getting kissed by a refined rogue in a suit… I’d float to the heavens.”