Pillowside Passion - Chapter 8

8:

No comparison, no pain. Until now, Du Qingting had never met anyone as gentle as her.

After ruffling Du Qingting’s hair, You Jin smoothed it back. “Let’s head back to the room first.”

“Hm? For what?” Du Qingting’s eyes sparkled.

You Jin said, “Sunscreen and ID. It’s hitting 30°C today.” She looked down at Du Qingting with a smile. “Wanna go to the island?”

Xianghai had a famous island called Love Island, shaped like a heart from above, a hotspot for honeymooners taking photos, also known as Honeymoon Island.

Du Qingting had wanted to visit but hadn’t dared bring it up. Leaving the restaurant, she walked ahead, glancing back at You Jin repeatedly, nearly bumping into people. You Jin set the elevator floor, and with it crowded, they stood close. Du Qingting caught the scent of You Jin’s fragrance again, teasing her senses, making her heart itch.

She tilted her head to look at You Jin’s face. You Jin asked, “What’s up?”

“Nothing.”

God, she really wanted to kiss her.

Du Qingting waited a few seconds before glancing again, dying to ask if they were good now.

Stepping out of the elevator, You Jin spoke first. “Got sunscreen?”

Du Qingting’s mind was a mess. She shook her head. You Jin said, “If you’re not picky, use mine. Go pack your clothes, avoid black. The island’s UV is strong; it’ll get hot.”

“Oh.”

You Jin entered her room, and Du Qingting lingered outside.

She wanted to follow, her foot nudging the doorframe, but You Jin closed it. Du Qingting returned to her room to pack. She’d arrived empty-handed and hadn’t bought much. Stuffing her clothes into a bag with her charger, she was done.

Waiting at the door, ten minutes later, You Jin emerged with a bag, spotting her instantly. Somehow, Du Qingting had become impossible to miss.

You Jin had a lot of stuff. Du Qingting stepped up to help carry it. You Jin held a small spray bottle, telling her to extend her arms and legs. She sprayed Du Qingting’s arms, leaving the rest for her to do. Du Qingting lifted her bag, then her legs, as You Jin bent slightly to spray. The mist tickled as it coated her skin.

Over the past two days, the palm and bite marks had faded.

Du Qingting thought, Now there’s a new mark.

Downstairs, she pulled out her ID to check out, storing her bag in a locker. You Jin plopped a gray cap on her head.

Du Qingting adjusted the cap’s angle, unzipped her black crossbody bag to toss in her ID, and leaned toward You Jin, who was checking her phone. “Still super busy?”

“Looking for ferry tickets.”

Honeymoon Island was 28 nautical miles from the port. Peak tourist season meant passenger numbers were several times higher than usual. Switching between apps, all showed no tickets, recommending booking three days in advance.

Scrolling to three days later, everything was “unavailable.” A notice said tickets opened at 10 a.m. on August 1, fifteen days away.

Du Qingting messaged Jiang Mingyue. Jiang Mingyue replied that tickets sold out weeks ago in peak season, unless she took a “black boat.”

Jiang Mingyue: [I can ask a friend about scalper tickets for a black boat. Pricey, though. You in?]

Du Qingting: [Need two spots. Is it safe?]

Jiang Mingyue: [Took one once. Cleaner than ferries, double the price, only standard cabins now. Send me your names and numbers, they’ll pick you up at the hotel.]

“Forget it.” You Jin closed the app. Du Qingting’s heart sank, quickly saying, “Other places are fine too.”

You Jin said, “I’ll charter a yacht.”

“What?”

Du Qingting was stunned. “Isn’t that… too much?” Extravagant, excessive. “I’ve got tickets, or we can go somewhere else.”

You Jin said, “It’s a rare trip. I want you to have fun, no regrets.”

Du Qingting was at a loss, her heart not just happy but sweetly warm. This was the charm of an older sister, who could resist?

She sent Jiang Mingyue a red packet as thanks, declining the tickets. Searching online, she found a yacht too big for two, a waste. “A smaller boat’s fine. It’s just an hour’s ride.”

You Jin said, “Plan better next time you travel.”

Du Qingting nodded, thrilled at the thought of a “next time.”

A car took them from the hotel to the dock. Someone approached, about to say “President You,” but You Jin pressed a finger to her lips, tossing them the car keys. “Prepare a lounge.”

Du Qingting glanced at the Cayenne parked on the deck.

Then looked up at the massive yacht You Jin had chartered.

She clicked her tongue.

Du Qingting, look at you now.

The yacht, docked at the harbor, was clearly new and luxurious, standing out starkly against the regular ferries. Du Qingting, who drew comics, loved sketching seductive CEOs luring stubborn girls onto boats, but… this was her first real brush with a domineering tycoon.

Her dad was a CEO type, but he’d never chartered a boat for her mom. She snapped a photo, then searched on her phone’s browser:

[Outstanding Female Entrepreneurs in China]

“Hm? Coming up?” You Jin called.

Du Qingting snapped back, climbing aboard, gripping the railing as she looked down. The first floor was a restaurant, the second a lounge, the third an observation deck.

You Jin asked, “Wanna take a tour?”

Du Qingting climbed up. “Good eyesight. I’ve already seen it all.”

The second floor had several rooms. You Jin opened one with the best view, furnished with a bed and observation chairs.

As the yacht moved, Du Qingting adjusted her seat, straddling it backward to watch the blue sea horizon. You Jin said, “Check out the balcony. Great view.”

“Cool.”

They settled into balcony lounge chairs. Du Qingting reclined first. You Jin handed her a black box. Inside were sunglasses.

She hooked them on her nose without wearing them. The sea breeze was refreshingly cool. “Should’ve bought bikinis.”

“They sell them on the island.”

“You’ve been there before? With someone else?”

A crew member brought snacks. You Jin sipped juice. “Sort of…”

“Oh.” So I’m not the only one.

You Jin clarified, “With business partners. Big group, all arranged. This is my first time chartering a boat to take someone to the island.”

Du Qingting let out another “oh,” her lips curving as she leaned closer, sipping juice through a straw.

You Jin opened her laptop. Du Qingting tilted to look, spotting the username “Little Butterfly.” Curious, she asked, “Is Little Butterfly your nickname?”

Little Butterfly, Little Dragonfly, weren’t they a perfect pair? Excited, she said, “My nickname’s—”

“My dog.”

“You have another dog?”

You Jin didn’t answer.

“Hm?” Du Qingting leaned closer, prompting a response. You Jin entered her password, unlocking the laptop.

“Jealous? Acting like a puppy,” You Jin teased, pausing. “Sorry, it slipped out. Calling you a puppy won’t upset you, right?”

“Not upset.” She kinda liked it.

Du Qingting pressed, “Is Little Butterfly a person or an actual dog?”

You Jin only said, “Rest against me.”

She lowered the chair, pulling a neck pillow from her black leather bag. “This’ll be comfier. The boat’s slow, an hour maybe.”

So considerate. Du Qingting struggled to find words to praise her. She lay on her side, and You Jin set up a tablet with a keyboard, angling it for her to watch a movie.

Du Qingting squinted at the screensaver.

A woman in glasses, white shirt, and black trousers, her figure accentuated by a black suit belt, held a leather whip. Beside her squatted a tall, fierce Doberman with a muzzle, staring sharply ahead.

The woman was bold and icy-hot.

So, Little Butterfly was a dog, right!?

You Jin tapped the laptop keys, put on earphones, and started a video meeting. Du Qingting had hoped to snoop for clues about her identity, but her eyes closed, and she soon dozed off.

When the yacht docked, someone knocked to notify them. You Jin pressed a finger to her lips, signaling silence.

“Circle once more.”

She glanced at the sleeping Du Qingting, sunglasses crooked on her nose.

You Jin carefully removed them, studying her sleeping face, her fingertips gently brushing the hair by her ear.

When Du Qingting woke, the yacht was still moving. Rubbing her face, she looked out at the waves. “Still at sea?”

Checking her phone, three hours had passed—it was 12:30 p.m.

You Jin tapped the spacebar lightly, looking up. “About twenty minutes to go.”

Du Qingting took a minute, then went to the restroom to wash her face and rinse her mouth. Returning to the chair, she propped her chin. “Why didn’t you wake me?”

“A little extra rest isn’t bad.” You Jin closed her laptop. “You slept soundly. No need to exhaust yourself. Feeling good now?”

Du Qingting felt much better, the past two nights had been torture. Studying the woman’s face, so gentle and thoughtful, she wanted to keep her locked in her gaze, staring endlessly.

“Wanna check the view from the top deck?” You Jin asked.

“Sure.”

Xianghai’s greenery was impressive, trees stretching endlessly, the sea a deep blue, with occasional seagulls soaring. Since she’d slept, the yacht had circled Xianghai, now nearing open waters. In the distance, a whale’s mouth opened and closed, drinking, then vanished underwater.

“Is that a whale?” Du Qingting, curious about this, turned quickly to You Jin, her curls fluttering in the wind.

You Jin, also watching the sea, snapped back. “Hm?”

Du Qingting wanted a photo together but didn’t ask. The yacht reached the dock, and the Cayenne was driven off. A crew member offered to drive, but You Jin declined, pointing to the seat, reminding the front passenger to buckle up.

Heading to the island’s hotel, You Jin gave her room number at the lobby. Du Qingting turned away, avoiding the check-in, but You Jin didn’t need an ID—everything was prearranged.

This woman kept her identity so mysterious.

Du Qingting slid the ID in her pocket, sliding along its edge. You Jin selected the elevator floor. “Which floor do you want? The third floor’s UV isn’t bad.”

Du Qingting had no preference. You Jin had everything planned perfectly—yacht, hotel, all top-notch, flawless.

You Jin booked the floor, later checking Du Qingting’s room. They’d be next door, able to watch the sunrise from the balcony tomorrow.

Du Qingting agreed to everything.

You Jin handed her the neighboring room’s keycard, reaching for her luggage. No invitation to come in this time. Du Qingting, carrying the bags, placed a hand on the doorknob over You Jin’s, staring into her eyes. “Are you really not mad at me?”

“Why do I feel so guilty? And like there’s this distance.”

You Jin’s hand didn’t move. Puzzled, she said, “Wasn’t it like this before?”

“No, before…” Du Qingting lowered her voice, pinpointing the issue. “Before, you’d let me in, we’d drink together, you’d sit on my lap, bite me… Now, you haven’t done anything.”

“But it’s daytime.”

“Didn’t you say daytime’s mine too?” Du Qingting pressed. “You promised.”

You Jin chuckled. “Alright, maybe you ditched me, had fun, but didn’t satisfy me. I feel we’re not quite… compatible there.”

“How are we not compatible? We’re perfect. I just didn’t catch on at first. I’m super adaptable, moldable.” Du Qingting’s tone grew urgent. You Jin stayed quiet, seemingly unconvinced.

“You are mad.” Du Qingting sighed. This woman was perfect in every way, and she didn’t want to leave a bad, imperfect impression. “What should I do for you to really forgive me for the other day?”

You Jin’s tone was gentle. “Just say sorry.”

That simple? Du Qingting squinted, leaning closer, lips to her ear. “Like this sorry… woof?”

You Jin’s fingers trembled on the doorknob. Du Qingting noticed, gripping her hand tighter. “Or three barks?”

Feeling in control, she could handle her. Thrilled, she tossed aside all restraint, teasing this captivating woman. Holding You Jin’s fingers, she guided her hand to turn the knob.

“Woof, woof, woof…”

You Jin’s lips tightened, trembling.

As expected, this was her kink—she couldn’t hide it.

The door opened, and they pressed close, entering the room.

You Jin’s breathing quickened, her eyes behind silver frames dazed. Du Qingting, hooked, wanted to kiss her, urgently pushing her inside.

She braced her arm against the door, kicking it shut with her leg. You Jin took two steps forward. Du Qingting dropped the luggage, one hand circling her waist, pulling her back to keep her close.

Then, standing behind, she hugged her—her first time doing so. The woman’s waist was so slender. Her fingers slid to You Jin’s nose, tugging her glasses down. “Wear the pair I returned. It’s the last day. I’m leaving tomorrow.”

Her tone was pitiful, softening hearts, deliberately teasing. “Big sister.”

This woman clearly ate it up, calling her “big sister” made her lose control. She lightly held Du Qingting’s fingers, neither pushing away nor stopping her.

Du Qingting’s eyes gleamed with amusement, a touch of smugness, playfully mischievous. Her gaze dropped to You Jin’s swan-like neck.

You Jin raised her hand, fingers brushing Du Qingting’s neck first. “Keep this up, and I won’t hold back from bullying you. Be good, don’t make any trouble.”

Du Qingting: “Woof.”

You Jin’s parted lips closed, a deep breath, lashes trembling.

Regret flashed through Du Qingting’s mind after the bark, but seeing You Jin’s reaction, she didn’t care. She wasn’t kneeling in humiliation or doing anything extreme. More importantly… as long as she didn’t say, only she, the world, and this mysterious woman would know.

So, what did it matter?

“Big sister.”

Du Qingting whispered seductively in her ear. “We’re totally good now, right? So don’t think about other dogs.”