Pillowside Passion - Chapter 9

9:

“Alright.”

You Jin responded to her sudden possessiveness, her eyes locked solely on Du Qingting.

Du Qingting didn’t reply. Clearly, You Jin was more affected, and in this moment, it was obvious who held the upper hand and who was the passive one.

Du Qingting leaned closer.

You Jin let out a soft hiss as she was pulled in. “Getting revenge?”

“No way, don’t overthink it.” Du Qingting remembered that sleepless night, tormented by You Jin. Now, holding the upper hand, how could she let her go?

“Grudge-holding puppy.”

Du Qingting moved closer to her ear. You Jin’s eyes fluttered shut, lashes trembling. She tried to push Du Qingting away with her elbow, but Du Qingting swiftly grabbed her, tightly holding her hand.

“Big sister.” Du Qingting smirked, her lips curving, eyes gleaming with mischief.

Growing up, You Jin had always been taller, dominating her in every way. By senior year, standing side by side, You Jin had glanced at her head and said, “I thought you’d top out at 1.6 meters. Didn’t expect you to hit 1.7.”

“1.73, thank you.”

“Same height as me, but you still call me big sister.”

Calling her “big sister” wasn’t a big deal, but it always irked Du Qingting. She’d never called You Jin when growing up, always shouting “You Jin! You Jin!” or when feeling cheeky, “Little Jin,” just begging for a scolding.

More often, You Jin seemed taller, always in heels while Du Qingting was stuck in sneakers or flats during school.

Du Qingting hugged her tighter. She hadn’t been like this before, why was she so drawn to the idea of this “big sister” relying on her now?

This trend was getting dangerous.

You Jin gently broke free from her hold. If she’d wanted to resist, she could’ve easily shaken Du Qingting off earlier—she’d just indulged her antics.

As You Jin stepped forward, Du Qingting noticed her lake-blue stilettos. She picked up the bag by the door as You Jin grabbed a pack of green tea from the tea cabinet, glancing up. “Addicted?”

Addicted, heady, and numbing.

The tea’s fragrance calmed Du Qingting, making her realize her earlier boldness had crossed a line—not just casual fling-level teasing but laced with intimacy.

You Jin tossed the tea leaves into a pot, setting it to brew on the counter before heading to the bedroom with her bag. Du Qingting tilted her head. “Can’t we share a room?”

You Jin shook her head. “No.”

“Why not?”

“Because,” You Jin said, “the space beside my pillow is for my future wife.”

“What?” Du Qingting was stunned.

“It’s my principle, my obsession.” She added earnestly, “My bottom line, just like your refusal to play as a dog.”

Du Qingting opened her mouth, then closed it. A flicker of anticipation stirred, would this woman lose control if something unexpected happened?

You Jin held the glasses case. Du Qingting looked up. “Can’t you change them in front of me?”

You Jin smirked. “Some ambition.”

“Hm?”

“It’s just glasses, not like I’m changing clothes in front of you.”

“…”

Du Qingting gripped her teacup, sipping too fast and burning her lip. It wasn’t that she had other thoughts, but… that word, “ambition,” tickled her ears.

Back then, every time she came home with a bruised face from fighting, seeing You Jin, she’d feel wronged. You Jin would raise a brow and sneer, “Some ambition.”

She didn’t even love fighting—just young pride, wanting You Jin to see she could win, hoping for a “wow” of surprise.

Years later, why did that word still thrill her? Had growing up stripped her pride, leaving only desire?

Worse, she still craved this “big sister’s” approval.

You Jin finished packing, and they went to Du Qingting’s room next door. She didn’t have much, just a few clothes. You Jin had prepared sunscreen, a hat, and various skincare products for her.

Watching You Jin bustle about, Du Qingting’s heart softened. She knew a fling shouldn’t cross too many lines, it could get annoying. But the more You Jin did, the more captivating she seemed.

You Jin came out, her glasses now gold-rimmed.

She looked good in anything.

But Du Qingting thought the glasses she’d touched were sexier.

You Jin caught her smiling. “What’s so funny?”

Probably because they’d made up so quickly, Du Qingting was in high spirits, grinning nonstop.

Two rooms—You Jin in one, Du Qingting in another. There was an option for a suite with two bedrooms, though.

The island hotel was attentive, providing a travel guide. Their rooms came with a dedicated butler, but You Jin declined, saying an extra person would cramp their style.

Du Qingting sat on the sofa, flipping through the guide while scrolling Xiaohongshu reviews on her phone to avoid tourist traps.

You Jin glanced at her, lips curving.

Du Qingting asked, “Where do you wanna go? Beach or architecture?”

“There’s a lookout tower. At night, you can climb it to see the fluorescent sea.”

The fluorescent sea was a bioluminescent phenomenon—marine life glowing en masse at night, creating a rare, starry ocean scene as waves neared the shore.

Du Qingting flipped further, pointing at another attraction.

The island was famous for seafood, and the hotel’s seafood meal was decent. With the heat, there was no need to eat out. They had lunch at the hotel.

By 4 p.m., the UV was still intense, but the sea breeze was cool. They strolled along the nearby beach, waiting until dark to head to the lookout tower.

The night sea breeze was strong, the tower lit up. Du Qingting turned on her phone’s flashlight to climb the steps, illuminating You Jin behind her. The seafront was pitch-black until—

Waves rolled in, pushing layers of blue fluorescence. The surf and glow merged, lighting up the shore’s pebbles like twinkling gems.

They stopped, standing in the fluorescent sea’s glow.

The breeze grew noisy. Du Qingting, awestruck, looked down, then at You Jin, who shared her expression.

You Jin spread her fingers, picking up a few pebbles below. Du Qingting tossed one into the sea, sparking a fluorescent splash.

A crowd had gathered early, adults and kids chasing the waves below. You Jin said, “Wanna go down and check it out?”

Each wave pushed up sand and stones like mermaid treasures, but when Du Qingting bent to pick them up the magic faded, losing its glow.

You Jin scooped a handful of sand, blue light shimmering in her palm like scattered starlight or diamonds fallen into the sea.

Hard to describe.

Seeing this, Du Qingting’s heart pounded.

She rarely drew romantic scenes, always chasing thrills, with protagonists confessing only at the finale.

You Jin brushed the sand from her hands, lips curving. A tourist behind flung up sand, and in the blue glow, You Jin gave her a gentle smile.

Du Qingting’s lips twitched.

Waves crashed, the entire sea bathed in blue fluorescence. Tourists let out a collective “wow,” echoing across the water. Caught off guard, they were doused in fine blue sparkles. You Jin arched her back, raising a hand to shield her face.

They walked along the shore, blue waves lapping at their feet. Many tourists spread their arms, welcoming the next wave’s glow.

You Jin said, “Go play…”

Before she finished, Du Qingting grabbed her, rushing into the waves. A blue fluorescent wall rose, and You Jin raised her arm to block it, water splashing her. Du Qingting checked on her, catching her cheek’s smile. “No wonder this place draws tourists. You’d regret missing it.”

“That’s why I brought you,” You Jin said, flicking water onto Du Qingting’s cheek. “Not recording a video? Could be material for your drawings.”

Du Qingting thought, I meant you.

Lost in this woman’s beauty, always wanting to kiss her, she pulled out her phone. “My art’s less… gentle. A scene this romantic might not fit.”

You Jin said, “The sea’s this wild, how’s it gentle? You might use it.”

Might use it…

Du Qingting started recording, stepping back for the next wave, then zooming in, catching You Jin’s feet.

But her eyes flicked to You Jin’s cheek. She reached out, pinching it. You Jin raised a brow, puzzled. Du Qingting said, “Sand.”

“Alright.”

The fluorescent sea lasted until dawn.

The beach buzzed all night. Returning, Du Qingting, still shocked, kept laughing, shaking water from her hands. Glancing back, the black sea pushed layers of blue glow, like the Milky Way poured into the ocean.

You Jin’s dress hem was half-soaked. Du Qingting’s shorts left her legs covered in fine sand, itchy in the breeze.

Near the hotel, Du Qingting said, “I booked the hotel’s hot spring pool. Wanna get soaked?”

“What time is it?” You Jin asked.

“Eleven. Be back by 11:30, soak for half an hour.”

“Deal.”

Her voice betrayed excitement. The fluorescent sea was You Jin’s idea, but Du Qingting had her eye on the hot spring.

Before soaking, she rinsed off the sand, emerging in a bathrobe. You Jin was organizing a small backpack. Du Qingting, barefoot, peered over. “What’re you packing?”

You Jin held a towel, turning to her. Water dripped from Du Qingting’s forehead. You Jin draped the towel over her head, wiping her hair, then pinched her ear. Du Qingting wasn’t particularly pale, but from this angle, she looked soft, almost creamy. You Jin slid the towel down, pinching her cheek.

“What do you think I’m doing?”

“Hm?” Du Qingting stared.

Her daytime boldness had been spot-on.

You Jin looked back. “Hm?”

The towel reached her jaw, pinching the water from her chin. Du Qingting’s lips moved but said nothing, watching You Jin’s fluttering lashes.

This woman, such a perfect “big sister,” made her want to… kiss her.

…So suited to be a wife, practically her ideal type.

Du Qingting leaned closer. You Jin dodged, not letting her touch. Du Qingting bit her lower lip.

Wherever You Jin went, she followed. You Jin entered the bathroom, tossing her the bag. Du Qingting caught it with both hands. As the door closed, You Jin glimpsed her blurry figure through the glass, hugging the bag… so adorable.

The hot spring pool was behind the hotel. Du Qingting grabbed two bath tags.

A private volcanic hot spring pool.

In the lobby, she kicked off her shoes, opened the sliding door to the rectangular pool, designed with a Japanese flair.

She turned to You Jin, who closed the door, setting a wooden basin by the water. Looking up, she asked, “Shy?”

With that, she tugged her bathrobe’s tie, casually revealing a thin black swimsuit. Her legs dipped into the water, sending ripples across the surface.

Du Qingting stepped in, her bathrobe hem soaking. She tugged it off, setting it on the edge.

You Jin, not yet in the water, said, “Got a question.”

“Shoot.”

“Are you here to have fun with me, or…” She leaned her arm on her knee, smiling at Du Qingting. “Just chasing a thrill?”

Du Qingting thought seriously.

She’d once snapped a photo of You Jin.

In a dark green dress at the port, she was stunningly gorgeous. Now, in a swimsuit, she was a siren.

Du Qingting propped her chin with one hand, the other dipping into the water, touching the copper coin on You Jin’s ankle. Curious for a while, she asked, “What’s the meaning behind wearing this?”

You Jin lifted her leg lightly. “I’m a businesswoman. For wealth.”

Du Qingting let out an “oh,” finding a wealth-seeking woman even more alluring. “I’m just a regular person. I want everything.”

She tilted her head up.

You Jin met her gaze, palm resting on the stone. Du Qingting asked softly, “Big sister, let me take a photo of you?”

You Jin smiled at the ripples. “Now? What’s in it for me?”

Du Qingting let go. You Jin raised her foot, tapping Du Qingting’s hand, looking down at her. She lifted her leg as if to step on her face but quickly pulled back. Du Qingting caught her toes twitching. “You let me shoot, I’ll let you step on me. Deal?”

You Jin looked ready to kick, her gaze on Du Qingting’s face. “Stepping’s no fun. How about I take your face…” She crouched, whispering the rest in her ear.

Du Qingting froze, expression incredulous.

“Which word?”

“Guess.”

You Jin pinched her nose.

She picked up a black tie from the wooden basin, fingers brushing it. “Blindfold?”

Du Qingting went silent as the tie covered her eyes.

Her ears caught the sound of flowing water and bamboo tapping. Faint light seeped through, and she leaned toward it.

Her cheek was touched.

The tie knotted behind her head. You Jin was close, her fragrance enveloping Du Qingting.

She stepped back, grabbing You Jin’s slim waist, pulling her down. A splash erupted. Du Qingting said, “Make a sound.”

“Hm?”

You Jin was tugged from the edge, water splashing. Her voice landed in Du Qingting’s ear. “So obedient.”

The praise stirred her shame, but so what? If she didn’t tell, no one would know these fleeting moments. She’d keep these experiences locked away forever.

She’d have fun however she wanted, embracing her desires.

Du Qingting leaned down to touch You Jin, fingers pausing on her nose. “You took off your glasses?”

A clink—gold glasses hit the edge. You Jin pinched her chin. “How can I kiss you with them on?”

Du Qingting reached to remove the blindfold, wanting to see her face, but her neck was hooked, yanked forward, crashing into someone.

Her breathing hitched, vision dark.

She only knew she’d collided with You Jin. You Jin’s fingers smoothed the corner she’d lifted, brushing lightly over the tie’s texture…

Then kissed her.

So sweet.