Sweet as Honey and Sugar - Chapter 26:
The mountain wind often rose at night, sweeping through the trees outside until their leaves
whispered restlessly. Moonlight filtered through the dense branches,
scattering swaying shadows across the old window ledge,
softening the room with its quiet tenderness.
Kneeling half-upright, He Qingrou had to lower her head slightly to look at the woman before her.
The wind slipped through the trees, carrying a trace of chill that brushed against
her face but did nothing to wake her from the daze she was in.
She should have resisted. She knew she should. But her thoughts were restless and wild,
growing out of control, almost breaking free from every restraint. Lin Nai’s beauty was cool,
detached, touched with an almost ascetic kind of purity yet her lips, thin and perfectly shaped,
gave her an air of temptation. When those lips moved and spoke, they drew He Qingrou
in like a slow, burning tide. Her throat went dry as she watched her.
Lin Nai was never one for hesitation. When He Qingrou stayed silent, Lin Nai moved boldly,
deliberately. She knew Qingrou felt something too, she could sense the trembling waves beneath
her calm. And so she teased neither too close nor too distant guiding, luring, waiting.
She was patient, like a hunter in the dark, waiting for her prey to step into reach.
The moment He Qingrou showed the faintest willingness, Lin Nai would devour her whole,
bone and all. He Qingrou hesitated for a long time. Just as Lin Nai’s fingers
brushed the hem of her clothes, she closed her eyes and whispered, her voice strained,
Don’t…
Lin Nai stopped immediately. Her gaze dropped to the hand gripping her arm, and after a
moment’s pause, she let go, murmuring softly in acknowledgment.
The air turned heavy and still. Neither of them spoke. He Qingrou shifted her legs
half-kneeling so long had made them sore. Lin Nai helped her up, guiding her to sit beside her.
I’ll stay tonight, Lin Nai said, taking Qingrou’s hand and
gently rubbing her thumb across the back of it.
Nothing more, I promise.
Is that alright?
He Qingrou brushed away a loose strand of hair the wind had tangled against her forehead.
She didn’t believe Lin Nai could keep that promise; even if she gave her word, it meant little.
Lin Nai seemed to sense her doubt, because she leaned closer and nuzzled lightly against the curve
of Qingrou’s neck. He Qingrou trembled, bracing herself against the sofa, her lips pressed tight.
Hmmmm?
Lin Nai’s breath touched her skin as their faces drew close, noses nearly touching.
She tilted her head slightly and planted a small kiss at the corner of Qingrou’s mouth.
He Qingrou turned away quickly, her heart twisting in a strange, itchy confusion.
She rose too fast and nearly stepped on something soft.
When she looked down and saw the black strapless item Lin Nai had tossed aside,
her cheeks flushed hot. She snatched it up and threw it back at Lin Nai.
Keep your things to yourself. You just drop them anywhere?
How that woman managed to take things off without anyone noticing
He Qingrou had no idea. Shameless. Utterly shameless.
I have plenty more, Lin Nai said lazily, reclining against the sofa. Many.
He Qingrou nearly choked on her own breath. She turned away.
Whatever.
She muttered, closing the window to block the cold air.
The wind kept slipping in, chilling the room. Nights in the mountains turned sharply cold
after midnight, you needed a thick quilt to sleep. This is the last time, she said under her breath.
Next time, absolutely not.
They couldn’t keep doing this. By day, they were superior and subordinate; by night,
they shared the same bed like some clandestine lovers’ tryst. If anyone ever saw them,
the rumors would blaze through the company by morning.
Relationships like this between boss and subordinate were the most taboo of all.
I’m going to shower, Lin Nai said, standing. Do you have a spare set of pajamas?
In the bathroom, He Qingrou answered, still facing the window.
The landlord left a set.
I haven’t used them.
She had her own pajamas packed. The landlord’s set just hung in the bathroom unused
ever since that business trip to Beijing, where the hotel amenities were far too memorable,
she’d decided to stick to her own things from then on.
Lin Nai slipped off her shoes and disappeared into the bathroom.
When the sound of running water began, He Qingrou finally turned around.
At least the wall between the rooms offered some privacy.
She tidied the table, packed away the leftovers, and straightened the space
until it looked neat again.
Time crept past one in the morning. The courtyard outside was silent and dark.
The lights had gone out everywhere except for this one room.
The quiet made the sound of water even clearer. He Qingrou couldn’t help glancing
toward the bathroom door. Lin Nai’s shoes were neatly set by it. She hesitated,
then walked over to move them to the entryway but just as she reached the door,
Lin Nai’s voice floated out.
Can you come here for a second?
He Qingrou froze. What is it? she asked, stepping back.
Could you grab something from my room? The key’s on the table.
She didn’t have to ask what. She already knew. With a resigned sigh,
she picked up the key and slipped down the hallway.
Lin Nai’s room was at the corner. He Qingrou opened the door quietly, flicked on the light,
grabbed what she needed, and packed it into a small bag. The corridor was deserted
it was too late for anyone to be awake.
Until she turned the corner and saw Yun Xining.
Yun Xining was still in her formal suit, her face drawn and weary, as if she’d just returned from
outside. He Qingrou remembered that Yun Xining’s room was on the other side of the lodge.
What was she doing here at this hour?
Don’t tell me… she’s here for Lin Nai.
Her heart gave a startled jump. Lin Nai was in her room now,
and she herself had just come out of Lin Nai’s. If Yun Xining went to look for her…
He Qingrou gripped the bag tighter, fingers closing around the key in her palm.
Yun Xining’s gaze locked onto her cool, unreadable, sharp as glass.
Neither spoke.
He Qingrou was slightly shorter, made more noticeable by Yun Xining’s heels.
They stood in tense silence until He Qingrou finally broke it, forcing calm into her voice.
Manager Yun.
Yun Xining didn’t respond. Her eyes stayed on her, cold and searching,
filled with something strange suspicion, perhaps, or understanding.
The hallway lights were dim, too far apart to see her face clearly,
but the frost in her aura said enough. She knew exactly where He Qingrou had come from.
He Qingrou wasn’t afraid just uneasy. Anyone would be, in the dead of night.
Yun Xining’s hands tightened into fists, her face paling, then darkening again,
before she finally turned away and walked off toward the far end of the corridor.
He Qingrou frowned, watching her go. After a moment, she returned to her room.
She left the bag by the door for Lin Nai to pick up herself, then waited her turn for the shower.
Whatever warmth had filled the air earlier was gone. She washed quickly,
restless and irritable, and came out feeling no calmer.
Lin Nai was already in bed, leaning against the headboard with her phone. When she saw her,
she lifted a corner of the blanket. It’s cold. Come under.
He Qingrou meant to go, but the sight of her relaxed, beautiful, so casually confident made
irritation flare again. She dried her damp hair with a towel and said lightly,
I’ll blow my hair first, and turned back toward the bathroom.
She hadn’t even switched the dryer on when Lin Nai appeared behind her,
taking it gently from her hands.
I’ll do it. Lin Nai’s voice was quiet, low. Then sleep. It’s late.
He Qingrou didn’t resist. When her hair was dry, they both climbed into bed.
The lights went out, and the room sank into shadow.
The trees outside blocked most of the moonlight, only a few thin beams slipped through.
He Qingrou lay on her side, facing the window, staring blankly out.
After a while, Lin Nai wrapped her arms around her from behind,
resting her forehead against the back of Qingrou’s neck.
Sleep. Don’t move around, Qingrou murmured.
What are you thinking about? Lin Nai’s hand rested lightly on her waist restrained,
respectful, not crossing the line.
Tomorrow’s car show, He Qingrou said.
It was a lie.
Lin Nai drew her closer, her voice soft near her ear. Everything’s taken care of.
Don’t worry.
He Qingrou didn’t reply. Held like that, warmth seeped through her body.
She tucked herself deeper under the quilt, closed her eyes, and tried to sleep.
But her mind wouldn’t quiet. After a long while, she opened her eyes again.
Lin Nai’s breathing was steady behind her almost asleep.
She tugged lightly at the arm around her waist. It didn’t budge.
Lin Nai wasn’t asleep.
After a long pause, He Qingrou whispered, barely audible,
Are you and Manager Yun… close?
No answer.
She thought she’d fallen asleep. She turned a little and then felt it,
the soft warmth of lips pressing against the back of her neck.
That was answer enough.
Her hand tightened around the blanket. The restless thoughts that had been gnawing
at her suddenly faded. Exhaustion, heavy and deep, swept in at last, and she drifted into sleep.
They both woke early the next morning. He Qingrou rose first, a few minutes ahead,
already worrying about the long day ahead. She washed up quickly and
left for the convention center.
By the time she arrived, several staff members were already waiting.
Xiao Wu handed her a stack of documents.
The models are here? she asked, skimming through the pages.
All here, he said. Getting their makeup done now. Should be ready in about half an hour.
Good. Wait for them there and bring them in once they’re ready. I’ll handle this side.
He nodded and hurried off.
Today, she was the only supervisor in the main hall. Lin Nai was overseeing the race section,
and Director Zhang was outside. Yesterday it hadn’t seemed like much,
but now that everything rested on her shoulders, her nerves felt tight.
Still, she pulled herself together quickly and threw her focus into work.
The car show’s theme this year was Green and Efficient.
Dongning’s showcase centered on its new partnership with Hexin International,
promoting their latest line of electric vehicles. Of course, they weren’t the only ones in the field
across the floor, Aneng Group was displaying a similar lineup of new-energy cars.
He Qingrou glanced their way, just as the person in charge of Aneng looked back.
Their eyes met, and the woman smiled slowly, meaningfully.
A strange unease stirred in Qingrou’s chest.
Before she could think further, Xiao Wu came running, face pale, voice low and trembling.
He Jie… something’s gone wrong.