Sweet as Honey and Sugar - Chapter 29:
Lin Nai leaned over and unbuckled He Qingrou’s seatbelt, even opening the car door for her.
She misunderstood.Her face grew warm. Qingrou dipped her head to hide the flush and stepped
out of the car. The plum grove stretched endlessly before her. In June and July,
the short trees were dense with green leaves, and when the wind swept through,
the branches rippled like emerald waves.
The developers were shrewd people. This plum forest and the nearby Yan Pagoda
had once been part of a tourist site. During reconstruction,
only a few old buildings were torn down. The rest were kept as rest stops though most charged fees.
This grove, however, was free to enter, so few bothered to come.
Ye Xun and Pei Chengming spotted them and came over, helping carry their things.
As they walked, Lin Nai said softly, The team’s all inside, along with a few company staff.
There are some kids in the group if they get rowdy, just ignore them.
The boys in the racing crew were notorious for their energy; once they got excited,
there was no telling how wild they’d get.
There seem to be a lot of young people in the team, Qingrou said,
shifting the heavy bags from one hand to the other. From the photos Ye Xun, Jiang Xingzhou,
and Chi Jiayi posted, I saw at least four or five in their twenties probably still in college.
Pei Chengming overheard and explained, Except for Xun and Xingzhou,
the rest just joined this year.
Only one or two were actually recruited from other clubs.
The rest were relatives of the company’s higher-ups just here to play around.
They wouldn’t be competing in real races.
Qingrou smiled. Everyone’s so full of life. Young people bring new energy to the team.
Lin Nai quietly took half the bags from her, her fingers brushing Qingrou’s for an instant.
Because others were around, Qingrou didn’t protest. Taking them back would have looked…
too intimate. They weren’t a couple, after all.
Pei Chengming noticed and leaned toward Ye Xun with a grin. See that? Learn from her.
That’s called charm. Try it on your coffee shop lady boss next time.
Ye Xun’s face darkened instantly.
Everyone knew about his hopeless crush on the café owner near campus.
More than a year had passed, and apart from buying coffee,
he’d never dared say a single word to her. He’d even secretly taken a photo of
her for his phone wallpaper.
Pathetic.
They reached the grove, and a few younger members ran over to help unload the car.
There’s still more in the trunk go grab it. I’ll start setting up the racks, Pei Chengming said.
Soon, smoke rose from the open clearing where barbecue grills were being lit.
The burning coals glowed crimson, and waves of heat pressed against their skin.
Qingrou, still dressed in her formal office clothes, began to feel hot.
Lin Nai noticed and suggested she sit down.
No, I’ll help out. It doesn’t feel right to just stand around, Qingrou said.
Don’t! Jiang Xingzhou waved her off. Just relax, Miss He. The kids can handle it.
Come sit in the back with us.
Everyone chimed in, ushering her toward the tables. Lin Nai meant to follow,
but Pei Chengming called her over for help.
I’ll be right there, she told Qingrou, her hand lifting as if to brush Qingrou’s cheek
but stopping just short.
Qingrou nodded and went with the others.
Behind the grove, long tables and benches were set up with snacks, drinks, and beer.
Qingrou sat down casually. The silver-haired boy from earlier tried to sit beside her,
but Jiang Xingzhou yanked him back.
Use your eyes, kid.
The boy realized what he meant and dragged another stool over
but still edged close enough to earn another glare from Xingzhou, who burst out laughing.
The group was lively and easygoing. They chatted with Qingrou,
then shifted naturally to today’s race.
Lin Nai was amazing today, one of them said. Those guys couldn’t even see her taillights!
She’s a pro racer, someone else added. A max-level boss bullying newbies totally normal.
What? the silver-haired boy blinked.
She used to race on this team, but two years ago, she retired.
Qingrou paused. She hadn’t known that.
Why did she quit?
There was an accident during a race, someone explained.
Her car spun off the track nearly cost her life. Her family made her stop.
Happens to most of us eventually.
He looked around at everyone, voice heavy. Racing is about risking your life.
You might be willing, but your family never is. Life always outweighs dreams.
The younger ones didn’t take it seriously. None of them had ever faced danger yet.
That’s enough, Xingzhou cut in sharply. The team never talked about that
incident again after Lin Nai left. Best to leave it buried.
Good thing she wasn’t there to hear it would’ve been like reopening an old wound.
Qingrou stared into the forest, lips pressed tight. She remembered what
Lin Nai had said in the car earlier just wanted to show you something.
Outside, the night had deepened. No moon, but the stars burned bright across the sky.
When Lin Nai finished helping, she came to sit beside Qingrou.
The chatter had moved on to lighter topics. After a while,
someone shouted that the food was ready, and everyone rushed off, laughing.
The two women stood up more slowly.
Halfway to the firelight, Lin Nai suddenly turned and pulled Qingrou into her arms.
What’s wrong? Qingrou asked, startled. Then, almost without thinking, she hugged her back.
Nothing. Just wanted to hold you.
Her breath brushed Qingrou’s ear as she planted a soft kiss there.
Qingrou murmured a quiet sound of assent.
Not far away, someone started toward them, but Jiang Xingzhou stopped him.
Wait till they’re done.
Pei Chengming flipped the meat on the grill, muttering lazily, Coward.
Ye Xun didn’t even look up. Who are you calling coward?
Pei grinned. Look at your sister. Then look at you.
By ten-thirty, the laughter still echoed across the grove, but Lin Nai and
Qingrou had to leave they both had work early the next morning.
Back in her room, Qingrou showered and lay in bed,
when she suddenly remembered she still needed Lin Nai’s help with something.
But it was late…
After hesitating, she sent a message.
Are you still awake?
A minute later, the reply came.
Not yet. What’s up?
Too awkward to explain over text, Qingrou typed, I’ll come over,
grabbed her keys, and left her room.
When Lin Nai saw the message, she set down her phone and opened her door to wait.
Qingrou appeared at the end of the hall, wrapped tightly in her pajamas.
Lin Nai leaned against the doorframe in a loose deep-V top, long legs bare,
looking both casual and dangerously inviting.
Qingrou looked down, pretending not to notice. But as she passed, her eyes flicked up,
catching flashes of smooth skin, the curve of a shoulder her breath caught.
She slipped inside quickly. Lin Nai shut the door behind her and caught her wrist.
What are you avoiding? It’s not like you haven’t seen me before.
Put something on, Qingrou muttered, cheeks burning. That thing barely counts as clothing.
This is how it’s designed, Lin Nai said, leaning close with a teasing smile.
So, what’s so urgent you had to come here at midnight?
The closeness made Qingrou’s heartbeat quicken.
She gently pushed her away and began explaining what had
happened that day the strange details that didn’t add up.
Lin Nai listened carefully, her face growing serious.
After a long moment, she asked, Is Su Chenyi close with the modeling team?
Not really, Qingrou said. They’ve only been in contact these past few days.
And that breakfast did he bring it himself, or did they give it to him?
Everyone usually gets their food at the cafeteria. If they weren’t close,
the modeling team wouldn’t have gone out of their way to deliver it.
More likely, they just invited him to eat since they were already there.
Understanding dawned in Qingrou’s eyes. She finally saw what Lin Nai meant.
I’ll ask him tomorrow.
Be careful, Lin Nai said quietly. If this thing goes deeper than it looks, call me.
I’ll handle it.
Qingrou nodded. I know. Thanks. You should rest I’ll go now.
Wait, help me with something first, Lin Nai said.
She gathered her hair up and sat down on the sofa.
What is it?
Rub some ointment on my back. I can’t reach.
You’re hurt? Qingrou froze. You—
The words caught in her throat as Lin Nai slipped the top from her shoulders.
Her skin gleamed pale as moonlight, smooth and flawless,
her shoulder blades rising like delicate wings.
The air grew heavy.
The ointment’s on the table, Lin Nai murmured.
Qingrou didn’t move. She just stood there, staring silent, breathless, lost.