The Seductive Pretender: Sister-in-Law is Turning Gay - Chapter 13

Chapter 13: “I’ll Just Catch Up on my Sleep Here.”

She handed over a wet wipe: “Wipe your hands.” From what Zhong Manjing said, she likely had been a pampered young mistress who never had to lift a finger in the past; it must have been difficult for her to personally peel shrimp just to make a point.

Zhong Manjing slowly extended her hand, placing her long, rounded fingertips in front of Lin Yuqing.

Her nails were trimmed neatly and were quite beautiful. Lin Yuqing stared for two seconds before looking up, catching the faint, playful smile on Zhong Manjing’s face a look mixed with a touch of reserved pride.

Alright, understood. She didn’t want to wipe her own hands either.

Assuming the Young Mistress wanted help, Lin Yuqing resignedly prepared to support the back of Zhong Manjing’s palm to wipe it for her. However, Zhong Manjing pinched the wet wipe from Lin Yuqing’s hand with two fingers, using her other fingertips to lightly tilt Lin Yuqing’s palm upward.

“Shall I peel some more for you? It looked like you didn’t quite catch the flavor with that one bite just now.”

Lin Yuqing pulled her hand back as if struck by an electric shock and immediately began peeling the shrimp herself.

“No need, I’ll help you.”

Only then did Zhong Manjing leisurely and meticulously wipe her fingers clean. This person really couldn’t handle being teased.

Lin Yuqing worked efficiently, quickly placing a plate of peeled shrimp in front of Zhong Manjing before standing up. “I don’t know if Wang Dingchun will follow you in the future. Don’t come over at night next time.”

Zhong Manjing’s movements paused. “Wasn’t it still early when I came to find you? It was only nine o’clock. I finally found a late-night snack partner; how can you deprive me of my fun?”

“It’s too late, and I’m afraid you’ll be in danger. No one knows what his goal is yet,” Lin Yuqing said. She took three food containers out of the fridge these were the ones Zhong Manjing had brought before, now empty and sterilized.

“Inside is the crab roe paste you like, the mashed potatoes with minced meat, and the chicken giblets with cowpeas. I’ve portioned them all out; you can heat them up yourself.” Lin Yuqing wrapped the three containers. “I’ll walk you back in a bit. Pack up these leftovers and take them home too; don’t let them go to waste.”

“Are you chasing me away already? I can’t stay indoors forever.” Zhong Manjing popped the tender river shrimp into her mouth one by one. Thinking of something, she muttered under her breath, “Dense as a brick.”

Lin Yuqing said, “That’s not what I meant. I’m worried about you.”

The table was soon covered in shrimp shells, crab shells, and food scraps; it was clear these dishes suited Lin Yuqing’s palate perfectly. They ate together, chatting occasionally. Zhong Manjing didn’t want to touch the stir-fried crab at all, and Lin Yuqing realized it had been made entirely for her, so she ate even more heartily.

Looking at the “ruins” piling up like a small mountain, Zhong Manjing laughed. “You’re silly too. When I told you at the police station to eat the food first, why didn’t you listen? Didn’t you skip dinner?”

Lin Yuqing said, “I got anxious the moment Zhang Pingrui mentioned it. By the time I realized, I was already out the door.”

Zhong Manjing nodded. “Is Boss Lin this warm-hearted toward all her neighbors? If a few more new neighbors show up and make you worry, won’t you spend all your time running around outside and never get a full meal for yourself?”

“I wouldn’t,” Lin Yuqing replied, catching the teasing tone and feeling a bit awkward. “It’s not like that. Are you finished? I’ll walk you back.”

She instinctively felt something was off about Zhong Manjing’s comment, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on what that strange awkwardness was.

Ultimately, Zhong Manjing couldn’t win the argument and went home to rest. Before leaving, she left a large portion of the lemon spicy-sour chicken feet for Lin Yuqing to put in the fridge.

The lights outside had dimmed, but Su Yun was still waiting for her.

“Sister Su, why are you—?”

Before Zhong Manjing could finish, Su Yun pulled her inside and vigilantly locked the door.

“Quick, come in. If you hadn’t been so alert today, a thick-headed person like me would still be in the dark. That bastard actually came back.” Su Yun led her into the brightly lit living room. Su Xiaodong wasn’t there; he was likely asleep.

“Sister Su, it’s a small matter. I just happened to notice and stayed cautious,” Zhong Manjing comforted her. “We just need to be more careful for a while. Wait for the news from Officer Fang. Even if he’s here for you, don’t panic. Just stay calm.”

Wang Dingchun was Su Yun’s ex-husband. They had divorced before Su Xiaodong was even two years old, and he had left the area.

“He shouldn’t have the face to come back, he…” Su Yun seemed to steel herself and spoke out. “After we got married, I discovered he had every vice imaginable—gambling, brawling—you name it. The first time he laid a hand on me, I didn’t hesitate and divorced him. He left later, but he actually went to prison. I thought the bastard would die out there, but he’s back. He’s actually back…” Su Yun murmured, her face pale under the light.

Zhong Manjing patted her back comfortingly.

A man with a criminal record who had disappeared for years—it wasn’t for anything else but serving time for his crimes. Coming back now to disrupt his ex-wife’s life likely meant only one thing:

He was here for money.

Su Yun spent the evening going over everything that could happen. The more she thought, the more she panicked, tossing and turning in bed. She said, “Would he come for Xiaodong? That bastard never even acknowledged his son. Last week he messaged saying he missed his son, and I told him to get lost.”

“Don’t panic, Sister Su. Trust yourself. Xiaodong is older now; he knows who is good to him,” Zhong Manjing said. “We’re all keeping an eye out.”

Only then did Su Yun’s chaotic heart settle a little. After thanking Zhong Manjing several times, she went to sleep.

Zhong Manjing returned to her room, tossed her phone on the bed, and went to shower. When she came out, she found two new messages.

This was the first time she and Lin Yuqing had contacted each other via WeChat.

The first: Did you make it home?

The second, ten minutes later: Are you asleep?

Zhong Manjing typed back: Just got into bed, I was showering. It’s almost eleven, aren’t you going to sleep? Lin Yuqing woke up at four every day; she didn’t have much time to rest.

The reply came quickly: Good that you’re home safe. I’m sleeping now. Goodnight.

Zhong Manjing held her phone and thought for a moment. She put on her nightgown, got out of bed, and took out astragalus, American ginseng, Codonopsis, Solomon’s Seal, goji berries, and dwarf lilyturf from her pantry. Adding some rock sugar, she put them into the health pot to simmer.

After simmering all night, it would be ready to deliver tomorrow morning.

At four o’clock the next morning, Zhong Manjing’s phone alarm went off. She couldn’t even open her eyes and simply hit snooze.

Half an hour later, another alarm at the foot of the bed rang. She kicked at it impatiently with her toes but couldn’t reach it. Finally, after lingering for about twenty minutes, she rolled to the foot of the bed, raked her hair back, and sat up.

Five o’clock.

How on earth does Lin Yuqing manage to wake up at four every day?

She couldn’t sleep anymore. Today wasn’t the day for Brother Li to pick up the pickles, and time was short. She wanted Lin Yuqing to have something hot to drink, so she had to deliver it herself.

The sky was still dark. Zhong Manjing went to the kitchen to put beans in the coffee machine and busied herself frothing milk. Dazed and sleepy, she set out with three drinks.

Lin Yuqing went to the market punctually at four. By 4:45, she was back and immediately started her preparations.

She had just finished chopping the cowpeas and peppers her hands stinging slightly from the heat when she heard someone enter.

A voice called out, weak as a thread: “Boss Lin… Boss Lin…”

Lin Yuqing hurried out and saw a staggering Zhong Manjing. She grabbed her by the arm just as Zhong Manjing slumped into her embrace. Lin Yuqing reached out to take the bag from her hand.

Helping her to a seat, Lin Yuqing saw that Zhong Manjing was still half-asleep, her eyes barely fluttering. She spoke as if sleepwalking: “Drink… drink some.”

She pointed randomly, not really knowing what she was pointing at. Lin Yuqing opened the bag and was immediately greeted by the rich aroma of coffee.

The scent cleared Zhong Manjing’s head slightly. “One cup is a simmered ‘Qi and Blood’ tea for energy. Drink it while it’s hot. The other two one is a black tea Yuan Yang latte, which is a strong pick-me-all. The other is a regular latte; the ice cubes inside are caramel milk jelly I made. Drink whichever you like.”

The sky outside had quietly brightened. The vegetable markets, breakfast stalls, and square dancers were already busy with the morning light. The light shone from behind Zhong Manjing, tinting her messy hair with soft colors tangled and sticking out, but full of life. She was as vibrant as the morning sun.

Perhaps the dance troupe was playing drums; heavy mallets struck the drum skins with a series of rhythmic “thuds.”

Lin Yuqing gazed at her intently, hearing her own heart beating in rhythm with the drums.

Lin Yuqing finally managed to ask: “Why did you come over?”

“I saw you went to sleep so late last night, I was afraid you’d be sleepy at work today…” Zhong Manjing gave a huge yawn and leaned forward. Lin Yuqing had to sit next to her to steady her. Zhong Manjing leaned against her shoulder as if she had no bones. “So sleepy. This is the first time I’ve woken up this early.”

Lin Yuqing stared at the coffee, considering whether to call Xiao Ying in early so she could take Zhong Manjing back to sleep. Then she heard Zhong Manjing murmur against her ear, “I want to sleep a bit more.”

“I’ll take you home now.” Lin Yuqing uncomfortably pulled away slightly, but Zhong Manjing began to wobble, so she sat back.

Zhong Manjing said, “I feel like I’m going to fall asleep right now.”

The morning temperature was low, and the room wasn’t too hot yet. With the fan… seeing Zhong Manjing’s swaying state, Lin Yuqing made a decision. She asked tentatively, “Why don’t you catch up on your sleep here?”

“That would be best.” Zhong Manjing’s eyes opened, looking up with a soft smile. “Quickly, escort this Young Mistress to her bed.”

A small curve appeared at the corner of Lin Yuqing’s lips.

She took Zhong Manjing upstairs. Since the blackout curtains were drawn, it was dim a perfect place for a nap.

Zhong Manjing found the bed immediately, pushed the pillow aside, and lay down.

Lin Yuqing: “Is it too hot? I’ll bring a fan up. Don’t you want the pillow?”

Zhong Manjing didn’t answer; she seemed to have automatically reconnected with her sleep the moment she hit the mattress. Lin Yuqing stopped disturbing her. Just as she turned to leave, the person on the bed spoke.

“When it’s noon, if I’m not up, come wake me. Keep the door closed; only you are allowed to come in. Bring some snacks; I might have ‘waking-up’ grumpiness. Oh, and Lin Yuqing,” Zhong Manjing opened her eyes on the bed, “I’m used to sleeping naked, and I kick the blankets. You don’t mind, right?”

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