The Seductive Pretender: Sister-in-Law is Turning Gay - Chapter 14

Chapter 14: The Back of Her Knees Were Pure White, Dazzlingly Bright. Delicate, Like Milk Jelly.

“Eating something light after heavy, spicy food provides a perfect balance. It’s just right,” Lin Yuqing said with a smile.

“You’re certainly being well-fed. These crabs and chicken feet must have been sent by Xiao Zhong; she’s a natural at making these things.” Xiao Ying caught the spicy, appetizing scent the moment Lin Yuqing opened the fridge. She leaned over and spotted the leftover pickle jars in the kitchen. “Finally, you’re not just eating those pickled mustard tubers. That’s a good change!”

Pickled mustard tubers were meant for pairing with porridge or buns. Reminded by Xiao Ying, Lin Yuqing realized that ever since Zhong Manjing started sending her food, she hadn’t touched a single bun or mustard tuber.

The quality of her meals had skyrocketed. Even when it came to pickles, she no longer ate store-bought ones. The pickles Zhong Manjing made were crisp, delicious, and fresh a flavor completely unmatched by industrial production.

Once the palate is spoiled, there is no going back.

She thought for a moment. “Is Zhong Manjing this good to everyone?”

“Naturally. That’s why Sister Zhong is so popular; her cooking is better than anything you can buy outside.” Xiao Ying thought carefully and added, “But she seems more attentive to you. I’ve never seen her running around every day to deliver things to anyone else before. I remember she made those chicken feet once to coax Dongdong after his mom made him cry; she uses them to make kids happy.”

Lin Yuqing listened intently. Xiao Ying put on her apron and said, “Alright, time to prep for work. I’ll go take the trash out first. Let me go upstairs and grab yours so I can dump it all at once.”

Xiao Ying was a helpful soul; she often went upstairs to help Lin Yuqing when things got too busy. To her surprise, Lin Yuqing’s reaction was quite sharp: “No! No need! There’s no trash in my room.”

After a two-second pause, she added, “Zhong Manjing is catching up on sleep upstairs. Don’t disturb her.”

Xiao Ying didn’t think anything of it and said okay, but then she looked up and saw a strange-looking Lin Yuqing. She asked curiously:

“Boss, are you hot?” To ensure a comfortable dining environment, the shop’s air conditioning was always kept high during business hours.

“I’m not hot.”

Xiao Ying noted, “But your ears and face are all red.”

Lin Yuqing said expressionlessly, “Shift’s starting. Go take out the trash.”

She took out the black tea Yuan Yang latte and the dark red “Qi and Blood” tea, intending to finish her meal quickly before the shop opened.

Actually, she wasn’t sleepy. Her long-standing biological clock was fixed; though she woke up early, once she got past that initial hour, she was fine. But Zhong Manjing cared for her so much, even preparing tea to nourish her energy… she was more thoughtful than Lin Yuqing’s own family.

When this thought entered Lin Yuqing’s mind, she froze for a split second—it was as if the concept of “family” existed in the subconscious depths of her memory, despite the fact that she had never remembered a single fragment of her family before.

Lin Yuqing frowned, but taking a sip of the sweet tea caused her brow to smooth out again.

The “Qi and Blood” tea was slightly sweet with a herbal fragrance Lin Yuqing could easily identify. Her breakfast was lavish: oats, yogurt, and steamed dough twists brought by Zhong Manjing the day before. Zhong Manjing always seemed to make so much; how could she finish it all by herself?

The Yuan Yang latte was perfectly to her taste. One large gulp made her feel refreshed. Thinking of the staggering, sleepy figure of Zhong Manjing at her door this morning, she finally made a decision.

She had to install an air conditioner in her room. She would go look for one this afternoon.

Lin Yuqing went upstairs once in the middle of her shift.

After 9:00 AM, the sun grew intense. Fearing Zhong Manjing would be too hot, she intended to turn the fan up.

She hesitated before the door. Zhong Manjing had mentioned she liked sleeping naked and was a restless sleeper; Lin Yuqing was afraid of seeing something she shouldn’t.

Even though they were both women, Lin Yuqing felt the visual impact in her imagination was a bit too strong. She opened the door softly and saw Zhong Manjing still deep in sleep.

The blanket was tucked between her slender legs. Lin Yuqing breathed a sigh of relief. Zhong Manjing had been teasing her; she wasn’t actually sleeping naked.

Zhong Manjing was very fair a whiteness that even the dim light couldn’t hide. Even the back of her exposed knees was pure white, dazzling to the eyes. In that moment, Lin Yuqing was reminded of the yogurt Zhong Manjing had given her. Delicate, like milk jelly.

There was a draft in the room, and the air moved the curtains just enough for a sliver of sunlight to spill onto the bed. The light traced Zhong Manjing’s body like flowing landscape pigment.

Lin Yuqing lowered her eyes and walked over quietly. Although Zhong Manjing was wearing a camisole and pajama pants, she was indeed a restless sleeper; her top had ridden up.

Lin Yuqing silently increased the fan speed.

Zhong Manjing rolled over, and the blanket half-slid onto the floor.

Lin Yuqing had to walk over to pick it up. Getting closer, she saw that Zhong Manjing was likely still hot, but her exhaustion kept her from waking. There was a thin layer of sweat on the back of her neck, and the fine hairs at her temples were damp and stuck to her cheeks.

Lin Yuqing stood there for a moment in quiet thought. She went to the window to pull the curtain a bit more, only to find that the withered gardenia on the windowsill had been moved back inside. It was bare, with only the main stem remaining, but the pot had been cleaned and the soil was freshly watered.

The trash can nearby contained the dead branches.

She suddenly turned back and looked at the person sleeping on the bed.

Descending the stairs, Lin Yuqing went to the kitchen and drained the rest of her latte in one gulp. She began working with renewed vigor, her movements fluid and efficient.

A diner at the window laughed, “Boss Lin, you’re in high spirits today! Must have had a good night’s sleep.”

“I did.” Lin Yuqing smiled and said nothing else. “Here is your order.”

At 10:00 AM, the toppings and noodles were sold out. Lin Yuqing washed her hands, took off her apron, and left the closing tasks to Xiao Ying. She headed out on her electric scooter.

She returned about half an hour later carrying a box of fried chicken and a bag of old-fashioned pumpkin cakes.

Xiao Ying asked, puzzled, “Boss, didn’t you say this kind of stuff is unhygienic?”

“I just bought it in passing,” Lin Yuqing said. “I saw the kids crowding around to buy some when I passed the school.”

Xiao Ying put her keys away, ready to head home. She smiled and said, “I seem to remember Xiao Zhong saying once that eating watermelon and fried chicken in an AC room with some snacks is the most comfortable thing ever. Are you trying to coax a ‘kid’?”

Lin Yuqing shook her head and said it was nothing, but in her heart, she thought it’s about the same. The “Young Mistress” sleeping upstairs needed to be coaxed, pampered, and yielded to, just like a child.

When Zhong Manjing woke up, it was almost noon. Satisfied with her nap, she stretched out like a starfish on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

Lin Yuqing’s rental room. Lin Yuqing’s bed.

Covered by Lin Yuqing’s blanket, hugging Lin Yuqing’s pillow…

Zhong Manjing curled into the blanket, her legs kicking happily. Ignoring the sweltering heat in the room, she whispered excitedly: “Lin Yuqing, Lin Yuqing, Lin Yuqing, Lin Yuqing, Lin Yuqing…”

The door opened. Lin Yuqing pushed it open, looking surprised. “Do you have X-ray vision?”

Zhong Manjing’s eyes crinkled with laughter, her ears and face flushing a light pink. “Yes. I saw you coming. Why did you wait until now to wake me?” It was so late; she hadn’t expected to sleep this long.

“Wipe off the sweat.” Lin Yuqing handed her a wet wipe. “Come down and eat. Boss Feng will be coming with his workers in a bit, so I need to move the bed first. I kept your coffee; it’s on the middle shelf of the fridge, go grab it yourself.”

“And your clothes,” Lin Yuqing stared at her collarbone for a second, “remember to change.”

Zhong Manjing immediately sat up cross-legged. “Boss Feng? The one from the second-hand appliance shop? You bought something?”

Lin Yuqing said, “Yes, I bought a window unit. Have you heard of them? They’re energy-efficient and portable you can install them as long as there’s a window. The downside is they’re very noisy; it might be a bit loud when you sleep.”

Zhong Manjing stood up in her flip-flops. Without even wiping her sweat, she leaned close to Lin Yuqing with a beaming smile. “Boss Lin, what a coincidence—I can’t hear a drum being beaten outside when I sleep. Once it’s installed, if I get scared, can I come stay over at your place?”

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