The Seductive Pretender: Sister-in-Law is Turning Gay - Chapter 15

Chapter 15: “Listen Closely to the Sound of my Heartbeat.”

“If you’re truly scared,” Lin Yuqing said, recalling her original intention for installing the window unit, “then come over. It really has been a bit unsafe lately.”

Zhong Manjing didn’t have the heart to point out to Lin Yuqing that there was a police outpost right outside. Anyone looking to cause trouble here would truly have to be tired of living.

“Boss Lin looks quite reluctant. It’s alright; young people these days generally prefer living alone, and we haven’t known each other for very long.”

Seeing Zhong Manjing casually drape her thin, long cardigan over her shoulders, Lin Yuqing asked, “Aren’t you going to change clothes?”

“What clothes do you have here for me to change into?” Zhong Manjing laughed, glancing at Lin Yuqing’s bare feet. “You don’t have extra pajamas, slippers, toiletries, a spare bed, or blankets. You were right not to let me stay; if I wear your slippers, you’re barefoot. If I use your blanket, you have none.”

Zhong Manjing said with a smile, “If I actually stayed here, you might be the one feeling uncomfortable. It’s not like I could wear your pajamas while you…”

“Let’s go down. Are you hungry? It’s already noon.” Lin Yuqing turned toward the door, saying flatly, “I’ll buy another pair of slippers.”

She wanted to tell Zhong Manjing that if she was scared, she could sleep here it wouldn’t be hot anymore.

But for some reason, the words that came out of her mouth felt miles away from her actual thoughts.

Zhong Manjing said nothing, following Lin Yuqing down to open the fridge. Finding the yogurt container empty, a smile returned to her face.

She had slept well and successfully teased her companion; her mood was exceptionally bright.

“It’s all gone. It was good, wasn’t it?” Zhong Manjing made a mental note to restock for Lin Yuqing. As Lin Yuqing reached for vegetables in the fridge, Zhong Manjing took another look around—the lemon chicken feet were gone too. Calculating the days, the European bread she had baked before must have been finished yesterday or the day before.

Lin Yuqing placed a pre-prepared iced latte on the table. “Let the ice melt a bit before you drink it; you have an empty stomach. What would you like to eat?”

Zhong Manjing replied, “Anything. Whatever you stir-fry is fine. What’s this?”

She spotted the fried chicken and pumpkin cakes on the table. The aroma instantly opened her appetite. “I think I saw street vendors selling these in front of the elementary school last time. Did you go all the way there to buy them?”

“I bought some on the way back from arranging the AC installation. I noticed the kids seem to love them.”

Zhong Manjing said, “Then just one stir-fry for lunch is enough. Let’s not waste food.”

Lin Yuqing agreed and headed into the kitchen. Zhong Manjing enjoyed the still-warm fried chicken with cream cheese and honey mustard sauce, taking a sip of coffee. Every pore in her body felt relaxed and happy.

After a while, she snapped out of her bliss and called out toward the kitchen window with a smirk: “Boss Lin, do you even know how to use a window AC?”

Lin Yuqing: “I do.”

“I was afraid you wouldn’t.” Zhong Manjing locked eyes with her, smiling. “I thought you installed it because I felt hot. But since I’m not staying, you’ll probably just use the fan tonight and keep the AC off.”

Lin Yuqing didn’t miss a beat, deftly slicing carrots, wood ear mushrooms, and pork into fine shreds. She replied, “I used it so it wouldn’t be hot while sleeping at night. Why wouldn’t I use it?”

Zhong Manjing said, “Then remember to take a video when you use it tonight to show me. I’ve never seen a window unit before.”

Lin Yuqing: “…”

Before long, Lin Yuqing emerged with a plate of Yuxiang shredded pork and stir-fried baby bok choy. By then, Zhong Manjing had finished half the fried chicken and coffee. Lin Yuqing served her a smaller portion of rice.

“Can you still eat?”

“I can. Your cooking is delicious, of course I can.” Zhong Manjing smiled and took a bite. “I have to admit, a professional’s cooking really is different.”

“Is it? I just made it casually. I think the things you make are true gourmet food.” Lin Yuqing noticed that after she spoke, Zhong Manjing continued to watch her with a knowing smile. “What’s wrong?” Did she say something incorrect?

Zhong Manjing said, “Nothing. It just felt like we were exchanging business pleasantries, didn’t it? But it’s okay, I like it when you praise me. I only intended to eat half a bowl of rice, but now I think I can finish the whole thing.”

Lin Yuqing paused her eating for a moment before stating: “Wasting food is not allowed.”

Zhong Manjing wasn’t annoyed; she simply picked up the remaining fried chicken and placed it all into Lin Yuqing’s bowl.

“Yes, you’re right. So, since I can’t finish these, they’re all yours.”

She then started piling the Yuxiang shredded pork into Lin Yuqing’s bowl until it resembled a small mountain. Lin Yuqing buried her head and ate diligently, her face hidden from Zhong Manjing. All that could be heard was her muffled voice: “Okay.”

“Lin Yuqing! Lin Yuqing!” Zhong Manjing couldn’t help but set down her chopsticks and lean back in her chair, laughing until she was breathless. “Lin Yuqing, are you really this bad at being teased? You’re too funny, I’m actually tearing up…”

Her other hand was pointing toward Lin Yuqing when she suddenly lost her balance and began to fall backward. As if she had anticipated this, Lin Yuqing reached out and caught Zhong Manjing’s wrist, pulling her back.

“Is it really that funny?” Lin Yuqing saw Zhong Manjing’s eyes were indeed moist from laughing.

Even though she was the one being laughed at, seeing Zhong Manjing so happy prevented Lin Yuqing from getting angry. An involuntary smile appeared on her own face. “Is it strange?”

“No, not strange.” Zhong Manjing took a tissue from Lin Yuqing and wiped her eyes. Her gaze fell on the wrist Lin Yuqing had just touched, and she said softly, “I just realized that I don’t seem to know you at all.”

The Lin Yuqing she had known before only had broken pride and wretched arrogance. Later on, there was only the terrifying madness and ruthlessness hidden beneath a calm exterior.

Zhong Manjing realized she had overlooked too many things. She had never stopped to think about how Lin Yuqing had gradually become that fearsome person.

“You speak as if you’ve known me for a long time.” Lin Yuqing chuckled. Seeing Zhong Manjing frozen in place, she naturally took the crumpled tissue from her hand and tossed it into the trash. “Eat quickly; there’s work to do at the shop soon.”

Just as she finished speaking, a small three-wheeled delivery cart stopped in front of the noodle shop. Two workers in navy blue polo shirts got out and greeted them: “Boss, we’ve brought the air conditioner!”

Lin Yuqing stood up to meet them, gesturing for Zhong Manjing to keep eating. Zhong Manjing watched them for a moment, took two bites of rice, and stood up as well. “Working through the noon hour? Hard work. Have you eaten? Here, have some water. Hey, you two look quite young. What are your names?”

She handed them two bottles of mineral water. The worker who took them first looked about eighteen or nineteen, with short hair and a square face. “Thanks, sis. My name is Xie. We’re new apprentices at the shop. This is Xiao Cao.”

“It’s for the upstairs. Thank you for your hard work.” Lin Yuqing led them upstairs. Zhong Manjing tilted her chin and, once they were out of sight, went to the small shop next door to buy three packs of cigarettes.

When she returned, Xie Sihe was coming down. He scratched his head awkwardly when he saw her. Zhong Manjing gestured to him with a smile. “Xiao Xie, feeling a craving for a smoke?”

“Yeah.” Xie Sihe nodded, still a bit embarrassed. “Force of habit. I always need one before a job. I’ll go smoke outside.”

Before he could pull out his own, Zhong Manjing handed him a Lanzhou cigarette. “Here, have one of these.”

Xie Sihe had never smoked such an expensive cigarette; his eyes lit up. Encouraged by Zhong Manjing, he took it and thanked her repeatedly.

When he was near the end of his cigarette, Zhong Manjing stepped outside too. “Xiao Xie, did you just start apprenticing for Old Feng?”

Xie Sihe nodded.

“No wonder I haven’t seen you before. You seem very meticulous and have a kind face. If I have work for you later, can you give me a discount?”

Xie Sihe was flattered. “Sis, don’t mention it! If you have work, I’ll give you the base price. I’ll make sure it’s done perfectly.”

Zhong Manjing smiled. “Great, let’s exchange contact info. Here, take these two packs! Don’t say no. I got them from a wedding banquet the other day; I don’t smoke anyway.”

Xie Sihe took them with both hands, thanking her several more times. At that moment, he looked at Zhong Manjing as if she were a golden Bodhisattva. One pack was Lanzhou Flying Sky, the other was Soft Zhonghua. Xie Sihe had never seen a wedding banquet lavish enough to give out cigarettes like these.

After giving the cigarettes, Zhong Manjing followed Xie Sihe upstairs. As soon as she pushed the door open, she felt a wave of cool air.

Inside, Xiao Cao was saying, “It’s that simple. Just plug the window unit in and it works, though the sound is a bit loud. But for a room this size, it’s perfect.”

The window was half-closed, and the square metal box was emitting a low hum, similar to a Diamond brand fan on its highest setting.

Zhong Manjing found the sound acceptable. The LCD panel on the unit read 16 degrees Celsius. In this sweltering noon room, it felt like a miracle.

Lin Yuqing’s expression was serious. “It’s installed just like that?”

Zhong Manjing stepped forward with a smile and handed Xiao Cao the last pack of cigarettes. “Master Xiao Cao, you made the trip too. Thank you for your hard work.”

Xie Sihe, having a sharp eye, noticed that pack was a Furongwang far less valuable than the two packs he had received.

“You can move it anytime. Just support the bottom; half inside, half outside. Plug it in and it works.” Xiao Cao took the cigarettes and said helplessly, “Sis, the master said we could install a window unit ourselves, but Boss Lin was in such a hurry. She said she was afraid she’d get it wrong and insisted on buying and using it today without any mistakes. She even gave us fifty yuan for the installation fee.”

Lin Yuqing and Zhong Manjing’s smiling gazes met. Lin Yuqing replied expressionlessly, “No, I wasn’t in a hurry. I was just afraid of installing it incorrectly.”

Xiao Cao added, “It’s just a matter of putting the plug in the socket. We felt bad taking the money. Now that we have these cigarettes, let’s call it even. Boss Lin, look even if it’s second-hand, it works great! Cool, right?”

Lin Yuqing didn’t say anything, but Zhong Manjing sighed, “It really is cool.”

Xiao Cao pulled fifty yuan from his pocket and stuffed it into Lin Yuqing’s hand. “We’re heading out then. Boss Lin, remember to give us a good review!”

The two young men didn’t forget to close the door as they left.

Lin Yuqing stood there motionless. Zhong Manjing moved in front of her, leaning in and tilting her head to study Lin Yuqing’s expression very carefully.

Lin Yuqing: “…”

Zhong Manjing was laughing. “Boss Lin, why the rush? You’re so smart, how could you possibly get the installation wrong? Did you already know how it worked and just planned to plug it in while I was asleep?”

Lin Yuqing said, “It’s not what you think.”

“Sure, whatever you say. This window unit is really cool, isn’t it, Boss Lin?” Zhong Manjing teased, her smiling face getting closer and closer to Lin Yuqing’s. “So comfortable. Boss Lin? Boss Lin? Say something, Lin Yuqing?”

Lin Yuqing took a deep breath, forced back half a step. She turned her head and asked, “Do you find it noisy?”

“Not noisy.” Zhong Manjing shook her head, her palm gently covering Lin Yuqing’s eyelids. “Listen closely. The sound of the window unit running isn’t even as loud as the sound of my heartbeat.”

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