The Seductive Pretender: Sister-in-Law is Turning Gay - Chapter 21

Chapter 21: “It Would Be fine to Drown in Lin Yuqing’s Sweet Words.”

There was no hiding the infatuation and admiration in her eyes. Lin Yuqing took a sharp step back, widening the distance between them.

She couldn’t tell why such heavy emotions were swirling in Zhong Manjing’s gaze, nor could she distinguish whether it was more infatuation or more admiration.

Zhong Manjing didn’t mind the retreat; she simply smiled. “I’m just an excessively honest person. I hope I didn’t scare you. Anyway, since Wang Dingchun has learned his lesson, I don’t have to worry about anyone following me tonight.”

“I’m heading into the mountains with Brother Wang this afternoon to the bee farm. I’ll be camping for two or three days, so I won’t be coming over to sleep when I get back.” Zhong Manjing finished the last spoonful of yogurt and oats, the corners of her mouth curling upward. “Thanks for the care and for taking me in, Boss Lin.”

The announcement was so sudden, following the previous tension, that Lin Yuqing was caught off guard. In that moment, she thought of the pot of gardenias she had been carefully tending lately.

Once Zhong Manjing stopped coming, would she still take good care of it? Perhaps the plant was about to sprout. With Zhong Manjing’s example in mind, Lin Yuqing would give those dry branches the care they deserved. In the morning, she would open the window to let the threads of wind brush past it.

But this place was still barren; she might not be able to make it bloom or bear fruit.

Lin Yuqing quickly composed herself and stood straight. “Have a pleasant trip.”

Zhong Manjing said, “You haven’t come to my place to get the silk quilts we talked about last night. It’ll rain next month; take a set of both the 0.5kg and 1.5kg quilts.”

“The swimming center has a team dinner this afternoon, so I might head over there late,” Lin Yuqing said.

Zhong Manjing nodded. “Sure. I have to leave with Brother Wang’s car at 4:30; it gets dark early in the mountains. I’ll let Luo-luo know and have her take you over.”

Lin Yuqing said, “No rush.”

“Oh, how can you not be in a rush? It’ll get cool at night after the Start of Autumn. You have the AC now and you’re sleeping alone; a 0.5kg quilt is just right.” Zhong Manjing stood up too. “I’ll head out first. I need to pack the camping gear into the car.”

She also had many things to prepare for Lin Yuqing. She’d be gone for three days, and she wasn’t sure how the signal would be in the mountains. Even if she couldn’t be reached, her presence had to be felt here; she wanted Lin Yuqing to think of her no matter where she walked.

Lin Yuqing was busy and didn’t see her off. Before she left, she asked if Zhong Manjing wanted to take some crab roe sauce, but Zhong Manjing declined.

Zhong Manjing returned to her courtyard, changed her clothes, and drove her car out. She harvested another batch of ripe vegetables from the roof and delivered them one by one to her neighbors.

After leaving the second-hand appliance shop yesterday, she had given away a lot of asparagus, and she left the rest in Lin Yuqing’s fridge enough to last her for a few days.

At the courier station, she picked up a stack of accumulated packages and happened to run into the delivery guy. “Zhong Manjing? Zhong Manjing! Is that you? Don’t leave yet!”

Zhong Manjing looked at the guy’s tattooed arms and asked gently, “Is something wrong?”

The tattooed guy said, “I have half a box of stuff back here that’s all yours. Don’t go, is this your car? I’ll help you move them to the trunk.”

Zhong Manjing smiled. “Thank you.”

“Buying this much before Double 11? Are you moving?”

“Just decorating.”

Zhong Manjing had bought several large items, completely filling the back seat and the trunk. She thanked the guy and gave him two cigarettes before dragging everything back to the courtyard.

It was all soft decor she’d prepared for Lin Yuqing’s place. She couldn’t bring it all at once; Lin Yuqing definitely wouldn’t allow it. She had to find a way to infiltrate slowly and silently, bringing a little at a time until Lin Yuqing got used to it without realizing.

There were only two months left before the time she had “left” this place in her previous life. Zhong Manjing exhaled. Although she knew Lin Yuqing wouldn’t stay here for long, she still hoped to make the living environment a bit better.

There was a pavilion in the courtyard. Moving things back and forth made Zhong Manjing break into a sweat. She had a lot of gear to pack; since she’d be staying for a few days, the trunk was packed to the brim.

After finishing, she finally had time for a shower. She scooped out half a chilled yellow-fleshed watermelon and ate it. Then, she took the whole duck she’d prepared, chopped it into pieces, and began searing it in a flat pan with ginger and scallions over a low flame.

In a small bowl nearby was plum water she had soaked earlier, along with a small bowl of sauce.

Sour, spicy, appetizing, and slightly sweet Plum Duck was a perfect dish for late summer and early autumn. The recipe was simple; the key was stewing the duck until tender, frying the skin until crispy, and using the plums to draw out the flavor.

“Not quite enough…” Zhong Manjing frowned as she recalled sleeping pressed against Lin Yuqing’s back; the woman was so thin her spine was almost sharp. She wasn’t feeding her enough; she had to try harder.

Luckily, there was still time. Zhong Manjing opened her well-stocked refrigerator and took out a bag of chopped fresh ribs, quickly mixing a batter to coat them. While the duck skin was frying to a golden brown, she drained the excess oil and poured in the sauce and plum water. With a “sizzle,” the sour aroma immediately made her mouth water. She covered the pot.

There were still two eggplants in the crisper. Since using the oil from the ribs would be a waste otherwise, she made a dish of crispy fried eggplant boxes.

These were heavy dishes, mostly fried. Eating them without something to “clear the heat” wouldn’t do. Zhong Manjing thought for a moment and brewed a pot of pear and fig soup, sealing it in a glass jar. Only then was she satisfied.

She looked down at her silent phone and smiled, casually turning on a news channel as background noise while she ate a few pieces of the garlic ribs.

An hour later, the Plum Duck was done, the meat easily falling off the bone with a chopstick. As she was portioning it into two containers, she heard movement downstairs.

“Sister Zhong! Are you ready? We’re about to head out!”

“Coming!”

Zhong Manjing carried a small bag and three grocery bags. Downstairs, she saw Wang Cheng waiting with Feng Xiangxia outside the gate. A three-year-old “dumpling” slid down from the front seat of the van and dove into Zhong Manjing’s arms.

“Jing-jing, what’s good to eat?!”

Feng Xiangxia said, “Wang Nuoyan, mind your manners!” Nuoyan had been a late talker and used to stutter. When told to call her “Auntie Manjing,” she was slow and would always just call out “Jing-ah… Jing-ah.” After turning three, she became a chatterbox, but out of habit, she never called Zhong Manjing “Auntie.”

“Sister Feng, this portion is mildly spicy Plum Duck; the child can eat it too. The fried ribs aren’t spicy, they’re garlic-flavored. Take them home.” Zhong Manjing separated the bags and gave them all to Feng Xiangxia. “Please help me deliver the other portion to Lin Yuqing.”

Wang Nuoyan said, “Smells so good! Mom, let’s go home and eat!” She tugged at Zhong Manjing’s clothes, pulled her down, and gave her a loud “mwah” on the cheek.

Feng Xiangxia said, “What are you saying? I should be the one thanking you. This brat Nuoyan hates my cooking, but with your food today, I finally get a night off.”

Wang Cheng added, “Exactly. She won’t eat vegetables or meat; she just chews for the flavor and spits it out. It’s a real headache. Aside from candy, what else does she enjoy eating?”

Wang Nuoyan yelled, “Dad is so talkative! Dad!”

Zhong Manjing laughed and patted Nuoyan’s fuzzy head. “Brother Wang, let’s go. Sister Feng, don’t forget about in a few days.”

Feng Xiangxia smiled. “I remember. You invited me to camp; how could I not go? I’ll help out at the bee farm too. Lao Wang, take good care of her these next few days; don’t let the bees sting Sister Zhong’s face, and get some good honey for her.”

Wang Cheng said, “I know, I know. Haven’t you been nagging me about it all day at home?”

Zhong Manjing finally got in her car. Before starting, she took a photo and sent it to Lin Yuqing. She quickly received a reply: Stay safe, have a smooth trip.

Zhong Manjing didn’t reply and started the car. She followed Wang Cheng’s car from the county town to the beekeeping farm behind Pingfeng Mountain in Qingshui Village, about 80km away. The terrain was high, and they had to take a winding small road up the mountain; it was difficult to get inside without a local guide.

The benefit was the environment a natural oxygen bar with green waters and lush mountains, essentially a natural air conditioner.

The bee farm was actually just a private plot Wang Cheng had leased. More than sixty beehives were arranged in a square, covered by simple sheds. In the evening, the worker bees had returned to their hives; even without getting close, one could feel the humming vibration of their wings.

The fence around the farm was negligible. Next to the open space was a small, temporary hut Wang Cheng’s living quarters when he came here to tend the bees. It had water and electricity and some basic amenities, but overall, the conditions were primitive.

He only lived here for ten days or two weeks at a time when he needed to supervise the honey collection. He couldn’t understand why Zhong Manjing wanted to come here to camp.

But when he watched a flat tent inflate before his eyes into the size of a two-bedroom apartment, he was stunned.

“Technology changes lives,” Zhong Manjing said with a smile, wiping her sweat. She turned on all her portable light sources, and a warm glow lit up the mountain wilderness. “I’ll be bothering you for the next few days.”

Reassured, Wang Cheng went to set up a pot for cooking. Zhong Manjing hadn’t looked at her phone at all, fully absorbed in decorating her sleeping spot for the night. Her phone rang several times, but she ignored it.

In the evening, she and Wang Cheng had a simple meal of braised eggplant over rice. While Wang Cheng was on a video call with his family, Zhong Manjing quietly slipped out of the bee farm.

It was late. Zhong Manjing drove out back onto the rural road, where the streetlights were as dim as a scene from a horror movie. She didn’t act like it was her first time here; she continued driving deeper for twenty minutes before turning onto another small path.

Soon, a house by the lake appeared at the end of her vision. A car was already parked outside, and the lights were on in the well-maintained villa.

Zhong Manjing had just reached the door and hadn’t even knocked when it opened.

A middle-aged man wearing a fedora stood at the door, dressed in brand-new, stylish clothes and smelling faintly of fragrance. He didn’t seem surprised by her arrival; he held out a cup of saffron tea.

Zhong Manjing wasn’t surprised either.

The villa was covered in surveillance; her car would have been seen the moment it approached. Peng Shirong had been Zhong Suyuan’s butler for many years; his alertness was extraordinary.

“Is the Second Miss doing well?” Peng Shirong smiled warmly. “Saffron tea. Your brother asked me to bring it to you.”

“Uncle Peng, I won’t drink it at night; I’m afraid of a nosebleed.” Zhong Manjing didn’t enter. She smiled and said, “I’m not going back yet. Tell Zhong Suyuan to stop looking for me and to stop bothering me. I’ll go back on my own in a few months. When you go back, tell him you didn’t find me here.”

Peng Shirong said, “Is the Second Miss still angry that he yelled at you that day? President Zhong said he was just anxious because you were playing too hard outside. If he had known you’d run away for so long in a fit of rage, he never would have scolded you.”

Zhong Manjing shook her head. “Which day? I’ve long forgotten. I’ve given you my message; I’m leaving now.”

She had just turned around when four thugs in black blocked her path, their intent clearly threatening.

“Second Miss, rest here tonight and return to Yibei City with me tomorrow. Your brother is getting engaged; you must go back.”

Peng Shirong looked at the young woman’s slender back. Even without her turning around, he could imagine her face filled with fear and panic. The Second Miss had been like this since she was a child—only brave within the family, but terrified of thugs because she had actually been beaten as a kid.

Zhong Manjing turned around, but she was beaming with a smile.

Peng Shirong froze for a moment. Zhong Manjing began to clap. The rhythmic sound was exceptionally clear in the quiet mountains, carrying a hint of the uncanny.

“Uncle Peng, isn’t it a coincidence? I met a teacher at Yuhai No. 1 Primary School recently. She’s beautiful, young, and accomplished—she’s already been rated as a mid-level teacher.” Zhong Manjing’s smile deepened, and seeing Peng Shirong’s face darken, she continued with satisfaction, “Uncle Peng, you spent quite a few years in prison when you were young. A child registered under your household wouldn’t pass a political background check for a government job, would they?”

Peng Shirong said nothing, his jaw tight.

Zhong Manjing acted as if she hadn’t noticed. “That teacher’s name is Yang Zhaoying. Coincidentally, her clothes have the same fragrance as yours. Her surname is Yang, so she can’t be your girlfriend; I’m not ready to accept a May-December romance.”

Peng Shirong took several heavy breaths, suppressing the urge to curse. Zhong Manjing didn’t give him a chance to speak. “If she’s not a girlfriend, she must be a daughter. Teacher Yang is excellent, with a bright future. I’m sure you don’t want to ruin it. So, can I go now?”

Zhong Manjing turned and walked out. This time, the four thugs moved aside under Peng Shirong’s silent command. Zhong Manjing even walked with a light step, hopping into her car.

Before leaving, she rolled down the window and said to Peng Shirong, “Bad people like us shouldn’t have a conscience. Once you have one, you’re at the mercy of others. Do you understand? I really don’t get it. How can someone who’s been to prison still want their daughter to take the civil service exam? Is this some obsession with going straight? It’s crazy.”

Her smile and tone were malicious! Peng Shirong was fuming, feeling deeply that the Second Miss was completely different from before.

Zhong Manjing returned safely to the bee farm. As soon as she parked, the person who could actually control her appeared.

Wang Cheng was waiting outside for her with an incredibly bright searchlight. He looked anxious, clutching his phone. When he saw her car, he shouted excitedly, “My god, Sister Zhong, where have you been!”

The man ran over. The screen on his phone wasn’t his wife, but a familiar scene: the ceiling of the “Anything” Noodle Shop.

“Boss Lin, she’s back, she’s back! Don’t worry anymore.” Wang Cheng handed the phone to Zhong Manjing. “Boss Lin said she couldn’t reach you. She was worried something happened to you after you followed me into the mountains. She even tracked me down!”

As soon as Zhong Manjing took the phone, the camera angle shifted. Someone had picked up the device. Zhong Manjing saw Lin Yuqing, fully dressed and ready to go out. Their eyes met, and Zhong Manjing spoke first: “Where are you going?”

“I thought you were missing. I was just about to go report it to the police and ask the forest rangers to come look for you.” Lin Yuqing let out a visible breath of relief. “Is your phone dead?”

Zhong Manjing took out her phone and found several messages from friends, including many from Lin Yuqing, starting from 4:00 PM until now, past 9:00 PM.

“I forgot to check it.” Zhong Manjing smiled. “Sorry. I didn’t know you’d be so worried about me.”

Lin Yuqing went silent for a moment on the other end, stepping back into the shop. Zhong Manjing didn’t hang up; she looked closely at Lin Yuqing’s face, her own eyes curved. After leaving the villa, her tense nerves finally began to relax.

“Didn’t you say you were going to a team dinner? What did you eat?” Zhong Manjing asked.

Lin Yuqing answered tonelessly, “I didn’t go.” She paused and added, “The shop was too busy this afternoon.”

Zhong Manjing hummed. “Did the others go?”

Lin Yuqing pursed her lips and remained silent. Zhong Manjing waited a moment before saying, “It seems they all went. Didn’t they bring any food back for you? That’s so mean.”

“…None of them went.” Lin Yuqing’s voice sounded raspy through the phone because she was speaking slowly. “When I couldn’t reach you, I told Meng Luo. Meng Luo told Zhang Pingrui. Everyone was frantically looking for you. Later, somehow Dong-zai and the others found out and ran to the shop crying, saying they might never see you again. I admit I might have sounded a bit too serious at the time. I’m sorry.”

Zhong Manjing was stunned. Her heart, which had finally calmed down, began to race again. Every word, including that final “sorry,” hit her like a surging wave, turning into an ache in her throat.

Half an hour ago, she had said that “bad people shouldn’t have a conscience”—but the existence of Lin Yuqing always made her heart soft. She might as well just die right here; it would be fine to drown in Lin Yuqing’s sweet words.

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