Crossing the Line

Qi Jianfeng’s expression shifted again and again as he glared at Lin Wanzhao, indignant. Damn it—he had only spoken a few honest words, and now his status had instantly dropped lower than the premium pig ears Yu Qingkong had bought?

Such is the coldness of the world. Lin Wanzhao was no longer the soft, sniffling little sister who used to trail behind him every day, insisting he take the first bite of her ice cream.

Qi Jianfeng now had the distinct feeling that the cabbage he had painstakingly nurtured had been snatched away by a pig—and that pig, of course, could only be Yu Qingkong.

They weren’t even officially together yet and it was already like this. If they really started dating, wouldn’t it be even worse?

“By the way, it’s Monday. Shouldn’t you be at your company? What are you doing here all of a sudden?” Lin Wanzhao turned to look at him.

“Missed you. Just happened to be passing by, so I came to see you. Not allowed?” Qi Jianfeng shrugged.

“Allowed. Of course it’s allowed.” She nodded.

“Oh right, your parents are planning to travel abroad for the holidays this year. Are you going with them?”

Lin Wanzhao froze for a second, then turned her head away. “No.”

“Don’t be stubborn.”

She suddenly folded her arms and looked at him coolly. “They didn’t even tell me about it. Am I supposed to find out on my own and then say, ‘Dad, Mom, wait—please take me along’?”

Qi Jianfeng sighed. “Then what are you going to do? Spend it alone? That’d be miserable. My grandma’s turning eighty this year—her birthday’s on the first day of the Lunar New Year. I have to go back home. Why don’t you come with me? I’ll make dumplings for you on New Year’s Eve.”

Lin Wanzhao lowered her gaze. “We’ll talk about it then.”

Qi Jianfeng nodded and sighed again.

When he was young, his mother Lin Meng—Lin Wanzhao’s aunt—had just divorced and had nowhere to go, not even a house. She had taken him to stay with Lin Wanzhao’s family for two or three years.

Back then, the Lin family had won the lottery about a year earlier. After buying a house, Lin Wanzhao’s parents, Chen Yuyan and Lin Tao, had thrown themselves into business ventures, constantly traveling, ambitious and full throttle. They left Lin Wanzhao at home with only a nanny to care for her.

Qi Jianfeng’s family was struggling financially, and since Lin Wanzhao was often alone at home, Chen Yuyan and Lin Tao invited them to move in, partly so they could help look after her.

Qi Jianfeng was twelve. Lin Wanzhao was eight. He still remembered the first time he saw her.

That day, after he and Lin Meng opened the door with their key and walked in, they saw Lin Wanzhao standing timidly in the corner of the staircase, staring at them from afar. When Lin Meng told him to greet his little sister, Lin Wanzhao suddenly turned and ran upstairs, locking herself in her room.

They were both stunned. Lin Meng had married far away years ago and hadn’t kept in close contact with the family, so she didn’t know Lin Wanzhao well. At the time, she thought the child had a strange temperament—not very likable.

But later, after getting to know her, Qi Jianfeng realized that although she was a little withdrawn and odd, she was actually very sweet.

She didn’t say pretty words, but during holidays she would quietly prepare small gifts for him and Lin Meng and leave them by their beds.

He also learned that for two years, Lin Wanzhao had barely lived with her parents. Whenever Lin Tao and Chen Yuyan saw her, they only asked about her studies and dance, rarely offering warmth.

He felt sorry for her and spoiled her to the skies. Three years later, when Lin Meng remarried, he moved out with her. Even so, they stayed in close contact. He knew the situation of the Lin family like the back of his hand.

“Alright, we’ll talk about it then. It’s getting late—I should go.” Qi Jianfeng glanced at his watch, stood up, and shook out his jacket.

“Okay. Drive safely.” Lin Wanzhao set down her chopsticks and stood as well.

“Sure.”

“Hey, wait.”

“What?” He turned back.

“This is for you. I bought it for you in Yancheng. Take it.” She pulled a small box from her bag and handed it to him.

“What is it…” He opened it curiously and saw a beautiful watch—the exact model that was hard to get. He broke into a grin.

“You said you’d wanted it for days. I happened to see it.” She clasped her hands behind her back. “So? Like it?”

“Love it. My little sister really is the best!” He examined it carefully, then took off his old watch and put the new one on.

“Glad you like it.” She smiled.

After a moment, he looked at her again and curled his lips. Finally, he spoke.

“You know, even if I sometimes talk harshly, I’ve always supported you being yourself. If you don’t like men, then don’t date men. But reality can be cruel. You also have to think about that girl of yours. The gap between you two—it’s not just you who faces resistance. She does too, maybe even more. If she doesn’t care about it, I’d worry about her motives—whether she’s after your money. But if she does care, she’ll put huge pressure on herself. I’ve been poor before. I once liked a rich young lady. I know how bitter that feels. I’m not telling you to give up without trying. I just… you’re the only sister I acknowledge. I want you to be okay.”

“I know.” Lin Wanzhao smiled faintly.

He nodded.

“Go on.” She patted his arm and watched him leave.

Everything he said—she understood. But just because something might not work out, did that mean you shouldn’t try? If you don’t try, how would you ever know?

She had only said those things because she didn’t want to burden Yu Qingkong. When she went to Yancheng, aside from buying the watch, she hadn’t wandered into luxury boutiques or high-end venues. Even for Yu Qingkong’s birthday gift, she chose something moderate—not extravagant.

She did all that so Yu Qingkong wouldn’t constantly feel the gap between them.

****************************************

Later, Yu Qingkong sat up straight in her chair, exhaled, and stared blankly at her computer screen.

The man who had gone into Lin Wanzhao’s office earlier—he must be the brother she mentioned, Qi Jianfeng. For some reason, his look toward her had felt strange. She couldn’t pinpoint why. They’d never met. Had Lin Wanzhao talked about her?

She rubbed her temples and checked her phone.

In their three-person group chat, Liu Ting and Lu Xiaoxiao were wailing dramatically about how the New Year was both painful and joyful—joyful because they finally had time with family, painful because of the annual forced matchmaking gatherings and endless rounds of visiting relatives and overeating.

Lu Xiaoxiao lamented: “So jealous of Qingkong. Her family never forces her on blind dates. Mine’s different—I haven’t even gone home yet and my mom’s already arranged at least three guys for me. I’m such a tragic woman.”

Yu Qingkong said nothing.

Was she lucky? Not being pressured to marry seemed lucky. But the price she had paid for that “luck” was steep.

Pei Chengming’s face flashed in her mind. She closed her eyes and pressed her head.

Soon she noticed colleagues discussing train and flight tickets in the company chat and realized she should book hers too. The holiday schedule had already been set. She bought a ticket for the morning of the twenty-ninth day of the lunar month, then made herself coffee and stood by the window.

Colorful lights and lanterns were already strung along the street trees. Even though the festive spirit felt thinner these days, when the time came, people still took it seriously. Yet it lacked the magic of childhood—it felt more like going through procedures, completing tasks.

Looking back on the year, she found it almost miraculous. Recruited two years ago, and in such a short time she had achieved so much, contributing significantly to the company. Career-wise, it had been a fruitful year.

As for feelings…

She sipped her coffee and, inevitably, thought of Lin Wanzhao.

She knew she was crossing a line. She knew they weren’t from the same world. She knew it would be best to keep things simple—just a physical relationship, nothing more. So what was she doing now?

She was crossing that boundary. And though she knew it, she couldn’t stop.

***********************************

The days grew busier. Overtime became common, though well-compensated. Everyone wanted to earn a little more before heading home for the New Year.

January neared its end. New product development was successful. Yu Qingkong’s proposals performed well; profits were strong. Zhang Xue, who had recruited her, felt vindicated.

The annual company gala approached on January twentieth. As part of the organizing team, Yu Qingkong had to prepare a performance. After some thought, she chose something she was already good at.

The night before, she hung up her outfit, showered, did her skincare, and played a few rounds of games to unwind.

Lately, though, games weren’t as effective. She kept getting distracted, glancing at her phone.

Eventually, she opened WeChat and typed:

“President Lin, can you use your computer now? If so, I’ll send you the photos. I’ve finished editing the ones from Yancheng—been so busy I forgot to tell you.”

Lin Wanzhao replied quickly:

“Just got back. Bought some snacks and was about to open them when you messaged, haha. I’ll turn on my computer—wait a sec!”

“Okay.”

Then Yu Qingkong added: “Eating this late again? Your appetite’s been good lately.”

“Yeah, but I’ve had dinner engagements every night. If not for that, I’d eat even more of what I want.”

“Wouldn’t you get tired of banquet food?”

“Banquets are mostly for business and drinking. Eating is secondary. Besides… there’s something I’ve really been craving lately but can’t have.”

“What?”

After a moment, the reply came:

“You.”

Yu Qingkong nearly choked on her water. She set the cup down, staring at that single word. It felt like an explosion inside her.

“What’s there to eat about me…” she typed, fingers brushing her earlobe.

“Don’t understand? Then I’ll tell you. Someone’s so tender, springy, juicy, and unexpectedly delicious…”

Heat crept over her skin.

“You talk big.”

“Only talk? Wasn’t my performance pretty good too? That day, someone begged me to taste her, trying so hard to hold back her voice but failing in the end… too wonderful…”

Yu Qingkong pressed her forehead. “Stop.”

“Embarrassed again? Or… wanting it?”

She coughed lightly. “Is your computer ready?”

“Ready. Sending now?”

“Yeah. Send me your QQ. I’ll transfer them.”

After sending the files and splashing cold water on her face, she returned to find excited messages:

“So beautiful! You’re a genius!”
“I’m printing one for my bedside!”
“Let’s do this again sometime!”

“Glad you like them. It’s my first time shooting this style.”

“Why worry? You’re amazing! Hey—help me pick one as my profile picture?”

After reviewing the options, Yu Qingkong replied: “None of those.”

“Why? They’re pretty.”

“Too revealing. You’ve got plenty of middle-aged businessmen on WeChat, right?”

She sent one showing only Lin Wanzhao’s face. “This one.”

“Can’t let old men see?”

“Call me conservative.”

“Conservative? Says the woman who falls the moment I tease her and ends up in bed with me…”

Yu Qingkong’s tongue pressed against her teeth. “You’ve been talking about beds all night. Is it you who’s thinking about it?”

A pause.

Then:

“Yeah. How did you know? Miss you.”

“How much?”

“So much I think I’m already wet. What do you think?”

Her throat tightened. She almost felt like driving over immediately.

Then another message:

“You… coming over for a midnight snack?”