Silent Testimony - Chapter 28

Driving home, Tao Ling changed her shoes and took the bags to the kitchen. She sorted the ingredients that wouldn’t be eaten tonight and tomorrow noon into the refrigerator, and then began preparing the dishes. Li Hewei was helping, but Cheng Yingqiu noticed that Li Hewei was often spacing out, even nearly cutting her hand while chopping vegetables.

Tao Ling also noticed and, thinking she hadn’t rested well, said gently, “Sister Wei, why don’t you wait outside? I’m quick.”

Li Hewei snapped out of her daze and was about to reply when Cheng Yingqiu hooked her arm and dragged her toward the living room: “Sister, you’re just getting in the way; come out.”

“But…”

“No buts.” Cheng Yingqiu pulled her into the workroom and locked the door from the inside.

Li Hewei was subconsciously worried about the girl busy in the kitchen: “Tao Ling’s arm injury hasn’t fully healed, and she is also on her period.”

“I’ll go help later.” Cheng Yingqiu crossed her arms, rolled her eyes, looked Li Hewei over, and said seriously, “Sister, confess everything.”

Li Hewei was bewildered: “Confess what?”

“What are you thinking about? You only managed to parallel park on the third attempt, you washed the vegetables for five minutes, and you nearly cut your hand while chopping.” Li Hewei comes from a wealthy family and has never had many worries growing up, so Cheng Yingqiu suspected it had something to do with romance.

“No, nothing,” Li Hewei avoided her gaze and looked up at the ceiling.

“You’re lying. Your ears always turn red whenever you lie.” Cheng Yingqiu pulled out her phone and took a photo to show her.

“Cheng Yingqiu!” Li Hewei, helpless, shifted her evasive gaze to face her determined cousin, who was intent on getting to the bottom of the matter, and spoke frankly: “I’m confirming something, and I still have to consider its feasibility. I’ll tell you once I’ve figured it out.” Due to her nature, she never hesitates to act but always confirms her deepest feelings repeatedly and carefully weighs whether to take action.

Cheng Yingqiu temporarily agreed and asked her: “Is it about feelings?”

Li Hewei didn’t hide it: “Yes.”

Cheng Yingqiu instantly beamed, her tone overflowing with joy: “Oh, Sister, your spring is coming! You must like him this time, right?”

“Mhm, that’s why I must think things through carefully.”

Her sexual orientation is female, but she wouldn’t fall for someone without reason. She merely noticed she’s been somewhat unusual lately, paying too much attention to Tao Ling’s every smile, every move, and her emotions are easily swayed by the other person. However, she still needs to delve deeper into whether this is love, merely an interest, or simply gratitude for Tao Ling’s sincerity and thoughtfulness towards her.

“Yes, you must think clearly, so you don’t fall into the trap again.”

Li Hewei reached out, opened the door, and signaled Cheng Yingqiu to go out and work.

“Sister, you look a bit better now, go ahead.” Having achieved her goal, Cheng Yingqiu started making excuses, pouting and complaining, “You only know Tao Ling is on her period; it’s my first day, too.”

“Fine, you rest.” Li Hewei temporarily put her worries aside and walked toward the kitchen. As if remembering something, she suddenly turned back and instructed, “Go to the convenience store downstairs and buy some drinks.”

“Why would the three of us drink beverages? We usually just drink water. It’s healthier.”

Li Hewei replied without thinking: “Team Qiu’s grandmother isn’t home, so I invited her over for a simple meal.”

Cheng Yingqiu’s breathing paused slightly: “Huh?”

“Huh what? We’re colleagues; it’s fine to socialize appropriately.” Li Hewei added, “Team Qiu is catching up on sleep at home. I told her to come over at 8:00.”

“Oh, alright, I’ll go buy them. What does she like to drink?” Cheng Yingqiu guessed that Qiu Wan had probably let go of the past and would be fine interacting as ordinary friends. Besides, once they get to know each other, what if she volunteers to teach her how to dance?

“Anything is probably fine. She bought Sprite last night, so she should like soda.”

Cheng Yingqiu returned to normal, smiling as she replied: “Okay, I’m going now.”

During the summer, the days are long and nights are short; the sunset finally disappears completely around 8:00. Li Hewei reached up to turn on all the lights in the living room and dining room. Cheng Yingqiu helped set the table, and the security door was gently knocked.

Li Hewei reminded her: “Go open the door.”

“You go, I’ll carry the dishes.” Cheng Yingqiu darted into the kitchen.

Li Hewei couldn’t help but complain: “You’re so difficult.” She took two steps, opened the door, and outside, Qiu Wan was holding a small bag of fruit, smiling kindly: “Thank you for the invitation, Team Li.”

“Why buy anything? I just asked you to come over for a simple meal,” Li Hewei bent down to get a pair of slippers and placed them by her feet.

“It’s my first visit, after all.” Qiu Wan put on the slippers and followed Li Hewei inside, asking, “Where should I put the fruit?”

“Here, give it to me. Don’t be so polite next time.” Li Hewei took the fruit and placed it on the nearby coffee table.

“Alright.” Qiu Wan sat down with her.

“I brewed herbal tea; it tastes pretty good.” Li Hewei poured the tea and chatted with her for a couple of minutes, then added, “Dinner will be served soon. Tonight’s main chef is our little comrade Tao.”

“I’ve been looking forward to it.” Qiu Wan, in her daily life, isn’t as serious as she is at work. Her eyes are gentle, she’s wearing a light-colored shirt and smoke-gray jeans, and her long hair hangs down, making her look refreshed and delicate.

“Have a seat for a while. I’m going to bring out the dishes—three meat, two vegetable, and one soup.”

“I’ll help too.” Qiu Wan stood up.

Li Hewei didn’t decline, feeling that being spontaneous would help the other person integrate more quickly.

All the dishes were placed on the table: bitter melon and soybean rib soup, diced chicken stir-fried with cucumber and carrot, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, vinegared shredded cabbage, oyster sauce lettuce, and spicy stir-fried beef—since all three of them could eat spicy food.

Qiu Wan gave a thumbs-up and couldn’t help but exclaim: “Little Tao, your cooking is truly exceptional.”

Cheng Yingqiu also complimented her generously: “Your future partner will be lucky.”

Tao Ling paused for a moment and replied with a smile: “I don’t want to date right now.”

“Future, I said future! What do you want to do now?”

Tao Ling answered honestly: “Work, and save money to buy a house.”

Qiu Wan gave her an appreciative look: “That’s very good—independent and ambitious.”

However, Li Hewei read stubbornness and hardship in her words. Nowadays, many young people rely on parental subsidies to buy a house, yet Tao Ling sends 2,000 to her family every month, pays 500 for rent, and still has to split utility bills and grocery expenses with them.

Her eyes were stinging severely. She lowered her head and whispered: “Keep up the good work. You’ll be a full employee next year, and your salary will increase by at least 1,200.”

Tao Ling curved her lips: “Mhm, that’s right, plus other subsidies.”

“Come, let’s toast our little comrade Tao first.” Li Hewei inhaled almost imperceptibly, and when she looked up, her smile returned: “Thank you for your hard work.”

Tao Ling raised her ceramic cup: “No need for a toast; let’s drink together.”

“Great!”

When Cheng Yingqiu first met Qiu Wan, she often couldn’t speak what was on her mind, but as time passed, she showed her true nature: “Sister, should we sing?”

“Where are we going to sing?”

“At home! I have the equipment: two small speakers, two small microphones, and then you just download a song-selection app on your phone and cast it to the screen.”

Li Hewei shook her head and refused: “Won’t that disturb the neighbors?”

“Sister, we’ll stop singing by 9:30. That’s not disturbing anyone,” Cheng Yingqiu whined, tilting her head to ask Qiu Wan beside her, “Team Qiu, don’t you agree?” Her face was bright, like the warm sun in winter. Separated by a small distance, Qiu Wan’s mind briefly stalled, and she nodded unconsciously.

“See? Team Qiu agrees, too.”

Cheng Yingqiu saw victory ahead: “What about Tao Ling?”

Tao Ling tilted her head, enjoying the rare moment of leisure, her mood cheerful: “My singing is not good, but I want to listen to you all sing.”

Li Hewei finally conceded: “Go get it.”

“Wow, you’re so obviously playing favorites!” Cheng Yingqiu feigned heartache and leaned into Tao Ling’s arms: “She only cares about you.”

Li Hewei’s face flushed scarlet down to her earlobes. She quickly got up to turn on the TV. Fortunately, Tao Ling said nonchalantly, “Sister Wei cares about you, too.”

However, Li Hewei did not know that Tao Ling’s heart had softened and her smile deepened because of Cheng Yingqiu’s words.

The microphone and speakers connected successfully. Cheng Yingqiu tested the sound and then put her organizing skills to work for the night’s karaoke session: “Okay, everyone takes the mic in turn; no one can refuse to sing.”

“Sister, don’t you like to sing ‘The Girl with the Winged Arms’?” Cheng Yingqiu chose the song, but Li Hewei quickly reminded her: “The Cantonese version, ‘My Pride’.”

“Huh? You’ll sing Cantonese?” Cheng Yingqiu was full of doubt: “You can barely manage the Mandarin version; now you want to sing Cantonese?”

Li Hewei frowned and tossed a pillow at her: “Stop the nonsense.”

Cheng Yingqiu searched for the Cantonese version and queued the song: “Fine, as long as you’re willing to sing. You used to be mute every time we went to KTV.”

“Tao Ling, what about you?”

Tao Ling waved her hand: “I’m not singing; it doesn’t sound good.”

“What do you mean, it doesn’t sound good? Come on, give me your phone.” Cheng Yingqiu knew Tao Ling wore headphones and listened to music while cooking and must be hiding a playlist.

“Yingqiu…” Tao Ling tried to snatch her phone back, her voice soft and sweet.

“Wait… ‘Gently Tell You,’ ‘Heart Rain,’ ‘I Don’t Want to Say’… they’re all songs by Sister Gang-gang (Yang Yuying)!” Cheng Yingqiu laughed aloud: “Sister, you’re a post-90s kid, not a post-70s!”

Tao Ling raised her hand to cover her blushing face: “I told you not to look.”

Li Hewei sat beside her, feeling as if she saw another side of Tao Ling after she released her heavy burdens—clearly so cute and sweet.

“What’s wrong with that? Yang Yuying’s songs are lovely.” She lightly poked Cheng Yingqiu’s back: “Queue them all up. Even if she won’t sing, humming is fine.”

“Alright.” Cheng Yingqiu queued two songs and handed the phone to Qiu Wan. Unexpectedly, Qiu Wan only selected English songs.

“Wow, Team Qiu, you’re so cool—all English! ‘Yesterday Once More,’ ‘My Heart Will Go On,’ ‘As Long As You Love Me’—they’re all classics.”

“Mhm, they’re good songs. I don’t sing very well, but listening to them is nice.”

Li Hewei started, holding the microphone and clearing her throat twice.

Cheng Yingqiu was surprised: “Wow, Sister, why have you become so professional?”

“Shhh.” The melody began, and Li Hewei started singing, entering the song perfectly on cue.

Pride in your eyes For me, rewriting the latter half of life In your gaze, I found the self-confidence I had lost Only then did I understand that those who are loved can live so bravely It is my honor that your eyes light up my journey on the clouds

See me fly I’m proud to fly up high Not swaying because of air pressure, only because of your support

Believe me I can fly, I’m singing in the sky If I am considered a myth, it is more joyful because you created it…

Her Cantonese was standard, and her voice was naturally controlled, sounding warm and confident.

“OMG, is that really my sister?”

Tao Ling stared fixedly at her profile, holding a gentle smile, with what looked like starlight twinkling in her eyes.