Silent Testimony - Chapter 56

“So, Sister Wei can’t eat spicy food? No wonder Qiu Qiu ordered an extra old duck soup.” Chen Man noticed that Li Hewei’s two bowls were already filled with food, so she called a waiter to get her another one, and then said, “The soup is delicious. I’m already on my second bowl.”

“Thank you.” Li Hewei placed the empty bowl aside and lowered her head to peel a mantis shrimp. However, Tao Ling suddenly reached out, took the spoon, carefully skimmed the thin layer of oil from the soup’s surface, and filled the empty bowl with two spoonfuls of soup.

Li Hewei was pleasantly surprised. She took off her gloves, picked up the spoon by the bowl, scooped up a spoonful of soup, and brought it close to her lips, ignoring the boiling temperature. But Tao Ling gently reminded her: “Be careful, it’s hot.”

“Okay.” Li Hewei patiently blew on the old duck soup to cool it down and nearly drank it all in one go. Her heart felt sweet, and the look she cast at Tao Ling’s profile was exceptionally tender.

Cheng Yingqiu took in the interaction between the two, suppressed a giggle, and suggested: “Sis, Chen Man sings wonderfully. How about we go to KTV after dinner?”

Chen Man smiled and agreed: “Sister Wei, let’s go. I heard you can sing Cantonese songs, and I want to learn.”

“KTV?” Li Hewei turned her head and asked Tao Ling: “Do you want to go? Or go home to revise your manuscript?”

A barely perceptible ripple flickered in Tao Ling’s eyes: “Sister Wei can decide.”

Li Hewei noticed Cheng Yingqiu giving her a wink, signalling her to open WeChat. She did so and received three unread messages.

[Sis! Say yes quickly! Don’t miss the chance.]

[She’s jealous, didn’t you notice?]

[I must thank Chen Man separately another day. She’s doing a fantastic job as an assist.]

Li Hewei’s expression changed in an instant: [Were you doing this on purpose?]

[How could I be? It just happened by chance! How was I supposed to know Sister Tao Ling would be jealous.]

The two sisters messaged each other secretly, but Tao Ling, beside them, stared straight ahead, regretting her loss of composure just now. Liking someone was too much of a test for her willpower. One moment she was determined to slowly let go, the next she couldn’t help but actively seek closeness. Her anxiety grew. She quickly finished her soup and stood up: “I need to use the restroom.”

Li Hewei pointed the way: “It’s down the corridor to the left of the cash register.” She watched Tao Ling’s hurried figure disappear from sight, pondered for a moment, and politely declined Cheng Yingqiu: [I don’t want to make her uncomfortable. It’s enough to know she cares. Besides, it’s not very kind to use Chen Man as a tool.]

[Fine, it’s really not kind. She’ll probably hunt me down.]

Li Hewei put her phone aside, looked up, and forced a smile: “Let’s go home early. We can arrange it another time.”

Chen Man looked disappointed: “Sigh, what a pity.”

“Pity what? My sister said ‘another time’.” Cheng Yingqiu had drunk three bowls of soup in a short time and announced she was going to the restroom. Chen Man went with her. In front of the restroom sink, while waiting for a stall, Chen Man couldn’t suppress the excitement inside and asked curiously: “Is your sister definitely getting divorced after the National Day holiday?”

“Yes. Why? Don’t even think about pursuing her.”

“Since she’ll be single, why not?” Chen Man’s smile was bright: “Your sister and I get along well.”

Cheng Yingqiu was exasperated: “Why are you still the same? Falling for everyone you see!”

“Nonsense. I’ve been single for half a year, and I haven’t even been interested in meeting the women my friends introduced.” Chen Man lowered her voice: “But Sister Wei is different. She completely fits my criteria for a partner.”

Cheng Yingqiu scoffed: “Anyway, you’re not allowed to mess with her.”

“Why? What kind of relationship do we have? Wouldn’t it be better to become closer relatives in the future?” Chen Man and Cheng Yingqiu had known each other for years and talked about everything in private.

“It’s impossible for you two.”

Chen Man crossed her arms: “Give me a reason.”

As it involved Li Hewei’s privacy, Cheng Yingqiu was unwilling to disclose it. She put her arm around Chen Man’s shoulder and advised her: “I’m doing this for your own good.”

“That’s strange, completely senseless.” Chen Man patted her arm away: “Someone’s coming out. You go in first.”

Cheng Yingqiu caught a glimpse of Tao Ling’s figure in her peripheral vision and quickly asked: “Who was that just now?”

“Tao, Tao what?”

Cheng Yingqiu clutched her head, greatly annoyed: “Crap. She definitely heard our conversation.”

“Why crap?” Chen Man guessed: “Is she homophobic?”

“Afraid of your big ghost head.” Cheng Yingqiu rolled her eyes, turned, and quickly walked into the restroom, sending a warning to Li Hewei: [Sis, I was chatting with Chen Man, and Tao Ling might have overheard us.]

[What did you say?]

[Chen Man wants to pursue you. I told her no way, and then…]

Cheng Yingqiu was still explaining when Tao Ling pushed the door open, her eyes flickering. After a few seconds of hesitation, she finally spoke: “Sister Wei, you guys go to KTV. I’ll take a taxi home.”

“Oh, we’re not going to KTV. We’ll leave soon.” Li Hewei’s lips curved up. She looked at Tao Ling without any concealment and called out: “Don’t just drink soup. You should eat more vegetables.”

Li Hewei’s features were already vibrant and defined. Her smile was even more captivating and soul-stirring compared to the gentle elegance of others, stirring up immense turmoil in Tao Ling’s heart. Tao Ling quickly averted her eyes, not daring to look at the woman, and sat down with difficulty.

“Shrimp, duck leg meat, beef, and vegetables. We’ll leave once you finish eating.”

“Mhm, okay.” Tao Ling chewed the shrimp peeled by Li Hewei’s own hands. It felt as if she was constantly being tormented by her attentiveness and tenderness, stuck between a rock and a hard place—painful yet happy.

After paying the bill, they accompanied Chen Man to the non-motor vehicle parking shed behind the street to retrieve her electric scooter. Chen Man suddenly took out her phone, hesitated for a moment, and boldly asked: “Sister Wei, can I add you on WeChat? It’s convenient for sharing movies.”

Li Hewei glanced down at Tao Ling’s left hand tightly gripping her sleeve cuff. She wanted to refuse, but considering Chen Man’s friendship with Cheng Yingqiu and knowing she wasn’t the type to relentlessly pester, she thought it might be better to clarify things later.

She nodded: “Mhm, but I’m usually busy with work, so I might not have time to watch movies.”

“That’s okay.”

After watching Chen Man’s scooter drive away, the three walked around to the parking lot in the front street. Li Hewei drove, heading back home. Tao Ling looked out the car window at the neon lights. Her body and mind finally relaxed, and before long, she fell into a deep sleep.

Cheng Yingqiu leaned over from the back seat and patted Li Hewei’s shoulder: “Sis, drop me off at the back entrance of the Public Security Bureau.”

Li Hewei checked the rearview mirror: “Why?”

“I need to buy soy sauce.”

“Can’t you buy it at the convenience store downstairs?”

Cheng Yingqiu spoke the truth: “Aiya, I’m supporting Sister Qiu’s business.”

“You want to see her, don’t you?”

Cheng Yingqiu grumbled: “Otherwise? I haven’t seen her in five days. Not like you two, who live under the same roof.”

Li Hewei pulled over and instructed her: “Go on, go home early.”

“No problem.”

Cheng Yingqiu crossed the road. Li Hewei continued driving, turned past the long street, and entered the community parking lot. She looked up at Tao Ling in the back seat, seeing the coat draped over the girl’s shoulder slide off. She quietly got out of the car, opened the back door, and cautiously lifted the coat.

Tao Ling was a light sleeper. Hearing the sound, she opened her hazy eyes and happened to meet Li Hewei’s gentle gaze.

“Awake? Want to go back inside to sleep?”

Li Hewei’s words were soft, like a water-soaked brush slowly painting on her heart. Tao Ling couldn’t help but tremble, forgetting to look away. She gazed up at the woman so close, who seemed to be seducing her at all times, and froze.

“What’s wrong?” Li Hewei looked at her rosy lips, her elegant nose, and her hazy eyes. She inexplicably leaned in slightly, their stagnant breaths intertwining.

“I…” Tao Ling hugged Li Hewei’s coat and hurriedly averted her gaze, subconsciously swallowing and pursing her lips.

This is terrible. Why am I having these fantasies? I even… even want to lean in actively… Tao Ling closed her eyes, rubbing her brow in distress, trying to shake off the improper thoughts. Li Hewei keenly observed her public display of distress, feeling secretly delighted.

How can she be so cute? She couldn’t help but curl her index finger and lightly tap Tao Ling’s forehead, her tone indulgent: “Let’s go.”

Watching her turn and walk away, Tao Ling sighed in relief. She stared blankly at the woman’s back, silently asking: “How much longer can I hold on?”

She lost confidence in herself for the first time, knowing she would sink deeper and deeper in the future. A moment later, Li Hewei’s clear voice sounded from not far away: “The elevator is here.”

“Mhm.” Tao Ling’s throat was choked. She couldn’t utter a complete sentence. Driven by instinct, she picked up her pace and walked toward her.

After getting out of the car, Cheng Yingqiu stepped into the convenience store. Just as she was about to contact Qiu Wan, she vaguely heard a conversation coming from the inner room.

“Slowly. She’ll understand in the end.”

“Mom, I know. Take this money and buy yourself two outfits.”

“Keep the money. I don’t need it. Just come back often.”

When Shang Lan lifted the curtain and came out, Cheng Yingqiu’s brain quickly searched her memory, and her expression instantly froze.

“Director, Director Shang?”

Shang Lan looked her over: “You are?”

Qiu Huiyu smiled and introduced her: “Xiao Lan, this is Xiao Qiu’s friend, the TV reporter Yingqiu.” Qiu Wan’s original name was Shang Wan. After she turned 18, she personally went to the police station with her hukou (household registration) book to apply for a name change, taking her grandmother’s surname.

Shang Lan’s face was gentle: “Hello, Yingqiu.”

No wonder Qiu Wan didn’t want to mention Director Shang. Turns out I touched a minefield that day. Cheng Yingqiu gave a standard smile and nodded: “I’ve long heard the name Director Shang. I didn’t realize you were Sister Qiu’s mother.”

“Just call me Auntie.”

“Okay, Auntie.” Kind and gentle, with an elegant demeanor. Cheng Yingqiu wondered: Why did she and Sister Qiu have such bad feelings? Is it just because she was busy with work and neglected her family’s feelings?

Qiu Huiyu’s smile deepened: “Yingqiu, are you looking for Xiao Qiu? She went out to buy something.”

“Yes, and I also want to wish Grandma a happy birthday.” Cheng Yingqiu held up the gift in her hand: “I wish her happiness and health.”

Qiu Huiyu declined: “Why buy a gift? Just coming over to visit is enough. We’ll have cake later.”

Cheng Yingqiu placed the gift on the nearby counter and introduced it: “A hand warmer. The weather is getting cold, so it will keep you warm.”

“Yingqiu is so thoughtful. Xiao Qiu said the gift she bought was also suggested by you?”

Cheng Yingqiu smiled brightly: “Maybe I have more ideas? Please accept it.”

Qiu Huiyu chuckled: “Okay, I accept it.”

Shang Lan next to her suddenly sighed and said in a deep voice: “Mom, I’m leaving soon. Call Xiao Qiu back.”

Cheng Yingqiu followed the woman’s gaze to the distance and saw a familiar figure leaning against the back of an SUV…