Silent Testimony - Chapter 58

The Waiyuan Scenic Area in Sui’an Town, in the southwest of Shuozhou Province, has a subtropical monsoon climate with long summers, making early October the perfect time for camping. The drive was nearly four hours long, with Qiu Wan and Li Hewei taking turns at the wheel. They exited the highway around 11 a.m. and drove another 50 minutes along a mountain road. Cheng Yingqiu then spotted the sign for the Waiyuan Scenic Area.

“Only 10 kilometers left!” she muttered, stroking her stomach, “I’m so hungry.”

Li Hewei teased her: “Your snacks are almost gone. Aren’t you full?”

Cheng Yingqiu chuckled: “Snacks don’t count. I’m looking forward to Sister Tao Ling’s barbecue and sushi.”

“Should we stop at a roadside restaurant to fill up first?” Qiu Wan glanced at the two or three aunties standing outside a restaurant ahead, waving to solicit business.

“Sure, otherwise we’ll have to spend time later finding a spot to pitch the tents.” Li Hewei lowered her voice and softly called out to Tao Ling, who was dozing on her shoulder, “Are you awake? We’re about to get off.” When they set off, the two had originally sat on the left and right sides of the back seat, but after she and Qiu Wan switched drivers, Li Hewei deliberately sat in the middle.

Tao Ling was accustomed to sleeping during car rides, but for the first three hours, everyone was chatting and eating snacks, and Cheng Yingqiu was noisily singing, so she didn’t have the chance. Sitting close to Li Hewei was even more nerve-wracking, but she finally couldn’t resist and drifted off unconsciously.

She groggily opened her eyes and looked up to see Li Hewei right beside her, smiling at her.

Tao Ling was startled for half a second, and a light blush instantly spread across her pale face: “S-Sister Wei, I apologize.”

“It’s fine. One time each, we’re even,” Li Hewei said, her eyes full of tenderness. “Of course, you can lean on me again later.”

If she hadn’t mentioned it, the thirty minutes of sweet torment would have served as an opportunity for her to positively reflect on the change in her feelings toward Li Hewei. Recalling the scene earlier, Tao Ling quickly turned her head, but her ears were already burning red. The car stopped smoothly in the empty space outside the restaurant. She quickly unbuckled her seatbelt and fled in panic.

“Quite cute,” Li Hewei liked to occasionally tease Tao Ling, watching the girl become shy and flustered. Just like in yuri dramas, she preferred the period when the two protagonists were still flirting and pushing boundaries.

She thought that since she couldn’t successfully pursue her in a short time, this was a good opportunity to feel their different states of being close.

Cheng Yingqiu saw her staring blankly at Tao Ling’s retreating figure and couldn’t help but remind her: “Sis, why are you standing there? Come on.”

“Okay.”

“Everyone orders one dish. It’s your turn to choose.” Cheng Yingqiu handed her the menu.

“Tofu in white sauce.”

The owner recorded the order.

In less than 30 minutes, two meat dishes, one vegetable dish, and one soup were served. After eating, they continued their journey, spending about half an hour queuing to enter the parking lot. Cheng Yingqiu couldn’t help but marvel: “So many cars.”

“It’s probably the Golden Week holiday, and the weather is good.” Qiu Wan circled twice and finally found an empty space in the second row.

The four got out of the car with their bags and took the scenic shuttle bus to the camping area. Cheng Yingqiu, responsible for the grill, grumbled with a frown: “It’s so heavy. Luckily there’s a shuttle bus.”

Her unintentional comment was noted by Qiu Wan, who voluntarily went to take the grill after they got off the bus.

Cheng Yingqiu bypassed her outstretched hand: “Ah! No, you’re carrying the tent and other things too.”

“The double-layer grill is a bit heavy. Should we switch?”

Cheng Yingqiu shook her head and ran off, clutching the grill.

Tao Ling walked at the rear, staring at Li Hewei’s backpack. After a long hesitation, she quietly asked: “Sister Wei, is the tent heavy?”

Li Hewei slowed her pace to walk beside her: “It’s not heavy. On the contrary, you’re carrying the ingredients.”

“It’s fine. The snacks have all been divided up.”

Li Hewei had reserved the camping area in advance. They first went to the hotel to register, and the manager led them toward the distant Waiyuan Lake.

The manager smiled and introduced: “This area is surrounded by mountains on three sides and faces the lake on the north. The lakeside area you booked has a great location.”

A smile immersed in delight touched Cheng Yingqiu’s eyes: “My sister, you really know how to plan.”

“Mhm, thank you for the compliment.”

“Aiya, you’re even giving me a fake smile.”

Tao Ling watched the two joking and teasing each other, and the curve of her lips deepened. She had reached the age of 25, previously busy studying and working to earn money, and this was her first time camping with friends. Being with them, she slowly realized that life was full of vibrant colors and that she, too, could live freely and easily.

“Are you bringing your own tents?” The manager’s voice interrupted her thoughts.

Li Hewei, beside her, replied: “We brought them.”

“Alright, this is the spot. You can pitch a maximum of two tents here.”

Qiu Wan and Tao Ling were simultaneously stunned: “Two… two?”

“This is all the space there is. If you don’t mind being crowded, you can pitch three.”

Cheng Yingqiu’s eyes curved in a smile: “Okay, thank you.” As the manager walked away, she suggested seriously, “We don’t need to listen to her. We’ll pitch three. I’ll sleep next to my sister, and the two of you can each sleep alone.”

“Okay.” Tao Ling did not suspect anything, and her mind eased slightly.

They split up: Tao Ling spread out the picnic mat and prepared the ingredients, while the remaining three set up the tents.

Li Hewei was surprised: “Why are two parts missing?”

Cheng Yingqiu leaned closer to inspect: “It looks like it’s true. What should we do?”

Li Hewei stood up, dusting the dirt from her pant legs: “I’ll go to the hotel to rent one.”

Cheng Yingqiu pouted: “It’s 100 yuan each, and who knows which man has slept in it.”

Li Hewei offered a conciliatory tone: “Just manage for one night?”

Qiu Wan, who had already finished setting up her tent, came over to help. Hearing their discussion, she offered her solution: “We have two tents. Two people can sleep in one.”

No sooner had she spoken than Cheng Yingqiu reached out and linked her arm through Qiu Wan’s, her eyes carrying three parts shyness and seven parts slyness: “Agreed. Sister Qiu and I will share a tent.”

“Xiao Qiu…”

“Because my sister snores, I suddenly don’t want to sleep with her.”

Li Hewei raised her hand and smacked Cheng Yingqiu’s back: “Who snores?”

“You do!” Cheng Yingqiu ran away, circling back to Tao Ling’s side. She leaned on her shoulder and whispered, “Sister Tao Ling, please bear the burden.”

Li Hewei grabbed her and walked her toward the lake. Cheng Yingqiu gave her a thumbs-up at her waist: “Sis, great acting.”

“The feeling is mutual.” Li Hewei smiled without warmth. “Do I really snore?”

“I was talking nonsense! Why did you take it seriously?”

“Cheng Yingqiu!”

“Sister Qiu, Sister Tao Ling, help!” Cheng Yingqiu ran back to the picnic area, clutching her chest to catch her breath. She saw that Qiu Wan had already carried her luggage to the adjacent tent.

Does this mean tacit approval?

Cheng Yingqiu was ecstatic. She turned and crouched down to help organize the waterproof mat.

Tao Ling was facing away from them, grilling skewers, her cheeks flushed with red clouds. Yet the supposed culprit was sitting beside her, innocently asking: “Is it hot? Let me take over.”

“No.”

Li Hewei placed the back of her hand on Tao Ling’s burning face: “And you say it’s not hot?”

“Sister Wei.” The cold touch caused Tao Ling’s mind to go blank. The next second, she instinctively jumped up, her words vague, “I—I’m going to buy charcoal.”

Li Hewei watched her hurried figure retreat, her smile both helpless and doting.

She gets flustered so easily.

It was past 2 p.m. Three boxes of barbecue, two boxes of sushi, fruits, bread, and marinated chicken wings were laid out on the picnic mat. Cheng Yingqiu sat sideways on the grass, clasping her hands: “Thank you, Sister Tao Ling. I’m starting now.”

Tao Ling, who was flipping the oysters on the grill, had calmed down and regained her composure. She smiled faintly: “Eat freely. There’s plenty more.”

“Ah, delicious.” Cheng Yingqiu chewed a beef skewer and gently nudged Tao Ling’s shoulder: “You could open a barbecue shop. I guarantee business would boom.”

Qiu Wan agreed: “I think so too.”

“Here, have a skewer.” Cheng Yingqiu picked out a piece of pork belly with plenty of meat and extended it to Tao Ling’s mouth. Tao Ling took the skewer and slowly chewed.

“And the stuffed tofu.” Li Hewei held the two pieces of tofu wrapped in aluminum foil, scooped one portion, and offered it to her. To avoid showing favoritism, Tao Ling happily accepted. She parted her lips, ate the smooth tofu, and returned the spoon to Li Hewei. However, the next instant, before she could utter a word to stop her, she watched wide-eyed as Li Hewei scooped up the remaining tofu and put it into her own mouth. Tao Ling stared blankly as she saw Li Hewei enclose the spoon with her lips, seemingly savoring the taste.

T-This is an indirect kiss?

The rhythm of her heart instantly became chaotic. She lowered her head and pondered. Sister Wei is usually mildly obsessive about hygiene. In the office, when colleagues share fruit, she prepares two or three disposable plastic forks. Why did she just now…?

Qiu Wan witnessed the change in her expression and, while surprised, was intrigued enough to message Cheng Yingqiu privately: [Xiao Qiu, did you notice?]

[Sister Tao Ling?]

[Is her orientation perhaps?]

[I gave her a little guidance, and she’s already opened the door to a new world.]

Qiu Wan reined in her curiosity, choosing not to pry, as it was Tao Ling’s private matter. However, she was puzzled: Aren’t they sisters-in-law?

Cheng Yingqiu, however, was in a chatty mood and typed with a suppressed giggle: [My sister is turning too.] She had previously sought Li Hewei’s permission, and Li Hewei had agreed that she could share information about sexual orientation with Qiu Wan.

[She wouldn’t happen to like Xiao Tao, would she?]

[I don’t know. You observe.]

Qiu Wan reviewed their unusual atmosphere, feeling as if the outcome was already obvious.

Li Hewei was indeed obsessed with cleanliness. Even before the transmigration, she wouldn’t share a spoon with close friends, and the same applied to drinking milk tea. She hadn’t intentionally sought an indirect kiss with Tao Ling; it was a complete accident. Now, realizing what had happened after the fact, the temperature of her ears distinctly changed.

Full and satisfied, the four walked around Waiyuan Lake to aid digestion. Cheng Yingqiu looped her arm through Li Hewei’s, bowing with clasped hands in admiration: “Sis, ginger really does get spicier with age.”

Li Hewei was confused: “What?”

“Sharing a spoon. Even Sister Qiu noticed the clue.”

Li Hewei defended herself: “It was a pure accident. I didn’t do it on purpose…” It would seem a little perverted if I had deliberately tried to have an indirect kiss.

Cheng Yingqiu chuckled and interrupted her: “Just admit it. My game is still one level below yours. This morning, when I fed Sister Qiu a dumpling, I switched to a clean pair of chopsticks afterward.”