Silent Testimony - Chapter 59

A thin mist, like light smoke, hovered over the lake. Looking into the distance, the continuous mountains were faintly recognizable as shadowy slate-gray outlines. Qiu Wan excitedly took pictures to remember the trip. Cheng Yingqiu intentionally slowed her pace and revealed the conversation she had with Tao Ling two days prior.

“Sigh, she really overthinks things.”

Everything was within Li Hewei’s expectations. A helpless, bitter smile emerged on her lips: “I understand Tao Ling’s concerns.”

“Understand?”

“Put yourself in her shoes. If you discovered you liked your sister-in-law, what would you think?”

“Sister-in-law?” Cheng Yingqiu shook her head. “Impossible. I don’t like straight women.”

“I said hypothetically.”

“Of course not. Old Cheng would absolutely kill me.” Cheng Yingqiu pondered for a moment, then countered, “But you and Tao Yang never held a wedding, and you’re getting divorced soon.”

“Even divorce can’t erase the relationship that once existed. Relatives and friends all know about it.”

Cheng Yingqiu frowned slightly: “Then isn’t it unsolvable? What do we do?”

“Change her perspective on the matter.” Putting herself in Tao Ling’s shoes, Li Hewei understood why Tao Ling and the original host had retreated. But given Li Hewei’s personality, despite the countless future difficulties, she would fight for it wholeheartedly. After years of struggling in society, she had gradually stopped caring what she looked like in the eyes of others. She didn’t take kind words too seriously, nor did she let harsh words bother her.

“How do you change it?”

“Do the good or bad things people say about me matter? Why must I have their approval to be in a relationship? I hope Tao Ling can understand this too.” A faint smile played on Li Hewei’s lips. “It’s the same principle as when you said coming out was just informing Old Cheng and the others, and you didn’t care about the outcome.”

“I might just be saying that out loud; I might chicken out later. Sis, you are the true brave soul.”

“Not being restricted by anyone or anything allows one to live more freely.” Li Hewei’s gaze darkened involuntarily. “If Tao Ling and I truly have no destiny together, I will pull out immediately.”

“What do you mean?”

“Synchronization, you understand? For two people to be together long-term, their thoughts, values, and even spiritual state should be as consistent as possible. If I can’t persuade her, then there’s no point in dragging it out.”

“Got it. You’re not love-brained.”

Love-brained. She realized she hadn’t focused on completing her task and returning to the real world precisely because she was love-brained.

“Sis, why are you sighing?”

“It’s nothing.” Li Hewei composed herself and forced a smile. “Let’s go. Sister Qiu is taking pictures. Aren’t you joining her?”

“I am! I’ll take a joint photo of you and Sister Tao Ling.” Cheng Yingqiu took her mirrorless camera out of her backpack and smiled brightly. “I’m a professional, and photo retouching is included.”

“Okay.”

They hurried to catch up. Five meters away, Cheng Yingqiu’s hearty laughter drew Qiu Wan’s attention.

“What were you two sisters doing back there?”

“Discussing what to eat.” Cheng Yingqiu captured Qiu Wan’s profile and pressed the shutter. She immediately flipped back to browse the photo and couldn’t help but gasp: “Wow, Sister Qiu, look!”

“What?”

“The scenery is beautiful, but the person is even more beautiful.” Cheng Yingqiu quickly walked over, leaning in to look at the photos together. She used the Golden Spiral composition. Qiu Wan was placed in the slightly central position of the bottom right, highlighting the person, while the surrounding scenery was arranged outward like the texture of a conch shell.

Qiu Wan, especially, looked softer. She was wearing a thin casual outfit today, and her long hair was loose, making her seem filtered by the lush grass along the lake.

Hearing her blatant praise, Qiu Wan’s cheeks couldn’t help but flush. It wasn’t an even redness but patchy, as if dusted with pollen, red in varying shades wherever it landed.

Not far away, Tao Ling was observing the roadside plants. Li Hewei walked closer, deliberately making noise. When Tao Ling noticed her, she asked: “What are you looking at?”

“Wai’an Town actually has Firmiana platanifolia (火桐 – Phoenix Tree).” The Phoenix Tree has grayish-white bark, hairless branchlets, broad ovate or nearly round leaves, and cymose flowers with golden yellow or reddish-brown stellate hairs on the pedicels.

“It’s probably adapted to the climate and was transplanted.”

No sooner had she spoken than Cheng Yingqiu loudly reminded them: “You two, move closer.”

Li Hewei knowingly asked: “Taking a joint photo?”

“Yes, and we need a group photo of all four of us too.”

Li Hewei scanned the surroundings and pointed to the uniquely shaped boulders by the lake: “Let’s go there. We can capture the lake view.” She walked over in a couple of steps, observing the smooth surface of the stone, and called out to Tao Ling: “This place is probably popular for photos. It’s a good spot.”

“Oh, okay.”

Li Hewei sat down casually, her waist straight, her posture natural yet graceful. Tao Ling sat to her right, half a meter away.

So awkward. Cheng Yingqiu suppressed a laugh: “A little closer.”

Li Hewei shifted to the right, their shoulders touching. Cheng Yingqiu took two photos but was dissatisfied with Tao Ling’s expression, teasing her: “Sister Tao Ling, does my sister owe you money? Why the grim face?”

“No, no.”

“It’s fine for girls to be a little close.”

“Mhm.” Amidst Tao Ling’s chaotic heartbeat, Li Hewei reached out and generously put her arm around Tao Ling’s shoulder.

“Yes! Sister Tao Ling, smile.”

Tao Ling took a deep breath, forcing a slight curve onto her lips as if nothing were amiss.

“This one is excellent. Change your pose.”

Li Hewei went all out, tucking both legs to the side, leaning her back against Tao Ling’s shoulder, and turning her head to look at Cheng Yingqiu.

“Perfect. Smile.”

The gentle breeze stirred Li Hewei’s long hair, intermittently tickling Tao Ling’s neck. Tao Ling became completely rigid, so nervous she almost forgot to breathe.

Cheng Yingqiu called them over to look at the photos: “They’re pretty good. The autumn scenery on the lake is beautiful, but Sister Tao Ling’s face is very red.”

Li Hewei gave her an out: “Maybe it’s the sun.”

“Fine.” Cheng Yingqiu politely asked a passing girl: “Miss, could you take a group photo for us?”

“Sure, where?”

“Right here.” Cheng Yingqiu reached out and took Qiu Wan’s arm. “Sister Qiu, you stand in the middle with my sister.”

Li Hewei was confused: “Why?”

“The two sides are tall. I don’t want to stand in the middle and suddenly look sunken.”

Li Hewei smiled helplessly: “Alright then.”

The four stood in a row, Tao Ling on the far left, with Li Hewei and Qiu Wan in the middle.

“Okay, should you move a little closer?”

The girl smiled brightly: “You ladies look beautiful no matter how you pose.”

Cheng Yingqiu suggested: “How about another one from the back?”

The four sat side by side on the rock, holding up their right hands in a peace sign.

“One, two, three.”

In the last second, Cheng Yingqiu tilted her head, resting it on Qiu Wan’s shoulder.

Qiu Wan was about to speak, but Cheng Yingqiu had already lifted her head and rushed over to look at the photos. Qiu Wan gazed at the girl’s lively figure, not displeased at all. On the contrary, her expression was relaxed, and she followed to look at the pictures.

They stopped and started, and as the sky gradually darkened, Li Hewei, at some point, had taken Cheng Yingqiu’s mirrorless camera and quietly took many pictures of Tao Ling as they walked. She held the camera with one hand, looking down through the album and deleting the ones she wasn’t satisfied with.

The evening wind was wild, messing up Li Hewei’s shoulder-length hair, but she remained focused on the camera. Tao Ling glanced over unintentionally. Illuminated by the red sunset, her meticulous appearance was both distant, like an exiled immortal, and captivating.

For dinner, they ate at the hotel’s buffet restaurant. The manager responsible for organizing the activities walked onto the banquet stage with a microphone.

“Friends from all corners of the world, welcome to the InterContinental Hotel at Waiyuan Scenic Area.”

The surrounding tourists applauded, and Cheng Yingqiu joined in.

“We have set up a platform in the western district of Waiyuan Lake and organized a bonfire party for everyone. You can sing and dance both on the stage and by the bonfire.”

“Great!”

“Does anyone want to sign up? Whether you sing or dance, participants will receive a small gift.”

Tourists raised their hands: “Me!”

A faint glow appeared in Cheng Yingqiu’s eyes: “Sister Qiu, are you going?”

Qiu Wan shook her head: “Too many people.”

“Alright.” Cheng Yingqiu didn’t push it and said happily, “But they definitely can’t compare to you.”

“There’s no need to compare. Being bold enough to stand on stage is encouraging enough.”

The manager suddenly raised his voice: “Friends who aren’t participating in singing and dancing can watch the Iron Flower performance (打鐵花) at 9 p.m. We have invited the Women’s Iron Flower Troupe from a neighboring city.”

“A Women’s Iron Flower Troupe!”

The manager spoke proudly: “Yes, the first Women’s Iron Flower Troupe in Shuozhou.”

“Yingqiu, where are you going?” Li Hewei asked, seeing Cheng Yingqiu stand up.

“Sis, I want to film a video and interview the troupe’s leader and members.” Cheng Yingqiu bent low, her eyes filled with purity and resolve. “Although I’m a legal reporter, this kind of newsworthy event can be filmed and given to the adjacent team to follow up on.”

“Go ahead.”

“Mhm.”

Cheng Yingqiu first contacted her supervisor for permission, then coordinated with the hotel.

“No problem! How can we assist?” Free publicity was something the hotel couldn’t pass up.

“I don’t have enough equipment. Do you have any lighting equipment?”

“Of course!”

“What about professional photographers? Preferably two.”

“Yes.” The manager turned and instructed the attendant behind him: “Call Xiao Hu and Xiao Liu from the photography department to come over.”

Cheng Yingqiu settled the arrangements and scouted three camera positions. She would cover the front side of the stage, near Waiyuan Lake.

“Girl, have some water.” Cheng Yingqiu sat behind the lighting rig, waiting. The hotel manager handed her a bottle of mineral water.

“Thank you.” She tilted her head back and took a small sip, wetting her dry lips. She noticed a shadow approaching her feet and subconsciously turned around, seeing Qiu Wan’s beautiful, clear face hidden in the dim, yellow light—hazy yet within reach.

Cheng Yingqiu chuckled softly: “Sister Qiu, why did you come?”

“I heard you like mango-flavored milk tea.” Qiu Wan inserted the straw for her, carefully wiping away the milk residue that had spilled over the cup with a tissue, and handed it to Cheng Yingqiu.

“Mhm, I do.” Cheng Yingqiu took the milk tea, gulped twice, and said casually, “They went back to rest and will come over later. Since you’re free now, you should catch up on some sleep.”

“It’s fine.” Qiu Wan picked up a low stool and sat beside her. The tenderness in her eyes was naturally expressed: “I’ll keep you company.”