Silent Testimony - Chapter 81

There were no major cases recently. Although the technical unit always had miscellaneous chores, Li Hewei insisted that everyone leave on time.

At 5:00 PM, the office was silent until Zhao Xiaoting broke the quiet: “Good news!”

Everyone looked up. “Remember Zhou Lin? The first-instance verdict came out today.”

“Don’t keep us in suspense,” He Ying urged.

“Guilty of intentional homicide. However, considering she surrendered herself and the victim’s mother provided a letter of forgiveness, the judge sentenced her to eight years.”

“Eight years?” He Ying was pleasantly surprised. “I thought it would be at least ten. It seems the judge is clear-eyed.” Under the law, premeditated murder usually carries a sentence of over ten years, life, or death.

Li Hewei smiled. “Fortunately, Yang Guang’s mother was reasonable. That letter of forgiveness was the key.” She glanced at Tao Ling, whose warm smile met her eyes, and then gestured for Tao to check her phone.

Li Hewei: [I’m going home to eat. You go to Sister Qiu’s.] Tao Ling: [Okay.] Li Hewei: [Aren’t you going to ask me why?] Tao Ling: [The ‘divorce dinner’?] Tao Ling understood. Since it involved Tao Yang, it would be awkward for her to be there. Li Hewei: [Smart. But Sister Qiu and I agreed to have late-night BBQ together later.]

The moonlight was like water—soft and quiet.

After dinner, around 9:00 PM, Qiu Wan went out to pick up the BBQ. Tao Ling washed the grill pan and sat on a low stool, wiping it dry. Her phone vibrated.

Li Hewei: [Ready to head over. Driving now.]

Tao Ling locked her screen. Her gaze drifted to the balcony, where a petite Night-blooming Cereus stood elegantly in the cold air. She walked over to take a photo.

“Xiao Tao,” Qiu Wan’s voice came from the door. She carried two bags of BBQ. “You like flowers too?”

“Mhm. When I was a kid in the countryside, my grandmother loved growing them—roses, peonies, bougainvillea…” Tao Ling tucked her phone away. “Is this a petite Cereus? How often does it bloom?”

“Four or five times a year. You’re lucky to catch it.” Qiu Wan walked to the table. “I have extra pots of Clivia and Dendrobium. Want to take them back?”

“I’m not sure where I’d put them,” Tao Ling said, helping arrange the skewers.

“Their balcony is spacious. Clivia and Dendrobium like indoor or semi-shaded environments; you could put them next to the coffee table.”

Tao Ling didn’t refuse. “Okay, I’ll ask her.”

“I’ll go heat some milk. Sit for a bit.”

Qiu Wan went downstairs to the shop area. She grabbed four bottles of coconut milk from the fridge. Hearing voices outside, she pulled back the curtain to see Li Hewei supporting a staggering Cheng Yingqiu.

“Careful.”

“Annoying…” Cheng Yingqiu grumbled, clinging to Li’s arm like she had no bones.

“What happened?” Qiu Wan rushed forward, looking worried.

“The usual story,” Li Hewei sighed. “She almost came out to her parents to their faces.”

“I see. Let’s get her inside. Leave her to me.” Qiu Wan supported Cheng Yingqiu’s waist.

Li Hewei didn’t let go yet. “How is your elbow?”

“It’s fine. The cast is off; just a few more days of recovery.”

Recognizing Qiu Wan’s voice, Cheng Yingqiu leaned into her, eyes half-closed. “Qiu… Qiu…”

“How much did she drink?” Qiu Wan asked, circling the girl in her arms.

“Not much. Three glasses of red wine, but her tolerance is low.” Li Hewei stepped back to let them pass.

“Her limit is usually three or four.” Qiu Wan guided Cheng Yingqiu up the stairs. “Steady now.”

“Mmm… I’m not drunk, just… uncomfortable. Let me sit for a bit.” Cheng Yingqiu sat down, resting her head on her knees. “Blind dates… they can go if they want. I won’t.”

“Okay, we won’t go,” Qiu Wan coaxed gently, crouching before her. “But the floor is cold. Let’s go to the bedroom, alright?”

Cheng Yingqiu opened her arms. “Carry me.”

Li Hewei intervened. “Sister Qiu’s elbow is still healing. I’ll do it.”

Li Hewei carried her in a bridal style. She looked at the anxious Tao Ling, but before she could speak, Cheng Yingqiu mumbled, “Don’t go to the room. Sleep on the sofa… eat BBQ.”

“No BBQ for you. Go to sleep.” Li Hewei carried her into the bedroom.

Tao Ling helped peel back the covers. Li Hewei placed her gently on the bed, and Qiu Wan took off the girl’s shoes and tucked her in.

“I don’t… why must I get married…” Cheng Yingqiu continued to mutter until her breathing evened out. Li Hewei and Tao Ling slipped out and closed the door.

Qiu Wan brought a basin of warm water and carefully wiped Cheng Yingqiu’s face and hands. Once the girl was settled, she turned off the lamp and walked out.

Li Hewei was on the sofa replying to family group messages. “How is she?”

“Just fell asleep.” Qiu Wan sat down. “Did she fight with her family?”

“Yes. Her father used me as an example, saying blind dates are more reliable because both sets of parents can vet the person. He mentioned a civil servant at the Audit Bureau—family is in the public sector too. They wanted her to go to dinner this weekend. She refused, and it escalated.”

Qiu Wan frowned. “I see.”

“Don’t worry, she’s determined. She won’t compromise.” Li Hewei looked at Qiu Wan. “I know people who play along as a delay tactic, but Yingqiu refused outright. If I hadn’t stopped her, she would have come out right then and there.”

Qiu Wan hesitated. “I…”

“You’re worried it’ll be hard for her, and you don’t want her to ruin her relationship with her parents, right?”

“Yes.”

“But some things, she has to solve herself,” Li Hewei said, handing her a beef skewer. “All you and I can do is support her.”

Around 11:00 PM, Li Hewei and Tao Ling left with the two pots of flowers.

Qiu Wan finished washing up and lay down beside Cheng Yingqiu. She eventually reached out to turn off the light, but her wrist was gently caught.

“Sister Qiu.”

Qiu Wan turned. Cheng Yingqiu was looking at her, dazed. “You’re awake?”

“Mhm. I want water.”

Qiu Wan mixed some warm water for her. Cheng Yingqiu drank a few sips. “Did my sister leave?”

“They left.” Qiu Wan took the cup back. “Does your head hurt?”

“No. I wasn’t that drunk—I’d vomit if I were. Just dizzy.” Cheng Yingqiu wrapped her arms around Qiu Wan’s neck, her nose brushing against Qiu’s skin. “Did you change your body wash?”

Qiu Wan’s skin felt itchy under the touch. “I changed it today.”

Cheng Yingqiu nuzzled into the crook of her neck. “Smells so good. I can’t describe it.”

“Are you a puppy?”

“Mmm. No, I’m a sheep.” Their eyes met in the warm yellow light. Cheng Yingqiu felt the woman’s gaze was like a net, trapping her. “I wasn’t happy tonight, but seeing you makes me so happy.”

Qiu Wan’s serious expression seemed to grip Cheng Yingqiu’s heart. The girl let her greed surge, tilting her head up to kiss her.

“As long as you’re happy.”

Qiu Wan didn’t dodge. She met the kiss. In the heat of the moment, Cheng Yingqiu’s hand instinctively slipped under Qiu Wan’s pajama top. Is this too fast? Is it offensive? The thoughts flashed through her mind, and she spoke without thinking.

“As long as you’re happy.”

Cheng Yingqiu was completely lost.

“Or rather… do you want me to teach you?”

The next morning, Cheng Yingqiu was woken by a dog barking outside. She rubbed her throbbing temples. Memories flooded back.

“Wear the finger cots.” “Mhm, right there.” “Xiao Qiu…”

The whispers and gasps echoed in her ears. She pulled the blanket over her face, shaking her head to clear the thoughts. Footsteps approached. She peeked out to see Qiu Wan already dressed for the day, looking elegant and calm—a total contrast to the person from last night.

“It’s not 7:00 yet. Want to get up?” Qiu Wan asked, pulling out two shirts. “Which one?” Cheng Yingqiu had stayed over twice now; Qiu Wan always washed her clothes and kept them in a designated spot.

“The right one.” It was a mocha-colored sweater—a matching set with the black one Qiu Wan was wearing. Cheng Yingqiu hugged her pillow. “I want to stay in bed for a bit; it’s warm.”

“Okay. I’ll go buy rice noodles. We’ll eat before you leave.”

As Qiu Wan turned to leave, Cheng Yingqiu called out softly, “Sister Qiu.”

“Hmm?” Qiu Wan walked back.

Cheng Yingqiu sat up and opened her arms. “No hug?”

“It’ll be cold,” Qiu Wan teased, but held her anyway.

“It’s not cold when you hold me.” Cheng Yingqiu pecked her cheek. “Good morning.”

“Good morning.” Qiu Wan pressed her back into the blankets. “Stay covered so you don’t catch a cold.”

“Mmm. What about you? Nothing for me?” After what happened last night, Cheng Yingqiu was bolder. She pouted her lips.

They shared a lingering kiss before finally pulling apart.

“Okay, I’ll lie down for two more minutes.” Cheng Yingqiu smiled as she watched Qiu Wan leave. She habitually checked her phone.

Li Hewei: [Does your head hurt?] Cheng Yingqiu: [Sis, you’re so nice to care about me.] [It doesn’t hurt. And I accomplished something huge.] Li Hewei: [What?] Cheng Yingqiu: [Something R-rated.] Li Hewei: […You don’t need to tell me.]

Cheng Yingqiu had once vowed to be a “Pillow Princess” who occasionally took charge. Thinking back on last night, she realized: [But we might have a role conflict. Why was I the proactive one?]