Chapter 5: Silent Tension in the Miao Village

The back door of the car opened, and Cheng Yun calmly turned her head to look at the two people standing outside.

Her face was expressionless, but anyone who knew her well would recognize the anger simmering beneath. Of course, neither Anan nor the gatekeeper knew her.

Anan, still blank-faced, looked at Cheng Yun and said, “You’ve been discovered.”

“…,” Cheng Yun was furious, yet she smiled instead, replying evenly, “Yes, I’ve been discovered.”

The gatekeeper glanced at the woman huddled on the small blanket and said, “What are you doing, trying to sneak in? Come with me.”

Cheng Yun turned, her long legs and boots landing with a heavy thud. When she stood, she was taller than the gatekeeper.

She was beautiful, but her looks were secondary. What mattered was the difficult early life, the hard-won success, and the imposing presence she carried.

Her indifferent glance silenced the gatekeeper, who had intended to scold her into buying a ticket.

Then Cheng Yun looked at Anan. She held his gaze until he finally met her eyes.

“You wait here,” she said slowly.

Anan’s lips pressed tight, moving slightly as if biting down inside his mouth.

Cheng Yun followed the gatekeeper to a small wooden hut nearby. Before entering, she looked around. They had reached the outskirts of the Miao village. In the distance, a street lined with small buildings carried ethnic decorations.

Few people were about; women in Miao clothing passed occasionally, but men in ethnic attire were rare.

Inside the hut, Cheng Yun bought a ticket. As the gatekeeper wrote it out, he muttered, “You can’t do this again.”

Cheng Yun smiled. “Yes, I really can’t do this anymore.”

The gatekeeper looked up. Cheng Yun had her hands in her trench coat pockets, head lowered, half-long black hair falling along her ears. She realized his gaze, looked up, and smiled.

Men are always vulnerable to beautiful women. Seeing her friendly attitude, his tone softened.

“Traveling here?”

“Yes.”

“Then you should see our Miao ethnic minority performance.”

“What kind of performance?”

“There are performances every night in the performance center inside; they’re very exciting.”

The ticket was ready. Cheng Yun took it, waved it lightly. “Okay, I’ll definitely see it. Sorry.”

The gatekeeper waved his hand. “Oh dear, just remember next time. You don’t look like someone who would sneak in without a ticket.”

Not really. She’d lost face for half her life.

Outside, Anan waited. Seeing her emerge, he quickly greeted her.

“All done?”

Cheng Yun didn’t answer. She lit a cigarette, exhaled lightly, and looked aside.

Anan tugged her sleeve, moving her away from the ticket counter. “Let’s go,” he said.

She remained silent, smoking.

Anan realized he couldn’t let it go. He rubbed his shoe soles, thought, then said, “It would be better if you didn’t make a sound.”

Cheng Yun kicked him.

This wasn’t a rehearsal—she really kicked. Casarte’s new autumn/winter pointed-toe boots, seven-centimeter heels. Deadly if she stomped.

Anan dodged quickly, eyes fixed on her foot until she lowered it. His face remained expressionless.

Cheng Yun raised a finger, tapping lightly. “Let me tell you, if I ever patronize your business again, I’ll change my mind.”

Anan sighed almost imperceptibly. Cheng Yun caught it. “Why are you sighing?”

He shook his head.

“Speak.”

Anan’s voice was low. “None of the many customers we brought in before were discovered.”

Cheng Yun glared. “Oh, so it’s my fault?”

He stayed silent. Silence was answer enough.

Cheng Yun put her hands on her hips, nodding repeatedly. “Alright, alright, come here.” She beckoned. “Come here.”

Anan didn’t move. He was on guard, wary of another dirty trick.

“You’ve misunderstood.” Cheng Yun smiled. “I wanted you to experience it too.”

“Experience what?”

“The feeling of sitting in a sleeper berth.”

Anan stared at the miniature car. Cheng Yun slid into the driver’s seat. He remained still.

She leaned out the window. “Go and get yourself in.”

They stared at each other across a few meters. The mountains were cool, the sun blazed, a stream babbled nearby. Few tourists, few residents. The weather was sharp, alternating between glaring sun and crisp breeze.

Perhaps in such an environment, even confrontation could become a memory to laugh at later.

Anan finally asked, “You have a driver’s license, right?”

“I’ve been driving for twelve years.”

“How old are you?”

Cheng Yun raised an eyebrow. “Get lost.”

Anan turned, climbed into the trunk, and closed the door.

…

The car lurched forward. Anan rolled awkwardly in the cramped space, crashing into the back door.

A low woman’s voice mingled with the engine’s roar—
“Good thing it’s not there.”

The dilapidated car sped along the mountain road. Cheng Yun drove cigarette dangling, sleeves rolled, no seatbelt, visor up.

Anan was thrown about, head hitting several times. It didn’t hurt much, but the shock was unbearable.

She was fast—faster than him. He knew the road, every bend and slope. Her speed was reckless, yet precise.

It wasn’t revenge. It was a malicious prank. She had proportion. But she was daring.

At last, the car stopped near the village. Sunlight streamed in, dust visible in the smoke.

Anan climbed out, hair messy, face dark, expression comical.

Cheng Yun tilted her head. “Was it good?”

“…,” Anan took a deep breath. She blew out her last puff of smoke. He coughed, inhaling it.

After clearing his throat, he said, “We’re here. Are you looking for a hotel?”

“What, do you still run a hotel?”

“No, it’s—”

“It’s your friend’s.”

Anan shut up. Cheng Yun mocked, “Didn’t you hear what I just said?”

[If I ever do business with you again, I’ll change my mind.]

“…,” Anan remembered, but still tried. “I’ll get him to give you a discount.”

“Yeah, just the discount from your internal ticket, a 10% discount, right?”

“….”

He sighed again. Cheng Yun didn’t give him another chance. She called Director Zhang.

“They’ll be here in about half an hour. Sister Cheng, you can wander around the village first, or go straight to the hotel, Jiajing Inn. Just give your name.”

“Okay, don’t rush. Drive slowly. I’ll wander around first.”

After hanging up, Anan said, “Then I’ll go first, you can wander around by yourself.”

“What do you mean you’re leaving first?”

“I have something to do later. You don’t need the car in the village.”

Her face turned cold.

He hesitated. “Why don’t you find a restaurant to eat first, and I’ll come later?”

“Let’s find one together.”

He glanced at the time. “Okay.”

The car stopped in the parking lot. Cheng Yun stepped out, trench coat catching the light. She smiled.
“How about we go eat potatoes?”