The Heartbeat in the Tent

Yu Qingkong turned around and saw Lin Wanzhao clutching her hands, looking at her with eyes full of expectation, then glancing back at her own “polluted” tent. In the end, Yu Qingkong could only nod. “It’s not a big deal. CEO Lin, come over and sleep here.”

Hearing these words, Lin Wanzhao felt as if she had truly understood the saying: “Where hills bend and streams wind, the pathway seems to end; past dark willows and flowery flowers, a village comes into view.” The world suddenly became beautiful, and her future looked bright.

Yu Qingkong rubbed her forehead. “Then, CEO Lin, bring your sleeping bag over.”

“Since it’s settled, let’s leave it at that. Goodnight!” Liu Ting said with a chuckle, assuming the posture of an empress returning to her palace as she and Lu Xiaoxiao retreated to their respective tents.

Yu Qingkong raised a hand. “Goodnight.”

A few moments later, Yu Qingkong crawled into her tent. She had just plugged her earphones into her phone when she saw Lin Wanzhao wiggling in from the outside, cradling her sleeping bag.

Seeing this, Yu Qingkong shifted to the side to make more room. Although it was a two-person tent, it wasn’t like a normal room; the space was tight, and being enclosed on all sides created an intense sense of proximity.

“Here.” Suddenly, Lin Wanzhao pulled out a box and handed it to Yu Qingkong.

“This is…” Yu Qingkong looked at her, startled.

“For you,” Lin Wanzhao looked away awkwardly. “Happy Birthday.”

Yu Qingkong froze for a second before taking the box. It was pure black with subtle 3D textures and a black silk ribbon—it felt very high-end.

Yu Qingkong looked up. “How did CEO Lin know…?”

“It’s in your employee files,” Lin Wanzhao said, pausing before continuing. “You’re an important employee, so I naturally paid attention to the details. I just happened to notice it.”

“I see…” A small smile tugged at Yu Qingkong’s lips. “Thank you.”

“Open it and see.” Lin Wanzhao nudged the box into Yu Qingkong’s arms.

Yu Qingkong opened the lid. Inside was a skincare set—toner and lotion in beautifully designed bottles.

“This limited edition is a bestseller and almost out of stock. It took me a while to get it. I use it myself, and the results are great,” Lin Wanzhao explained.

“It must have been expensive?” Yu Qingkong noted the logo on the box.

“Do you think I can’t afford it? I’m not a broke student anymore,” Lin Wanzhao countered.

“No,” Yu Qingkong hesitated. “I just feel… what have I done to deserve such a lavish gift from the CEO?”

“What haven’t you done?” Lin Wanzhao retorted.

“Like what?” Yu Qingkong replaced the lid.

“First, you’re beautiful. Second, you’re highly capable. Third, you can cook…” Lin Wanzhao began counting on her fingers.

“Wait, CEO Lin is joking. My cooking is just edible. It can’t compare to the gourmet meals you usually eat,” Yu Qingkong laughed.

“How would I not know? I think you’re a master chef. After eating your food, everyone else’s tastes bland. I’ve barely been able to eat enough these past few days because everything else is tasteless,” Lin Wanzhao argued immediately.

Being praised like that made Yu Qingkong feel a bit shy. “Then have I ruined your appetite?”

“Yes. You better think of how to compensate me,” Lin Wanzhao said.

“Then how about I cook for you again when we get back? What do you want to eat?” Yu Qingkong’s hand rested on the gift box.

“Really? I want so many things, hmm…” Lin Wanzhao rested her chin on her hand, her mind momentarily blank. “I haven’t decided yet. I’ll tell you later.”

She quickly changed the subject. “By the way, did you used to go camping a lot? You all seem so experienced.”

“We used to, but not much in the last two years.” Yu Qingkong smoothed her hair.

“With that Shao Yushi?” Lin Wanzhao asked. She couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy toward the name.

“Mhm, she was there,” Yu Qingkong nodded, thinking back. “But there were others too. Back then, I loved photographing the stars, so I joined a local photography group. We’d go out to the wilderness, pitch tents, and set up tripods to capture the night sky.”

“That sounds wonderful.” Lin Wanzhao turned on her side, resting her head on her hand to watch her.

“It was. The starry sky is beautiful,” Yu Qingkong agreed. “A pity there are no stars tonight, otherwise, it’s one of the best parts of camping.”

“Can I see the photos you took?” Lin Wanzhao asked.

Yu Qingkong took out her phone, unlocked it, and scrolled through her album before handing it over. “These are some of them. My equipment was limited, but…”

Lin Wanzhao took the phone and swiped through the photos. They were stunning—like something out of an astronomy magazine.

“This was at Lugu Lake, and this was in a small village…” Yu Qingkong pointed at the screen, her finger brushing near Lin Wanzhao’s as she scrolled. “This one is particularly pretty, right?”

Lin Wanzhao breathed out an appreciative sigh. Even though she didn’t know much about photography, she listened intently, fascinated by this side of Yu Qingkong’s life.

“Do you only take photos of stars?” she asked.

“Not exclusively. Occasionally I do portraits. I took a set for my sister when she turned eighteen. Wait, let me show you…” Yu Qingkong opened another album and enlarged a photo.

It was a girl holding a vintage lantern, wearing a white dress on a beach. The sky was dark, the ink-colored tide washing over the sand. The girl had a doll-like face and large, innocent eyes.

“She’s so pretty. I like her,” Lin Wanzhao said, her eyes softening. Love me, love my sister, as the saying goes.

“Right? She looks like our mom. Everyone says she looks like a star,” Yu Qingkong smiled while looking at the photo of her sister, Yu Qingyu.

“You’re very beautiful too,” Lin Wanzhao said, staring into Yu Qingkong’s deep eyes.

Yu Qingkong looked back at her for a moment, then gave a light cough and looked down with a smile.

“By the way, I think your portraits are great. Can I book a session? I’ll pay,” Lin Wanzhao asked.

“It’s not about the money. I’m really just an amateur. Maybe CEO Lin should find a professional?” Yu Qingkong tucked her phone away.

“I don’t want a professional. I like the feeling of your photos.” Lin Wanzhao kept her gaze fixed on her.

“Alright, fine. We’ll try it sometime,” Yu Qingkong finally surrendered.

“Great! How about New Year’s Day?” Lin Wanzhao pressed.

“No problem. I’ll clear a day,” Yu Qingkong agreed, taking a sip from a water bottle. “What style do you want?”

“Swimsuit photos,” Lin Wanzhao said.

Yu Qingkong suddenly choked on her water, coughing uncontrollably.

“What’s wrong? Is that not okay?” Lin Wanzhao propped herself up.

“No…” Yu Qingkong covered her mouth, coughing for a while before looking up. “Taking swimsuit photos in winter? Are you trying to catch your death, CEO Lin?”

“Indoors! I’m not going to jump into the Yangtze River. I value my life,” Lin Wanzhao said.

“Then… alright,” Yu Qingkong nodded, putting the water bottle aside.

“Good, it’s a deal then. Don’t flake on me.” Lin Wanzhao felt like a genius. This meant they would have more private time together. She was so excited she wanted to laugh.

Yu Qingkong let out a long breath. “Alright, it’s late. Aren’t you going to sleep, CEO Lin?”

“Sleeping right now,” Lin Wanzhao said, immediately lying down and closing her eyes. A few seconds later, she added, “I’m asleep.”

“Goodnight,” Yu Qingkong said. She put her earphones in and began listening to music.

After a while, she heard Lin Wanzhao ask, “Listening to music?”

Yu Qingkong took out one earphone. “Yeah. I’ll sleep in a bit.”

“Is it Sunset Rollercoaster?” Lin Wanzhao continued.

Yu Qingkong was stunned. “Yes. How did you know…?”

Lin Wanzhao opened her eyes. “Your volume is a bit high. I can hear it.”

“Oh, sorry…” Yu Qingkong reached for her phone. “I’ll turn it down.”

“No need,” Lin Wanzhao shook her head.

“Hmm?”

Lin Wanzhao unzipped her sleeping bag a bit and shuffled closer like a caterpillar. She reached out a pale hand and took the earphone from Yu Qingkong’s left ear. “I want to listen too.”

As she reached out, her hand brushed against Yu Qingkong’s ear and snagged a stray hair. Whether it was the touch of the hand or the tickle of the hair, Yu Qingkong felt a shiver run over her skin.

Then, Lin Wanzhao tucked the earphone into her own ear. Yu Qingkong turned to look at her; her eyes were closed peacefully, her long lashes curling, her facial lines incredibly soft.

“Am I pretty?” Lin Wanzhao suddenly opened her eyes and asked.

Yu Qingkong froze, nodded slightly, then turned away and closed her eyes.

Lin Wanzhao gave a faint smile and closed her eyes again. “I’m going to buy a beautiful swimsuit.”

Yu Qingkong cleared her throat again and nodded. In the earphones, the band was singing:

I love you / I just want you to know / You are my sunshine / Baby I’ll be waiting for you

The melody was peaceful, and the two women’s breathing was shallow and quiet. The feeling was hard to describe—like afternoon sun through a curtain, or the fresh scent of grass after rain.

As the song ended, Yu Qingkong heard Lin Wanzhao hum a line from the chorus: “Just wanna you to know, I love you, I love you, I love you…”

The humming was very faint, but Yu Qingkong’s heart felt like a small pebble had been dropped into a still lake, causing a slight tremor.

“By the way, I know what I want to eat! Smashed cucumber salad…” Lin Wanzhao suddenly blurted out.

“That’s all the ambition you have?” Yu Qingkong teased from her sleeping bag. After all that thinking, she just wanted smashed cucumber?

“What’s wrong with smashed cucumber? Don’t discriminate against cucumbers…” Lin Wanzhao glared playfully.

“And you always say I have no ambition. When I do have ambition—like wanting to be close to you like best friends—you look terrified. What am I supposed to do? This isn’t okay, that isn’t okay… you big liar,” Lin Wanzhao grumbled.

“Huh?” Yu Qingkong was confused.

“Last time, when I just kissed you, you had such a huge reaction…” Lin Wanzhao muttered.

Yu Qingkong clenched and then relaxed her jaw. “Are we never going to let that go?”

“No,” Lin Wanzhao nodded.

“Then what do you want?” Yu Qingkong rubbed the bridge of her nose.

“Let me kiss you again?” Lin Wanzhao pushed her luck. On the surface, she was as steady as an old dog, but inside, her heart was racing like a wild deer.

Yu Qingkong turned her head, looking helpless. “Fine. Kiss me.”

“Really?” Lin Wanzhao sat up instantly.

Yu Qingkong nodded.

Lin Wanzhao propped her hands on either side of Yu Qingkong’s body and leaned down, bringing her face close to Yu Qingkong’s lips. “I’m doing it then?”

As Lin Wanzhao’s breath brushed against her, Yu Qingkong felt a tingling sensation spread from her lips. She involuntarily gripped her sleeping bag…