Mute Beauty

Chapter 3: Mute

"Ah Ting, let me introduce you. This is Ran Xue's older sister, Ran Ling. You used to play together when you were kids. She's three years older than you, remember? It's been so many years, you might not recall much, but since both you and Xiao Xue are back and she's also at home, we thought we'd have her come out and meet you. You're close in age, so try to connect and spend some time together," someone said, trying to stir a conversation.

Ran Ling sat quietly beside her father, introduced to Yu Ting. Grandpa Yu chimed in, clearly enjoying the reminiscence. "How could your memory be that bad? Even I, an old man, remember. You used to follow her everywhere, calling 'Sister Ling, Sister Ling,' the three of you—Xiao Xue, you, and her—were inseparable back then. You all got along so well."

"Really? Grandpa remembers that clearly?" Yu Ting glanced at Ran Ling and greeted her smoothly, "Hello, Sister Ling."

The woman gently tucked her long hair behind her ear, though a few shorter strands still framed her face, highlighting her well-defined features. Her skin was pale, like a wall bathed in cold winter light—perhaps not the healthiest look, but it didn't make her appear frail or jaded. Her full lips were vibrant, her eyes clear and brimming with a soft, luminous warmth, as if holding an abundance of unspoken emotions.

Ran Ling didn't speak. She just curved her lips into a gentle, silent smile, acknowledging Yu Ting's greeting with a delicate nod.

Zheng Qinyan, seeing this, smiled and explained, "Lingling... something happened when she was younger. She can't speak anymore; she's unable to make any sound. If you want to chat, maybe you can add her on WeChat or something."

Can't speak... Unable to make a sound... A mute?

Yu Ting was momentarily startled, a feeling of regret flashing through her. Ran Ling was truly beautiful—the kind of beauty that strikes you at first glance but then grows more complex and richer the longer you look. Yu Ting instinctively imagined that her voice would have been soft, like the sound of a gentle stream in the mountains. This was how she pictured it, having already formed an idea in her head.

Out of politeness, Yu Ting smiled. "Sure," she agreed, though she made no move to take out her phone.

"Xiao Xue, it must've been tough over there, right? It's been months since you came back. Here, have some of Aunt Zhang's cooking—it's your favorite. Ah Ting, you too, try some of our family's dishes..."

The conversation didn't linger on Ran Ling for long; it quickly shifted back to Ran Xue. In the lively atmosphere, Ran Ling's presence seemed to fade into the background, quiet and nearly invisible, just like her voice.

Yu Ting had almost no memories of Ran Ling. It was a struggle to recall anything concrete. Usually, Yu Ting wasn't the type to bother with things that were mentally taxing or seemed pointless. Yet, strangely, at this moment, she felt compelled to dig deeper.

She was too unfamiliar, and for a stranger who sparked this much curiosity in Yu Ting, she couldn't help but wonder what kind of past they might have shared—likely during their elementary school days.

They had attended the same primary school. Since they lived nearby and went to the same school, it was only natural that they had crossed paths. But try as she might, Yu Ting couldn't remember any significant interactions beyond the fact that she probably hung out with her due to her friendship with Ran Xue.

In the past, she really had called her "Sister Ling."

These thoughts ran through Yu Ting's mind as she absentmindedly peeled shrimp. Soon, she had filled a small plate with plump shrimp meat, which she gently slid toward Ran Xue.