Mute Beauty

Chapter 7: Considerate

The two women were of different heights, with Ran Ling being half a head shorter than Yu Ting. To help wipe Yu Ting's mouth, Ran Ling had to look up at her, and her serious expression as she focused on the task created a sense of intimacy between them.

The repetitive music was finally coming to an end, leaving only the damp, quivering whispers that floated in from behind several walls, almost like a background score enhancing the atmosphere.

Yu Ting didn't move, her gaze lowered as if she were examining Ran Ling. Although Ran Ling was careful in her wiping, there seemed to be a hint of deliberate hesitation, taking a while to pull her hand back. She lifted her lashes and looked at Yu Ting, her eyes brimming with warmth, silently conveying: All done.

—Are you still feeling unwell?

The air was heavy with the scent of alcohol, and Yu Ting's slightly dazed gaze explored the concern hidden in Ran Ling's eyes, attempting to analyze and understand...

Ran Ling met Yu Ting's currently unfriendly look with a gaze full of acceptance.

After a moment, Yu Ting smiled slightly and asked, "Sister Ling?"

"What are you doing here?"

Ran Ling wanted to respond but couldn't make a sound.

"Ling Sister? Which Ling Sister? Aren't you going to introduce her, Ah Ting?" A red-haired woman behind them, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, curiously surveyed this unfamiliar lady.

Taking a moment, Yu Ting straightened up and said to Ran Ling, "Let me introduce her. This is Ran Ling, sister of Ran Xue."

"Ran Xue's sister?" Qi Min exclaimed, her eyes widening in surprise as she looked more closely. "I had no idea Ran Xue had a sister! Hello, I'm Qi Min, Ah Ting's friend."

Ran Ling nodded and returned a smile.

Yu Ting didn't have the energy to explain too much to Qi Min; the dizzy feeling from the alcohol was overwhelming. "Let's head outside first."

As soon as she moved, the world around her swayed, and her body felt weak. The path ahead seemed uneven, and she stumbled a bit to the side. Ran Ling quickly reached out and grabbed her arm to steady her.

Yu Ting felt her arm enveloped in warmth, glancing over to see that Ran Ling's soft touch was tightening around her. Ran Ling gazed at her intently, her expression even more concerned, completely unaware or unconcerned about how intimate her gesture was.

Hearing Qi Min's teasing "Oh" from the side, Yu Ting chuckled and reassured, "I'm fine, I'm not drunk. Just a little dizzy. I can stand steady."

However, Ran Ling only loosened her grip slightly, not intending to let go completely. She didn't quite believe that Yu Ting was really sober. After all, Yu Ting didn't look clear-headed at all; her cheeks were flushed, her gaze was hazy, and her tone was floating... everything about her suggested that she was not quite aware.

Just a moment ago, she had been coughing so harshly in discomfort.

"Isn't it about time to wrap it up for today? You came here to drink without having eaten. You really know how to neglect your health; don't drink yourself to death in your own bar. Since your sister is here..." Qi Min smiled at Ran Ling, handing the responsibility to her. "Could you please help Ah Ting get home?"

Ran Ling naturally accepted the task.

Qi Min vaguely sensed the difference in demeanor between Ran Ling and others.

She wasn't cold or distant; instead, her mannerisms were particularly gentle. Why wasn't she saying a word?

Ran Ling looked somewhat like Ran Xue, but it was hard to say who was more beautiful. However, her charm was unmistakably more pronounced—at least more appealing to Qi Min. There was a certain grace to her, delicate yet strikingly beautiful, as if she were both fragile and radiant. One could say that Ran Xue was a girl, while she was a woman, yet she appeared very pure.