Mute Beauty

Chapter 16: Annoyance

At 9 p.m., dinner was coming to an end.

The group left the restaurant together, with Yu Ting holding Ran Ling's hand as they walked behind everyone else. A cool breeze gently swept through the air, softer than the air conditioning indoors and milder than the sea breeze that night. It was a real spring breeze, warm and pleasant, perfect for a stroll. It was a nice time for two people to hold hands and walk slowly, and Ran Ling wouldn't catch a cold even if they walked for a long time.

It was still early, and they could really take a walk together. With this hope in mind, Ran Ling quietly gazed at Yu Ting's profile.

"Yu Ting—!" Suddenly, a sharp voice pierced through the air, grabbing everyone's attention. Looking in the direction of the sound, they saw Ran Xue storming out of a parked car on the roadside, her face twisted with anger as if she was coming to seek revenge.

Ran Long and Old Master Yu were startled, while Zheng Qinyan sensed trouble and rushed to stop her, "Why are you here?"

"Don't bother me! Leave me alone..." Ran Xue shoved her aside and charged toward Yu Ting, shouting, "Yu Ting, you're playing me, aren't you? You're playing me..."

"Xiao Xue, calm down. You..."

Seeing this scene, Yu Ting glanced at Ran Ling and instinctively shielded her behind her. Ran Ling wasn't afraid, just worried—she didn't want Ting Ting to get into trouble.

"You bastard... you bastard..."

Ran Xue was furious, cursing Yu Ting, "Yu Ting, damn you!"

Old Master Yu's face darkened immediately. Ran Long rushed forward, panicked, grabbing her arm, "What are you saying?!"

"Yu—"

Slap! A loud slap left Ran Xue stunned. Before she could react, Zheng Qinyan struck her hard on the other cheek.

"Have you come to your senses?"

Ran Xue's face burned with a fiery sting, and tears welled up in her eyes before she even realized what had happened. She looked blankly at her mother. With a scowl, Zheng Qinyan scolded, "What a disgrace," and ordered the driver to take her away.

"... Yu Ting, damn you!"

"That child, really..."

Ran Xue was dragged away, and the couple hurriedly apologized to Old Master Yu. The old man, however, was magnanimous, stroking his thin, white beard with a smile, saying that she was young and it was understandable.

"Ah Ting, I'm so sorry..." Zheng Qinyan clung to Yu Ting, her face full of guilt. "Xiao Xue went too far. I apologize on her behalf. We'll discipline her properly when we get home, and something like this won't happen again."

She was sharp, clearly aware of what Yu Ting cared about, and quietly assured her, "I'll make sure Xiao Xue doesn't bully her sister anymore. Don't worry."

This was exactly what Yu Ting wanted. "Thank you, Auntie."

"Oh, don't call me Auntie anymore. You can call me Mom now." Seeing Yu Ting finally relent, Zheng Qinyan smiled brightly, as if the unpleasantness just now had been completely forgotten.

Yu Ting didn't respond by calling her "Mom," instead offering a casual smile and turning her attention back to Ran Ling, who had been watching her closely the entire time. Ran Ling's eyes were full of anticipation and nervousness. Yu Ting, always sharp, could see everything she couldn't say, all the emotions in her eyes.

But suddenly, Yu Ting felt...

Though she was smiling, her expression was clearly cold. She said goodbye to Ran Ling as if it didn't matter: