Mute Beauty

Chapter 44: Punishment

"Ran Jie, Miss Yu is here to see you."

Zhao Xin's call interrupted the conversation between the woman and Ran Ling. Upon hearing the voice, Ran Ling turned back and saw Yu Ting standing by the door frame, a momentary look of disbelief crossing her face. She quickly got up and walked towards her, eyes sparkling with surprise.

Yu Ting stood still, not moving.

Ran Ling wore a flowing ink-painted long dress, her figure graceful; even her hurried steps carried a lightness, as if the hem of her dress danced with her. Her beautiful face gradually came into Yu Ting's view, growing clearer and closer until Yu Ting had to lower her gaze to meet her, at which point Ran Ling affectionately wrapped her arms around Yu Ting's.

Yu Ting's arm sank into a soft, warm embrace, and without needing to do anything, Ran Ling would cling to her, exuding a familiar, comforting fragrance that Yu Ting recognized.

—How did you get here, Ting Ting?

—Why didn't you say anything?

Ran Ling's eyes were lovely, shaped like elongated peach blossoms, carefully drawn with gentle curves. Her long eyelashes fluttered, making her gaze lively. In that moment, her eyes sparkled with the joy and brightness that Yu Ting brought her, pure and enchanting.

Yu Ting smiled and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind Ran Ling's ear, saying softly, "I got off work early. The weather forecast says it's going to rain soon. I saw you were still in the studio, so I thought I'd come pick you up."

"Oh~"

Ran Ling blinked, feeling a slight urge to nuzzle against her palm, but with others around, she hesitated to act so intimately.

How intimate was it? The last time she did that, she and Yu Ting were in bed together. At that moment, she had simply leaned in for a nuzzle, only to be caught by Yu Ting, who held her chin and kissed her passionately.

Yu Ting noticed the clingy desire radiating from her like an affectionate animal. Her fingers trailed down Ran Ling's hair and, as she pulled away, playfully lifted her chin.

"Hi~ Miss Yu, it's nice to see you again."

A woman in a black dress also stood up, leisurely walking toward them, stopping at a respectful distance in front of them. Greeting Yu Ting, her voice was just as magnetic and pleasant as what Yu Ting had heard over the phone that evening, polite yet distant.

Distant—specifically toward Yu Ting.

Yu Ting forced a smile, "Hello, what a coincidence."

"The last time was rather hurried, and I didn't get the chance to properly thank you. I didn't expect to run into you here today." Speaking, Yu Ting's brows softened, appearing warm and seemingly enthusiastic. The woman in the black dress wore a perfect, flawless smile, saying, "Miss Yu, why are you still so polite?"

"It really was a rush last time. Little Ling was too drunk, and I was just focused on taking care of her... I didn't even get a chance to introduce myself properly. I'm truly sorry. Today can be considered as a formal introduction. My name is Pei Ya, a classmate of Little Ling at the Academy of Fine Arts. I'm a good friend of hers and also a collaborative partner."

"Oh? A collaborative partner? Are you an artist too, Miss Pei?"

Pei Ya smiled modestly, "Not really. Compared to Little Ling, I feel quite insignificant. I have a wide range of interests, dabbling in various things. I heard Little Ling wanted to return home to open a studio and invested a bit in it."