Mute Beauty

Chapter 47 - Swimsuit

She wanted to learn, of course she did. If Tingting would be the one to teach her... or really, as long as she was with Tingting, as long as Tingting's gaze fell on her, she would do anything with joy.

The beach was bustling, the sunset too perfect, and everyone was swept up in the wild party. Only Yu Ting and Ran Ling sat at the quiet edge of the beach, where the waves couldn't reach, far from the lively crowd.

Her friends were all having fun, and Ran Ling knew Yu Ting was staying behind just for her. She felt both secretly happy and a little worried. She feared that Tingting would feel stifled and bored, yet she was also overwhelmed that Tingting cared enough to ask her what she wanted for the first time.

Yu Ting brought her joy but also a touch of unease. Though she'd admitted to Yu Ting that she wanted to swim, Tingting hadn't responded, nor promised to teach her.

She knew Tingting was still mad.

Her heartbeat quickened as she waited for Yu Ting to react.

After a moment, Yu Ting picked up her drink and took a sip, turning her gaze back to the sea.

It seemed as though the topic would simply end there, without an answer. Ran Ling felt a hollow pang, gripping the armrest of her lounge chair tightly.

The next second, Yu Ting put down her glass, the ice cubes barely melting, catching the orange glow of the sunset in the glass. She stood up and looked at Ran Ling, saying, "I'll go talk to Cora. We're leaving."

Before the sun dipped below the horizon, they should do something more meaningful.

Just as she took a step forward, Yu Ting seemed to remember something and turned back, reaching for Ran Ling's phone on the table.

As Ran Ling watched in surprise, Yu Ting calmly unlocked it, as though her phone was hers to use as she pleased.

She was so domineering... but Ran Ling didn't mind it one bit.

After all, Yu Ting could unlock her phone so easily because she'd allowed it. She liked Yu Ting's unreserved use of her things.

Her passwords were all set to Yu Ting's birthday; she had secretly used a photo of Yu Ting as her wallpaper, and her notes were filled with secrets about her. Just as Yu Ting knew her feelings so well, there was nothing to hide.

Ran Ling didn't feel that it was rude or invasive. In a close relationship, looking at each other's phones was perfectly natural. She even enjoyed it a little—it made her feel closer to Yu Ting, like she belonged to her.

She was just a bit confused about why Tingting was using her phone.

Soon, Yu Ting handed it back, but this time, she placed it directly in Ran Ling's hand instead of on the table.

The screen was still on, and when Ran Ling looked down, she saw the note Yu Ting had typed out:

"If you can make me happy, I'll teach you."

By the time she looked up again, Yu Ting was already walking away, headed toward Cora, who was deep into the festivities.

She quickly explained to Cora that they were leaving, and Cora, understanding, let her go without a fuss.

"Let's go."

Returning to Ran Ling, Yu Ting didn't wait for her but began walking toward the parking lot. Ran Ling quickly gathered her things and followed.

With the window half-lowered, the car drove along the coastal road bathed in the golden light of sunset, the faint scent of the sea in the air—a smell that spoke of freedom, something most people yearned for.