Mute Beauty

Chapter 65: Birthday

Today, Yu Ting wasn't in a good mood.

There was no specific reason, no clear cause. The moment she opened her eyes and looked up at the dim ceiling, her mood sank inexplicably low.

She was familiar with this feeling, knew it well—the void, the world-weariness. At one time, it had clung to her day and night, so it didn't surprise her. She had grown used to it but still found herself slightly unprepared for how forcefully it now washed over her. How long had it been since she last felt this way? Two months? Three?

Living together, it had only been three months, she thought, glancing at the peacefully sleeping Ran Ling beside her. In the end, they hadn't even lasted beyond that.

From the moment they'd become official, it had been less than a month. Even Qi Min had been mistaken in saying she'd surpassed the limit.

With Ran Ling sound asleep beside her, Yu Ting found no emotional solace and didn't feel like going back to sleep. She got up, walked out to the balcony, lit a cigarette, and took a deep drag.

The early morning air was chilly on her bare shoulders, clad only in a thin nightgown. Yu Ting reveled in the sensation of cold enveloping her, leaning her elbows on the railing, cigarette in hand, exhaling a haze that obscured the flowerbed below. Her thoughts were as foggy as the smoke that lingered around her.

Today was September 7th.

Before Ran Ling could wake, Yu Ting had already left for the office.

She wore all black, her favorite color. A sleek black blazer layered over a casual black shirt, with the top two buttons left undone, exposing her slender neck and delicate collarbone. Her black trousers, fitted at the ankles, paired with heels inlaid with a single white pearl. Her look, both formal and casually disheveled, exuded an understated elegance that only added to her allure. She lounged back in her chair, smoking as she surveyed the scattered documents on her desk, her usual mess when she was busy, completely unconcerned with tidiness.

Her phone on the desk lit up and dimmed, then lit up again.

Ling:
Did you already leave for the office, Ting Ting?
So early today? Is it a busy day?
When will you be back tonight?

Yu Ting didn't respond, choosing to pretend she was busy instead.

"Please organize my desk," she instructed Jin Ya, who had just entered, without lifting her head.

Jin Ya glanced at her, unfazed by Yu Ting's expression, and began sorting the documents. "By the way, Yu Hao just submitted his resignation."

"Oh? Has he?"

"Just a moment ago," Jin Ya confirmed.

"Has he completed his projects?"

"Yes, all done."

Yu Ting acknowledged with a quiet "hmm" but showed little interest. "Good riddance."

From a young age, Yu Ting had always been the well-known heiress of the Yu family, and she saw Yu Corporation as rightfully hers. Ever since taking over, she had asserted herself fiercely, naturally taking control of projects that Yu Hao had previously managed. With him, she made no attempt to hide her disdain, expressing it both openly and through decisive actions, taking over at every opportunity. The family patriarch remained silent, and Yu Hao didn't dare voice any complaints. Yu Ting had steadily pushed, removing his influence in the company, making it clear that she intended to force him out. His resignation, in fact, was a concession that saved him from further humiliation.