Mute Beauty

Chapter 66: Restraint

Yu Ting repeated, "Throw the flowers away," irritation clear on her face as she stepped past Ran Ling, striding to the elevator and pressing the down button.

Ran Ling stood frozen, watching her retreating figure. She glanced down at the card, filled with well-wishes, that lay discarded on the floor. A sharp, needle-like pain stabbed her heart.

She snapped out of it quickly and hurried after Yu Ting, but the elevator doors had already closed. Yu Ting hadn't left any room for her to enter, her head lowered, avoiding even a glance in her direction.

Yu Ting was gone, distant and cold, like a stranger. It was as if she'd transformed overnight. Ran Ling's face went pale, lips drained of color. She leaned against the wall for support as the flowers slipped from her grip.

Ting-Ting... what happened to you? she thought, bewildered.

Everything had been fine just yesterday. They had been together as always, close and affectionate. That morning, Ting-Ting had messaged her before heading to work, and she'd replied quickly whenever Ran Ling texted her, even letting her know when she got busy. At lunch, she'd come home, and they'd spent the time embracing, kissing, lying together, and eventually napping side by side. Later, Ran Ling sat on her lap, playfully teaching her sign language. Each word learned was met with a kiss, though Yu Ting took liberties, drawing each kiss out so that more time was spent kissing than actually learning.

Everything felt normal. She was warm and attentive, but after they finished, she'd retreated to her study to work, coming to bed only when it was late. The only strange thing, if it could even be called that, happened then.

After her shower, she went to the balcony and had a cigarette. Ran Ling had worried, but Yu Ting only brushed it off in a flat tone, saying it was just work stress and not to dwell on it.

Even after she put out the cigarette and returned to bed, Yu Ting still seemed distant, not holding her as she usually did. Ran Ling thought she must have been exhausted and didn't want to crowd her, so she'd only held her arm. Ran Ling lay awake until midnight, silently wishing her a happy birthday before she finally drifted off to sleep.

Why did Ting-Ting say she never celebrates her birthday? she wondered. Why does she loathe it so much? Why has she suddenly changed?

Ran Ling had no answers.

The elevator hadn't arrived yet, so she pulled out her phone and tried calling Yu Ting, but it went straight to voicemail. Yu Ting was shutting her out, refusing to take her calls. The realization hit Ran Ling hard, her heart throbbing painfully as her breath caught.

At that moment, Jin Ya stepped out of her office next door and stood in the doorway, quietly observing the distraught woman.

Ran Ling noticed her, turning to meet her gaze. Jin Ya, seeing her tear-reddened eyes, finally broke the silence. "Her birthday... it's a nightmare for her."

Loneliness and loss—it was her nightmare too.

At 7 PM, the city of Yun was just beginning to darken, the first streetlights casting a warm glow, mingling with the last traces of the setting sun. The world was bustling, cars and people filling the streets with lively energy. People were clocking out, going home, buying groceries, or preparing dinner, and a rare, relaxed vibe filled the air.

In truth, Yu Ting's excuse about an evening business meeting had been a lie. She hadn't met any essential client, hadn't gone home, and hadn't gone to hear. Instead, she wandered into a bar, just a place where no one knew her, and ordered drinks.