Mute Beauty

Chapter 79: The Wardrobe

Yu Ting was taken to the hospital by the staff from Hear.

She remembered it vividly—collapsing, someone helping her up, getting her into a taxi. She felt nauseated in the car, overwhelmed by the mingling smells of cheap air freshener, leather, and human odors that made her stomach churn.

She was brought to the emergency room, where they ran several tests. Now she lay on a hospital bed with an IV drip, slipping in and out of consciousness until morning.

She couldn't recall if she'd slept at all. It felt like she was trapped somewhere between dreams and reality, endlessly looping through disorganized thoughts and unable to break free. She felt exhausted and spent.

Over and over, she dreamed of Ran Ling. Her image drifted close, only to fade away again, always just out of reach.

...

"What happened to her?"

"I'm not really sure. She said she was busy a while back, but after that, it was impossible to get a hold of her. Last night she got wasted at Hear, and they brought her in. I only just heard about it myself."

In the hospital room, Qi Min explained to Jin Ya, who had just arrived, with a sigh.

Jin Ya glanced at the frail, resting woman on the bed, then asked, "Where's Ran Ling?"

Qi Min looked puzzled too. "Good question—where's Ran Ling?"

"It's odd that she's not here when Yu Ting's this ill. Something must have happened between them," Qi Min speculated.

Jin Ya simply replied, "Who knows?"

Yu Ting had never mentioned anything.

With the conversation exhausted, the two fell silent.

This rare moment of calm between her and Jin Ya made Qi Min a bit uneasy. She wanted to be closer but kept her tone gentle. "Xiao Ya...aren't you busy today?"

"Not busy."

"Oh... Well, if you have things to do, you can head back. I'll stay and look after her. I'll tell her you came by when she wakes up, so she can keep that in mind and go a bit easier on you. You're always so busy—too much work will wear you out..."

"No need," Jin Ya interrupted.

Her voice was as flat and cold as ever, distant enough to put miles between them.

Qi Min clamped up, stifling a sigh. At least she hadn't stopped her from calling her Xiao Ya.

They both settled onto the sofa, waiting. Jin Ya busied herself with her phone, working, while Qi Min checked her phone occasionally, casting glances at Yu Ting—and more often at Jin Ya.

This was fine, too. Sitting together, even without talking, felt right. Qi Min was usually the loud, playful type, but somehow Jin Ya's presence never made her feel bored. It was like this when they were kids, and it hadn't changed. She still liked being with her, even in silence.

Although she was itching to know what had happened between Yu Ting and Ran Ling, she hoped Yu Ting would sleep a little longer.

It wasn't a serious condition—just a high fever. But going out drinking while sick was reckless; it had brought her here, after all.

Was it a fight? A breakup? A divorce?

Watching her pale face, Qi Min thought it was the first time she'd seen her look so defeated.

...

When Yu Ting finally woke, her head throbbed painfully. Sunlight streamed in, making her squint. The sound of the door suddenly opening startled her, and she turned to see who had entered.