Mute Beauty

Chapter 104: Blush

Two weeks later, Yu Ting was ready for discharge. Ran Ling arranged for her to stay at a private recovery center: a standalone villa with a personal doctor and full medical equipment, surrounded by a garden with flowers and greenery. Ran Ling even brought over their two cats from home, coaxing them to cheer Yu Ting up.

During this time, Yu Ting showed no response to Ran Ling, staying silent and only occasionally giving her a hard glare when being tended to. But when their "kids" arrived, her attitude softened—she'd reach out to pet the cats' heads and play with them using a teaser wand.

Both cats Ran Ling chose were affectionate. They played until tired, then wanted to curl up in Yu Ting's lap for a nap. But Ran Ling, ever the vigilant caretaker, was strict about not letting their ten-pound bodies lie on Yu Ting, ushering them outside to play in the yard instead.

Once again, it was just Yu Ting in the room.

Yu Ting was dissatisfied that Ran Ling had taken the cats away like that. Why couldn't they nap in her lap? After all, her stomach wasn't injured.

That self-assured woman.

Irritated, Yu Ting got out of bed. She'd been able to walk for a while now but hadn't been willing to move around much. After all this time taking medication, her mood was somewhat improved, and she was feeling well enough today to venture out and get some fresh air.

Stepping out of her room, she saw through the glass door into the backyard where Ran Ling sat on a rocking chair, dressed in a sleek, deep-V black dress, holding the two large cats while casually feeding them a cat treat. After feeding them, she let them cuddle in her lap, looking every bit like a villainous stepmother working to please someone else's children.

Yu Ting couldn't help but feel aggrieved—why didn't Ran Ling let her feed the cats? She'd taken them away, stolen the good parts, and now sat there looking like the picture of warmth.

As she opened the glass door to step outside, she heard Ran Ling softly whisper to the cats, "Be good, my babies. Listen, Ting is still sick, so... no cuddling with her just yet."

Yu Ting froze, eyes wide with surprise.

She... she could talk after all.

Why hadn't she said a word since that first time in the ICU, when she'd called out "Ting Ting" twice? She'd only used sign language since then, and this inconsistency had been gnawing at Yu Ting—she didn't want to ask directly, but the thought still made her feel unbalanced. Ran Ling was willing to talk to the cats, but not to her?

With a frown, Yu Ting swallowed her disappointment and silently closed the glass door, returning to her bed. She lay down and closed her eyes, her expression as bleak as if she hadn't taken her medication.

Ran Ling came back into the room after a long while. Assuming Yu Ting was asleep, she walked quietly over to the bed, ready to close the curtains, when Yu Ting's eyes opened again.

Yu Ting's gaze was cold, watching her.

Realizing she was awake but not happy about something, Ran Ling signed to her: Would you like some cake? I made it this morning and left it to chill in the fridge.

Usually, Yu Ting wouldn't respond to questions like these; she wouldn't even nod or shake her head. Ran Ling often had to gauge her wishes through her expressions. But this time, to Ran Ling's surprise, Yu Ting replied coldly, "Why are you pretending? You can talk, can't you?"

Ran Ling froze, momentarily surprised but pleased that Yu Ting had actually spoken to her. She forced a smile and signed back: I thought... you wouldn't like my voice.