Mute Beauty

Chapter 108: Confession

Jiang Wan had always felt an attraction toward Yu Ting.

She'd followed Yu Ting's Weibo account early on, finding both her demeanor and appearance captivating. Jiang Wan even visited Hear a few times in the hope of meeting the owner herself, but she hadn't been able to meet her yet. Recently, through work, she'd met Qi Min and confided her interest in Yu Ting. At that time, Qi Min had told her it was unlikely with Yu Ting, but now, out of the blue, she had called Jiang Wan over, saying, "Yu Ting's here. You might get your chance."

But now, observing her, Jiang Wan thought it didn't look like much of a chance at all.

Yu Ting wasn't as outgoing as people said, nor was she effortlessly social at the table. Instead, she sat quietly by herself, responding indifferently and seeming distracted.

It was the height of summer. She wore a black-and-white long-sleeved shirt, the sleeves rolled up to reveal smooth, pale forearms. Her face was mature and striking, with a touch of sharpness in her brows, lending her an air of elegance. The top two buttons of her collar were undone, revealing her collarbone.

With her uninjured right hand, she occasionally glanced at her phone, seemingly waiting for a message, entirely disconnected from the lively atmosphere around her. Her indifference lent her a cool detachment—close yet feeling distant, almost unreachable.

Jiang Wan was drawn to this aloof quality, though she regretted that Yu Ting wasn't interested in her.

Jiang Wan watched, feeling a pang of disappointment, and stopped trying to make conversation, drinking quietly.

They sat this way for over an hour, until it was close to midnight. Qi Min, noticing that Yu Ting's mind was elsewhere and considering her health, suggested ending the gathering and offered to drive her home.

Since it had been a while since Yu Ting last visited Hear, she stopped by the front desk to check in on work matters. By then, Jiang Wan and the others had already left. Standing beside her, Qi Min crossed her arms, looking at her with mild exasperation. "You said you wanted to hang out, but you barely said a word to her. Way to be aloof."

"I only called her over because I heard you were single again," Qi Min added in mock reproach. "Now you're making me look bad." Yu Ting shot her a quick glance, then turned to walk outside, glancing around without any expression. "That was a bit presumptuous."

"Ugh," Qi Min sighed, following her. Yu Ting suddenly stopped, causing Qi Min to almost walk into her. "Still thinking of Ran Ling, huh? Why'd you stop? Hmm?"

"Ran Ling?"

Outside the bar, in the neon-lit quiet of a bustling alley, stood a slender, graceful woman.

Ran Ling had hurried over, without time to fix herself up, wearing a gentle, flowing dress. She stood tall in the night, her deeply expressive eyes shimmering with unsaid emotions as she gazed at Yu Ting. There was a restrained intensity in her stare, something that drew the heart yet felt fragile and transient.

No one knew how long she'd been standing there or waiting for Yu Ting.

Yu Ting stared at her, momentarily dazed.

Qi Min was stunned for a second, then went off to the car, rolling down the window and calling out, "Ah Ting, coming?"

As her friend, she felt she should be a support for Yu Ting in front of an ex. Still, Qi Min left the choice to Yu Ting without pushing.

Hearing Yu Ting was about to leave, Ran Ling, who had been silently watching, became even more subdued, holding her emotions back. Yu Ting looked into her eyes, sensing that she was silently commanding her to stay.