Sounds of Silence: A Tale of a Girl Who Couldn't Hear

In A House

No one can truly forget their past angers and hatreds. Lin Xiao Yu held a grudge against her elder brother for some time and she felt the thirst for revenge often coming when she passed by his courtyard.

'You meant a lot to me but I meant nothing to you...do you take me as a fool?....you will regret the day you abandoned me....'

...

Under the stellar night, the white-dressed child was leaping through the air, alone with her thoughts. The child taken from her clan and meeting Xing Hua, the same female who burned up her family. Not only is she the remaining true survivor and descendant of her clan, but also the only hope to uphold justice.

'Why uphold justice....when I can seek revenge for those who've killed us...?...Mother...father....everyone....your death will not be in vain....let this filial daughter seek compensation for your deaths!!'

...

Lin Xiao Yu struggled to open her eyes, the smell of burning candles heavy in the room. She coughed, opening her heavy eyelids to see around the room. Her back ached (from when Xing Huo knocked her unconscious) and her stomach growled from starvation. How many years has it been since she last ate a delicious full meal?

She already knew that she was in her room anymore. The extravagant wood flavor, the vibrant cinnabar red candles of pomegranate scent, and the richness in colors, spirit, and bedsheets were enough to tell her she was in the Lin Manor. 

'If this is a dream....I don't want to wake up....'

But it wasn't a dream. 

A maidservant entered the room, dressing in humble clothes. Her hands were in a light pink tinge, had an out-of-breath expression, and a posture showing a mixture of exhaustion, pain, and lack of sleep.

"Young Miss, this servant Bai Ye is here to serve you," she said in a low voice, unaware that Lin Xiao Yu could not hear. Xiao Yu responded with an emotionless face, staring at Bai Ye's moving lips.

Upon not receiving any reactions, Bai Ye repeated herself. Still no reaction. She proceeded to touch Lin Xiao Yu lightly and the girl responded by immediately pulling her hands back.

There was a loud creak, signaling someone had entered. A handsome cold-faced man entered the room, still looking just as emotionless as Lin Xiao Yu. She stared at his mouth, his moving lips with no sound coming out.

"How is she, Bai Ye?" the man inquired. 

Bai Ye responded, "This Young Miss did not say anything when I came to serve her. It is possible she may be mute, but it is rather strange. She is mute, but why didn't she respond upon hearing my words?"

'Mute girl not responding...? Does she intend to play some nasty tricks?'

Lin Xiao Yu gestured over to her ears, inclining that she was deaf. She forced her voice out, causing her to cough and wheeze slightly. She continued this action of gesturing over her ears.

"Young Miss, are you...deaf?" Bai Ye said, it was a question that Xiao Yu could not answer. 

"She is indeed deaf, not mute. Bai Ye, serve her some food and show hospitality, I have some matters to tend to," ordered the man as he left. Bai Ye nodded and helped Lin Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu grabbed Bai Ye's hands and started to write 'hungry' but Bai Ye immediately pulled back her hand flustered. 

'How can I tell Miss that I am illiterate...?'

Bai Ye waved her hands erratically, trying her best to explain that she could not read. 

'So, she cannot read. It's so hard to communicate with someone because of my inability to hear...'

Lin Xiao Yu's face fell into an expression of emotionless sadness, like a depressed look. How she longed to hear again, hear the voices of the maid, hear the sounds of nature, and feel more connected towards the world. 

...

(Back at the Lin Manor...)

"WHAT!?!?! Repeat that!" Madam Lin thundered, shattering her teacup.

"It's true! Young Miss Xiao is missing!" the maid trembled.

"Such a bad time, too! Now how can we marry her to General Li'e now! Where did that little troublemaker brat go, going missing at such a time like this! It would be a disgrace and offensive towards the general if I sent my own daughter Lin Lan Wei in her place. Madam Li would certainly not be satisfied, with the wedding date approaching fast!" vented Madam Li as she swerved a hand, dismissing the maids.

"Madam, Young Miss Lan is here!" informed one of the maids. 

Lin Lan Wei carried a face of sadness, disapproval, anger, and hate, stifling her beautiful face. She was trembling over with anger and she clenched her fists. She ran over with speed, looking real angry.

"Mother! How could you let that bitch still be engaged to Brother Li'e!" raged Lan Wei with jealousy coloring her face under a veil of darkness.

Madam Lin calmed the twitches in her face, trying to breathe slow. She responded, "Lan'er, there is little Mother can do right now."

"What do you mean!?!? Brother Li'e-!"

"Always about General Li'e! Are you not aware that when Madam Li agrees to the marriage, there is little we can do to change the bride! Think more broadly, Lan'er! Not only is Lin Xiao Yu missing from the mansion, the wedding date is approaching! Why don't you marry someone else but General Li'e?" Madam Lin retorted. Lan Wei teared up at her mother's shout.

"Mo...mother, you...you...y-you shouted...at....L-Lan'er....L-Lan'er m-m-marries n-no o-one buh-buh-but Bro-bruh-brother L-Leh-Li'e-uh...!....waaaah!!!!" Lan Wei cried, forcing tears to come out. She proceeded to leave but upon her mother's call, Lan Wei turned to face her mother.

She had learned this trick for years and seldom used it except in special situations. She would cry innocently like an angel to win her mother's sympathy and sometimes used it in public too, to humiliate others and give an innocent and pure-bred hearted look towards her reputation. It worked like a charm on her mother.

"Lan'er, you know Mother loves you most. I'll prepare a carriage for you and me to visit and have a chat with Madam Li and see what we can do. If possible, I'll leave damaging Lin Xiao Yu's reputation further to extremes to you and see if we can change Lin Xiao Yu to you."

Lan Wei smiled with glowing happiness. Of course, only Mother would love her most! Lin Xiao Yu could not even compare to even a hair on Lan Wei! Her tricks worked and if their plan succeeded, she would now be able to marry General Li'e.

Whispering to her maid instructions, Lan Wei held a triumphed look.

'Just you wait, Lin Xiao Yu! Will make you regret for trying to steal Brother Li'e from me!'

...

An update! Sorry if it's late, I'll try to fix my update schedule! Thx for your support! Also, a little something...

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