Chapter 55

The sound of “Yao Yao” was different from the voice Su Yao was accustomed to. It was extremely hoarse, even rough, like a rusty blade thrust into sand, the sound struggling in the throat.

Su Yao froze.

When Liang Chuyuan let go of her, she realized her eyes were moist, tears on the brink of falling. Her heart softened instantly, and he cradled her face, asking why she was crying.

The voice in her ear returned to normal, and Su Yao rubbed her ears vigorously, cautiously touching him. “Chuyuan… Did you just call me?”

Liang Chuyuan looked at her, seemingly confirming her guess, and called her again, “Yao Yao.”

Su Yao’s limbs went weak, a mix of shock and joy overwhelming her. The excessive stimulation almost made her unable to breathe, and she started to stutter, “C-c-can you talk now?”

Liang Chuyuan smiled gently, nodding, but then quickly shook his head. The situation was a bit complicated.

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Mbl bsvlz zsccu oypd’v vbl clpv rzynl vs vyzj. Fw Zys’p lxsvksdp olal qzwnvwyvkdt okzezu, yde rlsrzl olal pvyavkdt vs tzydnl shla. Fbl ralpple bla zkrp vstlvbla vs nyzx blaplzq esod, vbld tayccle Nkydt Ubwuwyd’p byde. “Nlv’p ts wrpvykap yde vyzj.”

Nkydt Ubwuwyd ytalle.

Mbl lzlhyvsa oldv pvayktbv vs vbl lktbvb qzssa, yde dlkvbla sq vblx prsjl ewakdt vbl fswadlu.

Jlnywpl Fw Zys dllele vs nyzx esod.

Xvblaokpl, pbl xktbv pnalyx kd y rwczkn rzynl.

Xdnl kd vbl assx, Fw Zys nswzed’v nsdvykd blaplzq. Fbl nzwdt vs Nkydt Ubwuwyd, yzxspv rzlyekdt, “Uyzz xl ytykd, rzlypl.”

Nkydt Ubwuwyd sczktle, “Zys Zys.”

Mlyap sq fsu qkzzle Fw Zys’p lulp, yde pbl zlydle wr vs jkpp bkx. “R’x fwpv ps byrru!”

Liang Chuyuan wiped the tears from her eyes, feeling somewhat reluctant to dampen her enthusiasm. But for now, he could only manage to say those two words.

However, just those two words exhausted all of his mental strength. So eager to be by her side, he immediately flew back to her, wanting to surprise her.

Su Yao’s smile hadn’t fully faded, and she didn’t quite understand Liang Chuyuan’s meaning. But she quickly realized the issue—

Since they met until now, Liang Chuyuan had only spoken “Yao Yao.” All other thoughts were still conveyed with his eyes, as usual.

“…What does this mean?” 

Liang Chuyuan remained calm, leading her to sit on the edge of the bed, and he poured some water.

Su Yao obediently drank the water.

Then Liang Chuyuan began to explain.

…

When Liang Chuyuan was six years old, his mother committed suicide in front of him due to depression. The young boy was so shocked that he fainted on the spot, and when he woke up, he had lost his voice.

He didn’t want to speak.

Because every time he opened his mouth, he would remember the last word he called out, “Mom,” without getting a response.

He was afraid that his voice would never be answered again.

This childhood memory had always been the biggest obstacle preventing Liang Chuyuan from speaking. Every time he thought about it, it was as painful as torture. After undergoing treatment, the one hour of being back to normal, he even felt like killing someone.

Now being able to speak was already a big step forward, and the road ahead would be relatively smoother, but it still required a lot of patience.

…If he wanted to say more in the future, he would have to practice slowly.

“So, you mean it’s still possible to recover, right?”

Complete recovery is probably not possible. The best outcome would be about seventy percent. With practice, though unable to speak at length, short sentences should be no problem.

“Well, that’s still great!” Su Yao, typically reserved, was already very satisfied. “So, how do we practice?”

Just spend more time talking to me.

“Is it that simple?”

Liang Chuyuan nodded. It’s just that simple.

She was his only breakthrough in overcoming his psychological barriers.

—

On the first night sharing a bed in Yun City, neither of them dreamt.

When Su Yao woke up, she subconsciously reached out to the spot beside her. Feeling the warmth of Liang Chuyuan’s chest under her hand, she opened her eyes and sighed in relief. It wasn’t a dream.

She had also woken Liang Chuyuan up with her touch.

Their eyes met.

Su Yao kissed his chin playfully. “Good morning.”

Liang Chuyuan opened his mouth but said nothing. His eyes looked dull and defeated as he gently touched Su Yao’s eyes. “Morning.”

Not wanting to see him despondent, Su Yao comforted him like she would a child. “It’s okay, it’s okay. Take it slow. I’m already happy that you can call my name.”

Seeing her soothing him like that, Liang Chuyuan’s brows relaxed slightly. He went along with her, “Yao Yao.”

It sounded much better than yesterday, at least not as awkward.

Su Yao sweetly responded and smiled, her eyes crescent-shaped like a waxing moon. “Let me pour you some water.”

“No need.” Liang Chuyuan pulled her back. “Just stay with me for a while.”

He had returned in a hurry, jet-lagged, with a slight headache.

“Okay.”

Su Yao snuggled into his arms, tilting her head slightly to look at his Adam’s apple, reaching out to touch it.

She found it quite beautiful.

“Hmm?” Liang Chuyuan emitted a muffled grunt.

Su Yao had a sudden realization and started squirming in his arms.

The calm lake was disturbed by a thrown pebble, ripples spreading everywhere. He lowered his gaze, unmoving.

But Su Yao paid no heed, stubbornly craning her neck and planting a kiss on his Adam’s apple.

Liang Chuyuan’s lips tightened, his eyes darkening completely.