Ever since witnessing his mother jump from the fourth floor at the age of six, Liang Chuyuan had never spoken again.
The Liang family had a deep heritage, with countless achievements passed down through generations. Despite the numerous elites in Wen City, the Liang family still held a prominent position.
As a member of the Liang family, Liang Chuyuan’s inability to speak was equivalent to voluntarily giving up his inheritance rights. Everyone said that Liang Chucang, the eldest son of the Liang family, had taken a huge advantage effortlessly by snatching away his brother’s share.
Once Liang Father confirmed that Liang Chuyuan truly couldn’t speak, he decisively sent him abroad.
Due to his unique circumstances, Liang Chuyuan, who was abandoned overseas, couldn’t attend regular classes in a large environment like ordinary children. He had a specialized private tutor, one-on-one guidance, and a spacious room where there were no others except him and the teacher.
For twenty years, the number of people he had contact with could be counted on one hand, let alone close friends. Liang Chuyuan’s life was dull and devoid of any pleasure… except for the frequent visits from his brother.
When Liang Chucang came to the country, it was the happiest moment for Liang Chuyuan.
Outsiders spread rumors that the two sons of the Liang family had a tense relationship, incompatible like water and fire. Only they knew how good their relationship was, so good that they regarded each other as their only family.
The Liang family was large and influential, but the concept of family affection was thin. In their bloodline, warmth was nearly non-existent. With open contention and hidden strife, everyone’s thoughts were hidden in the dark, making it difficult to tell if they were human or ghost beneath their veneer.
The two brothers, who were most misunderstood by rumors, had the best relationship.
Recently, major events were happening one after another, and the upper circles of Wen City were undergoing a change of power. Liang Chucang completely took control of the final say of the Liang family. His first act was to call Liang Chuyuan back to Wen City.
“I promised to bring you back openly and honestly.”
After Liang Chuyuan returned to the country, Liang Chucang knew he liked painting, so he specially arranged a quiet and good location for him to set up a studio for leisure.
Sometimes, Liang Chuyuan felt fortunate to have such a brother.
He had never cared about inheritance rights. For him, freedom was his destination. He didn’t feel the slightest grievance in his current life; instead, he enjoyed it.
Zhao Qing, whom he had just met today, was introduced by Liang Mo. Zhao Qing was a Chinese American interested in Tibetan paintings and planned to hold an art exhibition at the Century Tower. He wanted Liang Chuyuan’s help for reference, so they arranged to meet at a Southeast Asian restaurant.
However, the chosen location had too much foot traffic and was too noisy, unsuitable for conversation. So Zhao Qing suggested changing the venue at the last minute, and Liang Chuyuan naturally had no objection, following him to a western restaurant across the street.
The meeting process went quite smoothly.
Although Liang Chuyuan couldn’t speak, his hands were quick, and his drawings were lively. The focal points he mentioned always made Zhao Qing’s eyes light up.
“Looking forward to our next meeting,” Liang Chuyuan smiled and made a gesture.
Zhao Qing guessed, “Is that ‘me too’?”
Liang Chuyuan nodded.
Zhao Qing laughed and mimicked the gesture he had just seen, “Got it.”
After bidding farewell to Zhao Qing, Liang Chuyuan crossed the street to buy a cup of coffee. But as soon as he took the first sip, he frowned.
It was too bitter.
The coffee made by the bookstore with the blank signboard was much better.
After taking a few steps, Liang Chuyuan stopped. He had a memory of someone.
In the Southeast Asian restaurant, that woman with beautiful eyes.
She said she could hear his thoughts.
Absurd yet astonishing.
*
Dessert shop.
Standing in front of the counter, Su Yao subconsciously asked Liang Chuyuan, “What do you want?”
With both the cashier and Liang Chuyuan’s eyes on her, Su Yao received a calm look from Liang Chuyuan.
Strawberry snowflake, with an extra serving, please.
He liked sweet things.
“Oh, right, I know what you want to eat,” Su Yao forced herself to appear normal and redirected the conversation.
She lowered her head to place the order, “One serving of strawberry and one serving of matcha. Extra whipped cream for the strawberry.”
Su Yao paid the bill because her phone with the mobile payment was quicker.
After receiving the order number, Su Yao and Liang Chuyuan found a corner table and sat down.
There was a moment of silence.
As the time for the desserts to arrive felt long, Su Yao bit her lip and decided to break the silence, “Before me, could anyone hear what you were thinking?”
Liang Chuyuan shook his head, indicating no.
Su Yao was puzzled, “Then why can I hear it?” She had lived a conventional life for twenty-seven years and had never imagined she possessed such an extraordinary ability.
Can you only hear mine?
“Yeah, the first time I heard it, I thought I was hallucinating.”
Liang Chuyuan was also experiencing this situation for the first time. He couldn’t provide Su Yao with an accurate answer. In fact, nobody could.
He tapped the table, signaling Su Yao, who had lowered her head, to look into his eyes.
Your name is Su Yao, which Yao?
“Wood and sun, the silent Yao.”
It sounds nice.
Su Yao found that when facing Liang Chuyuan’s eyes, her willpower became fragile and easily broken.
“Do you know what your voice sounds like?” she asked.
Liang Chuyuan opened his eyes slightly, asking, “What kind of sound?”
Su Yao smiled, returning his earlier compliment, “It sounds nice.”
Liang Chuyuan was taken aback, then smiled.
With this smile, the sense of strangeness between them vanished.
…
Over dessert, Su Yao and Liang Chuyuan exchanged contact information.
It was nice to meet you. I don’t have many friends, and you’re the most special one.
Su Yao blinked, “You’re special too.”
In theory, having one’s thoughts exposed isn’t something to be happy about. But Liang Chuyuan…
After spending the evening together, Su Yao found his thoughts exceptionally pure. He was attentive and sincere in conversations, focused without distraction or discomforting thoughts. The information conveyed by his eyes was concise and transparent, as if filtered, with a high degree of consistency between surface and heart.
Such a person, although unable to speak, lived with integrity and openness. How could he not be special?
Almost perfect, even.
Later, Su Yao learned that Liang Chuyuan’s demeanor was shaped by his environment.
Where do you live? I’ll take you back.
“You just returned to the country, do you know the way?”
“I have navigation. And my sense of direction is pretty good.”
Su Yao raised an eyebrow and gave her address, “Is it on your way?”
Liang Chuyuan was surprised.
You also live in Biya Bay?