TLDMDTBS Chapter 3

Chapter 3

That night, Ji Ruan couldn’t sleep.

He always thought he had accepted his current hearing impairment well. Many times he would voluntarily remove his cochlear implant to enjoy the quiet.

But when the quiet became something he had no choice but to endure, it made him a bit anxious.

His right ear had lost almost all sound due to the lack of the cochlear implant, yet his left ear could still hear some sounds. However, these sounds in the deep night became abstract and fragmented, like ghosts whispering, disturbing Ji Ruan and making him unable to rest.

He had clearly slept well before when he took off the implant. Ji Ruan couldn’t understand why just stretching out his hand to touch that small black external device could make him feel so uneasy.

Perhaps for someone with hearing impairment, any hearing aid was as addictive as a substance.

The next day, Ji Ruan got up very early. In the mirror while washing up, his eyes looked dark and haggard, like a frostbitten eggplant, devoid of any spirit.

After a night passed, he had a bruise on his collarbone and ribs from being pounced on by the cat—sore and painful. He couldn’t see his back himself and didn’t know if it was blue or purple.

Ji Ruan sighed inwardly. He didn’t have many clothes, and after searching for a while, he could only find a small round-necked T-shirt to change into, barely covering his collarbone.

Perhaps due to his physical condition, his health often showed on his face. Whenever he felt even a bit unwell, he would look extremely haggard.

For example, now, Ji Ruan knew he didn’t have any major issues, but he looked as if he had been exploited for a whole month in a 996 work culture.

Ji Ruan stared at himself in the mirror for a while. In the end, he grabbed a basin of hot water, wet a towel, and rubbed his face vigorously, at least managing to steam his cheeks to a slightly rosy color.

It seemed that someone had arrived in the room. Ji Ruan feared that, with his hearing issues, he wouldn’t hear anyone knocking, so he didn’t close the door today. He put down the towel and stepped out of the bathroom, just in time to bump into Gu Xiuyi and Song Tezhu, who was following behind him.

Gu Xiuyi was already dressed neatly, in a white shirt and dark gray suit, looking clean, tidy, and graceful.

Ji Ruan’s hair was damp and sticking to his forehead. He casually ruffled it a bit and walked towards the two near the door, smiling symbolically, “Good morning.”

Song Tezhu immediately returned a proper smile, “Good morning, Mr. Ji.”

Gu Xiuyi didn’t speak, his gaze lingering on Ji Ruan’s face for a moment before shifting to his hair. The kid had woken up with his hair all messy, and the few damp strands on his forehead made him look quite disheveled.

Gu Xiuyi pressed his lips together tightly, trying to hold back for a moment but ultimately couldn’t resist, stepping closer and reaching out to smooth Ji Ruan’s unkempt hair.

While doing so, he stated seriously, “Even if you’re not well, you need to maintain your best image in front of others.”

He was close enough that his words reached Ji Ruan’s left ear without any hindrance. Although not entirely clear, Ji Ruan could at least understand it perfectly.

His tone was like a leader inspecting during a morning meeting.

Ji Ruan, who had never worked before, was suddenly subjected to such treatment, instantly feeling absurd and speechless.

But Song Tezhu, standing behind Gu Xiuyi, nodded in agreement earnestly, looking so serious that Ji Ruan suspected that if he had a notebook in his hand, he would immediately jot down Gu Xiuyi’s classic quotes for memorization.

Had they lost their minds from being overworked?

Ji Ruan didn’t say much more. He returned to the bathroom to finish his washing and tidying up. Once he was dressed and packed his documents, he went downstairs with Gu Xiuyi.

The two walked side by side but didn’t speak. Ji Ruan hesitated for a moment and opened his mouth, “My cochlear…”

Gu Xiuyi, walking on Ji Ruan’s right side, had just heard him and was about to reply, but paused before stepping back to Ji Ruan’s left ear and said, “Let’s go to the hospital now and get you a new external device.”

Ji Ruan hadn’t expected this answer. His eyes widened slightly, “What about the marriage certificate?”

Gu Xiuyi took out his phone and scrolled through it, saying, “I asked the doctor. It won’t take long to get the external device. We can go to the civil affairs bureau once it’s done.”

They definitely weren’t very convenient for communication right now.

After all, Ji Ruan could hear some things, but sending text messages on the phone felt rather inadequate. Speaking required Gu Xiuyi to be very close.

Even after just saying two sentences, Ji Ruan’s ears felt itchy from Gu Xiuyi’s breath, and just tilting his head slightly, he could clearly see the lines at the corners of Gu Xiuyi’s lips.

This was not the polite distance one would have in a contractual marriage.

Ji Ruan silently accepted Gu Xiuyi’s decision and smiled, as if relieved: “Thank you.”

Only then did Gu Xiuyi look up from his phone and glance at Ji Ruan.

He was tall and close to Ji Ruan. The hallway was dimly lit, and the glow from the phone screen highlighted his already defined jawline, giving him an indifferent yet sharp appearance.

Ji Ruan couldn’t comprehend his expression.

Gu Xiuyi only looked at Ji Ruan for a fleeting moment before setting his phone down and averting his gaze, saying flatly, “I said there’s no need to be so polite. It’s my cat making a fuss and hurting you. I should apologize to you.”

Hurt him?

Ji Ruan was momentarily dazed, then reacted and lowered his head, noticing that his collar was indeed slightly askew, revealing a small bruise.

So Gu Xiuyi was looking at this?

Without waiting for Ji Ruan to respond, Gu Xiuyi had already walked far away. Ji Ruan stared at his back for a while before not thinking much of it, standing still and casually adjusting his collar before following him downstairs.

·

One hour later, private hospital waiting room.

Ji Ruan had finished his routine checkup and was sitting on the sofa with Song Ling, waiting. The nurse crouched next to Ji Ruan and gently asked, “Would you like a glass of milk?”

The pretty girl spoke softly while smiling, making Ji Ruan momentarily think he had walked into a pediatric ward by mistake.

Song Ling chuckled beside him and teased, “Lily, be normal; he’s an adult now.”

The nurse named Lily shot him a sideways glance. “Can’t I tell? Stop nagging.” She then turned back to Ji Ruan with a bright smile, “Would you like milk?”

Ji Ruan smiled faintly and shook his head gently, “No, I just need plain water.”

“Plain water, got it. I’ll get you some. Wait a moment~” Lily stood up, glancing back several times as she headed towards the water dispenser.

Song Ling waved his arm to rush her away, “That’s enough, don’t stare at him too much.” He then turned to Ji Ruan, “Don’t mind her; those little girls just like how good-looking you are.”

Song Ling didn’t stand as close as Gu Xiuyi did, but he intentionally slowed down his speech for clarity. Ji Ruan could mostly understand him, so he smiled in response and casually glanced around, saying, “Do you all know each other?”

In Ji Ruan’s view, a hospital was merely a place to get treated. He held a deep-seated resentment towards this place, even during his previous severe illness.

But upon arriving here today, Song Ling behaved very familiar with everything. The little nurses coming and going greeted him, and Gu Xiuyi was chatting with a doctor in a white coat not far off.

Song Ling followed Ji Ruan’s gaze and laughed, “Yes, that’s the doctor who will see your ears, Li Sui’an, a friend of our boss.”

Ji Ruan raised an eyebrow slightly, indeed finding it amusing that the boss had his own doctor friend. He chuckled softly to himself, “What a friend…”

Song Ling caught that remark but was unaware of Ji Ruan’s true thoughts. He thought Ji Ruan was just curious, so he quickly added:

“Yeah, in fact, the entire hospital is under our group. Over the years, as the old man—oh, that’s Gu’s grandfather—has had health problems, his ears have also gone bad, so he goes to Dr. Li for checkups. Our boss is quite filial; he runs to the hospital every few days and takes care of him personally. Hence, they’ve become quite familiar…”

As Song Ling kept going, Ji Ruan felt increasingly off, as if he were being sold something, the main product being Gu Xiuyi himself.

This bizarre sensation made Ji Ruan involuntarily furrow his brow, trying to interrupt, “Song Tezhu…”

“What?”

Ji Ruan forced a smile, “You don’t have to tell me so many details.”

“Eh?” Song Ling’s eyes widened in surprise. “The boss has said the same thing before!”

Ji Ruan didn’t understand, “Why did he say that…”

“—Ji Ruan.” Gu Xiuyi’s voice came from behind, interrupting Song Ling, who was about to respond.

Ji Ruan turned around to see Gu Xiuyi approaching with the doctor in a white coat, gently supporting himself off the sofa to stand.

“Let me introduce,” Gu Xiuyi stood in the middle, “Li Sui’an, your attending physician. Ji Ruan, my spouse.”

The contract had clearly stated that the marriage was public. The doctor, Li, obviously knew this as well, showing no surprise and casually addressed Ji Ruan, “Congratulations! You’re truly beautiful. You make a perfect pair; it’s simply a match made in heaven!”

Dr. Li smiled, exposing a full set of eight big teeth, as if sincerely blessing them on their wedding.

Ji Ruan felt a bit dazed, unsure whether the doctor genuinely thought they were in love or if he was just having a laugh.

However, Gu Xiuyi didn’t express anything, leaving Ji Ruan no choice but to continue the facade with a fake smile, replying, “Thank you, you really have a way with words.”

Lily brought over cups of water for everyone. Dr. Li nudged Gu Xiuyi’s elbow playfully and jokingly said in a loud voice, “Are you preparing for the wedding? When are you getting the certificate?”

Ji Ruan lowered his head to sip water, thinking Dr. Li was indeed talking to him, and blurted out, “Soon.”

“Cough—!”

Lily choked on her drink.

“Splash—”

Dr. Li accidentally spilled water all over the floor.

Ji Ruan was suddenly hit by the splashed water, startled, and bumped into Gu Xiuyi’s arm, who subtly supported him.

Dr. Li didn’t expect this little sister-in-law to be so wild, speaking softly yet emanating the vibes of a main wife.

“Wow, wow, wow—so fast?!”

Ji Ruan noticed the mess on the floor and realized he had spoken incorrectly. It seemed that Gu Xiuyi hadn’t informed this doctor friend that they were about to get their marriage certificate.

But now that the words had been spoken, retreating was difficult. Ji Ruan could only stiffen his resolve and continue, “Um… I brought the household register.”

The two cleaning up looked even more shocked.

Gu Xiuyi observed the entire situation and, sensing it was the right moment to conclude the conversation, led Ji Ruan towards the examination room: “It’s not too quick; the original plan was to get the certificate yesterday.”

Dr. Li helped Lily clean up the spilled water, washed his hands, straightened his white coat, and wiped his sweat: “Decisiveness is your style…”

He took a deep breath and looked at Ji Ruan: “Let’s check your ears. Little Ruan, you don’t know sign language, do you?”

Ji Ruan shook his head, thought for a moment, and said, “I’m not congenitally deaf; it was due to an illness in childhood that I didn’t go to the hospital in time, um… I got a cochlear implant soon afterward, so I can hear. I never specifically learned sign language.”

As a family member, Gu Xiuyi sat beside Ji Ruan and, for the first time, listened to the youth speak so much.

Previously, Ji Ruan would only utter a few words at a time, not revealing anything odd, but when he spoke longer sentences without the hearing aid, his speech became somewhat fragmented.

Gu Xiuyi noticed him bow his head several times, as if testing the tone of his words, elongating the end of his sentences, making him seem even younger.

Dr. Li nodded in understanding and added, “I checked just now, and your cochlea is functioning well. We will quickly get you a new external device. Once it’s activated, you might feel dizzy or uncomfortable. If it’s too unbearable, we can pause and continue later, okay?”

Ji Ruan slightly tilted his head, watching Dr. Li’s lips, listening very attentively to ensure he understood the other party’s meaning before nodding: “I understand.”

Even though he was mentally prepared, in the moment of activation, Ji Ruan was still shocked.

The skin behind his ear connected to the processor, and through wires linked to Dr. Li’s programmer, Ji Ruan wasn’t sure what Dr. Li pressed, but suddenly there was a surge of electricity coursing through his scalp. Ji Ruan’s neck instantly erupted in goosebumps, and the hairs on his body stood on end.

Then, a rustling sound began to filter into his ears, like the rushing tides, stimulating his senses and making Ji Ruan dizzy.

Dr. Li was adjusting something, and the sounds in Ji Ruan’s ears kept changing. Ji Ruan gradually felt as if he was seasick, accompanied by headaches and waves of nausea surging up his chest.

He tried hard to suppress it, barely halting the urge to vomit, but the headache and dizziness were unbearable, escalating alongside the mechanical noises in his ears.

Gu Xiuyi could only watch as Ji Ruan’s complexion worsened. Initially, Ji Ruan could still provide feedback to the sounds under Dr. Li’s guidance, but soon his hands began to tremble.

After hesitating for a moment, he bent close to Ji Ruan’s left ear and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Dr. Li noticed something was off and quickly asked, “Not adjusting well? Would you like to take a break?”

Ji Ruan was channeling all his energy to resist the discomfort and had just managed to glance at Gu Xiuyi when another wave of nausea hit him hard.

In the blink of an eye, Ji Ruan’s body stiffened momentarily, then he forcefully ripped off the processor behind his ear, covering his mouth and suppressing a dry heave back into his throat.