Over these days, she learned that the old woman’s surname was Xu, a widow for many years, running the only small convenience store on the street to make a living.
She also heard from the neighbors that Mrs. Xu had nearly spent all her savings to treat her.
Everyone in the neighborhood knew about Jiang Nuan’s condition of waking up but being unable to speak.
Perhaps because of this knowledge, some people felt free to speak recklessly even in her presence.
One day, sitting by the door, Jiang Nuan overheard two women gossiping.
“Old Xu has gone mad, thinking this woman will take care of her in her old age?”
“Yeah, look at her, she doesn’t seem like a decent person. They’ll end up with nothing.”
Sitting by the door, Jiang Nuan looked at the two women with a serious gaze.
The two women glared at her, “What are you looking at!”
“Wan Wan, come help me see how to use this?”
Mrs. Xu’s voice came from inside the house.
Jiang Nuan got up and went inside.
Recently, the town had launched a tourism plan, attracting many young visitors.
The convenience store’s business had picked up, and Mrs. Xu kept hearing customers asking for coffee, which they didn’t have. She had somehow bought a coffee machine, which she was now fiddling with.
Jiang Nuan thought that sometimes Mrs. Xu had a younger mindset than she did.
As she entered, the TV was on, showing some news.
Jiang Nuan glanced at it unintentionally and stopped in her tracks.
In the bottom right corner of the news, a missing person notice was scrolling:
Jiang Nuan, twenty-six years old, went missing on November 17, 2021. A reward of fifty thousand yuan is offered for any information leading to her whereabouts.
Chapter 19
Jiang Nuan suddenly picked up the remote and turned off the TV.
Mrs. Xu looked up from the manual, adjusting her reading glasses, “Wan Wan, what’s wrong?”
Jiang Nuan didn’t answer, cold sweat slowly seeping from her forehead, as if a giant hand was choking her throat, making breathing difficult.
In her daze, she heard Mrs. Xu’s voice, “Wan Wan, what’s wrong with you? Don’t scare me, someone, please help!”
Jiang Nuan lost consciousness.
When she woke up again, she was lying in the town’s clinic, the smell of disinfectant making her feel nauseous.
She vaguely heard Mrs. Xu’s voice, but it was distant, and she couldn’t make out the words.
A young nurse came in, saw that she was awake, gave a shy smile, and approached her bed to adjust the IV bottle.
“Mrs. Xu is outside talking to the doctor. You can go home after this IV drip.”
Jiang Nuan nodded, “Thank you.”
Both were stunned after she spoke.
The news that Mrs. Xu had taken in a beautiful but mute girl had circulated throughout the town.
But now, Jiang Nuan’s inability to speak had been disproven by the person herself.
The next moment, the young nurse rushed out. Soon, Mrs. Xu was pulled in by her.
“Grandma, your girl can speak now!”
Mrs. Xu was skeptical, “Really? Don’t lie to me.”
Jiang Nuan opened her mouth, “Grandma.”
Mrs. Xu’s mouth gaped open, then her face wrinkled into a smile, “Oh, our Wan Wan can speak now.”
Jiang Nuan felt a bit embarrassed; she was so old but was being treated like a child by Mrs. Xu.
It was somewhat overwhelming, but at the same time, a warm current seemed to flow through her, reaching every part of her body.
Mrs. Xu, thinking of something, leaned closer and asked, “Wan Wan, what’s your name? Where do you live? You…”
Should you go back?
Seeing Mrs. Xu’s cautious look, Jiang Nuan’s heart ached. She held Mrs. Xu’s hand.
“I have no name, nor do I remember where my home is. You’ve taken me in, let me take care of you in your old age, okay?”
Having not spoken for a long time, Jiang Nuan’s voice wasn’t pleasant, but Mrs. Xu, listening to her slow voice, had a growing brightness in her eyes.
“Good, why not.”
Jiang Nuan sat up, leaning against the headboard, “Grandma, I’m fine now, let’s go home.”
Mrs. Xu, not agreeing, coaxed her, “If you’re sick, we treat it. Grandma here has money.”
Although they had only been together for less than half a month, Jiang Nuan felt her thoughts were completely seen through by Mrs. Xu.
Feeling her thoughts exposed, Jiang Nuan felt embarrassed and held Mrs. Xu’s hand without speaking.
Soon, another person entered the room, wearing a white coat and frameless glasses, surprisingly young.
He said, “Grandma, Wan Wan’s body is indeed fine.”
Mrs. Xu was relieved and went with the nurse to pay.
Jiang Nuan watched Mrs. Xu leave and then turned to the doctor, sensing he had something to say.
“Hello, my name is Zhao Xiangnan. I studied a bit of psychology in school. Remember to come find me if you feel uncomfortable.”
Jiang Nuan’s heart jolted.
Zhao Xiangnan showed a white smile, “I won’t treat you, but I can take you to see my classmate. Mrs. Xu doesn’t understand these things, so I didn’t tell her to avoid worrying her.”
Jiang Nuan lowered her eyes, still somewhat wary of this stranger’s kindness.
Zhao Xiangnan didn’t say much more, wrote down his phone number, placed it on the bed sheet, and walked out.
Jiang Nuan looked at the flamboyant string of numbers, slowly picked it up, and clenched it in her hand.
If possible, she also wanted to live like a normal person.
Not to be overwhelmed by inexplicable emotions, unable to withstand even a slight storm.
She genuinely wanted to take care of Mrs. Xu in her old age.
She also genuinely wanted to say goodbye to the past, letting everything fade away.
Luo City, Fu Family.
Tang Beichen stood in front of Fu Yumo, slowly placing a document in front of him.
His expression was grave, his voice no longer playful, “I’m sorry, this is the result of my investigation.”
Tang Beichen clenched his hand and stated the result, “Jiang Nuan, she is indeed no longer with us.”
Chapter 20
Boom!
A sudden, startling thunderclap sounded outside, and heavy rain poured down instantly.
