She paused for a moment and said gratefully, “It’s like this. This child has been somewhat introverted since childhood and doesn’t like too much noise, which is why we moved here. During this holiday, she started reading books about public speaking, and I was quite happy. But last night, she seemed to let out a scream, and then she locked herself in her room and wouldn’t come out or let us enter.”
“Can I… go to Ye Ling’s room to take a look?”
Actually, Xi An didn’t have much confidence, but if she just sat there, she wouldn’t solve anything.
“Of course! Thank you…” Shu Ying repeatedly expressed her gratitude.
To avoid making Ye Ling too nervous, after being told the location of Ye Ling’s room, Xi An went alone. After climbing twenty spiral stairs, she finally saw the tightly closed door at the end of the hallway.
“Knock knock.”
Xi An gently knocked twice, but there was no sound inside.
“Ye Ling? Are you there? I’m Xi An…”
Xi An continued calling out, still knocking on the door, “There’s nothing that can’t be solved. Can you please open the door?”
“…Xi An.”
After a while, a low response came from inside, sounding somewhat nasal.
“I’m here, I’m here!” Xi An quickly responded.
“I… I probably can’t see anyone…”
Ye Ling’s voice was trembling, sounding like she was about to cry.
“Talk to me… You can’t stay locked in the room forever.”
Xi An tried to persuade her while listening closely at the door.
“…”
After a while, a “click” sound came from inside, probably Ye Ling unlocking the door.
Xi An stepped back half a step, and indeed, the door slowly opened.
This was the first time Xi An had truly seen Ye Ling’s face.
Perhaps because her hair had long covered her face, and Ye Ling’s skin was already very fair, she looked somewhat palely sick. Her eyes were large, with tears seeming to swirl in them.
How to describe her…
Now, she was like a delicate porcelain doll. The only imperfection was her bangs, which looked terrible. Originally too long and almost covering her nose, now they were too short, ending at about half her forehead.
“I was already ugly… now…” Ye Ling’s eyes reddened, and she covered her face.
