Chapter 30 – Ranran

After the Lantern Festival, He Rong led Xiang Ning and Fang Ranran to the clinic.

Doctor Yin, sitting in his office, raised an eyebrow at Xiang Ning. “Happy New Year.”

Xiang Ning smiled and nodded.

Doctor Yin picked up Fang Ranran and asked He Rong to step out. He then gently touched Fang Ranran’s head and asked, “Ranran, are you happy?”

Fang Ranran nodded vigorously, showing off her dinosaur doll to Doctor Yin.

“You’re such a good girl, Ranran,” Doctor Yin said, smoothing her hair and setting her down. “Go play, but don’t run around.”

After Ranran left, Doctor Yin faced Xiang Ning, tilting his chin. “Come, say ‘ah.'”

Xiang Ning was taken aback, opened his mouth, and made a silent “ah.”

Doctor Yin put on his glasses and wrote something on a piece of paper. After a while, he put away the paper and pen. “That’s it for today’s check-up. Now, let’s chat.”

Xiang Ning looked at the empty table and took out his phone.

“You don’t need to type or write,” Doctor Yin said. “Just speak normally. I can read lips.”

Xiang Ning was surprised but agreed.

“Thank you and President He for adopting Ranran,” Doctor Yin began. “Ranran is deaf and mute from birth. It’s not ideal for her to stay at the clinic long-term. I was planning to adopt her if she couldn’t find a home by the time she started school, but you two came along.”

“Ranran is very well-behaved,” Xiang Ning thought of her bright eyes and replied.

“Let’s talk about you,” Doctor Yin’s pen tapped the table rhythmically, and he leaned forward in a relaxed posture.

“Are you adapting to the rehabilitation?” Doctor Yin asked.

Xiang Ning nodded.

“The initial treatment plan was designed by my junior, and the third phase was modified by me recently,” Doctor Yin explained. “It’s not difficult, just try to speak when you communicate with others.”

“It’s not just about making mouth shapes; you need to use your vocal cords,” Doctor Yin pointed to his throat. “Even though you can’t produce sound, you should consciously exercise your vocal cords.”

Xiang Ning agreed, and they chatted for a bit before leaving. He Rong, in a windbreaker, was on the phone by the window. He looked up, and his cold demeanor melted, pinching Xiang Ning’s hand.

“Alright, I’ll hang up,” he put away his phone, said goodbye to Doctor Yin, and was about to leave when Fang Ranran ran out of the waiting room, holding a gray box.

“Ranran heard you were leaving and ran out. I couldn’t stop her,” the doctor smiled wryly, following her. Fang Ranran looked back at him, then dumped the contents of the box onto the chair.

She divided the items into two piles, but no matter how she tried, one pile always had more. She hesitated, picked up the larger pile, and stuffed it into Xiang Ning’s arms, dropping a small train in the process.

She struggled to put the small train back into Xiang Ning’s arms, then ran to the chair and hesitantly placed the smaller pile in He Rong’s hands.

Then, she dug out a piece of chocolate and quickly put it in her pocket.

“Ranran, these are your things. We won’t take them,” Xiang Ning squatted down, ruffled her hair, and signed.

Fang Ranran shook her head, turned around, and clung to the doctor’s leg, avoiding their gaze.

“Take what Ranran gives you,” He Rong lifted Xiang Ning and said softly, “We’ll finalize the adoption and come back for her.”

Xiang Ning hesitated, took the paper bag from Doctor Yin, and left with it.

Doctor Yin watched them go, squatted down, and touched Ranran’s hair, asking, “Do you like living with them?”

He didn’t expect a response, but Ranran stared at him for a while, hugged the chocolate she had taken from He Rong, and nodded with tears in her eyes.

——

As spring arrived, the heaviness in Xiang Ning’s heart lifted, and new buds sprouted.

Today, while recording with Zhou Yi at the company, Director Lin came over with a smile. “Xiang Ning, I have some good news for you.”

“Zhou Yi is coming too.”

The two followed Director Lin into the office. “You both have made it to the shortlist for this year’s Golden Sun Awards,” Director Lin said.

Xiang Ning and Zhou Yi exchanged glances, their eyes wide with surprise, then they broke into smiles. Zhou Yi asked for Xiang Ning, “We didn’t hear anything about this?”

“The company submitted your names, but we didn’t have high hopes, so we didn’t say much,” Director Lin explained, handing them the shortlist. “I’ve seen the list. The music industry has been tough the past two years, and last year’s winners weren’t very impressive. I think you have a good chance.”

Although the He family had a strong foundation, the entertainment company was a side project He Rong had started for practice, so it was relatively low-key.

“Zhou Yi, I think you have a good chance at Best New Artist,” Director Lin smiled. “As for Xiang Ning, there’s a chance, but don’t get your hopes up too high.”

“You both need to attend the award ceremony. The company will make the arrangements,” Director Lin said, looking at Zhou Yi. As for Xiang Ning… a certain president would take care of it.

The two blinked and left the office, going their separate ways.

Xiang Ning took the elevator to the top floor and burst into the office without knocking. He Rong caught him, understandingly holding his waist.

“You knew all along!” Xiang Ning opened his mouth and bit He Rong’s arm.

“Dirty, don’t bite,” He Rong calmly freed his arm from the “puppy’s” mouth, patted his waist like he was soothing a child, and admitted, “The company informed me, but it wasn’t a sure thing, so I didn’t tell you.”

He held Xiang Ning’s face, looked at him seriously, and said, “Looks like you made it.”

Xiang Ning glared at him, climbed off, but couldn’t help smiling.

In the evening, they went home together. Doctor Yin called, saying he would bring Fang Ranran over soon. He Rong looked at Xiang Ning and agreed.

“Ranran will be over soon,” He Rong said, ignoring Doctor Yin. “Let’s hurry back and cook. You wanted to have hotpot, right?”

“We need to buy some things,” Xiang Ning said, and He Rong carefully read his lips, nodding in agreement.

When they returned home with the groceries, Fang Ranran was already sitting by the door, hugging a teddy bear.

“Where are you alone? Where’s Doctor Yin?” Xiang Ning hurried over and picked her up. Fang Ranran wrapped her arms around his neck and rubbed against him, gesturing, “Uncle went to the car to get something.”

“Go and meet him,” Xiang Ning said to He Rong, indicating with his head. “I’ll take Ranran inside to get ready.”

He Rong nodded and set off, but he hadn’t gone far when he met Doctor Yin on the tree-lined path.

Doctor Yin held a cigarette between his fingers and raised an eyebrow when he saw him. “Want one?”

“No, thanks. Let’s go,” He Rong replied coldly.

“Hey, wait.” Doctor Yin stubbed out his cigarette and caught up, asking, “How’s Xiang Ning doing?” Xiang Ning had completed all his treatments a month ago and had been recovering at home since then.

“He can’t speak in full sentences yet, but he can occasionally make a few sounds,” He Rong said, his expression softening when he mentioned Xiang Ning. He stuffed his hands into his pockets and asked, “Is he getting better?”

“Pretty much,” Doctor Yin smiled, feeling a sense of relief. “I heard from my junior that you’ve finalized the adoption procedures?”

“Yes,” He Rong nodded. “Ranran can come over anytime.”

Doctor Yin thought for a moment before responding, “I’ll bring Ranran’s things over this weekend.”