Silent Lover (The Silent Concubine) - Chap 168
Chapter 168: Then I’ll Teach You
“Are you also unable to speak?”
The bodyguard seemed to think for a moment before slowly nodding in acknowledgment.
If you can’t speak, you can’t speak—what’s there to think about? Shen Yu thought, puzzled.
Shen Yu spoke earnestly, “Don’t worry, I won’t make fun of you. I used to be mute too. Later, I accidentally took the wrong medicine, coughed up some blood, and then I was able to speak again…”
Because Shen Yu had once been unable to speak, he deeply empathized with the bodyguard’s struggles. Not only was it impossible to communicate with others, but he had also endured ridicule and scorn.
Shen Yu felt the need to encourage him. Judging by his demeanor, this man was even more reserved than Shen Yu had been back then—standing there dumbly, barely responding when spoken to.
“It’s really impressive that you managed to master martial arts despite everything.”
The bodyguard still didn’t respond to his praise, leaving Shen Yu awkwardly scratching his nose.
“Ah, I get it. You don’t know sign language, do you?”
Facing Shen Yu’s concerned gaze, the bodyguard nodded.
“Alright, then. I’ll teach you.”
Shen Yu beckoned him over, but the bodyguard didn’t move.
Sighing, Shen Yu got out of bed, slipped on his shoes, and walked over to him. He grabbed the bodyguard’s wrist, but pulling the tall and solidly built man was like trying to move a bull. On the contrary, Shen Yu’s own frail body couldn’t handle the exertion. He felt dizzy and unsteady on his feet.
The bodyguard quickly caught him by the waist, steadying him. Shen Yu took a moment to recover and, looking up, found himself staring at the man’s chin. It was unshaven, with a rough stubble, and his Adam’s apple protruded like a small apricot pit.
The iron mask covering his face left only two pitch-black eyes visible—deep and cold.
To be honest, up close, the demon-faced iron mask was quite terrifying. The dark eyes behind it reminded Shen Yu of a certain tyrant who made his blood run cold.
Shen Yu pulled back, stepping out of the bodyguard’s hold.
“I’ll teach you sign language. That way, it’ll be easier for you to assist me in the future.”
Shen Yu explained, though his voice and breathing were unsteady.
Noticing Shen Yu’s weakness, the bodyguard didn’t resist this time. He let Shen Yu take his wrist and willingly followed him.
“We’ll start with the simplest signs. This gesture means ‘I’.”
Shen Yu pointed to himself, then suddenly chuckled. Of course pointing to myself means ‘I’!
Even he felt embarrassed by his half-baked sign language skills.
“This one means ‘we’.”
Shen Yu demonstrated a slightly more complex gesture, but the bodyguard simply stared at him without moving.
Shen Yu assumed he was just shy.
“It’s easy. Just follow my lead. Watch…”
Before Shen Yu could finish his sentence, the bodyguard suddenly turned and walked out of the room. Shen Yu watched his tall, upright figure disappear and scratched his head in confusion.
“What a strange man…”
Shrugging, Shen Yu let it go. He figured the bodyguard was just aloof and disliked interacting with people.
Outside, the bodyguard didn’t go far. Leaning against the corridor railing, he exhaled a long sigh. Removing his mask, he gazed in the direction of Shen Yu’s room with a complicated expression.
Jun Xuanxiao had disguised himself as one of the Chu clan’s bodyguards in order to stay close to Shen Yu. Chu Ling had even agreed not to reveal his identity.
Jun Xuanxiao just wanted to stay by Shen Yu’s side, protect him, and get to know him anew under a different identity.
Only with the mask on did Jun Xuanxiao feel brave enough to face Shen Yu.
It was only now that Jun Xuanxiao realized how difficult it was to remain silent and play the role of a mute. Unable to speak, unable to explain misunderstandings or defend himself against insults, and with no one to share his feelings, it was like being abandoned by the world. How did Shen Yu endure such loneliness in the past?
Jun Xuanxiao thought back to their time in the prince’s residence. Shen Yu had desperately tried to express his love, but Jun Xuanxiao had ignored his efforts in the name of some “grand plan.” If Xiao Dai Rou had been the one to maliciously frame and slander Shen Yu, then Jun Xuanxiao was undoubtedly her accomplice.
Earlier, when Shen Yu had spoken to him and held his hand, it was the closest they had been in a long time. Jun Xuanxiao’s heart had raced with joy, but he suppressed it, maintaining his cold facade.
He was afraid that if he made a sound, Shen Yu would recognize him.
When Shen Yu had reacted with relief to the news of the troop withdrawal, Jun Xuanxiao’s heart ached as though it had been pierced by a sword.
When Shen Yu mistook Chu Ling for his savior and Chu Ling hinted at his feelings, Jun Xuanxiao had nearly drawn his sword in rage. He feared that Shen Yu, out of gratitude, might fall for Chu Ling. Worse, he could sense Chu Ling’s feelings for Shen Yu weren’t purely fraternal.
It had been only half a day, and Jun Xuanxiao had already struggled multiple times to suppress the urge to speak.
Jun Xuanxiao had never experienced such frustration before. For him, a mere half-day of silence was unbearable, while Shen Yu had endured it for eighteen years.
Putting his mask back on, Jun Xuanxiao returned to the room to find Shen Yu already asleep, propped against his pillow. He had been through a lot and had spent the previous night plagued by nightmares, waking up drenched in cold sweat. Now, though, he was peacefully asleep, breathing steadily.
Jun Xuanxiao thought of Shen Yu teaching him sign language, and his gaze softened with tenderness.
Shen Yu’s pure heart extended kindness even to a stranger. Jun Xuanxiao felt a pang of jealousy and couldn’t help but find it amusing that he was jealous of himself.
“Silly Yu’er.”
Jun Xuanxiao gently tapped the tip of Shen Yu’s nose. Afraid of disturbing him, he carefully tucked the blanket around him and stayed by his bedside, quietly keeping watch.
