Tie Zhu's mother's intention was clear. No matter how beautiful Song Qinian was, or that she graduated from a prestigious university, the fact that she was mute could never be changed.
Most families would find it difficult to accept, let alone a wealthy, influential family.
"Nowadays, it's all about matching families. Otherwise, even if you're in a BMW, you won't be happy. But if the two families know each other well and are in the same place, even sitting behind a bicycle can be sweet and happy."
Some words are meant to be heard, and some people are willing to listen.
The old lady's greatest worry was Song Qinian's inability to speak.
Seeing the old lady's crestfallen face, Liu Xiaoying immediately patted her back to comfort her. "Don't listen to Tie Zhu's mother's nonsense. She used to say that Niannian was mute and that no family would want a mute in the future. Now that her Tie Zhu is getting older and can't find a wife, and Niannian is so outstanding and beautiful, she's got wicked ideas."
Liu Xiaoying deliberately raised her voice, "Saying people are ignorant and unlearned, ha! Look at your own son. All he knows is to fool around all day, lazy and good-for-nothing."
Tie Zhu's mother was instantly displeased. "Liu Xiaoying, what do you mean?"
"Don't you hear what I mean very clearly? Stop having ideas about Niannian. Your Tie Zhu is not worthy of Niannian."
Seeing that the two were about to quarrel, everyone immediately stepped in to mediate.
Shen Chi Yan heard everything they said. He glanced coldly at Tie Zhu's mother with his dark eyes. Tie Zhu's mother was usually arrogant and domineering, but for some reason, this time she trembled all over, feeling a chill creep into her heart from Shen Chi Yan's gaze.
Not long after, she found an excuse and left sheepishly.
Song Qinian went to see off the guests and was also sent by her grandmother to buy groceries.
Shen Chi Yan originally wanted to accompany Song Qinian and have a good chat with her, but he was kept at home by his grandmother.
Shen Chi Yan saw that his grandmother had something to say to him and obediently sat on the sofa waiting for the old lady to speak.
"A'Yan, do you want to hear Niannian's voice?"
Shen Chi Yan was stunned. Song Qinian's voice?
He knew Song Qinian was not born mute. If he could hear Song Qinian's voice in this life, he would have no regrets.
"Grandma recorded Qiqi's voice?"
The old lady smiled and turned on the television, inserting a VCD into the old player.
Soon, on the screen appeared a little girl with pigtails, a small red dot on her forehead, wearing a pink dress, standing in the yard and singing.
"Let us paddle our oars, the small boat pushes against the waves.
The sea reflects the beautiful white pagoda, surrounded by green trees and red walls.
The small boat floats gently on the water, and the wind blows in our faces..."
Her voice was clear and pleasant, like the beautiful sound of a gurgling spring, touching people's hearts.
After finishing the song, she ran to Song Guanliang, who was recording the video. "Dad, how was my singing? Will the teachers and classmates applaud me at tomorrow's performance?"
A big hand gently stroked Song Qinian's head. "Our Niannian is the best. Tomorrow, not only your teachers and classmates, but all the parents and onlookers will applaud you."
"That's great! Grandma, Niannian recently learned a new song. Niannian will sing it for you..."
Shen Chi Yan looked deeply at the well-behaved, lively, and cute little Song Qinian on the screen. His chest ached with sadness, yet he was also excited.
He never expected to hear Song Qinian's voice again in his lifetime, even if it was her childhood voice.
She was so lovable even back then. He really wanted to rush into the television and hug her tightly.
"A'Yan, Niannian is not born mute. Her inability to speak was a big blow to our entire family, but it will definitely not affect the next generation. Of course, if you mind, then break up with Niannian as soon as possible and stop wasting each other's time."
Only then did Shen Chi Yan understand his grandmother's purpose.
He knew what his grandmother was worried about. He looked at the old lady seriously, with an unprecedented earnestness. "Grandma, I knew Qiqi couldn't speak when I fell in love with her. It would be best if she could speak, but it's okay if she can't. I learned sign language for her, and I can understand what she wants to express. There is no obstacle between us."
"But the gap between our two families is also very large."
Shen Chi Yan knew that Tie Zhu's mother's words were making his grandmother overthink things. He smiled and said, "If I cared about these things, I wouldn't have pursued her. Grandma, you have to believe that Qiqi is the most outstanding girl in the world, and she deserves the best things in the world."
The old lady could see Shen Chi Yan's sincerity. Hearing his words, she was finally relieved.
Afterwards, the old lady took out Song Qinian's old photos for Shen Chi Yan to look at. Shen Chi Yan took a photo of each one with his phone.
These photos belonged to the old lady, and it was inconvenient for him to take them away, but he didn't want to miss any photo of Song Qinian as a child.
The more Shen Chi Yan looked at Song Qinian, the more he cherished her. This lovable Qiqi should have been raised in a world of luxury and beauty; how could she have gone through so many hardships?
The incident of Song Qinian's cat's death was too strange. After returning, he would have to investigate the cause of her voice loss.
When Song Qinian returned, she saw Shen Chi Yan holding his phone, looking at something, with a smile so wide it almost reached the sky.
As soon as she entered, Shen Chi Yan hurried to meet her, took the groceries from her hand, and held Song Qinian's slightly cold little hand.
"Is it very cold outside? I'll buy groceries next time."
Song Qinian looked at Shen Chi Yan, who wasn't wearing gloves, warming her hand. She immediately pulled her hand back.
Shen Chi Yan's actions now only made her heart more chaotic; they served no other purpose.
Shen Chi Yan felt that he couldn't continue like this, but Song Qinian gave them no opportunity to be alone. He had to think of a way to talk to her.
So, that night, as soon as Song Qinian fell asleep with her grandmother, Shen Chi Yan's WeChat message arrived.
"Qiqi, I'm so cold!"
Song Qinian saw it and pretended not to see it, put down her phone, and continued to sleep.
At this moment, another WeChat message came through, "It's really cold, I'm freezing to death. Tell me, will I be frozen into a mummy when you see me tomorrow morning?"
The phone buzzed and buzzed. Song Qinian, afraid of waking her grandmother, suppressed her anger and sent Shen Chi Yan a WeChat message: "Your bed has an electric blanket. Turn it on, and you won't be cold."
Shen Chi Yan: "What is an electric blanket? How do I turn it on?"
Song Qinian was completely speechless. After thinking carefully, she realized that Shen Chi Yan was used to a life of luxury. His winters were always heated by central air conditioning, underfloor heating, or wall-hung boilers. How could he know about electric blankets used by ordinary people?
Song Qinian didn't want to bother, but thinking that Shen Chi Yan's fever had just subsided, if he caught a cold and had a fever again, it would be even more troublesome. She decided to go to his room to turn on the electric blanket.
Shen Chi Yan had been listening to the movements outside. Hearing Song Qinian come in, he pretended to shiver from the cold and even sneezed. "Qiqi, it's so cold..."
Song Qinian didn't look at him. She walked over, plugged the electric blanket into the socket, and turned on the switch. Just as she was about to turn and leave, Shen Chi Yan quickly grabbed her and pulled her onto the bed...