Chapter 958 - 725: So You’re Not Mute!
At dawn the next day, when Shen Tang woke up, she was still in the stone house. It seems this really wasn’t a dream.
She fell asleep last night like that, indeed a bit careless.
Shen Tang looked down at her clothes, still the same, then looked out the window and found that the man was staying outside all along.
He had already woken up and was at the same place as last night, starting a fire and cooking.
Shen Tang felt a tinge of complex emotion. He must have slept outside the whole night.
Upon hearing movement inside, the man put down his work, came to the door, knocked, and entered after hearing a response from the female.
Even though he wore a mask, obscuring his appearance and expressions, when he saw Shen Tang awake on the bed, the aura around him seemed to soften for a moment.
Then, he fetched a cup of warm water and handed it to her to drink.
After a while, when the meal was ready, he brought the food and utensils to the table by the bed, still indifferent and silent, and then turned away.
Although this man appeared very cold and never communicated with her, Shen Tang knew he had always been attentive to the sounds inside the house.
Whenever she had any needs, he would immediately come over.
Being cared for so gently by a chance-met stranger, Shen Tang should feel embarrassed, but for some reason, she didn’t feel any repulsion. It was as if... she enjoyed and liked it this way.
Shen Tang shook her head, dismissing the thoughts she shouldn’t have, thinking: Perhaps it’s because she is too weak now and needs someone to take care of her.
The man indeed had been meticulously caring for her, treating her with incredible tenderness and attention, almost like he was inside her mind. Often, she didn’t need to say anything, and he would come over promptly to help.
The meals he made might be of average skill, but they were all to her liking.
However, one peculiar thing is that since Shen Tang woke up, a whole day had passed, and she didn’t know how long she had been unconscious, but certainly for a while. Yet, this person never took off his mask or spoke a word.
Shen Tang didn’t find it odd that he wore a mask because the beastmen were keen on battle, and many of them got injured on the battlefield. Especially if one suffered severe facial injuries and didn’t receive timely healing, the face might bear some scary scars.
Many males didn’t want to show their facial scars and might become self-conscious, so they would wear masks or use other methods to hide them.
Some, like her, had their reasons for concealing their identities and didn’t want their true appearance to be seen, also wore masks, which was understandable.
Everyone has secrets, and Shen Tang didn’t want to pry into others’ privacy, as that would be too rude.
But why doesn’t he speak?
Shen Tang was indeed puzzled.
Initially, she thought they were unfamiliar since he was just a stranger she met by chance, and perhaps he was reserved, so she didn’t feel comfortable starting a conversation.
But now, after such a long period, his silence felt odd.
Shen Tang felt that the relationship between them was somewhat more familiar now, so she seized the opportunity when he brought dinner, and stopped him, "Wait, I have something to ask you."
The man turned and looked at her.
Shen Tang originally intended to ask who he was and why he was here, but seeing his reaction, an inspiration suddenly flashed in her mind.
She pursed her lips and tentatively asked,
"You... can’t speak, can you?"
The man seemed to pause; he did not nod in acknowledgment but also did not shake his head, remaining silent as usual, seemingly affirming this matter.
Shen Tang inwardly exclaimed: Oh my gosh, is he really mute?!
Though it’s rare among beastmen to encounter deaf, mute, or blind individuals, it’s not nonexistent. However, they seldom appear in front of regular people, and many cases are congenital, not due to injuries or illness, making healing quite challenging.
Looking at the man before her, Shen Tang’s gaze quickly filled with admiration, compassion, and other complex expressions, feeling even more embarrassed.
Letting him care for her for so long, it’s quite a predicament.