Ye Wen never imagined a day would come when she couldn’t speak. It felt as if the nerve controlling her voice had snapped.

Fortunately, her mind stayed clear, and her ability to form words remained intact. She gestured to Shuizishi, who watched for a moment, nodded, then dashed downstairs to buy a small notepad and a ballpoint pen.

"Here." The little maid handed the notepad and pen to Ye Wen, then sat back on a nearby chair.

Ye Wen scribbled a few words, tore off the page, and passed it to Shuizishi.

"Is Wang Hui dead?"

"He was lucky. The bullet missed his heart. It only stunned his heart into temporary paralysis, making him pass out."

Ye Wen breathed a sigh of relief. The lingering shadow of death faded significantly.

"What about Qiu Yi?" Ye Wen tore off another sheet and handed it over.

"The doctor said he’s fine. Just needs a few days of rest." Shuizishi patted Ye Wen’s hand. "Miss, still can’t speak?"

Ye Wen opened her mouth, but only meaningless "hmm" and "ah" sounds came out. She couldn’t form proper words.

She nodded slightly, a trace of dejection in her eyes.

"If I can’t speak, will people hate me?"

"Of course not! Miss, you’re so cute. Not speaking will only make people adore you more!" Shuizishi comforted her. "Don’t worry. The doctor said it’s temporary. You’ll heal."

Hmm… no need to overthink it. Worrying won’t speed things up. Just go with the flow… Besides, being the silent type is a moe trait too! Ye Wen reassured herself, picturing various emotionless anime characters in her mind.

"Miss, what would you like to eat?"

Ye Wen bit her finger, thinking for a moment, then handed a note to the little maid.

"Yogurt."

Perhaps even Ye Wen hadn’t noticed how her heart was softening, growing more vulnerable. Maybe it was her soul long settled in a girl’s body, or the shift after the kidnapping…

Shuizishi picked up the phone Ye Wen’s father had lent her and dialed the head maid.

"Hello? Head maid, Miss wants yogurt. For the main meal, just bread."

"PSP."

"A game console?" Shuizishi asked.

Ye Wen nodded.

"Head maid, Miss also wants a PSP." Shuizishi added. "Mhm, that’s all. Nothing else."

The little maid hung up. "Miss, wait a bit longer. Someone will bring it soon."

Shuizishi kept fiddling with the phone. It was her first one, and the novelty hadn’t worn off. She explored every function.

The Nokia 7610, leaf-shaped, was 2004’s trendiest model.

If she recalled right, Sony’s PSP launched in 2004 too. It probably wasn’t sold in China yet—only through overseas channels. She wondered how they’d get it…

After mastering the phone’s features, Shuizishi started playing Snake. Ye Wen lay on the hospital bed, eyes half-closed, drifting in and out of sleep.

Knock knock knock.

Shuizishi set down the phone and opened the door. Manager Liu entered, carrying a large bag.

"Is Miss asleep?" he whispered.

Ye Wen slowly opened her eyes. She tried to speak but remembered she couldn’t. She just gazed at him.

Manager Liu pulled a small bag from the large one and handed it to Ye Wen.

It was the PSP-1000, Sony’s first model.

"Is it sold in China?"

Manager Liu took the note, paused, then understood. "No. The master bought it from a friend who does overseas purchases."

Ye Wen powered on the PSP. Sure enough, it was all in Japanese. Years of anime and games helped her grasp the basics. She opened the menu—only one game: Need for Speed.

Better than nothing. The graphics weren’t bad. She had to admit foreign gaming was a decade ahead.

The large bag held snacks. Shuizishi took out a yogurt tray, opened a cup, inserted a straw, and handed it to Ye Wen.

"Miss, feeling unwell?" Manager Liu asked.

Ye Wen shook her head.

"Snacks are in the bag. If you want anything, have Xiao Shi call me. I’ll bring it." He walked to the door. "I’ll take my leave."

"Goodbye."

Manager Liu nodded, exited, and closed the door softly.

Shuizishi emptied the bag onto the bedside table.

"Miss, what bread?" She pointed. "Pork floss, cream, ham, red bean paste, or strawberry cake…"

"Pork floss."

Ye Wen stuffed the note into Shuizishi’s hand.

"Here~ pork floss bread~" Shuizishi handed her the bag. "Hmm… Miss, can I have the cream bread?"

Ye Wen nodded. She set the bag aside, then wrote on the notepad again.

"The cake is for you too."

"Mhm! I love you most, young mistress!" Shuizishi beamed, deeply touched.

Ye Wen nibbled the pork floss bread, booted up the PSP, and played music.

The PSP must have been pre-loaded—over thirty songs, mostly Japanese.

After the incident, Ye Wen’s appetite shrank. One bread filled her. She drank the yogurt, then played the game. The realistic engine roar made her feel like she was driving, pushing worries away.

Shuizishi glanced at Ye Wen’s vibrant game, then at her own pixelated Snake. They felt worlds apart. Comparing really was frustrating…

She abandoned Snake and sat beside Ye Wen, watching her play.

Vroom vroom—

"Go faster! The one behind’s catching up!"

"Eh? Why’d you crash!"

"You overtook one!"

"Wow, you won so much money! What car can you buy?"

"This car’s so beautiful, so realistic!"

"Quiet."

Ye Wen held up the notepad.

"Mmm… okay…"

Shuizishi stayed silent for a moment, then burst out shouting again like a commentator.

Ye Wen spent the afternoon amidst the cheerful noise.

…