Hearing You Say Love chapter 67

 Voice Training

This time, Su Ming didn’t outright refuse but told Zou Beiyuan that he wanted to stay in China to complete his speech therapy first.

It was an irrefutable reason—Su Ming couldn’t go to a foreign country and continue his speech rehabilitation there.

Since Su Ming had decided, Zou Beiyuan had no reason not to support him. Although reluctant, Zou Beiyuan opened his mouth several times but couldn’t find a way to insist Su Ming leave with him immediately.

…..

Over the next few days, Su Ming had a tough time balancing his speech therapy and work. He had to pile up his projects at night while spending extra time revising Rabbit Conspiracy, Wolf Trail to adjust its ending. After two sleepless nights, his body started to falter. Seeing his poor condition, Cheng Jianyun, his therapist, suggested reducing therapy sessions to half-days.

….

The current phase of therapy focused on voice generation training, which involved exercises to use the respiratory, vocal, and resonance systems effectively while encouraging the desire to speak. 

Cheng Jianyun was a skilled therapist, possibly because he often worked with children. He spoke softly to Su Ming, guiding him to place his hand on both their throats to feel the vibrations of vocalization. 

This was foundational voice training, something Su Ming had experienced as a child at a school for the deaf. However, the process often triggered painful memories of his early attempts at speech, making it difficult to complete the sessions.

…..

Zou Beiyuan was deeply concerned about Su Ming’s progress. He video-called every evening, asking detailed questions about therapy. His scrutiny made Su Ming grow anxious about their calls.

….

On Tuesday, Rong City experienced heavy rain. Zou Beiyuan’s flight landed at 3:50 PM, and Su Ming drove to the airport to pick him up. Along with Zou Beiyuan, Su Ming also picked up Joyce, Zou Beiyuan’s coach.

Joyce was a hefty, blonde, blue-eyed man. His presence made the car sway noticeably when he climbed into the back seat. Greeting Su Ming in newly learned dialect, his accurate pronunciation amused Su Ming, who signed a cheerful Hello in return. 

When Su Ming turned back around, he felt a light touch on his cheek. Looking back, he caught Zou Beiyuan’s affectionate gaze.

…..

After dropping Joyce off, the weather suddenly cleared. While waiting at a busy intersection, Su Ming idly stared at Zou Beiyuan’s handsome profile. 

Sensing the gaze, Zou Beiyuan turned toward him and tucked Su Ming’s hair behind his ear, fingers grazing his earlobe. “I want to kiss you,” he murmured.

Su Ming leaned forward, closed his eyes, and waited.  

Their car was stopped near a crowded pedestrian crossing, the windshield offering a clear view of everything inside. Embarrassed by the public setting, Zou Beiyuan pinched Su Ming’s chin lightly and whispered, “At home.”

Amused by his boyfriend’s restraint, Su Ming smirked silently, teasing him with an exaggerated expression of mockery. 

Flustered, Zou Beiyuan narrowed his eyes, his tone suddenly sharp. “At home,” he repeated.

Su Ming chuckled all the way home, thoroughly entertained. Though he had no intention of doing anything outrageous in public, teasing Zou Beiyuan was irresistibly fun.

When they arrived at Su Ming’s apartment, they entered calmly and quietly. But as soon as the door closed, Zou Beiyuan pressed Su Ming against the entryway cabinet and kissed him passionately.

The intensity left Su Ming breathless, the cabinet handle digging uncomfortably into his back. Yet, he stayed still, surrendering to Zou’s warmth.

….

Having longed for Su Ming’s presence after days apart, Zou Beiyuan got carried away. His rough kisses accidentally bit Su Ming’s lip, drawing blood.

The metallic taste made him pause. “Does it hurt?” he asked, gently pressing Su Ming’s lips with his fingers. “I’m sorry.”

Su Ming licked away the blood, then smiled faintly as his hand brushed over the sore spot. It’s okay, his eyes seemed to say.

And in that quiet moment, surrounded by the echoes of their intimacy, the storm outside finally faded away.

Zou Beiyuan leaned in, and licked the corner of Su Ming’s lips, letting his tongue rest on the injured spot for a moment. When he pulled back, he glanced at the wound and said, “It’s still bleeding.”  

Su Ming signed: It’s fine, it doesn’t hurt at all.

Though Zou Beiyuan’s tongue couldn’t stop the bleeding, his kiss had a numbing effect.  

Su Ming almost wished Zou Beiyuan could make him hurt more just to stay close, but there wasn’t enough time. Earlier, in the car, Zou Beiyuan had promised his grandmother over the phone that he’d join her for dinner at the hospital that evening.  

Reluctantly, Su Ming told Zou Beiyuan to go back to his apartment to unpack his luggage while he returned to his workstation. Opening his phone, he saw a message from Cheng Jianyun, sent over half an hour ago.  

Cheng Jianyun: [If conditions allow at home, you could try having your family help with the vocal cord vibration training. Being in a familiar environment might make you feel safer and yield better results.]  

Cheng Jianyun: [Image attached.]  

Cheng Jianyun: [The image shows the steps.]  

Su Ming: [Got it, thank you, Director Cheng.]  

Su Ming saved the image and enlarged it, studying it for a while.  

Should he ask Zou Beiyuan to help him with the practice? But what if it didn’t go well? Would Zou Beiyuan be disappointed?  

Su Ming hesitated. He also felt ashamed of the sounds he made during practice. While Cheng Jianyun, as a therapist, was used to hearing such things, Su Ming didn’t want Zou Beiyuan to hear them.  

Meanwhile, over in 1601, Zou Beiyuan received a message in a group chat from Ling Shanshan.  

Ling Shanshan: [@Zou Beiyuan You’re back today, right? If you have time, help Su Ming with this exercise. It’s foundational for vocal practice and very important.]  

Ling Shanshan: [Image of vocal cord vibration training process.jpg.]  

Zou Beiyuan: [Got it.]  

Ling Shanshan: [Director Cheng also mentioned finding something Su Ming loves as a reward to motivate him. At the therapy center, they only have candy and toys, which don’t interest him. You know what he loves most, right?]  

Zou Beiyuan: [Yes, I know.]  

Su Ming’s favorite thing was him.  

Ling Shanshan: [Good luck! Director Cheng says if Su Ming can start speaking, he’ll be able to learn foreign languages just like anyone else. Then going abroad with you won’t be a problem!]  

Zou Beiyuan perked up: [Great!!!]  

Ten minutes later, he returned to Su Ming’s apartment. Su Ming was working at his desk. Hearing Zou Beiyuan enter, he quickly shut down his computer and tablet, turning to him with a startled expression, as if not expecting him back so soon.  

Zou Beiyuan glimpsed the wolf and rabbit characters on the screen but pretended not to notice. Casually, he asked, “Still working?”  

Su Ming shook his head.  

Zou Beiyuan sat on the sofa and patted the seat beside him. “If you’re not working, come over here.”  

Su Ming thought Zou Beiyuan might want to kiss him since that’s what usually happened when they sat on the sofa together. Obediently, he sat down.  

“We still have a bit of time,” Zou Beiyuan glanced at his smartwatch, “Let’s practice.”  

Su Ming looked puzzled—practice kissing? 

Zou Beiyuan showed him the picture on his phone. “Ling Shanshan said Director Cheng wants family members or friends to help you with this.”  

Su Ming: ???  

Why does Cheng Jianyun assign homework and notify family members too?!

Su Ming stood up abruptly, signing: I still have work to do.

Zou Beiyuan pulled him back down. “We’re leaving in half an hour. You won’t get much done now; finish it tonight.”  

Su Ming blushed, trying to escape, but Zou Beiyuan held him firmly. Defeated, he sat back on the sofa.  

“Let’s start,” Zou Beiyuan said.  

Su Ming wanted to disappear.  

Following the steps in the picture, Zou Beiyuan placed one of Su Ming’s hands on his throat and the other on Su Ming’s own. “Ah—” he demonstrated. “Can you feel the vibration?”  

Su Ming: …  

“Now you try making a sound,” Zou Beiyuan encouraged.  

Su Ming: …  

Feeling utterly mortified, Su Ming stared blankly at Zou Beiyuan, unwilling to make a sound. Remembering Ling Shanshan’s advice about rewards, Zou Beiyuan offered: “If you do this, I’ll let you touch my chest muscles for ten minutes.”  

Su Ming’s gaze flickered to Zou Beiyuan’s chest. I can do that while we sleep, he thought, shaking his head: No.  

“How about ten minutes of kissing?” Zou Beiyuan suggested.  

You’d let me kiss you anyway, Su Ming reasoned, shaking his head again: No.  

“What do you want, then?”  

Su Ming pulled his hand back and signed: Nothing. 

He stood up, returning to his workstation to sulk, his back turned to Zou Beiyuan.  

Zou Beiyuan thought, This is tricky. I don’t have many tricks up my sleeve, and all my experience is tied to him. How do I get him interested?

Suddenly, recalling a previous moment of success, Zou Beiyuan grabbed his phone and silently opened Jam comics.  

Author’s Note:  

Silly wolf: When in doubt, consult the comics.