Ji Ting seemed calm about developing aphasia, as though the doctor had diagnosed nothing more than a common cold.
Perhaps he had grown used to constantly repairing himself over the years. Ji Ting saw his inability to speak as a minor component malfunction. He even thought that, from now on, he would no longer need to come up with excuses when he did not want to talk to someone.
The doctor set a pen and paper in front of him and said, "There isn't much medication can do for a speech disorder caused by psychological factors. You'll have to recover gradually on your own. So don't put pressure on yourself. Try to relax. You might actually recover faster if you don't dwell on it."
Ji Ting nodded to show that he understood.
The doctor rarely encountered such a composed patient. "Is there anything else you'd like to ask? You can write it down."
Ji Ting picked up the pen and wrote, "Thank you."
The doctor smiled. "All right. If there's nothing else, you can go back to your room. Come back for a follow-up later."
After leaving the consulting room, Ji Ting declined the nurse's offer of a wheelchair and went out to a bench alone.
He sat there for fifteen minutes or so, sorting through recent events in his mind. An unconscious sigh escaped him, and the mist of his breath slowly dissipated before his eyes.
"Ji Ting!"
An angry voice suddenly rang out. He instinctively turned to look as Ji Yanzhi strode up to him.
"Who said you could wander off? Do you have any idea how long I've been looking for you?"
Ji Ting parted his lips, remembered he could not speak, and reached toward his pocket instead.
*Oh, my phone is still being held at the