Roses in Flames

An NPC with long hair and a face covered in blood suddenly jumped out from behind the wall and rushed straight at Ye Mo.

Ye Mo screamed "Ah!" in fright.

His body involuntarily shrank into Xiao Lin's arms, and he subconsciously uttered two words: "Brother-in-law!"

This shout was urgent and loud.

Ye Yuntang, standing behind him, suddenly froze.

She stared wide-eyed at Ye Mo in Xiao Lin's arms in disbelief.

Was it Ye Mo who called him "brother-in-law" just now?

Ye Mo has been taciturn since childhood. He rarely greets people or even gives simple responses, let alone takes the initiative to do so.

That's why the people at the Ye family's old house always say he's mute.

Ye Yuntang stared blankly ahead. In the dim light, Ye Mo buried his head in Xiao Lin's shoulder. Xiao Lin reached out and patted his back with his large hand. "It's okay, brother-in-law is here, don't be afraid."

After saying that, Xiao Lin glanced at the NPC whose face was covered in blood.

Xiao Lin's eyes were cold, and he exuded the intimidating aura of a criminal police captain. His imposing presence, even without anger, frightened the NPC so much that he froze and dared not frighten Ye Mo any further. He quickly shrank back and disappeared in a flash.

Xiao Lin helped Ye Mo out of the haunted house.

Ye Yuntang followed closely behind, her heart pounding, her feet feeling as if they were walking on cotton.

She walked up to Xiao Lin and Ye Mo, took a deep breath, and looked at them with reddened eyes, "Do you know what happened in the haunted house just now?"

Ye Mo's fear subsided, and he looked at Ye Yuntang with a somewhat blank expression.

Xiao Lin quickly realized what was happening, and a smile appeared on his handsome face. "Xiao Mo called me brother-in-law."

Ye Yuntang nodded with tears in her eyes. She reached out and gently pressed Ye Mo's shoulder. "Xiao Mo, you... you actually spoke."

For sixteen years, Ye Mo has rarely spoken, even uttering simple words. That "brother-in-law" in the haunted house just now felt like a dream.

Ye Yuntang wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, looked at Ye Mo again, and asked urgently, "Xiao Mo, can you call me 'sister'?"

Ye Mo met Ye Yuntang's expectant gaze, but pursed her lips tightly.

The words he blurted out when he was frightened in the haunted house seemed to have been forgotten. He lowered his head slightly and nervously twisted the hem of his clothes with his fingers.

Ye Yuntang was both anxious and hopeful, but she didn't dare to pressure him. She could only encourage him in a soft voice, "Xiao Mo, it's okay, just say it. I want to hear it."

Xiao Lin also bent down, his gaze level with Ye Mo's. His usually cold and sharp eyes were now gentle and firm. "Xiao Mo, don't be afraid. You called me very clearly before. Call me again. I want to hear you call me brother-in-law again."

Ye Yuntang nodded. "Xiao Mo, tell me, you were really amazing before."

Ye Mo pursed his lips repeatedly, his brows furrowing slightly, as if gathering all his strength.

For sixteen years, his world had been silent, and he had never had such a clear desire to express himself.

A struggle and cowardice flashed in his eyes, but when he saw his sister's reddened eyes and Xiao Lin's gentle yet firm gaze, a glimmer of courage slowly ignited within him.

He took a deep breath, nodded slightly, and made a soft sound in his throat, as if he had overcome countless obstacles.

Finally, two clear yet childish words came from his mouth: "Sister, sister."

Ye Yuntang's body trembled violently, and tears instantly streamed down her face as if a dam had burst.

She had waited sixteen years for that "sister" from the day Ye Mo was diagnosed with autism, and the day the doctor said he might never be able to speak. She had prayed and hoped countless times that her younger brother would call her "sister."

And today, my wish has come true.

Ye Yuntang was so excited that she couldn't say a word, and could only let the tears flow down her cheeks.

Ye Mo looked at Xiao Lin again, her lips moved, and this time, her voice was clearer, "Brother-in-law."

"Hey." Xiao Lin responded hoarsely, raising his large hand to gently rub Ye Mo's head. "Good boy."

Xiao Lin looked at Ye Yuntang, who was crying her eyes out, and took out a tissue to wipe away her tears.

Ye Yuntang turned and threw herself into Xiao Lin's arms. She clutched his shirt collar tightly with both hands and buried her face in his chest without realizing it. "My brother spoke. He called me sister..."

Xiao Lin put his arm around Ye Yuntang's shoulder and gently patted her trembling back with his large hand. "Yes, Xiao Mo spoke."

Ye Yuntang looked up at Xiao Lin, "Could this be a dream? Pinch me!"

Xiao Lin looked down at Ye Yuntang, his warm breath brushing against her head, his voice deep and firm, "It's not a dream."

Ye Yuntang pushed Xiao Lin away and looked at Ye Mo again, "Xiao Mo, call me again."

"elder sister."

Ye Yuntang nodded vigorously, her tears turning into a smile.

She took out her phone and quickly dialed Song Xuan's number.

"Mom! Do you know what? Xiao Mo spoke! He called me 'sister' and Xiao Lin 'brother-in-law'! Mom, Xiao Mo finally spoke!"

Song Xuan on the other end of the phone was stunned for a few seconds, then burst into tears of excitement.

After finishing her call with Song Xuan, Ye Yuntang took Ye Mo's hand and said to Xiao Lin, "I'm taking Xiao Mo home now. I'll take him to see a specialist tomorrow. Xiao Lin, thank you."

After Ye Yuntang pulled Ye Mo away, the amusement park manager approached and asked respectfully, "Mr. Xiao, are you still going to proceed with your original plan for tonight's private event, including the lighting decorations and fireworks show?"

Xiao Lin's thin lips curved slightly. "No need. We'll reschedule for next time."

Xiao Mo being able to speak is far more important than his confession to her.

……

the next day.

Ye Yuntang and Song Xuan took Ye Mo to consult with an expert.

"Actively calling out to people is an important sign of language development in autistic children, indicating that their language center is responding and their social desire is awakening. They will not be able to speak long sentences naturally. Let them practice single words, reduplicated words, and then transition to short sentences. They will gradually accumulate the ability to express their needs and even engage in simple communication."

Ye Yuntang and Song Xuan hugged Ye Mo, weeping with joy.

"Tangtang, quick, call Xiao Xiao and ask him to come over for dinner tonight. He's your brother's lucky star. Last time your brother was bullied by Ye Yuhang and his gang, he helped him. This time, your brother spoke up, and that's thanks to him too."

Ye Yuntang felt that her mother was right.

Xiao Lin's appearance truly brought a different kind of impact to Xiao Mo, this withdrawn child.

He is Xiao Mo's lucky star.

Ye Yuntang took the initiative to send Xiao Lin a message.

A short while later, she received his reply: "Okay."

When Xiao Lin arrived at the Ye family, he brought many gifts and imported fruits.

Ye Yuntang was in a good mood, and during dinner that evening, she couldn't help but drink a few glasses of wine.

Song Xuan patted Ye Yuntang's arm, "You have to go to work tomorrow and go back to your apartment later, so drink less."

Ye Yuntang looked at the man sitting opposite her, "Mom, don't worry, I have a driver here."

Song Xuan glared at Ye Yuntang, "You child, how could you mistake Xiao Xiao for a driver?"

Ye Yuntang raised her leg and kicked the man under the table. "Comrade Xiao, would you like to be my driver?"

Xiao Lin's lips curled slightly. "I'd be more than happy to."

After dinner, Ye Yuntang took Xiao Lin's car back to her apartment.

The red wine had a strong aftereffect, and Ye Yuntang leaned back in her chair, her face flushed, making her even more radiant and beautiful.

Ye Yuntang turned her head to look at the man driving, and suddenly asked, "Xiao Lin, am I special to you?"

Xiao Lin nodded. "Yes."

"Then why are you ignoring me?"

Xiao Lin pursed his thin lips tightly. "I didn't."

"You did—" Ye Yuntang straightened up, her beautiful eyes glaring at him, "That night I kissed you and said you were special, and you didn't even say anything, not even contacting me the next day."

Xiao Lin's gaze darkened slightly as he looked at Ye Yuntang. "I originally planned to give you a surprise the following night, but the plan was disrupted."

Ye Yuntang blinked. "What surprise?"

Xiao Lin's thin lips curved slightly. "You want to know?"

Ye Yuntang nodded, "Yes."

"I'll take you there now—"