The Blind and the Deaf

It has been two weeks since I was named by the “silent gentleman”. In the meantime, Xiao Zhang had pinched a lot of shoulders, pressed a lot of backs, and chatted a lot. However, he still remembered that Mr. Silence. Xiao Zhang’s eyes were invisible, but his nose was exceptionally good. He remembered that very familiar sweet-smelling scent from the Mr. Meow pastry house next door, which he himself had been craving every day on his way to and from work.

It was only before Xiao Zhang touched the room that he heard the lady at the front desk say that the gentleman was a deaf-mute. Couldn’t hear or speak, and for some reason didn’t have a hearing aid.

“Hello.” He said, as was his custom, “I’m Chang from number 86.”
He pushed the cart into the room and felt toward the bed to find the man already sprawled out cooperatively. The room smelled particularly nice, of strawberries and cream. He closed his eyes and inhaled quietly twice. Then began to work in earnest.

He thought that Mr. Silence must be in his thirties, with a pretty good lifestyle, no flab, just a little tight when pressed. Xiao Zhang had a good sense of touch, not only could he feel out a person’s age, but also their habits. For example, when he rubbed Mr. Silence’s waist, he knew that he often stood and worked.

He massaged Mr. Silence for half an hour. He listened carefully to the sound of his breathing; if he inhaled backwards, he was exerting too much force, and he eased up a little. If he breathed out, he was probably comfortable, so he pressed the area a little longer. Every customer had his own temperament, and Xiao Zhang enjoyed discovering it.

So far, Mr. Silence seems to be quite satisfied. As he wrapped up, Xiao Zhang thought so. Although he knew the other party couldn’t hear him, he still said, “Alright, Mr. Miao. You’re welcome to come back to me next time.”

Xiao Zhang heard Mr. Silence get up in silence and walk out of the room without a word. He had some small regrets that his kindness could not be conveyed to his guest. But that can’t be helped, he said to himself.

Chang reached for his little wooden cart, engraved with his name and filled with bottles and jars for fire-cupping. But as he touched the handle of the cart, he suddenly realized that there was one more thing on it.

Chang shrunk his fingers as he realized it was an unfamiliar touch. Then he tried to reach out again, to feel the shape of something like that.

It was a square, tiny cardboard box. Xiao Zhang’s fingertips slid over the surface of the cardboard box, and felt a line on it – more in the store, for you. It was specially written so heavily that every stroke protruded out.
Xiao Zhang touched that line over and over again, and didn’t touch anything else. He fumed for a while beside his little wooden cart, hesitated for a long time, and finally tried to open that cardboard box. He was very careful in his movements, lest he should knock over the contents.

The lid of the box opened easily. Xiao Zhang cautiously poked his hand inside. His fingertips touched something soft and wet. Xiao Zhang dabbed at it and licked it with his tongue. The light aroma of light cream mixed with the sweet and sour flavor of strawberries immediately overflowed in his mouth. Xiao Zhang’s face reddened in miso.

This was a cupcake given to him by a guest, and he was very happy.

He reluctantly dipped some more cream and licked it, then fumbled to close the carton and happily pushed the cart toward the outside of the room.

Mr. Miao, who had been waiting at the door, saw his reaction and turned to go as well.