A Love Story in Sign Language
Shen Li was waiting at the bus stop when a young man and woman communicating in sign language caught her attention. During her university days, Shen Li had volunteered at a school for the deaf and mute for three years and was proficient in sign language. She noticed that the young woman was asking for directions to Sanxia College, but the young man didn’t know the way. Always eager to help, Shen Li quickly ran over and communicated the directions in sign language. The young woman then started chatting with Shen Li using sign language.
Out of friendliness toward her disabled friends, Shen Li left her phone number and email address before getting on the bus. The next day, she unexpectedly received an email from the young man. His name was Yan Ge, and he worked at a property management company. His parents lived out of town, and he lived alone in Yudong Garden Community.
Shen Li replied to the email earnestly, introducing herself and encouraging Yan Ge to work hard. They then started chatting on QQ (a Chinese instant messaging service). Besides chatting online, Yan Ge occasionally asked Shen Li out for walks in the nearby Xishan Park. Although they always communicated in sign language, Shen Li never felt any barriers.
Gradually, Shen Li realized she was falling for Yan Ge. It was clear that Yan Ge liked her too, but he was not a fully able person; he could only say “I love you” using his hands. Shen Li asked her online friends, “Would you like a mute person?” None of them gave a positive answer, which made Shen Li even sadder. Yan Ge seemed to sense her distress but continued to care for her tenderly.
New Year’s Day passed, and one evening, Yan Ge asked Shen Li out. This time, he brought a bouquet of roses and, with a flushed face, seriously signed, “Would you be my girlfriend?” Shen Li was both surprised and delighted, but then conflicting feelings arose. She asked Yan Ge for two months to persuade her parents and gain her friends’ understanding.
As Shen Li expected, her parents were furious when they learned about it. Seeing her determination, they even mobilized other family members to talk her out of it. Shen Li told them, “He is excellent, very optimistic, and has a positive attitude toward life and work. He always thinks of others, much more than many normal people. Deaf-mute people are also human and should have beautiful love.” After some time, her family stopped opposing vehemently and asked to meet the young man.
One evening, Shen Li nervously brought Yan Ge home. On the bus, Yan Ge was particularly happy, signing, “Don’t worry, your parents will definitely like me. I will tell them that I will take good care of you for a lifetime.” Shen Li was so moved that she almost cried. As soon as they entered the house, Shen Li told her parents, “This is Yan Ge…” Unexpectedly, as soon as she finished speaking, something she never dreamed of happened.
Yan Ge dropped the gifts he was holding, tightly hugged Shen Li, and said, “You can speak?” This was exactly the question Shen Li wanted to ask Yan Ge at that moment. Everyone was stunned for a few minutes, and Shen Li suddenly burst into tears of joy. It turned out that Yan Ge had always thought she was deaf-mute too, but he still deeply loved her.
Yan Ge knew sign language because his mother was deaf-mute. At that moment, Shen Li felt she was the luckiest person in the world. Their love was so great and pure. True love is the profound gratitude kind-hearted people feel towards those who bring them joy.
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
