What Did You Say? I Can't Hear You

[Deaf Cultural Relic Restorer Top × Sound-Obsessed Dependent CEO Bottom] Jiang Chen has a pair of hands that the industry says should be put on a pedestal. He is a universally acknowledged genius in the field of cultural relic restoration and appraisal, the very model of perfection. That is, if you overlook the hearing aid in his right ear and the hideous scar around his wrist. Those around him never dare mention his impairment in front of Jiang Chen, until a fake at an auction turns his quiet life upside down... First Meeting "Deaf?" The sharp-featured man before him spoke clearly. Even without his hearing aid, Jiang Chen could tell from lip-reading alone that the man meant trouble. Lu Lin gave a cold snort. "Talking to you is less fluent than having a conversation with AI." Expressionless, Jiang Chen signed: "Sorry, I can't hear what you're saying." Second Meeting "A partnership?" The domineering man slid a contract across the table, the restorer's pale lips reflected in his lenses. Jiang Chen was restoring Tang dynasty silk. Without even looking up, he signed "I can't hear" in the [Party B] column. Who-Knows-How-Manyth Meeting Lu Lin was pushed down onto the bed, his collar disheveled and his glasses askew. "Jiang Chen! Let go of me! Do you hear me? I said let go!" Medical tape was wrapped around their knuckles in a butterfly-shaped dead knot. Jiang Chen tapped the ear from which he had removed his hearing aid. He bent down and spoke each word slowly beside Lu Lin's flushed ear: "Baby, what did you say? I can't hear you." Content warnings: The science is complete nonsense, and the cultural relic restoration has a touch of fantasy. Please don't overthink it (bows). Theme: Hearing love.