ZHENGZHOU, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Each day at 9:30 a.m., the kitchen of Chenjiuye noodle shop slowly comes to life. Zhonghang and his girlfriend are the first to arrive. He unlocks the door, dons his apron and chef's hat before gathering kitchen utensils from the storage cabinet -- a small, familiar ritual that marks the start of another day.Zhonghang is one of the eight employees -- all suffering from hearing impairment -- who are entrusted with running this nicely decorated neighborhood noodle shop in Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province. Here, a small step by this 19-year-old into the world beyond silence ignites greater hopes for the community of tens of millions of hearing-impaired people in China.By 11:00 a.m., the first customers enter -- a group of young women, greeted not with a shouted welcome but with hearty smiles from the waiting staff. We come here often. It feels cozy, and we love it here, says one to the reporter, calling it their secret sanctuary.The noodle shop now attracts a mix of regulars and newcomers, along with an increasing number of visitors drawn to the heartwarming stories that accompany each bowl of steaming noodle soup.By noon, the restaurant is bustling, packed during every rush hour since its opening on June 27.A customer steps up to the counter and asks, Hello! How do I order? The employee behind the counter smiles, points to her ear, and gestures with her hands. Oh, the customer replies, instinctively lowering his voice.For newcomers, the moment might feel puzzling at first, but it doesn't take long to understand: communication here takes a different form.Communication here is both minimal and effective. A gesture, a smile, and a tap on the shoulder all convey the message perfectly. Meanwhile, modern tools, including QR codes for scanning menus, vibrating call bracelets for service, and speech-to-text apps on tablets, ensure that staff and their customers communicate without barriers.Still, rush hour brings its own set of ...

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