No Longer Escaping (ABO) - Chapter 16

“No!” Wan Niang flatly refused when she heard Yang Lulong was going on an escort mission. “This is not a game. Do you know how terrifying the bandits on the mountain are?”

“I can protect myself. I’ll be fine.”

“No means no. There are plenty of other things you can do. Why do you have to go on an escort mission?”

“They’re paying thirty taels.”

“What do you need so much money for?”

“Because…” Yang Lulong was at a loss for words. She couldn’t tell Wan Niang why she needed so much money, so she quickly made up a reason. “Because… I’ve been staying here and eating your food for so long… I… I feel bad about it…”

“But thirty taels is too much. You haven’t been living off me for free. You’ve helped me so much here. Even if you want to repay me, thirty taels is just too much…”

“Brother Zhang went and he was fine, wasn’t he? I’ll be fine too.” Afraid that Wan Niang would realize her excuse was a lie, Yang Lulong quickly changed the subject.

“It’s because of what Brother Zhang said that I don’t want you to go. The group after his had so many deaths and injuries. I won’t let you go, no matter what!”

“…”

Yang Lulong was taken aback by Wan Niang. She was usually so gentle. This was the first time she had seen her so angry. With Wan Niang’s shout, her face fell, and she looked sad.

Seeing Yang Lulong’s expression, Wan Niang’s heart softened. She took Yang Lulong’s hand and gently caressed it, her beautiful eyes filled with worry. “Please don’t go… okay?”

Yang Lulong looked at Wan Niang’s eyes and hesitated, but when she thought about how important that money was, she hardened her heart and shook her head. “I have to go…”

Wan Niang was heartbroken by her resolve. She held back her tears, turned, and went back to her room, leaving only one word behind: “Fine…”

Yang Lulong looked at the closed door and sighed deeply before returning to her own room.

For the next few days before she left, the two of them didn’t say a single word to each other. Even during meals, they just lowered their heads and ate in silence.

Every time Yang Lulong saw Wan Niang’s red-rimmed eyes, she was filled with guilt and her heart ached. She didn’t dare to say anything and remained silent.

The night before she left, neither of them could sleep.

••••

The next day, Yang Lulong got up before dawn. She was all packed and ready to go. She looked back at Wan Niang’s room with reluctance, thinking she hadn’t said goodbye, but she didn’t dare to disturb her. She decided to wait until she got back to talk to her.

Just as she was about to leave, she noticed a package on the small table in the courtyard. She walked over and saw that it was filled with dry food—Wan Niang had prepared it for her.

Wan Niang had actually woken up much earlier. In fact, she had only slept for a little while, crying herself to sleep the night before. Her eyes were as swollen as walnuts. She didn’t want Yang Lulong to see her like that, so she hid in her room and secretly watched her through the small window. When she saw Yang Lulong take the package she had prepared, a mix of complicated emotions swirled in her chest. As she watched her leave, tears started to fall again.

••••

When Yang Lulong arrived at the escort agency, Master Ma was happy to see her, but she noticed Yang Lulong looked sad.

“What’s wrong? Your family didn’t want you to come?”

“Yeah…”

“I understand. It’s normal for people to worry when you’re doing a job like ours. We have to be on our toes at all times.”

“…” Master Ma’s words didn’t seem to have any effect. Yang Lulong still looked miserable.

“Don’t worry. Even though it’s dangerous, my missions have never had any problems. I’ll make sure you get home safely. With your skills and mine, this trip will definitely be safe,” she said, laughing and patting Yang Lulong on the shoulder.

Yang Lulong wasn’t worried about her own safety. She was just feeling guilty about how she had treated Wan Niang and making her sad.

••••

Meanwhile, back at Wan Niang’s house, Zhang Long and Xiao Wen were sitting with her. They felt very guilty seeing how haggard she looked.

“Ugh! I should have just told her that the notice was a scam! This is all my fault!” Zhang Long blamed himself, slapping the table.

“I’ll go get her back right now,” Xiao Wen said, standing up to go after Yang Lulong.

Wan Niang stopped her. “She’s already made up her mind. It’s no use. She won’t come back with you…”

“Why does she suddenly need so much money?” Zhang Long was baffled by Yang Lulong’s motivation.

“She has her own reasons…” Wan Niang was also confused, but since Yang Lulong didn’t want to tell her, there was no point in asking.

“…” Xiao Wen, who was usually the most talkative, was now silent. She was thinking back to their trip to the city, wondering if there was anything unusual about Yang Lulong.

“Thirty taels is a lot of money. Do you think she’s trying to run away?!” Zhang Long said excitedly, getting up to go and catch Yang Lulong.

Xiao Wen held him back, telling him not to jump to conclusions or make Wan Niang worry even more. She remembered Yang Lulong’s questions when they saw the wedding procession, and she had a feeling she knew why Yang Lulong was doing this.

“She will definitely come back,” Xiao Wen said, looking at Wan Niang with a smile. “And she’ll bring back a surprise for you.”

“You know why she wants that money?” Zhang Long asked her.

“I don’t know for sure, but I know she won’t run away.” Xiao Wen took Wan Niang’s hand to comfort her. “Wan Niang, don’t be too sad. She’ll definitely come back safely. And don’t be so angry at her. She must have a reason for doing this. We’ll all find out what it is when she gets back.”

They couldn’t do anything else but pray that Yang Lulong wouldn’t run into any danger.