No Longer Escaping (ABO) - Chapter 3
“Let’s drink this medicine first, wouldn’t want you catching typhoid fever,” Wan Niang said, offering the porcelain bowl in her hand to Yang Lulong.
Smelling the strong scent of traditional Chinese medicine, Yang Lulong unconsciously frowned. She had only drunk it once or twice before, and it was always very bitter, making her not want to try it again. But thinking that this was specially prepared for her, she had no choice but to take the bowl, close her eyes, hold her breath, and gulp down the medicinal liquid in one go. It was still just as bitter.
Wan Niang watched her wrinkled face, recalling the young Er Ni from Aunt Zhang’s family, who made the same expression when drinking medicine. She pursed her lips, a smile playing on them.
“Thank you,” Yang Lulong could only whisper her thanks, the bitterness in her throat truly unpleasant.
“What’s your name?” Wan Niang’s clear dark eyes looked at Yang Lulong, her gently curved eyebrows soft.
Yang Lulong didn’t dare to meet her gaze, avoiding her eyes and saying embarrassedly, “Yang Lulong…”
“My name is Wan Yu, you can also call me Wan Niang.”
Her enthusiasm made Yang Lulong feel pressured, so she could only say politely, “Thank you for saving me.”
“Saving people is a doctor’s duty, no thanks needed.”
“…”
“…”
After these words, the two fell into silence. Wan Niang looked at Yang Lulong, as if expecting her to say something. But Yang Lulong didn’t know what to say next, nor did she dare to meet her eyes, only staring down at the patterns on the quilt. The atmosphere was very awkward.
“Do you remember… where you fell into the water?” Wan Niang broke the silence, asking.
Yang Lulong stared at the quilt, thinking about how to answer Wan Niang.
“…I… I forgot…” She raised her head, just in time to meet Wan Niang’s worried gaze. It was only for a moment before she quickly looked away, gazing elsewhere.
“Then… do you remember where your home is?”
Home… perhaps she could never go back, or maybe there never was one to begin with…
The figures of her father, stepmother, and younger brother, as well as the already blurred image of her biological mother, floated into Yang Lulong’s mind. She regretted not saying goodbye to them and not sending her brother a wedding blessing. After thinking so much, she simply lowered her head and shook it, indicating that she had also forgotten.
Wan Niang looked at her bowed head and sad expression, a feeling of pity inexplicably arising in her heart. She reached out and gently stroked Yang Lulong’s head, comforting her, “Rest first, you’ll remember eventually…”
“Wan Niang!” A shout suddenly came, and it was Brother Zhang and the others returning.
Brother Zhang and Xiao Wen naturally entered the room.
“You’re awake,” Xiao Wen said, looking at Yang Lulong sitting on the bed.
“Woke up at just the right time, you really got a great deal,” Brother Zhang muttered, his voice low, only audible to Xiao Wen. She nudged him with her elbow, signaling him to stop talking.
Seeing the two of them arrive, Wan Niang quickly introduced them.
“This is Zhang Long, we all call him Brother Zhang.”
“This is Xiao Wen, she specializes in running errands for the villagers and often helps me deliver medicine to everyone.”
“Hello,” Xiao Wen greeted Yang Lulong politely.
“…” Brother Zhang wasn’t as friendly, only giving a casual wave.
“Thank you all…” Besides expressing gratitude, Yang Lulong didn’t know what else to say.
“Her name is Yang Lulong,” Wan Niang added for her.
“Then can we call you Xiao Yang?” Xiao Wen was lively and quickly gave Yang Lulong a nickname.
“Okay…” The feeling of being watched made Yang Lulong very uncomfortable.
Seeming to sense Yang Lulong’s unease, Wan Niang quickly said, “What about the things Aunt Zhang asked you to bring me earlier?”
“They’re outside, you’ll never guess what they are,” Xiao Wen said, pulling Wan Niang up and walking out.
Only Yang Lulong and Zhang Long remained in the room. Yang Lulong didn’t dare to look at him; she felt the strong hostility emanating from him.
“If you dare to take advantage of Wan Niang, we won’t be polite,” he said, leaving Yang Lulong confused, before following them out of the room.
••••
“Little chicks?” Wan Niang held a basket containing several small chicks.
“Just hatched by Aunt Zhang’s hen a while ago, she said she’d give you a few to raise.”
“But, I don’t know how…”
“Just feed them any wild grass, they’ll survive. It’s just… cleaning up after them is a bit of a hassle,” Xiao Wen said, scratching her head apologetically. “By the way, this Xiao Yang, where is she from? Her clothes look quite nice, she should be from a wealthy family, right?”
“She doesn’t remember.”
“Tch… probably just pretending,” Brother Zhang said disdainfully.
“Oh dear,” Xiao Wen nudged him again with her elbow. “Sorry Wan Niang, you know how he is with Qianyuan.”
“It’s alright, I’ll find a place to let these little chicks out first.”
“Then we’ll leave first, call us if you need anything.”
“Okay, goodbye.”
On the way back.
“Honestly, why are you so reckless?” Xiao Wen began to lecture Brother Zhang for not being able to read the room.
“I was just telling that Qianyuan to be careful. Wasn’t I also considering Wan Niang’s safety?” Brother Zhang said angrily.
“Not all Qianyuan are like that. You don’t even know what kind of person she is, why do you dislike her so much?”
“But most of them are like that, right? Don’t forget what that kid Wu Yu did to your Sister Fang. I’ve been to town so many times, I’ve seen more Qianyuan than you. I know exactly what kind of nasty creatures they are. Every single one of them, flirtatious and lecherous. Humph!”
The “Sister Fang” that Zhang Long mentioned made Xiao Wen pause for a moment, but she continued, “You haven’t even met this female Qianyuan, what if she’s different from those people?”
“A female Qianyuan is still a Qianyuan. She has all the traits a Qianyuan should have. We still need to be careful. Wan Niang has been single for so many years, I haven’t seen her like anyone, and she doesn’t have much experience. We need to be careful she doesn’t get tricked by this outsider.”
“However… I do have a feeling… could Wan Niang really have taken a liking to her?”
“They’ve only met a few times! How could that be… Wan Niang isn’t some naive young girl who hasn’t seen a few Qianyuan…”
“Besides, her appearance isn’t bad either, right?”
“If she dares to deceive Wan Niang, I’ll break her legs!”
••••
Lying in bed all day, with no phone, no TV, no entertainment whatsoever. Yang Lulong did nothing but space out and sleep. It was incredibly boring.
Wiggling her toes, it seemed her legs could move. She tried to get out of bed.
Stepping out of the room, it was already dusk. The fiery red sunset had dyed the clouds a matching crimson.
She observed the small courtyard. In one corner, some small vegetables used as seasoning were planted. On one side, many medicinal herbs, as well as clothes and bedsheets, were drying. It was both orderly and full of life.
“Chirp chirp chirp…” The little chicks chirped noisily, not afraid of people at all. One small chick even ran onto Yang Lulong’s foot. She looked at the small, yellow, fluffy chick, bent down, picked it up, and gently stroked it. The remaining chicks all gathered around, pecking at the hem of her long robe, looking hungry.
Wan Niang, who had gone out, returned at this moment. Her basket was full of things to feed the chicks.
Seeing that Yang Lulong had already become one with the group of chicks, and noticing how she stood still, afraid of stepping on them, looking incredibly adorable, Wan Niang smiled and handed her the basket. “Help me feed them first, I’ll go cook.”
“Oh…” Yang Lulong took the basket, watching Wan Niang’s busy figure disappear into the kitchen. Soon after, wisps of smoke slowly rose from the roof.
Yang Lulong scattered the feed for the chicks. Suddenly, she felt a pressing need to use the restroom. Not daring to ask Wan Niang where it was, she thankfully spotted a small room in the corner, which must be the outhouse.
She hurried over to take a look, and indeed it was.
But just as she was about to use the toilet, she froze. What was going on? How could she have this? She touched her chest. She was a woman, right?