No Longer Escaping (ABO) - Chapter 9
Yang Lulong had lost track of how long she had been here.
“Xiao Yang! Come get your things!” Zhang Long’s booming voice called Yang Lulong and Wan Niang out of their respective rooms simultaneously. Wan Niang looked in surprise as Yang Lulong went to take the pile of tools Zhang Long was holding.
“What are these?”
“Xiao Yang asked me to pick up some woodworking tools for her in town a few days ago,” Zhang Long said honestly.
“Woodworking?”
“I know a little…” Yang Lulong stammered. Actually, it wasn’t really woodworking, more like a hobby. She had just wanted Zhang Long to bring back some tools to pass the time. Relying on the chicks to entertain her all the time wasn’t a long-term solution.
Wan Niang watched as Yang Lulong excitedly picked up the tools, eager to try them out. She took some brushes and paper from Wan Niang and began to draw on the paper after dipping the brush in ink.
Wan Niang watched curiously what she was drawing.
Having never understood anything about this, she couldn’t make heads or tails of what Yang Lulong was drawing.
“What is this a drawing of?”
“A wheelchair. Like a carriage, but it’s a chair, a chair that can be pushed.”
“Are you making it for Sister Fang?”
“Mmm.” Sister Fang’s situation always lingered in Yang Lulong’s mind. Although Wu Yu had nothing to do with her, this feeling of guilt had never disappeared.
“Oh…” Wan Niang’s tone revealed a hint of disappointment.
Suddenly, Yang Lulong tore off a strip of paper and asked Wan Niang to hold out her hand. She used the paper strip to measure Wan Niang’s wrist.
“What are you doing now?”
“Secret.” Yang Lulong kept her in suspense.
Over the next few days, Yang Lulong busied herself in the courtyard, diligently building the wheelchair.
After testing it many times and ensuring the quality was up to par, she finally sent the wheelchair to Sister Fang.
Upon receiving the gift, Xiao Wen was even more excited than Sister Fang, embracing Yang Lulong and showering her with thanks.
“Mama can go out and play with us now!” Xiao Hua was also very happy and came over to hug Yang Lulong. “Thank you, Xiao Yang.”
Hearing her address Yang Lulong, Xiao Wen slapped the back of her head. “Xiao Yang is not what you call her! You should call her Aunt Yang, no respect for elders!”
“But Aunt Xiao Wen and Uncle Zhang call her that too, why can’t I?” Xiao Hua retorted, pouting.
“Okay, okay, no more. From now on, you’re my older sister! I’ll call you Sister from now on. Alright, Sister Yang?”
“Me too, Sister Yang!” Zhang Long also joined in the fun.
“There’s really no need to call me that…” Yang Lulong was left speechless.
Immediately, Sister Fang’s house was filled with laughter and joy.
To celebrate, everyone went for a picnic on the grass by the fields.
Yang Lulong was dragged by Xiao Wen and the others to go fishing. Xiao Hua, who loved to play, also went along, leaving only Sister Fang and Wan Niang at the campsite.
“Wan Niang…”
“Hmm?”
“I know, after what happened with Wu Yu, I might not be qualified to say this… but… she really is a good person. You’ve felt it too, haven’t you?”
“Mmm…”
“In that case… don’t miss the opportunity.”
Hearing Sister Fang’s words, Wan Niang fell into thought. She understood what Sister Fang meant. From the moment she first met Yang Lulong, she could sense that Yang Lulong was just a quiet person, but definitely not a bad one. Over these past days of living together, her understanding of Yang Lulong had gradually deepened. She had been constantly worried that Yang Lulong would leave if she remembered her past, but after Yang Lulong confessed to her, this worry no longer troubled her. However… she wasn’t sure what Yang Lulong’s feelings were towards her.
Xiao Wen and the others were very lucky and quickly caught many big and plump fish.
Everyone happily spent the picnic. However, Yang Lulong noticed that Wan Niang seemed to have something on her mind. Ever since they returned, Wan Niang had been silent, only occasionally smiling along with them.
It was the same on the way back.
Back home,
“I’ll go heat up some water first…” Wan Niang said, about to head to the kitchen.
“Wait a moment.” Yang Lulong suddenly called out to her. “This is for you.” She took out a wooden bracelet from her bosom, with some patterns carved on it.
“For me? Why?” Wan Niang took the bracelet, a smile spreading across her face, carefully examining it.
“I just wanted to give you something,” Yang Lulong said shyly.
Wan Niang immediately put the bracelet on her wrist. “It’s very beautiful, thank you…”
Seeing Wan Niang’s satisfied expression, Yang Lulong also felt happy.
Receiving Yang Lulong’s gift, Wan Niang recalled what Sister Fang had told her today. Perhaps her feelings were the same as hers. Finally gathering her courage, Wan Niang slowly spoke.
“Yang Lulong…”
“Hmm?” Yang Lulong met her eyes, no longer looking away immediately as before, but sincerely gazing back at her.
“I like you…”
Yang Lulong was stunned. She looked at Wan Niang’s expectant face, feeling somewhat at a loss. She had thought that she and Wan Niang were good friends. She didn’t understand the boundary between friends and lovers. Having never had friends before, let alone been in love, she didn’t dare to reject Wan Niang, afraid of losing this friend. But did she have the kind of liking for Wan Niang that one had for a lover? She had never thought about it that way. After thinking for a long time, she could only squeeze out an ambiguous sentence.
“I don’t understand…”
Hearing her answer, Wan Niang was also stunned.
“It’s okay… I was mistaken…” Wan Niang forced a smile. “I’m a little tired, I want to go to sleep first…” She quickly turned around, not daring to let Yang Lulong see her reddening eyes.
Yang Lulong watched her hurried retreating figure, feeling very sad. She seemed to have hurt Wan Niang.