diskusbooks Chapter 273 Swear
Chapter 273 Swear
The funerals of the Dahe Gang were always kept simple, and this time was no exception. The brothers who had attended the funeral had all left, but Nianyao was still sitting by the river, staring blankly at the vast river.
She personally saw off the three closest and most important people in the Dahe Gang: her father, Liu Lin, and Xu Lai.
When Father passed away, Uncle Liu and Xu Lai were there; when Liu Lin passed away, Luo An and Xu Lai were there. Now that Xu Lai is gone, a profound sense of emptiness washes over me, as if I were being overwhelmed.
Others would take revenge even after ten years. She also had enemies: Yan Zeque who killed Liulin, Jin Hu who killed the Yuezhou brothers... but she had never personally avenged anyone.
Right now, even the courage to pursue the truth seems to have been lost.
How incompetent must she be to cause the Dahe Gang to decline so rapidly after her father's death, to have everyone around her leave one by one, and to be completely powerless to do anything about it?
She didn't want to see anyone around her leave without warning, die suddenly, especially those who hadn't given her much affection, yet whose departures caused her significant pain.
Nianyao couldn't help but think of Luo An. She had told Qin Jiu she was going to Bianjing, but Qin Jiu hadn't seen her there. Qin Jiu and Luo An must be worried about her, right? Would they be searching for her everywhere in Bianjing?
Nianyao picked up a pen several times, ready to write a letter to Luo An and Qin Jiu to tell them she had returned safely. But then she thought, Luo An would definitely ask her where she had gone and what she had been doing. What should she say?
A person who prides herself on being upright and honest, is she really going to be a coward, hiding and avoiding facing reality for the rest of her life? She's so weak, it's almost unlike her.
After the Great River Gang disbanded, she became Luo An's apprentice at the Heaven on Earth. She cast aside all love, hate, and grudges, and disregarded all moral responsibilities.
Yes, she was just that lonely and cowardly! Nianyao buried her head in her knees and let out a barely audible sob.
Someone put their arm around her shoulder and held her in their arms. The familiar, faint scent of herbs seemed to heal all her ailments.
Nianyao could no longer hold back her tears and buried her head in Luo An's shoulder to prevent herself from crying too miserably.
Luo An gently stroked her hair, and instead of the expected outburst of tears, he comforted her, "Cry, it's okay, I'm here."
Tears soaked Luo An's clothes, feeling cool against Nian Yao's face. Nian Yao moved to a dry spot and fiercely wiped away the tears from her eyes and face.
Luo An knelt on one knee in front of her, steadying himself so he wouldn't fall backward.
Nianyao wiped away her tears before daring to look up at Luo An: "Why are you here?"
His eyelids were slightly swollen, but his eyes were bright, mixed with sadness and stubbornness, as well as some emotions that Luo An couldn't understand.
Luo An sat down next to her, holding her hand, and said in a relaxed tone, "If my wife doesn't come to me, then naturally I have to come to her."
When this topic came up, Nianyao felt guilty and lowered her head without saying a word.
Luo An, assuming she was still sad, gently stroked the tired look in her eyes: "Go and rest, you're exhausted."
The semi-coercive command was tinged with tenderness and consideration. Nianyao obediently stood up and let Luo An lead her back.
Long time no see! Seeing you again makes me realize how much I've missed you! Nianyao kept looking at Luo An with her head turned to the side, not noticing what she was stepping on, and she leaned forward.
Luo An swiftly caught her, and Nian Yao, steadying herself, felt a little embarrassed. Luo An wasn't joking; instead, he squatted down and said, "I'll carry you on my back."
In the past, Nianyao would definitely have refused. If her brothers saw this, they would laugh at her. But now, she suddenly didn't want to be competitive; she only wanted to indulge and rely on others.
Nianyao clung to Luo An's back. Luo An carried her steadily, step by step. Nianyao drowsily thought, how wonderful it would be if this could continue forever.
Qin Jiu was drinking tea in the tea room when he heard the noise and looked over. He was so shocked that he raised his hand to wipe his eyes. He forgot about the cup in his hand, and a cup of tea was spilled all over his face.
Happiness is always so fleeting, which is why people pursue it so relentlessly.
Nianyao struggled to get off Luo An's back and walked into the tea room: "Ninth Brother, Ninth Sister-in-law and I don't know them?"
Qin Jiu wiped the water droplets from her face: "It's been a long time since I've been back. Let them stay at home for a while longer."
Nianyao sat on the platform, her head against the wall: "Ninth Brother, I want to ask you for a favor."
Seeing her listless and haggard appearance, Qin Jiu said, "Chief, you don't look well. Go back and rest."
Luo An then advised, "No rush, let's talk about it after you've rested."
Nianyao shook her head, her voice tinged with grievance: "I don't want to go back to my room, I don't want to sleep."
Nianyao felt tired but couldn't fall asleep. She felt depressed as soon as she entered the backyard. She wanted to cry under the covers when she lay in bed. She finally fell asleep but had a series of nightmares.
She was familiar with this state; she was like this during the time when her father and Ji Kongming were gone. So much time has passed, and she hasn't improved at all.
Luo An sat down next to her, gently pressed her down so she could rest her head on his lap, shook the blanket over her, covered her with it, and reached out to cover her eyes: "Then lie like this."
The warmth of Luo An's palm was just right, spreading from her eyes to her whole body, inducing sleep like a sedative. Nian Yao unconsciously yawned and quieted down.
Qin Jiu tiptoed out of the tea room to return to her room, but then remembered something and came back to sit on the edge of the tea room.
Luo An leaned against the wall, pretending to doze off. He opened his eyes slightly and saw Qin Jiu's back as he stood guard by the tea room: Did Qin Jiu think Chongming Island was unsafe?
Nianyao fell asleep in the tea room and woke up in bed. She had slept from day to day, and because she had slept for so long, she was still a little groggy when she sat up.
She sat by the river in a daze, and then... Luo An appeared?!
Nianyao raised her voice and called out, "Luo An?"
Luo An was sitting by the window reading a book, quietly watching her: "I'm here."
Nianyao turned and stretched out her hands to him. Luo An walked to the bedside and sat down. Nianyao wrapped her arms around his waist and nuzzled her head against his chest. Luo An gently rubbed his chin against the top of Nianyao's head.
He had never relied on anyone like this before, nor had he ever been so openly relied upon. Nianyao had never been a weak woman; it seemed she was truly exhausted.
But it feels so good. They are husband and wife, and they should trust and support each other without reservation.
Nianyao nestled in his arms, not looking up, her voice muffled: "Luo An, if... I mean if, I did something that made you really angry, would you divorce me?"
Divorce her? That's that serious!
Luo An patted her back gently: "There is only one situation in which I will divorce my wife."
Nianyao understood: "I didn't betray you, it's something else."
Luo An said, "No, that won't happen."
Nianyao tilted her head back, resting her chin on his chest: "Really?"
Luo An kissed her and assured her, "Really."
Nianyao said, "Swear it."
Luo An couldn't help but laugh: "I've always been a man of my word."
Nianyao retorted, "No, you have to swear an oath."
Unable to resist, Luo An raised his finger to the sky: "I, Luo An, swear to Heaven that as long as my wife Nian Yao remains faithful to me, I will never divorce her. If I break this oath, may Heaven..."
Nianyao quickly reached out and covered his mouth: "That's fine."
Luo An extended his tongue and lightly licked her palm. Nian Yao felt as if her hand was being burned and pulled it back. Luo An rubbed her neck, his voice slightly hoarse: "Hmm?"