A Shocking Dream

Chapter 181

Lin Wunian gently patted Lu Yao's shoulder and gave her a comforting look: "Miss Lu, you and I have known each other for a long time and have been friends. How can I stand idly by and watch your affairs? Although the Marquis of Pingding is prestigious, I am not without ways to deal with it." His words were firm and powerful, and his eyes revealed a sense of confidence.

Lu Yao nodded slightly, her gratitude in her heart difficult to express in words: "Ms. Lin, I am grateful for your kindness. I, Lu Yao, have no power, no influence, and no relatives. If Miss Lin doesn't mind..." She frowned, her eyes full of confusion, and she was hesitant to speak, a hint of expectation and uneasiness flickering in the depths of her eyes.

Lin Wunian looked at Lu Yao's pitiful appearance, and a trace of pity welled up in his heart. He said softly, "Miss Lu, don't be so distant. Since we have met, it means we are destined to meet. In the days to come, you don't have to worry about being alone and helpless."

Lu Yao's eyes were slightly red, and her voice was choked with sobs. "Ms. Lin, I don't know how I can ever repay you. Right now, you're the only one in this world who truly treats me. I'm willing to follow you around, to be your slave, just to have a safe place by your side."

Lin Wunian gently held Lu Yao's hand. It felt cold, but she wrapped it in her warm palm and said softly, "Miss Lu, I don't need you to repay me. I see that you have a kind character and have suffered such a pitiful fate. How could I despise you? From today on, you must treat me as your family member, and we will support each other."

After hearing this, Lu Yao couldn't hold back her tears any longer, and burst out: "Miss Lin, you are so kind. I thought I was the only one struggling in the darkness in this world, but I didn't expect to meet a beacon like you."

Lin Wunian raised his hand to wipe away her tears and smiled lightly, "Okay, don't cry anymore. It won't look good if your face is covered with tears. You don't have to follow me in the future. You will have a place to stay. I will go home sooner or later."

When Lu Yao heard this, her heart suddenly tightened and she hurriedly grabbed Lin Wunian's sleeve: "Ms. Lin, you want to go home? What should I do? I don't want to be separated from you." Her eyes were full of panic and reluctance, as if she was about to lose the most precious thing.

Lin Wunian gently patted Lu Yao's hand and said soothingly, "Silly girl, although I am going home, I will not abandon you. I will arrange everything for you properly, find a stable place to live, and leave you enough money and belongings so that you can live a good life."

Lu Yao desperately shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. "No, Miss Lin, I don't want that. I just want to be by your side. If you leave, even if this world is prosperous, it will be nothing more than a lonely desert to me."

Lin Wunian felt a surge of emotion and confusion. She looked at Lu Yao and said seriously, "Lu Yao, my hometown is far away. There are my family and childhood memories that I miss. I've been away from home for a long time, and when things are settled, I will return. But I will never forget the friendship we shared."

Lu Yao was silent for a moment, then slowly released her hand. A look of determination shone through her eyes. "Miss Lin, since you've made up your mind, I'll go back with you. I'm not afraid of long journeys or unfamiliar places. As long as I can be with you, anywhere is home."

Lin Wunian looked at Lu Yao's determined expression and thought to herself that it was fortunate she was a girl. If she were a boy, Lu Yao might have promised herself to her. This thought flashed through her mind, and she couldn't help but laugh, but also felt a hint of inexplicable melancholy.

Seeing Lin Wunian's sudden distraction, Lu Yao called out softly, "Miss Lin, what are you thinking about? Did what I just said make you feel embarrassed?"

Lin Wunian came back to his senses and shook his head slightly: "No, I just suddenly felt a little lost in thought. Lu Yao, you really don't have to be so persistent. Going back to that unknown place with me might cause a lot of inconvenience."

Lu Yao took a step closer, her eyes sincere. "Miss Lin, I've said before, as long as you're here, I'm not afraid of anything. Whether it's mountains of swords and seas of fire, or unknown local customs and family rules, I'm willing to face it all."

Lin Wunian was touched and took Lu Yao's hand. "Silly girl, I only helped you by chance, but you treated me with such sincerity. If I were a man, I would definitely be moved by your deep affection and promise you a lifetime."

Lu Yao's cheeks flushed, and she scolded, "Miss Lin, please stop teasing me. My feelings for you have nothing to do with love between men and women. It's just that you've made me feel the warmth and kindness of this world, and I don't want to lose that."

Lin Wunian smiled softly. "I know, and I've long considered you my most cherished friend. But sometimes I wonder if our identities were different, our fate might have been different. Well, let's not think about that. Where is the evidence you have of Marquis Pingding's crimes?"

Lu Yao bit her lip and glanced around warily. After confirming that no one was around, she leaned closer to Lin Wunian and said in a low voice, "Miss Lin, I hid the evidence behind a Buddha statue in a dilapidated temple outside the city. I discovered it by accident, and since it's a serious matter, I haven't dared to act rashly."

Lin Wunian nodded slightly. "That's great. However, the Marquis of Pingding has many eyes and ears now. If we want to successfully obtain evidence and escape unscathed, we need to plan carefully."

Lu Yao frowned. "Miss Lin, I heard that the Marquis of Pingding has recently stepped up patrols outside the city. We're walking into a tiger's mouth. But if we miss this opportunity, I'm afraid it will be difficult to find the key to bring him down."

Lin Wunian pondered for a moment and said, "I know a little bit about disguise. I can disguise myself to reduce the risk of being discovered. Don't worry, I'm here and I will definitely not let you fall into danger."

Lu Yao nodded. Suddenly, a thought occurred to her, and her expression changed. She gritted her teeth and said, "You ran into Xie Yuan today. He must be coveting your beauty. You better be careful. Xie Yuan is notorious for his lust and audacity. Once he sets his sights on someone, he won't give up easily!"

"Don't worry, Miss Lu. He wouldn't dare do anything to my sister or me," Lin Wunian said softly, a certainty barely perceptible to others. She knew that even though Xie Yuan was incredibly daring and powerful, he would still have to think twice before he could actually touch her or her sister. However, she didn't intend to tell Lu Yao about this, fearing she wouldn't trust her, and even more so, afraid of dragging her into even deeper trouble.

Lu Yao frowned, her face filled with worry. "Miss Lin, don't underestimate Xie Yuan's ruthlessness. I've heard he's been running rampant in this city for years, ruining countless girls' innocence and their lives. Even the daughters of powerful families wouldn't have a good ending if he set his sights on them. You must not take this lightly!"

"That Xie Yuan is so shameless!" Lin Wunian gritted his teeth and spoke angrily, his eyes full of disgust and resentment.