Novel Catchup
Chapter 329: We Need To Talk
Chapter 329: We Need To Talk
Hearing Long Yu's question, Shi Xuan replied, "No problem. I will get on it immediately."
"Good. For now, you guys should rest and recover your stamina. I will handle tonight's patrol," Long Yu said.
"Yes, Captain," the others replied before dispersing.
As they left, Yao Ran gently pulled Long Yu's hand and said, "A Yu, we need to talk."
Long Yu paused, looking at her, and asked, "What's wrong?"n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Yao Ran stared at him for a moment before saying, "I know you are worried about me, but you can't always be by my side or protect me. I can take care of myself. I'm not weak."
Long Yu looked at her but said nothing.
Looking at his stubborn expression, Yao Ran sighed and continued, "I know I lost some memories because of The Ark, and I don't fully understand why you are acting this way. But I need you to know-I don't want to be a sheltered flower in a greenhouse."
"I want to stand beside you to fight with you and protect you. If there comes a time when I need to face danger, I hope you will understand and support my decision. A Yu, you have to understand that in this world, you are not responsible for my life or anyone else."
After speaking her mind, Yao Ran leaned in, kissed his cheek, and whispered, "When you have thought this through, come find me."
With that, she let go of his hand and left the meeting room.
Alone in the quiet meeting room, Long Yu clenched his fists, standing there for a long time. When he finally moved, night had fallen. Grabbing his weapons, he went outside, slaying deformed monsters while contemplating Yao Ran's words.
Meanwhile, Yao Ran had just finished her work in her space and taken a shower. After putting on her anti-slashing clothing, she left the space.
Reappearing in her bedroom, Yao Ran grabbed her long sword and stepped out. Noticing it was dinner time, she headed to the dining room but didn't see Long Yu there.
Approaching Jia Xiang, she asked, "Sister Jia Xiang, have you seen A Yu?"
Jia Xiang glanced at Shi Xuan and Huang Qian before replying, "Captain is outside killing deformed monsters."
Hearing this, Yao Ran frowned slightly and said, "I see. Then I will also go kill some monsters."
As she left the dining room, Jia Xiang watched her retreating figure, then nudged Shi Xuan with her elbow.
"A Xuan, do you think something happened between Captain and Yao Ran?" She asked curiously.
Shi Xuan glanced at her and answered, "I'm not sure. Why do you ask?"
Jia Xiang shook her head and said, "I don't know. It just feels strange that the two of them are not together."
"Should we help them sort it out?" Huang Qian asked after a while.
Shi Xuan looked at him and asked, "It's their problem as a couple. Why would we interfere?" Hearing this, Huang Qian shrugged and continued his dinner as if nothing happened.
Before heading outside, Yao Ran stopped by the control room to check the surveillance cameras. Seeing that Long Yu was doing fine at the main entrance, she decided to clear the back entrance, where many monsters had gathered.
Seeing her boyfriend killing the monsters without expression, she sighed and then decided to head to the main entrance first. She had to see if he was alright first before she could feel at
ease.
Before stepping outside, Yao Ran put on night-vision goggles and a respiratory mask. Once ready, she pressed the button to open the door.
The sound of the door caught Long Yu's attention. After slashing another monster, he turned and saw her approaching. For some reason, seeing his girlfriend right now made him nervous.
He had spent hours reflecting on her words and finally understood her perspective. He couldn't keep her tied to his side forever, treating her like someone fragile.
Even though the thought of her suffering pained him, she was right. She needed the space to grow stronger, and they needed to stay with each other as equals.
When Yao Ran reached him, she noticed the slight change in his expression. Without a word, she handed him a respiratory mask and night-vision goggles.
Seeing Long Yu didn't move, she said, "Put these on. The fog is poisonous."
Relieved that she didn't seem angry, Long Yu obediently put on the night vision goggles and respiratory mask. Once he was done, he hesitated before asking softly, "Ran Ran, are you... not mad at me?"
Yao Ran blinked in confusion, then realized he was referring to their earlier conversation in the meeting room.
Shaking her head, she replied, "I'm not angry. I just wanted to tell you what I want. A Yu, I want to protect you and our friends too. To do that, I need to grow stronger."
Through the night vision goggles, Long Yu couldn't see the determination in her eyes, but her tone conveyed it clearly. He stayed silent for a moment, then finally nodded.
He sighed and softly said, "Alright. I will listen to you."
Yao Ran smiled at his words. "Thank you, A Yu."
Long Yu looked at her, then added seriously, "But promise me this-you will consider my feelings before making any decisions. If you die, I will follow you. Remember, Ran Ran, your life isn't just yours."
Yao Ran was momentarily stunned by his words but quickly snapped back to reality when a deformed monster attacked them.
Reacting instinctively, she summoned a vine with her wood element energy, binding the monster like a dumpling. Before she could draw her long sword, Long Yu had already sliced the deformed monster into pieces and shattered its core with his wind blades.
As the black, sticky liquid and pieces of flesh splattered onto the ground, Long Yu muttered in disappointment, "Too bad we are wearing masks."
Realizing what he was implying, Yao Ran was speechless. She lightly slapped his arm and rolled her eyes at him, "I didn't expect you to be this kind of man."
"What kind of man, mhm?" Long Yu asked, raising an eyebrow.