Late Bloomer Brings The Light

Chapter 6

Bleary brown eyes flutter at the feeling of someone shaking him as if there were no tomorrow. Fearing it may be Wen Ruohan or some guards waiting to torture him, Jiang Ying startles awake and moves back to keep a distance from the intruder while clutching his aching stomach. He feels weird, as if his body were on fire, every muscle screaming in agony. But that isn't what he cares about now. All he cares about is the man standing before him, the one who said he was sorry for some reason.

"I'm s-sorry," the man stutters as he inches closer, causing Jiang Ying to squeak and jump back in fear. "I have no intention of harming you. I'm here to help you escape."

Jiang Ying finds it hard to believe the man, but the urgency in his voice is convincing. He sits up a little straighter, feeling anything is better than waiting for his inevitable torture. Trying to stand up as his abused body allows, he staggers and winces in pain that feels almost like it's killing him. He breathes heavily and slumps down. "I—I can't. My body hurts, especially my stomach."

"If you don't mind," the man hesitantly places his hand on Jiang Ying's wrist and realizes what is happening. "You've consumed a strong potion that triggers your heat, but your body isn't capable of speeding the process. You should be thankful for being a late bloomer now, or I can't imagine what condition you would be in otherwise."

"I'm always proud to be a late bloomer," Jiang Ying whispers through his ragged breaths.

The man shakes his head, his short black ponytail swaying as he retrieves a red potion from his robe and offers it to Jiang Ying. "Drink this. It will help you, but be cautious, as it may have side effects."

Jiang Ying looks at the potion and then back at the man. He can't detect a single hint of malice in him, so he decides to try it. He takes the potion and swallows it in one gulp, feeling an immediate cooling sensation spread through his body. He nods at the man and tries to stand up, but he winces in pain again.

The man helps Jiang Ying to his feet, knowing it will be painful for the omega to handle such a situation, but he can't do anything more. He is already putting himself at risk. There is no doubt that he will be in trouble if caught. Gathering his courage, he unlocks the door and pushes it open. "There are guards by every exit except for the servant entrance that I've unlocked for you."

With hope and courage, Jiang Ying follows the man, but as they walk down a set of stone stairs, his leg slips, and he falls into a rather large pool filled with koi. The pool isn't overly impressive and looks quite unkempt, aside from a little cleanup that has been done. With the cold surrounding him, he moves to the surface of the water and gasps for air.

The man feels sorry for the omega and extends his hand to help him. "Grab my hand. We don't have enough time. I'll help you reach the servant entrance before they find out you're missing."

Jiang Ying, now wet and cold, swims a little closer and takes the man's hand, pulling himself out of the pool. Together, they navigate through a few hallways and turn several corners before reaching a small, plain wooden door. "This is the servant entrance that leads outside. It's early enough that the servants should all be busy, so you will be able to make it outside relatively easily," the man explains.

Jiang Ying turns his head to look at the man and puts on a sincere smile. "Thank you. What is your name? Why are you helping me?"

"My name is Wen Ning. I'm the son of Wen Ruohan's third wife. I have no intention of harming you or letting others harm you, as you remind me of my mother's situation. She was also captured and mistreated by Father in the past. She fell ill and eventually passed away within these walls." The man sighs, his voice filled with sadness. "I don't want the same fate for you."

"I'm sorry," Jiang Ying murmurs. "Won't you get in trouble for doing this?"

Wen Ning shakes his head. "I won't. I'm only here because my brothers have some business to attend to. When they return, I will go with them, so I doubt I will even be a suspect. If anything, my brothers will take care of me."

Jiang Ying nods gratefully. "Thank you once again. I'll be sure to repay you when I get back home." He pulls his hand from Wen Ning's grip and opens the old wooden door.

"Don't worry about repaying me. It's no problem," Wen Ning says with a bright smile. "Just stay safe out there."

"I will," Jiang Ying replies before stepping into another stairwell and shutting the door behind him. He hears Wen Ning relock the door and takes a deep breath as he looks up the steep stairs that lead him to freedom. His body is still in pain, but it has lessened since he took the red potion; the adrenaline he is feeling is probably helping to mask it.

As he dashes up the stairs, a sharp pain pierces his abdomen, but he pushes through it, focusing only on reaching the top. He pauses briefly to catch his breath, regretting not having prepared better for this moment. With newfound determination, he promises himself to never neglect his training again once he returns home.

He pushes the door open, raising his hand to shield his eyes from the sunlight peeking through. After adjusting to the brightness for a few seconds, he is glad to see that there isn't anyone out and about. His eyes eventually land on an exit leading into what he assumes is Qishan. Doing one more quick check and not seeing anyone, Jiang Ying steps out of the stairwell and closes the door behind him. Not wanting to waste time, he starts sprinting toward the exit with a smile on his face. He is almost home free.

Just as he steps outside the mansion and into Qishan, he hears a shout from above him. "The omega has escaped! Guards to the southern exit!"

Looking up, Jiang Ying sees a guard on top of the mansion walls. He forgot to look up, didn't he? But there's no way he is going to stand around waiting to be captured again. Without wasting a moment, he sets off in a dead run. There is no chance he is going to be caught again, not if he has any say in the matter.