Chapter 36: It's Not a Crime for a Man to Cry (2)

“You will have to go home eventually. You can’t stay by my side forever; you have your own family. You’ve been here for eight years, but your childhood shouldn’t be filled with only me—it should include your family as well. It’s not too late; you can still have that,” Ye Lang said softly.

Tigress fell silent at these words, holding Ye Lang tightly in a quiet embrace. It seemed she understood that after this hug, it might be a very long time before the next.

At that moment, Ye Lanyu and Long Anqi were struck by a sense of shame. They had always thought only of having Tigress care for Ye Lang, never considering her own situation.

Perhaps only the closest of friends could truly understand. Ye Lang had never regarded Tigress as a servant, but as his childhood companion, his dearest friend. How could he not sense her longing for home?

In front of Ye Lang, Tigress had always been open. She had spoken of her family, of the people in her home, and sometimes she would sit quietly under the moon, lost in thought, simply because she was homesick.

Because of this, Ye Lang knew she was not an orphan. On the contrary, her parents and elders were all alive and well, and she had a loving family.

Back then, Ye Lang had been too confused to deal with this matter, and so eight years passed. Now he understood what he needed to do, though he still harbored a selfish wish to keep Tigress by his side for three more months.

During those three months, he did much for her, teaching her martial arts and special survival skills.

Now, everyone seemed to realize why Ye Lang had suddenly insisted on sleeping with Tigress—it was because he had already been planning for this. Throughout this time, he had quietly borne the pain of impending separation, though on the surface he appeared unchanged.

Thinking of this, Tigress felt a pang in her heart, but she could not blame Ye Lang for keeping it from her.

“But, young master, if I leave, there will be no one to look after you. You’re always so clumsy,” Tigress said, her voice tinged with sorrow.

“I’m not as helpless as before. I can take care of myself, so don’t worry,” Ye Lang replied gently, wanting to reassure her.

“Nonsense! You’re hardly any better than before. You’re always muddled and clumsy,” Tigress retorted, easily puncturing his attempt at comfort; she knew him even better than he knew himself.

Ye Lang, though his memory had returned, still sometimes acted as Tigress said—absent-minded and slow to react. Whether this was a lingering effect of his past, or simply his nature, no one could say.

Fortunately, these were just small matters, which only made him more endearing.

Ye Lang himself didn’t mind these things, and neither did Long Anqi or Ye Lanyu. Servants could handle the small things; as long as he was clear-headed in important matters, that was enough.

Perhaps, Tigress was the only one truly concerned about such things.

“It’s fine. I’ll manage by then,” Ye Lang said offhandedly.

Tigress said nothing more, instead lapsing into a thoughtful silence.

At this point, the courtyard fell quiet. No one spoke; all simply waited for time to pass, while Ye Lang and Tigress seemed to wish that time could stop at this very moment.

But time waits for no one. What must come will always come. The arrival of Commander Anna meant Ye Lang had to part from Tigress and begin discussing the mission with Anna.

His request was simple: at any cost, ensure Tigress came to no harm. If that could not be done, then call for more help.

Anna, beautiful and composed, was momentarily stunned by Ye Lang’s request. Was this for real?

It wasn’t that his demand was too high—if anything, it was far too modest. It was only an escort for Tigress, not something that required the entire mercenary company, nor did it demand such a hefty commission. A tenth—no, even a hundredth of the fee would suffice.

Tigress was not an important figure on the continent, at least not yet. Even if she traveled alone, apart from the odd lecher, no one would bother her. She certainly did not need such a grand escort.

But since Ye Lang insisted and offered such a generous fee, they would do their utmost. Tigress would not suffer a scratch.

Afterwards, many asked Ye Lang why he paid a million gold pieces for the commission, when Tigress was hardly worth so much—even he himself would not require such a sum.

Ye Lang never answered such questions. He disdained them, refused to discuss Tigress’s worth, for such talk felt like an insult to her.

“Young master, I’m leaving. Take care of yourself. I will come back,” Tigress said, her voice heavy with reluctant farewell, as though parting were a matter of life and death.

Return—of course she would return. Her plan was to stay at home for a while, then let her family arrange for her to attend the Royal Academy, where there were many beastman students.

How could she ever stop worrying about Ye Lang? She could never stop, not in this life.

“I know. I’ll take care of myself. If you don’t come back, I’ll go find you,” Ye Lang replied. He knew her well enough to trust she would return.

“And one more thing, young master. Before I return, you mustn’t sleep with the Seventh Princess, or any other girls,” Tigress said softly—half teasing, half serious.

“Don’t worry, I’m not that kind of person,” Ye Lang replied earnestly.

“And if you ever do become ‘that kind of person’…” Tigress laughed, her words leaving Ye Lang briefly stunned.

“Who taught you to say that?” After a moment, Ye Lang asked curiously; such a phrase was not common here.

“You did. Two years ago, when you were…” Tigress recounted the incident in detail, her voice gentle and reminiscent.

Ye Lang could only listen quietly. He had nearly forgotten this trivial episode, yet she remembered it so clearly.

How many times had this happened already? Members of Anna’s mercenary group could not help but think to themselves—this was not the first time the pair’s farewells spiraled into affectionate banter, so reluctant to part.

The two children were so inseparable now; what would they be like when grown?

Still, everyone cherished the bond between them—a pure, untainted feeling that made them recall their own childhood friends.

Such precious feelings—how many truly last forever?

They all silently wished that Ye Lang and Tigress could keep this feeling for a lifetime, and never let it fade. This was the heartfelt hope of all present.