My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 22 Part 2

Huo Shu didn’t bother arguing with them. Instead, he raised his leg and delivered a sharp kick—crack! The cart wheel split further, and the already tilted cart sank deeper into the ditch.  

One of the more timid women shrieked. The driver flinched, realizing that if Huo Shu kept this up, his cart would be beyond repair.  

Instantly, his tone changed to pleading:  

“Sorry, sorry! My ox was acting up today and made the ger fall. No charge for the ride, I’ll pay for the medical expenses! I’ll pay!”  

The other farmers, quick to adapt, suddenly switched to concern:  

“Ger, are you alright? Aiya, I was so caught up in my own troubles earlier, I didn’t even help you up. Please don’t hold it against me!”  

The driver hastily compensated Ji Taoyu for his injuries, and only then did Huo Shu let the matter drop.  

As Huo Shu approached Ji Taoyu, the farmers quickly scattered, muttering about their bad luck and sneaking away while his back was turned, leaving the driver alone to haul the cart out of the ditch.  

Huo Shu crouched in front of Ji Taoyu and asked softly, “Can you move your hand?”  

Ji Taoyu shook his head. “It hurts when I try.”  

Huo Shu saw the pale palm, now dust-covered and scraped. Ji Taoyu's skin was so delicate that even a small wound, no larger than a fingernail, had become red and swollen, highlighting its fragile nature.

His brow furrowed. “I’ll reset it. Bear with the pain.”  

Ji Taoyu nodded, extending his hand while turning his face away.  

Huo Shu didn’t delay. Gripping the slender wrist, he adjusted the dislocated joint. Ji Taoyu clenched his teeth, holding back a cry, but his body still trembled from the pain.  

When he turned back, Huo Shu saw his eyes reddened and wet, tears shimmering so clearly they could reflect his own image.  

Huo Shu pursed his lips, unsure how to react. Afraid he might cry, he asked, “Does it hurt badly?”  

Ji Taoyu’s voice was hoarse. “Just for a second. It’s better now.”  

He flexed his wrist slightly and looked at Huo Shu. “I can move it again.”  

“Good.”  

Seeing the injured ger still frowning, Huo Shu wanted to get him home quickly. Instinctively, he reached out to lift the small figure, but then hesitated.  

“Can you walk?”  

Ji Taoyu glanced at his knee. He wasn’t sure how bad it was, but the bone seemed fine, just the skin hurt. Walking would rub the wound against his clothes, making it worse.  

But since they were still outside, he forced himself to say, “I’m fine.”  

Huo Shu helped him up but noticed Ji Taoyu glancing at the distressed driver still struggling with the cart. He withdrew his hand and instead offered his arm for support.  

Grateful, Ji Taoyu took Huo Shu’s arm to steady himself. But the moment he touched it, his face flushed.  

He’d known Huo Shu was strong, but actually feeling it was another matter.  

The arm under his grip was like thick, sturdy vine - unyielding even as he pulled himself up.  

He could only imagine the veins bulging beneath Huo Shu’s sleeve, every inch of skin taut with strength.  

It was the complete opposite of his own softness - firm to the point of hardness.  

Ji Taoyu took a few tentative steps. Though slow, he could still move. He sighed in relief.  

But Huo Shu, watching him limp, didn’t relax. “Want to ride the horse?”  

“No, no!”  

Ji Taoyu waved his hands frantically, eyeing the black horse with trepidation. “I don’t dare!”  

“It’s fine. He’s gentle. I’ll hold the reins, he won’t jostle you.”  

Huo Shu led the horse over and crouched beside it, interlacing his hands to offer a step up.  

Seeing no way to refuse, Ji Taoyu bit his lip and grabbed the saddle, stepping onto Huo Shu’s hands to climb up.  

But his injured leg had little strength. After a few failed attempts, he ended up clinging to the horse’s side, unsure what to do.  

“Brother Huo, don’t let go!”  

“I won’t.”  

Hearing the near-tearful voice, Huo Shu sighed. In the end, he had to wrap an arm around the ger’s waist and hoist him onto the horse.  

Finally seated, Ji Taoyu exhaled in relief—only to tense up again as his feet dangled high above the ground. He gripped the saddle tightly, staring straight ahead, afraid to look around.  

The horse beneath him snorted, making him even more nervous.  

“Brother Huo, don’t let go of the reins,” he whispered.  

Huo Shu tightened his grip on the reins, glaring at the black horse, which seemed to glare back at its owner.  

Coldly, he warned, “Behave. If you jostle him, I’ll send you to the slaughterhouse.”  

Then, he patted the horse’s head. “Be good.”  

The horse huffed but finally turned forward and began walking steadily.  

Huo Shu glanced at the terrified Ji Taoyu. “Don’t worry. I won’t let go.”  

Ji Taoyu bit his lip, body rigid, hands clenched on the saddle. For a moment, he forgot all about his scrapes and bruises.  

Luckily, the black horse, having been properly disciplined, didn't cause any more trouble.  

Normally, Huo Shu rode with loose reins, letting the horse nibble grass along the way. But now, with someone else on its back and the reins held firmly, the horse knew to behave, walking straight and steady.  

As the ride smoothed out, Ji Taoyu gradually relaxed.  

The evening breeze brushed his face, warm with lingering sunlight, lifting the hair at his temples like a gentle wash of warm water.  

This was his first time seeing the road from such a height. The landscape unfolded before him, with mountains and streams stretching out as far as the eye could see.

He peeked sideways at Huo Shu, walking silently beside the horse. Usually, he had to tilt his head up to talk to the tall man, but now he could see the top of his head.  

Huo Shu’s hair was jet-black and looked coarser than most. Ji Taoyu pressed his lips together, hiding a small smile.  

No wonder highborn men in the city loved riding horses, there was something oddly satisfying about looking down on everyone else.