My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 37 Part 2

Huang Manjing thought it over and said no more as they returned inside.  

"So that’s why he dressed up so finely this morning, he was going to town with Huo Shu."  

"But how did he know Huo Shu was coming to pick him up?"  

"That child..."  

Once outside the Ji family gate, Huo Shu watched the ger in his pale blue jacket walking ahead and reached out to stop him.  

Ji Taoyu turned abruptly. "What’s wrong?"  

Huo Shu took the cloak from his hands, bent slightly, and fastened it around him. "It’s cold outside. Wear it."  

Ji Taoyu obediently stood still as Huo Shu draped the cloak over him, his rough hands tying an awkward knot at his neck.  

Huo Shu gently patted the cloak, which was darker than the jacket, and pulled the hood over Ji Taoyu’s head.  

"After days of rain, the roads are muddy. Let’s ride."  

Ji Taoyu’s heart fluttered nervously. "B-but I don’t know how to ride yet."  

"No matter."  

With that, Huo Shu led over the large black steed and checked the saddle.  

Seeing that riding was unavoidable, Ji Taoyu reluctantly approached the horse.  

Just as he lifted his foot to climb up, a firm grip circled his waist. Before he could turn to look at Huo Shu, he was already seated on the horse.  

Ji Taoyu stiffened atop the powerful creature, unsure whether to grab the reins or the saddle handles.  

His face pale, a gust of wind brushed his cheek—then, like a solid mountain wall, a presence settled behind him, steadying him completely.  

Ji Taoyu looked back and met Huo Shu’s stubbled jaw. He blinked, his heart pounding wildly.  

Huo Shu took the reins, his arms slightly raised, the cloak draping to one side. Ji Taoyu was entirely enveloped within his frame. From behind, one wouldn’t even notice someone else was there.  

Only from the front could one see the ger, a head shorter than Huo Shu.  

Huo Shu urged his horse forward, slightly lowering his gaze to look at the ger who was pursing his lips and staring at him with innocent, unblinking eyes. "Still scared?"  

Ji Taoyu now felt that even if he let go of the saddle, he’d be as steady as if lying in his own quilt.  

But still: "It’s just not proper."  

"There’s nothing improper about it. Next month, we’ll be sharing the same quilt anyway, what’s wrong with riding a horse together now?"  

Ji Taoyu’s face flushed instantly. "W-who’s going to share a quilt with you?"  

Huo Shu kept his eyes fixed ahead. "If not to sleep with me, why else would you marry me?"  

Hearing this absurd argument, Ji Taoyu widened his eyes.  

This made it sound as if he were the one scheming to get close to him, as if he were the one taking advantage.  

He silently shifted forward a little, expressing his displeasure.  

But no sooner had he moved his hips forward than an arm circled his waist and pulled him back.  

Ji Taoyu flicked his eyes. "Father said you prepared a lot of betrothal gifts. Where did you get so much money?"  

"Not even married yet, and you’re already thinking of managing my money?"  

Ji Taoyu turned his head to glare at Huo Shu. "Who wants to manage your money? After we’re married, we’ll each spend our own!"  

Huo Shu turned his gaze back to the ger. "You sure about that?"  

Ji Taoyu immediately thought about his own expenses. If he wasn’t too greedy with snacks, maybe… maybe he wouldn’t spend much.  

Even if it wasn’t enough, he’d already said it, he could only straighten his back and grit his teeth in agreement.  

"Then don’t go complaining later that I treat you poorly by not giving you money."  

"Between the two of us, I-I wouldn’t complain."  

A faint smile flickered in Huo Shu’s eyes. As they reached the official road and passed through the woods, the wind grew stronger. He tightened his hold around the person in his arms, slightly bending down to rest his chin on Ji Taoyu’s shoulder.  

Feeling Huo Shu’s closeness, Ji Taoyu sat stiffly, staring straight ahead at the misty road, not daring to move a muscle, his face burning red.  

He thought that although Huo Shu always wore a cold, stern expression, his body was surprisingly warm. Nestled here, he didn’t feel cold at all while riding.  

Though his body was warm, his heart still felt a little cold. Not only did Huo Shu refuse to let him manage the money, but he actually agreed to them spending separately after marriage. 

What a heartless man.  

After marriage, he wouldn’t be able to ask his parents for money either. He’d have to make more ointments to sell in the city for pocket money.  

Thinking about how he’d be worse off after marriage than before, he felt sorry for himself.  

After a long silence, Ji Taoyu suddenly said, "Then I won’t cook for you either."  

"We’ll each cook our own meals."  

Huo Shu replied, "Then should we also sleep separately?"  

Ji Taoyu froze. If that were the case, wouldn’t it be just like not being married at all?  

But it was him who wanted to draw such clear lines, could he really blame Huo Shu?  

He straightened his back further. "Well—"  

Before he could finish, Huo Shu suddenly took off the money pouch at his waist. "Here, take it. Forget what I said earlier."  

Ji Taoyu raised his brows. 

Oh? Changing his mind so quickly?  

He took the pouch, pursing his lips with a smug little smile. But the pouch wasn’t very big, and it didn’t feel very heavy when he shook it.  

Curious about Huo Shu’s wealth, Ji Taoyu leaned back against him and quickly opened the pouch. With just one glance, he snapped it shut again, turning his head to stare at Huo Shu in disbelief.  

"H-how do you have so much money?!"