Since the day Huo Liuxing began using a wheelchair, he had never lost his composure in public.
Over the years, there had been moments when others nearly exposed him, but no one had ever caught him in a moment of true vulnerability or miscalculation.
Fortunately, because of the hailstorm, all the household staff had taken shelter indoors. At this moment, the front hall was free of outsiders. The only one still unaware of the truth was Huo Shuyi.
Even so, the scene was already painfully awkward.
Huo Shuyi, despite her usual bluntness, saw the moment unfold with her own eyes. Coupled with her mother’s and Kongqing’s reactions, she quickly pieced together the truth.
She stammered, “Brother… when did your legs get better?” When no one answered, she forced a dry laugh to ease the tension. “Was it yesterday? Such good news, why didn’t anyone tell me…”
Yu Wanjiang gently patted her hand. “Mother will explain it to you later.”
Huo Liuxing exhaled slowly, frowning as he turned to Kongqing. “Where is she?”
“She must’ve been delayed by the hail on her way in.”
Just as he finished speaking, they heard Shen Lingzhen’s voice from the corridor: “Sister-in-law’s really fine, it’s just a scrape. Don’t cry.”
They turned toward the sound and saw Huo Miaoling sobbing uncontrollably, while Shen Lingzhen stood beside her, gently comforting her.
Huo Liuxing pointed in their direction and demanded of Kongqing, “A head wound? Bleeding?”
Kongqing swallowed hard. “It was my fault, Young Master. Second Miss said so, and I rushed to report it before I’d even seen Young Madam myself…”
Huo Liuxing closed his eyes briefly. When he opened them again, he saw Shen Lingzhen being helped toward the front hall by Jian Jia and Bailu.
As they walked, Jian Jia held a silk handkerchief, trying to wipe the blood from Shen Lingzhen’s forehead. “Young Madam, please sit down quickly and let me take a proper look.”
Huo Liuxing wheeled himself to the doorway, his face stern. “Why haven’t you come over yet?”
Kongqing glanced at Huo Liuxing, thinking to himself: Why is he taking it out on others? Clearly, it was him who failed to control his legs. Young Madam did nothing wrong.
Seeing the fury in Huo Liuxing’s eyes, Shen Lingzhen didn’t dare delay. She quickened her pace, and just as she stepped over the threshold, he pulled her down, forcing her to lower her head so he could examine her forehead.
Huo Liuxing stared at the bloody gash. It wasn’t as severe as a head split that was bleeding, but it was far more than just a scrape.
He couldn’t help but recall someone else who had once made a scene in this very hall over a mere scratch on the elbow, yet when it came to her, it was brushed off so lightly.
His face darkened as he ordered Kongqing, “Bring a cloth and clean water. And the medicine box.” Then he turned to Jian Jia and Bailu. “There are two of you, and you still couldn’t protect your mistress?”
The two maids lowered their heads in shame. Off to the side, Huo Miaoling sobbed and tried to explain, “Second Brother, it’s not their fault, it’s mine… Sister-in-law warned us the weather was turning and said we should head back early. But I wanted to play a little longer, and that’s when the hail started. On the way, the carriage roof was smashed by the hailstones. They tried to protect Sister-in-law, but she rushed to shield me instead. That’s why she didn’t have time to look after herself…”
Yu Wanjiang and Huo Shuyi both froze at her words.
Huo Liuxing glanced at Shen Lingzhen again but said nothing. He simply jerked his chin, signaling her to sit down. Then he took the damp cloth Kongqing handed him, turned her head gently, and began cleaning her wound.
As soon as the water touched the wound, Shen Lingzhen trembled all over from the pain. She opened her mouth to cry out, but forced herself to hold it in, her whole body shivering.
Huo Liuxing glanced down at her. “If it hurts, say so.”
“No… it doesn’t hurt. I’m fine, I’m fine…” She kept repeating the words, as if trying to convince herself.
Suddenly, Huo Liuxing remembered what she’d said the night before while drunk.
She’d said she didn’t want to marry him, but lied to her father, claiming she did.
To protect the bigger picture, she’d even swallowed her true feelings in front of the person closest to her. So now she didn’t think she even had the right to cry out in pain?
Shen Lingzhen kept talking, trying to distract herself. “Young Master, I fear this hailstorm won’t be so easily weathered. If the crops are destroyed, and the livestock in the pens are dead, what will the people eat?”
Huo Liuxing continued tending to her wound. “The prefect will begin handling it soon. If necessary, the local granaries will be opened for emergency relief, or a request for funds will be sent to the court. You don’t need to worry about that. But starting today…” He turned to Huo Shuyi and Huo Miaoling. “Until I say otherwise, none of you are to step outside the manor.”
Huo Miaoling nodded, her face full of concern. “Will there be more hail?”
Shen Lingzhen, still suppressing the pain, answered, “Your brother’s worried that there may be unrest in the city. That’s common after a disaster.”
Huo Liuxing looked down at her. Seeing how she chose to talk through the pain rather than cry out, he turned to Yu Wanjiang. “Mother.”
Yu Wanjiang understood immediately. She took Huo Shuyi and Huo Miaoling and quietly left the hall.
Kongqing, Jian Jia, and Bailu also tactfully withdrew.
Once they were alone, Huo Liuxing continued cleaning her wound and said softly, “You can cry out now.”
Shen Lingzhen glanced at him. She’d held back earlier because she was afraid her cries would make Huo Miaoling feel even more guilty. She hadn’t expected Huo Liuxing to see through her so clearly.
She smiled and said, “It really doesn’t hurt anymore, because you care for me.”
“Oh?” Huo Liuxing picked up a bottle of wound medicine and gently shook the powder onto the freshly cleaned gash.
“Ah—ahh!” Shen Lingzhen cried out, tears springing to her eyes. Her hands instinctively grabbed at Huo Liuxing’s collar, tugging hard. “Husband, gentler… please!”
Huo Liuxing glanced at her and withdrew his hand. “It’s done. This wound shouldn’t be bandaged for now, let it air out.”
Shen Lingzhen hadn’t recovered yet. Her temple throbbed like a pulled string, twitching with pain. She gasped for breath, panting, “But… but it still hurts.”
“What can be done? This medicine works because it stings.”
Shen Lingzhen hinted softly, “I used to see my mother get hurt while training… Father would always blow on her wounds.”
Blow… blow on it?
That step didn’t seem to exist in Huo Liuxing’s world. “With what do you blow?”
Shen Lingzhen looked at him, thinking he wasn’t clueless, just unwilling.
Huo Liuxing sighed, rolled his wheelchair forward, and silently reached out to steady her head. Leaning in, he blew gently on the wound. He paused, sensing the force was off, then softened his breath and blew again.
Watching his focused expression, Shen Lingzhen looked up and saw his straight nose and crimson lips so close to her. A strange, fluttering feeling rose in her chest.
Her temple no longer hurt, but the gentle breaths seemed to tickle her heart, sending a tingling sensation through her body like ants crawling over her skin.
She didn’t know why, but she quickly pulled away. “All… all better now. I’m fine. Thank you.”
Huo Liuxing’s hand was still suspended midair, holding the position where he’d cradled her head. He gave a quiet “Oh.”
Shen Lingzhen turned slightly, sneaking a glance at him from the corner of her eye. Seeing that he was looking back at her, she quickly averted her gaze. A moment later, she peeked at him again.
Huo Liuxing looked down at himself. “What is it?”
“Have I ever told you … that you’re very good-looking?”
Huo Liuxing blinked slowly. “You’re only just realizing that now?”
“I noticed on the very first day. I just… don’t know why, but today I suddenly felt like saying it.”
The corner of Huo Liuxing’s mouth twitched, but he quickly composed his expression. After a pause, he turned his head away, then let the corner of his mouth twitch again.
Author’s note: Smug Huo Liuxing: I want to smile. No, I must hold it in. Forget it. Smiling takes ten years off your age anyway.
