jdhmnovel Chapter 422 Choi Ji-ho's Protectiveness
Chapter 422 Choi Ji-ho's Protectiveness
The roar gradually faded away, and the mountains returned to a temporary calm, leaving only the sound of rain and the hurried breathing of the group.
Choi Jiho let out a long sigh of relief. His back was already soaked with cold sweat. He raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead, but the moment he raised his hand, his pupils suddenly contracted.
His hands and arms were covered in dark red bloodstains, which slowly slid down his arms and spread into a deeper color on his muddy sleeves.
"Blood?"
Choi Ji-ho's heart skipped a beat, and an inexplicable panic instantly gripped him.
He was so focused on protecting Shi Wanxia that he wondered if he had been cut by some of the rubble. But he didn't feel any pain.
The moment the thought crossed his mind, he abruptly looked down at Shi Wanxia beside him, his movement so swift it even created a gust of wind.
"Wanwan! How are you?"
He grabbed her arm and his gaze swept over her body eagerly.
In the chaos just now, he only remembered to hold her in his arms and didn't check carefully whether she was injured.
Upon seeing this, his heart felt as if it were being gripped tightly by an invisible hand, the pain almost suffocating him.
Shi Wanxia's face was as white as a sheet of fine Xuan paper, devoid of any color. Her lips were tightly pressed together, yet they still trembled slightly uncontrollably, clearly indicating that she was enduring immense pain.
Her wisps of hair, damp with sweat or rain, clung to her fair forehead, making her appear even more vulnerable.
"You are hurt?"
Choi Ji-ho's voice trembled slightly as he carefully examined her body, his gaze finally settling on her arms, back, and calves.
The hem of the skirt there was soaked with blood, the dark red bloodstains standing out starkly against the green fabric.
"I...I'm fine..."
Shi Wanxia spoke with difficulty, her voice barely audible and heavily nasal, clearly indicating that she was in considerable pain.
"Just now... I think I was hit by a pebble..."
Choi Jiho's heart felt like it was being pricked by countless needles, both sore and swollen, the discomfort almost overwhelming him.
He didn't even notice she was injured right away, and let her walk for so long despite her injuries!
"do not move."
He said in a deep voice, his tone carrying a hint of self-reproach and urgency that he himself was unaware of.
He knew this was no place to stay for long; there was a risk of a second landslide after the mudslide, and he had to leave this dangerous area as soon as possible.
Without further hesitation, he walked directly to Shi Wanxia and squatted down without hesitation.
"Come up, I'll carry you."
Shi Wanxia froze, her cheeks instantly flushing red. She subconsciously waved her hand, "No, no need, Young Master Cui, I can walk by myself..."
"obedient."
Choi Ji-ho's tone was unquestionable, carrying a kind of force that was impossible to refuse.
"It's dangerous here, we can't delay."
After saying that, before Shi Wanxia could refuse again, he picked her up horizontally and placed her steadily on his back, supporting her knees firmly with both hands as he stood up.
Shi Wanxia's body was so light that Cui Zhihao's heart clenched.
He could clearly feel the thin, bony outline of her as she lay on his back, as if even the slightest pressure would hurt her.
She subconsciously reached out and grabbed his collar, the movement was very light, but it was full of dependence.
Upon seeing this, the surrounding guards wisely averted their gaze and quickened their pace to move forward.
Everyone knows that this Miss Shi is the apple of Young Master Cui's eye.
Their relationship was unusual with the usually calm and taciturn Young Master Cui, but Cui Zhihao usually hid it very well and had never made such an obvious move before.
Shen Yanzhou naturally knew this and was very pleased with Cui Zhihao's actions. He hadn't misjudged Cui Zhihao; he was a considerate and caring person.
Wanxia's younger sister liked him; she made the right choice!
Only the young Cui Yu'an stared in disbelief. He quickly caught up with Cui Zhihao and couldn't help but ask, "Third Uncle, you..."
He simply couldn't understand how his third uncle, who always valued rules above all else, would carry a young woman on his back in public.
Moreover, his third uncle was known for his calm and aloof nature; when had he ever been so gentle with any woman?
Upon hearing this, Cui Zhihao did not stop walking. He merely raised his eyes slightly, his gaze sweeping over his nephew with the unique authority of an elder.
The Cui family of Qinghe has strict rules and a clear hierarchy of seniority. Even though Cui Yu'an is the designated future head of the family, he still has to follow the rules in front of his third uncle.
"What's wrong, Wenzhu?"
Choi Ji-ho's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable pressure: "You have something to say?"
Cui Yu'an's heart skipped a beat when his third uncle looked at him like that. He swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue and shook his head awkwardly, "N-nothing."
Just then, Cui Jiu, who had been following beside him, quickly stepped forward and took the bag of grain that Cui Zhihao had been carrying.
He said respectfully, "Young master, please protect Miss Shi. I'll bring you some food. The mountain path is difficult to walk, so please watch your step."
Choi Ji-ho nodded slightly, which was considered his agreement.
He adjusted the weight on his back to help Shi Wanxia lie more steadily, and then continued to trudge through the mud, one step at a time.
The rain started to fall again, wetting his hair and clothes. The cold rain dripped from his hair, but he didn't notice it at all.
The faint warmth emanating from his back, and the occasional gasps from Shi Wanxia as she furrowed her brow in pain, constantly tugged at his heartstrings.
He could feel her body trembling slightly, whether from the cold or from the pain of her wound, he couldn't tell.
Choi Jiho's heart felt like it was being soaked in lukewarm water, yet also carrying a faint stinging pain. He slowed his pace, trying to make each step as steady as possible.
"Just bear with it a little longer. There should be a cave around the bend ahead where you can take shelter from the rain and rest. I'll treat your wound."
He spoke softly, his voice so gentle it was as if he were afraid of disturbing something.
Shi Wanxia lay on his back, listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat, feeling the sense of security brought by his broad back, and her originally panicked emotions due to pain gradually calmed down.
She nodded gently and buried her face in the crook of his shoulder, where the faint scent of soapberry made her feel incredibly at ease.
Cui Yu'an followed behind, watching his third uncle carefully protecting Shi Wanxia's back, and then looking at the unspoken understanding between the two, his doubts deepened.
For the first time, he discovered that his usually cold and hard-as-a-rock third uncle also had such a gentle side.
The mountain road was still long, and the wind and rain continued, but Cui Zhihao's steps were unusually firm.
He knew that no matter how many difficulties and obstacles lay ahead, he would protect the person on his back and help them safely leave these mountains.
Whether it was the sense of security that Brother Cui exuded or she was simply too tired from the past few days, Shi Wanxia unknowingly fell asleep on his back.