Some time passed after Li Manman's embarrassing drama.
The line of exiles slowly returned to its heavy, exhausting rhythm. Everyone was tired, irritated, and emotionally worn out. The forest felt suffocating, the path endless, and the silence between conversations grew heavier with every step.
Which made it the perfect moment.
I deliberately slowed my steps, letting my breathing become uneven. I pressed a hand to my ankle and stumbled slightly, as if I had truly lost my balance.
"Ouch…"
At first, my voice was soft, almost unnoticeable. Then I raised it a little more.
"I—I can't walk…"
I carefully lowered myself to the side of the road, gripping my ankle as though sharp pain was shooting through it. My brows furrowed, my lips trembled, and I allowed my breathing to shake.
Compared to Li Manman's earlier performance, mine was far more believable.
After all, I wasn't an A-list actress for nothing, haha.
Aunt Fu immediately rolled her eyes in irritation.
"Tch. Now another one wants attention."
Bai Ming scoffed lightly beside her, her tone filled with disdain.
"Looks like pretending to be weak has become a trend."
Fu Tian, however, did not see inconvenience. He saw opportunity.
He leaned toward his son and gave him a subtle push.
"Go," he murmured. "This is your chance."
Bai Ming heard those words clearly.
Jealousy flashed in her eyes. She quickly reached out to stop Fu Fong.
"Don't—"
But Fu Fong brushed her hand away without hesitation.
A slow, confident smile curved his lips as he straightened his robes and walked toward me, clearly pleased with himself.
Not far away, Fu Li noticed the scene and crossed her arms tightly.
"She's probably acting too," she muttered to Fu Sheng. "Just like that maid. Don't fall for it, brother."
But Fu Sheng said nothing.
He remained standing in place, watching me quietly. His gaze was steady, unreadable, and focused entirely on me. Yet he did not move.
For a brief moment, I almost believed he truly wouldn't help me.
Fu Fong reached me first.
He crouched in front of me, his voice gentle and carefully controlled, his eyes full of fake concern.
"Su Long, are you alright?" he asked softly. "You must be in pain. Let me help you. I'll carry you."
I parted my lips, ready to respond.
"My ankle… I think I twisted—"
But before I could finish...
Suddenly, my body lifted off the ground.
A wave of shocked gasps rippled through the group.
My feet left the earth completely, and my arms instinctively wrapped around the person who had picked me up.
Fu Sheng.
He had moved so quickly that no one had even noticed him step forward.
One of his arms supported my legs, the other secured my back firmly. His grip was steady and strong.
Yet his face remained calm, as though carrying me was the most natural thing in the world.
The entire line froze.
Fu Fong's expression stiffened with disbelief.
Fu Sheng didn't bother to look at him for long. His eyes shifted toward him briefly, cold and distant.
"I can take care of my wife," he said calmly.
That was all.
Then he turned away and began walking, carrying me without hesitation.
Fu Fong stood frozen in place, his hands slowly curling into fists, frustration and humiliation written clearly across his face.
Behind him, Bai Ming's expression darkened with resentment.
"You bit*h trying to take my husband away from me."
As for me, I remained silent and didn't even pay attention to any of them.
My arms stayed loosely around Fu Sheng's neck, my gaze fixed on his calm profile.
He looked even more breathtaking up close.
"You're staring at me again," he finally said something, even though he still didn't look at me.
"Why won't I stare? My hubby is sooo caring..." I teased him, but he didn't say anything, though I did feel a corner of his brow twitch slightly.
I let my arms rest loosely around his neck and spoke softly, just loud enough for him to hear.
"You know… you could have let Fu Fong carry me," I said, tilting my head.
He didn't answer, not even a word. He just kept walking, his eyes focused straight ahead.
I continued, testing him. "I guess you really like doing everything yourself, huh?"
Still, no reply.
I smirked quietly. "Even if someone else thought they could… help?"
I leaned a little closer toward his ear, lowering my voice. "You don't need to say anything, do you? Your face says it all."
His jaw tightened just slightly. It was obvious my words were getting to him. I just smirked happily.
From behind us, Fu Fei just smiled slightly, whispering to her parents and siblings, "Look how lovey-dovey they both are… it's so cute."
"Hmm… you have a point. Sheng'er looks so happy," Madame Fu added, her husband nodding to her words.
Meanwhile, Fu Li just scoffed and rolled her eyes, not happy at all.
Smiling childishly, my eyes caught hold of his ear. It was a little red at the side, probably from the mosquitoes.
If I remembered correctly, he had given that annoying sister of his the repellent I had given him, leaving him not much to apply.
I sighed, shaking my head. I reached inside my sleeves and brought out one more container, took some out of it, and applied it on his ear.
As soon as my cold fingers touched his ear, he shivered slightly, finally meeting my eyes with that questioning look.
"Stay still, I'm applying something," I acted like I didn't know he was staring at me in full-blown confusion.
He later listened and walked still, making sure not to interrupt me as I slowly applied the repellent cream to all the places he had been bitten, slowly soothing the pain.
After I was done, I kept it back in my sleeves and rested my head on his shoulder, wanting to take a little nap.
As I drifted off to sleep, I heard a calm voice.
"Thank you."
I just smiled and closed my eyes fully.