Translator: Atlas Studios   Editor: Atlas Studios
As he spoke, Yin Huaixi secretly tightened his grip on her hand. It was as soft as cream, and he was worried that if he didnât hold it tightly, it would slide away.
Frowning, he slipped his fingers between hers and intertwined them.
Yu Youyao lowered her head, her eyelashes trembling uncontrollably. It was the shyness when the flowers bloomed but the branches were low.
It was unknown if it was because Yu Youyaoâs hand was too soft that he couldnât hold it tightly. If he let go, it wouldnât do. If his grip was too light, it wouldnât do. If it was too heavy, it wouldnât do either. It made Yin Huaixiâs heart follow suit. Her hand was so soft that he was a little nervous. He subconsciously straightened his back and cleared his throat. âYour hand is too soft and smooth. If I donât hold it tightly, youâllâ¦â
It was as if someone was strangling his neck. His voice suddenly stopped, and he twitched like white jade before suddenly turning red.
The mountain wind blew through the forest, and the treetops raised fine green waves, making a rustling sound.
Yin Huaixi subconsciously looked at Yu Youyao.
She lowered her head and looked from the side. Her eyelashes were long and curly, and they fluttered wildly, as if a butterfly had stopped in front of her eyes.
Only then did Yin Huaixi notice that her ears were so red that they were about to bleed.
âCough!â He coughed hard. His eyes were a little innocent, but his gaze was a little distant. He probably hadnât expected that explanations would become frivolous and rash when they came out of his mouth.
It was as if he was taking advantage of her. It was too undignified.
His eyes darted around guiltily as he explained softly, âUh, itâs actually not that soft and smooth.â His tiger-like body trembled. He felt that what he just said was wrong, but he didnât know what was wrong. He added, âNo, donât misunderstand. I didnât say that your hands arenât soft and smooth. Itâs just thatâ¦â His tongue was even knotted, and he jumped repeatedly between soft and smooth. âItâs just that your hands were originally quite soft and smooth. I shouldnât have said that your hands were too soft and smooth. No, thatâs not what I meantâ¦â
Yin Huaixi stammered with a broken expression, feeling a little hopeless.
This was the first time Yu Youyao had seen him stutter and not speak properly.
She pursed her lips desperately and held back her laughter. It was unknown if she was holding it in or if she was embarrassed, but her pink and white face was like a budding spring apricot, greasy and beautiful.
âThatâs not right either. Then what exactly do you mean?â Yu Youyao asked him deliberately.
The air was silent for a few seconds.
Without hearing him speak, Yu Youyao looked up at him.
Yin Huaixi regained his noble and graceful expression and looked calm. There was a meaningful smile on his lips. âI just feel that your hand is soft and your skin is smooth.â Seeing that Yu Youyaoâs face was red, his raised eyes trembled slightly before he lowered them again. He suddenly became self-righteous. âItâs boneless and soft in my hand. Iâm always worried that if Iâm not careful, youâll secretly slip away from my hand. Soâ¦â He tightened his grip on the softness in his hand. âI wanted to hold your hand more tightly so that you wonât be able to escape.â
Why should he feel guilty praising his future wife?!
She had to be praised vigorously.
Yu Youyao felt that these words meant something, so she glared at him and muttered softly, âWhoâs escaping?â
Yin Huaixi cleared his throat. âIn any case, itâs definitely not wrong to hold it tightly.â
Yu Youyao blushed and lowered her head.
Yin Huaixi felt that he was in the right, and his eyes stopped wandering. From his angle, her black hair was like a cloud, and the single conch on her head rose like a peak. At a glance, it was suddenly like a cloud. She was extremely beautiful, and her hair complemented her delicate head and eyebrows. The collar of her shirt was like a cloud, and her long neck, which was as thin as jade, was bent a little. It was tactful and moving.
Yin Huaixiâs eyes widened, but he tried his best to restrain himself. He looked away. For the first time in his life, he had doubts about his self-control. His throat rolled, and his voice was a little hoarse. âLetâs go down the mountain!â
The way down the mountain was not the same as going up the mountain. It was a little steeper. Yu Youyao held her skirt in one hand and lowered her head to look at the road. Yin Huaixi walked half a step in front of her and led the way. From time to time, he would remind her to be careful and pay attention to her feet. He also told her to slow downâ¦
The horse followed behind, clattering. From time to time, it would stop and take a bite of the wild grass by the road.
After walking for a while, Yu Youyaoâs forehead and the tip of her nose were covered in sweat. She panted lightly, and her face was a little red. âHow long will it take for us to reach the foot of the mountain?â
Although she was wearing small boots and it was very convenient for her to travel, for the sake of comfort, the small boots were soft-soled shoes made of cow tendon. The soles of the shoes were also a little thin and soft. It was not a problem for her to walk normally, but the mountain path was uneven and the stone slabs were abnormally cold. It was a little uncomfortable to walk on them. Not long after, she felt that the soles of her feet were a little sore and numb.
However, compared to riding on the horse, she would rather suffer.
âWe still have to walk for a while. We can ride the horse if the mountain is a little flat. Are you tired?â Yin Huaixi was paying attention to her at all times. He had long realized that she was panting and was already having a hard time. However, Yu Youyao did not mention it, so he pretended not to know and quietly slowed down the descent.
âA little.â From what he said, they wouldnât reach the bottom of the mountain so quickly. Yu Youyao hesitated. Should she insist on continuing, or should she endure the steep mountain path and feel the excitement of riding down the mountain?
âThis path is a little steep, and itâs more difficult to walk. You havenât learned how to ride a horse, so itâs not safe to ride down the mountain.â Yin Huaixi could tell that she was in a difficult position. A deep smile appeared in his eyes. He let go of his tightly clenched hand and squatted in front of her. âCome up. Iâll carry you down.â
His tone was filled with unyieldingness that allowed for no intervention.
However, he was a general who had fought on the battlefield after all, and he was a superior with great power. He already had a thunderous and intimidating aura.
People would not think of resisting.
Usually, in front of her, Yin Huaixi deliberately restrained his aura and rarely revealed this side of him.
Therefore, Yu Youyao fell for it. After hesitating for a moment, she took the initiative to climb onto Yin Huaixiâs back and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Yin Huaixi placed his arm under her legs, raised her legs, and slowly stood up.
Yu Youyao saw the steep mountain path from Yin Huaixiâs arm and panicked. âWhy donât I come down and walk by myself? The mountain path isnât easy to walk in the first place. It seems quite dangerous to carry another person. Anyway, weâre not in a hurry. The scenery in the mountain is good. Itâs good to walk for a while and rest all the way down.â
âThereâs no need.â Yin Huaixi steadily walked down the mountain. He walked very slowly. âThe mountain path isnât easy to walk on for you. Iâm a martial artist. Ever since I was seven years old, Iâve tied a sandbag to my leg and went up and down the mountain every day to train my legs. I didnât stop for a moment. Thereâs no need to mention carrying you. Even if I carryââ He consciously swallowed the words that were about to come out of his mouth. âTwo of you, thereâs no problem.â
In the past, when his father had brought their family out to play in Youzhou, he had often done this. Otherwise, why would he have chosen a steeper mountain path on the way back?