Chapter 823: Love That Begins After a Breakup 12

After a few seconds, Qiao Xu, realizing he was safe, finally came to his senses from the state where he didn't dare to breathe.

His heart was beating so fast it felt like it would jump out of his chest, and his whole body went numb.

But upon realizing it was Jin Chen behind him, he felt it wasn't so dangerous after all.

His eyes reddened, though he didn't know whether it was from fear or something else.

Why didn't you come over sooner?

It was practically an unconscious act of acting cute, done without any thought.

Jin Chen's tone was helpless.

You never learn; I've told you how many times to watch who's behind you when riding.

Qiao Xu actually didn't really understand that remark.

He blurted out, 'But you were there before!'

As soon as he said that, both were stunned, and Jin Chen didn't respond.

Just moments ago his eyes were only red, but now Qiao Xu really wanted to cry.

Tears fell drop by drop, revealing uncontrollable sobs and sorrow.

Jin Chen sighed, 'Why are you crying for no reason?'

Qiao Xu sniffled, the corners of his eyes red from crying, but relying on the fact that this person couldn't see him, he seemed to grow bolder.

'What's it to you? I was scared, okay?'

His tone was both reproachful and aggrieved.

Who would have thought the reply would be, 'I really can't control you right now.'

Qiao Xu: '……'

He wailed and cried even louder.

His whole body trembled as he said, 'I-I didn't mean it that way!'

Can't you just coax me?

But Jin Chen's coaxing never came, because the black horse had already slowly come to a stop.

Jin Chen dismounted and reached out his hand to the young master.

As if he had done this motion many times before.

Qiao Xu pursed his lips and used the momentum to dismount.

He thought he was fine now.

But the moment his foot touched the ground, it felt like stepping on cotton—soft and weak, with no strength.

His violently pounding heart got no relief; instead, dismounting made him feel even worse.

Not to mention his pallid face and the messy expression from crying.

Qiao Xu didn't need to think to know he looked awful right now.

He collapsed into Jin Chen's embrace, burying his head and whispering, 'I still feel awful, I have no strength.'

Given this, how could Jin Chen possibly ignore him?

He patted the young master's back to soothe him, 'All right, don't cry—there are lots of people watching.'

The few young nobles who had come over to ask if Qiao Xu was hurt, upon hearing that, all turned away in unison, as if of one mind.

They saw nothing, saw nothing at all!

'Don't let anyone see me like this!'

Qiao Xu clutched Jin Chen's sleeve, afraid he would just abandon him like that.

Seeing the young master's deathly pale face, still unable to recover from fright, how could Jin Chen not feel pity?

He scooped him up in a waist hold and held him close.

{Villain Heartthrob Value +3, total 53}

At that moment, Qi Zhan and Gu He finally approached, Qi Zhan's tone worried, 'Xiao Xu, are you okay?'

That expression looked even more worried than Jin Chen's.

Jin Chen gave him a cold glance, his dark pupils devoid of warmth, carrying a chill that could see through everything.

Qi Zhan was frightened by his gaze, stepped back, and dared not ask again.

Anyone could see his unease.

Gu He's acting was far better; his face showed only concern for Qiao Xu.

Several horse trainers walked over, full of guilt, one of them still leading the continually restless white horse.

'We're really sorry, Young Master Qiao; perhaps this horse was just too restless today, and we found nothing wrong on it.'

Huo Chen glanced at Qi Zhan and the others, rolling his eyes so hard they almost pointed to the sky.

Hidden so well, yet still impressive.

But he is the host, so emotionally and rationally he ought to apologize to Qiao Xu.

Upon hearing the apology, Qiao Xu merely buried himself in Jin Chen's embrace, not responding to anyone.

'I want to go rest… I don't want to stay here.'

His voice was soft, but loud enough for the person holding him to hear.

Jin Chen hummed in acknowledgment, looked at Huo Chen, who immediately understood.

'Quick, take them to rest inside the Zhuang Yuan, arrange the best guest rooms.'

After the two left, Huo Chen no longer had the mood to continue playing.

Who would have guessed the Gu Family would be so bold as to act openly in broad daylight?

He had thought this drama was just two young masters fighting over a man, never expecting it to be a matter of life and death.

How scary.

Everyone, go on and play elsewhere; it's a relief that Qiao Xu wasn't hurt, otherwise Uncle Qiao would surely scold me to death.

The young nobleman who had known him for a long time seemed to have heard something, and, understanding, replied, "Yeah, who doesn't know that the head of the Qiao family dotes unconditionally on this only son?"

That person emphasized the word 'only' heavily, and his glance furtively went to Gu He.

As for today's incident, who knows if it was an accident? If the head of the Qiao family learned there were still some culprits, he'd surely fly into a rage.

Qi Zhan clenched his fists, feeling guilty again.

His cultivation still wasn't as high as Gu He's.

Let's disperse; I'll have someone thoroughly inspect the horse ranch.

Huo Chen looked at the two of them, implying, "If I catch you, it's someone doing this on purpose, and the outcome will be quite miserable."

Having said that, he waved his hand, letting them go elsewhere.

After everyone left, he personally went to check those white horses.

Just as the horse trainer said earlier, the inspection revealed nothing abnormal, yet the horses were especially agitated.

Someone, fetch the micro detector from my training room.

Yes.

——

Upon arriving at the guest room, Jin Chen placed the young master on the sofa at the foot of the bed.

Qiao Xu finally stopped crying, lifted his head, and asked Jin Chen, "I… I look like this, am I very ugly?"

It seems he can't tell the difference between looking disheveled and being ugly.

However, Jin Chen knew Qiao Xu cared greatly about his appearance; in his eyes, this look wasn't attractive.

But…

"When have you ever been ugly? Don't think nonsense."

Qiao Xu pursed his lips and wiped away all the tears on his shoulder.

His fingers curled, as if gathering courage.

In the end, he still asked.

"Do you still like me then?"

After asking, he lifted his head to look at Jin Chen's expression; his moist eyes reddish, seemingly hiding nervousness.

Jin Chen pulled out a tissue, wiped the tears from his face, and his low voice seemed to contain some unusual emotion.

"I used to only think about liking, forgetting to consider whether we were suitable."

Qiao Xu's heart fluttered slightly as he grabbed Jin Chen's finger, asking, "Are we not suitable?"

"If we were suitable, how could you have thought of breaking up repeatedly?"

Qiao Xu opened his mouth, not knowing how to explain.

After the breakup, recalling many past events, even he couldn't explain them.

But that's exactly what has already happened.

Jin Chen stood up, his attitude returning to aloofness: "Rest well, and always remember to be careful of Gu He."

Having said that, he wanted to leave.

Qiao Xu's body reacted faster than his mind; before he could think about the meaning of those words, he grabbed Jin Chen's sleeve.

He looked up at him, his voice soft and obedient.

"How is the gunshot wound on your back?"