Chapter 14 Should I help you take a bath?

Si Xiaotie was almost fully recovered after using the restroom at the service area, and by the time he arrived at the hotel, he was lively and energetic again.

After checking in, we went to eat first. After eating, the girl got sleepy again and fell asleep without even taking a shower.

After a good breakfast the next day, we set off for the grasslands to ride horses, as planned.

I had specifically told her about this before I left, and Si Xiaotie was excited all the way. When she saw the boundless grassland on the road, she was overjoyed and pressed herself tightly against the window to look at it.

Upon arriving at their destination, they eagerly jumped out of the car, ran around for a bit, and then returned to Lin Ke, shouting, "Mommy, where's the pony! I want to ride a horse!"

She was only three years old, so it was impossible for her to ride a horse alone. Lin Ke originally thought that Si Yuming had arranged a coach, but he said directly, "Daddy will take you riding later."

Upon hearing this, Lin Ke frowned and asked in a low voice, "Is it okay?"

This is a grassland, not a horse farm. Are the temperaments of the horses here the same as those of the horses that are specially kept in enclosures for the pleasure of young masters like them?

“Okay.” Si Yuming picked up his daughter and strode forward.

Lin Ke was still worried, but seeing the little one sitting happily in her father's lap, she said nothing more.

Si Xiaotie may not know what danger is, but as an adult, he must know it; he wouldn't disregard his daughter's safety.

Today, Si Yuming booked the entire grassland for himself and his family of three. They entered a yurt, where the staff warmly welcomed them and had prepared horse gear for the three of them in advance.

Lin Ke dressed the excited little one in riding clothes, put shoes on her, and finally applied sunscreen.

In early October, the autumn air was crisp and clear, and the sun was shining brightly. We couldn't let the fair-skinned Si Xiaotie get tanned.

The little girl, sitting on the bench in the changing room, swung her legs back and forth, smiling broadly: "Mommy, have you ever ridden a horse?"

"No."

"Then let's do it together~"

"Xiao Tie is with Daddy. No matter what happens later, you must hold on to Daddy tightly and listen to him."

"Hmm, where's Mom?"

Lin Ke glanced at the riding outfit prepared for her next to her, and hesitated.

She'd never ridden a horse before; this was the first time she'd ever seen one in real life.

Moreover, she is indeed timid, afraid of falling and getting hurt.

When she was eight or nine years old, she would play by herself after school. One time, she was playing on the fitness equipment in the community when the old chain broke, and she fell straight down.

The floor was concrete, and she immediately scraped her elbows and knees, with fine blood seeping out. She was in pain and frightened, so she cried out.

Some children were concerned and helped her look for the adults, but they didn't come back for a long time.

As darkness approached, the early winter wind howled across the wound, and the pain was something I would remember for a lifetime.

Later, she dared not let herself get hurt again.

Si Yuming came in and, perhaps noticing her hesitation, advised, "You can give it a try; it's not difficult."

This isn't a question of whether it's difficult or not...

She didn't respond. The little girl jumped off the bench, cupped her face in her hands, and said, "Mommy, don't be afraid. Daddy will protect us."

"Um......"

Si Xiaotie frowned and said seriously, "Mom, be brave!"

Lin Ke was amused by her serious expression and relaxed, "Okay, Mom will be brave."

After changing his clothes and going outside, he found only a horse at the door.

"What about mine?" Lin Ke asked in confusion.

"Wait for me to come back and I'll take you with me."

Lin Ke didn't really want to, and most importantly, she didn't really trust him; she wasn't Si Xiaotie.

So I asked the staff, "Do you have any coaches?"

"some."

"Arrange one for me."

"no problem."

Today is a big client, and the racecourse has made thorough preparations well in advance, with the coaches arranged to be the tallest and bravest Mongolians in the area.

Si Yuming frowned deeply as he looked at the man who was nearly 1.9 meters tall and very muscular.

Lin Ke was also startled, but the coach, dressed in traditional Mongolian clothing, looked very experienced, and she felt that her life was half saved.

The coach took her to choose a horse again.

Mom had already disappeared around the corner of the yurt, but Dad was still staring in that direction. Si Xiaotie tugged at his pants, "Dad, let's ride a horse!"

Si Yuming turned around, twitched his cheeks, and bent down to pick up his daughter.

I used to ride horses in China when I was a teenager, and later when I went abroad, there were many horse farms that catered to the social needs of the powerful and wealthy. Si Yuming's skills are pretty good.

He would carefully check the equipment twice before steadily lifting Si Xiaotie onto the horse, and finally leap onto the horse's back, fastening the straps between the two of them.

"Xiao Tie, hold on tight to the handrail in front of you."

"Yes!" The wind on the grassland blew, lifting the little girl's hair and stirring her excitement. "Daddy, quick! I want to ride a horse!"

Before setting off, Si Yuming turned back one last time.

The woman who had chosen the horse came out with the coach. The coach explained the precautions to her, and Lin Ke listened attentively.

Before long, the coach helped her onto the horse, then took the reins and led her and the horse forward. The woman gripped the reins tightly, afraid to move, her expression tense.

He stared intently, but the little girl on horseback became unhappy, crying, "Daddy~~"

Si Yuming lowered his head and coaxed, "Wait for Mom."

With her father's large body blocking her view, Si Xiaotie peeked out from under his armpit and, sure enough, saw her mother riding a horse alone.

But Mom seemed a little scared, and her movements were clumsy.

After waiting for a while, Lin Ke and her "little donkey" finally arrived. Si Xiaotie smiled at her and said, "Go, Mom!"

Lin Ke didn't even look at her, looking straight ahead as she replied, "Okay, baby."

The coach rode behind her on horseback, but Si Yuming didn't go far either, walking three or four meters away.

The woman followed the coach's instructions to increase her speed, starting slowly and gradually accelerating until she reached a faster and faster pace.

Lin Ke felt the wind blowing in her ears, and her tension gradually eased.

Si Yuming caught up with Si Xiaotie, the girl's hair blowing in the wind, she exclaimed happily, "Mommy, hurry!"

Lin Ke had roughly figured out the trick and increased her speed.

The boundless grassland stretches to the horizon, meeting the blue sky and white clouds. The air is filled with the faint scent of grass. The little girl shouts joyfully, "Ahhhhh, Mommy! I'm flying!"

Lin Ke relaxed and shouted, "I can fly too!"

Hahahaha.

But as they ran, for some reason, the horse under Lin Ke's feet began to go out of control and galloped forward.

She swayed backward due to inertia and almost fell over, so she instinctively cried out, "Si Yuming! Ah!"

Si Yuming looked back, then stopped his horse, handed Si Xiaotie to the coach, and snatched the coach's horse to catch up.

The startled horses galloped at breakneck speed, and the women's screams of fright echoed throughout the room.

After chasing for two or three minutes, Si Yuming finally caught up with him. He judged the distance and stretched out his long arm to pull the person over.

In just a moment, Lin Ke felt the world spinning around her.

Such a maneuver was extremely dangerous. Si Yuming used his other hand to control the reins and slow down, but he still couldn't maintain his balance.

Before she fell to the ground, the man held her head tightly, but after rolling twice on the ground, her head was fine, but her hand was in excruciating pain.

She guessed it was a fracture somewhere, but she endured it, her voice remaining calm, "It's probably a fracture."

Si Yuming didn't know where she had broken her bone, so he carefully helped her sit up and asked, "Does it hurt?"

Lin Ke looked up and saw a hint of worry and heartache in the man's eyes, a feeling that seemed unfamiliar to her, and she couldn't be sure.

Seeing that she didn't move, Si Yuming asked in a low voice, "Hands or feet? I need to hold you, I'm afraid I'll bump into you."

It sounded like she was speaking casually, but her eyes inexplicably welled up with tears.

Lin Ke raised her right hand, and sure enough, it hurt terribly. "Ouch!"

Si Yuming pulled up her sleeve and removed the wrist guard to check. Her wrist was a little red, but there were no obvious external injuries. "Where else does it hurt?"

"Si Yuming..." Her voice escaped through her clenched teeth, muffled and nasal, "I never want to ride a horse again... It hurts so much... It's all your fault..."

"Okay, okay, it's my fault." Si Yuming coaxed him while picking him up in his arms and hurrying towards the exit.

......

The right hand has a minor fracture.

When Lin Ke came out of the nearby clinic with her leg in a cast, she was in a terrible mood. The little girl's eyes were also red, but Lin Ke couldn't hug her. "Mommy's okay, baby, don't be afraid."

Si Yuming opened the car door, waited for her to sit down, then closed the door and settled Si Xiaotie into the baby chair.

Si Xiaotie asked sadly, "Mom, does it hurt?"

It hurts, it hurts so much. The last time I felt this kind of pain was when I gave birth to her.

But how could she tell a three-year-old? Lin Ke smiled slightly and said, "Mommy isn't in pain. It was just a small accident. Don't worry, Xiao Tie."

Si Xiaotie said again, feeling wronged, "I never want to ride a horse again. I hate riding horses."

Lin Ke still felt a chill run down her spine when she thought about it. If it had been any more serious, she would have lost her life. So sometimes being timid isn't a bad thing. If you don't get close to danger, you won't be in danger.

Today's itinerary was cut short due to this unexpected event. Back at the hotel, Si Yuming picked up two bags and carried his daughter, while Lin Ke followed behind him empty-handed.

Dinner was also invited to the room. Before dinner, Si Xiaotie complained that he smelled bad and needed to take a shower.

Lin Ke accompanied her inside to wash, but today she had to take off and put on her clothes by herself. After washing and getting dressed, Lin Ke called out to the outside, "Dad, blow-dry your hair."

Si Yuming naturally came in to take over her work. After blowing for about three or four minutes, Lin Ke gestured to the face cream next to her, "Apply face cream, and apply it to your neck too."

Si Xiaotie raised his chin and squinted his eyes, "Apply some perfume."

After his daughter got a little older, Si Yuming stopped bathing her and applying face cream to her. But seeing that Lin Ke had applied it, he opened the lid, took some out, and gently applied it to her rosy cheeks after her bath.

After applying the ointment, Si Xiaotie ran out, shouting, "Dinner's ready!"

Lin Ke glanced at the messy bathroom and asked, "You're in charge?"

"Um."

"She doesn't use the hotel's washing machine; she washes all her clothes by hand, separates her socks, and even air-dries her bath towels."

"good."

Lin Ke left the bathroom, took a few steps and turned back to see the man picking up Si Xiaotie's clothes one by one, preparing to wash them by hand.

She glanced at it a few more times, a slight smile playing on her lips.

After the mother and daughter finished their simple meal, Lin Ke hugged her daughter in one arm and nestled her on the sofa.

Si Xiaotie watched cartoons on her tablet, while she looked at her phone.

Although today's result wasn't perfect, the mood and scenery before the injury were beautiful. She picked two pictures of the grassland with blue skies and white clouds and posted them on her WeChat Moments.

After she finished and looked up, she saw that the person had already hung up the clothes and was sitting at the dining table eating the leftovers.

She thought for a moment and said, "Remember to take the trash away, otherwise it will stink if left in the house."

Half a minute later: "Check if anything is missing from what we need for tomorrow, and make sure to get some."

"Oh right, we're changing hotels tomorrow, so we need to pack our luggage later."

"Xiao Tie wants to drink milk later, so ask the hotel to warm up a cup."

"My charger is on the bedside table, could you get it for me?"

The man looked over, and Lin Ke immediately frowned and lowered her head, feigning pain: "Ouch, that hurts."

The little one, who was engrossed in watching cartoons, immediately put down the tablet and asked, "Mommy, where does it hurt?"

Lin Ke held out her right hand, which was in a cast, in front of her and said sadly, "It hurts here."

Si Xiaotie held her hands in his little hands, pouting his lips and blowing air: "Xiaotie, blow!"

Lin Ke patted her head, feeling happy: "Thank you, baby."

The woman had a bright smile, with a childlike quality in her eyes, quite different from her usual calm demeanor.

And then there's the temper tantrum she throws when she's injured—this is a rare glimpse of Lin Ke, a truly vibrant and lively Lin Ke.

Si Yuming turned and went to the bedroom. A short while later, he returned to the sofa with a charger, looking down at her with a slanted smile: "Is there anything else I need to do? Do you want me to help you take a bath?"

"......"

Taking a bath is indeed a big problem.

Lin Ke thought she could support herself, but she clearly overestimated herself. She now has difficulty even taking off her clothes with one left hand, let alone taking a bath and getting dressed.

But after rolling around in the grass where horses defecate and urinate everywhere during the day, she just couldn't convince herself not to take a bath.

After mentally preparing herself for ten minutes in the bathroom, she called out listlessly, "Si Yuming..."

Si Yuming entered quickly, his expression remaining calm.

Lin Ke looked down at the floor and whispered, "...Help me."

Although they did everything in bed, they rarely showered together, and in this bright light, her face turned as red as a shrimp.

She was indeed incredibly red, like the most vibrant rouge layered on pure white rice paper, instantly spreading from her ears to her entire face. Her lips were unconsciously pursed and then released, leaving faint teeth marks, making them even more vivid.

The man remained silent for a long time, making Lin Ke feel even more embarrassed. She hummed and said, "Never mind, I'll wash it myself."

She had only taken two steps inside when her hand was suddenly grabbed. Si Yuming approached, cupped her face, and kissed her.

She was completely stunned.

The opponent's breathing was deep and somewhat anxious. They were taking their time and quickly began to conquer and expand their territory, showing signs of advancing further.

Lin Ke could only express her resistance with her left hand, so she couldn't push him away. She could only take advantage of the moment he opened his mouth and gently bite him. But the other party was too hasty and accidentally bit too hard, and the smell of blood spread.

He finally let go, and Lin Ke looked up, slightly startled when she saw into the man's dark eyes.

After a few seconds, she glared at him irritably, "What's the rush? Serves you right." Then she added reproachfully, "Aren't you tired after working all day?"

"Not tired."

Lin Ke stared in disbelief, her eyes wide: "Si Yuming, I have a broken bone! Are you even human?!"

Si Yuming wouldn't be so beastly as to do anything to her, but he found her reaction somewhat amusing: "I don't need your help."

"......"

The woman's big eyes darted around, her expression genuinely hesitant. Finally, she raised her eyes and said, "No, there might be a hidden camera. It's not safe."

Si Yuming didn't expect her to bring this up suddenly, and laughed again: "How come it was safe before?"

"...That's different!"

More than half a year ago, she went to Shanghai on a business trip. She didn't want to go to his place because it was too much trouble to make a round trip in one day. So he went to the hotel where she was staying at noon to find her.

Speaking of this, Lin Ke's face flushed slightly. She hadn't expected him to come. She was a twenty-seven or twenty-eight-year-old adult woman, and he was her legal husband. The moment they met, it was like dry wood meeting fire. She didn't think about anything else.

She blushed and pushed him away, glaring at him: "I don't want you anymore, I'll wash myself, hmph."

......

The next morning, Si Xiaotie stared at the wound on his father's mouth and asked, "Huh? Dad, did you get bitten by a bug?"

Si Yuming smiled and said, "No, Mom bit me."

"..." Lin Ke was completely shocked. My God, what is he saying?!

Si Xiaotie wasn't surprised at all, nor was he embarrassed. "Did you apply the medicine?"

"It's okay, no need to wipe it."

Okay.

Continuing on their journey, Lin Ke became a hands-off manager.

She didn't need to pack her luggage, carry her bag, hold her daughter, worry about the driver, or arrange the itinerary and meals. All she had to do was take photos with her phone. It was very comfortable.

In the afternoon, we arrived at the famous valley park for viewing the yellow leaves. The tent and picnic kit had been prepared in advance. As soon as we arrived, Lin Ke took the little girl to play, while Si Yuming was in charge of setting up the tent and preparing the tables, chairs and food.

There are many people coming for autumn outings, with families and couples traveling together.

The mountains and fields are covered with trees of red and yellow, and the sunlight lazily filters through the gaps in the branches and leaves, making the valley as beautiful as gold and jade.

Si Xiaotie was overjoyed, running around and frolicking in the woods, her little feet crunching on the bright yellow leaves, making a soft crunching sound as she giggled.

Lin Ke's right hand was not convenient, so she could only take pictures of her with her left hand. However, Si Xiaotie did not like taking pictures and could not stay still after taking two. She did not ask for much and let her play as she pleased.

"Mom, can I lie down?"

"Can."

The little girl immediately lay down and rolled around twice, her yellow windbreaker covered in leaves. "Mommy, I've turned into a leaf too! It's so pretty!"

She tilted her head and grinned, "Mom, you lie down too!"

There were quite a few people around. Lin Ke looked around and hesitated.

"Mother!"

"They're here."

Lin Ke lay down next to her, her right hand still in a cast. Her eyes immediately fell on a different angle, the world seemed to turn upside down, and she understood what Si Xiaotie meant by "beautiful".

The pure blue stretched endlessly from directly overhead in all directions, and the sunlight gilded the edges of the branches and leaves where they met the sky with a dazzling halo. When the wind blew, the leaves broke free from the branches and twirled down.

Lin Ke closed her eyes, savoring the brief yet complete freedom constructed by a blue sky and a few yellow leaves.

Si Yuming had already set up the tent and was preparing to spread out the picnic mat.

A man next to me came over to borrow something, "Hey handsome, can I borrow a hammer to hammer in the ground?"

"Can."

The man picked up a hammer from the table, then followed his gaze to the two people lying on the ground, one big and one small, and asked, "A family out for a trip?"

Not far away, the mother and daughter were relaxing. After lying down for a while, Si Xiaotie squatted down to pick up leaves, and Lin Ke helped her. The two were talking about something, and their faces were full of bright smiles.

Si Yuming slowly withdrew his eyes, his eyelids half-closed, and his words were ambiguous, whether they expressed happiness or something else.

"Yes, my wife and my daughter."

-----------------------

Author's Note: Is this chapter considered long? [pity][pity][pity]

There are also small red envelopes~