Nobody said that teachers at elite academies have to be heartthrobs.

“Pah!”

A crisp, resounding slap landed mercilessly on Xiao Chi's face.

Taking advantage of his momentary daze, Yu Fuli suddenly broke free from his grip, flipped over, and quickly took two steps back.

He straightened up and looked at Xiao Chi, who was still half-supported on the grass. His eyes were like those of someone looking at a super pervert, filled with shock, anger, disbelief, and strong repulsion.

Xiao Chi's face was turned to one side by the slap, and a burning pain spread across his cheek. He unconsciously pressed his tongue against the numb inside of his mouth, tasting a faint metallic flavor of blood, but he didn't even flinch.

hiss……

Really fragrant.

There was indeed a very faint, cool fragrance that, along with the force of the slap, brushed past his nose from the sleeve that had been swung.

It's not the scent of flowers, nor is it a common perfume; it's more like the smell of pine needles after a snowfall, or mint covered in morning dew by a cold mountain spring.

It should have been a cool tone, but at this moment it inexplicably made people's throats tighten.

Jiang Yu was right after all.

The first thing you notice when you're hit isn't the pain, but the smell of that person.

Xiao Chi slowly turned his head and raised his hand to wipe the corner of his mouth with his thumb.

He looked up at Yu Fuli, who stood a few steps away, his chest still heaving slightly with anger. The other man's white riding clothes were covered with grass clippings, and the gold threads swayed wildly in the sunlight. His usually gentle and smiling face was now covered with a layer of cold frost, and his eyes were piercingly bright.

"Feel sorry."

Xiao Chi said in a low voice. He knew that an apology would be futile at this moment.

After all, he was the one who was offended. If he were the one being rudely treated by someone of the same sex in such a disgusting way, he probably would have torn the other person to pieces long ago.

Although he doesn't consider himself someone who would be attracted to the same sex, the situation just now was special... In any case, it was his loss of control.

Yu Fuli ignored him, not even glancing at him, and simply looked around, finding no one there.

The faint shouts from Qiaoqi had long since faded away; the wilderness was silent, with only the sound of the wind rustling through the grass.

The only consolation was that Ye Xing hadn't run far after being startled. He was now panting heavily, anxiously taking steps back to her side, his wet nose gently rubbing against Yu Fuli's arm.

Yu Fuli stroked the horse's neck expressionlessly, then nimbly mounted the horse.

With a flick of the reins, it rode off to the clatter of hooves.

He didn't look at Xiao Chi even once more from beginning to end.

Xiao Chi stood there, watching the resolute white figure disappear into the verdant plains. The handprint on his face still stood out, and a faint, cool fragrance seemed to linger between his teeth.

He slowly raised his hand to wipe away a trace of blood from the corner of his lips, his eyes dark and unfathomable.

Xiao Chi tried to move his leg, and a sharp pain immediately shot up from his calf joint, causing him to furrow his brow.

In the instant he fell from his horse, he almost instinctively shielded Yu Fuli above him, taking the brunt of the impact himself.

The other person was indeed unharmed, but he himself, apart from the burning cut on his forehead, had obviously twisted his left leg when he landed.

He braced himself against the grass, trying to stand up on his own, but the pain made him hesitate.

"Hello!"

A cold greeting came from above.

Xiao Chi suddenly looked up.

Yu Fuli had returned, now perched high on Ye Xing's back, looking down at him. The afternoon light outlined his figure from behind, the grass clippings still clinging to his white riding clothes, and his face was expressionless.

Xiao Chi was stunned for a moment.

Yu Fuli gripped the reins, inwardly despising her own superfluous kindness.

Having been so offended, he should have turned and left without looking back, letting this ungrateful young master crawl back home. But his duty as a teacher and that damned sense of responsibility made him turn back.

He felt he was being too kind.

"Can you walk?" Yu Fuli's voice was still cold and angry, her gaze fixed on Xiao Chi's left leg, which he clearly dared not put any weight on.

Xiao Chi was silent for two seconds before squeezing out a single word: "...Yes."

He braced himself against the ground, gritting his teeth as he tried to get up. Sweat instantly beaded on his forehead, and the excruciating pain in his legs made him sway.

Yu Fuli looked at his forced composure and sighed softly. After all, it was he who suffered such serious injuries while protecting him.

He dismounted, walked to Xiao Chi's side, and handed Ye Xing the reins.

"Grab on." He said succinctly, then stood on Xiao Chi's other side, gesturing for him to use his strength.

Xiao Chi glanced at him, said nothing, reached out and grabbed the reins, and with Yu Fuli's help, mounted the horse.

Night Star seemed a little impatient and shook its head, but calmed down under Yu Fuli's gentle pats and became a temporary support.

Yu Fuli followed closely behind and mounted his horse, sitting behind Xiao Chi at a perfect distance, providing necessary support while avoiding direct physical contact.

As for why he didn't sit in the front?

He didn't want to be put up by Xiao Chi again.

The two men and the horse moved slowly across the open grassland toward the horse farm.

The wind whistles, and the grass ripples in the breeze.

No one spoke again.

Only Ye Xing's occasional snorting and Xiao Chi's suppressed, slightly heavy breathing due to pain intertwined in the silent air.

Yu Fuli stared straight ahead, his profile hard and cold.

He really went to unnecessary lengths.

The two men and the horse moved slowly across the open plains. Yu Fuli deliberately kept his distance, while Xiao Chi leaned most of his weight on Ye Xing. Every step was accompanied by muffled groans and cold sweat beading on his forehead.

Just as the outline of the outer fence of the horse farm could be seen in the distance—

"Bang!"

A sudden gunshot shattered the silence, coming without warning from the direction of the dense forest nearby!

The sound traveled extremely far in the open area, carrying a chilling echo.

Night Star was already on edge from the previous fright and the heavy load it was carrying. This sudden loud noise was like the last straw. It let out a terrified neigh, its front hooves suddenly reared up, and its body twisted violently, trying to break free of the reins and escape!

"Be careful!"

Yu Fuli's pupils contracted sharply, and he subconsciously tried to control the horse, but Xiao Chi's weight was leaning on the reins, creating a terrible situation.

Everything happened in the blink of an eye—

Ye Xing kicked and struggled wildly. Xiao Chi, who was already unsteady on his feet due to his leg injury, was directly pulled down by this tremendous force, and Yu Fuli, who was tightly gripping the reins, also lost his balance!

The two men and the horse were entangled, and dragged by the frightened horse, they ended up falling towards the edge of a steep slope covered by tall grass!

"Let go!" Yu Fuli shouted, but it was too late.

At the last moment, Ye Xing broke free from Xiao Chi's grasp and charged toward the other side with a neigh.

The two people, having lost their support, tumbled down the steep slope due to inertia!