Gu Yi was jolted by Ji Yunsheng and almost fell off. Ji Yunsheng grabbed his arm in time. He sized up Gu Yi, who was sitting on the horse, then clicked his tongue and said,
"You're so thin. You should eat more. Let's go."
With that, Ji Yunsheng mounted the horse. Fearing that Gu Yi might fall again, he tightly held Gu Yi in his arms. With a nudge of his feet, the horse started moving forward.
"Let go of me. I don't want to eat. I've lost my appetite."
The horse galloped faster and faster. The wind lashed violently against Gu Yi's face. He didn't even dare to open his eyes and trembled in fear.
"Open your eyes. It's so much fun."
Ji Yunsheng felt Gu Yi trembling. He tilted his head slightly and saw Gu Yi's pale face with his eyes tightly shut. He reached out a hand and gave Gu Yi a gentle pat.
Gu Yi was startled by Ji Yunsheng. Forgetting his fear, he opened his eyes.
"The more you look, the better. The more you close your eyes, the more scared you'll be," Ji Yunsheng shouted against the wind. Although the gale howled in their ears, Gu Yi managed to catch his words. He didn't close his eyes anymore. Watching the scenery along the road flash by and feeling the refreshing breeze against his face, Gu Yi actually found that he wasn't that scared anymore.
"I don't feel scared anymore," Gu Yi said with a beaming smile. The refreshing breeze made him forget to put on a facade. He turned around and his gaze met Ji Yunsheng's.
"Then let's go even faster."
A smile spread across Ji Yunsheng's lips. He spurred the horse on. The two of them galloped on the road. Ji Yunsheng was an excellent rider, so Gu Yi didn't have to worry about anything. He turned his head back, with a broader smile on his face.
After a while, they reached the Western City. Ji Yunsheng bought Gu Yi a bunch of candied haws. Gu Yi took a bite of one and then stopped.
"What else do you want to eat?"
Seeing that Gu Yi had lost interest, Ji Yunsheng didn't force him. He took the candied haws from Gu Yi's hand and ate them one by one.
"The osmanthus cake from the Eastern City," Gu Yi said, lowering his head. He didn't dare to look at Ji Yunsheng, afraid that he would be refused.
The Eastern City was quite far from the Western City. Ji Yunsheng looked down at Gu Yi's round head and was sure that Gu Yi just wanted to ride the horse.
"Alright, alright. Hurry up and get on. Let's go," Ji Yunsheng said. He finished the candied haws, tossed the bamboo stick on the ground casually, and urged Gu Yi forward.
Gu Yi's face lit up visibly. He walked up to the horse and tried several times to mount it but failed. Ji Yunsheng simply picked him up and placed him firmly on the horse. Then he mounted the horse himself.
"Let's go."
Ji Yunsheng placed Gu Yi's hands on the reins. Then he clamped his legs against the horse's belly. The horse neighed and started moving.
The horse galloped all the way back along the same route towards the Eastern City. Ji Yunsheng bought Gu Yi the osmanthus cake as promised. But Gu Yi reluctantly took a bite and then hung his head in silence.
Ji Yunsheng ate all the overly sweet osmanthus cake. He looked at Gu Yi with a helpless expression but could only let him be.
"If you want to go somewhere, just say so. Don't use food as an excuse. I really can't eat anymore."
The taste of the osmanthus cake still lingered in Ji Yunsheng's throat. He couldn't bear to see Gu Yi looking so pitiful, so he could only ask this young master to stop making excuses and just say where he wanted to go.
"I want to go to the Northern City and the Southern City!"
After the incident with the candied haws and osmanthus cake, Gu Yi realized that Ji Yunsheng had seen through his little scheme. He thought Ji Yunsheng would expose him and reluctantly send him back, but he didn't expect Ji Yunsheng to be so obedient and willing to take him around.
"Is that okay? Is that okay?"
While Ji Yunsheng was thinking, Gu Yi grabbed his clothes and shook them constantly.
This kid clearly wanted him to take him to the farthest places. Ji Yunsheng smiled wryly but still agreed. He was just worried that Gu Yi's body couldn't take it. But it was the first time he had seen Gu Yi smile so happily since they met. Riding the horse for a while longer probably wouldn't do any harm. Instead, it would make him happier.
"Alright, I promise you. Let's go."
Ji Yunsheng picked Gu Yi up. This time, Gu Yi didn't struggle. He just stayed in Ji Yunsheng's arms obediently. He was like a little chick being led by Ji Yunsheng, but he was smiling happily, as if he was looking forward to what was going to happen next.
The two of them got on the horse. Ji Yunsheng didn't say anything more. Gu Yi tightly grabbed the reins. The horse started moving again. The gentle breeze caressed their cheeks, making them feel cool and relaxed. Gu Yi was sitting in front, as if he was the one riding the horse. At least at that moment, he felt like a normal person.
"Have you never ridden a horse before?"
Ji Yunsheng leaned forward so that Gu Yi could hear him.
"Never!"
Gu Yi had been in poor health since childhood. When his condition was severe, it was even difficult for him to walk. No one had ever taken him out to play like Ji Yunsheng, let alone ride a horse so fast.
Gu Yi didn't have any more concerns. He shouted at Ji Yunsheng. On the horse, he seemed to be able to forget all his troubles.
"When you recover from your illness, I'll teach you how to ride a horse. How about it? Happy?"
A smile played on Ji Yunsheng's lips as he asked Gu Yi.
But there was no response from Gu Yi. He lowered his head, looking a bit dejected. After a long time, he said,
"No doctor has ever said that my illness can be completely cured. What if I can't be cured? Will I never be able to learn how to ride a horse?"
Gu Yi's voice was muffled. Ji Yunsheng felt two drops of tears fall on the hand that was holding the reins.
"The most important thing now is to take good care of your body. If others can't cure you, I will," Ji Yunsheng said casually, pretending not to notice Gu Yi's uneasiness.
"Really? Can you cure me?"
Gu Yi looked up, half - believing and half - doubting. The oncoming wind dried his tears.
"Of course. As long as you cooperate with the treatment, no matter what the outcome is, I'll teach you how to ride a horse."
Ji Yunsheng didn't think he could completely cure Gu Yi. Treating him was just a last resort. But in front of this patient, he still had to tell a white lie.
"I believe you."
Gu Yi mumbled softly, but his words fell clearly into Ji Yunsheng's ears. There was no longer any estrangement on their faces. Both of them were smiling, smiling calmly at the unknown.
Ji Yunsheng took Gu Yi around until it was dark before sending him back to the Gu Mansion. At the gate of the mansion, Gu Yi reluctantly dismounted the horse. Watching Ji Yunsheng's departing back, he shouted,
"Will you come tomorrow? Thank you for today."
Ji Yunsheng sat firmly on the horse without turning around. He just showed his back to Gu Yi. He held the reins with one hand and waved the other.
"Yes. See you tomorrow."