Insanely Pampered Wife: Divine Doctor Fifth Young Miss Chapter 2316 - Side Story - Wu Xiao Dao Edition (6) Follow me, I’ll be responsible

As the lightning bolt crashed onto Wu Xiao Dao, the onlookers all trembled involuntarily.

If it struck her squarely, she would likely perish right away, wouldn't she?!

Fu Ming Shao pressed his lips into a thin line, gazing fixedly at Wu Xiao Dao suspended in the sky without so much as a blink, dreading any mishap in the split second he looked away.

Though they'd only known each other for three months, she had quietly burrowed into his heart. The thought of her departure tightened his brow in distress.

“Last time, a soldier sought shelter under a tree during a stormy night and got struck by lightning, dying on the spot, yet she can still soar through the air,” Mu Si remarked with a sigh.

“But she's hurt.” Fu Ming Shao watched Wu Xiao Dao's form waver slightly, his gaze brimming with concern.

Mu Si caught the emotion in his voice and glanced at him in astonishment: “You...”

Fu Ming Shao offered no denial, merely shooting Mu Si a look before refocusing on Wu Xiao Dao.

Wu Xiao Dao got zapped by the lightning, sending agony ripping through her entire body. Staring up at the Tribulation Cloud overhead, her scalp prickled with dread.

She now truly grasped the torment her mother endured from lightning strikes. She vowed on her life never to mock her mother for it again.

Thankfully, Cloud Spirit valued its bond with Sima You Yue and the fruit wine, so it held back. Most of the tribulation lightnings missed her, and those that hit lacked full force, letting her endure. Still, she was hurled to the earth, crashing down with barely a breath left, more out than in.

She yearned to urge Cloud Spirit to deliver her message, but even words escaped her now, leaving her to watch it depart without a backward glance.

She could only hope it would relay the message...

......

Fu Ming Shao rushed to her side at once, pouring all the pills she'd previously given him into her mouth. After swallowing them, a faint relief began to stir in her body.

“How are you feeling?” He reached to support her, but her coal-blackened form left him at a loss, panic fluttering in his chest.

Noticing the anguish in his eyes, Wu Xiao Dao blinked; this fellow truly cared deeply for her!

She meant to assure him she was okay, yet lacking the strength, she could only wink playfully at him.

Mu Si and the guards approached, beholding her lightning-scorched state, their faces etched with pity.

Her skin was seared crisp, turned utterly charred. Could she even show her face like this? As a young woman, prospects for a fine marriage seemed doomed.

“Fetch a spacious carriage,” Mu Si ordered his attendants.

In her condition, she'd surely need to lie flat all the way back.

By the time the carriage arrived, Wu Xiao Dao had mended somewhat, enough to muster speech.

“My bones are shattered everywhere, and I can't budge. Set up a tent for me, please.”

With bones fractured all over and flesh roasted black, she cut a truly wretched figure—that much was clear to all.

They swiftly erected a tent for her, sparing her further misery from wind and sun while she recovered on the ground.

Fu Ming Shao entered once the setup was done, spotting Wu Xiao Dao sprawled on the earth, idly blowing bubbles, a soft smile warming his eyes.

“Where'd they go?” Wu Xiao Dao queried, tilting her head.

“I sent them ahead.” Fu Ming Shao settled beside her, heedless of the dirt, and added: “Mu Si wanted to bid you farewell, but Wan’er felt unwell, so I urged them home first. The rest are standing watch outside.”

Such a massive disturbance was bound to draw curious eyes; he needed to secure her a peaceful spot to heal.

“I'll check on Wan’er once I'm better, though she should pull through,” Wu Xiao Dao responded.

“And you? No need for a physician?” Fu Ming Shao pressed.

“Nope, your local healers can't mend wounds like mine,” Wu Xiao Dao explained. “I've done all I can for now; just time will tell. This harsh environment will slow my full recovery a bit.”

“As long as you heal, that's what matters.” Fu Ming Shao went quiet after that. As Wu Xiao Dao drifted toward sleep, his voice broke the silence again: “Are you really heading back?”

“Naturally. My family's waiting there. For cultivation, I have to return.” Wu Xiao Dao, woozy and muddled, answered without thinking, then tacked on words that sent his heart racing: “When I go, do you want to come with me...”

Her voice trailed off fainter and fainter, the final words a mere whisper. Yet Fu Ming Shao's sharp ears caught every syllable.

She slipped into slumber post those words, but his mind churned relentlessly.

Accompany her back? Venture to her cultivation world with her? Forsake this place for a life of cultivation there?

He recalled their journey to the Imperial Capital, when she'd checked his pulse, eyes widening in awe as she called him a prime seedling.

Back then, he'd figured it meant martial prowess, given his skills. Now it dawned: she meant cultivation potential. In that realm, a fresh start awaited.

Yet, could he truly cast aside all he knew?

Wu Xiao Dao slumbered deeply, and upon waking, found Fu Ming Shao still seated on the ground in the exact same pose.

“What're you pondering?” she asked, curiosity piqued.

“Pondering what you just said.” Fu Ming Shao met her inquisitive gaze with a smile. “You claimed I'd seen you bare, making you mine, so I must take responsibility—hence inviting me to your world.”

Wu Xiao Dao's eyes rounded like twin moons. What had she uttered? That wasn't her usual bravado! Vaguely, she recalled mumbling before sleep, though the haze obscured the words.

She blinked at Fu Ming Shao, probing for sincerity. His puzzled expression convinced her she'd indeed spoken thus.

“Ahem, I was delirious, spouting nonsense!” Wu Xiao Dao cleared her throat twice. “See me now—no big deal if I'm clothed or not.”

“Trying to paint me as a cad who shirks duty?” Fu Ming Shao's eyes narrowed, face darkening, his foul mood plain.

“I'm considering your sake,” Wu Xiao Dao countered. “Nothing happened between us—why burden you with responsibility? How tragic for you! Plus, would you even come? Your parents are here; would you abandon them for me?”

“And if I chose to go with you?” Fu Ming Shao shot back icily.

Wu Xiao Dao's retort died unspoken. Irked by her stupefied look, Fu Ming Shao leaned in close, repeating: “What if I wanted to leave with you? Then what? Hmm?”

“If you're set on coming, I... I'll take responsibility for you!” Wu Xiao Dao stared at his looming face, flushing for the first time ever. Luckily, her coal-dark skin hid the blush from view.