The little one didn't dare ask her for anything now. He wouldn't trouble her, not even a little.
No matter what happened, he tried to handle it on his own. If he got hurt and it wasn't serious, he wouldn't even tell her.
Her little husband… he always made her heart ache.
"Xavi, come up. I'll carry you," Jewel said, lowering her strong back in front of him.
"I can walk on my own…" Xavi said shyly. He felt awkward being carried like this in public.
"If you won't let your own wife carry you, are you saving your back for another man to carry?"
Jewel stayed in a squatting position for quite a while. She was starting to feel tired, and her husband still hadn't moved. She figured he needed a little push.
As soon as Xavi heard her teasing words, he panicked!
Before Jewel could even finish speaking, he leapt onto her back and wrapped his arms tightly around her shoulders.
"Heh~"
Jewel couldn't help but laugh. Everything about her delicate husband was adorable. Just seeing him made her heart feel light.
She stood up, shifted him higher on her back, and strode home quickly.
He felt so light on her back. She wrapped her arms around his slender legs—not too tightly so he wouldn't feel squeezed, but not too loosely either, in case she dropped him.
Even though Xavi wasn't heavy, after walking a while, Jewel started sweating a little.
Xavi would now and then reach into his sleeve for a clean handkerchief and gently wipe her forehead.
He was being carried so comfortably and could feel how careful his wife was—like she was holding something fragile and precious.
Since she'd woken up, Jewel had always treated him gently. Whether she was touching his hand or stroking his hair, she always tested the waters first, making sure he was okay with it before continuing.
Truth was, Jewel treated him so well—how could he not like it? Being spoiled like this made him feel incredibly happy.
He loved his wife even more. She was the kindest person in the world to him.
Xavi, carried on Jewel's back, was seen by many people on the road. Embarrassed, he buried his face into her shoulder, not wanting to be seen—but the smile on his lips wouldn't go away no matter how hard he tried.
"Shy again, Xavi?" Jewel asked softly, feeling his soft cheek press against her back.
"No~"
His soft voice made her eyes gentle and her smile even brighter.
Passersby—whether older husbands, unmarried men, or women—all looked on with admiration and envy.
To be cared for so openly and lovingly by your wife—how many men in the world could enjoy such love?
Even though some men thought it was improper and a bit embarrassing, deep down they still envied the man on that woman's back.
Some older women watched the young, affectionate couple pass and couldn't help but think back to their younger days and the men who once meant so much to them.
Jewel carried her husband, thinking about the emergency kit in her space.
If Xavi had scraped himself, she wanted to treat it quickly. Summer heat could easily cause an infection.
She picked up the pace and soon reached Xavia Village.
Calling for her father a few times and getting no answer, she figured he was visiting neighbors or chatting with some friends. So she closed the gate.
She carried Xavi into the main house and gently placed him on their bed.
"Wait here a moment," she said.
"Okay." Xavi nodded.
Jewel went into the kitchen, shut the door tight, and listened carefully to make sure no one else was around. Then she pressed her right thumb against her left wrist and summoned the medical kit from her space.
It worked like fingerprint unlocking. Every time she did it, it felt like unlocking a phone.
She quickly found the ointment for scrapes. She couldn't take out the modern packaging, so she found a small ceramic jar in the kitchen and squeezed the medicine into it.
She also filled a basin with warm water and grabbed a clean cloth—she'd use it to clean Xavi up.
Meanwhile, Xavi was sitting on the bed. His outer robe was still dusty, so he stood up and carefully took it off, not wanting to dirty the bed.
As he lifted his arm, he felt a burning pain at his elbow. Probably scraped it when he fell and caught himself.
Nothing serious—it would scab over soon.
When Jewel came in with the water basin, she saw Xavi rubbing his lower back, frowning.
"Xavi, is your waist hurting?" She set the basin down and went over to him.
See! She knew his waist would hurt!
This little guy kept saying, "I'm fine," but how could that be true?
Now she regretted not learning more medical skills when she was still in the modern world. She didn't even know if her husband had internal injuries. Maybe she should call a doctor later.
"Wife, I…"
Xavi wanted to say he was fine—but the words got stuck in his throat. His waist did hurt.
Jewel had been hurt many times while training in martial arts. She knew that even if someone could walk and run right after a fall, pain could still show up later.
"Xavi, it's my fault you got hurt today. I never should've gambled or gotten involved with those people," she said gently.
Jewel felt the need to have a serious talk with her husband. She wanted him to think differently—not like the other men around here, who always blamed themselves and kept everything bottled up, thinking they shouldn't trouble their wives.
She couldn't change how all men lived, but she'd never let her Xavi live like that.
"Xavi, you have to learn to take care of yourself. If you're ever in pain, tell me. I'll always be by your side."
Xavi listened, and it felt like his whole view of the world flipped upside down!
In this world, women worked outside and men stayed at home. Shouldn't he try to make her worry less, so she could focus on her work?
How could he bring her trouble and keep her from relaxing at home?
Jewel saw his disbelief and gently tugged his sleeve. "Did you hear me?"
"Ah—ow!"