Indeed, the person who had run to the front was none other than Wang Yongzhu.
To be honest, she wouldn’t have wanted to draw attention either, but when she turned back, she saw they were right at a turn, and the two carts behind were stuck there, with someone’s foot trapped in a rut, trying to pull it free without any success.
If their cart moved out of the way, the person behind would surely be doomed.
Without a second thought, Wang Yongzhu watched the sliding cart, stepped slightly aside, and, as it slid past her, she grabbed the cart’s handle and pulled with all her might.
The cart, with the momentum of its descent, dragged Wang Yongzhu several steps before it barely stopped less than a step in front of Laoliu’s two mules.
The people around were stunned, taking a good while to come to their senses.
A cheer then erupted.
The people who had chased after them had also arrived, with several strong men hurrying forward to stabilize the sliding cart.
Wang Yongzhu wanted to let go of the cart handle, but found she seemed unable to move it, as if her entire arm didn’t belong to her anymore. No matter how hard she tried to move it, her hand remained motionless, as if glued to the handle.
Steward Lu and the others understood at once; the tension was so great that her hand had seized up. It would be best for someone to massage it to help it relax.
But all of them were men; it wouldn’t be appropriate to just reach out and touch a lady’s hand—that would be indecent, wouldn’t it?
They could only look towards Wang Yongping, as he was the girl’s brother; surely it would be alright then?
But Wang Yongping was clueless about these things; he had never seen anything like it.
Yet, looking at his sister’s rigid state, he was worried. If something happened, how could he face their parents?
And even if he had the face to return, he might not have his life left.
After thinking it over, he turned his pleading gaze to Song Chongjin, "Brother Song, you... you..."
He had intended to ask Song Chongjin what to do.
But when Song Chongjin saw Wang Yongping’s look, he thought he was being asked to step in.
After a pause, Song Chongjin looked at Wang Yongzhu, then nodded his head.
He signaled for someone to take his place, then walked over to Wang Yongzhu with a stern face.
His tone was quite harsh, "Why do you have to show off like that? Do you not care about your arm or your life? What would you do if something happened?"
But the hand that touched Wang Yongzhu’s wrist was extremely gentle.
Wang Yongzhu felt her previously insensate hand enveloped by warmth as she watched Song Chongjin lower his eyes and press his lips together as if angry.
Yet the massage he gave was gentle and firm.
Blinking her eyes, Wang Yongzhu somehow felt a bit guilty. She coughed and explained, "Well, I am quite strong, right? Besides, there was someone below with their foot stuck. If I didn’t stop it, that person would have been hit—"
"Weren’t you afraid of not holding on and being dragged down yourself?" Song Chongjin gave her a glance and pressed a bit harder, causing Wang Yongzhu to hiss in pain, "Ouch—"
"Now you know pain? The sudden strain might have injured your arm, and it’ll hurt even more later!" Song Chongjin’s voice was stern, but his hand couldn’t help but lighten its touch.
Wang Yongping, who was nearby, initially intended to pull Song Chongjin away. Even though he could be thick-headed and oblivious, he still understood the principle that men and women should not have physical contact.
In public, Song Chongjin had touched his younger sister’s hand and arm. How was she ever going to get married after that? Even if they were to recruit a son-in-law, people would gossip about it, wouldn’t they?
Just as he was about to step forward, upon hearing what Song Chongjin said and seeing his familiar technique, Wang Yongping hesitated. The moment he heard Song Chongjin mention that his sister’s arm might be sprained, he almost cried, "Little sister, are you alright? Is your hand okay? Does it still hurt? Brother Song, her hand won’t be damaged, will it? Her arm isn’t broken, is it?"
"Shut up!" Wang Yongzhu couldn’t help but say. If you can’t speak properly, then don’t speak at all. Anyone who didn’t know better would think you were cursing me.
Why couldn’t he think of anything good for a change?
Wang Yongping, feeling aggrieved, stepped aside but couldn’t help approaching again shortly after.
He had completely forgotten his initial desire to make Song Chongjin let go; all he was thinking about now was that nothing bad must happen to his little sister’s hand.
Compared to her hand, her reputation or anything else didn’t matter!
With a little sister as skilled in martial arts as she was, it seemed that any man who could be brought into the family would be dominated, with no exception!
Thinking this, Wang Yongping relaxed and no longer felt that it was inappropriate for Song Chongjin to be holding his sister’s hand.
After all, these people didn’t know him and his sister, so at most, he could privately warn Song Chongjin not to spread the story, presuming he wouldn’t want to get involved with his sister either.
Steward Lu and the others, seeing Song Chongjin’s skilled treatment, were also reassured.
Even though Song Chongjin was abrasive in his speech, everyone present, who traveled far and wide, could read people well.
Who couldn’t tell that this dark-faced, handsome young man was startled by the girl’s action, and that’s why he spoke so unpleasantly!
Why? It was obviously because he held the girl dearly in his heart, that’s why he was so anxious.
Seeing his sister injured, her blood brother’s first reaction was to let the handsome young man take action; presumably, his family was aware—based on their address, it seemed likely they were a betrothed couple yet to marry.
Otherwise, as her brother, he wouldn’t have let a stranger touch his sister’s hand in public.
The onlookers quickly inferred the relationship between the three individuals.
A betrothed couple, along with a protective older cousin. Going to the county town, perhaps they were going to purchase wedding items.
Those with quick minds had already thought about adding some congratulatory items to their thank-you gift later.
The Wang siblings and Song Chongjin had no idea that the people from the Escort Agency had, in no time at all, completed their assumptions about their relationship and even guessed the purpose of their trip to the county town.
Steward Lu, reassured by Song Chongjin’s capable treatment of Wang Yongzhu’s hand, instructed three men to straighten up the cart before he went to manage the remaining vehicles.
Song Chongjin massaged for a while until he felt Wang Yongzhu’s tensed and cramped muscles relax, then he slowly started to pry each of her ten fingers away from the handle, being careful not to hurt her.
After prying away one finger, he would check Wang Yongzhu’s expression to judge whether she could tolerate the pain.
Once all her fingers were finally removed from the handle, he took her hand again and continued massaging.
After inspecting the vehicles and ensuring everything was in order, Steward Lu came back up.
He expressed his gratitude formally, "Today, we owe a great deal to this young lady. Without her, our Escort Agency would have suffered more than just two injured mules—there might have been fatalities! Miss’s kindness, I, Lu, and Tianfeng Escort Agency will always remember. There will be a significant reward! It’s not convenient to speak here, so please, miss and you two gentlemen, go on ahead. We will deal with matters here first; for any neglect, please forgive us!"