Words from Su Linzhou kept echoing in Xie Changyanâs headââThe man is not married, the woman not yet wed.â
âLove also has its breakupsâ¦â
And there are divorces after marriage, he added silently to himself.
Xie Changyan looked at the chatbox of Lin Xuâs friend and fell into deep conflict.
His fingertips hovered over the chatbox, yet after a long while, he didnât type a single word.
He irritably tugged at his tie, with a brooding demeanor.
Seeing him so moody these past few days, Su Linzhou suggested they go to the countryside to relax: âI have a friend who opened a new equestrian center in the suburbs. Heâs inviting me to help warm up the place this weekend. Why donât you come along? Itâll be a good chance to unwind.â
Xie Changyan pocketed his phone and agreed.
However, neither of them expected to encounter Lin Xu at the equestrian center.
Lin Xu, dressed in British equestrian attire, looked spirited and handsome atop her horse. Led by the instructor, she rode the white horse around the equestrian center, her face brimming with a joyful smile.
Such a coincidence?
If this visit to the equestrian center hadnât been a spontaneous decision, Su Linzhou would have suspected that she was deliberately following Xie Changyan.
âYou twoâ¦â as Su Linzhou turned to speak, he saw Xie Changyanâs gaze almost stuck on her.
He cleared his throat, âHer riding seems quite unpracticed, like a beginner. Why donât you go over and give some pointers?â
Xie Changyan withdrew his gaze and gave him a penetrating look, âHow about you go?
Then he turned and entered the changing room for riding attire.
âTsk, putting on an act now,â Su Linzhou clicked his tongue, followed him into the changing room one after the other, and complained while walking, âIf I really went to give pointers, wouldnât you want to kill me?â
After changing into riding attire, Xie Changyan chose a spirited horse. With sharp movements, he vaulted into the saddle, skillfully took up the reins, and galloped off, displaying a dashing and formidable demeanor.
The sound of horse hooves approached from behind, drawing nearer. Lin Xu looked back curiously and when she realized the rider was Xie Changyan, a flicker of surprise passed through her smiling eyes.
She had also not expected him to be there.
Xie Changyanâs horse charged forward, swiftly overtaking Lin Xu and racing away with a whoosh.
His posture was exceedingly graceful.
A look of astonishment surfaced on Lin Xuâs face.
After a while, she suddenly remembered all those messages she sent that had fallen on deaf ears, and her previously cheer-filled expression immediately darkened.
âIâm a bit tired and want to rest for a bit,â Lin Xu told the instructor.
The instructor nodded, led the horse back to the entrance, and then helped Lin Xu dismount.
Lin Xu found a secluded rest table and had just taken a few sips of water when a figure took a seat across from her.
With a beaming smile, Su Linzhou looked at her, âMiss Lin, do you remember me?â
Lin Xu nodded, âYoung Master Su.â
A friend of Xie Changyan, she had met him once before at the club and still had some impression.
âItâs an honor to be remembered by such a beautiful lady,â Su Linzhou said with a smile. âAre you here by yourself, Miss Lin? How about joining us? Xie Changyan is quite skilled at horseback riding; he could teach you later.â
âNo need, I came here with Ji Tingyang, and he stepped away to take a call; heâll be back later,â Lin Xu replied.
Receiving no response time and again, Lin Xu had lost the patience to continue probing and declined outright.
âSo President Ji is also here, huh? Can he ride? If not, I could teach him later, and Xie Changyan can teach you. The four of us together would be just right,â Su Linzhou still did not give up and continued to suggest with a smile.
Thinking to himself, for his brotherâs happiness, he was willing to go all out.
Lin Xu gave him a subtly complex look.
Just as Su Linzhou was about to lose his patience, Xie Changyan had already come back riding a horse, hurriedly waving to him, âOver here, over here.â
Xie Changyan saw Lin Xu, hesitated for a moment, but still walked over.
He sat down on a chair, leisurely poured himself a cup of tea, and savored it slowly.
Su Linzhou rolled his eyes inwardly.
When they were alone, he was so irritable that he would snap at anyone; now that the main character had arrived, he started to put on an act.
Su Linzhou silently mocked but still enthusiastically helped his brother create opportunities, âMiss Lin, what do you usually like to do? Maybe we share similar interests and could hang out sometime.â
âI donât have any particular hobbies, but I like to try anything new,â Lin Xu said.
âAnything new?â Su Linzhouâs eyes brightened, âHow about trying racing?â
Lin Xu was surprised, âYou guys race, too?â
âYeah, we often hang out at the racetrack south of the city. If youâre interested, Iâll have Xie Changyan take you next time. His skills are the best among us.â Su Linzhou sneakily kicked the nonchalant Xie Changyan, urging him to speak up.
Xie Changyan raised an eyebrow lazily, his voice deep, âHmm, if you want to go, you can call me.â
âDo you really like racing?â Lin Xu asked.
âIndeed, Iâm quite interested.â
Hearing that he liked racing, a brief flash of excitement passed through Lin Xuâs eyes, completely forgetting that he had previously snubbed her, and she excitedly inquired about other hobbies, âWhat else do you like to do? Like mountain climbing?â
As Xie Changyan looked at Lin Xuâs sparkling, clear eyes, a chord in his heart was gently plucked, and he unconsciously swallowed.
Whatever his intentions of keeping his distance, under Su Linzhouâs encouragement and Lin Xuâs joyful gaze, all were cast aside.
âI am not too interested in mountain climbing; occasionally, I go abroad to see the aurora,â Xie Changyan said.
âThen do you have any books you like to read?â
âThere are a fewâ¦â
Seeing Xie Changyan so cooperative for the first time, Lin Xu hurriedly asked all she wanted to know.
Watching the two of them getting increasingly engaged in their conversation, Su Linzhou felt extremely satisfied on the side.
Until the person he had forgotten made an appearance.
âWhat are you guys doing?â
A cold and piercing voice interrupted their conversation.
Ji Tingyangâs face was dark as he strode over.
Su Linzhouâs heart skipped a beat.
Damn.
He had forgotten about her actual boyfriend.
âAre you done with your call?â Lin Xu pulled Ji Tingyang to sit beside her, poked his cheek, âWeâre just chatting, donât be so cold all the time.â
Ji Tingyang grabbed Lin Xuâs hand, holding it tightly and glared at Xie Changyan with hostility and suspicion, âDonât talk to just anybody. Some people may seem honorable on the surface but are beasts at heart.â
He still remembered that this man had tried to kiss her while taking advantage of his mother being drunk.
Xie Changyan watched their intertwined hands, and the indifferent look in his eyes deepened.
The cheerful atmosphere had suddenly turned ice-cold upon Ji Tingyangâs arrival.
Su Linzhou instantly tensed up, his palms sweating slightly.@@novelbin@@
A beast at heart?
Could it be that Ji Tingyang already knew about Xie Changyanâs intention to steal his girl?