Ting Yangâs eyes sparked with uncontrollable rage as they met Xie Changyanâs cool, insincere gaze, filling the air with the scent of gunpowder.
Su Linzhou looked left and right, his heart pounding with fear.
If these two started fighting, should he step in and help his brother?
The three men present each had their own ulterior motives.
Lin Xu, feeling out of the loop, questioned, âWhat animal in human clothing?â
âNo, nothing,â Ting Yang paused, his eyes flickering, âI was just saying there are so many villains out there, you must be careful about your safety.â
Lin Xu couldnât remember that incident, and Ting Yang didnât want to tell her.
As long as his mother was happy and fortunate, staying by his side was enough; all other troublesome matters were for him to bear alone.
If Ting Yang didnât want to talk about it, Xie Changyan naturally wouldnât bring it up either.
That kiss that night was indeed inappropriate, and knowing she was not fully conscious, he had still thought to take advantage of her.
His slender fingers lifted the teacup from the table. He touched it to his lips and took a sip of tea, concealing a fleeting look of regret in his eyes.
Just as the atmosphere reached a rigid climax, the instructor who had been teaching Lin Xu to ride a horse approached.
âMiss Lin, a guest has taken an interest in the white horse you were riding earlier. Do you think that white horse is suitable, or should we reserve it for you?â
Lin Xu looked conflicted, still undecided, when Ting Yang spoke up.
âNo need, that horse isnât suitable. Iâll pick a more gentle one for her.â
He had noticed Lin Xuâs situation while riding during the interval when he had made a phone call.
The white horse had a stubborn temperament, unsuitable for her.
She had ridden for a while and still hadnât grasped any skills.
âOkay,â the instructor nodded and walked away.
Ting Yang didnât want to waste the time he could be spending with his mother on irrelevant people, so he stood up, intending to go and pick another horse with Lin Xu.
âHey! President Ji, you sound like you have a lot of experience with horses. How about you pick a good horse for me too?â Su Linzhou suddenly stood up, slinging an arm around Ting Yangâs neck and walking towards the stables.
âIâm busy,â Ting Yang frowned, trying to remove his hand, only to find Su Linzhouâs grip surprisingly strong.@@novelbin@@
Pushed along by Su Linzhou, Ting Yang walked toward the stables.
Xie Changyan glanced inexplicably at Su Linzhouâs back.
He wasnât a novice; how could he still not know how to pick a horse?
Suddenly.
Su Linzhou turned his head, threw a meaningful look at Xie Changyan, and then wildly blinked at Lin Xu standing beside him.
Brother, go for it.
Make good use of this chance to be alone.
Donât waste my sacrifice!
Xie Changyan: ââ¦â
Those bizarre gestures, yet he could decipher them all.
âWhat is he gesturing to you?â Lin Xu also saw his movements and asked, puzzled.
âI donât know,â Xie Changyan pursed his lips, choosing to ignore Su Linzhouâs intentions, sitting undisturbed on the chair.
âOh.â Lin Xu shrugged nonchalantly, resting her cheek on her hand, her expression bored as she watched people riding outside.
Xie Changyan lounged lazily on the chair back, eyes closed, occasionally tapping his fingers on the table, seemingly rejuvenating himself.
A fragrance wafted into his nose, reminding him of Lin Xuâs presence.
A restless emotion in his chest wouldnât settle down.
His brow slightly furrowed, he finally gave up on the rejuvenation, abruptly opening his eyes.
The lovely visage of Chuntao burst into his vision, her eyes shining with liquid brightness, seductive as silk. In the moment of their encounter, it stirred a thousand waves, drowning him in an irresistible trance.
Xie Changyanâs Adamâs apple visibly bobbed, and the heat inside him seethed fiercely, as if it would surge out of his chest the next second and spiral out of control.
He hadnât expected to get caught while sneaking a peek.
A hint of embarrassment crossed Lin Xuâs face as she sat back down and let out a few awkward chuckles.
After a moment, Xie Changyan suppressed the emotions in his eyes and resumed his previous relaxed demeanor, casually asking, âShall we go horseback riding?â
âIâd like to,â Lin Xu nodded, âbut I donât have a horse right now.â
Ji Tingyang had gone to pick one for her and hadnât returned yet.
âRide mine,â Xie Changyan offered.
The spirited horse he had been riding hadnât been taken back to the stables yet and was tied up at the entrance.
Lin Xuâs eyes suddenly lit up, but then dimmed again as she hesitated, âI donât know how to ride by myself.â
Xie Changyan had already stood up and nodded towards that direction, âCome on, Iâll teach you.â
Lin Xu hurriedly followed Xie Changyanâs pace.
Lin Xu stepped into the stirrup and, with the help of the hands clasped around her waist, smoothly mounted onto the horse.
Xie Changyan stood below, holding the reins, his deep voice intermittently guiding her movements, âKeep your body upright, donât lean forward or backward, balance your weight evenly on both sidesâ¦â
âWhen the horse trots, make sure to press down on the stirrups, slightly lift your buttocksâ¦â
Xie Changyanâs instructions were effective, and within a short while, Lin Xu was already able to ride the spirited horse around the field on her own.
âLook, I can ride by myself now!â
A radiant smile spread across Lin Xuâs face, her eyes curving into crescents.
Unintentionally, Xie Changyanâs lips curled up at the corners, the gloom that had lingered in his heart for days seemed to dissipate with her bright smile, easing his mood.
Lin Xu circled back to where he was standing.
âDo you want to come down, or continue?â he stretched out his hand to hold the reins.
âUmâ¦â
While Lin Xu hesitated, a hand suddenly reached out and snatched the reins from Xie Changyanâs hand.
âYoung Master Xie, I really appreciate your help, but Iâll take over from here,â Ji Tingyang said with an icy face and a cool frost covering his expression.
Xie Changyanâs expression remained unchanged as he indifferently turned and walked back to the rest area.
Su Linzhou followed him, his face full of worry, âHow are you two getting along? I really went out on a limb to get you this little bit of time.â
Ji Tingyang was as cold as ice throughout, using every excuse he could to delay facing the murderous glares.
Xie Changyan remained silent.
Over at the horse arena.
Ji Tingyang led the horse by the reins, his expression sour, âThis horse isnât good, Iâve found another, more docile horse for you; go ride that one.â
âI think itâs pretty good though,â she had ridden a whole lap with no issues.
âNot good, not good at all.â
Lin Xu smiled and, knowing he had objections to Xie Changyan, appeased him, âAlright, alright, letâs switch then.â
Ji Tingyang helped her down from the horse and looked at her cheeks, repeatedly hesitating to speak.
âWhatâs wrong?â Lin Xu noticed his unusual behavior.
âMother, can you please not get so close to Xie Changyan? That man definitely has ulterior motivesâ¦â Ji Tingyang gritted his teeth.
âBut donât you think he resembles your father?â Lin Xu asked.
Ji Tingyang paused, recalling that there indeed were some resemblances, but then immediately denied it, âImpossible, he definitely isnât!â
âBut I think he looks like him,â Lin Xu sighed.
Knowing Lin Xu missed her father too much, Ji Tingyang pursed his lips.
âIf you donât believe it, how about I do a paternity test with him?â