Guan Tao led everyone to the horse stable. At a glance, the stables stretched so far they seemed endless. The horse grounds were well-maintained, and there was hardly any odor inside the stables.
The stables were divided into five blocks, and the horses here were mostly gentle, harmless ponies, perfect for these pampered novices.
Men and women split into two groups, each walking along one side. Once they selected a horse, the trainers would record the pony’s number on a tablet.
Jiang Shengyao caught sight of a flash of red across from him, but he didn’t realize that a pair of eyes had been watching him intently from diagonally behind him.
"Mr. Jiang, this Cheshire pony is an imported breed known for its docile temperament. It’s ideal for beginners." Follow current novᴇls on novel•fire.net
The trainer approached him and spoke softly.
Jiang Shengyao glanced at the pony munching quietly on grass and frowned with visible disdain.
"What’s the fun in being too docile? Horses are best when they’re spirited."
Young master, please don’t joke around. The priority is ensuring everyone’s safety, so of course, we must stick to gentle, harmless ponies. Otherwise, if something goes wrong, selling the horse grounds wouldn’t even cover compensation.
Liu Runxi cast a glance at him and said flatly, "Listen to the trainer."
Jiang Shengyao couldn’t stand Leng Yunyang but still respected Liu Runxi’s words. He curled his lips begrudgingly upon hearing this.
"Coming here just for this and not being able to fully enjoy ourselves—how dull."
The trainer thought to himself, you treat equestrian lessons as mere entertainment; truly, such capricious young masters.
"Ah...." Amidst the group of girls, a startled scream rang out. One of them suddenly turned pale and stumbled backward, coincidentally bumping into Jiang Shengyao.
Jiang Shengyao’s face darkened instantly, overshadowed with frustration.
The girl’s face was pale, her eyes still wide with lingering fear. Loose strands of hair framed her delicate features, making her fragile and soft—enough to evoke pity in any man.
Grasping Jiang Shengyao’s sleeve tightly, her pale lips trembled as she whispered, "Save... save me."
Guan Tao walked over briskly, his face serious as he asked, "What happened?"
The trainer stepped in and explained, "One of the ponies suddenly got spooked and startled this young lady. I’ve sent someone to handle it immediately."
Guan Tao frowned. The ponies here were all specially trained; they wouldn’t attack people out of the blue. How could such an incident occur?
His suspicious gaze fell upon the girl, only to see her clutching Jiang Shengyao’s sleeve, as though treating him as her sole lifeline.
Guan Tao cleared his throat softly and shifted his gaze elsewhere.
Jiang Shengyao shrugged Luuo Yunqi’s hand off with a hint of irritation and said, "Why are you grabbing me? I’m not a horse trainer."
Luuo Yunqi froze for a moment, then retreated hurriedly. "I’m... I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to."
Jiang Shengyao’s gaze swept past her and landed on Shen You’an across from them. The corners of his lips curved slightly, but his words dripped with cold indifference. "Why is the pony attacking you and not anyone else? Are you just unlucky? You better stay far away from me; I wouldn’t want your bad luck rubbing off on me."
Luuo Yunqi’s pale but beautiful face seemed to crack at the edges. Her expression contorted almost visibly.
Standing in the middle of the stables, she looked utterly wretched, like a fool.
Digging her nails deep into her palms, she lowered her head slightly, exuding a sense of broken fragility.
She’d never imagined Jiang Shengyao’s tongue could be so vicious.
Xiao Ling was too scared to even poke her head out—did Mr. Jiang really have no sympathy for women? Is he even a man?
The questioned "man," Jiang Shengyao, snorted coldly and flicked the edge of his sleeve—the exact spot Yunqi had touched. Every bit of his gesture and expression radiated disdain.
Luuo Yunqi’s face grew even paler, her slender figure swaying unsteadily.
Summoning her courage, Xiao Ling approached to pull Luuo Yunqi away. Yunqi’s gaze darted toward Liu Runxi, but apart from that initial glance, he hadn’t looked her way again.
Luuo Yunqi felt an aching sting deep in her heart.
Gao Yuyue had picked out her horse and asked Shen You’an walking beside her, "What are you looking at?"
Shen You’an withdrew his gaze and raised a brow slightly. "I just noticed something interesting."
Gao Yuyue looked utterly puzzled.
The trainer prepared to isolate the pony that had startled Luuo Yunqi, keeping it separate to prevent further incidents.
Shen You’an said, "No need for the trouble. I’ll take it."
The trainer turned around, suddenly dazzled.
The young woman in red riding attire stood out like a vivid flame—striking and provocative. Among the group of vibrant young ladies, she was like a crane standing among chickens, effortlessly drawing all attention.
Realizing what she had just said, the trainer quickly replied, "A pony that’s been startled is emotionally unstable and highly prone to causing harm again. It’s very dangerous. For your safety, it’s better to choose a more docile pony."