Chapter 33 Chasing the Wind

The next day the sun shone brightly.

After breakfast, the group was led by the racecourse manager to the actual racecourse area.

The racecourse is still in the trial operation phase and has not yet been opened to the public, making it exceptionally quiet and spacious at this moment.

Yan Shuang walked behind, taking a deep breath of the air filled with the fragrance of grass and earth. She felt that the suffocation of the past few days had been blown away by the wind in the open field.

Looking into the distance, one sees rolling grasslands.

In the distance are modern stables and training grounds with a strong sense of design, and on the other side is a winding woodland cycling path. All the facilities are new and luxurious, yet they do not lose their natural wildness.

Looking at this vast and magnificent scene, the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up slightly, and she felt a rare sense of ease and cheerfulness in recent days.

When the group arrived at the stable, a professional horse trainer and several spirited horses were already waiting nearby.

Yan You clung to Shang Qiuzhu's side, her voice soft as she asked, "Brother Qiuzhu, you have the best eye! Quickly help me see which horse is the most docile and suitable for me? I'm a little afraid of heights..."

She frowned slightly, revealing just the right amount of fragility.

Shangqiu Zhu remained calm, his gaze sweeping over the horses before casually pointing to the gentlest brown mare: "This one is fine."

Yan You remained close to him, bombarding him with questions, from the saddle to riding skills, trying to keep his attention completely on her.

Yan Shuang walked over to another available horse trainer and nodded politely, "Excuse me, could you please help me choose a horse suitable for a beginner?"

The horse trainer glanced at her and quickly led over a chestnut mare that looked equally docile and reliable: "This Cherry is very obedient and has a steady gait, perfect for you, Miss."

Yan Shuang smiled and thanked her, but her gaze was involuntarily drawn to a horse further inside the stable.

It was a tall, black steed with smooth, powerful muscles.

Unlike other horses that stand restless or docile, it holds its head slightly high, its large, dark eyes revealing an alert intelligence and an untamed wildness.

Yan Shuang's heart felt as if it had been gently bumped by something.

This horse, unlike Cherry, was not easy to control, yet it inexplicably attracted her.

As if guided by a ghost, she pointed to the black horse and asked, "Coach, may I try that one?"

The horse trainer followed her gaze and exclaimed with a smile, "Miss Yan has excellent taste! That's Chasing Wind, Mr. Shang's horse. Its pedigree and appearance are top-notch..."

He paused, his tone becoming more cautious, "However, it's rather arrogant and requires an experienced person to handle. If you want to give it a try, you'll probably have to ask President Shang for permission first."

Upon hearing "Mr. Shang's horse" and "ask Mr. Shang for permission," Yan Shuang shook her head almost without thinking, "No need, thank you. I just think it's pretty, that's enough. I'm perfectly fine riding Cherry."

As she spoke, she reached out and touched the mane of the chestnut mare, looking quite pleased.

Seeing this, the horse trainer stopped talking and enthusiastically helped her adjust the stirrups and explained Cherry's habits.

Under the guidance of the horse trainer, Yan Shuang deftly mounted her horse.

Cherry was indeed gentle and had a steady gait.

Yan Shuang was a little awkward at first, but she quickly grasped the basic rhythm, gradually relaxed her body, and became one with the horse's rhythm.

She gently spurred the horse's flanks, and Cherry began to trot.

The morning breeze caressed her cheeks, and the vast grassland stretched out before her. The repression and caution of the past few days were replaced by the exhilaration of galloping across the plains.

She couldn't help but laugh, her eyebrows and eyes relaxed, and her usually restrained expression became lively and bright.

She even picked up her pace slightly, feeling the wind whistling past her ears.

Not far away, Mr. and Mrs. Shang, who were leisurely strolling and chatting, noticed the beautiful figure on the grass.

Madam Shang nodded slightly, her eyes revealing appreciation. She smiled at Yan Zhenye and Zhou Yaqin beside her and said, "Shuangshuang rides this horse really well. It's so pleasant to watch and full of energy."

Mr. Shang followed the gaze and nodded, his tone quite agreeable: "Yes, relaxed and natural, very infectious. Young people should be like this."

Upon receiving the praise from the Shang couple, Yan Zhenye and Zhou Yaqin were immediately beaming with pride and quickly echoed their compliments with smiles.

At this moment, Yan You deliberately slowed down, trying to stay by Shang Qiuzhu's side and find some topics to chat about.

Hearing her parents' conversation with Mr. and Mrs. Shang, especially the undisguised praise directed at Yan Shuang, the smile on her face instantly became forced.

She was dressed up carefully today and tried her best to occupy the center position next to Shangqiu Zhu. She should have been the undisputed focus!

How come Yan Shuang could easily steal all the limelight and praise just by riding a horse?

She subconsciously looked at Shangqiu Zhu, hoping to get some attention from him to balance things out, but found that his gaze was also sweeping over the figure riding lightly across the grassland.

Although her face was expressionless, her displeasure was almost overflowing.

She tried her best to maintain a polite smile, "Shuangshuang is really something, she gets so carried away when she's playing that she doesn't even know to be careful. I'm so sorry to have made you laugh at me, Uncle and Aunt."

She tried to interpret Yan Shuang's unrestrained behavior as rudeness and recklessness, but her words sank without a trace and received no response from Shang Qiuzhu.

Yan You bit her lip, reached out and tugged at Shang Qiuzhu's sleeve, trying to widen her eyes to make them look even more vulnerable and helpless: "Brother Qiuzhu, I'm still a little scared... This horse doesn't seem to listen to me."

She pointed to the actually very docile brown mare beside her, "You're such a good rider, could you... give me a ride for a bit? I promise I won't cause you any trouble."

Shangqiu Zhu lowered his head, his gaze falling on Yan You's fingers that were tugging at his sleeve.

He pulled his sleeve away from her hand. "If you're scared, don't force yourself. There's a rest area over there; tea and snacks should be ready. You should go and rest."

After saying that, he stopped looking at her and instead nodded slightly to the horse trainer beside him, instructing, "Take good care of Miss Yan."

The tone was purely polite and instructive, without a trace of personal emotion.

After saying that, he made a swift hand gesture towards the stables.

The horse trainer immediately understood and quickly led out the exceptionally swift and powerful horse, Chasing Wind.

Shangqiu Zhu braced himself on the saddle with one hand and nimbly mounted the horse.

The black steed seemed to sense its master's intention, excitedly rearing up its front hooves and letting out a loud neigh.

"Let's go." Shangqiu Zhu shouted in a low voice, pulled on the reins, and "Chasing the Wind" shot off like an arrow, its four hooves off the ground, accelerating away in an instant.

In the blink of an eye, he had already run far away, leaving only the rapid sound of hooves and flying grass clippings.

Yan You stood frozen in place, watching helplessly as Shang Qiuzhu left without hesitation.

"Miss Yan...would you like to go to the rest area for a drink?" the horse trainer asked cautiously.

Yan You suddenly snapped out of her daze, glared fiercely at the horse trainer, her eyes filled with a frighteningly gloomy expression.

"It's none of your business!" She shoved away the horse trainer's hand that was trying to help her up, and turned to walk angrily toward the rest area.

Yan Shuang felt Cherry beneath her gradually slow down, and her breathing became somewhat heavy, clearly indicating that the long run was taking its toll.

She tightened the reins, gently patted its neck, and said softly, "Alright, alright, let's rest for a bit."

She rode Cherry slowly around the neighborhood, letting it relax her muscles.

The rolling grasslands in the distance meet the azure sky, offering an excellent view.

Just then, a rapid and rhythmic sound of horses' hooves came from afar, like the beating of war drums, breaking the silence.

Yan Shuang subconsciously looked up.

A black lightning bolt was seen hurtling towards them from afar, moving at an incredible speed and carrying an unstoppable momentum.

It is Shangqiu bamboo.

He was riding the black steed named Chasing Wind.

At this moment, he shed his usual business elite look in a suit and tie, and put on a well-tailored black riding outfit, which made him look even more broad-shouldered, long-legged, and upright like a pine tree.

He moved in sync with the rise and fall of the horse's back, every movement full of power and coordination, as if he were one with the steed beneath him.

The wind blew his black hair away from his forehead, revealing a full forehead and deep-set eyes. It was a kind of aggressive handsomeness that was different from his usual calm and dignified demeanor.

The wind-chasing creature leaps and bounds, its muscles bulging, each bound displaying astonishing explosive power and beauty, while Shangqiu Zhu steadily and calmly steers it.

A man and a horse gallop across the vast green canvas, exuding an almost wild freedom and power, creating a highly impactful scene.

Yan Shuang stopped involuntarily, staring blankly.

She had previously only perceived him as cold, imposing, and unapproachable, but now she clearly felt an overwhelming surge of masculine charm. It was a powerful and confident aura of control over everything, mixed with the scent of the wilderness, washing over her.

In comparison, my earlier jogging on the gentle Cherry felt like child's play.

An indescribable feeling of envy quietly rose from the bottom of my heart.

It wasn't that I envied his illustrious status, but rather his ability to wield that power so freely, to unleash that astonishing speed and freedom so fully between heaven and earth.

Her grip on the reins tightened unconsciously, but her gaze remained fixed on the approaching black figure.

Until Shangqiu Zhu pulled the reins, Zhuifeng let out a long neigh, raised its front hooves, and came to a steady stop beside her with an extremely beautiful and precise movement.

The grass clippings and dust kicked up by the horse's hooves flew up slightly.

He looked down at her, his breathing slightly rapid from the speed, his chest rising and falling gently, his deep gaze fixed on her face, carrying a hint of the heat of exercise.

"Why did you stop?" he asked, his voice lower and hoarser than usual, drifting in the wind.

Yan Shuang replied, "Cherry seems a little tired, I'll let it rest for a bit."

She paused, then added politely but distantly, "You can continue, don't worry about me."

Shangqiu Zhu's gaze slid from her face to the chestnut horse beneath her, and he said coldly, "Since you're letting it rest, you should completely unload the burden. How can you call that resting while you're still sitting on its back?"

Yan Shuang's cheeks flushed slightly at his words. She pursed her lips shyly and whispered in defense, "I... I just wanted to sit up high and look at the scenery in the distance..."

As she spoke, she awkwardly tried to dismount.

However, just as one foot stepped out of the stirrup and her body slightly lost its balance,

Without warning, Shangqiu Zhu suddenly leaned forward, his strong arms grabbing her waist.

Yan Shuang felt an irresistible force coming towards her. Before she could even cry out in surprise, she was easily lifted off Cherry's horse.

The next second, she landed steadily on the broad and sturdy back of Chasing Wind, sitting right in front of him.

My back bumped against his warm, firm chest. Through the thin fabric of my riding gear, I could clearly feel his steady heartbeat and the scorching heat emanating from his body after exercise.

Shangqiu Zhu loosely wrapped one arm around her waist to prevent her from falling, while his other hand rested casually on the reins, his posture languid and relaxed, as if the forceful action he had just taken had not been his doing.

Zhui Feng seemed a little uncomfortable with the sudden increase in weight, and gently shook his neck, but quickly regained his composure under Shangqiu Zhu's control.

Yan Shuang froze completely.

Although they had a few nights together, those happened in private.

At this moment, in broad daylight, in the open field, she was held in his arms in such an intimate manner, his firm and hot chest behind her, his undeniable arms around her waist, every inch of contact burning her nerves.

Shangqiu Zhu felt the person in his arms stiffen instantly before lazily speaking into her ear, "See?"

"Mr. Shang! No... let go of me, this won't do..." She gently pushed back with her elbows, trying to lean forward and break free from his embrace to get off the horse.

This is too much; what if someone sees it...?

However, her subtle struggles only exacerbated the friction between the two.

Shangqiu Zhuhuan's arms around her waist didn't loosen; instead, they tightened even more, firmly holding her in his embrace and preventing her from escaping.

"Don't move." His voice deepened. "I'm not responsible if you fall."

He seemed to sense her nervousness and concerns, and then casually added, "What are you afraid of? No one can see us here."

Yes, the grassland is so vast that they have long since left the rest area far behind.

As far as the eye can see, there is only the sky and earth, waves of grass, and the occasional bird flying by.

As if comforted by his words, or perhaps by the free spirit of the wilderness, Yan Shuang's tense body finally relaxed little by little.

She stopped trying to break free and instead carefully leaned against the warm chest behind her, trying to adapt to the rhythm of the horse's movements.

The view became increasingly open, and the gentle breeze dispelled the awkwardness and tension from before.

An unprecedented sense of exhilaration gradually replaced the unease.

Yan Shuang looked at the seemingly endless green fields ahead, her eyes growing brighter and brighter. She mustered her courage and turned to the person behind her, asking, "Could you... go a little faster?"

Upon hearing this, Shangqiu Zhu raised an eyebrow almost imperceptibly.

There are quite a few things to do when riding a horse.

He lowered his head, his gaze falling on her ears and profile, which were slightly flushed with excitement. He saw her hair, ruffled by the wind, and her eyes, which were now dazzlingly bright.

Immediately, he gently squeezed the horse's flanks with his legs and loosened the reins slightly, giving the steed beneath him a clear command.

The Wind Chaser immediately understood, letting out a cheerful neigh and instantly quickening its pace.

The wind suddenly became fierce, whistling past our ears, and the surrounding scenery rushed past us.

A strong sense of weightlessness and speed washed over her, and Yan Shuang couldn't help but gasp. She instinctively leaned closer to his chest behind her and even unconsciously grabbed his arm that was wrapped around her waist.

But soon, the exclamations turned into laughter.

"Faster!" She was completely immersed in the exhilarating feeling of speed.

The sound was somewhat scattered by the wind, but it was incredibly joyful.

As Shangqiu Zhu felt the soft body of the person in front of him relax and lean on, and the joy that came from the bottom of his heart, his face remained expressionless, only his brows furrowed slightly.

This demand is never-ending.

But in action, he did not hesitate at all.

The arms wrapped around her waist were as steady as a rock, providing the most secure protection.

He leaned forward slightly, pressing his body against her back, and in a posture more suited to the impact, he once again propelled the wind.

The black steed, like a true wind chaser, carried the two of them, galloping freely towards the farthest point where the grassland met the blue sky.

Only endless freedom remains between heaven and earth.