Chapter 28 Changfeng picked her up horizontally.

The horseback riding appointment was scheduled for 2:30 p.m. When Jiang Mingxue and Rong Chengzhou arrived at the equestrian club, everyone else had already changed into their gear.

"Oh dear, it took your help, sister-in-law. We finally managed to get you here, you big shot." Jiang Mingxue could tell from the tone that this was the same person who had called Rong Chengzhou.

Rong Chengzhou ignored him and said, "Introduce yourself."

"Hello, sister-in-law! My name is Yu Feijie. I used to be from the same compound as Brother Rong, but we moved away later." Yu Feijie turned to Jiang Mingxue and greeted her warmly.

Jiang Mingxue smiled and said, "Hello, I am Jiang Mingxue."

Just as she was about to shake his hand, Rong Chengzhou suddenly grabbed her hand first and glanced at Yu Feijie: "Did you wash your hands?"

Yu Feijie: "Oh, I forgot."

He had just changed his gear and was touching up his horse.

He rubbed himself against her and then reached out again, saying, "Hello, sister-in-law!"

Rong Chengzhou then released her.

Next were two other people: one was Brother Song, whom Yu Feijie had mentioned on the phone, whose full name was Song Shaojun, and who had just returned from a business trip abroad; the other was someone about the same age as Rong Chengzhou, named Pei Yichuan.

After the group greeted her, Jiang Mingxue learned from their introductions and conversations that the four of them had initially met in the military compound. However, after their family members retired from the military, they all changed careers. Now, Yu Feijie is a pilot for an airline, Song Shaojun is in business, and Pei Yichuan is in politics.

The four people have very different career paths and see each other less and less, but their relationship remains very good.

After a brief chat, Rong Chengzhou took her hand and said, "You guys play first, I'll take her for a walk around."

Song Shaojun: "Okay, come find us outside later."

The two groups parted ways. The others had already gone outside, but Rong Chengzhou still didn't let go of her hand until they reached the equipment room, where he slowly released her.

I personally helped her put on her protective gear, including a helmet, leg guards, vest, and gloves, and then we went to the stables to choose a horse.

Jiang Mingxue chose a six-month-old white pony for no other reason than that it was the most beautiful.

Rong Chengzhou led the horse to the indoor riding arena and taught her some basic movements.

He gently patted the horse's neck with his fingertips to signal it to be quiet, and then said softly to her, "To mount the horse, you should step on the left side, put your left foot in the stirrup, hold the saddle with both hands, and use it for leverage to mount."

Jiang Mingxue listened attentively and followed his steps, but she overlooked the fact that even a small horse that was only 1.6 meters tall had a body height of more than 1 meter.

He stepped into the stirrup, but couldn't muster any strength.

She tactfully pulled her leg back and stood next to the horse, asking, "Is there a mounting stool here?"

Rong Chengzhou, holding the reins in one hand, answered truthfully, "Yes."

Jiang Mingxue: "Where...?"

Before I could even ask, a force suddenly came from the back of my knee.

The next second, her entire body was suddenly lifted up, and the 1.6-meter-tall horse in front of her instantly became within reach.

Rong Chengzhou lifted her up with one hand and carried her to the horse.

"......"

She's still waiting to be put on the horse bench.

"Hold on tight."

Before she could think, Rong Chengzhou reminded her from the side and handed her the reins.

"Oh, okay."

Jiang Mingxue sat on the saddle, the horse was a little bumpy, and she subconsciously tightened the reins.

A warm palm covered the back of her hand, and the fingertips adjusted her position: "Thumb on top, don't pull too tight."

Jiang Mingxue did as she was told.

"Pulling the reins to the left means turning left, pulling them to the right means turning right, and to stop, pull both hands back together."

Rong Chengzhou stood below the horse, yet he was much taller than the horse's head.

While protecting her from the side, I observed her expression:

"If there's anything you don't understand, you can just tell me."

Jiang Mingxue waited until the horse reached the front of the riding arena, then pulled one of the reins to the left: "No, you taught very well."

The horse remained steady and obediently turned left, following her lead.

Rong Chengzhou raised his hand with a very slight smile: "You've learned well."

Jiang Mingxue readily accepted his praise and gradually adapted to the frequency of the horse's swaying.

The indoor riding arena wasn't hot, so she sat on her horse, wearing a helmet and chatting.

"Are you this patient when leading troops?"

Seeing that she had adapted, Rong Chengzhou loosened the reins of the other coach.

Move a few steps to the side to give her more room to maneuver.

He didn't answer directly, but said calmly, "That's a bit difficult."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mingxue paused for half a second and secretly glanced at the man's indifferent expression.

I really can't imagine what Rong Chengzhou is like when he's impatient.

After walking around the horse farm and mastering the basic operation, Rong Chengzhou led her horse to the outdoor area to meet up with the others.

The outdoor riding arena is a large lawn by the river, and the three of them ran a lap around it before returning.

Sitting on his horse, Yu Feijie asked her, "Is this your first time at the horse farm, sister-in-law?"

Jiang Mingxue nodded: "Yes."

“That’s perfect. You and Rong-ge can ride one horse, and the three of us can each ride one. How about we split into four groups for the race?” Yu Feijie said, raising his eyebrows with a calculating look on his face.

Jiang Mingxue didn't know what was going on, but she had a strange feeling that he was up to no good, so she subconsciously looked up at Rong Chengzhou.

Rong Chengzhou was bowing his head to tie the reins to the wooden pole beside him. His helmet covered the upper half of his face, so his expression could not be seen.

Two people riding one horse increases the horse's burden and slows it down.

Moreover, she can't ride a horse, so Rong Chengzhou will definitely have to spend time looking after her, which will naturally affect his performance.

Song Shaojun, who was standing to the side, couldn't stand it anymore: "Speedy Legs, have you no shame? You've even set your sights on your sister-in-law."

"Sister-in-law, don't pay attention to him. He just can't outrun Brother Rong and wants you to slow him down."

Pei Yichuan, who had been silent all along, finally spoke up: "He's always the slowest runner; this nickname doesn't suit him."

Yu Feijie scoffed indignantly, "My sister-in-law hasn't said anything yet, what are you two yelling about!"

Song Shaojun: "I call this standing up for justice."

As the two argued, Jiang Mingxue understood Yu Feijie's intention and, supporting herself on the saddle, prepared to dismount: "You race with them, I'll watch you compete from the sidelines."

Rong Chengzhou secured the white horse and held her hand down: "No need, you come with me."

Yu Feijie laughed: "Brother Rong, you agreed to this yourself! Don't blame me if you lose!"

Rong Chengzhou lifted his eyelids and looked at him expressionlessly: "If you still come in last place, I'll write your name backwards."

"No problem! You can call me Flying Pig or whatever!" Yu Feijie solemnly swore an oath.

Jiang Mingxue still felt uneasy and lowered her head slightly, saying, "It's alright if I sit here and wait for you."

Rong Chengzhou gently stroked the horse's back with his hand. The white horse half-closed its eyes and lazily rubbed against his hand in the sun: "It's okay. I can't guarantee first place, but it won't be difficult to outrun Yu Feijie."

His tone remained calm, which reassured Jiang Mingxue, who nodded in agreement.

"However, this horse is too big for both of us, so we need to get a bigger one."

Rong Chengzhou sent a message to the apprentices at the equestrian club, asking them to bring over his favorite horse.

He stood beside the horse's belly, raised an arm and put it around her waist: "Give me your hand."

Jiang Mingxue did as he said, leaning her body towards his position.

As soon as her fingertips touched his shoulder, he lowered his arm and steadily wrapped it around her knees. His palms supported her thighs with a firm grip, and with a little effort, he lifted her off the horse.

Jiang Mingxue, holding onto his arm, had just regained her balance when she heard Yu Feijie's voice: "Tsk tsk tsk, no wonder he insisted on bringing his wife along. He's deliberately showing off his love in front of the three of us bachelors."

Jiang Mingxue hadn't thought much of it at first, but after he said that, her face flushed slightly.

Rong Chengzhou stepped aside to block her, glancing at him: "Did I stop you from showing off?"

Yu Feijie: "......"

Is this the confidence that comes with having a wife?

The apprentice quickly brought over Rong Chengzhou's horse, which was 1.8 meters tall, so he had to lift it up.

Once she was settled, he quickly mounted the horse.

For Rong Chengzhou, who is 1.8 meters tall and usually climbs over a 3-meter obstacle wall in the army, it is an easy leap.

They used a two-person saddle. Jiang Mingxue sat in front of the horse, and Rong Chengzhou sat behind her, his arm passing through her waist, creating a very light breeze.

The moment his palm grasped the reins, his chest pressed against her back. Through two layers of clothing, she could clearly feel his steady heartbeat and the slight swaying of the horse as it started to move.

After everyone had prepared their equipment, the equestrian competition began.

It was just a private match between four people, so it wasn't that intense.

"Hold on tight to the saddle."

His voice fell from above, slightly muffled by the wind.

The other three quickly spurred their horses and galloped away, soon widening the distance between them.

Without using a whip, he squeezed the horse's flanks with his legs. Instead of increasing the speed too much to win the race, he let the horse trot first, and only gradually increased the speed after the horse got used to the bumpy ride.

They fell behind at the start, and the three people who were once visible from behind had long since disappeared.

Jiang Mingxue asked with some concern, "Rong Chengzhou, what if we lose?"

A steady, reassuring voice came from behind, carried on the sound of wind: "Are you afraid of losing?"

Jiang Mingxue shook her head; she wasn't afraid of losing: "But I want you to win."

A soft laugh seemed to escape from his throat and drift away on the wind.

He tightened his arms, holding her firmly in his embrace: "Then hold on tighter, and I'll lead you to victory."

"good."

Jiang Mingxue gripped the edge of the saddle tightly. The wind and the sound of hooves whistled in her ears, and she could clearly feel that the horse's speed was on a completely different level than before.

The river breeze blew against their faces, and with each ripple, the two drew closer together. Her hair brushed against his chin, and he subconsciously tilted his head, but his arm tightened around hers.

As they passed a bend, he exerted a little force, and the horse smoothly turned. Her body involuntarily leaned into his arms, and her nose suddenly bumped into his arm, carrying a faint scent of cedar.

Whether it was due to the horse's jolting or something else, my heart was beating faster and faster.

A warm breeze, carrying heat, lifted her hair and brushed against his face.

They rode side by side on the same chestnut-brown horse, galloping across the vast lawn, and quickly overtook Yu Feijie, who was in third place.

"Holy crap! This doesn't make sense! You guys must have taken a shortcut!!" Yu Feijie shouted incredulously from behind.

However, the couple's speed increased, and his roar was soon drowned out by the wind.

A large rock appeared ahead. Rong Chengzhou lightly kicked the horse's belly, and the familiar horse reared up and leaped over it.

Jiang Mingxue was caught off guard and leaned back, her back pressed tightly against his chest. Suddenly, she felt something poking her lower back, like Rong Chengzhou's vest.

The horse regained its balance and continued to gallop forward at full speed. Jiang Mingxue felt the horse's jolting becoming more and more violent, and a sharp pain shot through her inner thighs from the chafing. She silently took a breath, not showing it.

The race consisted of five laps. Rong Chengzhou overtook Song Shaojun on the last lap and crossed the finish line at the same time as Pei Yichuan.

He pulled on the reins, and the horse slowly came to a stop, pacing in place on the lawn.

"Wow, Rong-ge, that's impressive!" Song Shaojun, panting, caught up from behind on horseback. "To be able to ride this fast with your wife by your side, is this the power of love?"

Rong Chengzhou remained silent, lowered his eyes, and softly asked Jiang Mingxue, "Are you feeling unwell?"

Jiang Mingxue was actually feeling a little unwell, but she still nodded and said, "It's alright."

Rong Chengzhou nodded slightly, dismounted first, and then lifted her down.

Jiang Mingxue reached up to his shoulder, but she had been sitting on the horse for too long and her legs were stiff. She lost her balance and fell into his arms.

My legs are numb...

With both legs numb, she grabbed his arm and spoke somewhat embarrassedly. Rong Chengzhou remained silent, glanced down at her condition, then leaned down slightly, put one arm around her waist, and slipped the other arm under her knees to lift her up horizontally.