Chapter 25

Chapter 25: Xu Jingxuan Is Green with Envy Chu Tang had just returned to Jiangcheng, and her two best friends took her out every day to eat, drink, have fun, and go shopping. Submitting her resume to Shengke Law Firm was temporarily put on the back burner. That day, the girls arranged to meet up and sit together for some dessert. Chen Yuanyuan had been out partying at the bar the night before and hadn't gotten home until two or three in the morning. Today, she looked completely drained. "I'm getting tired of all this—shopping one day, drinking and clubbing the next." Chen Yuanyuan slumped over the table, then suddenly perked up as an idea struck her. "The weather's so nice today—how about we head over to Xueluo's family's equestrian center this afternoon?" The largest equestrian center in Jiangcheng was run by Zhou Xueluo's family. The three of them had taken horseback riding lessons together back in the day. Chu Tang smiled and teased her. "Are you sober yet? If not, maybe you shouldn't go—that'd be like driving under the influence." "I've been sober for ages." Chen Yuanyuan grinned mischievously. "Last night I threw up all over that poor bastard Qin Yan. Hahaha, I was so out of it, but I swear I saw his whole face turn green." Zhou Xueluo smiled warmly, her voice soft and gentle. "Yuanyuan, didn't your brother get upset with you?" Chen Yuanyuan said, "Don't even mention it. Qin Yan's actually starting to act like a real big brother now. After I puked all over him, he changed his clothes, took a shower, and even made me hangover soup." Qin Yan and Chen Yuanyuan were step-siblings—no shared blood between them. Qin Yan's mother had passed away from illness when he was very young. Chen Yuanyuan's parents had divorced when she was seven after their marriage fell apart. Later, Qin Yan's father met Chen Yuanyuan's mother through a friend's introduction. The two hit it off immediately and quickly married, forming a new family. Chen Yuanyuan was only nine when she first met Qin Yan. At the time, Qin Yan was fourteen, right in the thick of teenage rebellion. He disliked his stepmother, and by extension, he disliked Chen Yuanyuan, his cheap little step-sister. On their very first meeting, he grabbed her little ponytail and told her to get the hell out. Ruan Chutang stirred the sweet soup in front of her with a spoon, watching Chen Yuanyuan with amusement. "You were sent by heaven to torment him, weren't you?" Chen Yuanyuan snorted with a laugh. "Serves him right for always bullying me when we were kids." After a bit more small talk, Chen Yuanyuan added, "Anyway, are you guys up for the equestrian center or not? I haven't been riding in ages—I want to go have some fun." "Sure," Chu Tang said. "I haven't ridden a horse in three years since I've been in Haicheng. I actually miss the old days when we used to race each other." Xueluo smiled gently. "I'll come too." Chen Yuanyuan shot Chu Tang a suggestive grin and pulled out her phone to open her contacts. "I'll call Qin Yan and have him bring Shixu along." ... At the equestrian center. Chu Tang changed into her riding attire. A well-tailored light gray high-collar fitted riding jacket, paired with white breeches and black riding boots, accentuated Chu Tang's perfect figure—curves in all the right places—to stunning effect. She swept her long hair up into a bun at the back of her head, adding a touch of dashing elegance to her look. Chu Tang walked out slowly, and the people waiting outside all had their eyes light up at the sight of her. "Wow, Chu Tang, your figure's gotten even better in the years since I've seen you." Qin Yan was still his usual unserious self, grinning as he teased her. Chen Yuanyuan squinted and pinched his waist. "Shut your mouth, will you? Brother Shixu hasn't even said anything yet—don't make a fool of yourself." "Ow, ow—my god, let go!" Qin Yan winced in pain from the pinch. Jiang Shixu looked over and smiled softly. "Tangtang, you look beautiful in that outfit today." He had changed into his riding gear as well. His was also in a gray tone—whether by coincidence or not, it looked like they were wearing matching outfits. The riding attire showcased Jiang Shixu's superior physique—broad shoulders and a narrow waist—to perfection. With his long legs and tall frame, he stood out as the most striking person in the crowd just by standing there. Beside him stood Xu Jingxuan. Chu Tang was a bit surprised. She hadn't known Xu Jingxuan would be coming. Jiang Shixu said, "Jingxuan said she wanted to come and have some fun, so I brought her along." He figured that since they'd all be one family eventually, it would be good for Chu Tang and Xu Jingxuan to get more familiar with each other. Chu Tang nodded and greeted her openly with a smile. "Hello." As they spoke, Jiang Shixu's horse was led over. It was a stunning warmblood. Chu Tang had never been to the equestrian center with Jiang Shixu before—this was the first time she'd seen the horse he kept. Chu Tang's eyes lit up. The horse was tall and majestic, and judging by its breed, it was a pure-blooded German Hanoverian. Xu Jingxuan asked in a sweet, coquettish voice, "Brother, what kind of horse is this? It's so beautiful." Jiang Shixu replied flatly, "German Hanoverian." Qin Yan chimed in from the side, "Don't underestimate this horse, Sister Jingxuan. This one's a real treasure." Xu Jingxuan giggled and shook Jiang Shixu's arm playfully. "Brother, I really want to learn how to ride too. Can you teach me?" Chu Tang's gaze flickered over the hands Xu Jingxuan had wrapped around Jiang Shixu's arm. Why did she feel a twinge of discomfort in her chest? She quickly looked away. Jiang Shixu casually pulled his arm free. "I can sign you up for riding lessons." Chen Yuanyuan spoke up at just the right moment. "If Miss Xu wants to learn riding, come to me—I'll recommend my instructor to you." "Brother, I want you to teach me." Xu Jingxuan was still acting coquettishly. An inexplicable emotion welled up in Chu Tang's heart. Indescribable, indefinable. She didn't want to stay here watching Xu Jingxuan act cute any longer, so she turned and went to the stable to fetch her horse. Her horse was a white Akhal-Teke, a birthday gift from Zhou Xueluo on her seventeenth birthday. The horse was pure white all over, with silky smooth fur. Its back gleamed with a delicate, luminous sheen under the sunlight, looking sacred and noble. The Akhal-Teke had another more widely known name—the "Blood-Sweating Heavenly Horse." Zhou Xueluo beside her said with a smile, "Tangtang, in the three years you weren't in Jiangcheng, I took really good care of Xuebao." "Xuebao" was the name Chu Tang had given this horse. Because it was pure white all over and was a gift from Zhou Xueluo, Chu Tang had named it "Xuebao." "Thank you, Xueluo." Chu Tang raised her hand to stroke the little white horse's cheek. The horse docilely lowered its head and nuzzled against Chu Tang's palm. Chu Tang said in delight, "We haven't seen each other for over three years, and Xuebao still recognizes me." "Of course," Zhou Xueluo said. "Horses are very spiritual creatures." Chu Tang led the horse outside. She couldn't wait to take it for a gallop. She stepped onto the stirrup, and Jiang Shixu supported her arm, giving her waist a gentle boost to help her onto the horse's back. "Thanks." Chu Tang rode off. She didn't notice the dark, jealous glare in Xu Jingxuan's eyes behind her. The equestrian center run by the Zhou family was located on the outskirts of town, surrounded by vast open fields and an endless expanse of grassland. Chu Tang galloped freely, the wind whistling past her ears. She loved this unbridled feeling. Only like this did she feel truly free. As Chu Tang rode at full speed, her posture was light, her movements agile, and she radiated charm from head to toe. Everyone present couldn't help but be drawn to her. Even Xu Jingxuan had to admit that at this moment, Ruan Chu Tang was dazzling. Seeing Jiang Shixu stare unblinkingly at the figure growing ever more distant, even chasing after her on horseback, Xu Jingxuan was consumed with jealousy.