The Beginning

A white fence surrounded the circular outdoor riding area, which the two of them shared.

The instructor first checked the tack for safety, tugging at the points where the reins were attached.

"I'll go over a few safety rules. Make sure you remember them."

"First, never stand behind a horse, and avoid startling it. Second, do exactly as I tell you, and don't act on your own."

They both nodded. "Okay."

The instructor first explained the purpose of each piece of equipment on the horse, then demonstrated how to mount and dismount.

"Left foot in the stirrup, right hand on the saddle, then hop lightly onto the horse." The instructor swung his leg over and settled onto the horse with ease. "There's a proper way to sit, too. Keep your back straight but relaxed, and lower your heels."

"Dismounting is even easier. Just reverse the order: take your foot out of the stirrup, shift your weight onto your left foot, then slowly lower yourself to the ground."

He swung down again and repeated the process several times.

"Got it? Who wants to go first?"

Jimo glanced at Jiang Wangshu, who understood. "I'll go first, instructor."

The instructor handed him the reins. Jiang Wangshu patted the horse, followed the steps he had just been shown, and swung himself up. He dismounted just as smoothly.

"Very good." The instructor gave Jiang Wangshu an approving look. "You've got talent. You learned it after seeing it once."

It didn't seem that hard. Seeing how easily the two of them had done it, Jimo felt much more confident. "My turn, instructor."

The two made way for Jimo. Recalling the steps, he put his foot in the stirrup and held the saddle. Just as he was about to haul himself up, the horse suddenly neighed and went wild, throwing its head high and rearing up.

It nearly threw Jimo off.

The instructor hurriedly grabbed the reins and brought it under control.

Jiang Wangshu shielded Jimo and helped him down. Jimo had been given a fright, and his face was a little pale.

The instructor soothed the horse as he spoke to him. "You used too much force getting on and pressed down hard on its back all at once. You hurt it, so of course it tried to throw you off."

The white horse seemed almost human. Its mouth twisted, and it glared angrily at Jimo.

Jimo held out his hand and saw a few horsehairs he had yanked out stuck between his fingers.

Jimo quickly brushed his hands off. He suspected that if he went near the white horse again, it might send him flying with a kick.

"Xiao Shu, why don't you keep learning instead?"

He just wasn't destined to get those extra points.

Jiang Wangshu refused. "Then I won't learn either."

Jimo patted him. "We've already paid. I'll wait for you over there, so make sure you learn properly."

They would have to learn it in their second year anyway, sooner or later. They might as well not waste the money.

With that, Jimo headed for a pavilion nearby. He hadn't been there long before he saw Jiang Wangshu riding on his own.

He was clearly very interested.

Jimo sat there, warm in the sun, and fell asleep. When he woke up, only two hours had passed. He rubbed his eyes and glanced at the riding arena. Jiang Wangshu was still practicing his skills.

Afraid he would fall asleep again, Jimo simply pulled out his phone and started working through practice questions.

After an unknown amount of time, a huge shadow fell over Jimo.

Jimo looked up to see Jiang Wangshu sitting on horseback, holding out a hand to him. "Come on, brother. I'll take you for a ride."

Jimo looked at Jiang Wangshu in disbelief, then asked the instructor incredulously, "He's learned it already?!"

The instructor nodded. "He's fine to take someone along in the outdoor arena."

Jimo still thought it was a little ridiculous. It was his first time witnessing protagonist halo. Even counting generously, Jiang Wangshu couldn't have been learning for more than four hours.

"How long does it normally take?"

"Three to five days," the instructor said. "To get as proficient as he is, probably longer."

All right, Jimo didn't want to hear any more.

Jiang Wangshu still had his hand out, a bright smile on his face. "It's easy. Brother, you just hadn't got the technique down earlier. Come up for a ride and you won't be scared anymore."

Jimo put away his phone and took his hand.

Jiang Wangshu pulled him up in front of him, Jimo's back pressed against Jiang Wangshu's chest and stomach. Jiang Wangshu paused, then had Jimo hold the reins and began patiently explaining the technique. "Pull gently on one rein to turn, move back to slow down. Look, like this..."

Under Jiang Wangshu's control, the white horse slowly began to walk. Given Jimo's inexperience, they didn't go fast at first. After two laps, Jiang Wangshu asked him, "Do you want to let the horse run?"

"Huh?"

"Don't worry, I've got you." Jiang Wangshu squeezed the horse's sides with his legs, leaned back slightly, and began to pick up speed.

As they picked up speed, the wind grew stronger, and all Jimo could hear was the clatter of hooves. Riding toward the setting sun, he felt the fatigue from days of studying sweep away.

He spoke into the wind. "When we have time, we can come back and learn some more."

"Mm." Jiang Wangshu was clearly happy too.

The two rode around the arena a few times.

But the good mood didn't last long. Soon, Jimo couldn't smile anymore.

The system spoke in his mind. [Host, two F4 members have been detected approaching the riding arena. Please prevent the male lead from meeting them.]

[What?]

That had to be Ke Yueyi and He Zhenglin. Why did it have to be such a coincidence?

Jimo sounded a little anxious as he turned back. "Xiao Shu, let's head back first."

Jiang Wangshu brought the horse to a stop without asking why. "Okay."

The instructor was wiping down the equipment nearby. Seeing them hurry toward the exit, he quickly stood up. "Your time isn't up yet. Don't you want to stay a little longer?"

Jimo shook his head and pulled Jiang Wangshu along, only to be stopped again. This time, though, the person being stopped was Jiang Wangshu.

"Student, I can see you're very talented. Would you be interested in working here as an assistant instructor? The pay is excellent..."

The riding arena not only offered lessons to students but also accepted distinguished guests from outside, so it needed assistant instructors year-round. Equestrianism was a sport for the wealthy and required financial backing. Ordinary people wouldn't throw money away learning it, let alone become assistant instructors.

All the students at the academy, on the other hand, could ride because it was a required assessment. But those young masters and young ladies looked down on that little bit of money.

The instructor had clearly noticed Jiang Wangshu's background and was certain he needed money.

Normally, Jimo would have stopped and helped the male lead find out more. Working part-time as a riding instructor was much better than making milk tea. But right now, Jimo couldn't wait.

The system reminded him again. [Hurry up and leave. The targets are getting closer and closer to us.]

Unlike the school buildings, the outdoor riding arena had nowhere to hide. Someone with decent eyesight could see everything at a glance, and there was nowhere to conceal themselves.

Jimo interrupted the instructor. "Let's talk another day, instructor. We have something urgent to do, so we'll be going."

With that, he hurriedly pulled Jiang Wangshu away.

The instructor was still shouting after them. "Then leave me your contact information! What's the rush? Remember to return the equipment!"