Two Horses at Pasture

[Lost two bookmarks. So sad ┭┮﹏┭┮]

After the race, they followed the usual procedure of attending the post-race press conference and celebration banquet. Flying Cloud Colt then boarded the horse transport truck and returned to Jianzhou Ranch for a week of pasture turnout—this had already become standard practice for Zhang Jun's horses. After every race, they would spend a week at pasture before returning to the training center.

By mid-May, Jianzhou Ranch carried the warmth of approaching summer.

Zhang Jun carried a large bag of horse treats down the ranch's concrete path toward the turnout area. The trees lining both sides of the road had long since sprouted fresh leaves, rustling softly in the breeze.

Flying Cloud Colt had won the Middle-Distance Championship a few days ago, while Forest Hero had claimed victory in the Jian'an Sprint Cup a week earlier. Both horses were now resting at Jianzhou Ranch.

"Brother Jun!"

Luo Heng's voice came from behind him. He rode up on a four-wheeled electric cart and slowly stopped beside Zhang Jun.

"Going to see Flying Cloud Colt and the others? Want a ride? I'll take you over."

Zhang Jun did not stand on ceremony. He climbed into the cart with the bag.

The cart stopped beside the fence of Turnout Field No. 5. Inside the pasture stood two familiar figures, one still and one in motion.

Flying Cloud Colt stood alone beneath the large tree in the center of the pasture. Sunlight streamed through gaps in the leaves, falling over his two-toned body in mottled patches of light and shadow.

The four-year-old stallion, freshly crowned a CN1 champion, had his eyes half-closed. His tail swayed lazily from side to side, and every so often he lowered his head to nibble at the grass, carrying himself like a retired old