The race

Shen Zeyu sat on the horse, narrowing his eyes in pleasure as the breeze brushed his cheeks.

Before long, simply enjoying himself was no longer enough for Shen Zeyu. "Teach me to ride. I want to try galloping too."

"Sure. Get down first, and I'll teach you how to mount."

Fortunately, Shen Zeyu managed to dismount on his own, albeit rather clumsily. At least he hadn't embarrassed himself too badly.

Lu Cizhou, on the other hand, looked a little disappointed.

After Lu Cizhou explained the essentials of mounting, Shen Zeyu finally got the hang of it through repeated attempts.

With a swing of his body, he finally managed the stylish mount he had imagined and couldn't help cheering from horseback. Below him, Lu Cizhou kept the horse carefully under control, quietly watching Shen Zeyu celebrate with a hint of affection in his eyes.

Once he finished cheering, Shen Zeyu noticed Lu Cizhou's gaze and blushed. "W-what do I do next?"

Lu Cizhou said calmly, "First, take the reins. Hold one in each hand, passing it between your ring finger and little finger into your palm, with your thumb resting lightly on top."

Shen Zeyu followed Lu Cizhou's instructions step by step. Lu Cizhou corrected his mistakes now and then, patiently waiting until Shen Zeyu got each step right before moving on.

"That's not quite right. Lower your waist a little more." When Shen Zeyu kept struggling with the movement, Lu Cizhou instinctively placed a hand on his waist.

They both froze when they realized what he had done. Their eyes met, and an indescribable atmosphere settled around them.

Shen Zeyu was the first to recover. Trying hard to ignore the warmth at his waist, he leaned forward slightly. "Is that enough?"

"Yes." Yet for some reason, Lu Cizhou still hadn't let go. In a moment of thoughtlessness, he said, "You're too thin. You should eat more."

Whatever Shen Zeyu had been thinking instantly vanished. "Okay." He's so infuriating.

Even after letting go, Lu Cizhou was still thinking about how slender Shen Zeyu's waist was.

Once Shen Zeyu had mastered the basics, Lu Cizhou gradually relinquished control so he could get a feel for it himself.

Without Lu Cizhou beside him, Shen Zeyu immediately grew nervous. Recalling his instructions, he slowly urged the white horse forward, gradually picking up speed until it was running across the grass.

As a beginner, Shen Zeyu didn't dare push his luck. He enjoyed riding within a small area before guiding the horse back to Lu Cizhou.

Lu Cizhou smiled in praise. "Not bad. Very few beginners ride that well."

Delighted by the compliment, Shen Zeyu dismounted.

"Well, if it isn't Mr. Lu! What brings you to the riding grounds today?"

Shen Zeyu looked toward the voice and saw several people in matching outfits approaching them.

The man at the front was looking at them with blatant arrogance. Shen Zeyu shot Lu Cizhou a questioning glance, wondering what was going on.

Lu Cizhou countered, "What, am I not allowed to come?"

"Of course you are. But since we've run into each other today, you have to race me," Zhuang Xuan said unreasonably.

"No. I'm busy today. I'm teaching someone to ride."

"Who?" Shen Zeyu quietly raised his hand. Zhuang Xuan looked stunned. "You're actually teaching someone?"

"If you're teaching someone to ride, then you have to race me today," Zhuang Xuan insisted shamelessly.

Lu Cizhou was about to refuse when he heard:

[I actually kind of want to watch.]

Lu Cizhou paused. "All right."

"You agreed?" Zhuang Xuan stared at him in disbelief, then hurriedly said, "Come on, hurry up and change! Let's see who's better."

Since Lu Cizhou had only intended to teach Shen Zeyu, he hadn't changed clothes.

Lu Cizhou gave Zhuang Xuan a look as though he were an idiot, then turned to say a few words to Shen Zeyu before heading to the changing room.

While Lu Cizhou was changing, Zhuang Xuan seized the opportunity to bad-mouth him to Shen Zeyu, saying he was an expert at putting on an act, that Shen Zeyu should be careful, that he wasn't a good man, and so on. Shen Zeyu could barely handle the onslaught.

It was the first time he had met someone who could talk more than he could.

Just as Shen Zeyu was suffering through it, Lu Cizhou emerged leading a black horse. His riding outfit made him look even taller and straighter, while the black horse followed him with its head held high and chest thrust out, as though it were heading into a fight.

[He really does look good.]

The corners of Lu Cizhou's lips lifted slightly.

Since they were going to race, the group returned their horses and headed to the designated competition grounds.

Zhuang Xuan and Lu Cizhou waited on horseback at the starting line. The moment a staff member blew the whistle, they shot forward like arrows.

It was Shen Zeyu's first time seeing Lu Cizhou ride. His expression brimmed with a spirited confidence Shen Zeyu had never seen before, and every movement was flawless. He was like an undefeated general, and the sight set Shen Zeyu's heart soaring.

Watching the two ride neck and neck, Shen Zeyu grew so excited that he shouted without realizing it. "Lu Cizhou, come on!"

Hearing him, Lu Cizhou completed a difficult maneuver, the corners of his mouth lifting as he picked up speed and surged ahead.

Suddenly left behind, Zhuang Xuan immediately sped up too, shouting, "Why'd you suddenly speed up? One cheer and you're racing off to your next life?"

He wanted someone to cheer for him too. As though sensing his thoughts, the people who had come with him began calling out encouragement one after another.

Aaargh, you lot don't need to cheer!

In the end, Lu Cizhou won the race, and Shen Zeyu burst into cheers.

Overjoyed, Shen Zeyu ran over to Lu Cizhou and threw himself into his arms.

Lu Cizhou gazed affectionately at the man in his embrace.

When Zhuang Xuan caught up, he noticed something unusual in the atmosphere between them. Realization struck, and he asked in shock, "Your boyfriend?"

Lu Cizhou didn't deny it, and Shen Zeyu, still caught up in the excitement of the race, didn't deny it either.

Zhuang Xuan could have cried. It was so unfair. Losing to this man in everything was bad enough. He had always assumed Lu Cizhou would never date anyone, yet now he even had a boyfriend.

As peers, the two had always been compared, and Lu Cizhou happened to be better than him at everything. That was why Zhuang Xuan always had to challenge him whenever they met, though he lost every single time.

"You really are lucky," Zhuang Xuan said with a touch of envy.

"Ugh, what's the point? I lost again." With that, he turned and left. The others followed him out.

After the race, Lu Cizhou rode over to Shen Zeyu, leaned down slightly, and extended a hand in invitation. "Want to come up and try it?"

Shen Zeyu looked at Lu Cizhou and could just make out the smile beneath his helmet. Lu Cizhou blocked the glaring sunlight behind him, and as Shen Zeyu looked up, his gaze met a pair of smiling eyes watching him tenderly.

Whether he wanted too badly to get on the horse and experience real speed or had been dazzled by Lu Cizhou's tenderness, Shen Zeyu gently placed his hand in Lu Cizhou's.

Their hands clasped, and Lu Cizhou shifted back slightly in the saddle. Once Shen Zeyu stepped onto the saddle, Lu Cizhou pulled him up with a firm tug.

Once Shen Zeyu was seated securely and holding the reins, Lu Cizhou reached around him with both arms, took hold of the reins, and urged the horse into a fast run again.

Feeling Lu Cizhou's hands over his own and the gentle vibrations of his chest as they rode, Shen Zeyu felt as though he had split into two people. One was enjoying the true pleasure of riding, while the other's heart was racing uncontrollably because of Lu Cizhou's actions.

The sheer masculinity Lu Cizhou radiated while riding brought a faint blush to Shen Zeyu's face. Lost in his thoughts, he failed to notice that they were gradually slowing down.

He had only just managed to steady his heartbeat when Lu Cizhou leaned close to his ear. His voice was low, rich, and slightly breathless. "Did you have fun?"

Shen Zeyu rubbed his ear, screaming inwardly.

[Aaaaah, I can't take this!]