Jiang Qionghua, having spent over two decades on horseback, had no trouble instructing a mere novice. Plus, Jiang Yi was enthusiastic, quickly grasping the basics and urging Da Huang into a trot.
Being a novice, she hadn’t realized how bumpy a trotting horse could be. After a short while, Jiang Yi was jostled to the point of near nausea. Dismounting after one lap, she looked as wilted as a day-old lettuce.
Jiang Qionghua chuckled, trying to reassure her. “It’s always like this at first. You’ll get used to it. Try a few more times. You haven’t even fallen off yet.” How could one learn to ride without falling?
The sun was scorching, and after a while, Jiang Yi felt dizzy and nauseous. Her initial enthusiasm waning, she declined another attempt. “No, I’ll try again when the sun isn’t so strong.”
She glanced at Jiang Qionghua. “You don’t need to teach me anymore. If I want to learn, I’ll find an instructor here. You go have fun, spend some time with Auntie Ning.”
Jiang Qionghua hesitated. “Are you feeling unwell? Should I accompany you to the lounge?”
Jiang Yi shook her head. “No, I’ll go by myself. You can take Da Huang for a walk; don’t worry about me.” Afraid Jiang Qionghua might insist on staying, she added, “You came here with Auntie Ning for a date, don’t neglect her.”
Jiang Qionghua paused, then said, “Alright. But if you feel unwell, let me know. I’ll take you home.”
Jiang Yi nodded. “Okay.”
Following the staff’s directions, she found the lounge and settled into a spacious spot by the window.
Taking off her helmet and unbuttoning her collar, she relished the cool air conditioning, sinking comfortably into the sofa.
After a while, Jiang Yi looked out the window and saw Jiang Qionghua riding towards Ning Wenying. She couldn’t hear what they were saying, but soon the two adults were racing across the field, leaving two trails of dust hanging in the air.
Jiang Yi watched them for a while, then closed her eyes, enjoying the cool breeze.
A short while later, a clear, sweet voice called out, “Hey… hey… classmate…”
Jiang Yi opened her eyes blearily and saw a girl in a pink riding outfit standing before her. She stared blankly for a moment, and the girl smiled. “What a coincidence, meeting you here. I didn’t get your name last time.”
The girl’s smile was sweet. “You’re Jiang Yi, right? I’m Qin Miaomiao from Class A. Thank you for what you did last time.”
Jiang Yi finally recognized her. “Oh… you’re the one who…” Wait, Qin Miaomiao? Wasn’t that the Class A beauty, the one who had a crush on Jiang Sixian, according to the class monitor?
Seeing Jiang Yi remember her, Qin Miaomiao’s smile widened. “Yes, that’s me. Are you here for riding lessons too?”
Jiang Yi nodded. “Sort of.” She sat up, patting the space beside her. “Come sit.”
Qin Miaomiao happily sat down, then turned to her and asked, “Are your injuries okay? I heard you fought with Song Yi in the cafeteria. Are you alright?”
Looking at the concern in her eyes, Jiang Yi smiled. “I’m fine. See? I’m here, alive and kicking, ready to ride.”
Qin Miaomiao nodded, but her expression remained worried. “Still, you should avoid Song Yi in the future. She’s always bullied other students. You embarrassed her last time, and then she retaliated in the cafeteria. I’m afraid she’ll target you even more now.”
Qin Miaomiao sighed. “I should have warned you that day.”
When she was upset, she resembled a worried little bunny, incredibly endearing. Jiang Yi couldn’t help but comfort her. “It’s okay. If she bothers me again, I’ll just beat her up again. I’m not an easy target.”
Qin Miaomiao’s expression brightened, then she whispered, “But still, be careful. Don’t get your face hurt again.”
Jiang Yi nodded. “Okay, okay, okay.”
This little fairy is so sweet, so pretty, and her voice is so soft. So cute!
Just as Jiang Yi was thinking this, Jiang Sixian walked into the lounge, holding her helmet. She looked at the two girls chatting animatedly, and a question suddenly popped into her mind: Who was the one who said they didn’t like Omegas yesterday?
Before Jiang Sixian could figure it out, Qin Miaomiao, sitting beside Jiang Yi, spotted her. The moment she saw Jiang Sixian, her eyes lit up, and she called out excitedly, “Xianxian!”
Qin Miaomiao got up and walked towards her, her eyes curving into crescents. “What a coincidence, meeting you here today. Are you here to rest after your run?”
Jiang Sixian nodded, a hint of a smile in her eyes. “Sort of. Also, to see someone.” Jiang Sixian deliberately looked at Jiang Yi on the sofa, her voice softening as she asked, “Jiang Yi, are you feeling better?”
Jiang Yi’s eyes widened.
What’s going on? Why is she suddenly concerned about me? It’s over, it’s over, Jiang Sixian is definitely interested in me. Why else would she keep approaching me despite my coldness?
Jiang Yi immediately put up her defenses. “I’m fine. You should go have fun now that you’re rested.”
Qin Miaomiao, standing between them, looked from Jiang Yi to Jiang Sixian, a surprised expression on her face. “Xianxian, you know Jiang Yi?”
Qin Miaomiao wasn’t entirely clear about the cafeteria incident. By the time the rumors reached her, they’d been embellished and changed several times.
Of course they knew each other. They were about to become stepsisters.
Jiang Sixian explained to Qin Miaomiao, “She’s Auntie Qionghua’s daughter. We recently met. I came here with her and my mother today.”
Jiang Sixian glanced at Jiang Yi. As expected, Jiang Yi’s expression clearly said, “We’re not close. Who came here with you?”
Jiang Sixian felt a smile tugging at her lips.
Qin Miaomiao suddenly understood. “No wonder Jiang Yi stood up for you in the restroom that day against Song Yi! I thought she just disliked Song Yi, but it turns out she knows you!”
Qin Miaomiao turned to Jiang Sixian. “Xianxian, let me tell you, that nasty Song Yi was talking bad about you again. Jiang Yi overheard and taught her a lesson!”
Recalling the scene, Qin Miaomiao was convinced Jiang Yi had acted on Jiang Sixian’s behalf. She concluded, “Xianxian, Jiang Yi is such a good person!”
Actually, Qin Miaomiao, Jiang Sixian, and Song Yi had grown up together, attending the same school since kindergarten. Jiang Sixian, however, had always been exceptional, attracting attention and, consequently, Song Yi’s jealousy. Jiang Sixian was used to Song Yi’s slander.
Having been present that day, Jiang Sixian knew Jiang Yi hadn’t known her then, simply disliking Song Yi’s bigotry.
Despite this, Jiang Sixian looked at Jiang Yi. “Is that so?”
Jiang Yi immediately denied it. “No, I didn’t! I swear!” She wasn’t sticking up for Jiang Sixian.
Jiang Sixian, however, nodded knowingly. “Oh… I understand.”
Jiang Yi’s face turned green. Understand? Understand what? You understand nothing!
Author’s Note:
Miaomiao: I should be under the car, not in it.
