Chapter 403: Intimate Whispers

Xiao Yu handed the reins to Gu Fei, then reached out and turned her shoulders sideways.

Once she was in position, Xiao Yu called out to Stone. "Bring your horse over and give—Miss Gu a demonstration."

Stone obediently led his horse over and began his demonstration.

He placed his left foot in the stirrup, gave a light push with his right, and was on the horse in an instant.

It happened so fast Gu Fei couldn’t even follow his movements.

Stone demonstrated it three times in a row before Gu Fei started to get the hang of it. "I’ll give it a try."

Easier said than done. Gu Fei tried several times but couldn’t manage to get on. She hadn’t quite figured out how to push off with her right foot.

’There’s no need to struggle like that,’ Xiao Yu thought. ’Wouldn’t it be better if I just lifted you up?’

Gu Fei persevered, trying several more times before she finally succeeded in swinging herself onto the horse.

She sat atop the horse, looking triumphantly at Xiao Yu as if seeking his praise.

As if by magic, Xiao Yu understood exactly what she wanted. He smiled. "Not bad. You’re a fast learner."

"But when you’re on the horse, your backside—AHEM—don’t sit so stiffly. Especially when the horse is running, your body needs to move with the rise and fall of its back. Whatever you do, don’t just cling to it for dear life."

Sitting on the horse, her view expanded. She was suddenly eager to go. "Can I make it run now?"

Xiao Yu quickly grabbed the reins. "Don’t make it run yet. Just walk for a little while first. You need to get used to your seat."

Gu Fei nodded obediently. Xiao Yu let go of the reins and patted Zhaoye. "Go on, walk slowly. Don’t you dare throw her."

Gu Fei’s face flushed slightly. Zhaoye gave a snort and started walking at an unhurried pace.

’This is way too slow,’ Gu Fei thought after riding for a short while, already unsatisfied. She looked at Xiao Yu with pleading eyes. "I want to make it run."

Her glistening eyes were fixed on him, and Xiao Yu’s heart gave a heavy thump. He hastily averted his gaze and cleared his throat. "If you want it to run, then—then you’ll have to let me get on. I’ll teach you how to control the horse."

Gu Fei hesitated for a moment. "All right, then... get on."

Xiao Yu placed one hand on the saddle and leaped up, mounting the horse in one effortless motion without even touching the stirrups.

He reached around her to take the reins, encircling Gu Fei in his embrace. He spoke softly, "First, I’ll teach you how to steer. If you want to turn left, just pull the left rein a little tighter and loosen the right one. Go on, give it a try."

Gu Fei did as he said, and sure enough, Zhaoye turned.

Xiao Yu added, "If you want it to go faster, just give its sides a gentle kick with your heels. It’ll get the message."

Gu Fei tapped her heels against the horse’s sides. Zhaoye cooperated instantly, bolting forward.

The sudden lurch threw Gu Fei backward, and she fell solidly against Xiao Yu’s chest.

They were dressed in thin summer clothes, and a man’s body temperature runs higher than a woman’s. To Gu Fei, it felt like she was leaning against a brazier, searingly hot.

A thrill of delight shot through Xiao Yu. Even though Gu Fei quickly righted herself and was no longer leaning against him, that fleeting moment of her soft, warm body in his arms filled him with an immense joy.

He suddenly cried, "YAH—!" As if sensing its master’s mood, Zhaoye broke into an even more joyful gallop.

As they galloped along, their spirits soared with them.

She didn’t know how long they had been riding before the scenery started to look familiar. ’Wait a minute,’ she thought, ’that intersection up ahead... if we turn left there, my house is just over a li away.’ She quickly called out, "Xiao Yu, how do we stop? I have to go home!"

Hearing his name from her lips was an indescribably pleasant sound that made his very heart tremble. He leaned in closer to her, his warm breath tickling her ear as he whispered, his voice as soft as a murmur, "Just pull both reins at the same time, and it will stop."