Chapter 486 - 485: Sharing a Horse

"It’s okay, it’s okay. You guys go on, don’t mind us."

The girls waved their hands frantically. If they were the reason President Xiao Lu’s private time with his girlfriend was ruined, their families could go bankrupt ten times over and it still wouldn’t be enough.

Lu Yunque took Yun Zijin by the hand and led her to his black steed, Gale.

"Get acquainted with him first. That way, he won’t resist when you get on."

Gale was an incredibly spirited horse. Many trainers had tried and failed to handle him. In the end, it was Lu Yunque who, with his exceptional equestrian skills, finally managed to tame him. Gale accepted him as his master, becoming Lu Yunque’s exclusive steed.

Li Yuexing and the others were green with envy every time they visited, but Gale simply refused to let them ride him unless Lu Yunque gave his express permission beforehand.

Even then, he would stop cooperating after ten minutes.

Since Lu Yunque had brought Yun Zijin over himself, Gale was relatively docile toward her.

Yun Zijin spent two or three minutes interacting with Gale. Lu Yunque went to grab a few carrots, and he and Yun Zijin fed them to the horse together.

"Alright, time to get on."

Lu Yunque could tell at a glance that Gale had accepted Yun Zijin; at the very least, he wouldn’t resist her mounting him.

Besides, with both Lu Yunque and Yun Zijin present, Gale would be more well-behaved than he was with other people.

After Lu Yunque helped Yun Zijin mount the horse and get settled, he swung himself up in a single, large stride.

"How do you feel? Are you scared?"

Lu Yunque didn’t immediately urge Gale forward, instead focusing on Yun Zijin’s condition.

He was still worried she hadn’t quite recovered from her earlier state.

"With you here, I’m not afraid."

If she were alone, she might still have some lingering fear. But she just had to sit tight, and with Lu Yunque in control behind her, Yun Zijin felt completely safe.

Lu Yunque was utterly charmed by her six words, unable to suppress the smile spreading across his face.

As Lu Yunque took the reins, he naturally enveloped Yun Zijin in his arms.

At first, Lu Yunque kept Gale at a slow walk, only gradually increasing their speed after Yun Zijin had gotten used to it.

As they sped up, wind rushed past her face. Eventually, Yun Zijin felt brave enough to spread her arms wide, close her eyes, and just enjoy nature.

However, Lu Yunque strictly controlled the time; after all, being out in the wind for too long could easily cause her to catch a cold the next day.

Besides, people who ride for the first time will have sore legs the next day if they ride for too long.

Concerned for Yun Zijin’s legs and well-being, Lu Yunque only let them ride for a short while before gradually slowing to a stop.

"Let’s call it a day for now. If you enjoyed it, we can come back another time."

Seeing Yun Zijin’s reluctance as she dismounted, Lu Yunque was quick to make a promise.

"Who knows when ’next time’ will be."

It was almost December. With a corporation as massive as the Lu Group under his command, Lu Yunque’s schedule would be jam-packed with year-end summary meetings. He might even have to go abroad.

"We’ll find the time."

Lu Yunque wasn’t as worried as Yun Zijin. ’If you really want to do something,’ he thought, ’you’ll always find the time.’

Yun Zijin reluctantly went to the changing room to change back into her clothes. Before leaving, she said goodbye to the girls who had come over to talk to her earlier.

The guys were still kicking themselves for not seizing the opportunity to get to know Yun Zijin.

Watching the interaction between Yun Zijin and Lu Yunque, they were convinced that getting to know her was as good as getting to know him.

Unfortunately, they hadn’t seized such a perfect opportunity.

And while the girls had managed to strike up a conversation with Yun Zijin, they hadn’t gotten her contact information, so it was basically all for naught.

Yun Zijin was oblivious to what everyone else was thinking. She said her goodbyes, met up with Lu Yunque, and they left the equestrian club in his car.

In the car, Yun Zijin paid no attention to Lu Yunque, her focus entirely on the photos they had taken at the club that day.

Lu Yunque’s eyes remained fixed on Yun Zijin, wondering when she would finally shift her attention back to him.

Unfortunately for him, she didn’t look up until the car pulled up to Xingyu Mansion.

Lu Yunque’s expression was one of pure, pitiful grievance.

The moment Yun Zijin finally looked up from the photos, Lu Yunque reached out, pulled her toward him, and sealed her lips with his, holding the kiss for a long time to express his dissatisfaction.

Yun Zijin was nearly breathless by the time he was done. She had to pound on his shoulder several times before Lu Yunque finally released her.

"What was that all of a sudden...?"

Yun Zijin shot Lu Yunque a glare, but it held no threat whatsoever. In fact, it only gave him more ideas.

Yun Zijin leaned back, denying him his chance.

"The moment we got in the car, you started fiddling with your photos and didn’t even look at me."

Lu Yunque felt wronged, too. As her boyfriend, he couldn’t hold her attention at all. It was incredibly frustrating, you know?

At first, Yun Zijin was speechless. Then, she burst out laughing.

"You... how can you be so childish? Haha..."

Once she started laughing, she couldn’t stop. She leaned on Lu Yunque’s shoulder, completely unable to contain herself.

Lu Yunque gave up, leaning back against the seat and letting Yun Zijin laugh her fill.

After composing herself, Yun Zijin lifted her head and gave Lu Yunque a quick kiss as compensation for not having noticed his mood earlier.

Yun Zijin had only intended it to be a quick peck, but there was no way Lu Yunque would let such a golden opportunity pass. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her thoroughly once more.

"Now *that’s* what I call compensation."

He wouldn’t accept that fleeting peck.

Lu Yunque’s words made Yun Zijin blush. Although she couldn’t see it, she could feel her cheeks, so hot it felt like they could toast bread.

"I’m heading home. Remember to pick me up tomorrow."

Tomorrow was Saturday, the day of the welcome banquet the Situ Family was holding for two of their elders.

Yun Zijin had thought it over and decided that avoidance was not the answer. ’The only way to solve a problem,’ she mused, ’is to face it head-on.’

"I’m staying at Xingyu Mansion tonight, too. We can leave together tomorrow."

Even though their villas were a little far apart, that didn’t change the fact that they were neighbors.

How could the occupants of Villa 1 and Villa 2 not be considered neighbors?

"Your house renovations are finished?"

Yun Zijin usually spent more time at her Jade Lake residence, so she wasn’t clear on the renovation progress of Lu Yunque’s Villa 2.

"It’s been ready for a while. If I hadn’t felt it was better to let it air out for a bit, I would’ve moved in long ago."

I stressed from the beginning of the renovation that they use eco-friendly, formaldehyde-free materials.

But you can say you used them all you want; who really knows if the materials are truly formaldehyde-free?

That’s why Lu Yunque had waited so long, only moving in recently.