Chapter 52

As autumn winds picked up and a chill filled the air, Yuan Yi sat in his car, waiting for Yan Xi to come out.

He rolled down the window, and even heard birds chirping. Feeling slightly annoyed, he patted his forehead. What am I doing sitting here early in the morning? Am I out of my mind?

"Yuan Xiao'er, sorry to keep you waiting!" Yan Xi jogged to the car and got in, wearing a long dress paired with a coat. She placed a large bag at her feet and rubbed her hands together. "It feels colder today; I think the temperature dropped."

"Ah Gang, turn up the heat in the car," Yuan Yi said. He glanced at her fair, delicate hands and had an inexplicable urge to reach out and touch them. Realizing his own thoughts, he quickly looked away. "Why are you carrying such a big bag?"

"I wasn't sure what we'd be doing today, so I brought a change of clothes that are easier to move around in," Yan Xi said, pulling out a small box from the bag. "Here, these are some cookies my dad baked. Try them!"

The cookies were shaped like various animals, the kind you'd expect to appeal to kids under twelve.

"If you wanted to dress for convenience, why wear a dress? Aren't you just making things harder for yourself?"

"But dresses look pretty."

Unable to understand her logic, Yuan Yi shook his head. He picked up a cookie and popped it into his mouth. It was sweet but not overly so, with a professional-level taste. Surprised, he grabbed a second one. "I didn't know Uncle Song had such impressive skills."

"My dad's cooking is amazing," Yan Xi said proudly. "He used to cook almost all our family meals."

"Auntie doesn't cook?" Yuan Yi reached for a third cookie, and his fingers brushed against hers. Her fingertips were cool and soft, sending his heart racing as if it wanted to leap out of his chest.

Yuan Yi's hands were dry and warm. Yan Xi hesitated for a moment, then curled her fingers and withdrew her hand. "My mom's better at artistic pursuits. Although she's tried her hand at cooking, my dad didn't have the heart to let me eat her experiments, for the sake of my health."

Looking at the woman speaking with a soft smile, Yuan Yi felt as though his heart was soaking in a hot spring. It was warm, a bit full, and carried a strong desire... to hold her in his arms.

"I'll hold onto the cookies for you, so they don't spill." Yuan Yi picked up the cookie box and kept it in his hands.

Holding it like this for long might make his arms sore, but so what?

"If you like them, just eat more. I'm not going to fight you for them," Yan Xi said generously. "If you really enjoy them, I can ask my dad to bake more next time. He'd be thrilled that a 'golden thigh' appreciates his work."

"Golden thigh?" Yuan Yi raised an eyebrow, amused by her bluntness.

"A dazzling, reliable benefactor," Yan Xi said, gesturing as if her hands were radiating light. "Got it?"

"If I'm a golden thigh..." Yuan Yi leaned in slightly, narrowing the gap between them. "Then why haven't I gotten any VIP treatment from you?"

"Because I'm someone who won't be swayed by wealth or power, someone who sees money and status as fleeting clouds," Yan Xi replied with exaggerated seriousness, scooting away from him. Being too close made her breathing uneasy. "Look at my sincere face. Doesn't it scream that I'm a simple, pure woman?"

"Yan Xiaoxi, you truly are a living demonstration of shamelessness," Yuan Yi said, his gaze lingering on her face. Her expression really did look innocent and pitiful. Weren't people supposed to look like their hearts? How had Yan Xiaoxi defied this fundamental principle?

"My face is right here—who said I abandoned it?" Yan Xi cupped her face and gave Yuan Yi a wide smile. Whatever sarcastic remark he was about to make, he swallowed back down instead.

A Good Man Doesn't Argue with Women

Yuan Yi had arranged to meet his childhood friends at an ancient-style resort. The location boasted beautiful scenery and excellent service, catering exclusively to high-end clientele.

"This place is gorgeous," Yan Xi said as she stepped out of the car and walked onto a zigzagging covered bridge. "Have you spotted them yet?"

"Follow me," Yuan Yi replied, noticing her fascination even with a pond full of withered lotus flowers. "We can stay here tonight. Tomorrow morning, I'll drive you to the TV station."

Yan Xi smiled without giving a direct answer.

"Yi-ge, Dahe, over here!" Xu Qiaosheng called out from a lakeside pavilion. Leaning against the railing, he waved at them. For once, he wasn't wearing his signature baseball cap or sunglasses, giving him a more down-to-earth appearance.

"You're here early," Yan Xi said as she reached the pavilion. Noticing a pot of tea on the table, she commented, "Drinking such strong tea this early?"

"I worked overtime to finish my scenes so I could make it to this gathering," Xu Qiaosheng explained, downing the rest of his tea in one gulp. "Yi-ge, they called earlier and said they'll be here soon. How about you and... Dahe order some breakfast first?"

"I've already eaten," Yuan Yi said, turning to Yan Xi. "They have a crystal dumpling here that's pretty good. Want to try it?"

"Sure!" Yan Xi agreed without hesitation at the mention of food.

Soon, a staff member brought over breakfast, and before she realized it, Yan Xi had polished off half a basket of dumplings.

"Yan Xiaoxi, didn't you already have breakfast?" Yuan Yi asked, watching her eat. For some reason, it made his stomach feel oddly full.

"Yeah, but I can't finish the rest of this basket," Yan Xi admitted, slightly regretful. The crystal dumplings were indeed delicious—no wonder they attracted high-end customers. She poured herself a cup of tea to rinse her mouth, then stood and began strolling leisurely around the pavilion.

Suddenly, she stopped in her tracks and looked up at the sky. "The sun's out."

Golden sunlight illuminated her face, and it seemed to warm her entire being.

Yuan Yi stared blankly at Yan Xi for a while before walking over to her side. Resting his hand on the railing, he leaned forward and said, "The weather is great today. We might even see the moon tonight."

Yan Xi glanced up as well and replied casually, "Maybe."

Meanwhile, Xu Qiaosheng couldn't keep his eyes off the remaining half-basket of dumplings. He swallowed hard, and finally, unable to resist, grabbed one and popped it into his mouth.

All thoughts of maintaining his figure or watching his weight went out the window. He'd been on a strict vegetarian diet lately and was losing his mind from the monotony. The sight of dumplings stuffed with meat made him want to devour every last one. Meat. Finally, he could eat meat again.

By the time Zhang Wang and the others arrived, Xu Qiaosheng had completely lost control and ordered another basket of meat dumplings, finishing them with gusto. He looked positively radiant afterward.

This time, Zhang Wang wasn't alone. He brought along a female companion. The girl had a sharp, oval-shaped face, large double-lidded eyes, and flawless makeup. She was a stunning young woman, yet Yuan Yi and Xu Qiaosheng weren't particularly warm toward her.

The girl didn't seem to mind. She stayed close to Zhang Wang, dutifully pouring tea and fetching water. She treated Yuan Yi, Yan Xi, and the others with great respect as well.

At the back of the resort, there was a large horse-riding arena. Although Yan Xi didn't know how to ride, she decided to join in on the fun. In the changing room, she happened to run into the young girl, whose name was Yu'er.

Yu'er flitted around, helping Yan Xi with her things, her eagerness to please evident.

"Thank you," Yan Xi said, accepting what Yu'er handed her. "The floor's a bit slippery, so be careful not to fall."

Yu'er smiled, then carried her riding gear into a stall. Once she changed, she took out her phone to show off to her friends. Not only was she out with Young Master Zhang today, but she also met Yuan Yi's mysterious girlfriend.

Her friends envied her for being around Zhang Wang and were curious about the identity of Yuan Yi's girlfriend.

For girls like them, who took pride in befriending wealthy people but knew they couldn't marry into a rich family, women who could win the hearts of heirs to such fortunes were both objects of jealousy and admiration. Everyone in their circle knew that the Yuan family's two young masters were as unapproachable as icy mountains. Forget about being friends; they wouldn't even spare a second glance.

Yu'er hesitated for a moment before replying to her friends.

[She's really nice, pure-looking, and gentle. Those young masters treat her warmly. She's not like us.]

"Yu'er, are you ready yet?" someone called, knocking on the door.

"Almost!" Yu'er quickly put her phone away, adjusted her riding outfit, and stepped out. "Miss Yan, your legs are so beautiful."

Slender and perfectly proportioned—they were captivating even to another woman.

"Thank you, you're very pretty too," Yan Xi replied. She picked up a riding crop from the wall, pretending she was an experienced equestrian, and headed out.

At the horse-riding arena, she glanced at the pony the instructor was holding and felt a wave of fear. What if she fell off and, worse yet, got trampled on the face by the horse's hooves?

She shuddered and rubbed her goosebump-covered arms. Her overactive imagination was definitely not helping.

Worried that the whip might startle the horse, Yan Xi handed it over to a staff member. Then, trembling slightly, she climbed onto the horse using a small stool. Despite the instructor explaining a lot, she didn't remember a single word. "Handsome coach, please don't let go of the reins—don't let go, okay?"

"Don't worry, this horse is very gentle, and I won't let go," the instructor reassured her. Seeing Yan Xi's mix of fear and determination to ride, he almost burst out laughing. But remembering that she was a distinguished guest brought by Young Master Yuan, he managed to hold it in.

Clip-clop, clip-clop.

The sound of hoofbeats came from behind, and Yan Xi couldn't help but look back. She saw Yuan Yi riding a white horse, looking every bit like a noble prince from a fairytale, galloping gracefully toward her.

In her free time, she had occasionally watched international equestrian competitions. The riders always sat upright with an air of elegance and nobility. Even as someone clueless about horseback riding, she couldn't help but admire their presence.

However, this was the first time she had seen a man riding a horse looking so strikingly handsome in real life.

"Why aren't you riding?" Yuan Yi approached her on his horse and adjusted the helmet on his head. "You don't know how?"

Oh my, wide shoulders, a sculpted waist, and long legs—a man like this, dressed in equestrian gear, practically radiated charm. Yan Xi's gaze lingered on Yuan Yi's waist, which looked quite slim. How many abs might be hiding under that outfit?

"What are you staring at?" Yuan Yi felt that Yan Xi's gaze was a little off, and his face grew slightly warm.

"I was looking at...your horse. It's really handsome," Yan Xi quickly covered up. She didn't know what made the horse so special, but her instincts told her it must be expensive.

"This horse belongs to Yi-ge," Xu Qiaosheng said as he rode over on another horse. "Half of this estate is his, so eat and drink as much as you want today. Don't bother trying to save him money."

"Who owns the other half?" Yan Xi asked, secretly amazed. This estate was famous across the entire capital, and she hadn't expected it to be tied to Yuan Yi.

"Those two," Xu Qiaosheng pointed at Zhu Han and Yang Yu. "They're also investors."

"So not only have I been spending Yuan Xiao'er's money, but also theirs," Yan Xi joked casually. "Why does it matter if I save money for Yuan Xiao'er?"

"Well, because—" Xu Qiaosheng began, but when he turned and saw Yuan Yi staring at him, he abruptly changed his tone. "Yi-ge has the largest share, that's why."

"Alright, you all chat. I'm going for a lap around the track," Yan Xi said, riding off.

"Yuan Xiao'er, do you think your cousin's personality is really suited for the entertainment industry?" Yan Xi, as usual, spoke without much thought, her words seemingly disconnected.

"With how narcissistic he is, if he doesn't mess around in the entertainment industry, what other circle could possibly tolerate this bad habit of his?" Yuan Yi was riding his horse at a leisurely pace, with the instructor leading it from behind. Yan Xi, who had initially been a little scared, found herself forgetting her fear as they chatted.

The chin strap on her helmet was a bit too tight, and Yan Xi wanted to loosen it, but she didn't dare let go of the safety reins she was clutching.

"What's wrong?" Yuan Yi noticed her twisting her neck from side to side. "Uncomfortable?"

"The strap is too tight."

"Don't move." Yuan Yi patted the horse beneath him, nudging it closer to Yan Xi until he was near enough to touch her face.

"A helmet that's too tight is indeed uncomfortable, but if it's too loose, it won't provide proper protection," Yuan Yi explained as he took off his gloves and bent down to adjust her strap. Occasionally, his fingers accidentally brushed against her chin, and his hands trembled slightly. "How's this?"

Yan Xi instinctively wanted to shake her head to test it, but as soon as she did, her face bumped into Yuan Yi's hand.

"It's... fine, I guess," she stammered.

Oh my god, subtle flirting is the deadliest. Her little romantic heart couldn't take it anymore.

"Do you want to feel what it's like to gallop?" Yuan Yi asked, trying to stay calm. "Watching you move so slowly is almost pitiful."

"How would I try that?" Yan Xi tightened her grip on the safety reins. "Don't touch my horse!"

"I brought you out to have fun, not to commit murder," Yuan Yi's face darkened with irritation. "Yan Xiaoxi, can you think of something normal for once?" He wasn't some kind of psycho.

"Well, if you'd just explain clearly," Yan Xi retorted, turning her head. "How is this my fault?"

"Here," Yuan Yi patted the spot behind him on his horse. "This horse is fully grown; it can handle another rider. I'll take you for a lap."

"Better not," Yan Xi said quickly. "What if I fall off while we're running?" She had a habit of imagining worst-case scenarios when nervous, shaking her head repeatedly. "Forget it, forget it, I'll just watch you gallop."

Watching a handsome man ride a horse was both a visual and emotional treat.

"Get on!" Yuan Yi felt like he might die of frustration if this conversation continued. "Don't worry, I've been riding horses since before I was ten. I won't let you fall!"

"No," Yan Xi's resolve was firm when it came to her life and looks. "I'm scared."

"You're not even afraid of offending me, but you're scared of a horse?" Yuan Yi cursed internally. Who was it that said riding together on a horse was the best way to spark feelings? This woman wouldn't even get on the horse, so how was she supposed to develop any feelings at all?

Zhang Wang's suggestion was completely unreliable!

"How can you compare a person to a horse? You can reason and have principles, but a horse can't," Yan Xi waved him off. "You go ahead and ride by yourself, don't worry about me."

Yuan Yi glared at Yan Xi for a moment, then turned around and patted his horse. He quickly rode off, leaving behind nothing but a dashing silhouette.

Was he... upset?

A man's heart is like a needle at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean—completely impossible to figure out.

Yuan Yi passed by Yan Xi three or four times as she continued her slow circuit around the riding field, having barely completed half a lap. In the corner, Zhang Wang and Yu'er were sitting on chairs, chatting and laughing. Not far off, Xu Qiaosheng, Zhu Han, and Yang Yu were riding their horses side by side, muttering about something.

Then there was her, on a slow little pony. She couldn't help but sneak a glance at Yuan Yi from the corner of her eye.

Under the sunlight, Yuan Yi, dressed in black riding gear, galloped across the field with an air of undeniable handsomeness and... sexiness. He looked just like a prince from a fairytale, riding a white horse to meet his princess.

Yuan Yi really didn't want to pay attention to Yan Xi, but seeing her slowly riding the pony with only the instructor for company left him feeling uneasy. Irritated, he tugged at the strap of his helmet and stopped his horse beside her again. He accompanied her slow pace, though his face clearly said, "Don't talk to me; I'm staying silent."

Yan Xi's gaze once again drifted to Yuan Yi's waist and his long legs. If he really did take her for a ride, could she accidentally touch his waist? Maybe even hug him a little?

Wait, no! How could she have such a shameless thought? This was Yuan Xiao'er!

He treated her as a friend, and here she was, thinking about taking advantage of him?

Oh no, how could she—a pure and upright young woman—have such dirty thoughts?

She turned to glance at Zhang Wang, who was playfully flirting with Yu'er. This had to be his fault.

As the saying goes, proximity to pitch makes one black.