Chapter 19 Part 1

He didn’t know where Huo Boyan had gotten the clothes from, but they miraculously fit his size perfectly. After Zhu Ran changed into them and went downstairs, he ran into Huo Jiahui.

She was dressed in a crisp riding outfit and asked him in surprise, “I heard you fell into the pool? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Zhu Ran didn’t elaborate and said calmly, “It was just an accident.”

“Those guys are such barbarians, not fully evolved,” Huo Jiahui muttered, then looked up at Zhu Ran. “Want to go riding? My two brothers aren’t around, so we can play by ourselves.”

Zhu Ran didn’t want to stay there anyway, so he agreed to Huo Jiahui’s suggestion.

Zhu Ran had carefully considered it: In the competition for Huo Corporation’s succession, Huo Jiahui’s father, Huo Zhile, was said to be neutral and didn’t side with anyone. Zhu Ran didn’t want to stir up trouble either. Compared to continuing to be pestered by Huo Junlin and Huo Xitong, interacting with Huo Jiahui was a relatively safe choice.

But he hadn’t expected to run into Huo Boyan again on the way to the Horse Ranch.

When Zhu Ran wasn’t looking, Huo Jiahui playfully winked at Huo Boyan and gave him an OK sign.

Huo Boyan nodded, his gaze shifting to Zhu Ran beside her, as if merely checking whether the clothes he’d lent fit him well. But Zhu Ran felt it was just his imagination, because Huo Boyan quickly looked away, treating Zhu Ran like any ordinary person.

The golf cart moved slowly forward, heading toward the Back Courtyard of the Huo Family Old Mansion.

As they approached the Horse Stable, Zhu Ran caught a whiff of the mixed smell of hay and manure, but it was still within tolerable limits.

After getting out, Huo Jiahui led Zhu Ran and Lin Ziqing to the Horse Stable and introduced them to him. “The family’s Horse Ranch is relatively small, so there aren’t many to choose from. Most of the horses are kept on the island. But it’s convenient here—you can come ride anytime.”

Zhu Ran: “…”

Fortunately, he had long since become immune to the Huo Family’s wealth and remained unruffled, treating it like a visit to a tourist attraction.

Huo Jiahui had her own horse, and they seemed to have a great bond. As soon as she called its name, the horse trotted over to her, nuzzling her affectionately with its nose like a big, friendly dog.

This horse named Yami was not only affectionate but also had its own Abby doll, which it picked up in its mouth to play tug-of-war with Huo Jiahui.

Zhu Ran didn’t envy her wealth so much as he envied her for having such a cute horse.

After helping Lin Ziqing pick a horse, Huo Jiahui asked Zhu Ran which one he liked.

Zhu Ran had never ridden before and had no idea how to choose. He was about to pick one at random when a black stallion in the next stall suddenly snorted at him.

Zhu Ran tentatively reached out a hand. The horse sniffed it, then licked it.

Zhu Ran: “…”

Huo Jiahui burst out laughing. “Looks like it really likes you.”

Zhu Ran asked, “Can I pick this one?”

At those words, Huo Jiahui suddenly yelped, “Ouch,” and said she needed to use the bathroom.

Five minutes later, she came back from the restroom and confidently told Zhu Ran it was fine.

Learning that Zhu Ran didn’t know how to ride, she added, “Duo Le is a Dutch Warmblood—pretty gentle temperament, follows commands well, and is suitable for beginners.”

Zhu Ran felt a bit more at ease. He changed into riding pants, and with a dedicated coach teaching him the basics, it wasn’t too difficult.

After the basic lesson, the coach asked if he wanted to try handling it himself.

Zhu Ran glanced at Huo Jiahui and Lin Ziqing riding nearby and nodded. “Sure.”

Zhu Ran appeared docile and harmless, but he actually loved thrill-seeking activities—that was one reason he’d agreed to go to the island in the first place. He enjoyed trying outdoor sports like horseback riding, skiing, diving, and skydiving, as long as the thrill was within his control.

Zhu Ran guided the horse forward, moving very cautiously. Fortunately, Duo Le had a mild temperament and cooperated fully. When he ventured a bit farther and saw the coach wasn’t stopping him, he grew bolder and continued ahead.

“Why did you let him ride Duo Le?” A man walked up to the coach and said sternly, “That’s Mr. Huo’s personal horse. Doesn’t everyone know he never lets anyone touch it? Get him back now!”

The young coach hesitated. “But Miss Jiahui just said it was okay.”

“No,” the man shook his head and added immediately, “Mr. Huo instructed personally that no one rides Duo Le unless he’s here himself!”

“What do we do?”

“Go bring the horse back!” the man ordered. “Duo Le’s been overheated these past few days—it can’t run.”

Caught between his direct superior and the client he was serving, the young man hesitated but decided to consult Miss Jiahui first, since she’d assigned him the job.

Zhu Ran was completely unaware of the conflict. He began practicing a trot on the grass.

As he went along, he noticed Duo Le picking up speed, then breaking into a gallop.

Zhu Ran let out a startled cry but soon tasted the thrill of speed and didn’t stop it.

Though spacious, the Huo residence’s Back Courtyard was still too small for horse racing. People usually didn’t go full speed when riding there—just practiced techniques and rode leisurely.

At first, Duo Le trotted lightly, but gradually it accelerated, galloping swiftly across the grass.

Zhu Ran tried to make it stop, but the overexcited horse ignored his commands, speeding up faster and teetering on the edge of losing control.

He called for the coach, but the coach couldn’t catch up to the frenzied racehorse. Huo Jiahui and Lin Ziqing chased after, shouting loudly, “Zhu Ran, stop! Too fast!”

Zhu Ran yelled in desperation, “I want to, but the horse won’t listen!”

Huo Jiahui tried to grab the reins but was flung behind by Duo Le in one shake.

“Too fast!” Huo Jiahui turned to Lin Ziqing. “I’ll get the coach… Brother Boyan!”

“What happened?” Huo Boyan jumped off the golf cart and strode over.

Huo Jiahui: “Duo Le suddenly sped up—we can’t stop it.”

“Lend me a horse.” Huo Boyan mounted one without another word and chased after Duo Le.