“It’s time to show some proper appreciation.”
Guan Muya also pulled out his phone and transferred 100k to Shen Ju.
He had originally wanted to send more, but Qin Soxi shot him a dark glare, so he didn’t dare go over the limit.
Ding ding. Two notification chimes.
Text alerts for 300k deposited.
The medical bill had only cost less than 1k.
Shen Ju had even saved up enough money beforehand to cover it himself.
And… if it was about compensating for hurting someone, shouldn’t the money go to the injured party?
Shen Ju clutched his phone and looked puzzled at Pei Yan, who was right there on site.
Plus, with 300k suddenly in his account, did he need to keep going?
996: Keep going with your head!
Damn it, it cursed. I was so excited earlier, rattling off all that, and now it feels like my neck’s been wrung—like a chicken that’s neither up nor down.
[Forget it… ]
But then it felt unwilling: [How about this, host—you flash a provocative smile at Guan Mulin.]
[Okay, got it.]
Guan Mulin happened to be right in front of him.
Shen Ju looked up and smiled sweetly at Guan Mulin.
Guan Mulin: He’s smiling sweetly at me.
This is the joy of raising a little brother?!
Guan Mulin reached out and patted Shen Ju’s head.
996: […]
Something was off. Something was very off.
What the hell is wrong here?!
Pei Yan curled his lips subtly in secret, confirming once more that the Guan Family could indeed hear Shen Ju’s conversations with the System. For now, they just didn’t want Shen Ju under the System’s “control.”
But…
Thinking back to what Shen Ju and the System had revealed earlier in their chat about the “task”—it was obvious this wasn’t true coercion. There must be some reason they had to complete it, even if Shen Ju didn’t like it and had to go against his conscience… though the exact reason was still unclear.
“Come here. I’ll teach you how to mount first.”
After calling Shen Ju over, Pei Yan took the helmet from his hands and lifted it onto Shen Ju’s head.
The riding gear Guan Mulin had prepared for Shen Ju in advance was brown on top and white on the bottom, matched with a deep brown helmet and boots. With it on, Shen Ju looked like a little monkey head mushroom.
The little monkey head mushroom tilted his head up at Pei Yan, flashing a fawning smile as he said, “Thanks.”
That smile really is sweet, Pei Yan thought.
“You’re new to horses, so the helmet is a must. And the most important rule: never approach a horse directly from behind.”
Pei Yan led Shen Ju to Zhuying and patted its neck. “The direct rear is a horse’s blind spot—they’ll kick. Always approach from the side front.”
Zhuying shook its head and snorted at Pei Yan.
It was a rare fine steed, with sleek lines and powerful muscles. Even without Pei Yan, it needed daily runs to burn off its boundless energy.
Right now, Zhuying was getting impatient, pawing at the ground with its hooves, urging Pei Yan to take it for a spin.
Pei Yan glanced down with a smile and said, “For a beginner, riding Zhuying right now isn’t ideal. Its temperament is too fiery.”
996: [Host! Golden opportunity! ]
[Have Pei-ge take you for a couple laps himself. If he suggests switching horses, don’t agree—]
“So I’ll take you for a couple laps myself.”
996 choked: […]
Pei Yan: “I did promise to let you ride Zhuying, after all. Can’t go back on that.”
996 was baffled.
996 sulked.
996 felt like nothing was going right today.
Like punching cotton—one hit and it all deflates.
Shen Ju comforted it: [It’s fine, Brother 996. Next time. We’ll keep at it.]
996: …Not feeling very consoled!
… Looks like these improv role-plays don’t punish failure.
Pei Yan thought. Otherwise, after all these misses, Shen Ju would’ve racked up plenty of penalties by now.
The key was Guan Mulin.
Who made him the so-called “protagonist”?
Shen Ju was just a “cog.” As long as the cog turned and did its job—smoothly or not—the end result stayed the same. Probably within acceptable bounds.
So what “task” did Guan Mulin have to complete?
Pei Yan let out a soft scoff in his mind.
This feeling of being pushed along… like fate had it all scripted.
Disgustingly so.
Pei Yan taught Shen Ju mounting techniques. Once Shen Ju had the basics down, he let him try climbing up to get a feel.
Shen Ju found it novel.
The horse is so tall. Sitting up here, the view’s even higher, and nothing’s in the way—everything in plain sight.
At first, he felt a bit scared.
But after mounting and being led a few steps by Pei Yan holding the reins, he thought the view was amazing—a totally fresh experience.
So when Pei Yan looked over and asked how it felt, Shen Ju couldn’t help smiling at him.
“I think I’m starting to get why you love riding.”
Shen Ju said with a grin.
It was a smile different from all the previous ones.
Little white teeth peeking out.
Pei Yan glanced at it and said, “You haven’t truly gotten it yet.”
“Hm?”
In the next second, Pei Yan gripped the pommel in front of Shen Ju—the raised front part of the saddle, like a handlebar. With one pull, before Shen Ju could react, he vaulted onto the horse without stirrups! … In an instant, he was seated behind Shen Ju, chest pressed to his back.
“Hold on tight. I’ll show you the real thing.”
Pei Yan whistled sharply.
The next moment, Zhuying took it as a signal and bolted off in a wild gallop.
Shen Ju’s eyes widened slowly.
He was completely encircled in Pei Yan’s arms, body instinctively pressing tighter against Pei Yan’s chest. His hands gripped the reins alongside Pei Yan’s but too scared to pull, just resting lightly. As Zhuying picked up speed, he clutched Pei Yan’s arms instead. His little monkey head mushroom head, afraid to block Pei Yan’s view, leaned hard against his shoulder.
From the wind whipping past his ear, Shen Ju seemed to hear Pei Yan chuckle softly.
“You can relax. I won’t let you fall.”
“Feel the ride properly.”
They burst from the small paddock into the wide racecourse.
Zhuying knew this track like the back of its hoof—speeding up in a flash.
Hooves thudding soft turf, the earthy scent of kicked-up soil in the air. Scenery blurred by on both sides, like everything cranked to double speed. The jolting was still jarring, but the thrill of charging ahead unchecked made Shen Ju break into laughter despite himself.
He gradually loosened up, eyes sparkling bright.
“How is it?”
Pei Yan asked by his ear.
He didn’t expect Shen Ju to turn, eyes shining, grin on his face, shouting over the wind: “Fun!”
So Pei Yan took him a full three laps.
Worried about Shen Ju’s thighs and butt chafing, he finally slowed to a trot and returned to the small paddock.
By then, Pei Haochuan and Han Chengfeng should’ve warmed up and be ready.
But when Shen Ju and Pei Yan returned, they heard Pei Haochuan arguing with Han Chengfeng—Guan Mulin right there too.
Pei Yan dismounted first and reached for Shen Ju.
996: [Host, go check it out quick.]
[Mm.]
No need to say it—Shen Ju wanted to see too.
Pei Yan glanced that way while steadying Shen Ju’s waist to help him down. “Gonna feed Zhuying an apple. It always wants a snack after a run.”
“Stretch your legs a bit.”
Just what Shen Ju wanted: “Okay, I’ll go see what’s up.”
“Mm.”
[Host, no matter the reason, side with Han Chengfeng. But don’t directly clash with Pei Haochuan—try pulling aggro toward Guan Mulin instead.]
[We have to nail this one. Think of the task progress! ]
Shen Ju acknowledged it.
Closer up, he caught the gist: Han Chengfeng’s horse had tummy trouble and couldn’t run. He wanted to swap, and demanded Pei Haochuan swap too for fairness.
They’d picked comparable horses earlier, gotten familiar. But Han Chengfeng’s had overeaten or something—started pooping nonstop. All prep wasted; no way he’d accept doing it solo.
Pei Haochuan refused. Why should I? Your bad luck, not mine. Race or forfeit—your call.
Words flew, escalating to jabs.
Shen Ju piped up: “Pei Haochuan, aren’t you with Guan Mulin? How come you’re the only one talking?”
Pei Haochuan snapped irritably: “None of your business.”
“Besides, I’ve been meaning to ask—you’re not siding with Mulin, fine, but teaming with Han Chengfeng?”
Han Chengfeng bristled: “What’s wrong with teaming with me? Don’t forget your little uncle was with us too.”
“My little uncle didn’t join in!”
“Neither has Shen Ju!”
“He can’t ride!”
Pei Haochuan was dead sure Shen Ju meant ill toward Guan Mulin—why else show up with Han Chengfeng after all those nasty things he’d said about Mulin?
Only Guan Mulin, even now, extended goodwill to Shen Ju.
But he better appreciate it!
And Aunt Qin, Big Bro Guan—can’t they see how Shen Ju treats Mulin?!
I’m the only clear-headed one here.
So Pei Haochuan soured further on Shen Ju.
After jabbing Han Chengfeng, he turned on Shen Ju: “What’re you here for? Gawking?”
“Unhappy I’m speaking for Mulin? Why aren’t you backing him up?”
Pei Haochuan snorted: “He’s your nominal second brother, after all.”
Shen Ju: “You said it—nominal.”
Pei Haochuan’s face stiffened. He couldn’t help glancing at Guan Mulin.
Sure enough, Guan Mulin looked upset.
Pei Haochuan rushed: “Mulin, I didn’t mean—”
Before he finished, a shadow loomed from behind.
A horse’s shrill neigh rang out.
Wind kicked up nearby.
But it didn’t seem aimed at him.
Across from Pei Haochuan, Guan Mulin’s pupils shrank…
Han Chengfeng’s horse hadn’t been led away yet. Fresh off pooping, it suddenly freaked—backing up several steps blindly, right toward them. Guan Mulin was smack in its direct rear blind spot. By the time he noticed, the horse reared its powerful hind legs…
Guan Mulin had no time to react.
Pei Haochuan barely registered the danger.
Then a figure lunged ahead of him…
![No Redemption for Dark Protagonists [Quick Transmigration]](https://i0.wp.com/dobynovels.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/quickkk.jpg?resize=151,215 "No Redemption for Dark Protagonists [Quick Transmigration]")
