Chapter 334: Chapter 334

Shen You’an stepped forward. The small horse kicked its limbs uneasily, its nostrils exhaling warm air, teetering on the edge of fury.

The horse trainer hurriedly pulled the horse back. "Student, don’t come over, it’s dangerous..."

Shen You’an’s long legs crossed the distance in a few strides. She lifted her hand and placed it gently on the horse’s mane, stroking it lightly.

Luuo Yunqi frowned. What was Shen You’an trying to do?

Was she deliberately showing off her unique ability in front of so many people?

Luuo Yunqi felt an inexplicable surge of irritation burning inside her.

She wished that this furious horse would kick her, let her steal the spotlight.

Everyone watched as Shen You’an leaned close to the horse’s ear, murmuring something softly. Even the horse trainer standing closest couldn’t make out what she said.

Magically, the small horse that had been on the verge of rage gradually calmed down. It obediently lowered its head, rubbing its cheek against Shen You’an’s palm in a display of affection.

The horse trainer was stunned. "What... what did you do?"

Nearby, Guan Tao, who had been poised and ready, stared at Shen You’an with a mix of shock and suspicion. Chapters first released on n͟o͟v͟e͟l͟f͟i͟r͟e͟.net

Shen You’an smiled as she gently stroked the horse’s head. "Horses are empathetic. If they sense kindness in a human, they’ll let go of their wariness."

Luuo Yunqi’s eyes flickered as she lowered her gaze with guilt.

Gao Yuyue deliberately raised her voice. "So you’re saying that if someone intentionally hurts it, the horse would retaliate against them?"

She was certainly good at drawing conclusions.

Shen You’an responded with a silent smile.

Gao Yuyue cast a sideways glance at Luuo Yunqi. "Why don’t you explain, huh?"

Luuo Yunqi shook her head, her expression pitiful and delicate. "I... I thought it looked pretty and just wanted to touch it. I didn’t expect it to suddenly go wild. I truly don’t know why."

Gao Yuyue rolled her eyes. Keep acting, go ahead.

To be fair, men do fall for this act—like the horse trainer, for instance, whose eyes were brimming with sympathy.

"Student, it’s not your fault. It was our error that almost led to an unintended mishap for you. Rest assured, in the coming training, we’ll do our best to ensure your safety."

Luuo Yunqi struck a posture as fragile as a willow in the wind. "I’m sorry to have caused trouble for you."

The horse trainer hurriedly waved his hand. "No trouble at all. It’s our job."

Jiang Shengyao’s piercing gaze locked onto Shen You’an. She truly was different from those overly dramatic girls.

In the end, Jiang Shengyao didn’t choose the docile pony; he went for a strong-willed, untamed one instead.

Even with the horse trainer’s endless attempts to dissuade him, the young master was unmoved—purely intent on being willful.

But Jiang Shengyao had his own motives. He had taken riding lessons in middle school, and this time, he signed up for equestrian training specifically to showcase his prowess. The more defiant and difficult-to-tame the horse, the better he could flaunt his majestic skills.

Truly a master strategist.

Once everyone had chosen their horses, a groom stood alongside each student. After all, they couldn’t risk these pampered young heirs getting hurt. Their protective gear—kneepads, elbow guards, helmets—was all impeccably secured.

Guan Tao approached with a horse that towered over the rest. Its sturdy frame moved with graceful power, and its sparkling eyes radiated an awe-inspiring presence.

The others glanced at their smaller ponies; it was hard to hide their envy.

"First, before getting on the horse, everyone must check if the girth is tight to prevent the saddle from slipping; lower the stirrups, adjust the leathers to the correct length, and even the saddle flaps..." Guan Tao patiently explained the series of checks to perform before mounting the horse. These students, as expected of top-tier scholars, listened attentively without a single one losing focus—even the rebellious Mr. Jiang was all ears.

"Now, about the mounting process, listen carefully as I explain step-by-step..."

Guan Tao talked almost nonstop for ten minutes before personally demonstrating the process. From mounting to sitting, his smooth, seamless movements left everyone in awe.

Guan Tao drove the horse around the track for a lap, then returned and dismounted, deliberately slowing down the dismounting process to provide clarity in his explanation.

"Now, follow my commands—stand straight."

A row of students lined up neatly, standing at attention.

"Turn to the right. With your left hand, divide the reins and loop them over the horse’s neck, and lower the stirrups with your right hand..."

"While lowering the stirrups, avoid touching the horse. Once released, let them hang lightly at the horse’s side."

"Stand directly beside the horse’s shoulder, aligning yourself with its foreleg. Facing diagonally backward toward its body, arrange the reins evenly so their inner sides align flat against its neck. Adjust the bit until it gently touches the corners of the horse’s mouth. Use your left hand to grasp the reins, inserting your ring finger between them while holding the pommel tuft and keeping your palm face-down..."

"With your right hand, rotate the stirrup clockwise until its outer edge faces you. Then, step into the stirrup from the outer side. Lift your left leg and press the ball of your foot into the stirrup, while your right hand grips the cantle of the saddle on its right side. Point your left toe downward, positioning it beneath the girth but avoiding contact with the horse’s body..."

As Guan Tao’s sharp eyes swept across the students, he nodded in satisfaction. Their learning ability was impressive, with almost no one making mistakes.

"Push off with your right foot, using its strength and both arms to lightly jump upward. During this step, pay close attention to the horse’s disposition..."

At his signal, the students began mounting their horses.

Within the group, one figure in red stood out strikingly. She mounted with steady and swift movements—bold, fluid, and perfectly synchronized. Her elegance was breathtakingly commendable.

Others faced varying degrees of difficulty; some of the girls even seemed a bit intimidated, struggling awkwardly with their mounting motions.

Only that girl in red confidently sat atop her horse, her back as straight as a rod. Above her head, sunlight streamed through the glass ceiling, casting a golden glow onto her face.

The corners of her lips lifted slightly, exuding poise and self-assurance, perfectly in control.

Guan Tao’s eyes lit up.

A true expert could spot greatness with a single glance—this girl was undoubtedly skilled.