He Ying finished her afternoon studies, completely oblivious to the outside world.
When she tried calling Shangguan Mingyu again with her own phone during dinner time, he still didn’t answer.
He Ying straightforwardly called out to Xia Shuyue, who hadn’t walked far yet: “Xia Shuyue, lend me your phone.”
At that time, not long after classes had ended, many students in the class hadn’t left yet, and quite a few witnessed He Ying actively calling out to Xia Shuyue.
The grievances between He Ying and Xia Shuyue were widely discussed among the students privately, but no matter how bloody and stormy these rumors were behind the scenes, at least outwardly, He Ying had never truly done anything to Xia Shuyue.
Previously, it was always Liu Ruyan and others blocking Xia Shuyue, or Shangguan Mingyu bringing the bullied Xia Shuyue to confront He Ying.
This was, strictly speaking, the first time He Ying had actively spoken to Xia Shuyue.
Xia Shuyue only paused for a moment before walking over to He Ying’s side, thoughtfully opening the call interface, searching for Shangguan Mingyu, and then handing the phone to He Ying.
Because He Ying said her phone’s touchscreen was a bit unresponsive, Xia Shuyue helped set it up so He Ying only needed to press one call button.
When He Ying took the phone and saw the already displayed number, she couldn’t help but think inwardly: Xia Shuyue is really clever, otherwise she wouldn’t have been able to navigate among the F4 for so long.
When the call connected, He Ying naturally told Shangguan Mingyu to hurry over.
Listening to his reluctant voice on the other end, He Ying felt instantly pleased.
Her happiness was built upon Shangguan Mingyu’s misery.
Returning the phone to Xia Shuyue, He Ying said seriously: “Thank you, your phone is much better.”
Xia Shuyue’s hand suddenly hesitated as she took the phone back, forcing her voice steady to sound normal: “No problem, I can give you my phone anytime.”
After saying this, Xia Shuyue quickly ran off.
He Ying watched Xia Shuyue’s retreating figure with a smile curling at her lips, not hiding her good mood—this action undoubtedly hinted something to the classmates.
Xia Shuyue’s status changed in that instant.
During dinner that evening, some usually aloof wealthy students actively asked Xia Shuyue about her phone brand. When they learned she only used an old phone, they didn’t mock her as before but instead said they wanted to buy one like hers.
Upon hearing this, Xia Shuyue understood everything.
It truly echoed He Ying’s words: the things she used should feel honored.
After ordering Shangguan Mingyu and Chi Jingsheng around, He Ying left them both behind and headed to the horse riding grounds.
Shangguan Mingyu watched He Ying and Chi Jingsheng depart, feeling somewhat irritated.
His initial desire to pursue Xia Shuyue was indeed driven by annoyance from being harassed by this daughter of the He family, plus his family elders constantly urging him to appease He Ying, which inevitably stirred some resentment—so he wanted to use Xia Shuyue to vent his frustration on He Ying.
At first, he succeeded; seeing He Ying hurt because he protected Xia Shuyue, Shangguan Mingyu felt much of his long-held pent-up anger dissipate.
And one undeniable point was that He Ying’s desperate, increasingly ugly pursuit of him gave him a strong sense of satisfaction—he thoroughly enjoyed this feeling.
But from that day on, He Ying suddenly changed.
Clearly, He Ying had been heartbroken over him just a moment ago—why did her eyes no longer hold him at all the next moment? Can affection vanish so abruptly?
Shangguan Mingyu had thought that He Ying insisted on keeping him close because she was jealous and didn’t want him interacting with Xia Shuyue.
He Ying still liked him and couldn’t let him go.
But what did it mean that these days, while bringing him along, she also brought Chi Jingsheng?
Was he some kind of toy?
Shangguan Mingyu grew more and more resentful as he thought about it. After pondering, he didn’t go to the sports field but instead turned toward the library.
Xia Shuyue would be studying there today.
He wanted to see if He Ying truly didn’t care about him anymore.
……….
Regarding horseback riding.
In the original storyline, there was a scene where Xia Shuyue couldn’t ride a horse and was mocked by those around her. The Gentle Prince, Chi Jingsheng, descended like a savior at that moment. Not only did he not mock Xia Shuyue, but he found her helpless demeanor so pure, unpretentious, and unique.
Thus, despite there being several riding instructors available, he ignored that fact and personally guided Xia Shuyue in getting familiar with the horse, teaching her how to interact with it, how to circle around, and how to control it. Finally, the two smiled at each other on the galloping horse, deepening their bond.
Meanwhile, the original villainess, He Ying, believed Chi Jingsheng’s actions were a slap in her face, so she demanded that Chi Jingsheng ride the same horse with her in the riding arena as a demonstration.
This move naturally displeased the instructor, and even the students privately considered such behavior extremely inappropriate in a riding class. For a while, He Ying became a topic of gossip.
Although people feared the He family backing He Ying and dared not discuss loudly, they ultimately looked down on her.
Forgetting the etiquette and dignity she had learned since childhood in a fit of jealousy—those who do not respect themselves will not gain respect from others.
He Ying thought she was now following this part of the plot.
But had Xia Shuyue and Chi Jingsheng already developed mutual affection during the riding class?
How bold! Why hadn’t anyone quietly told her!
If that was the case, she would go and ask personally!
After changing clothes, He Ying didn’t find Chi Jingsheng right away but instead unconsciously walked to her own horse.
The horse He Ying used at school was the one she had always kept at home.
Before coming to school, her father said the horses provided for learning at school had unknown temperaments, unknown pedigrees, and unknown ages. If she didn’t get along with one and it threw her off, he would be so heartbroken at home that he’d faint.
So he brought along the horse that was close to He Ying at home, as well as the people who cared for it, for He Ying.
Before coming to the riding arena, He Ying hadn’t felt much, but after arriving and seeing her beloved horse and the tack she had chosen with her family, that feeling surged instantly.
She! Wanted! To! Ride!
Right! Now!
He Ying learned horseback riding from her father as a child, and during middle school, she basically went to her family’s riding arena every week to gallop a few rounds. Naturally, there wouldn’t be the romantic scenario like Xia Shuyue’s where “you teach me to ride, and I secretly watch you.”
She would only gallop fast in the arena and quickly reach an understanding with her horse, clearing four obstacles in one go!
By the fifth obstacle, cheers had already erupted around her. Many had even come specifically after hearing that He Ying was riding in the arena, wanting to see the legendary young lady’s impressive demeanor on horseback.
Ying Ying also came over.
And… Xia Shuyue.
Xia Shuyue had originally planned to study at the library today, but before heading there, she heard that the young lady was riding at the equestrian center. Unconsciously, she found herself drawn to this place instead.
Inside the equestrian center, He Ying’s gaze was focused and resolute, every movement brimming with strength. Under her command, the horse became gentle and obedient, each leap light and graceful, as if dancing through the air. The harmony between her and the horse was truly astonishing.
At this moment, He Ying’s movements were no longer just sport—they were an art.
So this is what equestrianism is like.
How beautiful.
Xia Shuyue couldn’t help but think so.