UI CH 45

Hearing that there were horses, Shen Ran became even more interested, though he also felt a little nervous.
“Are there other people in this villa?” he asked.

Zhao Jiyu understood what he was worried about and smiled before leading him out of the car. The two of them stepped onto the stairs, and just as they reached the top, the double wooden doors—dark brown with a grand design—swung open from the inside.

To Shen Ran’s surprise, the person who greeted them was none other than Old Wu, dressed casually.

Not expecting to see a familiar face here, Shen Ran was a little taken aback. Zhao Jiyu explained,
“Everyone else is on vacation. Only Old Wu is here.”

“That’s right.”
Old Wu handed them each a pair of slippers as they sat down on the bench to change their shoes.
“Jiyu called me yesterday afternoon to prepare everything. There’s a big meal waiting for you later.”

As he spoke, Old Wu even winked at Shen Ran, making him laugh. After changing shoes, Shen Ran glanced into the foyer.

The villa’s interior matched the elegant style of the courtyard outside. It was sophisticated yet grand. From the living room, one could look up all the way to the third floor, where an intricately carved dome-shaped skylight let in natural sunlight. The entire hall was bathed in bright, natural light.

Directly in front of them, two towering arched floor-to-ceiling windows provided a view of the outside. Beyond the lush green lawn, part of the horse stable was visible. Shen Ran walked over, took a quick look out the window, then turned back to Zhao Jiyu.

Zhao Jiyu had just finished talking to Old Wu. Catching Shen Ran’s gaze, he smiled and said,
“Let’s go upstairs first.”

Shen Ran followed him to the second floor. The villa’s staircase was built along the walls, spiraling around the central hall in two loops, maximizing the sense of spaciousness. The second floor had a simpler layout compared to the first. Several closed doors lined the hallway, and there were open-air balconies on both the east and west sides.

Zhao Jiyu led him to the rightmost room on the third floor and pushed the door open. As Shen Ran stepped inside, he immediately noticed that the room’s decor was completely different from the rest of the villa. It had a minimalist and cool-toned style, matching Zhao Jiyu’s bedroom at home.

When he opened the closet door, he was finally certain—this was Zhao Jiyu’s room.

Zhao Jiyu took a brand-new set of equestrian gear from the wall and handed it to Shen Ran.
“Put this on.”

Shen Ran examined the brown riding outfit, but before he could say anything, Zhao Jiyu smiled and stepped closer.
“If you don’t know how to wear it, I can help you.”

Shen Ran pushed him out of the changing room, shut the door, and began changing. Zhao Jiyu had even prepared riding socks and short boots for him, and everything fit perfectly. Shen Ran couldn’t help but wonder how he had managed to get his exact measurements.

When he stepped out, Zhao Jiyu handed him gloves and a helmet before crouching down to secure his protective gear.

Shen Ran looked down at Zhao Jiyu’s movements—his hands adjusting the guards between his thighs and knees. Even though there was nothing inappropriate about it, the touch reminded him of that night, the one he wasn’t sure was a dream or reality, when Zhao Jiyu’s hands had lingered in the same way, stirring up a forbidden impulse.

When Zhao Jiyu finished and looked up, his gaze lingered for a moment, his expression briefly dazed. Shen Ran realized what had caught his attention and immediately turned around, using the act of putting on his helmet to hide his embarrassment.

A slight rustling sound came from behind him. Frustrated, he fumbled with the helmet’s buckle, but no matter how he tried, he couldn’t fasten it properly. Just then, a pair of hands reached from either side of his shoulders, gently grasping his own.
“Let me do it,” Zhao Jiyu said.

The touch of his warm skin against Shen Ran’s hand felt like a burn. Shen Ran instinctively pulled back, but Zhao Jiyu calmly secured the buckle for him without lingering. Then, without another word, he turned and walked away. By the time Shen Ran looked back, he was already at the door.

“I’m out of time. Old Wu will take you to pick a horse and teach you the basics,”
Zhao Jiyu said before disappearing from sight, leaving only the sound of his footsteps fading down the stairs.

After meeting up with Old Wu, Shen Ran followed him to the stables.

“This place is usually pretty empty,”
Old Wu said as they walked across the grass. He pointed to a moderately sized riding area ahead.
“Mr. Zhao used to love horseback riding when he was younger, but after he fell and was bedridden for half a year, his doctor advised him to stop.”

“How many horses are there?” Shen Ran asked while scanning the area.

“Only three left. No one in the Zhao family is really into horseback riding except for Jiyu. But even he doesn’t come here often—this is actually the first time I’ve seen him bring a friend.”

As Old Wu spoke, he squinted toward the stable in the distance. Behind him, Shen Ran was lost in thought and didn’t notice a small hole in the ground, nearly tripping over it.

Inside the stable, a distinctive scent filled the air. Old Wu explained that a groom cleaned the area daily and that it was already quite tidy. Then, he led Shen Ran to a horse.

“This is Zhao Jiyu’s horse. His name is Medusa.”

“Medusa?”
Shen Ran repeated in Chinese.

Before him stood a tall, powerful black stallion with strong, muscular legs and a sleek, glossy coat. Even to someone unfamiliar with horses, it was clear this was a fine animal.

Old Wu nodded. “He’s a male.”

Shen Ran chuckled, then removed his gloves as Old Wu instructed and tentatively reached out to stroke the horse’s face.

“He gave a male horse a name like this? Kind of suits his personality.”

Old Wu handed him some hay and showed him how to feed Medusa.
“I also thought the name was interesting when I first heard it. But after saying it enough times, it started to feel fitting. He looks mesmerizing when he runs.”

Medusa was not only good-looking but also had a temperament unlike most horses—he wasn’t wary of strangers or resistant to people. Whether Shen Ran stroked him or fed him hay, he remained calm and obedient.

After they had spent some time together, Old Wu dusted off his hands and led out a smaller horse that stood about chest-high to Shen Ran.
“Come on, let’s take it outside for a try.”

Shen Ran glanced at the horse Old Wu had brought out, then at Medusa, who remained in his stall, and asked with genuine confusion,
“I’m not riding Medusa?”

Old Wu chuckled.
“You’re a beginner. You can’t ride Medusa—if you fall, it’ll be a disaster. Start with Guji first.”

Meanwhile, Zhao Jiyu had just finished tasting the wine sent over by Ma Tai. He returned to his room to change into his equestrian gear, then glanced out the floor-to-ceiling windows toward the riding arena before pulling out his phone to take a few photos.

The person he secretly photographed was completely unaware, struggling with all his might to stay balanced on Guji’s back.

Shen Ran had clearly underestimated the difficulty of horseback riding. He had hoped to quickly master the skill and ride the majestic Medusa, but even Guji was proving to be a challenge.

At some point—he had lost count of how many times—he was jolted so hard that he nearly fell to the side. Just as he was about to topple over, a hand caught his waist, steadying him. Zhao Jiyu took the reins from his hands and gently stroked Guji’s mane.

Shen Ran turned his head and met Zhao Jiyu’s gaze.
“Your waist okay?”
Zhao Jiyu asked.

Shen Ran shook his head, his eyes briefly scanning Zhao Jiyu’s all-black riding attire before settling on his face. He couldn’t help but think that Zhao Jiyu really was a natural clothes model—he looked good in anything.

“Guji is a bit mischievous, but he’s the smallest horse here. Just spend some time getting familiar with him.”
Zhao Jiyu then leaned in to whisper something to Guji. The horse lifted its head and let out a soft neigh before shaking its head and continuing forward.

Zhao Jiyu loosened the reins slightly but kept his hand on Shen Ran’s waist. Whenever Shen Ran wobbled, he would use his other hand to support him. Guji also became much more obedient, trotting steadily in circles without any sudden jolts.

As Shen Ran got used to the gentle rhythm of riding, he visibly relaxed. Seeing that he could now control the horse on his own, Zhao Jiyu had him dismount and take a break while he went to fetch Medusa.

Sitting on the ground nearby, Shen Ran drank from a water bottle and watched as Zhao Jiyu led Medusa to the center of the arena. The horse’s powerful physique only made its rider appear even more upright and imposing.

Zhao Jiyu stroked Medusa’s face and belly before swinging his leg over the saddle in one smooth motion. He leaned forward slightly, tightened his grip on the reins, and gave a slight squeeze to Medusa’s sides. Instantly, the horse sprang forward, dashing across the field like an arrow slicing through the wind.

Shen Ran forgot to even put the cap back on his water bottle. He stood up, eyes glued to the sight of Zhao Jiyu and Medusa racing together. It felt like he had only blinked a few times before Zhao Jiyu had already galloped back toward him, kicking up a gust of wind as he passed, only to speed off again to the far end of the arena.

After running five laps in one go, Zhao Jiyu finally pulled the reins, and Medusa gradually came to a stop, causing Zhao Jiyu to rise and fall slightly with its movements. His posture was natural, and he sat relaxed in the saddle. His tight riding pants outlined the muscles in his legs—firm and smooth. Shen Ran felt a little parched just looking at him. By the time he finished drinking his bottled water, Zhao Jiyu had already approached him.

Medusa’s hooves kicked up a bit of dust as Zhao Jiyu asked, “Do you want to give it a try?”

Following Zhao Jiyu back to the stables, Shen Ran watched as Old Wu switched Medusa to a double saddle. Zhao Jiyu helped him up first, and after he settled in, Zhao Jiyu stepped into the stirrups and mounted behind him.

As soon as Zhao Jiyu got comfortable, his chest pressed against Shen Ran’s back. His arms stretched past Shen Ran’s sides, reaching forward to grasp the reins.

His breath landed near Shen Ran’s ear, his deep voice rolling across his sensitive earlobe like polished beads:
“Hold onto the handgrip, relax your body, you don’t have to be afraid—I’m here.”

Shen Ran retorted that he wasn’t afraid, but before he could finish, Zhao Jiyu nudged Medusa’s sides. The well-trained horse immediately broke into a gallop. Shen Ran barely had time to adjust his breathing before he was forced to lean back against Zhao Jiyu’s chest. The sudden jolt left him struggling to form words.

Zhao Jiyu, experienced in horseback riding, kept a firm hold on him from behind. To prevent him from getting hurt, he even let go of the reins with his left hand and wrapped his entire arm around Shen Ran’s waist, securing him tightly in his embrace.

Shen Ran gripped the saddle’s handhold, adjusting his balance under Zhao Jiyu’s guidance to match Medusa’s rhythm. He gradually got used to it—what had initially been stiff and disorienting became a coordinated effort, and even the bouncing no longer felt unbearable.

Zhao Jiyu hadn’t expected him to learn so quickly. However, despite his growing confidence, Zhao Jiyu still hadn’t loosened his arm around him. Shen Ran didn’t try to remove it either. The two of them moved in sync with Medusa’s gallop. By the fourth lap, Zhao Jiyu leaned in close to Shen Ran’s ear and asked, “Doesn’t this feel amazing?”

His voice was partially drowned out by the wind. All Shen Ran felt was a rush of warm breath tickling his ear. Unable to make out the words, he instinctively turned his head and asked, “What?”

Zhao Jiyu was still close to his ear, and as Shen Ran turned, his lips brushed against the curve of Shen Ran’s earlobe before landing on his cheek.

Shen Ran’s body stiffened instantly, throwing off his coordination. He wobbled, nearly thrown off balance by inertia. Fortunately, Zhao Jiyu had kept him firmly in his arms. He immediately tightened the reins and squeezed Medusa’s sides, signaling the horse to slow down. Only then did Shen Ran finally catch his breath, his back sinking against Zhao Jiyu’s chest.

Zhao Jiyu looked at him.
“Are you okay?”

Shen Ran shook his head. The entire moment had lasted only a few seconds—he hadn’t even had time to react, let alone think. If Zhao Jiyu hadn’t caught him in time, he didn’t even want to imagine what would’ve happened if he had fallen.

The warmth radiating from behind him was intense, Zhao Jiyu’s chest a solid wall supporting him. Looking down at the arm still securely wrapped around his waist, Shen Ran felt an unfamiliar emotion rising in his heart.

“Do you want to take a break?” Zhao Jiyu asked from behind.

Medusa had slowed to a gentler pace, and Shen Ran no longer felt uneasy. In fact, he was beginning to enjoy the sensation of riding and gazing out at the vast landscape. He shook his head.
“No, let’s go for a few more laps.”

Zhao Jiyu reminded him to hold on tight, and the two of them continued riding together. As Shen Ran admired the vast sky and clouds stretching endlessly before them, his mood soared.

Remembering that Old Wu had mentioned he was the first friend Zhao Jiyu had ever brought here, he turned to ask, “You’ve never brought other friends here to ride before?”

His voice was slightly hoarse from the wind. Zhao Jiyu chuckled.
“Old Wu told you that?”

“Yeah.”

“I haven’t brought anyone else. You’re the only one.”

Something about that answer pleased Shen Ran. A bright, open smile spread across his face. Zhao Jiyu tilted his head, watching him. The more he looked, the more he wanted to kiss him. Leaning in even closer, he asked,
“You’re happy?”

Shen Ran nodded.

“Then come with me more often.”

Zhao Jiyu spoke close to Shen Ran’s ear. Not only did Shen Ran hear him clearly, but he also felt that same fleeting touch—almost like a kiss. Remembering the brief contact on his cheek earlier, he suddenly realized just how close he and Zhao Jiyu were.

He tried to move forward slightly, but Zhao Jiyu misunderstood, thinking he wanted to shift further ahead. He moved along with him, which only made Shen Ran notice something was off.

Unfamiliar with the structure of the saddle, Shen Ran assumed he had touched something and instinctively reached back to check. The moment his hand made contact, he quickly withdrew it in shock.

The person behind him didn’t react with any inappropriate remarks. Instead, after Medusa had run a bit further, Zhao Jiyu finally spoke in a low voice, “Sorry, I didn’t do that on purpose.”

Staring straight ahead, Shen Ran struggled to maintain his composure, but that apology completely shattered it. By the time they finally dismounted, he avoided looking at Zhao Jiyu altogether and walked ahead toward the villa.

Zhao Jiyu followed behind in silence. Neither of them spoke, but after a while, Shen Ran’s pace noticeably slowed. Zhao Jiyu understood why and stepped forward to remind him, “Let’s take a break. It’s normal for you to be sore—it’s your first time riding.”

Shen Ran didn’t want to hear any of that. He stubbornly pushed forward, but by the time he reached the villa, the pain in his inner thighs had become unbearable.

Zhao Jiyu told him to take a shower first. Shen Ran went into the en-suite bathroom of the room he had been in earlier. When he took off his riding pants, he checked his legs—thanks to the thick fabric, his skin wasn’t chafed, but his muscles and bones had definitely suffered.

After showering, Shen Ran changed into the T-shirt and beach shorts Zhao Jiyu had prepared for him. The clothes were in Zhao Jiyu’s size, but since their builds weren’t too different, they fit well. However, when he got to Zhao Jiyu’s underwear, he hesitated for a moment. Thinking back to the awkward moment on horseback, he felt his ears burning even more, the heat never subsiding.

Dinner was served in the dining room on the east side of the first floor. The room was comfortably air-conditioned, and a European-style long table sat at the center. A decorative vase held a bouquet of blooming champagne roses, while a decanter beside it was filled with fragrant red wine.

Seated across from each other, Zhao Jiyu and Shen Ran both had a plate of pan-seared veal in front of them, accompanied by several elegantly plated Western dishes.

The restaurant had three walls made of floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Thick blackout curtains were pulled to the sides, and through the sheer drapes, one could glimpse the hazy scenery of the courtyard bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun.

Shen Ran sipped the red wine Zhao Jiyu had poured for him. The wine had just been received today, and although he couldn’t distinguish its grade, he found it smooth on the palate without any bitterness, with a rich grape aroma—truly a good wine.

Zhao Jiyu had opened two bottles to let them breathe. From appetizers to dessert, they drank and chatted, and the awkward atmosphere from earlier had long dissipated. By the time they were full and satisfied, the last traces of the sunset had been swallowed by the evening darkness. Shen Ran squinted up at the crystal chandelier above, the light dispersing in his pupils. He raised a hand to shield his eyes, propping himself up on the table and saying,
“I’m going to lie down on the sofa for a bit. Call me when it’s time to leave.”

Zhao Jiyu came over to support him.
“Don’t go back tonight. Just sleep here.”

“Not going back?”

Shen Ran turned his head to ask, and Zhao Jiyu naturally hooked an arm around his shoulders.
“Yeah, today was tiring. I don’t feel like driving.”

That afternoon, they had gone horseback riding. Though it hadn’t been for long, the physical exertion was considerable, especially under the scorching sun. Now, with the alcohol settling in, Shen Ran didn’t feel like moving either. He nodded, leaning half his body against Zhao Jiyu.
“Then where do I sleep?”

His mind was much clearer than that night before. Zhao Jiyu led him upstairs.
“No one usually comes here. The other rooms aren’t prepared. Only my bedroom is usable.”

Reaching the last step to the second floor, Shen Ran hesitated, staring at the row of tightly shut doors.

Zhao Jiyu didn’t give him time to think and pulled him up to the third floor. Once in the bedroom, he helped him onto the bed.

The moment his backside touched the mattress, Shen Ran inhaled sharply. The bed wasn’t hard, but when he sat down, his legs gave out slightly, and the area he had strained while riding earlier was pressed uncomfortably.

Zhao Jiyu placed his hands on both sides of Shen Ran’s thighs, slipping them between his legs and the mattress.
“Does it hurt here?”

His fingers moved slightly, and Shen Ran frowned uncomfortably, letting out a muffled sound.

“Lie down first. I’ll get some ointment to massage it.”

Supporting Shen Ran’s shoulders so he could rest against the pillow, Zhao Jiyu turned and went downstairs. He found a new tube of ointment from the medicine cabinet and returned to the room, only to see that Shen Ran had already flipped over onto his stomach and was on the phone.

Locking the door behind him, Zhao Jiyu walked to the bed and sat down. Seeing Shen Ran glance at him without objecting, he squeezed out some ointment onto his fingers and slipped them under the hem of Shen Ran’s beach shorts, massaging near his hip bone.

Shen Ran was on the phone with Ji Minglun, who was calling to inform him that the information he had asked for a few days ago was now available for pickup.

Since Zhao Jiyu had already started massaging him, Shen Ran didn’t say much to Ji Minglun. Once he hung up and rested his head back on the pillow, Zhao Jiyu casually mentioned seeing the young man next to Ji Minglun at the competition the other day.

With his eyes closed, Shen Ran was feeling so relaxed from the massage that even his voice carried a nasal tone.
“You weren’t mistaken. That’s his boyfriend, Jiang Lin. They only recently got together.”

The hands on his legs paused briefly before continuing. Shen Ran didn’t notice the momentary hesitation. The soreness in his thighs quickly eased under the combined effect of the menthol ointment and the massage. A sigh of relief escaped him as he started drifting off in comfort.

At that moment, Zhao Jiyu suddenly asked a question out of nowhere:
“What about you?”

Shen Ran was too drowsy to catch the meaning.
“What?”

Leaning close to his ear, Zhao Jiyu lowered his voice.
“You’ve already tried being with a man. Have you considered getting a boyfriend?”