Chapter 29: I Told You to Hold On to Me

Although Ruan Li didn’t quite understand why, she nodded sincerely. “It tastes good.”

After all, this was wine from Fu Huaizhou and Jiang Yixing’s table, much more precious than the red wine at typical banquets. Even someone like Ruan Li, who didn’t like drinking, could taste its richness.

Fu Huaizhou raised his eyebrows slightly and cast an almost casual glance at Jiang Yixing across the table. Just as he was about to speak, the livestream screen turned black as the broadcast ended.

“What impeccable timing! Teacher, I want to report this!”

“So, did they just indirectly kiss? I want to see their reactions! Can the director team secretly film this for some bloopers?”

As soon as the livestream ended, two topics shot up the trending searches: “Does using the boss’s wine glass count as an indirect kiss?” and “Ruan Li, the seductress of the Beijing elite.” Another was about Shi Xun: “Shi Xun is about to crash in the finance world.”

The film crew quietly retreated from this tension-filled battlefield.

Fu Huaizhou watched as Ruan Li took another sip from the glass, her lipstick leaving a mark on the rim. He finally spoke, leisurely, “Secretary Ruan, that’s my wine glass.”

Ruan Li froze, glanced at the empty space beside her, and realized that the waiter hadn’t poured her any wine at all. Feeling embarrassed, she quickly put the glass down like it was burning her hands.

“I’m not your secretary. The job’s done, and I’m leaving.”

Jiang Yixing, noticing the tension between the two, felt somewhat relieved and spoke up at the right moment to stop Ruan Li. “There’s a stable behind the estate, Ruan Li. Want to stay and ride horses?”

Ruan Li exchanged a glance with Fu Huaizhou, who watched coldly. Sure enough, the girl who had just been adamant about leaving miraculously sat back down, now quiet as a little chick.

“Not leaving?” he asked coldly.

Ruan Li, feeling guilty, rubbed her nose. Then she remembered she wasn’t his employee anymore, so there was no reason to be afraid. “It’s none of your business.”

In the afternoon, when the sun wasn’t as hot, a group of people made their way to the stable behind the estate. Fu Huaizhou and Jiang Yixing stood at the entrance, waiting for someone to change clothes, while several other Beijing business elites, who were also there for meetings, mingled. Since this was Jiang Yixing’s place, he naturally went to greet them.

As for Fu Huaizhou, people only approached to greet him.

He glanced at the time, not understanding why it could take so long for someone to change into riding clothes. Just as he was starting to worry something had gone wrong, a small, sneaky head peeked out from the door.

Ruan Li, seeing that only he was standing at the entrance, awkwardly cleared her throat. “Fu Huaizhou, could you come in for a moment?”

“What is it?” Fu Huaizhou closed the door after entering, watching as she stood with her back to him. She wore a white shirt under a red riding jacket, making her skin look even fairer, her features even more striking.

Ruan Li pointed at the complicated belt around her waist and said in a small voice, “I can’t figure out how to fasten this belt.”

“Turn around,” Fu Huaizhou said, taking one side of the belt.

Ruan Li obediently turned around, grumbling as she did. “Who puts a belt at the back anyway? No wonder I couldn’t fasten it right.”

As Fu Huaizhou fastened the belt, he noticed how slim her waist was, even more so when the belt cinched it. The fitted riding vest emphasized the advantage of her figure, showing off her curves.

The dressing room grew quiet, the only sounds were their breathing and a faint, elusive scent of roses and lychee.

“Do you want to ride?” he asked in a low voice, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

When Fu Huaizhou spoke, his breath brushed against the back of her neck, making Ruan Li feel ticklish. She shrugged slightly and answered honestly, “I do. My family never let me go to the stables because they said it wasn’t ladylike.”

After a moment, she added warily, “You’re not stopping me just because you don’t like red, are you?”

Fu Huaizhou sighed almost imperceptibly. “No, no one’s stopping you now.”

Ruan Li felt that their current posture was a bit too intimate, especially when she caught a glimpse of them in the mirror nearby. It looked even more awkward, so she urged him, “Are you done yet? Or maybe you don’t know how to fasten it either?”

Just as she finished speaking, his hands landed on her waist, and he suddenly asked, “What’s today’s date?”

Puzzled, Ruan Li replied, “The 21st. Today’s the first day of summer.”

Fu Huaizhou released the belt. “It’s done.”

Ruan Li turned around and admired herself in the mirror, pleased with how the riding outfit looked. But suddenly, Fu Huaizhou tapped her forehead lightly. Startled, she covered her forehead, confused. “What was that for?”

“Fool.” He tossed out the word, pushed open the door, and left.

Ruan Li, now used to being unable to figure him out, decided to drop it since she would soon be busy with horseback riding. When she stepped outside, Jiang Yixing was waiting for her.

“There’s a little white horse here. It should be perfect for you.”

Looking at the gentle-looking snow-white horse being led out by the staff, Ruan Li eagerly wanted to start riding.

“Try it first. I’ll lead it for you,” Jiang Yixing said, taking the reins from the staff and helping her onto the horse.

Ruan Li was a bit nervous at first, clinging to the horse’s neck, but Jiang Yixing led it slowly. “Relax, didn’t you learn this in high school? Holding on like that will startle the horse.”

Ruan Li loosened her grip and straightened up, just in time to see Fu Huaizhou approaching on a tall black horse. His movements were practiced, and his cold gaze landed on her.

“You don’t know how to ride?” Fu Huaizhou asked, watching the teaching scene unfold. Given her excitement earlier, he had assumed she was an experienced rider.

Ruan Li glanced at her small horse, then at his tall black one, the size difference all too apparent. She snorted. “I’m learning now. I’ll figure it out soon.”

“You won’t learn that way,” Fu Huaizhou remarked as he rode closer, the distance between their horses becoming a bit risky.

Before Ruan Li could figure out what he was up to, Fu Huaizhou’s hand landed on her waist, and he lifted her off her horse. She felt suspended in mid-air for a moment and let out a startled scream.

“Open your eyes,” Fu Huaizhou said in a deep voice.

Ruan Li cautiously opened one eye and found herself in a warm embrace, now sitting on the black horse, face-to-face with Fu Huaizhou. She was at a much higher vantage point than before.

“Let me down! I can learn on my own,” Ruan Li’s voice trembled. She was terrified she would fall and seriously hurt herself.

But Fu Huaizhou didn’t release his grip around her waist; instead, he tightened his hold, pulling her closer. Her upper body was now pressed tightly against his, leaving no space between them.

“Hold on,” he said, gently patting her waist.

Ruan Li quickly shook her head, burying her face in his shoulder and shouting, “I can’t hold the horse’s neck sitting like this!”

Fu Huaizhou chuckled, amused by her response. He gave the reins a light tug, and the black horse began to trot. Leaning in closer, he whispered, “I told you to hold on to me.”