“God, he looks like a prince.”

“No, it’s princes who are like him. If there were any, they should look like this.”

*******

Bian Yiqiu was a very filial son. The year after he kneeled before Master Jiu, he gave his godfather a big gift for his birthday—two beautiful British thoroughbred horses, one brown and one white. They were just right for filling up the large horse ranch that Li Jiu had recently developed near Xuyuan.

Originally, he only planned to buy one. His savings were only enough for one. But when the little brown cutie, named Howard, who had already been reserved, stepped out of the stable, its long mane flowing and its strong hooves pounding, standing in the brilliant sunlight with its majestic posture, Bian Yiqiu suddenly noticed another striking white one in the stable.

He raised his hand and pointed, asking the stable boy to bring that one out as well.

A tall, pure white horse, as pristine as snow, stepped forward with elegant grace. Its beauty was breathtaking, and Bian Yiqiu found himself utterly captivated, unable to look away. He hesitated, his hand hovering as if afraid to touch such perfection. Its long neck, smooth coat, and dignified poise with every step, paired with the pure gaze beneath its long lashes, exuded an almost ethereal charm. Overwhelmed by the sight, Bian Yiqiu, who was never good with words, swallowed hard. Faced with such flawless beauty, all he could think was, “Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap…”

He snapped out of it and went to find the seller, saying: “I’ll take them. No matter the price, I’ll put a gun down as collateral. You name your price, and I’ll go get the money.”

In the end, it didn’t cost an outrageous amount. Bian Yiqiu managed to bring both horses back to Z City as he had hoped. In the pedigree records, the brown one was named Howard, and the white one was named George. Along with them came a trainer, with a three-month work period, responsible for helping the horses transition and adapt to their new environment.

Li Jiu was very pleased with the generous gift and asked Bian Yiqiu, “Why buy two? Are they meant to keep each other company?”

Bian Yiqiu grinned and said, “I just thought it was perfect. I couldn’t bear to let someone else have it. Only someone like you deserves such a beauty by your side.”

Li Jiu laughed loudly, patting him on the back, and said, “I didn’t know you were such a smooth talker, Xiao Qiu.” Bian Yiqiu laughed along, his eyes briefly glancing at Shi Anzhi, who was standing next to Li Jiu.

Actually, when he first saw the white horse, the first thought that flashed through his mind was that this treasure would be a perfect match for Uncle Shi.

It seemed Bian Yiqiu wasn’t the only one who had that thought.

The horse trainer was British but could speak Chinese. He communicated with Li Jiu and the others through a mix of words and gestures, explaining Howard and George’s likes, dislikes, and quirks. He then suggested that they use carrots and sugar to win over the two little cuties. If the bond developed well, they could try saddling them later to test their compatibility.

Li Jiu grabbed two carrots and handed them to Shi Anzhi, pointing at George, saying, “Take care of this little treasure.”

Shi Anzhi didn’t take the carrots. He walked over, gently stroked the white horse’s long nose, then pressed his forehead against George’s face, softly saying something. George blinked his long lashes, and his round, bright pupils reflected the face of this Eastern man, his smile as gentle as a spring breeze.

The snow-white horse bent its long neck, its mane like a waterfall, and gently rubbed its shoulder against Shi Anzhi’s.

The trainer gave a signal, indicating that Shi Anzhi could mount the horse. Smiling, Shi Anzhi rubbed George’s ears, which stood upright like bamboo shoots, and said, “Take care of me.” With that, he gripped the saddle, placed his foot in the stirrup, and smoothly mounted the horse.

George cooperated, taking two steps back. In the slight swaying motion, Shi Anzhi sat steadily on the horse, then leaned forward to affectionately pat George’s neck. As he straightened up, he casually took the reins, guiding George into a turn. The horse moved with light, graceful steps. On George’s back, Shi Anzhi stood tall, his shoulders back and waist straight, his body gently rising and falling with the horse’s rhythm. The brilliant sunlight outlined a stunning silhouette of man and horse, dazzling and impossible to look at directly

Li Jiu and Bian Yiqiu both watched intently, while the trainer, speaking in somewhat awkward Chinese, exaggeratedly remarked, “Goodness, he looks just like a prince.”

Li Jiu chuckled, casting a glance at the trainer with an expression that Bian Yiqiu found hard to describe, his tone almost brimming with pride.

“No, it’s princes who are like him. If there were any, they should look like this.”

Li Jiu had someone custom-make riding outfits for them. He wore black, while Shi Anzhi’s outfit was silver-white.

Shi Anzhi had grown very close to George and even gave the horse a Chinese name, “Qiubao,” since George was born in September.

Howard had a very bad temper and would only obey Li Jiu. Bian Yiqiu later learned why the seller was willing to part with this extraordinary four-year-old stallion for a relatively low price. It was because no rider could stay on its back for more than ten minutes.

Li Jiu tamed Howard with a simple yet brutal method: carrots and a stick. The trainers couldn’t do anything with it because the horse was worth a fortune, and they didn’t dare to hurt it too much. In Li Jiu’s eyes, it was just a big pet. If it obeyed, it got food; if it didn’t, it got hit until it did. If it still acted up, then it didn’t deserve to live.

The last time Howard was punished was because it tried to nibble on Shi Anzhi’s clothes and attempted to trip him. Shi Anzhi was completely unaware, and before he could react, the whip came down with precise force, striking somewhere between excruciating pain and drawing blood. The flexible tip of the whip landed on Howard’s nose, causing the seemingly innocent-looking horse to drop a large tear from its eye.

A low, painful hiss came from behind, startling Shi Anzhi, who turned around to find Li Jiu, half-smiling, patting Howard’s neck. He could guess what had happened and reached out to rub Howard’s agitated ears, saying with a laugh, “When a kid doesn’t listen, just change their name and it’ll be easier to handle. No more Western names. Let’s call you Chunbao. Born in April, and still so stupid.”

Li Jiu burst into laughter, knowing that this was Shi Anzhi’s subtle form of retaliation. Earlier, Howard had nearly thrown him off its back, and Shi Anzhi, usually calm, had been so startled and angry that he demanded the temperamental horse be sent away immediately. It was Li Jiu’s repeated assurances that he had a way to tame it that convinced Shi Anzhi to set a one-month deadline. If Howard still didn’t behave, Li Jiu was absolutely forbidden from going near it again.

But who is Master Li Jiu? Could he not handle a mere beast? This time, he was going to demonstrate his horse-training results to Shi Anzhi.

Li Jiu led Chunbao out. After two or three months of careful care, the brown horse was sleek and glossy, its coat shimmering like satin under the sunlight, muscles flowing and rippling with each step. The ground left shallow impressions with every hoofbeat. Its long mane cascaded down, and its frame stood tall and proud, complemented by a full set of custom luxury-brand tack. From head to hoof, it exuded two words: expensive and dominant.

Li Jiu mounted the horse with a graceful motion. While his riding skills were average, the way his long legs swung over the saddle was undeniably impressive. With a quick tug of the reins, the brown horse proudly lifted its head and took a few quick steps. Li Jiu gave a slight nod, signaling Shi Anzhi to mount as well. The heel of his boot and the spurs lightly nudged Chunbao’s belly. The fiery horse let out a loud neigh, showing its impatience as white mist blew from its nostrils. However, the reins were firmly controlled by a pair of strong hands, and despite its restlessness, the horse stomped in place, occasionally trying to shake its head. But the man on its back decisively suppressed any rebellious attempts.

As Shi Anzhi led the completely snow-white Qiubao out and mounted, the fiery-tempered Chunbao could no longer contain itself. As soon as the reins loosened slightly, it suddenly leaped forward like an arrow released from a bow, its mane flowing and tail billowing behind it. The heavy thuds of its hooves hit the soft green grass, leaving a visible trail of mud in its wake.

Shi Anzhi was shocked, quickly urging the horse forward with a sharp squeeze of its sides and a command. The white horse followed suit, letting out a low neigh as it chased after its companion.

However, by the time they started, it was already too late to close the gap.

Shi Anzhi had always only trained Qiubao at a gentle pace in the training grounds, never letting the horse sprint like this. But now, his eyes were fixed on the growing distance between himself and Li Jiu ahead. A sense of dread suddenly washed over him as he feared for the reckless horse’s potential to harm someone.

No matter how heroic and skilled Li Jiu seemed, he was still just an ordinary person with limited experience in riding. And that wild creature was still far from fully tamed—what if… what if…

Shi Anzhi clenched his lips, pressing his heels hard into the white horse’s sides. He wasn’t the type to easily lose his calm, but the person ahead was his Xiao Jiu.

Chunbao had completely lost control, speeding up, its hooves barely touching the ground as its powerful muscles surged, pushing Shi Anzhi’s blood into a wild frenzy. The grass field sloped down from a high point, and after a brief sprint, he finally closed the gap with Li Jiu, who was now within sight. He could clearly see the straight back and waist of Li Jiu’s riding attire. The sound of galloping hooves came from behind, and the man ahead seemed to hear it. He suddenly pulled hard on the reins, and the wild horse let out a furious neigh. It couldn’t stop its wild nature, but in the midst of the furious sprint, Li Jiu managed to forcefully redirect its course.

Shi Anzhi watched in alarm as the beautiful, furious beast reared up, its front hooves in the air as if it might throw its rider off at any moment. Li Jiu’s arms tightened around the reins, pulling them so taut they look like a string on the verge of snapping. His long, straight legs in riding gear clung to the stirrups with all their might, while his boots dangerously pressed against the horse’s sides, holding on by a razor-thin margin.

In the midst of the brown horse’s frantic, uncontrolled neighing, Li Jiu shouted fiercely. His hands, gripping the reins, dug into the leather, every knuckle pressing into the material as his arms and shoulders braced with all their might. He fought the rebellious beast beneath him, struggling to control the wild animal. The horse, high-spirited and furious, leaped and charged, but it couldn’t break free from the tight hold Li Jiu had on it. Though his riding skills were ordinary, his willpower and physical strength were almost terrifying, allowing him to dominate this wild battle and keep control of the situation.

Throughout the entire ordeal, Shi Anzhi could only ride in circles nearby, his anxiety building. His eyes were bloodshot, his frustration mounting as he repeatedly wanted to rush forward, but each time, he had to retreat, his heart burning with impatience, forced to watch helplessly from the sidelines.

He watched as Li Jiu struggled alone, locked in a fierce battle with the wild horse. He saw Li Jiu’s face twisted in agony, shouting out in fury, his murderous aura as sharp as a bloodstained blade. In that moment, Shi Anzhi’s spine prickled with an intense, spine-chilling fear. The combination of cold terror and burning anger drained the strength from his body, leaving him barely holding on. The only thing keeping him upright on the horse was the last thread of determination, forcing him to sit straight, his eyes never leaving the tense standoff, watching as the situation slowly tipped, inch by inch.

Li Jiu finally subdued the wild beast beneath him. The horse, now completely exhausted from its rampage, was slick with sweat, its glossy coat shining as if it had been washed in honey. Li Jiu exhaled a heavy breath, absentmindedly licking the bloodstained taste from his lips. He seemed like someone who had just walked out from a brutal battlefield, his blood still boiling with adrenaline. Steadying himself, he dismounted, giving the horse’s neck a firm pat before letting the exhausted creature rest.

He tugged at the collar of his riding gear, undoing a few buttons, revealing a broad chest drenched in sweat. The muscles beneath it heaved with a primal, fiery energy. As Li Jiu made his way toward Shi Anzhi, his posture was three parts disheveled, seven parts casual, and one hundred percent dangerous and alluring.

The gleaming boots crunched over the short grass, the sound of footsteps rustling beneath. The wind brushed away the thin layer of sweat on his forehead. Li Jiu approached, looking up at Shi Anzhi, who wore a serious expression. He blinked, then suddenly lifted the hem of his riding outfit and dropped to one knee in a formal knight’s gesture, his hand pressed to his chest.

With a slightly mischievous yet respectful smile, Li Jiu bowed his head toward Shi Anzhi, who was perched on the white horse.

“Fortunately, I didn’t disgrace myself.”