Ji Kongqing seemed to smile, his voice seeming to have a seductive quality, but upon closer listening, it remained as polite and gentlemanly as ever. 

“Want to go a little faster?” 

“Come on!” The competitive spirit surged, and Lu Xi responded loudly. 

His voice was carried by the wind to the knight’s ears. 

The knight’s arms exerted force, and the slightly inward movement embraced the person in front in a more restrained and controlling manner. 

Yet he restrained himself, maintaining the last sliver of distance. 

Jing Shuang neighed, raising its head, and galloped off. 

The pure white steed was plated with a dazzling golden light under the sun, its hooves lightly leaping over one low fence after another. 

Each time it leaped, the horse’s tense and relaxing muscles would push Lu Xi heavily against Ji Kongqing’s chest. 

Each time it plunged, it would push Ji Kongqing closer to Lu Xi’s back. 

Again and again. 

Birds were startled, flapping their wings and flying into the distance, disappearing into the woods. 

… 

When Jing Shuang finally slowed its pace contentedly and walked back to the fence, both of them were sweating slightly at their temples. 

Ji Kongqing dismounted, his movements practiced, his legs and arms intentionally avoiding Lu Xi. 

Lu Xi sat on the horse, his mind devoid of any dirty thoughts. 

The hot breath that had brushed against his neck and cheeks seemed to linger on his skin. 

He gripped the reins tightly, then slowly released them. 

So, even the most proper and rigid men, during exercise, will have a strong display of hormones. 

Their breathing will also become rapid and hot. 

…Should he have really come to this horse farm today? 

Lu Xi asked himself. 

Even though he had only ridden a horse, Lu Xi felt a shocking and explosive sensation, like a bolt of lightning striking the earth. 

Although he was the one trying to cause trouble, he was also the one who was left at a disadvantage. 

This wasn’t right. 

So, when Ji Kongqing politely reached out to help Lu Xi dismount, Lu Xi not only didn’t refuse, but also reached out to grasp Ji Kongqing’s forearm for support, and then, when dismounting… holding his breath, he boldly reached back and touched Professor Ji’s forearm. 

Lu Xi’s movements were swift, but forceful and noticeable. 

The action was so obvious that no one could possibly consider it an accident. 

Ji Kongqing’s reaction was equally quick. 

—Before Lu Xi could withdraw his hand, he grabbed Lu Xi’s wrist. 

Tightly. 

The moment their eyes met, both of them looked away in a fluster. 

Ji Kongqing realized the inappropriateness of his action, and released Lu Xi’s wrist as if he had been burned: “Sorry, I thought you weren’t steady, so…” 

Lu Xi heard Ji Kongqing’s perfect excuse, his eyes complex. 

What else could he say? 

Could he say he did it on purpose? 

So Lu Xi could only reply dryly: “…Thank you.” 

“It’s too hot, why don’t we go change clothes?” Lu Xi couldn’t stay at the horse farm any longer. 

Besides, the drawbacks of his lack of exercise finally showed; if he continued, his legs and waist wouldn’t be able to work tomorrow. 

Ji Kongqing’s original plan was to lead the horse and walk slowly with Lu Xi, allowing them more time together, more conversation, perhaps to gain more ground. 

But now… 

“Okay.” 

Ji Kongqing’s hand dropped, shifting his body uncomfortably, his lips slightly tightened. 

… 

Ji Kongqing was clearly a frequent member of this horse farm. 

Lu Xi and Ji Kongqing came together, so the bathing area and changing rooms were in the same suite. 

Steam filled the air, Lu Xi rubbed shampoo into his hair, quickly washing himself with a refreshing hot shower. 

Washing away the sweat also seemed to wash away the ambiguous and throbbing feelings from the horse’s back. 

Turning off the water and stepping out of the glass door, Lu Xi stood in front of the washbasin, wiping his hair in the mirror, recalling the scene at the horse farm. 

He wasn’t sure if he had given Ji Kongqing a clear and unambiguous hint—that sounded really strange. 

Lu Xi wrinkled his nose, his hair-drying movements becoming rougher. 

It wasn’t that his will wasn’t firm, but Professor Ji was like a suit succubus, easily making his head dizzy. 

Lu Xi had several moments when he thought— 

If he really had to get married, Professor Ji might be the most comfortable choice. 

Tsk. 

What a terrible thought. 

What he couldn’t accept the most was marriage or arranged marriage based on a blind date. 

Lu Xi looked up at himself in the mirror. 

The fair-skinned young man was wearing a bathrobe, with damp, light-colored hair sticking to his cheeks, and a soft white towel on his head. 

Water droplets dripped from the towel onto the floor, spreading a small dark stain. 

But even so, he was undeniably pure, lacking in sensuality. 

Lu Xi stared at his deceptively well-behaved face for a long time, suddenly feeling that he couldn’t blame Ji Kongqing for the misunderstanding. 

Sometimes, looking at his own face, he felt that his well-behaved appearance gave off a guilty feeling of being suggestive. 

…He should make things clear at the next meeting. 

This wasn’t a muse, it was a succubus. 

The succubus’s temptation was terrifying. 

If there was a third meeting, he really wouldn’t be able to hold out. 

Thinking about what he would say, Lu Xi walked out of the bathroom, his slightly long wolf tail ruffled. 

The VIP suite at the horse farm was naturally well-equipped, with the bathroom and hotel bathroom having a similar structure, separated into wet and dry areas, and spacious inside. 

Because it was a double suite, the two bathrooms were separated by a wall, and opposite the small living room were two changing rooms. 

When Lu Xi came out, he heard the faint sound of water from the adjacent bathroom. 

Lu Xi was a little surprised, because Ji Kongqing’s hair wasn’t long, and he had already come out, yet Ji Kongqing was still washing. 

Faintly, Lu Xi felt… he seemed to have heard something. 

The sound of water splashing on the tiles, mixed with an almost imperceptible slight gasp. 

His hair, not completely dry, hung by his neck, the ends forming glistening droplets at his collarbone. 

Lu Xi: “…” 

Hmm…? 

Was it what he thought it was? 

After a while, Ji Kongqing, wearing a bathrobe, pushed open the door and came out. 

Seeing Lu Xi standing in the living room, he was clearly stunned for a moment. 

Ji Kongqing wasn’t wearing his glasses, and Lu Xi was very sure that the moment he saw him, the handsome face showed no embarrassment or discomfort. 

Not only that, Ji Kongqing hesitated for a moment, and even took the initiative to speak to Lu Xi: “Your hair is still a little wet, blowing it now might give you a cold.” 

His expression and tone were very natural, with just the right amount of concern and hesitation. 

He must have been hesitant about whether saying this would make Lu Xi feel like he was overstepping, but he was indeed worried, so he still chose his words carefully and said it. 

Lu Xi: “I was just looking at the scenery, there’s no wind outside… Thank you.” 

Obviously, Ji Kongqing was the only proper person among those ten. 

Lu Xi said softly: “I’ll go change clothes.” 

He didn’t dare to look at Ji Kongqing’s glasses-less face, and turned to enter the changing room. 

Could Professor Ji be the kind of person who would… after being teased! 

Lu Xi silently despised himself for the umpteenth time. 

—Dirty-minded eyes see dirty things! 

… 

Watching Lu Xi’s back disappear behind the changing room door, Ji Kongqing lowered his right hand, which had been behind his back. 

Because of the force of his grip, four deep red crescent marks were left on his palm. 

Slightly indented, they spoke of loss of control and restraint. 

Ji Kongqing’s tongue swept heavily across his back molars, the veins in his neck faintly visible. 

He closed his eyes, treasuring the droplet of water on Lu Xi’s collarbone in the deepest part of his memory. 

The night he returned from the horse farm, Lu Xi stayed up late to draw a picture of a knight in white riding attire on a black horse. 

Dark gloves, a black riding whip. 

The horse’s muscles were coated with a layer of sweat, and the forward movement of its hooves carried a strong, imminent offensive. 

The picture didn’t show the face, but Lu Xi didn’t send the picture out. 

Because he knew that the hand under the black horse knight’s glove, at the tiger’s mouth, had a hidden red mole. 

This was no longer muse-inspired. 

Lu Xi had drawn Ji Kongqing. 

So this picture couldn’t be seen by anyone else. 

Lu Xi put down his stylus, stared at the knight on the screen for a long time, then took a deep breath, exported the image, and put it into an encrypted folder. 

As everyone knows, encrypted folders usually contain some unspeakable secrets. 

Such as some… spiritual food. 

And this picture of the black horse knight without a face was also placed in the encrypted folder, receiving this honor. 

Having ceremoniously treasured the muse, Lu Xi got up and took a bottle of iced Coke from the refrigerator, opening the ring with a “click,” and tilting his head to drink half the can in one go. 

They had dinner at the horse farm. 

Because of Lu Xi’s attempt to scare away Professor Ji’s teasing, which was perfectly explained by the thoughtful Professor Ji, Lu Xi had to find another way. 

He first asked Ji Kongqing about his requirements and thoughts on a partner. 

Fortunately, the other party didn’t say anything like “you’re the only standard,” which would ruin his persona, but after a moment of thought, he gave an answer that was similar to what Lu Xi had in mind. 

Well… 

Although he was a little disappointed, it wasn’t unexpected. 

With Ji Kongqing’s answer, Lu Xi’s refusal wasn’t so difficult. 

After all, they weren’t really on the same page. 

Lu Xi raised his hand and pressed against his left chest. 

To be honest, even now, his heart still seemed to retain some restless afterglow.