Chapter 27: I’m Here, Don’t Be Afraid

In the days that followed, Jiang Yaoyao’s life was particularly joyful and peaceful.

She listened to the director talk about the script, the professor discuss the historical background, occasionally did some training, and in the evenings, she called Pei Heng to offer her services of putting him to sleep.

Days passed like water, calm and happy.

Even the annoying mother-daughter duo stopped showing up.

On Friday, it was time for equestrian training.

In the script, the Crown Princess was not a delicate woman raised in seclusion. She had an ambitious father, a father who conquered the world on horseback and was both a scholar and a warrior.

As the only heir to the throne, the Crown Princess, though pure and innocent, had developed impressive horsemanship skills under her father’s influence.

She wore a scarlet riding outfit, moving like a flame across the royal hunting grounds, a peony nurtured by the entire empire.

This was a key scene in the show, and naturally, it needed to be carefully crafted. However, most actors in reality couldn’t ride horses, and even those who had starred in historical dramas before mostly used mechanical horses with visual effects.

But Gu Jinling had high standards for his masterpiece and looked down on these cheap tricks.

With a wave of his hand, he took the actors to practice equestrian skills.

There was a private area in the southern and northern hills of the city, a property belonging to some bigwig from the capital. In the stables, there were more than a dozen horses, their coats smooth and shiny, well-cared for.

In the changing room.

Yu Rui, the actress playing the villain, leaned against the wall, her hands clasped, her eyes sparkling.

“Yaoyao, the rich people are really rich!”

“I’ve never seen such a large estate! This is crazy!”

“When we drove past the riding field, I even asked the director what that field was for, and made a huge fool of myself!”

“Yaoyao, I can’t even ride a horse. If you’re free, can you teach me? I’m a little scared!”

Footsteps sounded, and Jiang Yaoyao, dressed in her riding clothes, stepped out from behind the curtain, her voice crisp.

“Sure!”

Yu Rui was a new friend she made on set. They were close in age and had lots to talk about, so they quickly became friends.

Yu Rui, who had been leaning against the wall, looked up at the sound and her eyes widened in surprise.

The minimalist black-and-white equestrian outfit was tailor-made for Jiang Yaoyao, fitting her perfectly.

The high-quality cut and the simple black and white color scheme made her seem naturally elegant and graceful.

Her slender waist seemed to have a softness that was almost delicate.

Her face was stunning, with almond-shaped eyes that shimmered like jewels, her helmet securely fastened, leaving only her flawless face visible.

“My god!”

“Yaoyao, you look amazing in this outfit!”

“You’re both beautiful and fierce. Your looks are just incredible!”

Yu Rui said, excited, as she rushed over to grab Yaoyao’s hand, inspecting her outfit from all angles. The two of them laughed together.

The door opened again, and Yan Le Yao walked in.

Her gaze lingered on Jiang Yaoyao for a moment before she quickly turned her eyes away, as if thinking of something.

She had a small role in this drama.

She played the Crown Princess’s maid, who, in the royal arena, attempted to poison the princess and got caught. When escaping on horseback, she fell off and was trampled by the horse.

It was not a likable character at all.

But since this drama prominently featured Gu Jinling’s name, she thought, What if I get famous?

Villain roles could become famous too.

Maybe the next big breakout star could be herself.

She didn’t have to attend the equestrian training today, but Yan Le Yao had other plans, so she shamelessly showed up.

She had dressed very extravagantly today, even specially rushing to get a custom-made equestrian outfit, intending to outshine Jiang Yaoyao.

Her eyes roamed Jiang Yaoyao from top to bottom. After a moment, she sneered at Yu Rui and walked off.

Yu Rui was confused. “What’s her problem?”

She leaned closer to Jiang Yaoyao and whispered, “Did you know? The sugar daddy who used to pamper Yan Le Yao fell out with her for some reason. Now, she’s looking for new options both inside and outside the industry.”

“Seems like today, she’s trying to fish for a big catch!”

Jiang Yaoyao, while adjusting her sleeves and looking in the mirror, glanced up in surprise.

“Here?”

---

The equestrian field was huge, with green grass stretching as far as the eye could see, and the distant fields seemed to connect with the mountains, giving a sense of endlessness.

Wei Changze was leading a black horse, wearing his equestrian clothes, looking like an elegant prince.

But he had rejected several invitations from colleagues and was walking around the area, seemingly waiting for someone.

Si Minghe, playing the role of the young prime minister, looked at him with a raised eyebrow, wondering what Jiang Yaoyao had that made Wei Changze so infatuated with her.

Was it just that she was a little prettier?

There were plenty of beautiful actresses in the entertainment industry. It was laughable how much Wei Changze was falling for her.

A girl’s voice came from a distance, and Wei Changze’s eyes lit up.

He glanced at his own outfit and casually walked in that direction. When he saw Jiang Yaoyao, he calmly greeted her, “Yaoyao.”

Unfortunately, she didn’t respond, simply bypassing him.

Wei Changze, leading his black horse, followed her closely.

“Yaoyao, you don’t know how to ride, do you? I learned a bit while filming, can I teach you?”

Jiang Yaoyao finally looked at him, her eyes like two sparkling gems, the corner of her lips slightly curling.

“No thanks.”

“Are you still mad at me?”

“It’s been so long…”

Wei Changze kept walking beside her, his handsome face with a frown.

“And what about the bag I bought for you? You haven’t accepted it yet. Didn’t you want it for a long time?”

He continued to chatter as he followed her, showing no sign of wanting to leave.

Even Yu Rui, standing nearby, could see what was going on.

“Yaoyao…”

“Yaoyao—”

Two voices rang out simultaneously. Gu Jinling’s voice was loud, and his tone easily drowned out Wei Changze’s, “Yaoyao, what are you doing here?”

“Come, come, come—I’ve found you a riding coach!”

Jiang Yaoyao, who had been facing the mirror, turned her head and, unexpectedly, found herself face-to-face with a tall figure.

Pei Heng stood beside Gu Jinling, wearing a sophisticated equestrian outfit that perfectly accentuated his smooth, straight figure. His brown leather boots seemed to ground him, making him appear even more elegant and distinguished.

Though his outfit was similar to the others, Pei Heng was the most dazzling man in the area.

His chiseled features were striking, and his strong aura made the surrounding male celebrities appear dull in comparison.

Like a patch of snow in the early spring, distant and cold, with an unapproachable dignity.

She stood there quietly, blinking slowly at him.

The handsome man gave her a subtle smile, his cold voice softening like melting ice.

“Yaoyao, come here.”

He was standing with the brilliant sunlight behind him, his brows and eyes distant and cool, stretching out a long, slender hand toward her.

For some reason, Jiang Yaoyao’s ears turned red all of a sudden.

Pei Heng must have a self-restraint problem.

Otherwise, why was it that every time she saw him, her heart raced, and her cheeks flushed, as if she were sick?

The little beauty adjusting her helmet pursed her lips and instinctively lifted her delicate, slender leg, stepping forward.

But Wei Changze grew anxious.

“Yaoyao, I can ride too. Why can’t I teach you?”

Jiang Yaoyao was completely enchanted by Pei Heng.

What was so great about that old man?

Wei Changze furrowed his brows, grabbing Jiang Yaoyao’s arm.

“Jiang Yaoyao!”

He took several steps forward and stood in front of her, speaking harshly.

“When he tells you to go, you just go?”

“Jiang Yaoyao, don’t you fear he’s deceiving you?”

“I really don’t understand why you’ve become like those women outside, completely intent on clinging to Pei Heng!”

“You weren’t like this before!”

“Jiang Yaoyao, what happened to you?”

The little beauty, questioned, looked up with moist eyes, her expression incredibly calm.

She had snow-white skin and a delicate, soft appearance. But with her expressionless face, it softened the allure of her features, making her resemble a goddess, cold and beautiful like ice.

“If not being with you means I’m vain, Wei Changze, you overestimate yourself.”

“You really make me hate you, Wei Changze. If we’re not filming, then please—don’t speak to me again.”

“Wei Changze,” she spoke in a cold, indifferent tone, cutting off Wei Changze’s attempt to plead.

The man who she should have called ‘uncle’ approached with long strides and stood next to Jiang Yaoyao.

His sharp gaze sliced through the air as Pei Heng’s voice was lazy, but his words were sharp as ice.

“Only useless men would make things difficult for women.”

With a casual remark, Pei Heng coldly glanced at Wei Changze, then looked away.

His strong fingers gently adjusted the strap of Jiang Yaoyao’s helmet beneath her chin. When he looked at his little fairy, his voice softened unconsciously.

“I knew Yaoyao was coming, so I prepared a little white horse for her. Want to go see it together?”

The delicate little beauty obediently nodded.

Pei Heng turned around, but just as he was about to leave, his long, narrow, and deep eyes locked onto Wei Changze. A coldness flickered within them, and he said slowly, word by word:

“By the way, you misunderstood something.”

“It’s not her clinging to me, it’s me pursuing her.”

A faint light passed through his deep eyes, his sharp features carrying a half-smile.

“Nephew, your thoughts are really vile.”

The two figures walked off together.

Xiao Yu, standing next to Gu Jinling, looked completely smitten. “Ah ah ah ah ah, director, they’re so perfect together!”

“Ah ah ah ah ah, director, why aren’t you saying anything!”

“Ah ah ah ah ah, director, quickly agree with me!”

Gu Jinling mimicked her. “Ah ah ah ah ah, Xiao Yu is so right!”

—

The sky was as clear as jade.

The man in a white riding suit stood side by side with another man dressed in deep blue, both staring at the two horses munching on hay in the stable.

One horse was pure white, with no stray hairs, its satin-like coat perfectly neat, as if every strand had been carefully groomed.

The other horse was black, looking even more powerful, its larger frame seeming more imposing. Perhaps because of its height, while eating, it would occasionally glance sideways at people, making it look hard to tame.

Jiang Yaoyao slowly shifted to the other side, distancing herself from the rebellious horse.

She was a bit worried that if this horse suddenly went wild, it might kick her out of the way.

Though she wore a helmet and was well-protected, if she was kicked several meters away, she’d lose a lot of face in front of Pei Heng. He might even mock her.

As she thought about it, she moved a bit farther away.

Pei Heng watched her movements, his voice rich and smooth.

“Yaoyao, do you like it?”

She—

Pei Heng took some hay from a servant and handed it to Jiang Yaoyao. “Do you want to feed it? It seems to like you.”

“Does it have a name? Little fairy?”

Pei Heng paused for a moment, holding the hay.

The sunlight cast a gentle golden edge on the side of his face, and his cool voice, now more magnetic, carried a slight smile.

“Little fairy.”

Even the horse gets called little fairy.

So cheesy.

Jiang Yaoyao silently grumbled in her heart but still took the hay from him and offered it to the little white horse.

Its eyes were light-colored, like amber, with long lashes that made it look even gentler when it gazed at her.

It seemed completely unafraid of her, with no hostility at all.

The long neck stretched out, its warm breath brushing her palm, obediently eating the hay she offered.

Jiang Yaoyao’s eyes brightened.

She turned her face, eyes sparkling.

“Mr. Pei, may I try riding it?”

A few minutes later.

Jiang Yaoyao successfully mounted the horse, her heart suddenly gripped by fear.

While feeding the horse, she had thought it wasn’t very tall, but now, sitting on its back, she realized how massive it was, and she was much higher off the ground.

She nervously gripped the reins, her eyes filled with panic, glancing at Pei Heng for help.

“I’m here.”

The tall man pulled on the lead rope, his voice soothing.

“Don’t be afraid.”

Pei Heng led the horse a few steps forward, but Jiang Yaoyao’s face turned increasingly pale, her body stiff with anxiety.

Being on the horse without anything to rely on for control made her feel completely insecure. She bit her lip, her beautiful eyes continuously darting toward Pei Heng, each movement full of pleading.

The tall man stopped, his gaze fixed on her knees for a moment before he spoke gently.

“Don’t grip so tightly, Yaoyao.”