Chapter 115: I Will Not Lose

She waved her hand grandly. “Alright!” Pointing toward a distant direction, her tone was overbearing. “There’s a small estate over there. If you win, it’s yours.”

Her gaze sharpened instantly, piercing as she looked at Yun Fu, her eyes undisguised with ridicule. “But if you lose, I’m afraid you’ll have to bow and apologize to me!”

Originally, she wanted Yun Fu to kneel and apologize, but seeing the men nearby frown and clearly unwilling to side with her, she changed her mind.

Still, making Yun Fu lower her head would be enough. She simply couldn’t stand Yun Fu’s indifferent demeanor, as if nothing ever fazed her.

Upon hearing these terms, Gu Zhishu protested first. “This isn’t fair! You’ve been riding since you were a child. No one but Qi can beat you, Yun Fu doesn’t even have a chance—”

Yun Fu stopped him. She kept her gaze fixed on that serene face, still looking at them with a calm, unaffected expression. She said, “Don’t worry. I won’t lose.”

Her tone was soft, but her words carried weight.

Beside her, Deng Shiyu let out a derisive laugh, lifted her foot, and mounted her horse. Her movements were fluid and practiced, revealing her experience.

Yun Fu, meanwhile, remained expressionless, her posture languid as she walked over to Gale’s side and stroked its mane.

With a single stride, Gale cooperated by shifting its body, and she found herself seated atop the horse in an instant.

Holding the reins, her eyes were cold and sharp.

In that moment, it was as if they saw nonexistent banners, cloaks, and swords upon her. She seemed like a general from ancient times, riding forth, invincible.

Even Lian Hanqi, gazing at her stunning profile, recalled the scenes from his dreams.

In those dreams, she was the same—riding a black horse across wild plains, racing into the wind.

He knew she was remarkable, skilled at many things, forced to learn far more than most.

But dreams are always less vivid than reality.

From her mastery of medicine to her exceptional linguistic talents, her academic prowess, and now, her horsemanship—she was like a rare book, each page a mystery, always leaving you anticipating the next.

So he said, “I believe in you.”

Yun Fu turned and looked at him deeply.

The two came to the starting line. At the judge’s signal and Deng Shiyu’s shout, both horses shot forward.

Hooves churned up dust from the ground, rising in a cloud.

Gu Zhishu watched the two figures, nearly side by side, and nudged Lian Hanqi. “Cousin, who do you think will win? Is Little Fu alright? Did you teach her to ride?”

“Shut up.”

“…”

The two riders had already completed half a lap. Yun Fu and Gale moved as one, horse and rider in perfect harmony, now beginning to edge past Deng Shiyu.

At a bend, Yun Fu had gained half a horse’s length ahead.

Deng Shiyu stared at the figure ahead, biting her lip until blood welled up. She was unwilling! She could not allow herself to lose to that family’s most despised actress!

Her heart was seized by a demon. Compelled by malice, she raised her whip and lashed out.

But the whip never struck Yun Fu. As if she had eyes on her back, Yun Fu suddenly reached out and grabbed the end of Deng Shiyu’s whip.

Ignoring the burning pain in her palm, Yun Fu pulled hard, intending to snatch the whip away, but Deng Shiyu refused to let go, and was jerked forward by it.

With a thud, Deng Shiyu hit the ground.

Yun Fu glanced back, frowned, and pressed her legs against Gale’s sides. Gale quickened its pace and crossed the finish line.

Those waiting at the start had witnessed Deng Shiyu’s actions. As Yun Fu approached, they hurried over.

As for Deng Shiyu, the staff would attend to her.

Lian Hanqi grabbed Yun Fu’s right hand, which she had hidden behind her. Sure enough, a fierce lash mark wound across her palm.

Her hand was pale and delicate, and the bruised, purple welt was shocking to behold.

“This is serious—quick, to the infirmary!”

“Hurry, check her hand, it’s her right.”

Before Yun Fu could protest, Lian Hanqi was already half dragging, half carrying her away.

Deng Shiyu, lying on the ground with the horse having passed over her head and her ankle twisted, suffering both physically and mentally, watched as Yun Fu was surrounded and escorted away, her expression darkening to its utmost.

She, too, was sent to the infirmary.

Among them, only Yun Fu’s expression was calm; the others all frowned at her, especially Lian Hanqi.

“I will speak to Uncle Deng. Don’t come here again. And, you hurt Yun Fu—shouldn’t you apologize?”

Lian Hanqi stood by Yun Fu’s hospital bed, those glass-clear eyes now full of icy coldness, biting as frost.

Deng Shiyu’s face turned ashen.

All her childhood dreams shattered in that moment.

She had always been the only girl in their circle. Even if they were reluctant to play with her, she had still grown up cherished among them.

Among their group, Lian Hanqi was the most outstanding, so it was natural she liked him. Everyone knew it, and took it for granted that they were a pair.

But no one had expected that the unshakable Lian Hanqi would break his rule for an actress named Yun Fu.

How could she accept it?

“What’s so special about her? Hanqi, you’re not supposed to be so shallow, you—”

“Apologize!” Lian Hanqi’s expression darkened. Those familiar with him knew: the calmer his face and the sharper his tone, the angrier he truly was.

And Gu Zhishu, who never grew up with them and had little fondness for Deng Shiyu, could not hold back.

“Shallow? What do you mean? You think being with my cousin is about your inner qualities, and that’s not shallow? Ha! You sure know how to flatter yourself. You’re nothing—who gave you such confidence?”

Deng Shiyu’s face was lifeless.

Ignoring her sprained ankle, she turned to leave.

But the bodyguard at the door stopped her. Deng Shiyu looked back in disbelief, only to see Lian Hanqi’s unchanged expression.

She clenched her hand at her side, the pain in her palm sharp, her body trembling.

“I’m sorry.” The words seemed to drain all her strength.

Deng Shiyu looked at Yun Fu sitting on the bed, her hand wrapped in gauze, resting in Lian Hanqi’s palm.

The gesture was natural and intimate, and no one thought it odd.

Even after such a contest, Yun Fu’s hair had only slightly loosened, adding to her beauty all the more.