CHAPTER 337: 135 TO BECOME PURE GOLD AND FINE JADE, ONE MUST BE FORGED IN INTENSE FIRE_3

Shen You’an collapsed to the ground. Through her blurred vision, she saw someone running toward her from across the road.

The usually quiet road suddenly became crowded with vehicles for some unknown reason, roaring past and carrying the wind and snow far away.

The man dashed through the traffic recklessly, drawing furious curses from the drivers.

The last thing in Shen You’an’s vision was the moon in the sky.

It was big and round, reminding her of the last Mid-Autumn Festival she spent with her father when she was five years old. She had leaned against his knee, listening to him tell the story of Chang’e flying to the moon.

The warmth in her body was slowly draining away, and her consciousness was becoming increasingly fleeting, her life flashing past her eyes like a film reel.

Finally, it’s over—freedom.

In the instant she sank into eternal darkness, someone roared in her ear.

So even strangers could feel sadness for her?

This life, though full of hardships and wandering, still held moments of solace worth cherishing.

~

The girl in the red riding outfit on horseback was dazzling and radiant, her heroic spirit captivating every gaze in the arena.

They saw her calm and confident demeanor but never glimpsed those countless days and nights of despair and agony.

They saw her uninhibited freedom astride the horse, but never the bloody flesh that stuck to her clothes, ripped open with excruciating pain.

The sharpest sword emerges from grinding; the scent of winter plum arises only after enduring severe cold.

To become refined gold and flawless jade, one must endure the crucible of blazing fire.

She never regretted her choices; each step was an essential path in her life.

After all, without the past version of herself, how could there be the Shen You’an of today?

She was fearless now, uninhibited and unrestrained, galloping freely.

That gallant image on horseback shone recklessly, becoming the most unforgettable and breathtaking scenery for everyone present.

Gao Yuyue was clapping so hard her palms were about to fall apart. "An’an, you’re amazing!"

Shen You’an’s stableboy was utterly superfluous. She even rode a lap around the training field, and the little colt proved steady and nimble, its pace swift and sure.

One horse and one rider, as free as the wind.

Behind her, horse hooves beat rhythmically. Shen You’an glanced sideways to see Leng Yunyang galloping over, his charming, almond-shaped eyes brimming with affection.

"You never fail to surprise me."

The girl on horseback tilted her chin slightly, her lips curled into a mocking, indifferent smile.

"Young Master Leng, do you perhaps think too highly of yourself?"

She made no attempt to conceal her sharpness; there was no need to mask her disdain for someone she disliked, as that would only embolden them further.

Leng Yunyang raised an eyebrow and suddenly leaned closer, his face inches from Shen You’an’s. "Dare to race me?"

Shen You’an lightly pressed her calves against the horse’s belly. The little colt, attuned to her instincts, leaped forward, putting distance between them.

Through the wind, her cold and disdainful words drifted back: "I have no interest, Young Master."

Leng Yunyang laughed heartily and urged his horse to pursue her.

Yan Lu exclaimed in disbelief, "I never thought Shen You’an would be so skilled at riding—she hides her talents well..."

Even though Coach Guan’s riding skills were excellent, they lacked aesthetic appeal. But Shen You’an’s horseback riding—oh, it was simply beautiful, leaving an indescribable impression. She was especially captivating, radiating the vibrancy of the morning sun, the freedom of a passing breeze, as if nothing in the world could ever contain her.

Luuo Yunqi was nearly digging her nails into her palms. Shen You’an stole the spotlight entirely today, capturing the boys’ attention every waking moment.

Jiang Shengyao’s eyes lit up as he urged his horse, "Wait for me!"

Guan Tao paled and immediately chased after them on horseback. Young Master Leng was practically riding a ticking time bomb!

Liu Runxi shook his head with a smile, exchanged a glance with Gu Bichen, and both spurred their horses to join in.

The remaining newcomers, utterly inexperienced, could only watch enviously as the others galloped freely while they returned to practicing mounting movements repetitively.

Gao Yuyue had some riding basics—her uncle was a shareholder here, and she had come a few times as a child. But back then, she didn’t like horseback riding and found it dull, so she never took it seriously, always relying on stableboys to lead her horse while she rode clumsily.

Gao Yuyue had been planning to show off to Shen You’an when she arrived, only to be instantly shut down.

Shen You’an clearly didn’t need her guidance.

Gao Yuyue deeply regretted not having taken horseback riding seriously back then—if she had, she might’ve been able to ride alongside Shen You’an today.

Shen You’an completed a few laps and rode up to Gao Yuyue, smiling at her warmly.

Gao Yuyue huffed coldly, "You liar."

Shen You’an raised an eyebrow. "Liar?"

"You’re so good at riding, yet you never told me."

Shen You’an chuckled. "You never asked."

Gao Yuyue choked on her words. "I don’t care—you have to teach me!"

Shen You’an shook her head with a laugh, moved her horse forward, and glanced at the stableboy leading Gao Yuyue’s horse. "Let go."

The stableboy, caught under the gaze of the girl’s bright eyes, instinctively released his grip.

Without control, the horse began stamping uneasily and turning in place. Gao Yuyue panicked and clung desperately to its back.

Shen You’an raised her voice, "Straighten your back, pull the reins, steady your breath—don’t be afraid, you’ll be fine."

Following Shen You’an’s instructions, Gao Yuyue gradually gained control, her expression lighting up with exhilaration.

At that moment, Leng Yunyang issued another challenge: "Shen You’an, are you afraid to race against me?"

Gao Yuyue scoffed, "That guy is so annoying—won’t leave us alone."

Shen You’an arched an eyebrow and said to Gao Yuyue, "Keep practicing—I’ll be back in a moment."

With those words, she tugged the reins, turning her horse around, and galloped straight toward Leng Yunyang.

Leng Yunyang leaned forward against his horse’s neck, watching the fiery red figure charge toward him. Even atop the horse, he exuded his usual casual and roguish demeanor.