Chapter 37: None Can Match Your Beauty
After Si Qingchen finished feeding Mu Qingcheng a glass of water, he didn’t get up to leave. Instead, he asked Si Bei to bring him a cup of coffee, which he sipped unhurriedly.
The afternoon sunlight was warm, streaming in through the floor-to-ceiling windows and bathing the two of them in a golden glow. The light pooled around them, encircling them in the same luminous halo.
The man remained composed, yet his gaze lingered steadily on the woman across from him. Her fair skin shimmered with a delicate radiance, the fine down on her nose soft and exquisite, her brows and eyes… truly beautiful.
Si Qingchen’s eyes were keen—he had known from the very first time he met Mu Qingcheng. She was a lovely girl, yet she deliberately concealed herself.
But he was in no hurry to lift that veil. In fact, he believed he possessed enough patience; he preferred to take his time, to gently and gradually uncover Mu Qingcheng’s secrets with his own hands.
On the other side, perhaps unable to endure the burning gaze upon her any longer, Mu Qingcheng cleared her throat awkwardly. Without moving, she spoke up, “Why don’t you admire the scenery outside the window, Young Master Si?”
“It pales in comparison to your beauty.”
In Mu Qingcheng’s memory, Si Qingchen had always been aloof and unapproachable. She had asked him so directly, hoping to make him retreat in the face of difficulty. Yet, to her great surprise, the man responded with such words.
His public and private personas were worlds apart.
At that moment, Mu Qingcheng frowned slightly, turning in disbelief to look at Si Qingchen.
She could hear her own heart pounding fiercely, and over that, the man’s shameless voice continued, “I’ve seen enough of the capital’s scenery in the past. Now, I’ve finally found something that truly moves my heart.”
“Si Qingchen, do you even realize that you’re—”
Before Mu Qingcheng could finish, hurried footsteps sounded behind her. Soon, someone called out, “Miss Mu, it’s time for your competition.”
“All right.”
Swallowing the rest of her words, Mu Qingcheng stood, swiftly composed herself, and resolutely turned to leave.
Si Qingchen remained seated, watching the woman’s departing figure in silence, his calloused fingers idly rubbing together in a gesture of inscrutable thought.
****
On the other side, at the competition venue, Mu Qingcheng was called over just as it was her group’s turn—also the last group in this friendly match.
According to the current rankings displayed on the electronic board, Ran Siya’s score was far ahead, securing an easy first place.
The horse Mu Qingcheng was to ride had already been used by Ran Siya. Added to this were various mismatched training routines, so the horse’s strength and speed were both greatly diminished.
Though Mu Qingcheng was now very familiar with the course, as the horse’s stamina waned, its condition would also decline. That was why onlooking students cast her pitying yet mocking glances.
But what they did not know was that Mu Qingcheng’s equestrian skills were extraordinary.
Paying no mind to the stares around her, Mu Qingcheng walked straight up to the little brown horse, began brushing its mane, and rhythmically patted its muscles. She was both relaxing the animal and building trust between them.
Sure enough, before long the horse turned its head, nuzzling Mu Qingcheng’s arm in a gesture of affection.
“Good boy. It’ll be a tough ride, but thank you.”
At the same time, back in the restaurant, Si Qingchen watched Mu Qingcheng’s seamless communication with the horse and couldn’t help but smile in satisfaction and admiration.
Yes, the woman he had set his sights on was truly outstanding.
He stood and left the restaurant. Si Nan and Si Bei followed closely behind.
Curious and surprised, Si Nan couldn’t help asking, “Boss, aren’t you going to watch?”
“No need. Qingcheng can handle it.”
Qingcheng?!!
Si Nan and Si Bei exchanged a look of utter astonishment, identical expressions of disbelief spreading across their faces.