After the Early-Deceased White Moonlight of a Wealthy Family Returns (GL) - Chapter 14

“Ta-da! Good morning, Xiao An!”

Shen You’an looked at the beaming Meng Xi and called out, “Sister Meng Xi! Come in quickly.”

Meng Xi, carrying bags in both hands, smiled at the girl. “Hey.”

She placed the items on the dining table. “This is breakfast. I bought both Chinese and Western styles.”

“So much!”

Meng Xi said, “Eat whatever you want, as much as you can. Although your Sister Su said you love soup dumplings, I thought, ten years have passed, and maybe your appetite has changed. So, I bought a bit of everything.”

Su Wu certainly knew her well.

Shen You’an said, “Thank you, Sister Meng Xi. I’m not picky; anything is fine.”

“You have to have foods you like,” Meng Xi said. “That way, if you’re feeling sad one day, you’ll have an immediate way to feel better. Oh, and there’s this.”

Meng Xi pulled out an exquisitely packaged small bag and said with a conspiratorial look, “Xiao An, whatever you do, don’t tell Old Su about this, or she won’t let me come take care of you next time.”

“Sister Meng Xi, what is this?”

“Milk tea!”

Shen You’an blinked. “Pearl milk tea?”

“Not quite.” Meng Xi was acting extremely mysterious. “Tea nowadays isn’t like it used to be; the names are all fancy. I bought my favorite one; you should try it in a bit. You really can’t tell Old Su; this is a secret between us.”

Shen You’an smiled and agreed.

“Sorry for the trouble, Sister Meng Xi,” Shen You’an said, feeling a bit embarrassed. “Actually, I’m not a child anymore. I can manage at home by myself.”

Before leaving this morning, Su Wu had told her she’d be very busy today and couldn’t stay home with her. Fearing she’d be bored, Su Wu had asked Meng Xi to come over.

She really was treating her like a young child.

“It’s no trouble at all.” Meng Xi waved her hand. “I’ve been quite free lately anyway. In fact, even though I’m the company’s external spokesperson, Old Su handles most of the actual management. So don’t worry—coming to hang out with you isn’t a bother at all. I’m quite happy to do it.”

Shen You’an thought that Meng Xi probably just pitied her.

“Come on, eat breakfast first. After that, I’ll take you out to play.”

“Out to play?”

“Hehe, there’s an exciting event.”

Two hours later, Shen You’an followed Meng Xi to a horse ranch.

On a vast stretch of grassland outside the city limits of Chens City, Shen You’an saw a group of people from a distance wearing various colors of riding gear.

Meng Xi quietly introduced her: “There’s a competition organized by enthusiasts today. It’s worth the trip, right?”

Shen You’an said, “Sister Meng Xi, I don’t know anything about horses, and I’ve never ridden before.” Shen You’an had taken equestrian lessons as a child, but she found it tiring and didn’t care for such active pursuits; she had quit after just a few sessions.

“It’s fine, we’ll just watch for now. If you’re interested after seeing them run, I’ll take you to try it out.” Meng Xi, operating on the philosophy of “since we’re already here,” led Shen You’an toward the spectator stands.

Meng Xi was very excited while watching the horse racing, even standing up and walking to the railing toward the end.

Shen You’an, however, was completely different.

The intensity on the racetrack couldn’t even compare to the level of people killing each other for a mouthful of food in the apocalypse. She had once seen at a certain dark base where the upper class, for entertainment, corralled hundreds of survivors who had come seeking refuge. They were told that the last fifty to survive could enjoy a safe life with food and housing within the base.

When those people ran frantically, the screams they let out were even more desperate and fierce than those of horses.

After one race ended, Meng Xi felt thoroughly invigorated. She looked back and saw Shen You’an still sitting in her seat.

“Xiao An, do you not like it? If it’s boring, we won’t come here next time,” Meng Xi said repentantly.

Shen You’an quickly said, “No, it’s just my first time seeing a horse race. I was just… a bit startled.”

Meng Xi believed her completely.

“Don’t be afraid. How about this—” She came up with a plan. “I’ll take you down now to experience it. Maybe once you know how to ride yourself, you’ll find more joy in it. Xiao An, don’t feel pressured; just treat it as entertainment. The sun is nice today and the environment is great. Give it a try; if you really don’t like it, we’ll just walk around.”

Shen You’an consented.

She followed Meng Xi to select a horse. The manager of the ranch clearly knew Meng Xi. After the two exchanged warm greetings, the manager asked Meng Xi, “And who is this?”

Meng Xi said, “My sister, Shen—”

“Xiao An.” Shen You’an cut Meng Xi off and shook hands with the manager. “You can just call me Xiao An.”

Realizing Shen You’an’s concerns, Meng Xi put an arm around her shoulder. “It’s our Xiao An’s first time riding. Old Wang, see if there are any gentle ponies to let her experience it.”

Old Wang was well-acquainted with the stock. “These few over here are all good, especially this little brown horse. His name is Sunny. He’s a competition-grade horse—the kind whose mother won championships. He’s famous for his good temper, perfect for a beginner.”

Old Wang invited Shen You’an to step closer.

Just as she took a small step forward, the little brown horse, which had been affectionately accepting pats from Old Wang, suddenly let out a shrill neigh. It began pacing restlessly and retreated repeatedly.

Old Wang’s eyes widened, unable to fathom it. “Sunny! Sunny!”

Meng Xi was also puzzled. “What’s wrong with Sunny? I remember he wasn’t like this before. Is he feeling unwell?”

Only Shen You’an, meeting the horse’s large eyes, saw the terror within them.

It was her fault.

Shen You’an took two steps back.

The little brown horse’s anxiety lessened slightly.

Meng Xi thought her retreat was because she was startled and quickly said, “An accident, just an accident. Let’s go look at others.”

Old Wang, having suffered a blow to his professional pride, was determined to redeem himself. He eagerly led the two of them to find another horse. But after only a few steps into the stables, the air was filled with neighing from all directions.

Old Wang finally realized there was a problem.

Meng Xi was also worried. “Old Wang, did some wild beast come down from the mountains? Did a snake get in?”

Old Wang was apprehensive. “I’ve never seen anything like this. I’m sorry; I’ll go get the management to check. You two should probably leave for now.”

It was the first time he had seen such a massive scene where a whole herd of horses lost control.

Shen You’an lowered her gaze and quickly left with Meng Xi. Even when they had walked a great distance away, the horses still hadn’t calmed down.

Meng Xi muttered, “That really was strange.”

She said apologetically to Shen You’an, “Xiao An, I’m sorry. I must have scared you just now, right? Sigh, it looks like we won’t be able to ride today. Next time—next time after this is resolved, I’ll bring you back.”

Shen You’an shook her head and said it was fine, knowing in her heart that given her current state, she likely wouldn’t be able to ride a horse with Meng Xi ever again. For the sake of the horses’ mental health, it was best if she didn’t come to the ranch.

“I’ll take you to see my horse,” Meng Xi suggested.

Fearing she would startle Meng Xi’s horse, Shen You’an made an excuse to stand outside the stall, watching Meng Xi feed the piebald horse. She watched for a while, looking around, and suddenly noticed a white horse in a private stall not far away.

It was beautiful, snowy white all over, with an incredibly smooth tail.

The horse clearly noticed her too; its large, dark eyes looked over.

Remarkably, in those eyes, Shen You’an saw not fear, but curiosity. As if guided, she took a small step forward. The white horse’s ears pricked sharply forward as it stared straight at her, its long tail swishing back and forth.

A certain animalistic intuition was shared between the two of them at that moment.

“Do you want me to come over?” Shen You’an asked.

After asking, she felt a bit silly—what could a horse understand? To her surprise, the white horse flipped its lip and let out a soft whinny.

She took two more steps forward, but her hand was suddenly gripped tight.

Meng Xi breathed a sigh of relief and said to her, “Xiao An, don’t go over there. Don’t be fooled by how beautiful that white horse looks; its temper is famously violent throughout the ranch. I’m afraid it’ll scare you again.”

Hearing this, the white horse let out a huff of breath through its nostrils, glaring at Meng Xi.

Shen You’an burst out laughing.

“Sister Meng Xi, I won’t touch it. I’ll just get a little bit closer.”

Considering the safety issue and confirming that the horse likely wouldn’t harm Shen You’an, Meng Xi accompanied her forward.

To her surprise, the white horse, contrary to its usual habit of “cursing” at anyone it saw, poked its head out curiously. Its two front hooves trotted in place as if it were waiting for something.

Meng Xi thought, I must be seeing things.

Even if a horse resembles its owner, it shouldn’t be like this.

She pinched the bridge of her nose and tried saying, “Xiao An, if you’re not afraid, you can get closer and let it catch your scent.”