Chapter 11: A Gallant Lift
1197 Words
Gaming really was a new form of socializing. By the end of the match, Sophia had gone from being a little reserved to confidently directing Elder Qin’s every move, telling him exactly what to do.
The two even exchanged WeChat contacts, chatting about the game and making plans to play together again.
Alexander, standing to the side, quickly interrupted their conversation. If he didn’t step in now, he was afraid they’d be calling each other brothers next.
“Grandpa, it’s almost noon. The doctor said you should get more rest,” he reminded.
Elder Qin nearly blew his mustache in frustration.
“You’re such a stick-in-the-mud! You just can’t stand seeing me having fun, can you?” Elder Qin huffed, his eyes wide in mock anger. The little dog at his feet, which had been quiet this whole time, suddenly barked furiously at Alexander, as if echoing his master’s sentiment.
Sophia stifled a laugh, covering her mouth.
Alexander, however, remained unfazed. “If you don’t want to rest, that’s fine. Let’s schedule a full medical check-up next week. We’ll do whatever the doctor says.”
Elder Qin instantly surrendered.
“Alright, alright, you win! At my age, if my test results come back perfect, that’d be a real miracle. Fine, I’ll go take a nap.” He sighed dramatically and tugged on the dog’s leash. “Come on, Lucky, time for bed.”
The old man and his dog turned to glare at Alexander in perfect sync. Clearly, this was a familiar battle.
“Grandpa, I’ll help you upstairs. We can play again when you wake up,” Sophia said sweetly, setting down her phone and taking Elder Qin’s arm.
Instantly, the old man’s mood brightened.
“Good! This afternoon, we’ll dominate the game together and show those brats who’s boss!”
A few words from Sophia, and he was grinning from ear to ear.
Once Elder Qin went to rest, the space was left to just Sophia and Alexander.
Sophia sat in the living room, while Alexander, having cleared his schedule for the day, was finally free.
“Want to go for a walk?” he suggested.
Sophia nodded. “Sounds good.”
Before stepping out, Alexander told her to wait and quickly ran back inside. He returned with a large sun umbrella.
Opening it, he held most of it over Sophia, carefully shielding her from the sun.
“There’s a horse ranch on the farm development up ahead. Let’s go check it out.”
Sophia’s eyes lit up.
“Yes, please!” she said excitedly.
The weather was perfect. Though it was midsummer, a recent typhoon had cooled things down a bit, making it pleasant to be outdoors.
By the time they arrived, everything had already been arranged. As soon as they walked in, a staff member approached them.
“Mr. Qin, welcome. The horses you reserved yesterday are ready for you.”
Alexander nodded and followed the staff member with Sophia by his side.
“Have you ever ridden a horse before?” Alexander asked.
Sophia shook her head. As someone who was half-socially anxious, she rarely tried things on her own. If her friends didn’t do it, neither did she.
“Then let’s start with the horse I picked for you. Since it’s your first time, it’s best to go with a gentle one.”
Right on cue, a staff member led two horses out.
One was a tall, stunning black stallion with a glossy coat. Its nostrils flared, and it let out a snort, exuding wild energy. The other horse was smaller, standing calmly with its head lowered, its demeanor much softer.
Alexander walked up to the black stallion, took hold of its reins, and stroked its neck. The proud horse immediately lowered its head and nudged him affectionately.
Sophia watched in awe, envious but well aware that a horse like that was out of her league.
Under the guidance of the staff, she changed into a riding outfit and safety gear that Alexander had prepared in advance. When she came out, Alexander was already on horseback.
Riding the black stallion, dressed in a light gray outfit, he moved effortlessly around the field, exuding a sharp, effortless charm.
Sophia glanced at the smaller horse beside her, took a deep breath, and attempted to mount. It took several tries and plenty of help from the staff, but she finally got on.
Clutching the saddle tightly, her entire body tensed up. She didn’t dare move. When the horse started walking, her heart nearly jumped into her throat.
No one had told her how unsteady it felt to be on horseback!
“Mrs. Qin, try to relax. If you’re this tense, your horse will feel uncomfortable too,” the trainer reassured her while gently patting the horse’s neck.
Sophia forced a smile, but it looked more like a grimace.
“I’ll try.”
She wanted to relax, but it was so hard!
The trainer led the horse around the field at a slow pace, giving her tips and explaining horse behavior.
After thirty minutes, Sophia started to adjust. She loosened up, even managing a light trot.
Taking a break, Alexander sat nearby with a bottle of water, watching her with a slight squint against the sun.
She looked radiant—her face flushed with excitement, her smile bright and carefree.
He put down his own bottle, grabbed a fresh one, and walked toward her.
“Here, have some water.”
She hadn’t realized how exhausted she was until now. Taking the bottle, she chugged half of it and wiped the sweat off her forehead.
“Alexander, the trainer let us trot on our own just now!” she said proudly, her eyes shining.
“For a first time, that’s impressive. Want to take a break?”
Still buzzing with excitement, she quickly shook her head. “No way! The trainer said we’re about to do a full lap soon.”
She grinned, completely immersed in the thrill of the experience.
Alexander lowered his gaze for a moment, then looked up again. Taking the bottle from her hand, he twisted the cap shut and passed it to the trainer.
“I can take you,” he said, taking the reins from the trainer.
Sophia’s smile froze.
Wait, what?
Could he do that?
“Don’t worry, Mrs. Qin. Mr. Qin is far more experienced than I am,” the trainer assured her.
Sophia glanced at Alexander in surprise. She never would have pegged him as someone into horseback riding.
“This horse is too small for two people. Let’s get you on a different one,” he said.
Sophia nodded. Just as she was about to dismount, she suddenly felt a firm grip around her waist.
Before she could react, she was lifted effortlessly off the horse. Instinctively, she reached out, wrapping her arms around Alexander’s neck for support.
A flawless princess carry.
Face flushed, she clung to him, realizing she had been a little too quick to hold on.
The moment her feet touched the ground, Alexander immediately—almost too politely—let her go, as if the brief moment of dominance had never happened.
- Writer
