Campus Ace Girl-Chapter 394 - 395: Come on! Let’s Pretend Together!
Gu Mingzhu stepped out, a faint smile on her lips. "Let’s go horseback riding."
She glanced at Gu Anxi. Could Anxi even handle this?
Jiang Chaoge readily agreed. "Excellent! Mingzhu, as our host, you call the shots." She then added playfully, "Senior Brother Bo, I hope you don’t mind?" When she asked, her demeanor was open and natural, without a hint of malice.
Zhou Yunchen couldn’t help but cheer silently from the sidelines.
This one’s clearly on a higher level than Princess Gu, he mused. Perhaps being from a collateral branch made her exceptionally skilled at navigating social situations!
Indeed, Bo Xichen also smiled faintly and asked in a low voice, "Anxi, can you ride?"
Gu Anxi coughed lightly. "Little Uncle, you have to stay with me. I’m quite delicate."
He suppressed a laugh. "Alright."
Jiang Chaoge smiled gently. "If you can’t manage, don’t force yourself. Young girls should be well taken care of."
Gu Anxi clung to Bo Xichen’s arm. "Little Uncle, did you hear that? Your junior martial sister said you should take care of me!"
Hmph! Pretending to be so magnanimous in front of me! Fine! Let’s all put on an act!
Bo Xichen tapped her on the nose. "I need to discuss something. Let Manager Zhang... accompany you."
Gu Anxi drawled out a long ’Ohhh.’ "Niuniu, huh? I’m afraid *I’ll* be the one looking after *him*!"
Niuniu looked unconvinced, but Zhou Yunchen said with a smile, "Don’t be unconvinced now. I think Anxi is quite right!"
Niuniu immediately drooped his head; he respected Zhou Yunchen as well.
Just then, Shen Congwen glanced at Zhou Yunchen again and noticed he seemed exceptionally dazzling today, quite different from his usual self. Looking closer, he realized the tie Zhou Yunchen wore seemed familiar, and his shirt too...
Shen Congwen lowered his eyes.
Zhou Yunchen walked over. "Congwen, why pretend you don’t see an old classmate?"
Shen Congwen kept his eyes down. "President Zhou, please forgive any inadequate hospitality."
"My, my, Congwen, it’s only been a few days. Why so polite and distant..." Zhou Yunchen chuckled.
Gu Anxi nudged Bo Xichen’s arm and coughed lightly.
Bo Xichen whispered, "Spare Vice President Shen some dignity, will you?"
Gu Anxi cheekily made a face.
Shen Congwen, after all, was a man of standing. He didn’t let the awkwardness linger and quickly steered the conversation elsewhere. With so many people around, Zhou Yunchen didn’t press him further.
So, Shen Congwen arranged for the young ladies to go riding, as a sort of warm-up. The men remained, sipping wine, discussing business, and incidentally admiring the young women’s graceful forms on horseback.
However, a few men joined in as well.
Manager Zhang Niuniu, the Great Protector, put in a Herculean effort just to mount his horse... It was rather difficult to describe his struggle.
Fang Ming also joined, because Wang Qin didn’t know how. Wang Qin was petite, and the horse was much taller than her. Seeing her shrink back timidly, Fang Ming simply scooped her up, placed her on the horse’s back, and mounted behind her. Wang Qin was still trembling violently when Fang Ming flicked the reins, and they galloped off, leaving a trail of dust.
Jiang Chaoge chuckled, then she and Princess Gu each took a horse. Gu Mingzhu maintained her debutante elegance, her pace unhurried. The female PhD, however, cut a rather dashing figure, likely intending to show off her skills.
Gu Anxi smiled, swung herself onto her horse, and then ambled along at a leisurely pace.
This isn’t a race, and there’s no prize money. Why ride so fast?
Bo Xichen watched her with a smile, then turned to converse with those around him. Occasionally, he would exchange a knowing glance with Bo Nianyao.
This banquet definitely isn’t that simple, Bo Xichen thought.
Zhou Yunchen was also a cunning old fox. Plus, he was on Gu Anxi’s side, so naturally, his speech and attitude favored the Bo family. This came as a pleasant surprise to Bo Nianyao.
My cub is really something! Bo Nianyao thought with satisfaction. One had to know, Zhou Yunchen’s reputation had become quite formidable in Beicheng over the past few months since his arrival.
As they were talking, Jiang Chaoge was the first to return. The female PhD dismounted, a light sheen of sweat on her face, her lips curved in a smile. Jiang Bin, the Jiang Family Head, gave a slight smile.
Soon after, Gu Mingzhu also returned.
Fang Ming, with Wang Qin, also returned. Riding double had slowed them down somewhat. Fang Ming’s face was a bit sullen, while Wang Qin’s small hands were wrapped tightly around his waist.
Madam Fang’s expression was quite indescribable.
Why had Fang Ming ended up with a girl from Qingcheng? No looks, no family background... When Mingzhu had told her Fang Ming and Wang Qin were genuinely together, she hadn’t believed it. Now, she did.
Madam Fang had once asked Director Fang about it. But Director Fang had merely evaded, saying Fang Ming was still young and one relationship was nothing significant. Madam Fang had actually been placated by that, only realizing the gravity of the situation when Wang Qin was brought here today.
At this moment, Madam Fang’s expression was a picture. Chu Yan, who had just approached, said with a beaming smile, "Aunt Fang, Fang Ming and Wang Qin look so good together!"
Madam Fang’s expression turned even more sour.
Just then, everyone’s attention turned to the last rider: Gu Anxi. Why hadn’t she returned yet?
She’s taking far too long!
Jiang Chaoge smiled faintly. "Perhaps Miss Gu rarely rides, so it’s natural for her to be a bit slower."
Gu Mingzhu also smiled faintly. In the past, she had always looked down on Jiang Chaoge, considering her merely from a collateral branch of the family and quite beneath notice.
But right now, the enemy of my enemy is my friend!
So she added softly, "Anxi grew up in Qingcheng. I don’t believe they have riding stables there, do they?"
She had barely finished speaking when a sudden thundering of hooves approached. Before anyone could react, a white steed was upon them. The rider leaned down, and in one smooth motion, Chu Yan’s small form was swept up onto the horse.
AHHH...
Everyone stared, dumbfounded.
The young ladies covered their mouths. So cool!
Gu Anxi grinned. "Let me take you for a spin."
Chu Yan winked at her brother, and Chu Ci smiled back.
Chu Changhe, the Chu Family Head, sighed to his wife, "Anxi spoils Yan Yan too much."
Madam Chu smiled. "It’s rare for them to get along so well."
Chu Changhe lowered his voice. "It’s not proper!"
Chu Ci glanced at her parents but said nothing.
Chu Yan was quite petite, and Gu Anxi was half a head taller. Holding Chu Yan with one arm, Gu Anxi rode a small half-loop and then returned, much to the envy of the other young women present.
Zhou Yunchen, holding a glass of red wine, nudged Shen Congwen beside him with his elbow. "See that? The female PhD the Jiang family found is hardly a match."
Shen Congwen stared down into his glass. After a long moment, he asked, "Do you like girls like that?"
Zhou Yunchen chuckled. "More like admiration." He paused. "And I see her as a younger sister."
Shen Congwen couldn’t help but look up, his gaze following her... 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺
Gu Anxi coolly helped Chu Yan dismount, then agilely leaped off the horse herself.
He was somewhat bewildered, Shen Congwen thought. When Gu Anxi was on her own, she exuded such cool independence and a commanding presence. Yet, the moment she was near Bo Xichen, she became as docile and sweet as a little kitten. In front of the Bo family, too, she was the image of a perfectly behaved child. Yet, it wasn’t forced at all; she switched between these personas effortlessly.
This display was also something Jiang Chaoge and Gu Mingzhu hadn’t anticipated... Gu Anxi was actually such a skilled rider!
