Zhang Yanyan took a light breath, recalling the fundamentals of horseback riding. She adjusted her posture, then raised her hand and took hold of the reins.
The fine horse beneath her moved forward at a steady walk. At first, her body was somewhat stiff, but as she grew accustomed to the rhythm of the horse’s movements, she gradually relaxed, swaying naturally with each step. Her posture became easy and poised.
The evening breeze brushed against her cheeks, and the open view across the riding grounds soothed both body and mind.
Once she had settled in, Zhang Yanyan lightly pressed her heels against the horse’s flanks. The horse immediately picked up speed, shifting from a slow walk into a brisk trot. The wind swept past her ears, carrying away all the fatigue she had accumulated over the past several days.
Beside her, Su Yuan watched her riding posture and said, “Sis, it’s been so long since you last rode. You’re still so steady—I thought you might have gotten rusty.”
Zhang Yanyan turned her head to glance at her and reminded her, “Watch the path ahead. Hold on to the reins and focus on controlling your horse.”
Su Yuan immediately refocused, straightened her posture, and began carefully handling the horse beneath her. Seeing her serious expression, the corners of Zhang Yanyan’s lips lifted slightly.
The two of them rode around the grounds for nearly two hours. At first, Su Yuan’s movements were stiff and she was unfamiliar with controlling the horse, but after practicing several times, she gradually mastered the techniques and became increasingly steady. From time to time, she would raise her hand and ask Zhang Yanyan to take a few photos of her along the way.
Zhang Yanyan remained relaxed throughout. Following the riding instructor’s directions from outside the arena, she smoothly completed changes of direction, deceleration, turns, and other movements, riding with effortless grace.
When they finished, the two of them dismounted one after another. Their legs were slightly sore, and a thin sheen of sweat covered their bodies, leaving them feeling refreshed and loose-limbed.
Su Yuan walked over to the rest area and sat down. After accepting a glass of warm water from a staff member, she took a sip and said, “Horseback riding really does relieve stress. I’ve been buried in practice problems and classes lately and felt so cooped up. I finally got to relax today.”
“You can come more often when you have time during the holidays,” Zhang Yanyan said, picking up a towel to wipe the sweat from her forehead.
Su Yuan’s eyes brightened. “It’s a promise, then. After I finish the college entrance exam, you’ll bring me here again. I’ll practice cantering properly next time.”
“Sure,” Zhang Yanyan replied.
The two rested in the lounge for more than half an hour. Once the soreness in their bodies had eased, Manager Wang, who had been waiting outside, came over and asked softly, “Miss Zhang, Miss Su, if you’re rested, the archery range has been prepared. Shall we head over?”
“Let’s go,” Su Yuan replied as she stood.
The archery range was next to the riding grounds. It was a standalone building designed in a simple industrial style, with a quiet interior divided into several independent lanes. The innermost VIP lane had been reserved in advance. A full set of professional protective equipment and recurve bows had been arranged inside, while target sheets were neatly displayed along the wall. The arrows were fitted with safe suction-cup tips, ensuring ample safety.
As soon as the two entered, their private archery instructor came forward to greet them.
The instructor carefully explained the structure of a bow and arrow, as well as the proper techniques for gripping the bow, nocking an arrow, aiming, and releasing. He also went over the range’s safety regulations before demonstrating in person. His arrow struck the bull’s-eye.
Su Yuan picked up the lightest beginner’s bow and tried to draw and aim according to the instructions. Since it was her first time, she had trouble keeping her arm steady, and the arrow flew straight past the target.
She looked at the empty target and smiled faintly. “It looks simple, but there’s definitely some technique to it in practice.”
“You’ll get the hang of it after a few more tries.”
Zhang Yanyan stepped forward and picked up a bow and arrow. The focus and bodily control honed through years of cultivation gave her a far greater command of strength and precision than an ordinary person. Following the techniques she had just been taught, she nocked the arrow, drew the bow, took aim, and released in one fluid sequence. The arrow shot through the air and landed solidly in the eight-ring area.
The instructor beside them nodded slightly. “Miss Zhang has a real talent for this. That’s an impressive result for a first attempt at archery.”
Su Yuan turned to look at her. “Sis, you’re good at everything. You picked it up way too quickly.”
“I just have a decent feel for it.” Zhang Yanyan reached up and gently smoothed Su Yuan’s hair. “Keep practicing. You’ll find your rhythm soon enough.”
Su Yuan nodded and returned to her own lane to practice repeatedly. She went from missing the target again and again to hitting it steadily, then progressed to consistently landing arrows in the five- and six-ring areas. Her performance improved step by step, and she gradually became fully absorbed in the activity.
Zhang Yanyan continued practicing as well. Her accuracy grew increasingly impressive, and every arrow she shot afterward struck the ten-ring. Her movements remained steady and precise throughout.
The two practiced in the archery range for nearly two hours. When their arms began to ache slightly, they put away the equipment and ended the session.
By the time they left the building, it was nearly one in the afternoon, and both of them were ravenous.
Manager Wang had been waiting outside. He led them to a private restaurant halfway up the mountain in the resort, where everything had already been arranged.
The restaurant sat against the mountain beside a lake, surrounded by an elegant and peaceful atmosphere. The private dining room’s floor-to-ceiling windows looked out over the entire lake, offering a broad and unobstructed view. The dishes had all been served: steamed sea bass, matsutake chicken soup, sweet-and-sour pork ribs, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, osmanthus glutinous rice lotus root, and an assortment of exquisite desserts. The meal featured a well-balanced combination of meat and vegetables, with every dish arranged with meticulous care.
Manager Wang stood beside them and asked, “Miss Zhang, Miss Su, would you like anything else added?”
“No, this is more than enough. Thank you for your trouble,” Zhang Yanyan replied.
“Then please enjoy your meal. Just let me know if you need anything,” Manager Wang said before leaving the room and gently closing the door behind him.
The two picked up their chopsticks and ate in silence. The ingredients were fresh and authentic, the flavors perfectly balanced, and every dish delicious.
As she ate, Su Yuan said, “The food here is really good—more authentic than the dishes at Shanyue Private Kitchen, where we went before.”
Zhang Yanyan gave a slight nod and continued eating quietly.
