"Uncle Tian, may I ask, between Princess and Yuwen Lu, whose horsemanship is better?"
"Well... If talking comprehensive ability, definitely Prince Lu, but for this speed race specifically, our Princess is second to none. After all, she's Master Boyue's star pupil!"
"Boy... Ah, the legendary figure who won the World Equestrian Competition championship five consecutive years?"
"Mm, exactly right, Young Master Xiaoxi!"
"—Meaning if Ning'er races Yuwen Lu, winning probability is greater..."
"Correct! Xiao Jun, did you think of some strategy?"
"Mm... I'm thinking, we only need to win one match—of the three, only Ning'er has winning potential. So referencing Tianji's horse racing strategy, we can only choose relatively weaker matchups to have winning possibility!"
"Smart! Thinking of that historical reference so quickly and formulating strategy, truly impressive!"
"Mm? Ah, Uncle Tian, you flatter me—Just call me Xiao Jun, that other address is a bit uncomfortable!"
"Alright, Xiao Jun..."
"Hey, finished discussing or not—hmph, such dawdling... Don't worry, we won't switch horses, using only Jiying, Brother Lu first... Are you competing or not? If you don't dare, just admit defeat! The day lilies are getting cold waiting!"
"You..."
"Xiaoxi... Princess, we've decided. Let's begin!"
—Hmph! Still so calm... With your level, watch how I crush you later!
All along, for matters without confidence, Ah Jun wouldn't do them. So in fact, this acceptance was completely helpless—and Ah Jun himself knew very clearly that even a draw was difficult, after all, levels were set there, except for Ning'er.
Then the key to victory fell on Ning'er's shoulders, but those two were no ordinary people either. What to do...
Fortunately, the knowledge Ah Jun accumulated in his mind since childhood suddenly gave him inspiration. Then, after inquiring about opponent intelligence, Ah Jun finally settled on a strategy—first round Ning'er would face relatively weaker Yuwen Lu, striving for victory, then they could pass.
"Ning'er..."
"—Mm!"
"You guys, what are you saying?"
With the trainer's bell ring, the first match officially began—considering there was still a second match, Yuwen Lu had to hold back, letting Jiying conserve energy.
So after starting, Jiying's speed obviously slowed a bit. Of course, Ning'er's partner Frost Descent was no pushover either. Though both looked like vases, abilities were top-tier.
At the starting stage, due to Jiying's speed and explosive power, Frost Descent fell slightly behind, but only temporarily—soon, as the speed gap narrowed, racer Ning'er gradually caught up to the hesitating Lu.
So in the mid-section pulling stage, due to Frost Descent's unique ability, Ning'er repeatedly overtook her opponent, now slightly leading—this made Xiaoxi on the side happily shout. But Ah Jun observing calmly from the side had already noticed the problem. If Yuwen Lu didn't hold back, probably hard to catch up...
—He's doing this, could it be for?
"Brother Lu, go for it! You don't need to consider so much..."
"—Consider what? Right now Ning'er's leading, making it look like you're going easy..."
"Hmph, that's not it. If not worried about the second round, Brother Lu would've left her ten streets behind!"
—Mm, right! The little princess's words have merit. Obviously, Jiying's speed is what Frost Descent can't match. After all, one focuses on high burst, the other excels in endurance.
Yuwen Lu's doing this naturally had his reasons. Energy distribution was very important for Jiying needing to compete in two matches!
"Ah Jun, look, almost at the finish, we're going to win, haha!"
"Don't celebrate too early... Hmph, Brother Lu must win!"
—Mm, for now, Ning'er does have advantage. But don't forget, Yuwen Lu and Jiying aren't pushovers... Wait, he's speeding up. This way Jiying's consumption should be quite large.
Soon, entering sprint stage, everyone's eyes glued to the track, not daring to blink... And Yuwen Lu looked somewhat anxious—due to the little princess's cheering and reminder, he couldn't continue following the original plan... After all, this opponent also forced Yuwen Lu to consider immediate tactical adjustment.
Originally, he planned to use half consumption to maintain slight advantage, keep leading—but now it seemed, not only fallen behind, and if not putting in effort, might not achieve victory.
—Mm!
So Yuwen Lu calmly activated Jiying's ability, not only breaking through Frost Descent's speed limit ability Cold Current, but instantly accelerating toward the finish line—just as both racers were about to touch the red line, the order finally changed. Originally trailing Yuwen Lu was now neck and neck with Ning'er... Their mounts, bit by bit...
"Crossed the line... Ha, Ning'er won, fantastic! Huh? Ah Jun, what's wrong?"
"What look is that? Brother Lu won't lose!"
"Xiaoxi, we didn't win..."
"That guy, how did he notice... Such a subtle instant, ordinary people shouldn't see clearly..."
"First match, reached finish line simultaneously, draw!"
At this moment, with His Majesty's ruling, Ah Jun's deduction was verified—and Xiaoxi's original excitement turned to some dissatisfaction, but after all, trainer Teacher Tian was professional, so no foul play whatsoever.
Though just a draw, for Ah Jun, already the best expected result. As for Xiaoxi, he didn't understand these strategic things, too lazy to think. Anyway, result was not losing, that's good enough.
"Ning'er, you're amazing!"
"Ah Jun, I..."
"Mm... It's okay—after all, you just partnered with Frost Descent. Besides, Yuwen Lu's horsemanship is top-tier among peers. Not winning is understandable..."
As the first match ended, Ning'er led her horse back to the team with some awkwardness—of course, Xiaoxi immediately gave his girl high emotional value. In his eyes, Ning'er was the best. Even just a draw was the Holy Maiden's mercy.
But at this moment, Ning'er had no mind to feel this. She really hoped to help Ah Jun win this round, so the boy could stay away from that girl. After all, what Ning'er needed now was something Xiaoxi couldn't provide and didn't understand.
As for Ah Jun, he should understand some of Ning'er's thoughts. That glance just now detected his companion's disappointment, also realizing Xiaoxi's emotional appeal was ineffective—and at this moment, what Ning'er anticipated was precisely the boy's words.
So under Ah Jun's guidance, the slightly apologetic Ning'er finally relaxed her brows. Then the three happily celebrated with their chatter—the right person, right words, worth a thousand words!
"Xin'er, sorry..."
"Brother Lu, what are you saying? It's fine... I know you were thinking of me, so didn't use full strength—otherwise they'd have no chance!"
"Hey... What kind of talk is that? Acting like you let us win—this is called ability, understand?"
"You!"
"What, want to hit me... Come on, bite me!"
"Hmph, Duan Muxi, don't think I won't hit you... I!"
"Enough... Tianji, start the second match!"
"Yes!"
—Just wait and see. I'll make you lose completely convinced!
Originally Ah Jun's plan centered on Ning'er, as she was the core strength this time. Though Yuwen Lu was formidable, according to that historical reference, competing with him had higher winning rate. If they won, whether to compete in the second round didn't matter—couldn't win anyway.
But unfortunately, the first round was a draw, just that little bit off—though this result was within Ah Jun's expectations, wanting to win the next match was impossible.
At this moment, having lost the first match, the little princess not only showed no dissatisfaction but eagerly anticipated the second showdown—she impatiently stared at Ah Jun's group, inner confidence brimming, like a tiger waiting to hunt, and that prey was still pondering the second match personnel...
"Hey, decided yet, or planning to give up..."
"Hey, what's there to be smug about? Watch how I beat you!"
"You... Just with you? Haha, don't forget you're my defeated opponent—oh, and those mung bean eyes!"
"Sigh, you... Last time I let you win. Watch me this time..."
"Hey, whoever-you-are, chickened out? If you don't dare, just admit defeat and apologize... Losing to me is very normal!"
"Hey, who are you looking down on? This time I'll deal with you—and he has a name, Ah Jun... Not some cat or dog!"
—Um, Xiaoxi... You should rest. Seems the little princess wants her opponent to be me, but I just practiced this little while—can I do it? If Xiaoxi competed, should be more skilled than me, but we two seem about the same, and those mung bean eyes... Sigh, better me. Fortunately Uncle Tian just mentioned Little Qianli's ability. As long as we can achieve harmony, maybe there's a chance. After all, what must come will come!
"Mm! Xiaoxi, I'll go—Princess, please!"
"Ah Jun..."
"Bro, don't let that girl provoke you!"
"Mm... I know—you, might not win either..."
"Um... True, seems I really can't, but can't lose momentum!"
"Then Uncle Tian, please begin—Little Qianli, you must help me, counting on you!"
"Whinny~"
—Hmph, watch closely... Stinky kid, watch how I beat you, just wait!
"Positions, ready—bang!"
With trainer Tianji's second gunshot, this battle of vastly different abilities and high anticipation officially began—at this moment, the little princess shouted loudly, her partner Jiying instantly accelerated from the start, that speed so fast, already not like before, visually creating afterimages.
—Just wait to admit defeat!
"Ah Jun, speed up! You're already half a track behind!"
—Um, Xiaoxi, Jiying is the fastest among treasure horses, you think I don't want to...
At this moment, Ah Jun and Little Qianli were already going full out, but helpless against opponent's overwhelming strength, so current gap was reasonable.
—Jiying's advantage is really obvious, but the first match should have consumed considerable energy, so mid-section she must control speed to maintain stamina... This is my only chance!
"Little Qianli, next, need to trouble you to work harder. We only have this one opportunity!"
Following his own strategy, Ah Jun began soul communication with the horse—because the key to this race, besides timing, had one core point: partner harmony. What Ah Jun learned from the trainer was, as long as you can spiritually connect with the horse, become one, you can unleash its maximum potential.
So to win this race, must do this—of course, only Ah Jun was most suitable. After all, he was deeply favored by small animals. Switch to Xiaoxi? Give it up!
"Bro, already halfway, why aren't you moving!"
"Don't rush, that child has his own ideas. You guys better wait patiently!"
"Little Qianli!"
——Whinny!
"Hey, really... Ning'er, look quick, Ah Jun's catching up!"
—Mm, timing just right!
At this moment, following Ah Jun's shout, his partner Little Qianli mustered all strength, releasing a full year's accumulated power—before everyone's eyes, they kept chasing, the gap growing smaller.
"What? Impossible! Giddyup!"
Originally far ahead, feeling certain of victory, the little princess, upon hearing the sound and sensing Ah Jun's movement, had to speed up again, wanting to widen the gap—but as Ah Jun's group judged, since Jiying wasn't an endurance-focused horse, current stamina obviously couldn't support the princess's willfulness.
So both sides began competing, the little princess with slight lead entering sprint stage—so who could achieve final victory?
—Obviously, definitely Ah Jun!
So the result of course was, still unknown. The match process and result weren't simple—at the moment of crossing the line, the two were still neck and neck, but a sudden sandstorm disrupted the entire track.
—So did Ah Jun lose or win?
"Ah, my eyes..."
"Xin'er!"
"Aha, Ah Jun's going to win!"
"Oh no, she's in danger!"
"Jiying, calm down—ah..."
"Little Qianli!"
However, at the instant of crossing the line, Ah Jun no longer cared about the race, because at this moment, there was something more important requiring immediate action—that sandstorm cleverly got into the little princess and Jiying's eyes. The startled horse lost control.
Fortunately, Ah Jun saw everything—just as everyone was panicking, Ah Jun, borrowing his partner's remaining momentum, instantly lunged over, tightly protecting the girl about to fall, heavily crashing to the ground.
Though as a Guardian, he might have had better rescue methods. But at this moment, instinct triggered, making Ah Jun unhesitatingly use the clumsiest method, sparing no effort, only wanting to protect the girl perfectly—one hand around her waist, one protecting the back of her head, while he himself became the cushion, not thinking of his own safety at all.
"Are you okay?"
"My eyes..."
"I'll blow on them for you... Sorry—or try to cry... How's that?"
"Mm... Better now, thank you Lu... Ah, why is it you—you... Get away from me, don't touch me!!"
"Ah!"
"Ah Jun..."
"—Bro, are you okay... Hey, how ungrateful!"
"Xiaoxi..."
At this moment, the waiting audience finally couldn't contain their urgency, rushing over—however, though Ah Jun was being selfless, he met the little princess's full resistance.
Because the moment the girl's eyes recovered, the truth was revealed—her eyes full of panic, then with great force she violently pushed Ah Jun down...
With a thud, that boy who for her sake didn't even care about himself was impacted again, his head hitting precisely the stone pier at the track's edge...
The girl's action not only drew strong dissatisfaction from Xiaoxi and Ning'er, but also left her own family speechless... Only Yuwen Lu still stayed by her side, only concerned about her condition.
"Xiaoxi, Ning'er, I'm fine..."
"Bro, still defending her—you saved her, and she treats you like this!"
"Ah Jun... Are you okay? You've gone too far!"
"You guys... Dare criticize this princess—hmph... I didn't ask him to do that—Mother, Father, you all saw... He just wanted to take advantage, this was self-defense!"
"Hey! Say that again..."
"Xin'er!!"
"Brother Lu..."
"Ah, my head..."
"Yikes! Bro... What's wrong?"
However, just as Xiaoxi and Ning'er stood together denouncing the little princess for their companion, suddenly Ah Jun's cry made them shift attention—then, serving as referee assistant, Tianji also arrived with the match results.
"Ah Jun... Are you alright?"
"Oh... Mm, bit dizzy!"
"Hmph, still putting on an act..."
"Xin'er, he was helping you..."
"Quick, summon the imperial physician!!"
"Your Majesty, Empress, let me—mm... Hehe, as expected—just mild concussion, no problem."
"—Who asked him to help~"
"Hey! Know you lost, upset... You did that on purpose just now!"
"I... I did not!"
"Ah! Right, Uncle Tian, what's the result?"
In fact, for the final match result, Ah Jun no longer cared, and seeing everyone quarreling over him made his heart feel bad.
So he had to think of something again—after exchanging glances with Yuwen Lu, Ah Jun suddenly turned to the trainer asking about results, changing the subject.
"Um... Second match, Xiao Jun lost by 0.1 second time difference!"
"What... Impossible, how could she win—I don't believe it!"
"Xiaoxi!"
"Mm, correct, indeed Princess narrowly won—look here!"
"Then... That still doesn't count, unfair!"
"Hmph, big man won't admit defeat... Want to beat me, no way—hey, whoever-you-are, don't forget!"
"Sigh! You dare mention it? If not for saving you, how could Ah Jun lose to you!"
"I... you..."
"Enough, Xiaoxi—Princess won, I accept defeat willingly!"
Then the trainer's conclusion and testimony made the situation reverse—that originally unreasonable little princess, at this moment, as if holding a chicken feather as an imperial command, suppressed her opponent. However, this time Xiaoxi didn't plan to give up. With Ning'er's firm support, he continued arguing, seeking justice for Ah Jun.
Just as the two were arguing heatedly in deadlock, seeing that shaken girl falling into public pressure, kind Ah Jun declined Xiaoxi's goodwill and Ning'er's concern—then the boy slowly walked toward the girl, smiling while congratulating, preparing to kneel on one knee and sincerely apologize for the previous misunderstanding!
"You... What are you doing? Hey, for real... You—oh my, okay... Considering you just now... Protected this princess, then—still smiling! Hmph... Fine, this princess forgives you!"
"Yo, what's going on... Changed personality?"
"Oh my, okay okay—mm, that's more like it, you two, what conflict are you having, right?"
"Ahem!"
"Ah... Oh! Right, children, it's getting late. Everyone quickly follow me to the Aviation Center!"
Fortunately, though this little princess seemed very willful and deeply misunderstood the boy—at this moment, Ah Jun's sincerity made the girl somewhat flustered, unable to face it calmly.
Her eyes widened but didn't dare look directly, dodging around, that facial expression gradually changing from smug to hesitant and conflicted.
—Hey... You, for real? I was just saying, how could... There be such a foolish person. Like this, how does it make me look to everyone... Really apologizing, no need to do so publicly in front of everyone, so... so awkward.
Um... Just now, he did save me? Mm... My attitude seemed not too good, how about, call it even? Sigh, looking now, he doesn't seem that bad. Could I really have misunderstood before?
Oh my, okay okay, I forgive you... Really, why kneel on one knee like that, making a big deal of nothing. Those who don't know might think you're, you're asking me to... Hmph, a toad wanting swan meat, dream on!
So this originally pure-hearted girl, though unwilling, still quietly stopped the boy, then under everyone's gaze, generously gave up the right to pursue—because Ah Jun's sincerity and composure allowed the pent-up feelings in the girl's heart to be released.
Then that skilled mediator His Majesty, also seeing the right timing, suddenly came to the children's side, one hand per child, laughing heartily while drawing the two closer—and others naturally felt relieved.
So this storm was quelled again... The situation gradually eased and harmonized!
But one person, though like Xiaoxi also felt relieved for Ah Jun's resolution, inside felt unsettled—this was Ning'er, who for Ah Jun's sake had broken her own principles multiple times, just now also disregarding the alliance, insisting on standing in her companion's position, defending the boy in her heart.
Remember a few minutes ago, her eyes tightly locked on the opposite girl, looking unusually cold, even the surrounding air filled with chill, also making that willful little princess's heart instantly produce fear—of course, the most pitiful was naturally Xiaoxi, being closest to Ning'er, and that thick-skinned little chubby was frozen shivering.
—Oh my, a fairy is a fairy, even angry looks so good, truly captivating, completely fallen... Mm, then let it be, why struggle! Um, but though Ning'er is good, calm, smart, loyal... Sister, could you not make it so cold? Achoo...
As the conflict eased, after a while, the children gradually followed their elders' steps, leaving the racecourse for the next venue. At this moment, Ning'er standing dazed aside, her face had recovered to calm appearance, but those micro-expressions still showed embarrassment, easily discovered by others...
—After all, the face reflects the heart. One look and you know.
At this moment, her mood was constantly affected by the subtle interaction between Ah Jun and the little princess, combined with uncertainty about her own feelings, woven into tangled mess, a knot quietly forming.
For his companion's current mood, though Ah Jun had ability to perceive, right now he had no time to consider, and couldn't understand—as for that flower protector Xiaoxi, at this time naturally still immersed in the joy of the recent reversal, completely unaware... Even taking a step back, with Xiaoxi's big head and small eyes, thick-lined single-celled, even if he noticed, probably couldn't read it.
"Whinny~"
—Mm? It's you... Frost!
However, all things have spirit—though just initially acquainted, treasure horse Frost Descent seemed to have already entered the girl's heart.
Just as Ning'er's mood was unsettled, falling behind the group, stopped in place, suddenly a different warmth gently touched her face...
"Mm... It's fine, thank you!"
So Ning'er's attention was diverted by that sudden concern, also unconsciously letting go of entangled feelings, gradually feeling free—so her brows began relaxing, face gradually easing, mouth corners with surprised expression, interacting with her animal friend...
That stunning appearance combined with top-tier temperament had already formed a beautiful scenery... And at this moment, even without others' appreciation, the two of them were still radiant, admiring themselves in solitude!
—Turns out, legendary kindred spirits aren't limited between same species. Very likely, precisely those beings fated with you—like spiritual cats, cute charming bunnies, clever witty parakeets, even just a flower, grass, or leaf... You know, sometimes, those who truly understand you might not necessarily be us, but perhaps them whom you've overlooked, and them too... Even you!