Volume One, Chapter Seventeen: I Beg You-Ao me tornar a protagonista, o vilão maquiavélico se apaixonou por mim à primeira vista.(Tinta pausada não é livro.)

Qin Xianxian’s heart suddenly panicked.

She was doomed, doomed. She didn’t know how others rode horses, but with her poor skills and speed, she was bound to collide with someone.

Qin Xianxian urgently pulled the reins, and the horse neighed loudly, lifting its front hooves high. Suddenly losing balance, Qin Xianxian toppled backward; the reins slipped from her grasp, leaving a faint, shallow cut on her palm.

She had resigned herself to fate, expecting to break her spine and be crippled.

Unexpectedly, the sound of galloping hooves rushed to her ears, and a hand reached out. A strong arm pressed against her abdomen, a large palm gripping her waist tightly.

Qin Xianxian felt herself being lifted at the waist, her body spinning halfway around before settling steadily on the rider’s horse. The hand around her waist pulled back, pressing her back tightly against the man’s chest. Strands of black hair that did not belong to her brushed over his collarbone.

Still shaken, Qin Xianxian hadn’t yet reacted.

The hand holding the reins in front suddenly tugged back, and the horse gradually stopped.

Above her came Shen Qingli’s voice, serious but tinged with reproach.

“Miss Qin, do you even know how to ride? Are you trying to lose your life?”

At his words, Qin Xianxian’s eyes brightened slightly. She turned her head a little and lifted it, meeting the sharp, chiseled line of his jaw. The distance between them was so close that if she raised her head a bit more, their lips might touch.

Noticing her movement, the hand around her waist rose, the thumb pressing under her chin to turn her head back forward.

The anger on his face was barely concealed—a sight she was better off not seeing.

At that moment, the two attendants sent by Su Yiqiu arrived and halted in front of them.

Before they could speak, Shen Qingli glanced at them coldly and said, “No need to follow. Return and report to your mistress that the second miss is under escort and there’s nothing to worry about.”

The attendants exchanged a look at Qin Xianxian. Without orders from their master, they dare not disobey.

“Go then, follow the young master’s instructions.”

“Yes.”

One attendant stepped forward and took hold of the horse Qin Xianxian had just ridden, then led it back along the same path.

“Miss Qin, you still haven’t answered my question—do you want to live or not?”

Shen Qingli’s face darkened as he spoke again.

The presence behind her was overwhelming, and Qin Xianxian dared not utter a word. She lowered her head slightly, twisting her sleeves nervously.

“Looks like you want to live,” he said.

Suddenly, the hand behind her grasped hers, placing the reins into her palm and wrapping his hand firmly over hers, his tone stern:

“If you don’t learn today, then don’t get off this horse.”

Qin Xianxian felt the pressure of a strict teacher disciplining a student.

She swallowed nervously, her lips trembling as she whispered, “It’s not that easy to learn…”

“I think you were riding so well just now that you could’ve met the King of Hell.”

She was speechless. It was the first time she realized Shen Qingli’s words could be so cutting.

“Back to the Qin residence?”

His words snapped Qin Xianxian back to reality.

Right! She nearly forgot the important matter!

Yet, under the pressure behind her, she could only respond softly, “Mm.”

Out of the corner of his eye, Shen Qingli caught sight of a bright red mark on her hand where the reins had rubbed, and a flicker of anger flared within him again.

If he hadn’t arrived in time, the consequences would have been unimaginable. His tone grew serious once more.

“Take control.”

He released his grip, handing over the reins fully to her.

Qin Xianxian had just been frightened out of her wits. Even with her “teacher” behind her now, she dared not move the reins lightly.

She looked back, eyes wide and glistening, gazing at him plaintively, her voice soft and yielding.

“Young Master Shen, please, I really don’t know how.”

Shen Qingli’s expression subtly shifted. He did not lower his gaze to her, but a few ripples stirred in his eyes.

He was perceptive, and so was Qin Xianxian. Seeing the faint emotion stirring in his face, she seized the opportunity.

Her voice was naturally gentle, but now she softened it even more, her plea carrying a hint of coquettishness.

“Young Master Shen, please, you take the reins!”

His heart skipped a beat, and he finally lowered his head to look at her.

She saw him look down and immediately lifted the reins in her hand slightly, her face filled with expectation.

His gaze fell again on the bright red mark on her hand, and his mood softened considerably. The anger he had just felt dissipated, replaced by tenderness.

After a long silence...

Shen Qingli sighed inwardly, then reached out to gently turn her head back, carefully pulling the reins from her grasp. His tone was gentler now.

“Miss Qin, forgive me.”

Qin Xianxian had not yet fully grasped his meaning when she felt his hand circle her waist again.

Earlier, it had been a desperate move to save her; now, the gesture carried a different significance in her eyes.

Her cheeks flushed.

Well! She had taunted him just yesterday—there was nothing left to say now.

With a tug on the reins and a light squeeze of her legs, the horse turned steadily and began to trot forward slowly.

Too slow! How long would it take to get back to the Qin residence at this pace?

“Young Master Shen, it’s too slow. Could you go faster?”

She reached back and tried to pry his arm loose from around her waist. He didn’t realize how strong his grip was—just a gentle squeeze made her uncomfortable.

“Could you be gentler? It’s a bit painful…”

Qin Xianxian murmured softly. Although her requests were reasonable, to Shen Qingli’s ears they carried a different tone.

His hand stiffened around her waist, and he pursed his lips, a strange feeling arising in his heart.

He had always thought those men lingering in taverns and brothels were sordid and unworthy, easily ensnared by women’s petty words.

But now, with her pressed against his chest, he finally understood. This feeling was like a sudden flood, overwhelming and inescapable.

His body and reason were nearly engulfed.

After pretending for years to be a refined gentleman, he was ultimately just a common man.

His voice carried an unspoken restraint.

“Miss Qin, speak less, and make fewer requests, alright?”

“Okay!”

So frustrated, truly frustrated!

At this moment, Qin Xianxian only regretted having to rely on others, unable to act freely.

Though he told her to speak less and ask less, she could clearly feel the horse picking up speed.

She reached up to smooth her hair, now tangled and messy.

Goodness, tonight’s bath was going to be a challenge.