A Deliberate Sort of Anger

He could envisage it in his mind's eye, the way she rode, free and spirited across the open plains.

Mongolia was a country with plenty of flatlands; she could ride to her heart's content, flailing her switch as she urged her steed on.

The canter of hooves grew distant, and the picture he drew of her behind unseeing white gauze grew ever so vivid.

It was good weather, with nary a cloud in sight.

Qin Shu had never felt so free. She had ridden a horse before, but never in such an open setting where the plains stretched as far as the eye could see. She soon forgot her ill mood, swept away by the wind whipping her hair and the laughter bubbling in her throat.

An hour later, Qin Shu returned saddled on her horse. She was covered in sweat, a rosy glow colouring her cheeks.

She swung off the horse and skipped toward Chao Yan. "Do you want to ride a horse?" she asked, a vibrant smile lighting her features.