Shao Yun, Lumine, and Paimon departed from Amber's house, strolling leisurely down the bustling streets of Mondstadt. Sunlight poured through breaks in the clouds, casting a vibrant glow over the ancient city.
As they followed the main road, shops on either side displayed all sorts of goods. With the Stormterror crisis resolved, citizens no longer lived in constant fear.
Though it was still daytime, the taverns were louder than ever, filled with patrons drinking in celebration of peace. It looked like Mondstadt's alcohol tax revenue was about to double—but so would public disturbances. The Knights of Favonius would definitely have more patrol work ahead.
Eventually, the trio arrived at the city gates. Shao Yun suddenly stopped and turned to Lumine, his eyes serious. In a quiet voice, he said, "Lumine, I remember I promised to teach you how to ride a horse, didn't I?"
Lumine blinked, recalling when he'd first brought it up. She shrugged with a wry smile. "Oh? You actually remembered that?"
She thought of their last ride to Dawn Winery and grimaced slightly at the memory.
"Can I... not learn?" she muttered, hoping to avoid the daunting task.
But Shao Yun firmly shook his head. "It's always good to learn something new. Who knows—someday it might save your life."
Realizing he was getting too serious, he quickly changed the tone with a smile. "Come on, I'm not gonna throw you off a cliff. I'll go get the horse."
Just as he was about to summon the horse from his system's mobile stable, a thought struck him.
He glanced back at Lumine and Paimon, both clearly watching him with curiosity.
"Alright, you know the drill. Close your eyes. No peeking!"
Seeing their plan foiled, the two quickly shut their eyes.
Once they complied, Shao Yun took a deep breath and opened the system interface. But no matter how many times he tried, the horse wouldn't appear.
He frowned and checked again. They're not peeking... right?
He looked more carefully—and found the culprit.
Paimon, pretending to cover her eyes, had left a tiny gap between her fingers.
Shao Yun sighed and walked over, gently tapping her shoulder.
Startled, Paimon opened her eyes and feigned innocence.
Shao Yun gave her a sharp look. "I said no peeking. Why don't you ever listen?"
Paimon stuck out her tongue, clearly caught, and lowered her head in embarrassment.
Shao Yun shook his head, then retried the summon.
This time, with eyes properly shut, his Andalusian horse, "Carrot," materialized.
"You can open your eyes now."
As they did, the familiar pink-coated Andalusian stood before them once more.
Lumine couldn't help but remember the last ride and the nervous tension that came with it. She raised her hands in protest.
"Maybe not... I mean, outside Mondstadt, riding a horse is basically impossible—monsters everywhere."
Shao Yun gave her a look. Come on, Carrot's a warhorse. Brave as they come. No monster's scaring her.
Undeterred, he said, "Come on. I'll teach you. Trust me."
He slipped an arm under Lumine's, gently lifting her onto the saddle. She sat with reluctance, gripping the reins tightly and wearing a miserable expression.
Shao Yun reassured her with a smile. "Don't panic. Hold the reins tight. Don't let go."
But Carrot sensed the unfamiliar rider and reared slightly, trying to throw Lumine off.
Terrified, she screamed and clung to the horse's neck.
Shao Yun quickly moved to calm the horse, patting its neck. "Easy, girl. Easy."
Carrot slowly settled down under his soothing touch.
Then he pulled out a bright red apple and handed it to Lumine. "Here."
Lumine blinked. "I'm not hungry…"
Shao Yun smacked his forehead. "It's not for you. Feed the horse. That way she'll remember you and behave next time."
Cautiously, Lumine offered the apple. Carrot sniffed it curiously, then chomped it down and flicked her tail in delight.
Shao Yun nodded in approval. "She likes you. Now try riding a little."
Lumine looked at the reins, then at the horse beneath her. Nervously, she asked, "How do I... move?"
Shao Yun pointed at the stirrups. "Just give her a gentle nudge with your heels. Gentle. Or she'll launch like a rocket."
Lumine followed his instructions.
Feeling her signal, the horse started moving at a slow, steady pace.
Shao Yun walked alongside, matching speed and offering tips. "Use your legs to grip the saddle, stay centered. Don't let her sense fear. Show confidence—let her know you're the boss."
Lumine listened closely, committing every word to memory.
After several steps, she started feeling more comfortable. She looked to Shao Yun.
"How do I go faster?"
"Whip the reins and shout 'Hyah!'" he said.
Lumine nodded and tried it. "Hyah!"
Carrot picked up speed, trotting briskly.
The rhythm of the trot, the rush of wind, the changing landscape—it all thrilled her. Looking across the bridge, she took in the mountains and rivers with a clarity she hadn't noticed before.
"I see why you like riding now," she said with a smile.
Keeping pace, Shao Yun grinned. "Exactly. Riding's about freedom and power. If Grand Master Varka hadn't taken all the horses, you'd see more of them outside the city. I'd even catch you your own."
They crossed the bridge and reached the open countryside. Lumine asked, "How do I stop?"
Shao Yun pointed. "Pull the reins."
She tugged them gently. Carrot neighed, slowed, and stopped.
Lumine exhaled deeply, feeling accomplished. "I think I've learned enough for today. Let's go meet Venti."
She dismounted to make room. Shao Yun swung up onto the saddle in one smooth motion. Paimon clung to Lumine's arm nervously.
Shao Yun glanced at them, smirking. "Hold tight. I'm keeping the same speed as last time."
Paimon turned pale. "Nooo! Shao Yun, please!"
Lumine gave a pleading look. "Yeah, can we go slower? Please?"
Shao Yun waved it off. "No pain, no gain. You're running on empty anyway—nothing to throw up."
Paimon protested. "I still get dizzy!"
Without another word, Shao Yun tightened the reins and shouted, "Hold on!"
Carrot neighed and charged forward.
Paimon screamed, clinging to Lumine for dear life. "I'd rather walk next time!"
They raced across the plains, their shadows stretching behind them.
Trees blurred past like green waves. Ahead, Windrise's great tree appeared.
Shao Yun finally pulled the reins. The horse slowed. Paimon kept screaming, venting her terror.
Lumine, calmer this time, no longer clung to Shao Yun like before. She simply gripped his coat. Though pale, she was clearly improving.
Shao Yun looked back, nodding in approval. "Nice job, Lumine. You didn't cling this time."
She covered her mouth, trying not to gag. "I'll take that as a compliment."
Then he turned to Paimon, frowning. "But you haven't changed at all."
Paimon pouted. "That's because you keep going too fast!"
Shao Yun laughed and slowed the pace. They continued toward Windrise.
Sunlight filtered through the tree's leaves in patches.
There, beneath the statue of the Anemo Archon, stood Venti.
He turned with a smile as the horse neighed.
"You're here," he said warmly.
Shao Yun dismounted, helping Lumine down. Then he asked, "Quick question—if we came tomorrow, would you still be here?"
Venti smiled. "Of course. I'd be up in the tree, sipping apple cider, watching Mondstadt's stars."
Shao Yun relaxed. "Alright then, you and Lumine talk first. We'll talk after."
Leading the horse under the great tree, he sat down to rest.
Leaning back, eyes closed, he listened to the wind through the leaves and the soft crunching of Carrot grazing.
Dappled sunlight played across his face.
The breeze sang with the leaves, joined by distant horse murmurs—nature's symphony.
He breathed in deeply.
"Man… what a view."