Fear of Death Leads to Death Since Ancient Times

What is masculinity?

At its core, it should be an amalgamation of concepts like responsibility, accountability, sacrifice, courage, resilience, toughness, fierceness, and purpose.

It is society's high expectations for men.

There is no absolute answer to this question, as perspectives vary from person to person, and everyone interprets it differently.

However—

The moment Su Cheng's frail figure resolutely shielded the girl in front of him, his image was instantly elevated.

The impact was incomparable.

From Xuan Ying's perspective, the strong protect the weak out of a need to demonstrate their own capabilities and the necessity of securing the weak's submission through an unspoken contract.

But Su Cheng was clearly a weakling in this scenario—yet he actively sought to protect someone physically stronger than himself. Was it because he believed it was a man's duty? At that moment, she couldn't tell.

She stared at Su Cheng's thin, fragile back. She truly hadn’t expected the person she usually regarded as the least masculine not only to refuse to run but to stand at the forefront.

It left a complicated mark on her heart.

Xu Tianyi was equally stunned. She had mistakenly assumed Su Cheng was like her, but at this moment, she realized she was wrong—terribly wrong.

Su Cheng was stronger than her!

Due to her upbringing, she had never considered siding with anyone, nor did she trust those around her. Yet here was Su Cheng, instinctively protecting others without hesitation!

This act shook her to the core.

It even made her realize that she was the "weak one."

Why?

Because in this moment, she felt the impact of humanity—her heart actually wished for Su Cheng to protect her.

When Li Guanqi caught sight of Su Cheng's actions, her heart seemed to stop, her breath freezing in her chest.

Her grandmother once told her that only when facing death, confronting one's ultimate fate, does a person reveal their truest self.

Was this Su Cheng's truest self?

Of course, if there was anyone most shocked at this moment, it was Zhao Yan. At first, she thought the horse galloping excitedly toward her was her own foster colt—but when she got a clear look, she froze.

It wasn’t.

Just as she snapped out of it and prepared to dodge, Su Cheng yanked her aside, only for the horse to change direction and still charge straight at her, scaring her out of her wits.

She had already braced herself for the pain of being trampled—

But then Su Cheng stepped right in front of her!

They were just classmates.

Why would he save her?

Why risk his life for her?

At that moment, Zhao Yan's heart was in turmoil.

......

Su Cheng realized he had made a foolish mistake.

First, a horse's eyes are positioned on the sides of its head. Due to "binocular vision," horses cannot see the area directly in front of them—their blind spot.

And Su Cheng was standing right in that blind spot!

There was no way the horse could even see him.

Second, any creature moving at high speed can't clearly perceive objects in its path, let alone make eye contact.

So, he was an idiot.

This horse was immune to his supposed "eye power."

But by the time he realized this, it was too late to dodge—because if he moved, Zhao Yan would be the one to suffer.

So, he didn’t retreat.

He remained standing in front of her.

Now he embodied the saying, "Youth is bold but lacks strategy." Still, there was no time for second-guessing—he had to see this through.

The moment before the horse collided with him, everyone shut their eyes.

Yet—

The expected violent impact never came. The horse brushed past him instead.

Was this... sheer dumb luck?

When everyone opened their eyes, they gasped in disbelief, staring at the scene before them.

The horse, having rushed past the two, slowed down and trotted back. It nuzzled Su Cheng's leg affectionately, as if fawning over him or seeking his favor.

"Huh?"

Su Cheng was dumbfounded. He was 100% certain his "ability" hadn’t worked—yet even without understanding horses, he could tell this one was showing him kindness!

"Are you okay?"

"Are you hurt?" Staff rushed over, checking Su Cheng for injuries. When they confirmed he was unharmed, everyone sighed in relief.

The classmates who had watched from behind now crowded around him, their gazes completely transformed.

After all, his actions just now had been undeniably heroic, earning their deep respect.

"Thank you."

Zhao Yan approached, lowering her head slightly as she spoke softly, her cheeks still flushed—whether from fear or shyness was unclear. She smiled. "Thank you for your bravery."

"Holy crap, you’ve got real guts!"

Wang Guancong gave him a thumbs-up, exclaiming, "Bro, that was insane! I’m impressed!"

"Thank goodness everyone’s safe."

Gao Ye patted Su Cheng’s shoulder in approval.

For those unfamiliar with Su Cheng, they assumed this was a calculated move for maximum benefit—being trampled by a horse wouldn’t kill him, but the payoff could propel this ordinary boy to instant fame.

But… this horse seemed to recognize Su Cheng.

If one were to dig deeper…

"You’re all so big for nothing."

Xuan Ying rolled her eyes nearby, scoffing, "I just saw some people scared out of their wits, ducking for cover the second things got hairy."

"I—I wasn’t scared!"

Wang Guancong chuckled awkwardly. "It was just… emergency prevention—ugh, I mean precaution. Safety first when you’re out and about, right?"

"True, this classmate’s bravery is commendable…"

A student from another class, also there to visit the horses, paused mid-sentence, glossing over his own near-pants-wetting moment earlier, then cut to the chase: "But… this horse seems to know you?"

The moment he said it, everyone realized—this horse did know Su Cheng!

And it was unusually affectionate!

Otherwise, it wouldn’t have bowed its head to him like that.

This might’ve even been a staged act.

"I don’t know."

Su Cheng shook his head, just as baffled.

Nearby, Li Guanqi kept glancing between the horse and Su Cheng, deep in thought.

Su Cheng clearly didn’t recognize the horse, so why was it so attached? Only then did she notice his furrowed brow, sensing something off. Could it be… Su Cheng had lost his memories too?

"Maybe you’ve got some kingly aura—tremble, and beasts bow!" The same guy spoke up again, and now even the slowest among them could grasp the implication.

Even Xuan Ying and Zhao Yan stared at Su Cheng in shock, their minds racing with possibilities.

"I don’t!"

Su Cheng immediately denied it.

"Then how do you explain this?"

The guy pressed further.

"How should I know?" Su Cheng retorted, frustrated. He was just as confused. "Maybe… it mistook me for someone else?"

"Pfft—"

The guy burst out laughing. "Horses recognize their owners by voice and scent. You really think that’s possible?"

"This horse did grow restless the moment you all entered the stable,"

A staff member chimed in. "We suspected someone here was unusually familiar with it—maybe even reunited after a long separation. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have been this excited."

The staff phrased it politely, but the subtext was clear: the horse’s reaction suggested a deep bond with Su Cheng.

"I really don’t know it."

Su Cheng repeated. Just as the other-class student was about to push further, Li Guanqi interrupted.

She stepped beside Su Cheng and said coolly, "He has no reason to pull such a ridiculous stunt. I think the horse is the issue here. You should investigate before jumping to conclusions."

"It’s not impossible…"

Gao Ye hesitated before adding, "Using this to win our favor and resources—isn’t that what every special-admit student does?"

The moment those words left his mouth, Xuan Ying and Zhao Yan’s expressions darkened.

Li Guanqi shot Gao Ye a frosty glare.

"Hah, if that’s what you believe…"

Xu Tianyi stepped forward, shaking her head. "You’ll only end up feeling ashamed and regretful later."

She didn’t know why the horse submitted to Su Cheng.

But she knew his true identity. The idea that he’d stoop to currying favor or scrambling for resources? Absurd and laughable!

"What’s that supposed to mean?"

"Care to elaborate?"

"Enough!"

Su Cheng suddenly barked, cutting off the argument. "Think whatever you want. I’m leaving!"

With that, he turned to go—but not alone, because the horse followed him.

"Look, the horse is still following him."

"Isn’t that proof enough?"

Hearing the voices behind him, Su Cheng froze mid-step. He turned to see the horse trailing leisurely after him, only deepening his bewilderment. Since arriving in this world, aside from the stray dog he’d met before, this horse was the only other animal to show him kindness.

But now, because of this, he’d never clear his name. Su Cheng’s frustration boiled over: "I don’t even know you! Why are you following me!?"

Yet the horse seemed to understand. It nuzzled him gently, as if to comfort him.

"A horse this intelligent… would it mistake its owner?"

That infuriating voice from the other class piped up again.

"Go back! Stop following me!"

Su Cheng shouted, raising a hand to shoo it away. To his surprise, the horse retreated a few steps, let out a soft whinny, and slowly walked off.

Watching it leave, Su Cheng turned away again—this time, truly alone. The sight was oddly heartbreaking.

Immediately, Li Guanqi began scanning the ground for the glasses Su Cheng had dropped earlier. Spotting them, she moved to pick them up…

But she was a second too late.

Since Xu Tianyi had already snatched the glasses before her and began jogging to catch up with the departing Su Cheng.

Li Guanqi’s eyes flickered, and she quickly followed suit.

Left behind, the rest of the class exchanged glances, until Xuan Ying suddenly spoke up again: "If this was truly a self-orchestrated farce, then it’s downright despicable!"

Her words prompted thoughtful expressions from everyone, with Gao Ye unable to hold back: "Yeah, it does feel off when you think about it..."

"This matter must be investigated thoroughly."

Wang Guancong turned to the staff beside him and asked, "Since the horse was the issue, who owns it?"

"Well..." The staff flipped through a small notebook, hesitating before pointing to the very last entry. "The owner is..."

"Who?" Wang Guancong raised an eyebrow. "Just say it."

"Ji Qingyi."

The staff member answered.

Wang Guancong froze. "Are you sure it’s her?!"

Hearing this, Xuan Ying and Zhao Yan also wore stunned expressions.

"Yes."

The staff member nodded firmly. "Absolutely."

…………

"Why not just prove your identity?"

Xu Tianyi caught up to Su Cheng and handed him the glasses. "Sometimes status can resolve a lot of trouble."

Su Cheng remained silent as he took the glasses and put them on.

"It doesn’t matter. As long as no one got hurt."

"But you were the one who suffered greatly."

Li Guanqi followed at a leisurely pace, her tone laced with concern. "People who truly care about you would be heartbroken. It’s not as if no one was hurt."

"Exactly. Grievances like these are a silent kind of pain." Xu Tianyi chimed in from the side.

Su Cheng took off the glasses, rubbed them gently, and put them back on. He lifted his head—the rain had stopped by now—and gazed at the distant sky before murmuring, "The truth is, I can’t explain it. Revealing my status would just be throwing my weight around. It’d only turn their open skepticism into quiet resentment."

He paused, then turned to the two girls, who shared a similar aura yet were distinctly different, and asked with genuine curiosity, "But why do you believe me?"

The two girls exchanged a glance. Xu Tianyi spoke first: "I just trust my own judgment."

"Because there’s a logical explanation."

Li Guanqi continued, her eyes fixed intently on Su Cheng. "If the horse belongs to President Ji, then everything makes sense."

"Oh?"

Xu Tianyi seemed to realize something, her eyes brightening. "If that’s the case, then your identity really does explain everything. After all, you’re her fiancé. The horse picking up your scent and acting familiar isn’t strange at all."

Hearing this, Su Cheng finally broke free from his confusion and exclaimed, "So that’s it."

"Um..."

Li Guanqi suddenly hesitated, as if holding something back.

"What’s wrong?" Xu Tianyi noticed her tone.

"Well... it’s just..."

Li Guanqi hesitated before saying, "President Ji has eyes and ears everywhere on campus. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s already on her way here."

At this, both girls were startled and instinctively looked ahead—sure enough, a cloud of dust was rising in the distance.

"That’s President Ji’s car."

Xu Tianyi covered her mouth. "She’s really coming."

Meanwhile, Xuan Ying and the others emerged from the stables, approaching from the opposite direction. Caught between the two groups, Su Cheng stood frozen, the situation awkward beyond words.