Chapter 1179, The First One to Try

Translator: Silavin

 

Yu Ying stared at the bicycle with an expression caught somewhere between wariness and helplessness.

 

“Don’t worry. I’ll hold it from behind. You won’t fall.” Su Bai said, very gently.

 

He found himself thinking of the first time he had learnt to ride a bicycle himself, and the very same words someone had said to him then.

 

He had been told to ride ahead without worry, that someone was watching steadily from behind. In practice, of course, it had only been words.

 

The moment he actually started pedalling, that person had let go. The outcome, as one might imagine, was predictable. Two pedals and down he went.

 

But that was precisely how he had slowly learnt. Riding a bicycle meant taking a few tumbles. That was simply how it worked. If someone kept holding on the whole time, the rider would never truly learn how to balance on their own.

 

“Really?” Yu Ying blinked, her pink eyes wide and trusting.

 

“Actually, Xiao Yu, why don’t you wait a moment. Let me go first, and once I’ve learnt, I’ll teach you.” Yan Hua said with a cheerful smile.

 

She had been impatient since the moment she saw the bicycle completed. She genuinely wanted to give it a try.

 

Yan Hua simply had no idea how to ride one. But watching Su Bai complete a full circuit just now had set something stirring inside her.

 

“All right, Ah’Hua can go first then.” Yu Ying let out a quiet breath of relief. She had been wondering how to ride without falling over.

 

After all, there were only two wheels. There was no obvious balance to it at all.

 

And when it was standing still, it needed to lean against a kickstand to stay upright. Without that, the bicycle would simply lie on the ground.

 

“Fine by me. Ah’Hua should pick it up quickly.” Su Bai accepted this readily.

 

He had originally planned to teach Yu Ying first. After all, she seemed timid and was clearly a little frightened.

 

It was precisely that quality in Yu Ying that had stirred Su Bai’s protective instinct, which was why he had thought to teach her first.

 

There was enough time now, which there might not always be later.

 

But Yan Hua wanting to learn was perfectly fine too. Her personality had always been lively and headstrong.

 

And as an ordinary Warrior, she would find learning to ride far easier. Easier because she was not afraid of pain. A few tumbles wouldn’t bother her, and tumbles were a necessary part of learning.

 

“Shaman, what do I do? Are there any techniques to it?” Yan Hua asked, her face full of anticipation.

 

“First, sit on the seat. Hold the handlebars with both hands. The two sides of the handlebars are the brakes. If you feel you’re going too fast or want to stop, squeeze them gently. Don’t suddenly grab them all at once. That’s how you fall.”

 

Su Bai was patient and methodical, talking her through it step by step. He said quietly, “These two pedals are where your feet go. Push down firmly and you’ll move forward. The most important thing is to keep your body and your hands balanced. Otherwise, you’ll tip to one side…”

 

He explained with patience and then demonstrated, his movements smooth and unhurried.

 

Yan Hua watched from beside him with undisguised admiration, her red eyes wide open, not daring to look away for a moment in case she missed something.

 

She quietly gulped and said. “Shaman, let me have a try. You can watch and tell me if I’m doing it right.”

 

“Of course. Don’t worry about falling. Learning to ride a bicycle is all about being willing to try.” Su Bai encouraged her warmly.

 

He could already picture what was about to happen, but encouragement first was still the right approach.

 

“Okay.” Yan Hua swung herself onto the seat without hesitation, her hands taking hold of the handlebars with what looked like the correct form.

 

One foot went onto the pedal, the other remained planted on the ground. She steadied herself, quietly building up her nerve.

 

Yan Hua pushed down hard, and the bicycle wobbled forward a short distance.

 

Only a short distance, though. Very quickly the bicycle began lurching dramatically from side to side.

 

Su Bai stepped in immediately, steadying it with one hand braced against the rear rack, pulling the swaying bicycle upright.

 

He kept his hand there, speaking with patience. “Steady. Don’t tense up. Ride slowly. Balance is the most important thing.”

 

If Su Bai had not stepped in just then, Yan Hua would have gone straight down.

 

The wobbling had been extreme, and a fall like that would have hurt.

 

Su Bai had originally considered letting her take a tumble or two. She would learn faster that way. But he couldn’t quite bring himself to do it.

 

“All right.” Yan Hua let out a breath. She had already braced for impact.

 

Then suddenly it was steady. She turned and found herself looking directly at Su Bai’s face, and felt immediately at ease.

 

Yan Hua followed his guidance and began pedalling slowly and steadily, her hands loose on the handlebars rather than gripping tight.

 

Gripping too hard from tension would throw off the balance. With Su Bai holding steady from behind and her own technique applied at the front, the bicycle began moving forward in a stable line.

 

“Shaman, I’ve got it! I’ve got it!” Yan Hua called out in delight, her red eyes bright with excitement.

 

“Whether you’ve truly got it can only be known once I let go. Shall I let go now?” Su Bai asked.

 

“Yes, Shaman. Let go and let me try.” Yan Hua nodded firmly.

 

“All right.” Su Bai slowly drew his hand back.

 

Not long after he let go, a few seconds at most, Yan Hua began lurching violently again.

 

“Ah!”

 

A *thud* followed as she went down, and Yan Hua rubbed her thigh where she had landed.

 

She looked up pouting. “So riding a bicycle isn’t as easy as it seems. I really thought I had it just now.”

 

The moment Su Bai had released his hand, she had managed only seconds before toppling to the ground again.

 

“Riding a bicycle takes some skills, and it takes practice. It’s not something you learn all at once.” Su Bai stepped forward patiently and helped her to her feet.

 

He remembered that learning to ride himself had taken him a lot of time and effort.

 

He had fallen countless times. And it had taken him a full day of solid effort before he properly got it.

 

Though that was because he had been at it from morning until night without stopping. Without that, it would surely have taken several days.

 

“I’ve made up my mind. I’m going to learn how to ride this bicycle today, no matter what.” Yan Hua rallied at once.

 

She picked the bicycle up off the ground, swung herself back on in one motion.

 

“Good. That’s the spirit.” Su Bai smiled quietly.