3 03

At the edge of the field, Lian Sheng was still troubled by Xia Songbai’s participation in the race.

Suddenly, someone called out behind him: “Mr. Lian.”

Lian Sheng turned around, and upon seeing the person, his tightly furrowed brows unconsciously relaxed. “It’s you.”

Standing there was Ning Qing, holding a bouquet of lilies.

In terms of features, he was only moderately handsome, but he carried an aura of quiet, reserved scholarly elegance. Compared to the radiant and delicate Xia Songbai, he wasn’t particularly eye-catching. Yet, whenever Lian Sheng saw him, his heart inexplicably skipped a beat.

If Xia Songbai knew this, he would surely say it was destined love—that the two of them were meant to lock eyes forever.

Ning Qing’s gaze met Lian Sheng’s, and he instinctively lowered his head. “Madam has arrived; she asked me to come find you.”

Ning Qing had studied medicine in university and excelled academically, but came from a poor family. After graduating, he stayed by Madam Lian Ronglan’s side as her personal caretaker.

Ronglan had a strained relationship with Lian Runwen and had lived abroad for years, only recently returning to the country, which was how Lian Sheng and Ning Qing had come to meet.

Facing Ning Qing, Lian Sheng awkwardly made small talk, “What does Mother want with me?”

Ning Qing replied, “Madam saw Young Master Xia competing and asked me to wait until the race ended to deliver a bouquet to him.”

Mentioning this, Lian Sheng’s displeasure surfaced again with a cold sneer. “That guy? You really think he can win?”

Ning Qing remained silent, and Lian Sheng toned down his attitude.

Standing side by side, Lian Sheng’s restless eyes kept drifting toward Ning Qing, involuntarily comparing him to Xia Songbai.

Xia Songbai was flawless in appearance, tall and slender, with a waist so narrow it couldn’t be grasped by a hand, and exceptionally long legs.

The first time Lian Sheng saw him was alongside a group of spoiled second-generation heirs. One of them whistled at Xia Songbai and said, “Look at that slender waist and long legs—he’d be a handful in bed.”

Afterwards, when Lian Sheng was with him, he had entertained the thought of sleeping with him first. Unfortunately, although Xia Songbai was obedient and sensible around him, he was equally obedient to his family, always returning home before curfew. Though Lian Sheng was somewhat resentful, he never forced the matter, thinking marriage would come later.

Lian Sheng’s eyes lingered on Ning Qing, but his mind was still occupied with thoughts of Xia Songbai.

Ning Qing noticed where Lian Sheng was looking and pursed his lips. Only then did Lian Sheng snap back, clearing his throat. “It’s time. Why hasn’t it started yet?”

—

At the starting line of the track, jockeys dismounted together to check their saddles, except for Xia Songbai, who sat leisurely astride his horse.

He had just requested a delay in the start to allow the jockey in gate three to inspect his saddle.

The rider of the black horse found this odd but, sensing the horse’s uneasy temperament, got down to check. To everyone’s shock, two nails were found beneath the saddle. Though they had only grazed the horse’s skin so far, if the horse ran at full speed, the nails would dig deeper with every stride.

When injured or frightened, horses instinctively struggle and bolt. With so many people around, if the horse lost control and charged into the crowd, the consequences could be disastrous.

The staff were shaken but curious. “How did you know there was a problem with the saddle?”

Xia Songbai smiled faintly. “His horse has always been restless, making mine uneasy as well. That’s why I suggested he check his saddle.”

It wasn’t the best excuse, but it sufficed.

One staff member who knew Xia Songbai’s identity quietly whispered to the others, “He’s Mr. Lian’s fiancée.”

They were all employed by the Lian family, paid by them—how could they question the young lady?

Xia Songbai noticed their veiled hostility but paid it no mind.

The stable was filled with cameras; he had only moved around the stable of Snowball, his horse, leaving no chance to tamper with others.

Only insiders could have done such a thing.

Though Xia Songbai’s lips curved slightly, his eyes turned cold.

If he hadn’t been so cautious, the saddle with nails would have been placed on Snowball, and if the horse had gone mad mid-race, Snowball would have been the one put down.

After all the jockeys finished their checks and confirmed safety, the race finally resumed.

Xia Songbai leaned forward, crouching lightly on Snowball’s back, gently kissing the tip of the horse’s ear. Snowball’s ears twitched, muscles tensed, ready to spring like a drawn bow.

The starting gun fired, gates opened, and twelve racehorses surged forward together.

—

Xia Songbai started in gate seven, a neutral position. The neighboring gates were occupied by veterans who immediately fought for the inside track. Snowball, racing for the first time, was pushed to the outside.

The horses collided, the impact of their rapid gallop fierce.

Xia Songbai arched his back, crouching steadily on the horse, his slender form graceful and agile like a sleek leopard. Flames curled along his sleeves like burning fire, and beneath the dark sky, the golden-red shimmered like a proud banner.

From afar, he radiated dazzling light. Though he started last, he steadily advanced from the rear, overtaking horses with positional advantage, and closely tailing the leading three seeded racers.

Thunder roared as a long-awaited storm finally broke.

Large raindrops pounded the ground, splashing black ripples.

The heavy rain obscured vision, but high-speed cameras recorded the race in exquisite detail, projecting it onto the big screen.

The rain intensified, soaking the track, turning the inside lane muddy and treacherous, eroding the advantage.

From the stands came a sudden gasp. The three lead horses on the inner track were neck and neck, but one slipped, crashing heavily into another.

Amid the chaos, a silver horse flashed like lightning, surging powerfully on the bend. It overtook the three seeded horses from the outside, sprinting into first place.

Xia Songbai’s adrenaline surged wildly. At full speed, he felt weightless; countless sounds faded into the distance, his ears ringing, leaving only the roaring wind to cheer him on.

Despite no one rooting for him, he remained focused and resolute.

On camera, his delicate but striking features shone like cold stars, his body rising and falling with the horse’s gallop, the slender waist brimming with strength, firmly guiding his mount forward.

As he crossed the finish line first, Snowball still had energy, galloping several more meters before rearing its front legs high. Xia Songbai almost sat upright at a right angle on the horse.

In the pouring rain, his face washed white by the downpour, he shone like a precious gem, dazzling enough to blind those who looked.

At that moment, the crowd fell silent.

All their earlier mockery and scorn now seemed absurd.

The unheralded Xia Songbai had defied the odds and won the championship.

—

Lian Sheng stared at the screen, stunned for a long moment.

He knew Xia Songbai was handsome, the kind of beauty that stirred a physical reaction in him. But in his memory, Xia Songbai was always fragile and harmless, obedient to the point of boredom, with an empty mind.

But the Xia Songbai in the race was completely different.

Calling him merely “handsome” felt hollow. Lian Sheng found it hard to describe the feeling Xia Songbai gave him.

He only knew that when Xia Songbai sat tall on the proud horse, he wanted nothing more than to pin him down, to possess and conquer him utterly.

Ning Qing spoke softly, “Mr. Lian?”

Lian Sheng slowly released his grip on the railing. “Are you going to present the flowers?”

Ning Qing said, “I think it would be more meaningful if you gave them.”

Before, Lian Sheng would never have given flowers—he had opposed Xia Songbai’s participation and certainly wouldn’t have supported him.

Yet somehow, compelled by some unseen force, he accepted the bouquet. When he realized what he had done, his face darkened.

Seeing Ning Qing’s indifferent expression beside him, Lian Sheng finally said, “You’ll come with me.”

When Xia Songbai led Snowball happily to the award ceremony, he saw Lian Sheng holding a bouquet of lilies, with Ning Qing standing on either side, each holding an umbrella, waiting for him at the edge of the field.

Xia Songbai: ?

Those two stood so far apart. Wasn’t today supposed to be the beginning of their love?

Could it be that since nothing unexpected happened today, Ning Qing’s impression of Lian Sheng hadn’t changed, so they were still like strangers?

Would that mean it was his fault that the romance between the protagonist and his beloved had encountered yet another obstacle?

If the original readers of the novel found out, there would be even more criticism aimed at him.

But what did that matter to him?

He was just a cannon fodder who saved his innocent little horse~

Xia Songbai, now in high spirits and carefree, didn’t bother to placate Lian Sheng. His gaze slid smoothly off Lian Sheng, then turned away as if not seeing him at all, leading the horse in the opposite direction.

—

Lian Sheng: ?

It must be an illusion. Why did it feel like Xia Songbai clearly saw him but pretended not to?

Under the curtain of rain, Lian Sheng’s expression darkened further.

Ning Qing said beside him, “Mr. Xia probably didn’t see you.”

Lian Sheng threw the flowers into a trash bin coldly. “Let him be.”

He had planned to personally take him to his mother to avoid any trouble, but since Xia Songbai was ungrateful, Lian Sheng couldn’t be bothered.

He sneered, “Does he think he’s really that strong? Winning first place was just luck.”

Ning Qing replied calmly, “With such heavy rain and slippery ground, Mr. Xia’s ability to accelerate and sprint shows courage and skill. He didn’t win by luck alone.”

His tone was always even, and Lian Sheng hadn’t expected him to speak up for Xia Songbai. “Do you know him well?”

“I don’t need to know him,” Ning Qing said softly.

“Just knowing what kind of person you are is enough.”

He didn’t say this aloud but lowered his gaze silently.

Unaware that Ning Qing’s opinion of him had dropped even further, Lian Sheng said unhappily, “Did anyone bet on him to win? Everyone laughed at him for being presumptuous.”

Just then, the big screen showed Xia Songbai, draped in a floral blanket, raising his hand to thank the audience.

His delicate, refined features, previously often twisted into fawning expressions, now wore a genuine smile. Surrounded by blooming flowers, his mood was visibly excellent, free of any past coquetry. Even his harshest critics would be drawn in by the confident, radiant aura he emanated.

In the pouring rain, the audience who had fallen silent after his victory now applauded unconsciously, the sparse clapping swelling into a wave that drowned out the rain.

Xia Songbai’s smile grew wider as he tossed flowers toward the crowd. Petals fluttered in the rain, many rising to their feet, eager to catch them and bask in his favor.

A petal drifted gently onto Lian Sheng’s arm. He brushed it off coldly, watching as Xia Songbai reached the podium, elegantly dismounted, and was adorned with a medal by the presenter.

Lian Sheng’s pupils contracted sharply.

The presenter was supposed to be the president of the Hong Kong Equestrian Association, but instead, it was Lian Runwen!

This was ridiculous!

The Lian family was of such stature that having Lian Sheng present an award would already be beneath them. For the current head of the family, Lian Runwen himself to present the medal was far too much honor for Xia Songbai!

Lian Sheng thought of many excuses but finally told himself that his father had come only to save face for him, since Xia Songbai was his fiancée.

But there was no sign of reluctance on Lian Runwen’s face. He smiled warmly as he placed the medal on Xia Songbai and shook his hand for a photo.

Xia Songbai was also surprised to see Lian Runwen’s kind demeanor. Few in the Lian family treated him well; it was as if being with Lian Sheng was an insult to the family. Yet now, Lian Runwen was beaming, even his tone gentle, praising Xia Songbai’s superb horsemanship.

Xia Songbai could only laugh awkwardly, stifling his nervousness. Then Lian Runwen handed him a check.

The prize money for this race was generous—after taxes, one million.

Xia Songbai was already happily calculating how long that would support Snowball when he took the check and suddenly exclaimed in shock, “Did you add an extra zero?”

If he remembered correctly, one million had six zeros. This check had seven!

Lian Runwen said, “You should thank Mr. Shen. He paid five million for your win and gave you all the prize money. Since he’s so generous, your aunt and I couldn’t be stingy—we’re giving you our winnings too.”

Seeing Xia Songbai still confused, Lian Runwen spoke gently, “I’ve always known you’re a kind-hearted person. Since Mr. Shen favors you, remember to thank him when you have the chance.”

Who?

Xia Songbai cautiously asked, “…Mr. Shen Zhao?”

Lian Runwen chuckled meaningfully, “Of course not—that’s Shen Tingzong, Mr. Shen.”