Chapter three, asking for subscriptions and monthly tickets~~~
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The relationship between Qin Fang and the Qu Family was now well known to everyone in the Qu Family.
Overall, the Qu Family people had a more welcoming attitude toward Qin Fang and his mother, though due to the events of the past, it was actually Qin Fang and his mother who held considerable resentment toward the Qu Family.
But those were old grievances of the previous generation. The younger generation didn't know much about these matters, but the little bits of information inherited from their parents clearly indicated that their elders had indeed wronged this aunt who had been away from home for twenty years and never came back.
Among the younger generation, apart from Qu Yuancheng, who was in his thirties and could still vaguely remember a bit of what happened back then and had some impression of their aunt, once hailed as the Hong Kong Goddess, the younger ones like Qu Yuanliang and Qu Yuanrui had all but forgotten everything...
However, now that Aunt was back, and seeing this former Hong Kong Goddess turned into a skinny and ordinary middle-aged woman, the hardships she had endured during those twenty years were self-evident.
Because of this, they also showed great care and affection toward Qin Fang, their younger cousin...
The Qu Family's only true playboy was Qu Yuanliang. Unfortunately, it was he who first crossed paths with Qin Fang; not only did he miss the chance to bond, but he also caused quite a big problem, making it difficult for the other brothers to lift their heads.
On top of that, Qin Fang single-handedly brought the old lady, who had been issued a death notice, back from the Gates of Hell, earning the Qu Family's utmost gratitude toward him.
Perhaps because of this, they became much closer to Qin Fang, while their dissatisfaction with Qu Yuanliang's behavior grew even stronger.
Qu Yuanrui was particularly protective of his horses, especially the prized steed "Flying General," which he treasured above all...
Normally, aside from Qu Yuanrui himself, neither Qu Yuancheng nor Qu Yuanliang were allowed to so much as touch it casually.
Yet just now, after Qu Yuancheng contacted him by phone and mentioned that their younger cousin Qin Fang wanted to ride a horse, not only did Qu Yuanrui show no reluctance, but he even proactively offered for Qin Fang to try riding "Flying General."
"Looks like you really carry some weight. That Flying General of Fourth Brother's is something nobody but him is allowed to ride. The moment he heard you wanted to ride, he immediately offered it up. I'm so jealous I can hardly stand it..."
Speaking of this, Qu Yuancheng couldn't help but jokingly complain to Qin Fang, his words dripping with feigned jealousy, as if he were genuinely envious.
"I could let you ride it instead. I'll just pick another one…"
Qin Fang responded nonchalantly.
At this moment, they were standing in front of a stable that was exclusively Qu Yuanrui's. The horses inside, including "Flying General," were all his personal property and could be taken out for riding.
Although Qin Fang didn't know much about selecting horses, he had a Scouting Skill, that heaven-defying tool, and used it on the four horses in front of him.
As expected, as the veteran horsemasters had claimed, among the four, the best was naturally "Flying General." Whether in terms of bloodline, bodily condition, or explosive force of its legs, it was top-notch, an absolute gem.
The other three, while not quite as good, were still far from average. Considering how much Qu Yuanrui had spent on them, they definitely weren't anything less than excellent.
In fact, Qin Fang even felt that these three horses were in no way inferior to the racehorses undergoing acclimatization training at the track...
"These three horses have all participated in races and are top-tier competitors..."
Qu Yuancheng's words confirmed Qin Fang's assessment.
Raising horses like these was no simple matter. The cost was extravagant, arguably more than owning a fleet of luxury cars, and possibly on par with the upkeep of a private jet.
The Qu Family had money, and Qu Yuanrui himself was wealthy, but even then, money wasn't meant to be spent so recklessly.
To reduce expenses, Qu Yuanrui would periodically enter these three horses into races. If they won, the substantial prize money would be enough to cover the horses' maintenance for a while.
Of course, they didn't win every time since the other racehorses were also strong competitors...
On the other hand, if "Flying General" were to race, the chances of winning would be significantly higher. However, Qu Yuanrui clearly wouldn't do that.
Horse racing on Hong Kong Island was relatively low-tier. There was another, more exclusive class of racing reserved for the wealthiest elites, where even the basic stakes for a single wager on a horse started at a billion Hong Kong dollars—never mind the external bets.
It was for such events that "Flying General" truly had its purpose. As long as it won even one race, it could bring in at least ten billion Hong Kong dollars for Qu Yuanrui, so there was no need to waste its potential on lesser competitions.
If "Flying General" suffered an accident in such a low-level race, the loss would be unimaginable. Qu Yuanrui, understandably, wasn't willing to take that risk.
None of this had much to do with Qin Fang. After all, he was simply riding for fun, to indulge a childhood dream.
Qu Yuancheng, for his part, didn't mount Flying General. That horse had been designated by Qu Yuanrui specifically for Qin Fang. While he was a bit envious, he wasn't petty enough to fight over it.
Instead, he chose another horse, "Royal Princess," a former champion on the track, an excellent choice in its own right.
"Do you know how to ride? Need someone to teach you?"
With each leading their chosen horse, Qu Yuancheng grinned as he asked the question.
Horses nowadays weren't used for war like they were in ancient times. Though many people might see them often, few had actual riding experience.
Especially a high-spirited racehorse like Flying General—it wasn't something the average person could handle without proper experience. He worried about Qin Fang being inexperienced and running the risk of an accident on his first try.
"No need, I can manage…"
But Qin Fang smiled and gracefully declined his offer, leaping lightly onto Flying General's back with a seemingly effortless motion, sitting there steadily.
Qin Fang's nimble movement startled Qu Yuancheng. After all, Qin Fang had directly mounted the horse without even using the stirrups.
It was breathtaking. To think this unfamiliar younger cousin had such skill piqued Qu Yuancheng's curiosity.
No matter, though—they were here to ride, not just look impressive. Qu Yuancheng himself, quite adept by now, stepped into the stirrup, grabbed the reins, and mounted "Royal Princess" with ease.
"Hyah~~"
"Hyah~~"
With reins shaken and riding crops in hand, the two began guiding their horses at a slow pace along the track.
Although Qin Fang seemed fairly confident, in reality, this was his first time ever riding. Thanks to his Advanced Riding Skill, however, the moment he settled onto the horse's back, an indescribable familiarity took over, as if he had been mastering horseback riding all his life.
Flying General was a fiery stallion. Though tamed, it normally wouldn't allow unfamiliar riders on its back.
Thus, the track staff had assigned a knight to lead the horse for Qin Fang, allowing Flying General to gradually get accustomed to him before releasing the reins.
Surprisingly, the moment Qin Fang sat down, Flying General instinctively showed a hint of restlessness, but with a slight tug of the reins and a squeeze from Qin Fang's legs, the horse immediately calmed down, obediently as could be. Even the knight leading the horse was astounded.
"Have you ridden before?"
Qu Yuancheng couldn't mask his astonishment.
From the moment Qin Fang first approached a horse, his lack of experience had been obvious, prompting staff guidance. But now, mounted and in control, Qin Fang seemed to have undergone a complete transformation, appearing like a seasoned rider with skills that easily outmatched Qu Yuancheng's own.
Despite not being a riding master, Qu Yuancheng had enough experience to be more than a novice. Yet compared to Qin Fang, he suddenly felt like a beginner.
"Nope, it's my first time..."
Qin Fang grinned honestly as he replied.
Indeed, this was his first time on horseback; he had never even seen a real horse before.
"Who are you fooling? If this is your first time riding, then this must be my first time seeing a horse..."
Clearly skeptical, Qu Yuancheng shot him a disbelieving look.
"No need for the knight anymore; this kid seems capable of handling it..."
Seeing Qin Fang so at ease with Flying General, Qu Yuancheng brushed away any concerns, sent the knight off, and joined Qin Fang in leisurely guiding their horses forward.
Their pace wasn't hurried; they were just getting a feel for the horses. Rapid acceleration could risk unsettling the animals, potentially leading to a dangerous kick or even a fall.
It was said that every year, riders got injured by unruly horses, with some incidents even resulting in fatal trampling... Thus, this initial adaptive trotting phase was essential.
For privileged young masters like Qu Yuancheng, whose lives were invaluable, thrill-seeking always came second to personal safety.
Qin Fang's Advanced Riding Skill had long reached its peak. After a brief adjustment period, his familiarity deepened, and his control over the horse grew increasingly adept.
Soon, he began steadily increasing Flying General's pace, transitioning into a light trot around the track...
But just as he entered the track, a sudden gust of fierce wind swept past him, triggering a strong sense of danger. Reacting quickly, he tugged the reins and guided Flying General into a swift dodge to the side.
Almost simultaneously, a black stallion, ridden by another knight, dashed fiercely along the path Qin Fang had just been on, narrowly missing a collision...(To be continued. If you enjoyed this story, please support it on Qidian (qidian.com) by voting for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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