"Then I really want to see just how capable you are..."

Xiaolajiao's eyes darted back and forth before she grinned slyly and asked, just as the betting for the first race began, "Which horse do you think will win the first race?"

"The first race, number 7 I guess!"

Qin Fang glanced at the large screen, quickly throwing out a number. After analyzing all participating horses and knights in this round, the winning odds for number 7 were significantly high.

"Waiter, first race, number 7, wager one million!"

As soon as Qin Fang finished speaking, Xiaolajiao decisively waved over the waiter and placed a hefty bet without hesitation.

The restaurant was right next to the racecourse, making it incredibly convenient to bet—one phone call was all it took.

Xiaolajiao was a well-known figure at the racecourse. In fact, the very land the course was built on belonged to the Hu Family, making her something of a quasi-owner. Her casual command to bet sent waves through the staff, who immediately made the call to place her bet without any cumbersome procedures.

Miss Hu isn't short of a mere million Hong Kong dollars, is she?

Clearly not.

What Qin Fang and company perhaps didn't know was that this entire racecourse had been gifted to Xiaolajiao on her twentieth birthday. Just because she happened to love horses...

The racecourse was hers, and the restaurant relied on the racecourse to survive; of course, there was no way they'd dare disrespect Miss Hu.

"You... definitely don't hold back when it comes to spending money!"

Hearing Xiaolajiao throw such a large amount on a single bet left Qin Fang momentarily stunned. He gazed at the triumphant Xiaolajiao sitting next to him and could only offer a helpless, wry smile.

"Hmph... You better not guess wrong, or else... I'll make you regret it!"

But Xiaolajiao wasn't gracious about it, glaring fiercely at Qin Fang before fixing her gaze on the screen, clearly eager to see the results.

A mere million Hong Kong dollars wasn't a significant amount for Xiaolajiao. However, her bet wasn't about making money; there was another purpose behind it.

For the first race, multiple horses had the potential to win, each on par in terms of strength, making it difficult to predict which one would come out on top.

The Jockey Club had arranged the event this way intentionally. If the discrepancy between the contestants were too wide, there wouldn't be any need for a race—the results would already be obvious—and the Jockey Club would suffer massive losses.

Having races like this, full of contention, encourages a more balanced spread of bets across contestants. No matter which horse wins, many gamblers' wagers will end up unsuccessful. Only this way can the profits roll in.

For the first race, Xiaolajiao had actually already decided which horse she believed would win—it wasn't Qin Fang's number 7 but rather number 11.

The strengths of horses 7 and 11 were quite evenly matched, with either having the potential to claim first place. Their ultimate results, however, depended on their current form and the skills of their knights.

Yet number 7 appeared slightly sluggish, which was precisely why Xiaolajiao doubted its chances of winning.

Still, Qin Fang's sudden confidence in number 7 piqued Xiaolajiao's curiosity. Remembering his earlier words gave her pause, compelling her to make this bet.

If number 7 won, it would prove Qin Fang's judgment correct. Having also bet on 7, Xiaolajiao would naturally win big, allowing her a reason to be delighted.

If number 7 lost, Qin Fang's judgment would be proven wrong. While Xiaolajiao would lose money, she'd still be glad for having leverage to mock and chastise him relentlessly, citing his unreliability.

Either way, Xiaolajiao would be content, making this decision a no-brainer for her.

Despite her young age, lack of sophistication, and seemingly straightforward nature, Xiaolajiao had no shortage of cunning tricks up her sleeve. Otherwise, she wouldn't have earned her reputation as Hong Kong Island's infamous "Little Chili."

"Suit yourself..."

Qin Fang wasn't particularly concerned, responding indifferently.

"Qin Fang, do you really think number 7 can win?"

Opposite him, Qu Yuancheng couldn't help but ask with some curiosity. Having gotten to know his cousin better, Qu Yuancheng felt he couldn't assess Qin Fang by conventional standards—Qin Fang always seemed to deliver astonishing surprises.

From his Inland roots, Qin Fang might seem ordinary on the surface. Yet his mastery of medical arts, even surpassing Hong Kong Island's finest doctors, had been demonstrated beyond a shadow of a doubt.

Qin Fang reportedly rode a horse for the first time recently, yet his riding skills matched those of seasoned equestrians. Furthermore, his ability to appraise horses was clearly exceptional.

None of them—including the experts who managed horses—had identified Blood Linglong's problem. But Qin Fang recognized it at a glance and recommended switching to another horse, guaranteeing victory in that round effortlessly...

Now faced with an official horse race, perhaps Qin Fang's eye for detail was similarly impeccable. If he claimed number 7 could win, it probably wasn't unfounded either.

"More or less!"

Qin Fang smiled, nodding slightly.

If someone asked him about the fifth race, Qin Fang might not be as certain. In that round, two or three horses exhibited equally strong capabilities, leaving their chances of victory too close to call. But in this first race... Qin Fang held absolute confidence that number 7 would emerge victorious.

Although Xiaolajiao favored number 11, its knight appeared distracted and weighed down by personal concerns, occasionally losing focus.

During a race lasting approximately twenty minutes, maintaining perfect concentration was unlikely. Any lapse would spell disaster, which was precisely why Qin Fang dismissed number 11's chances.

Number 7, on the other hand, despite appearing sluggish, proved to be in peak condition in terms of both the horse's performance and its knight's tactical execution—a guaranteed victory!

"Alright, I'll trust you this time... Waiter, number 7, one million!"

Observing Qin Fang's relaxed yet confident demeanor, Qu Yuancheng wasn't sure what pushed him to take a leap of faith. He called the waiter over and placed a hefty wager himself.

"Qin Fang, if I win this, you can go anywhere you want today—it's all on me."

Qu Yuancheng quickly followed it up with a lighthearted comment to Qin Fang, chuckling.

"Start the race already; it's about to begin..."

Qin Fang shrugged, dismissing the offer casually.

Realistically, considering how the Qu Family people treated Qin Fang lately, even if he lost, anywhere Qin Fang wanted to go would surely be covered by Qu Yuancheng. It was only Qin Fang's reluctance holding him back.

Of course, if this bet secured a win thanks to Qin Fang's foresight, the dynamic would shift entirely.

The race began, and the twelve horses dashed down the track at full gallop. The bettors erupted with enthusiastic cheers and shouts, as did the restaurant-goers.

"Seven! Seven! Seven!"

"Seven! Seven! Seven…" (continued)

For this moment, Qin Fang witnessed firsthand the fervor Hong Kong Island's residents had for horse racing. Xiaolajiao's flushed face glowed as she screamed, her eyes shining brilliantly—it was an incredibly enticing look.

Even the seemingly refined Qu Yuancheng showed uncharacteristic excitement now, yelling at the top of his lungs with a red face and strained voice—not necessarily for the payout, but simply to revel in the thrill of victory!

"Number 7... won! It won!"

The race itself was breathtaking, as number 7 steadily overtook horse after horse. By the halfway mark of the course, number 7 was already ahead by three lengths, holding onto the lead firmly all the way to the end...

When number 7 crossed the finish line in a commanding first place, Xiaolajiao lost all composure. She emitted a piercing, ecstatic scream full of passion, as if she were soaring to the height of blissful ecstasy... Her entire being seemed utterly consumed by joy, leaving Qin Fang beside her shivering uncontrollably. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian's website to cast your recommendation and monthly vote; your support is my greatest motivator.)

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