Guan Mulin carefully repeated everything he had heard.
On the surface, it was to reassure everyone.
It meant Shen Ju wasn’t constantly being dragged around by the System, so they could all relax a bit.
But in reality…
Qin Bureau Chief: [Does Chirp-Chirp call Mom too?! Hahaha!]
Qin Bureau Chief: [Chirp-Chirp calls big brother and Mom?!]
Group Member Big Bro Xiao Yao (Guan Muya): […]
Shen Ju did call people sometimes.
But usually only when it was necessary.
When it wasn’t required—when it wasn’t absolutely necessary—no one typically heard him proactively addressing them from his own mouth.
The Guan Family understood.
After all, they hadn’t spent much time with Shen Ju yet.
They’d always assumed he only called them when there was no other choice.
But chatting with that thing called 996? He called them Mom and big brother?
Calling to their faces versus behind their backs were two totally different things!
Qin Soxi instantly got all pumped up. She primly announced she was heading to Dongjiao Racecourse that afternoon to play—and conveniently check on the situation for everyone.
Guan Muya immediately called out, “Mom.”
“It’s rare to have a day off. I’ll go with Mom.”
Guan Lifeng and Guan Jianshan, who hadn’t gotten a word in, couldn’t compete with the two of them and had to stay home guarding the fort.
It wasn’t impossible for everyone to go.
But they were afraid of startling the snake—that would look too suspicious.
So they could only have the pair report back anything they heard in the group chat.
Thus, after Shen Ju got out of the car, besides Pei Haochuan and Guan Mulin, he also spotted Qin Soxi and Guan Muya.
He politely called out, “Mom” and “Big Bro.”
Qin Soxi: Aiya, how come it’s not “Mommy”?
Pushing her luck, she wanted to hear those two words: Mommy.
Guan Muya just grunted “Mm.”
Polite call, he thought. That’s all.
Han Chengfeng was stunned too.
He looked back and forth at everyone present.
Guan Family, Pei Family…
Wait!
Had he been set up?!!
But he was already here…
Han Chengfeng humbly greeted Qin Soxi and Guan Muya, then secretly shot glares at Pei Haochuan and Guan Mulin. Calling in the adults—what the hell?!
Pei Haochuan glared back, embarrassed yet righteous.
Guan Mulin rubbed his nose tip. Can’t talk about it.
Han Chengfeng snorted angrily, pulled Shen Ju over, and loudly declared, “Shen Ju, come on, I’ll take you to change!”
Pei Haochuan rolled his eyes.
Who’d fight you for Shen Ju…
“I already had someone prepare riding gear for Shen Ju before we came,” Guan Mulin said leisurely. “Han Chengfeng, I remember your Han Family has shares in Dongjiao Racecourse too? You’re tight with the manager here, right? How come the manager’s so thoughtless?”
Another killer line: “Didn’t prepare everything for you in advance?”
“After all, our kid is the one you brought.”
Han Chengfeng: “…”
Damn it, Guan Mulin’s so flexible—stooping to use Guan Shen Ju to jab at me! Tsk, such a phony!
Han Chengfeng tugged Shen Ju. “Shen Ju, come with me!”
Guan Mulin looked at Shen Ju too. “I prepared riding gear for you. Come with me.”
Shen Ju: “…”
Pei Yan: “The changing rooms are all in the same building.”
“…”
The group silently headed to the building with the changing rooms.
As VVIP clients here—especially with the Pei and Han Families as investors—even though the changing areas were in one building, they each had private rooms. These rooms were always reserved for them to store personal items. If they got tired from playing, they could even nap there. No different from hotel rooms.
Guan Mulin didn’t have permission to open a separate room for Shen Ju—hell, he didn’t even have his own private one. He’d originally planned for Shen Ju to grab the clothes and change with him in his regular spot.
“Come with me.”
Pei Yan spoke up then. “Didn’t I say I’d take you to ride Zhuying? Once we’re changed, we can head straight to the stables and lead it out.”
Fair enough, Shen Ju thought, nodding immediately in agreement.
So quick, no one even had time to react.
Pei Yan smiled and beckoned Shen Ju to follow.
Truth be told.
He was getting the fun of raising a cat right now.
Especially the process of slowly taming the kitten bit by bit.
Shen Ju clutched the riding gear and trailed after Pei Yan into the room.
Dongjiao Racecourse provided European-style equestrian outfits that really showed off the figure. Pei Yan’s were even custom-made, hanging in rows in the closet—tons of styles.
Jackets, breeches, riding boots, even bow ties and neckties, helmets and riding caps, gloves, crops, and more.
Shen Ju’s eyes went dazzled. So particular.
“I’ve been riding here since I was seven or eight,” Pei Yan said as he walked over.
Shen Ju was shocked. “That early?”
Pei Yan hummed. “At first it was a hobby, then later…”
Shen Ju asked curiously, “Later what?”
Pei Yan looked at Shen Ju and suddenly smiled. “Later?”
“Later it was for venting.”
“Huh?”
But Pei Yan turned his gaze away then, picking clothes while saying, “A horse at full gallop is incredibly fast. The reins are yours alone to control—direction, the wild beast beneath you. That sense of charging ahead… it hooks you without realizing it. Like people who love riding motorcycles, chasing the thrill.”
“But I think horse riding’s more thrilling than motorcycles.”
“Know why?”
Pei Yan selected a simple black-and-white riding set.
Crisp black fabric for the top, tight white breeches below. The breeches had wear-resistant suede on the inner knees for stability in the saddle.
“Why?” Shen Ju couldn’t help asking.
“Equestrian has tons of ways to play.”
Pei Yan glanced back at Shen Ju with a light chuckle. “You can switch up positions on horseback too.”
“Sometimes you control the horse, sometimes you give it free rein. Conquer a good horse, and with its cooperation, you can do all sorts of things. Of course, the fun and thrills multiply.”
Shen Ju felt Pei Yan seemed a bit different right now.
But before he could dwell, Pei Yan spoke again. “Alright, change up. We’ll head straight to the stables after.”
“Oh, okay.”
Dongjiao Racecourse sprawled huge, with professional tracks where full-speed gallops were no issue.
It was a fancy money pit—rich folks blowing cash on one outing that’d cover a normal person’s monthly expenses.
But the service was top-notch and thoughtful. Beyond racing, there were pro tracks, casual riding areas, and more.
Qin Soxi had zero interest in racing. After changing, she geared up to watch the heat—er, spectate.
Guan Muya wasn’t riding either.
He wasn’t into it. Aside from his teen years, he hadn’t come much.
Pei Yan came often.
But usually solo.
Stuff like Han Chengfeng and Pei Haochuan hyping a race? He rarely joined even as a teen. Sure, people challenged him once or twice… then never again.
Racing? Pei Yan didn’t participate.
Shen Ju wouldn’t, couldn’t even if he wanted.
Suddenly, just three left.
Han Chengfeng against two.
He felt smug, like one man holding the pass against ten thousand.
“I’ll beat you, then beat Guan Mulin.”
Han Chengfeng jabbed at Pei Haochuan, then Guan Mulin.
Pei Haochuan sneered. “Beat me first, then talk.”
The air grew tense, swords drawn.
Like life-or-death was seconds away.
Pei Yan: “Trash-talking this early? You’ll still warm up together later.”
Han Chengfeng and Pei Haochuan: “…”
Qin Soxi burst out laughing. “Little Han and Little Pei are just brimming with energy.”
Shen Ju stood before an Akhal-Teke—commonly called a Sweat-Blooded Treasure Horse, or Dayuan Horse—one of the world’s oldest breeds.
When Pei Yan led it from the stables, Shen Ju stared, mesmerized.
Stunning.
Pure gold coat, like a molten sculpture. Stepping into sunlight, every sleek curve gleamed with liquid sheen.
Beautiful, noble.
Galloping like a streak of light.
No wonder Zhuying.
Shen Ju reached out to stroke it. So tall—way taller than him.
But Pei Yan beside it looked perfectly in harmony. Shen Ju couldn’t help sneaking extra glances at Pei Yan, secretly comparing their shoulder widths. Such a gap. Sure, Pei Yan was taller, but this was the first time Shen Ju clearly realized how killer his build was: broad shoulders, long legs, tall frame.
Shen Ju tiptoed a bit. No worries, I can grow more.
Pei Yan caught it from the corner of his eye and nearly laughed.
They were in a small warm-up paddock now. For races, everyone—human or horse—needed to loosen up first. No full throttle straight from the stables.
The group gathered here.
Pei Yan planned to teach Shen Ju mounting and riding basics, let him feel it.
Han Chengfeng, Pei Haochuan, and Guan Mulin led their horses over too.
996 piped up immediately: [Host, golden opportunity now! ]
Here it comes.
Qin Soxi and Guan Muya exchanged a glance.
Guan Mulin paused, then walked toward Shen Ju.
996 kept nagging: [Bit hindsight, but fits your brainless persona anyway—…]
Qin Soxi: Pfft, you’re the brainless one.
[Just make excuses in front of your mom and big bro to ask Guan Mulin for cash. If he refuses, play pitiful right there in front of them…]
Qin Soxi: Heh heh heh.
Like she’d suddenly remembered something, she beckoned Shen Ju. “Baby, you accidentally hurt Pei Yan, right? Paid his medical fees yourself?”
Shen Ju was listening to 996 when Qin Soxi’s question blindsided him. He nodded obediently on reflex.
Of course he had.
He hurt the guy; he took responsibility.
Just… why was Qin Soxi asking this out of nowhere?
“Good boy. If you hurt someone, you should make it up to them.”
Qin Soxi pulled out her phone. “Mom’ll wire you another 200k, ‘kay?”
996: [……Ha? ]
