Chapter 24: He can’t mess around

Because they arrived early, as soon as they entered the racetrack, they could hear the sound of hooves pounding the ground. In the hazy morning light, a group of fine horses were galloping on the track, with trainers calling out instructions and jockeys dismounting to report.

This was the racetrack’s daily routine. Even though these horses weren’t participating in any races at the moment, the morning exercise was still a regular part of the schedule. It also helped keep the horses in good condition.

Ye Tianhui saw this and quickly said to Gu Shizhang, “Can you put my things in that dorm? I’ll go check on my horses first.”

Gu Shizhang: “Where’s your dorm?”

Ye Tianhui: “It’s over there, the 17th stall in the third row.”

Gu Shizhang glanced over: “Okay.”

Ye Tianhui hurried to her stable, where she found that her horses hadn’t yet started their morning exercise. Jessie was there, quietly complaining, “The horses in front are too slow. They’ve wasted a lot of time.”

The morning exercise for the horses was scheduled in advance, and since her horses were all retired racehorses with lower priority, they were always at the end of the list.

Ye Tianhui: “Then we’ll just wait. It’s still early.”

Jessie asked, “Aren’t you moving into the dorm today?”

Ye Tianhui: “Yes, my friend came with me to help carry my things.”

Jessie: “Alright, you go ahead and settle into your room. I think we still have to wait about half an hour, so you can come over later.”

Ye Tianhui nodded in thanks and then hurried to her dorm.

The so-called dorm was actually a tack room that had been converted. There were two rooms, one of which was vacant and now served as a dorm.

When she pushed open the door, Gu Shizhang had already tidied the room, setting up a temporary wooden bed next to the rack where the saddle pads were stored.

When he saw her enter, he smiled and said, “When it gets cold, you can always grab a saddle pad to use as a blanket. It’ll work just fine.”

Ye Tianhui looked around and was satisfied: “You’ve already cleaned up!”

She thought he was a person of refinement, but she had to admit, he was quite capable. He clearly knew his way around the stable.

Gu Shizhang: “Of course. I’m used to this kind of work. I’ve slept in a tack room before.”

As he said this, he went to check the hot water and bathroom facilities next door. After checking, he was naturally satisfied.

He smiled and said, “It’s not bad. Although it’s right next to the stable, so it might smell a bit like horse manure, it’s still much better than that tiny place you rented.”

He hadn’t gone inside, but he could tell that her rented apartment was almost unlivable.

Ye Tianhui: “I think it’s fine too. Look at this location, right by the green grass, great ventilation. Even though it’s next to the horses, think about it—those racehorses are worth so much. If we were sold by weight, I wouldn’t even be worth as much as one of them!”

So, there didn’t seem to be much to complain about. In fact, she felt like she had lucked out.

Gu Shizhang opened a box beside him: “I also brought you some daily necessities, so you’ll be more comfortable.”

Ye Tianhui, curious, leaned in to see what was inside. There were new towels and bathrobes, all matching sets, clearly high-quality. There were also hand cream, face cream, shampoo, body wash, and other toiletries.

She was puzzled: “Why did you buy me so much?”

Gu Shizhang sighed lightly: “You’ve treated me to so many meals, I can’t just not give something back, right?”

Ye Tianhui checked the items: “Well, these are quite useful. I really need them.”

She looked at him gratefully: “Thank you. Why are you suddenly being so nice to me?”

Gu Shizhang smiled, his dark eyes gazing at her: “I’m about to go to the UK for a while, so I have to quickly spend some money to buy your favor. That way, when you use the things I gave you, you’ll still think of me. I don’t want to come back in two weeks and have you forget who I am.”

Ye Tianhui: “Look at what you’re saying. Do you think I’m that heartless?”

Gu Shizhang: “You are.”

Ye Tianhui frowned: “You!”

Gu Shizhang continued: “You’re a heartless, cold, and ungrateful person.”

Ye Tianhui: “…”

She helplessly and innocently replied, “Do you think you can just insult my character because you bought me so many things? Gu Shizhang, I’m just not bothering to argue with you!”

Gu Shizhang looked at her puffed-up cheeks and suddenly smiled.

With a smile on his lips, he said, “Alright, I won’t insult your character. Let’s go, let’s get something to eat. I brought some snacks. Let’s go outside and find a place to eat together.”

Upon hearing “food,” Ye Tianhui’s previous irritation instantly disappeared, and her mood brightened. She eagerly said, “I saw a pavilion outside. There’s no one there right now. Let’s go quickly!”

Gu Shizhang: “Alright!”

After all the commotion, Ye Tianhui was indeed hungry. So the two of them went behind the stable, where a pavilion was nestled among the greenery. From the pavilion, the winding racetrack was visible.

Gu Shizhang smiled: “I don’t think anyone comes here often. It’s peaceful.”

He placed the food box on the stone table and opened it: “See if you like these.”

Ye Tianhui looked inside and was surprised.

There were actually sausages and dried shrimp, not just the usual snacks she expected, and she couldn’t help but eagerly dig in.

Gu Shizhang clearly noticed, and he picked up a small bamboo skewer and handed it to her: “Try this.”

Ye Tianhui took it and poked a piece of sausage. The texture was firm, the aroma rich, and as she chewed, she could faintly taste a hint of sweetness. It wasn’t greasy at all, and the texture had a slight bounce to it.

She nodded repeatedly: “It’s delicious! This smells so good!”

Gu Shizhang: “This is sun-dried sausage. Try this one too. It’s dried shrimp. The fishermen catch the shrimp early in the morning, peel them, and then dry them on bamboo baskets. Nowadays, most food in Hong Kong is industrially processed. This kind of original flavor is becoming rare.”

Ye Tianhui tried the dried shrimp. It had a slight fishy taste, but it wasn’t overwhelming. The shrimp flavor was very strong and fresh, making it appetizing.

Gu Shizhang then opened another package, revealing bread cut into small squares, each about the size of a finger, which could be eaten with the bamboo skewer.

He took one for himself, and the two of them tried everything. It was incredibly delicious, and after taking a bite, Ye Tianhui wanted to eat more. She paired the bread with a sip of water and savored the flavor lingering in her mouth.

At that moment, the trees were lush, the bamboo provided shade, and a mountain breeze carried the scent of dried grass. Sitting in the pavilion, overlooking the view of Hong Kong and enjoying these exquisite treats, both felt at ease.

Ye Tianhui had eaten quite a lot and was fully satisfied: “These things you brought are so delicious!”

Many of them were things she had never seen before. Even if similar ones existed outside, they didn’t taste the same.

Gu Shizhang’s lips curved upward, smiling: “Seeing you enjoy it, I feel better too.”

Ye Tianhui: “Someone who’s never been hungry wouldn’t understand how good food can taste.”

Gu Shizhang looked at her after hearing that, his gaze fixed on her face: “What does hunger feel like?”

Ye Tianhui: “It’s hard to describe.”

Gu Shizhang: “Why?”

Ye Tianhui sighed: “Even if I had a way with words, I couldn’t make you understand the taste of something you’ve never experienced. If you want to know, just go hungry for ten days or half a month, and you’ll understand.”

Gu Shizhang paused, then nodded: “That makes sense.”

Ye Tianhui poked another small piece of fermented tofu cheesecake with her bamboo skewer, savoring its unique flavor, and said, “Let’s not talk about unpleasant things. Aren’t you flying to the UK tomorrow?”

Gu Shizhang nodded: “Yes, tomorrow’s flight.”

He raised his eyes to look at her and suddenly said, “Do you want to come with me?”

Ye Tianhui was surprised and thought she had misheard. “What?”

Gu Shizhang immediately concealed his expression. “Just kidding.”

Ye Tianhui looked at him with confusion. “It feels like you’re reluctant to leave.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Shizhang’s elegant fingers holding the bamboo skewer froze.

Then, he slowly lifted his eyelids and looked at Ye Tianhui, only to see her casually eating.

He raised an eyebrow. “Are you making fun of me with that remark?”

Ye Tianhui, content, continued eating the fermented tofu cheese cake. “I was just saying, why are you reacting so strongly?”

Gu Shizhang remained silent for a moment. “I’m just a bit worried.”

Ye Tianhui: “Worried about what?”

Gu Shizhang didn’t answer immediately.

Even though she was carefree and didn’t care much, he couldn’t bear to see her suffer even a little.

Last night, he had returned to the Gu family after being away for a long time, and first called his nephew, Gu Zhixin, aside to give him a stern lecture. Watching him endure silently and helplessly, he had to hold back his frustrations.

Then, he made a call to the Panama coffee plantation.

He and Ye Lixuan were close friends and shared a love for coffee, along with a picky taste. So, they invested in a coffee plantation in Panama. To their surprise, the coffee grown there had won many awards, and now it was thriving and needed careful management.

Gu Shizhang naturally had a few things to arrange with Ye Lixuan.

Ye Tianhui noticed the oddity in his behavior. She asked in confusion, “What’s wrong? Are you upset?”

Gu Shizhang: “I have an assistant who will help me with family matters. He will stay in Hong Kong. If you run into any issues, you can call him.”

Ye Tianhui raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

Gu Shizhang: “I’ve already told him that he can help you with anything, whether you want to change jobs or encounter any problems. You don’t need to stand on ceremony with him.”

Ye Tianhui understood. “Don’t worry. If I run into something I can’t handle, I won’t hesitate to ask him for help.”

Gu Shizhang wrote down the phone number and name on a piece of paper and handed it to her.

He advised, “He can handle anything.”

Ye Tianhui smiled and said, “Got it!”

Then she grabbed a can of soda, popped it open with a “bang,” and handed it to Gu Shizhang. “Here, I’ll toast you with soda instead of alcohol. Drink up and cheer up, don’t act like you’re saying goodbye, it’s like we’re parting forever!”

Gu Shizhang lightly grasped the soda bottle with his long fingers and looked up at Ye Tianhui. “Alright, let’s cheers.”

They clinked bottles, the soda cool and refreshing as it went down.

Gu Shizhang lowered his thin eyelids, hiding all his thoughts.

This included the faint anxiety brought by their separation, the determination to get what he wanted regardless of the consequences, and the hidden desire he couldn’t shake off.

Ye Tianhui’s father, Ye Bupian, once said that Ye Tianhui was a wild horse running through the wilderness, and that no reins in this world could bind her, nor could any walls imprison her.

Her carefree nature was her own, and how could he easily lose control?

Thus, he remained calm, as if not concerned, and said, “Well, I’m leaving. See you in two weeks.”

*********

After sending Gu Shizhang off, Ye Tianhui went to the stables to prepare for work. She and Jessie quickly tidied up the stable they were responsible for and got ready for the morning training session.

One of the horses they cared for was always listless, looking a bit groggy after waking up. When Ye Tianhui held its reins, the horse hung its head.

Jessie smiled. “I have a way to deal with it!”

Ye Tianhui: “What way?”

Jessie flashed a sly smile, then pulled something from her pocket and fed it to a nearby horse.

Ye Tianhui raised an eyebrow in confusion.

Jessie revealed the answer. “A piece of candy. Reward them with candy, and they’ll feel better.”

Ye Tianhui couldn’t help but laugh. “But they’ll find out!”

If they were caught, it would of course be a violation. Such valuable racehorses were carefully managed, and the food had been specially prepared. It wasn’t something they could decide on casually.

Jessie: “Don’t worry, the stables will keep this secret for us!”

Ye Tianhui smiled: “Let’s go.”

As they spoke, the trainer and jockey finally arrived. They were responsible for leading the horses for their morning exercises. After Jessie and Ye Tianhui successfully handed over the horses, they took the opportunity to clean the stables, prepare water and supplies for the horses returning from their exercises. By the time they were ready, the horses would be back, and they would go to meet them.

As Ye Tianhui was bringing the horses back one by one according to their number tags, she happened to spot a horse not far away.

She recognized the horse—it was Black Rose, the horse the Ye family had purchased at an auction in the UK. Black Rose was a fine breed, produced by a well-known stable abroad, truly exceptional.

Compared to the other horses at the stable, this one appeared large, with strong limbs and an elegant neck, its coat smooth.

However, Ye Tianhui felt that Black Rose seemed a bit listless. It was a subtle sign, but it was clear that after running two laps in the morning exercise, the horse looked tired.

For a horse in good health, this morning exercise should have been very easy, and the horse should have felt refreshed afterward, not in the state it was in now.

While Ye Tianhui was observing the horse, Jessie also noticed it. He whispered, “I heard someone privately mention today that this horse’s condition isn’t right.”

Ye Tianhui’s thoughts stirred. She remembered that the trainer had spoken with Ye Wenyin earlier, mentioning the need to adjust for the time difference.

But looking at Black Rose’s condition, it seemed that the issue wasn’t just the time difference.

She asked, “What did the stable say? Has the horse been taken to see a doctor?”

The stable was equipped with the best racehorse hospital in Hong Kong, which could be said to be even more advanced than many human hospitals.

Jessie looked outside; there was no one near the stables, only a few horses grazing with their heads down.

He lowered his voice: “But I overheard the stable manager talking privately. I secretly heard him say that this condition seems to have been going on for a day. They’re really worried. Today, this horse gave up halfway through its morning exercise. They haven’t mentioned it to the Ye family yet. I guess they’re planning to let it rest over the weekend for a couple of days. If it’s still not better in a few days, they’ll have to report it to the Ye family.”

Ye Tianhui listened, starting to understand the situation. This horse had been purchased from the UK and transported to the stable here. There hadn’t been any issues during the transfer. After the stable conducted a physical examination and took over, they became responsible for the horse.

Usually, if there were minor discomforts or adjustments needed, the stable would note them in the horse’s log and pass it along to the owner. However, some minor issues that were fleeting or not obvious might have been overlooked, as mistakes can happen.

She asked, “I heard that the Ye family is coming to check on the horses in a few days, right?”

Jessie nodded: “Yes, so there’s not much time. The Ye family’s young lady has studied this field, but she doesn’t have much practical experience, so she might not notice. However, when the head of the Ye family comes, along with the technical team from their equestrian company, I’m afraid Black Rose’s condition won’t stay hidden.”

Ye Tianhui raised an eyebrow, recalling everything about Black Rose.

Could this be an opportunity to exploit?