Chapter 206 - 205: Horse Farm

Chapter 206: Chapter 205: Horse Farm

Chad was silent for a few seconds, then asked in a low voice, "Can you help me?"

"Hmm?" Gu Qingyin’s eyes opened a little wider. She sized him up, then mused, "That will cost extra." Before Chad could get his hopes up, she added, "A lot extra."

Chad froze. ’Wasn’t it expensive enough before?’ He could only imagine just how expensive this would be.

He hesitated. "Is it a guaranteed win?"

Gu Qingyin chuckled. "No win, no fee."

Chad’s heart was instantly put at ease. "As long as I can secure the Family Head’s position, I’ll pay whatever you ask!"

"Relax. I’m not the type to ask for an exorbitant price." Gu Qingyin smiled lightly and extended her hand. "A pleasure to work with you."

Chad shook her hand without hesitation. "A pleasure to work with you."

He had no other choice but to trust Gu Qingyin. While he had been away, Amos had replaced everyone in the manor. He had no idea where his own subordinates had gone into hiding.

Once the agreement was struck, Chad felt an inexplicable, mystical connection form between himself and Gu Qingyin. But it lasted only for a moment before vanishing.

Chad didn’t dwell on it. With his mind at ease, he regained his previous composure. "It’s getting late. You should rest. We can discuss everything else tomorrow."

Gu Qingyin waved her hand. "See you tomorrow."

「The rest of the night passed without incident.」

Early the next morning, Gu Qingyin washed up and got dressed. She chose a vintage French-style long dress: a black, double-breasted blouse paired with a dark green, halter-neck, cinched-waist long skirt, a matching small shawl, and finally, a small black fascinator hat.

The aura of old-world European nobility instantly came to life.

To match her, Huo Yunjing wore a vintage brown suit.

As the two of them left their room, they saw Huo Xingchen emerging from the room next door.

"Mom, Dad!" Huo Xingchen trotted over and whispered, "This place is a little creepy. I didn’t dare to leave my room until you came out."

He had been listening at his door the whole time, afraid he would miss his parents leaving.

Gu Qingyin clicked her tongue. "So brave."

Huo Xingchen said seriously, "I’m just being cautious. If something happened to me, you’re the ones who would have to deal with the trouble."

Gu Qingyin fell silent. ’My son has a point. He’s got me there.’

Huo Yunjing shot his son a glare, then took Gu Qingyin’s hand and led her toward the stairs. "Let’s go down for breakfast first."

Huo Xingchen shrank back, then followed after them, laying on the flattery. "Mom, Dad, your outfits match so well today! You look perfect together!"

Huo Yunjing glanced back at him. His eyes seemed to say, ’If you know what’s good for you, you’ll keep it coming.’

Huo Xingchen’s spirits lifted, and he continued to heap praise on them. "You look so young, and with such a European flair, you’re basically trendsetters! If you stomped your feet, the whole fashion world would quake..."

Gu Qingyin sighed, feeling weary. "Just shut up."

"Oh," Huo Xingchen replied.

A castle like this was bound to have more than one dining hall; guests had their own separate dining area. The servants working in the castle were also extremely deferential, bowing their heads and bending at the waist to show respect whenever someone passed by.

Huo Xingchen didn’t dare say anything to their faces, waiting until they were out of earshot before muttering quietly, "What’s with the staff here..."

He wanted to say they felt strange, but Gu Qingyin finished his thought for him: "They have a hint of unenlightened servility."

Huo Xingchen’s eyes lit up. "Yes! That’s exactly it!"

Huo Yunjing explained softly, "In families that have been passed down since ancient times, the servants often come from families that have also served for generations. The rules are passed down from one generation to the next, so this is what they naturally become."

Huo Xingchen was skeptical. "Isn’t our family the same?"

Huo Yunjing replied casually, "While the Huo Family does have subordinate families, they’ve evolved to the point where our families are now bound by a common destiny. It has become a cooperative relationship with the Huo Family at the lead, not a simple master-servant dynamic."

Huo Xingchen had a sudden realization. No wonder Brother Xue Ning was always grumbling about his own older brother behind his back. There was respect, but not much.

When they arrived at the dining hall, servants silently brought out the dishes one by one—a typical Western-style breakfast.

Gu Qingyin didn’t have much of an appetite. She picked at a few items before finishing a bowl of thick soup.

Huo Yunjing only had a cup of coffee. At home, he didn’t eat at all—after all, he was a soul body, and any food he consumed would be annihilated by his power. But out in public, not eating or drinking anything would be too strange.

Only Huo Xingchen, with his parents as his rock, had a carefree heart and a great appetite. He was used to Western breakfasts and ate with gusto.

Before he could finish, Chad came over, pulled out the chair opposite them, and sat down.

"How about a trip to the stables after breakfast?"

Hmm? Gu Qingyin raised an eyebrow at him. Sensing that the stables might hold some significance, she nodded. "As the guest, I’ll follow the host’s lead."

Chad nodded, lowered his gaze, and said no more.

Gu Qingyin discreetly sized him up. It had only been one night, but Chad’s entire demeanor had changed. Before, he seemed a bit restless; now, he was much more composed.

’Sure enough,’ she thought, ’setbacks are what make a person mature quickly.’

After breakfast, the group set off by car. Chad drove himself, forgoing a chauffeur. Before starting the engine, he inspected the car from top to bottom, paying special attention to the fuel line and brakes.

Gu Qingyin watched in silence. Only after she was in the car did she remark with a sigh, "That’s being overly cautious."

Chad gave a bitter smile. "Just in case."

"Killing you in a car crash isn’t a sure thing. I doubt Amos would bother with something so thankless," Gu Qingyin analyzed. "Don’t be so tense. It affects your fortune."

Chad didn’t really understand what "fortune" meant in this context, but he knew his current state wasn’t good. He nodded. "I’ll try to relax."

The stables were located within the manor grounds, less than a ten-minute drive away.

Upon entering the riding grounds, Chad visibly relaxed. He pointed toward the stables ahead and the pasture in the distance. "This place is mine and mine alone. It’s safe."

"Is it?" Gu Qingyin asked with polite skepticism.

Chad’s confidence suddenly wavered. "It should be." He sighed. "Never mind. Let’s go pick out some horses first."

Gu Qingyin didn’t know how to ride a horse, nor was she interested in learning. It wasn’t a skill she had any use for in her daily life.

So, Huo Yunjing led her to a particularly tall black horse, and they decided to ride together.

Huo Xingchen, on the other hand, was quite skilled. Horsemanship was one of the mandatory lessons for the Huo Family from a young age, considered an essential social skill.

As for Chad, it went without saying. It was his own stables, so of course he had his own exclusive horse.

The group mounted up. With a flick of the reins, the three horses shot forward.

Without a word, a silent competition began among the three riders.

’??? What’s going on? How did this turn into a race? Does anyone care about the passenger’s feelings here? This jostling is going to kill me!’

Seeing the three men—of different ages but equally childish at that moment—all with serious expressions, Gu Qingyin pressed her lips together and swallowed the "scolding" that was about to escape.

Then, she executed a nimble turn on the horse’s back and wrapped her arms around Huo Yunjing, facing him.

’Mmm... that feels much more secure.’

But the next second, Huo Yunjing suddenly reined in the horse, bringing it to a stop.

Gu Qingyin looked up in confusion, meeting Huo Yunjing’s incredibly complicated gaze.

"Not racing anymore?"

Huo Yunjing sighed. "No more racing. Sit properly."

This position... he really... couldn’t handle it. Besides, it was rather indecent.