Chapter 82: An Unexpected Interference

Within the equestrian field, Chen Hong stood casually beside Mo Fei, his back to the crowd gathered on the lawn. They were waiting for the staff to lead over the horses.

“Miss Mo, you’re such a big star, having me accompany you for a test ride. Aren’t you afraid someone will secretly photograph us and post it online, stirring up rumors?” Chen Hong stared straight ahead at the white fence, over a meter high, speaking as if to the air.

“My agent worries about such trivial matters.” Mo Fei sipped her water elegantly, calm and poised, casting a sidelong glance at Chen Hong. “You seem rather tense. Are you worried that your riding skills aren’t up to par and your friends might laugh at you?”

She continued, “Don’t worry, my agent will explain it to your friends. The reason I invited you for the trial ride is that, during my first film, you acted as my temporary stunt double.”

Chen Hong was slightly moved, turning to look at her. Mo Fei winked at him, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “There was a scene in that film where someone fell from a horse. All the audience saw was a silhouette.”

Chen Hong rolled his eyes dramatically.

Fine, this woman was clever—otherwise, when Jiang Tao and the others later asked Mo Fei why she specifically named him to accompany her for the trial ride, he’d struggle to deflect.

A brief silence fell. Mo Fei’s thoughts leapt elsewhere, “Aren’t you going to give me an explanation for that night?”

Chen Hong’s heart skipped a beat, but Mo Fei quickly shifted her tone, “If not, then help me with something.”

“What is it?”

“The Lu family invited me to attend the new plaza’s opening ceremony and ribbon-cutting. I don’t want to go, but can’t refuse directly. I need you to help me decline.”

Hearing her request, Chen Hong shook his head with a smile, “You overestimate me. The Lu family is a leading clan in Qing City. I’m just an ordinary wage earner…”

“A wage earner living in a mansion worth tens of millions and driving a luxury car worth millions.”

Mo Fei spoke calmly. Chen Hong was momentarily at a loss, then quickly replied, “The house and car belong to my friend. I’m only borrowing them for now.”

Mo Fei said, “Your friend is that young master from the Jiang family, isn’t he? Later, I’ll have my agent propose a horse race. You only need to persuade Jiang to participate, and ensure the Lu family’s rider doesn’t win. That way, I can decline the Lu family’s invitation, officially choose to collaborate with the Jiang family, and ultimately drop the matter with the excuse of having no suitable project. Rest assured, this won’t create unnecessary enemies for the Jiang family—business competition between them and the Lu family is already far more frequent than cooperation.”

Chen Hong’s gaze flickered. “You could just talk to Jiang directly. Why use me as a go-between?”

Mo Fei neither confirmed nor denied, “If the Jiang family’s young master agrees, I can recommend a physician from Jiang’s Medicine Hall to compete in the Medical Sage Tournament on their behalf. Whether they win Qing City’s first prize is uncertain, but their skills are no less than those of Zhongbao Hall’s Di Xiu. Beyond that, I won’t engage in any other commercial cooperation with the Jiang family.”

Chen Hong understood—she wanted to strike a deal with Jiang Tao while avoiding suspicion, and he, a minor figure with ties to both sides, was just right as a link.

He didn’t want to delve into the intricacies. After a brief consideration, he said, “I’ll just relay the message. The decision is up to Jiang.”

Mo Fei nodded lightly, saying no more. Soon, the horses were led over; Chen Hong and Mo Fei each chose one and took a lap around the arena.

Afterward, Chen Hong returned to the group, noticing some odd glances. Jiang Ying smirked teasingly, “Chen Hong, I didn’t expect you’d worked as a stuntman. Your life is quite varied.” Chen Hong scratched his head, grinning sheepishly, “No choice—had to make a living.”

Jiang Ying was about to say more, but Jiang Tao frowned at her, which shut her up.

Chen Hong called Jiang Tao aside and conveyed Mo Fei’s message. A gleam flashed in Jiang Tao’s eyes; he pondered only for a few seconds before agreeing.

“Chen Hong, was it really just once as her stunt double?” Jiang Tao then stared intently at him, making Chen Hong uneasy. He coughed twice and said seriously, “What do you think? She’s a star, and I’m a nobody. What else could be between us?”

“Alright, I’m not the gossiping type. But I’ll just say, I don’t believe you.” Jiang Tao gave him a meaningful smile, patting his shoulder before heading over to speak with the female agent.

Chen Hong touched his nose, feeling a bit guilty.

Jiang Tao and the agent talked for less than ten minutes; Jiang Tao didn’t share details, nor did Chen Hong ask.

After warming up, Mo Fei went to the track. Lu Huarong was already prepared. As they approached the starting line, Mo Fei half-joked, “Young Master Lu, don’t hold back. I’ll say it upfront: if I win this race, the plaza’s opening ceremony will need to be reconsidered.”

Lu Huarong nodded graciously.

Moments later, both took their positions. With the firing of the starter’s pistol, the gates opened and their steeds burst forth together. Lu Huarong had been involved with horses for years; though not up to professional standards, he was an expert among amateurs and felt confident about winning. But reality proved his confidence laughable…

In the first three hundred meters of straight track, Mo Fei was already ahead by three horse lengths. Entering the curve, she leaned down, tilted slightly, maintaining perfect balance as her steed traced a flowing arc. Returning to the straight, she was now more than twenty meters ahead of Lu Huarong.

The circuit’s circumference was over thirteen hundred meters, with the actual race track around twelve hundred meters—just over a minute’s affair. Finally, as Mo Fei thundered across the finish line to the collective astonishment of the crowd, Lu Huarong was only just coming out of the last bend—a gap so wide it left everyone speechless.

Lu Huarong’s uncle, Lu Ming, remained outwardly composed, but was inwardly frustrated. Even as a nonprofessional, he could see Mo Fei’s riding skills were close to professional level. To decide a commercial collaboration’s outcome based on a race against Lu Huarong was clearly an attempt to toy with the Lu family.

Lu Huarong’s self-control was less refined than his uncle’s. Upon dismounting at the finish, his face was grim. A gap of over a hundred meters—no matter the excuse, the Lu family’s heir had suffered a severe loss of face. But since his opponent was Mo Fei, anger was all he could muster, unable to voice it.

The crowd, seeing Lu Huarong’s expression, kept silent, wary of provoking him. Jiang Tao, however, had no such concern, mocking, “Lu Huarong, who’s that deadpan face for? Miss Mo Fei just mentioned it casually. You overestimated yourself, wanting to impress her, and now you’ve made a fool of yourself. If you can’t accept defeat, just say so.”

Lu Huarong’s face darkened further, but he had nothing to say. True, he had wanted to show off in front of Mo Fei, but that wasn’t the main point—the negotiation hadn’t yet been finalized, and he saw Mo Fei’s proposal as the decisive moment. Instead, he ended up utterly humiliated.

Jiang Tao turned to the female agent, “Sister Su, can you consider my proposal now?”

The agent seemed troubled, hesitated a few seconds, and looked to a slightly balding middle-aged man beside Lu Ming, saying, “Director Lu, just now Young Master Jiang told me the Jiang family also wishes to invite Miss Mo Fei to a commercial event. You know Mo Fei’s schedule in Qing City is very tight, she can only spare one slot at most…”

Director Lu looked surprised, while Lu Ming’s expression grew gloomier—the Jiang family was clearly trying to poach their prize.

The agent continued, “How about this: the Jiang family and the Lu family each field a rider, race once, and whoever wins gets Mo Fei’s schedule prioritized. Director Lu, what do you think?”

Jiang Tao interjected at the right moment, “If Lu Huarong had won just now, I’d have nothing to say—first come, first served. But now, let’s compete fairly. The Jiang family has some standing in Qing City. What do you say, Director Lu?”

One applied pressure, one played along—obviously prearranged. Director Lu’s brow furrowed with worry. As Mo Fei’s and the Lu family’s intermediary, he was inclined toward the Lu side. Even after losing the previous race, his influence could likely secure the deal. But now, with the Jiang family intervening, he felt the pressure.

The Jiang family was more than just influential in Qing City—they were the local power. Even the strongest outsiders had to tread carefully.

He was a director of decent reputation, with some backing, but nowhere near enough to challenge the Jiang family here.

Director Lu was still hesitating when Lu Huarong suddenly spoke, “Director Lu, Sister Su’s proposal is fair competition. The Lu family accepts.”

Director Lu was stunned. Lu Ming looked at Lu Huarong with a faintly reproachful gaze, but Lu Huarong was calm, his expression restored to normal, confidence back in his eyes. He met his uncle’s look and said serenely, “Uncle, I originally invited Jiang Tao for a horse race today—best of five. We’re tied two-two, one final round remains, and I never gamble without assurance.”

Lu Ming seemed to understand something. His frown relaxed, and he nodded slowly, saying, “Good.”

Lu Huarong smiled slightly and looked to Jiang Tao, “I’ve given the Jiang family face. To return the favor, you should give the Lu family face as well. I heard Miss Mo Fei’s highest endorsement fee so far is a hundred million. For the last round, let’s add an extra hundred million to the stakes. Young Master Jiang wouldn’t refuse, would he?”