Chapter 83: Hong Chen's Persuasion

Everyone was stunned!

A wager of one hundred million—this was equivalent to the entire fortune of most second-tier families in Qing City.

Even Jiang Tao frowned slightly. True, the Jiang family’s assets amounted to several billion, and in business, earning or losing a hundred million was not uncommon, but to stake that sum on a horse race—it was an entirely different matter. His father was the family patriarch, and he was the primary heir, but that did not mean the Jiang family’s wealth belonged to him alone.

Besides, he couldn’t come up with that much money at a moment’s notice, and if he asked his elders for help, he’d almost certainly be refused.

Jiang Ying gritted her teeth and snapped, “Lu Huarong, have you gone mad for money?”

Lu Huarong replied unperturbed, “For the Jiang family, one hundred million is nothing. Besides, it’s not a gift. Or is it that you, Jiang Ying, have no faith in your brother? If that’s the case, there’s no need to compete—just admit defeat and be done with it.”

Jiang Ying was left speechless, her cheeks flushing. If it were only ten million, she would have agreed for the sake of pride, but a hundred million was too much for even her to decide on her own. She could only look helplessly at Jiang Tao.

No one else dared voice an opinion, each keeping a close guard over their words.

“I’ve made myself clear. Miss Moffy’s highest endorsement fee is one hundred million. This wager represents my family’s recognition of her value. If the Jiang family refuses, then you lack sincerity,” Lu Huarong continued, casting a sly glance at Jiang Tao, a hint of cunning in his eyes.

Wasn’t the Jiang family trying to interfere? Fine—he’d raise the stakes. If they backed down now, it would be a win for the Lu family, and not just a win, but a triumph without a fight. The Lu family’s reputation would soar, while the Jiang family’s would plummet. Moreover, the deal was already spoken for—the promise that Moffy would attend the new plaza’s opening was as good as sealed. Lu Huarong would gain both reputation and profit.

On the other hand, if Jiang Tao accepted and then lost the race, the Jiang family’s reputation would still suffer, and Jiang Tao’s position within the family would be shaken. A hundred million was far beyond the usual wager, and since the Lu family set the terms, it reeked of a trap. To knowingly walk into it for the sake of pride would be utter folly.

But if they won, the Lu family would still get what they wanted—Moffy’s attendance—and pocket a hundred million, a substantial reward.

In Lu Huarong’s eyes, Jiang Tao was trapped.

Jiang Tao remained silent, struggling internally. He loved excitement, craved risk, and valued his pride, but he was no fool to be goaded into rash decisions. This choice troubled him, for there was much at stake.

“Jiang, if someone wants to hand you a hundred million, how could you refuse?” A languid voice sounded, drawing everyone’s attention.

Hong Chen ignored the others, addressing Jiang Tao directly. “Lu Huarong is right—do you really think you’ll lose?”

Jiang Tao was momentarily at a loss for words. Hong Chen took a sip of his drink and said lightly, “If it’s inconvenient for you, why don’t we split the hundred million? Half each?”

The provocation was obvious, and even a teenager could sense the goading tone. Jiang Ying was instantly furious, snapping, “Are you trying to harm my brother? Keep your mouth shut!”

Jiang Tao was visibly displeased. “Ying, who gave you the right to speak to Hong Chen like that?”

Jiang Ying, seeing her brother still defending Hong Chen, protested, “Brother, what spell has he put on you? I’m seriously starting to suspect he’s an undercover agent for Lu Huarong, here to get close to you and bring down our family!”

Her outburst made everyone’s eyes flicker with suspicion. It wasn’t entirely implausible; Hong Chen did seem to be encouraging Jiang Tao into a trap. Even Lu Huarong gave Hong Chen a suspicious glance, although he knew Hong Chen had nothing to do with him.

“Enough!” Jiang Tao barked, then glared at Hong Chen. “Split it? I don’t need to share the winnings with anyone. I’d rather earn fifty million less than split the pot with you.”

He then turned to Lu Huarong, a steely resolve in his eyes. “I accept your terms.”

A wave of shock rippled through the crowd.

“Excellent! Young Master Jiang truly has courage,” Lu Huarong exclaimed, giving Jiang Tao a thumbs-up. Jiang Ying gritted her teeth, her glare at Hong Chen full of icy fury, as if she wished to tear him apart.

In the end, she swallowed her anger and turned to Cao Ranjie, her voice like a royal decree: “It’s all up to you now. We cannot afford to lose.”

Jiang Tao also looked at Cao Ranjie. “Win, and you’ll get a ten-million reward. Lose, and I never want to see you again. Leave Qing City, or the consequences will be yours to bear.”

It was a reward and punishment as sharp as ice and fire.

A ten-million bonus for one race—several times Cao Ranjie’s total career earnings. But if he lost, not only would Jiang Ying abandon him, he’d never find a foothold in Qing City again.

“Young Master Jiang, Miss Ying, rest assured—I’ll give it my all,” Cao Ranjie said, his heart pounding with both hope and dread, finally accepting with a look of grim determination.

He’d lost a race before, and his opponent was skilled, but he felt they were evenly matched; he’d only lost by two horse lengths. Given another chance, he estimated a forty percent chance of winning.

“Give it your all? You think this is just about effort?” Lu Huarong sneered at Cao Ranjie’s declaration, then turned to the young jockey who’d previously beaten him. “Gong Xu, call your teacher for me. I’ll pay him ten million to race.”

Gong Xu promptly made the call. After a brief conversation, he nodded to Lu Huarong. “My teacher will be here in ten minutes.”

A few minutes later, a man in his thirties—short, thin, but energetic—wearing standard racing attire, rode a brown horse over from the stables. When his face came into view, Cao Ranjie’s expression changed dramatically. He nearly lost his composure. “Li Chaoying!”

“That’s right. My teacher is Li Chaoying—ranked number one in this province, fourth in last year’s national competition, known in the industry as ‘Supersonic,’” Gong Xu said with a mocking glance, then hurried to greet his mentor.

“Is that man really so much better than you?” Jiang Tao asked Cao Ranjie, frowning. The others also looked his way, having heard Cao Ranjie’s outcry.

Cao Ranjie dared not meet Jiang Tao’s eyes, nor Jiang Ying’s interrogating gaze. His face shifted through several shades before he finally shook his head in reluctant resignation. “Against Li Chaoying, my chances are less than ten percent. My best lap time is more than three seconds slower than his.”

In a hundred-meter sprint, three seconds is a difference of forty meters. For horses, that gap could be seventy or eighty meters—a gulf as wide as heaven and earth.

Jiang Tao’s face darkened, while Jiang Ying’s turned ashen. She lashed out at Cao Ranjie, “You useless wretch—get out!”

“Ying,” Jiang Tao stopped her, then asked Cao Ranjie, “What about your teacher, or anyone you know in the industry who’s on the same level as Li Chaoying? I’ll pay whatever it takes.”

“Yes, you always say you have connections—didn’t you once claim to be close with the national runner-up? Call in a favor now!” Jiang Ying urged.

Cao Ranjie cursed inwardly. Men’s boasts to women shouldn’t be taken seriously. If he really knew such top talents, would he still be scraping by in Qing City? Even if he knew people better than himself, they were only provincial-level racers. None would have more than a thirty percent chance against Li Chaoying, who’d been the provincial champion for three straight years.

“Stop grasping at straws. I’ll do it,” Hong Chen interjected, seeing Cao Ranjie sweating and stammering helplessly. From the moment he’d urged Jiang Tao to accept the bet, he’d been prepared to take the reins himself.

This declaration caused a stir, all eyes turning to Hong Chen as if he were an alien.

But Hong Chen had no interest in being a spectacle. He said straightforwardly to Jiang Tao, “Let’s stick to your terms. If I win, I get ten million as a reward. If I lose, I’ll disappear from your life.”

Jiang Ying was livid. “You can leave right now! The farther the better!”

“Ying…”

“Brother, how long are you going to be so stubborn? If he loses, he’ll just walk away and his master will reward him handsomely. You’ll be the one losing face and money—our whole family will!”

Her suspicion was shared by many, and it seemed reasonable. But Jiang Tao shook his head firmly. “Ying, say no more. I trust Hong Chen. Even if he loses, he is my friend, and I won’t allow you to treat him otherwise.”

Jiang Ying wanted to protest further, but Jiang Tao turned to Hong Chen, nodded, and said, “Brother Hong, I’m counting on you.”

Hong Chen smiled easily, didn’t waste words, and asked Jiang Tao to arrange for someone to take him to the stables to pick a horse. Jiang Tao gave the order without hesitation, assigning a staff member and asking Qiao Chu to accompany them, while he stayed behind to sign the bet with Lu Huarong.

Ten minutes later, Hong Chen rode out on a tall horse. He did not return to the group but went straight to the starting gate.

When Qiao Chu returned, he seemed hesitant. Jiang Tao noticed his expression and asked, “What’s wrong?”

The others looked on curiously.

Qiao Chu hesitated a moment longer, then confessed, “The horse Hong Chen chose is the winningest one in the stable.”

Everyone was surprised. Cao Ranjie reacted first, “Was it Dark Whirlwind? Wasn’t that horse retired months ago?”

When a horse retires, it’s either gravely injured or at the end of its prime.

Qiao Chu nodded helplessly. “Yes, Dark Whirlwind. It suffered a serious injury two and a half months ago. Because of its glorious past, the stable spared it from euthanasia, planning to let it live out its days before burying it here. The trainer said it has at most half a year left. I tried to talk Hong Chen out of it, but he insisted.”

This news left everyone dumbfounded, and after a moment’s silence, the group erupted.

Jiang Ying shrieked, “Brother, do you see now? He’s out to ruin you!”

Cao Ranjie was furious. “Idiot!”

Even Qiao Chu’s girlfriend snapped, “Why didn’t you stop him?”

Qiao Chu shook his head in despair. “I tried. He wouldn’t listen…”

While chaos reigned on their side, over at the starting gate, Hong Chen and Li Chaoying took their positions. Then, a sharp starting pistol fired.