Amin saw his indifference and became crestfallen, her eyes welling up with tears, looking very wronged.
Du Feiyang laughed heartily, "A Sui, how could you break a beauty's heart? Look at her pitiful little face, it makes me ache."
Xie Sui smiled faintly and moved further away from Amin. These women's acting skills were formidable; anyone who fell for it was an idiot.
"If Young Master Du feels pity, then comfort her."
He Mengchao suddenly shouted, "Final sprint! Lightning, go, overtake Hong Yun!"
These were the names they'd given the horses, all for fun. The racetrack was all about numbers. His Lightning was horse number 8, and Xie Sui's Hong Yun was number 7. Because 8 was lucky, He Mengchao insisted on choosing it.
Xie Sui didn't argue. Numbers didn't represent everything.
Everyone's eyes were glued to the television. The red and black horses were neck and neck. Their hearts pounded faster. Xie Sui, however, remained calm, his expression serene as if he was in control.
Du Feiyang's heart stirred. Xie Sui was more than he seemed; he was mysterious, not an ordinary person. He acted as if he was certain of victory.
"Ah… why did we lose?"
He Mengchao angrily slammed the sofa, indignant. "Let's go again."
Xie Sui said, "Next time. Watching others race here isn't as exciting. Next time, let's race ourselves. Are you brave enough, Young Master He?"
He Mengchao was surprised. "You can race horses? Isn't the mainland poor? Can you afford to play in horse racing?"
Xie Sui curled his lips. "I learned from feeding the village mules when I was a child."
"What's a mule?"
The young masters were unfamiliar with the word. Pity that they were born with silver spoons in their mouths, having never seen rice or wheat, let alone large livestock.
"A close relative of a horse, but they can't reproduce. They're gentler. Think of them as castrated horses."
"Is that so? Why would they be castrated?"
Xie Sui was speechless. Were they truly a group of rich young masters? Or curious babies?
Du Feiyang laughed until his stomach hurt. Were these people trying to be funny seriously?
He Mengchao didn't renege on his bet. He gave Xie Sui a check for one million. This time, Xie Sui didn't act nonchalant. He carefully put it away, drawing surprised glances from everyone.
Xie Sui looked at them, puzzled. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. We heard you sing very well, A Sui. Sing a song."
Xie Sui replied, "I can do that. I'm a mic hog. I'm not bragging, but if I entered the entertainment industry, my singing wouldn't be worse than professional singers."
A young master surnamed Huang said, "Are you interested in the entertainment industry, A Sui? My family owns an entertainment company. If you're interested, we can chat?"
"Sure, the entertainment industry is the easiest way to make money, more profitable than running a factory."
After several bottles of wine, Xie Sui had bonded with them and earned a million. They dispersed late into the night.
Xie Sui was drunk. As soon as he stepped out, he felt a whiff of perfume and a soft touch on his arm. He instinctively shook it off. Did they think he was an easy target just because he was drunk?
"Ah Yong, don't let anyone get close to me. Back to the hotel, I need to preserve my chastity!"
The young masters burst into laughter again. Amin's face turned red, and she still felt a pang of resentment. Why had he suddenly become so distant?
Ah Yong, the driver they had hired, helped him into the car, leaving the others behind as they sped away.
Amin complained to Du Feiyang, "Young Master Du, look at this..."
"Forget it. A Sui doesn't like fooling around. You should behave. It's rare to find a man who is devoted to his family and wife these days. This kid is an interesting one."
Amin felt even more unwilling in her heart. Why couldn't such a good man belong to her?
Xie Sui woke up at ten the next day. Without Lin Wanwan bringing him water, he had to chug a glass of cold water himself. After a shower, he felt more awake.
The phone rang. It was Lin Wanwan, calling from the mainland via the front desk. "Wife, are you home? Are you feeling unwell anywhere? Don't be careless. Go for a check-up at the hospital. Don't neglect our daughter..."
"You've been drinking again!"
Lin Wanwan could tell from his voice. Her tone was a little cold. More than her own health, she was worried about Xie Sui.
Would he be seduced by some wild woman in a place like Hong Kong, with its neon lights and temptations?
Although she trusted Xie Sui, he had a past record.
"I had a little, it was for socializing, unavoidable. It's fine, Wanwan, are you worried about me?"
Xie Sui felt delighted. He was a man who had someone to worry about him.
Lin Wanwan replied, "I'm worried about some woman sleeping with you. I heard it's very open-minded there. If you get tainted, you don't need to come back, just go with the women outside?"
Xie Sui chuckled. "Wanwan, are you jealous? Am I that kind of person? Besides you, even if those common beauties stripped naked in front of me, I wouldn't even bat an eye."
Lin Wanwan said, "What about Zhao Xuefei back then? You were such a puppy, and she still didn't fancy you. Second Sister told me men need to be kept a close eye on. Second Sister even wants to help you out."
Xie Sui was speechless. It was Second Sister causing trouble again. Her mouth was more gossipy than dumpling filling.
"I didn't. Don't listen to Second Sister's nonsense. Let Mom come to take care of you."
"I know. You be careful too. I'm hanging up, the phone bill is quite expensive."
She hung up. Xie Sui was left with the beeping sound in his ear. Really, the phone bill was only a few dollars! Couldn't they talk a little longer?
His wife's concerned call invigorated Xie Sui. He spent half the day at the stock exchange. In the evening, he met up with the young masters again. This time, he wouldn't drink. His wife was checking on him, and he'd have to worry.
Amin wasn't present this time, and Xie Sui didn't think much of it. He boasted to them, his experience from his previous life far surpassing these young masters.
"A Sui, there's a car race tonight. Do you want to go? You have such good luck, and car races have bets. Want to gamble?"
Horse racing, car racing, supporting celebrities – these were their daily routines. Xie Sui was excited. "Let's go! I'm good at racing too. I'm not bragging, but if I focused on car racing, I could win championships effortlessly."
"A Sui, you're amazing! Show us what you've got."
Hong Kong was truly a paradise for entertainment. Everything Xie Sui enjoyed in his past life emerged. He could also try car racing, experiencing the thrill of a racing heartbeat.
They drove up the mountain. This was a specially designated racetrack with treacherous conditions. Anyone who could drive down it safely was a master.
Du Feiyang saw Xie Sui's keen interest and said, "You can watch, but definitely don't play. Lives can be lost. Those scoundrels are good at inciting trouble and are full of malice. Don't fall for their tricks."
Xie Sui chuckled. "Do I look like a reckless young man? I'm very low-key. Making money and building a career are what I want to do."
"Low-key? Do you know they've nicknamed you 'Little Stock God' in the circle now? Many people want to meet you."
Xie Sui was surprised. "Little Stock God? It's not that exaggerated. The economic environment is good now; even a pig picking a stock would see it rise. Who's trying to praise me into a fall?"