After confirming the condition of the auction piece, Shen Yuxun left the venue with Wanyi ahead of the others.
Assistant Jin and Anna stayed behind to handle the payment and delivery arrangements.
Shen Yuxun drove them swiftly through the city, stopping in front of a striking white building.
Wanyi glanced at the sign near the entrance—blue and white, marked with the words “Jockey Club” and a shield-like emblem.
“Where is this?” she asked, unfastening her seatbelt, puzzled.
“Get out,” Shen Yuxun replied calmly, offering no explanation as he handed the car keys to the valet.
Inside, a staff member immediately stepped forward to guide them.
“Mr. Shen.”
A man in uniform, wearing white gloves, greeted him respectfully.
It was clear he was a regular here.
They took the elevator up to the third floor, arriving at a private VIP suite.
The room was brightly lit, its walls adorned with paintings of horses in motion. A waiter in a crisp white shirt and black trousers was opening a bottle of red wine.
Beyond the room was a terrace overlooking the entire racetrack.
Soon, a menu was presented.
It featured local specialties—braised goose web with pomelo peel, tea-smoked chicken, and an assortment of Hong Kong-style afternoon dim sum.
Wanyi realized she hadn’t really had a proper local meal since arriving.
And now, unexpectedly, she was enjoying one here.
She hadn’t eaten all afternoon.
She was hungry.
“You seem to enjoy eating,” Shen Yuxun remarked lightly, watching her as she filled her mouth with food, his eyes carrying a trace of amusement.
“It’s really good,” she replied honestly.
Maybe it was because she was hungry.
Unlike him—no matter the time or place, he always carried himself with effortless composure, as if nothing could disturb his calm.
“When we get back, I’ll have the housekeeper make these dishes for you,” he said.
“She used to live in Hong Kong.”
“Really?” Wanyi’s eyes lit up instantly, her dark pupils sparkling like scattered stars.
“I don’t lie,” he said with a faint smile.
Looking at her bright expression, it felt as though she could light up the entire night.
“Can anyone come here?” she asked, glancing around at the luxurious setting.
“Only members can access the upper floors. The lower levels are open with a ticket,” he explained.
He had been a member for years—and even owned a racehorse himself.
Whenever he was in Hong Kong, he would occasionally come to watch the races.
His friend Gu Cheng came even more often—but mostly for less serious reasons.
For Shen Yuxun, it was simply a personal interest.
A sudden wave of cheers erupted from outside.
Wanyi set down her utensils and looked toward the terrace, curiosity sparking in her eyes.
“Come on,” Shen Yuxun said, rising to his feet.
He extended his hand.
His hand was large, steady.
Wanyi placed hers into it—and felt a faint current run through her.
His fingers closed gently around hers, warm and firm.
“I’ll show you the horses.”
He led her out onto the terrace.
Below, horses were being paraded one by one across the track.
Each wore a different colored hood, with numbered tags pinned along their sides.
Owners observed closely, assessing their condition before the race.
“Can I place a bet?” Wanyi asked suddenly.
Standing here, she could feel it—
the thrill of competition rising within her.
She wanted to try.
“You can,” Shen Yuxun said.
“For beginners, you should go with Place. It’s easier. Win is harder.”
He gestured for a staff member and handed over some cash.
“Which numbers?” he asked, glancing at her.
“Three… five… eight,” Wanyi said casually.
It was just for fun, after all.
Before long, the staff returned, handing her a slip of paper marked with numbers—like a lottery ticket.
Wanyi stared at it, excitement bubbling over.
“So thrilling…”
To be here, experiencing a race firsthand—
watching victory and loss unfold in real time—
felt like stepping into an entirely different world.
One by one, the racehorses stepped onto the scales to be weighed.
The total weight included the jockey, the saddle, and additional lead weights.
“Why do some horses have to carry extra weight?” Wanyi asked curiously. “Wouldn’t it be fairer if they all carried the same?”
“It’s adjusted based on each horse’s past performance and rating,” Shen Yuxun explained patiently. “Adding weight helps level the field, making their chances of winning more balanced—and the race more exciting.”
He seemed thoroughly at ease with all of this.
“The bell’s about to ring,” he said, lightly tapping her hand to draw her attention back.
On the grandstand, a massive screen displayed detailed information—horses, jockeys, prize pools, odds.
The race began.
The first event was on turf.
Each horse surged forward with explosive strength, muscles rippling as they ran. Their movements were flawless—these were carefully selected, professionally trained athletes.
The jockeys shifted between crouching and rising, their rhythm with the horses revealing the depth of their partnership.
Horse No. 3 took the lead almost immediately.
Wanyi’s excitement bubbled over as she cheered out loud.
Shen Yuxun, meanwhile, turned to retrieve two glasses of red wine.
Caught up in the moment, Wanyi drained her glass in one go, completely forgetting her low tolerance for alcohol.
The 1000-meter race ended quickly.
No. 3 won without suspense.
Holding the prize money she had just won, Wanyi felt a thrill she had never known before.
So this was the joy of horse racing.
The entire racetrack blazed with light.
On the lower level, performers entertained the crowd between races. The atmosphere was vibrant, alive with noise and excitement.
In the distance, skyscrapers pierced the night sky, their neon lights glowing in dazzling colors—a reflection of the city’s intoxicating glamour.
Wanyi stood quietly, gazing at the night view.
The early autumn breeze brushed through her soft black hair, carrying a faint, natural fragrance. Her hair shimmered under the lights, flowing gently around her shoulders.
Her eyes, slightly hazy from the wine, wandered across this unfamiliar world—curious, yet touched with a trace of uncertainty.
Like a stray kitten, delicate and unguarded.
Her slender hand rested lightly against the railing.
Long lashes veiled her expression.
Beneath her small, delicate nose, her lips glowed a deep red—like a flower waiting to be touched.
Shen Yuxun reached out and drew her into his arms.
The heat of his palm seeped through the thin fabric at her waist, sending a faint shiver through her body.
Like an electric current.
He lowered his head.
And pressed his lips against hers.
He knew he shouldn’t.
Not now.
Yet it felt as if something uncontrollable had taken hold of him—an irresistible pull he couldn’t suppress.
He had wanted to be patient.
To wait for her answer.
But in this moment, he realized—
he had overestimated his own restraint.
His kiss carried the lingering warmth of wine, slipping past her defenses, coaxing her lips open in response.
It felt like two parched souls finally finding each other.
Wanyi lost herself completely in that instant, surrendering to the intoxication of the moment.
She thought—
this must be her carriage before midnight.
When he finally pulled away, her lips were flushed and trembling.
“Wanwan… I don’t have that much patience.”
His forehead rested gently against hers, his voice low, almost a whisper meant only for her.
“Be my girlfriend.”
He didn’t wait for her answer.
Instead, he leaned in again, claiming her lips once more—
as if it wasn’t a question, but a quiet declaration.
Wanyi stared at his face so close to hers… then slowly closed her eyes.
It didn’t matter whether she was Cinderella.
Or whether the clock would strike midnight and everything would disappear.
At this moment—
she only wanted to hold on to it.
Even if it was just a memory.
After a long while, she whispered softly—
“Okay.”