Chapter 137

As soon as Rong Qing returned to her office, her assistant walked in. "President, Young Master Huo is on the internal line and has asked you to go up."

Rong Qing glanced at her watch. It had just turned eleven o'clock. Was there something the matter? She took the private elevator up to the luxurious executive suite. Huo Lingtian's top-floor hemispherical office integrated the world's most cutting-edge technology. Standing at the peak overlooking the world, deep in the clouds, it felt as though the entire universe was right beneath one's feet. The transparent glass refracted magnificent scenery spanning thousands of kilometers depending on the angle, stretching from the distant horizon to the close foreground, where lush greenery formed a vast and boundless oil painting. Sunlight streamed into this hemispherical sky garden, and after being treated with the latest nanotechnology, seven different colored rays were dispersed throughout the spherical space, making it feel as if one were immersed in an ocean of rainbows.

At noon, the warm light of the sun was filtered and protected by the nano-layer, making the entire spherical room as warm as a greenhouse. Looking up, the unreachable sun was right before one's eyes; its bright yet gentle radiance brought a soft tranquility to the soul. When night fell, stars dotted the sky, and countless tiny stars fell upon the mirror-like surface of the river below, glistening like pearls and agates, shining brightly and movingly across the spherical screen overhead. Unwittingly, Rong Qing recalled the first night she had spent with Huo Lingtian—passionate, full of romantic fervor and madness beneath the starry night. A faint blush swept across her cheeks.

"Qing, come in quickly." A man's voice came from the bedroom, interrupting her ambiguous fantasy. Rong Qing shook her head, quickly banishing the shy scene from her mind. Pushing open the door, she saw Huo Lingtian dressed in a tailored suit and tie. Far from the composed demeanor he wore at work, he looked radiant and completely ready to go.

"What are you..." Before Rong Qing could finish, Huo Lingtian pulled her into the walk-in closet.

"Change your clothes quickly, we're going out in a moment," Huo Lingtian said mysteriously. It had been such an effort to finally send that clinging little imp Huo Tianci off to kindergarten; how could Huo Lingtian, who had endured a long period of forced abstinence and constant disturbance, fail to be excited and happy during this rare couple's time free from interference by a third wheel?

Rong Qing had assumed she was accompanying the man to some sort of cocktail party, so she had dressed up with some care: an off-white slip maxi dress paired with nude high heels, her dark wavy hair loosely tied back at the nape of her neck. Instantly, she looked alluring and breathtakingly charming, radiating a stunning elegance completely at odds with her usual efficient demeanor.

Seeing Huo Lingtian resting his chin in his hand with an appraising look, Rong Qing felt a little unnatural. The clothes in the walk-in closet were the latest styles for spring and autumn; it was clearly too late to change into formal wear and redo her hair now. "Doesn't it look good?"

"Mm, too pretty!" Huo Lingtian waved a hand, picked a short black jacket from the wardrobe, and draped it over Rong Qing's shoulders, periodically pulling closed the open neckline. "There, even better!" With that, he led Rong Qing and secretly slipped out of the Huo Corporation building via the private elevator.

Huo Lingtian drove Rong Qing out of the city center and headed toward a racecourse in the suburbs. This racecourse was the largest in City X, boasting fine horse breeds, fertile pastures, and horses categorized into wild and professionally trained varieties. The wild horses were not only robust and heavy-bodied but also untamed, perfectly satisfying the wealthy elites who sought thrills and the sense of conquest. Meanwhile, the professionally trained horses catered to the young noble ladies of high society; there was no need to worry about the horses losing control due to stimulation, ensuring an exceptionally high safety coefficient.

Wearing her off-white maxi dress, Rong Qing strolled across the verdant pasture. Having kicked off her high heels, her fair toes felt the tickle of the soft turf, while the fresh scent of earth and the wide-open view brought a deep sense of relaxation to both body and mind. Leading a small red-brown horse, Rong Qing walked side by side with Huo Lingtian, whose large, sturdy black steed pressed closely against the little red horse, their necks intertwined in an affectionate display.

Looking at his amorous mount, Huo Lingtian laughed out loud. "Babe, look at how our horses are just as in love as we are." Huo Lingtian suddenly embraced Rong Qing from behind, his deep, sexy voice echoing near her ear. The entire pasture was deserted; the intimate couple held each other close, feeling as free and unrestrained as the vast prairie itself.

Stirred by this warmth and having not felt this relaxed and free in a long time, Rong Qing felt her mood expand considerably. Seeing the man's smug expression, she blushed, let out a light snort, and said, "Yeah, just as lewd and licentious as yo—Ah~"

The man suddenly tickled her ribs, leaving the woman defenseless. Her lovely brows danced with shimmering light, her rosy lips parted slightly, and laughter rang out as a blush flashed across her face. The couple romanced and frolicked on the grass, occasionally embracing as they lay together under the blue sky and white clouds. The world fell quiet, feeling as though there was no room for anyone else's shadow, only each other. After resting for a moment, they mounted their respective horses and galloped once more along the wide path.

"Babe, care for a round?" Huo Lingtian rode his horse, a provocative smile on his face.

Over the past few years, Rong Qing's equestrian skills had improved by leaps and bounds. The little red horse was a fine steed that Huo Lingtian had specially flown in from England for her—a spoiled little princess of the racecourse, fed not just regular forage, but whose red-brown coat, groomed by professionals, was sleek and glossy. Meanwhile, Huo Lingtian's black steed was the undisputed king of horses. Originally a wild horse roaming the primeval forest—untamed and fiercely resilient—once confined to the racecourse, it became an even more arrogant and tyrannical monarch. Anyone who dared to mount it was invariably thrown off by the vicious beast. After the racecourse staff were driven to distraction, it took Huo Lingtian a full day's effort just to tame this wild creature. Its resilience and speed were simply unmatched.

One was a spoiled little princess, and the other an equine emperor; the outcome seemed predetermined from the start. Yet—

Rong Qing let out a cold snort, returning the look with an equally haughty expression. She sharply whipped the red horse beneath her, leaning her entire body to the side of the horse and shooting forward like an arrow released from a bow. Watching her actions, Huo Lingtian's eyes filled with deep indulgence before he urged his horse to follow.

It had to be said that dressed in red equestrian attire with black riding boots tightly gripping the horse's flanks, Rong Qing possessed a resolute expression and professional, skillful movements. The chase between the red and black figures became the most beautiful scenery in the suburbs. The black steed truly lived up to its title as king of the horses; its swift pace quickly secured it a commanding position. Though the red horse was also a fine foreign breed, it was better suited for gentle nurturing and lacked wildness and dominance, falling slightly behind.

Even so, the red horse closely trailed behind without giving up any ground. The rhythmic *clop-clop* of hooves echoed wildly across the wide pasture, and the gentle breeze brushed against their faces in an indescribably pleasant and leisurely manner. With just the final turn remaining, Rong Qing fiercely whipped the horse's flank, and the red horse lunged viciously toward the inside of the curve.

Rong Qing clung tightly to the reins, her center of gravity leaning hard to the right. With her ear pressed close to the horse's neck, she felt as though she could hear the roaring surge of blood. At the exact moment the two horses crossed paths side by side, the black steed abruptly and restrainedly slowed its sprinting pace, allowing the reddish-brown horse to dash toward the finish line like a loosed arrow.

In the end, the black horse lagged behind by a step. Looking at the underperforming beast beneath him, the black steed looked so guilty its ears drooped. Huo Lingtian grabbed the mischievous creature and scolded it with heavy teasing, "Hmph~ Finally learned how to show some mercy to your master's wife, huh?" He even gave the fellow a light flick with his riding crop.

Despite saying that, the smile on Huo Lingtian's face did not fade. Seeing his precious standing at the finish line looking so smug and triumphant, this trip out today had been totally worth it!

Rong Qing's happy mood did not last long. Her face flushed from the exercise, she wiped away large beads of sweat from her forehead, a few loose strands of hair sticking damply to her neck as she walked out of the outdoor arena while laughing and talking.

"Didn't you say business was suspended today? Why are they allowed in?" A sharp female voice came from the lobby, pointing a finger directly at Rong Qing and Huo Lingtian as they walked out. For anyone paying even a slight amount of attention to the entertainment industry, the girl before them was none other than Ye Xuan, an actress popular across the entire circle. Today, she had abandoned her usual heavy makeup in favor of branded sportswear, with her long hair tied into a ponytail, making her look pure and innocent (provided one ignored her sharp and mean-spirited words). Beside her stood a mature, refined man whose every gesture carried a warm and elegant aura.

Rong Qing paid no attention to the commotion here, nor did she wish to get embroiled in this meaningless incident. She headed straight toward the changing rooms.

"I'm talking to you! You have no upbringing whatsoever!" The girl grew even more furious. Thinking of herself as a famous domestic movie star, she had actually been ignored. That sense of unwillingness made her blurt out utterly irrational words.

Rong Qing stopped in her tracks and cast a cold glance at the girl. "That's right. Some people barge into private territory and start hurling abuses—now *that* is what I call lacking upbringing." Over the past five years, stripped of her starlight halo, her aura had only grown more imposing.

Earlier, the girl hadn't paid attention to Rong Qing's appearance, but as Rong Qing raised her head just then, those exquisite brows, makeup-free skin, and noble bearing surpassed her in every conceivable way. And such breathtaking beauty... seemed even more like that legendary person. Ye Xuan couldn't help but feel her heart skip a beat at her own speculation.

Taking advantage of the girl's momentary daze, Rong Qing walked into the private changing room. Left behind, the two individuals looked at each other in dismay, each harboring their own thoughts. The man the girl was holding onto suddenly walked toward Huo Lingtian. The usually aloof young master unexpectedly took the initiative to extend a hand. "Young Master Huo, long time no see."

Huo Lingtian glanced around at the man and Ye Xuan, his gaze far too profound. In the end, he stood his ground with no intention of shaking hands. "President Feng, your taste in people is truly astonishing." Immediately after, an elusive disdain flickered in his eyes, as arrogant and dismissive as an emperor. Huo Lingtian turned and walked into the changing room as well.

"Young Master Feng?" Ye Xuan asked anxiously. The attitude of the man just now had been exceptionally arrogant; how could a man who had always been so proud endure such an insult?

Feng Yufeng cast a cold glance, his eyes filled with such ruthlessness and malice that it sent a bone-chilling shiver straight through Ye Xuan, freezing her in place.

"You'd better forget everything you saw and heard today, or else—"

Before he could finish, Ye Xuan involuntarily nodded repeatedly. It was too terrifying—

--- Author's Note ---
I am extremely dissatisfied with today's writing. I just couldn't get the words out, crying, crying, crying.... Huge thanks to Haijuan123, He Huiying, janxj05, and xiaolilp7477013 for your monthly ticket support! Thank you to Lili 7309 for the diamond gifts. Lanlan loves you all so much, thank you to every single dear reader supporting this book.