Beijing-Hong Kong Rosemary

Chapter 52 Contrast
In the afternoon, Shen Guining was driven to an equestrian club in the suburbs.

The horse farm is located at the foot of the mountain, with a comfortable environment, fresh air, and a superior geographical location, making it a favorite entertainment venue for many elites.

The Maybach was parked in an open-air parking lot.

Shen Guining got out of the car.

The staff member, following instructions, stepped forward to greet Ms. Shen, saying, "Ms. Shen, Mr. Qu asked me to take you to change into your equestrian attire."

Shen Guining nodded. "Okay, thank you."

Staff led the way to the dressing room to choose clothes.

Ten minutes later, Shen Guining changed into a British-style equestrian outfit. She wore a white shirt with a lace bow at the collar, a black riding suit over it, pure white riding breeches, and black riding boots. Her hair was tied in a low ponytail at the back of her head, giving her a more heroic look.

The staff member relayed a message to her: "Mr. Qu is discussing business on the third floor. He said you can come up and find him if you get tired of playing."

"it is good."

Shen Guining, carrying a riding hat, went to the stables to select a horse.

The coach recommended a gentle white horse to her, which was more suitable for girls, and many socialites and heiresses had taken photos riding it.

However, Shen Guining refused, "I don't want someone too docile."

She used to take equestrian lessons on Hong Kong Island, so her skills are not bad. It's just that she hasn't ridden for several months, so she might be rusty.

After scanning the room and with the coach's introduction, I finally chose a dark horse that was easy to control and had a calm temperament.

Due to the weather, we can only use an indoor horse stable right now. It's built with transparent glass, creating a large visual space.

Shen Guining put on his hat, stepped onto the saddle with his left foot, straddled the horse, pulled on the reins, and squeezed the horse's belly with his legs. He first walked around twice to get used to it, and then, after getting used to it, he lightly flicked the whip and started running around the field.

She enjoys the feeling of riding on horseback; it's very relaxing.

All worries can be temporarily set aside and ignored.

On the third-floor terrace, Qu Yanci put one hand into his suit trouser pocket, stood by the railing, and looked down at the black figure below.

About three years ago, at the Sha Tin Racecourse on Hong Kong Island, I saw her wearing a red and white equestrian outfit, riding a horse over the barriers and rushing towards the finish line.

At that moment, he was thinking, how could there be such a contrasting girl, one second gentle and weak, the next second riding a horse and becoming the center of attention.

If his gaze lingered on that face for even a moment, it would be imprinted in his mind.

Zhou Chongli walked over, looking down at her. "Is this Shen Guining?"

He asked bluntly, "Your people?"

Qu Yanci didn't deny it, "What?"

Zhou Chongli smiled and said, "It's nothing, just shocked. I thought you were really detached from worldly desires."

It turns out I've still fallen into the mortal world.

"I heard you're getting married soon," Qu Yanci casually remarked.

"What good thing is this?"

"Of course it's a happy event."

Zhou Chongli narrowed his eyes slightly, but did not respond.

What kind of happy event is a business marriage?
-
Shen Guining rode for an hour, got tired, went back to the changing room to change clothes, and went upstairs to find Mr. Qu.

The staff member said he was in a private room, and Shen Guining didn't dare to go in and disturb him while he was talking.

"Miss Shen."

Someone called her from behind.

Shen Guining turned around, a smile playing on her lips, "Miss Yu, we meet again."

Yu Wanqiu smiled gently, "What a coincidence."

Shen Guining asked, "Are you here in Beijing for leisure?"

Yu Wanqiu nodded, "Yes, let's go for a walk to clear our heads."

During their conversation, the door to the private room next door opened, and the people inside came out.

Zhou Chongli walked up to Yu Wanqiu and asked, "Do you two know each other?"

Upon seeing him, Shen Guining instinctively moved closer to Qu Yanci and politely greeted him, "Mr. Zhou."

She felt disgusted with the Zhou family, as they were not good people.

Zhou Chongli didn't miss her movement, raising an eyebrow. He didn't seem to have offended this Miss Shen in any way. Yu Wanqiu answered his previous question, "We met at the golf course last time. Miss Shen and I hit it off very well."

Zhou Chongli suggested, "Since we know each other, why don't we have dinner together tonight?"

Shen Guining made an excuse to refuse, saying, "I have plans with friends tonight, so I won't be with you guys."

Zhou Chongli didn't press the issue, "Okay, then let's make an appointment next time."

Shen Guining pursed her lips. There was no next time; she didn't want to eat with the Zhou family.

It's unbelievable that Yu Wanqiu, such a gentle and beautiful girl, would be with Zhou Chongli.

Everyone in Hong Kong knows that Mr. Chow has had several ex-girlfriends, but he never takes relationships seriously.

It should be said that few of the privileged children of their status would take relationships seriously.

Before leaving, Shen Guining and Yu Wanqiu exchanged contact information.

Although we've only met twice, we clicked and got along very well.

Girls rely heavily on fate when making friends. Some people may know each other for years but never become friends, while others become instant friends after just one meeting.

Shen Guining vaguely sensed a faint melancholy and sadness about Yu Wanqiu.

My intuition tells me she has a story.
-
Back in the car, Qu Yanci leaned back casually in his seat, his right hand resting on his forehead, his gaze drifting to the side. "You have plans for tonight?"

Knowing she couldn't fool him, Shen Guining confessed, "...No."

Qu Yanci discerned, "You dislike Zhou Chongli."

He used a declarative tone.

Shen Guining remained silent, tacitly agreeing.

"Did he offend you?"

"No."

Let's just consider it a case of collective punishment. After all, he's Zhou Shilin's older brother, and besides, the Zhou family doesn't have a good reputation in the industry; they're all incredibly arrogant.

In Hong Kong, only others would shamelessly beg Zhou Chongli to have a meal with them, but today he took the initiative to invite Shen Guining to dinner, entirely out of respect for Qu Yanci.

It must be said that high society circles are also a food chain.

“I just don’t think he’s a good person…” Shen Guining said halfway, then changed her mind: “Okay, I shouldn’t have said that about your friend.”

Qu Yanci chuckled, "He's definitely not a good person."

Shen Guining was somewhat surprised, not expecting him to agree, "Aren't you two on good terms?"

Qu Yanci said calmly, "Mostly for personal gain."

In the business world, what relationships matter if you set aside interests?

Putting that aside, he asked, "Did you have a good time at the horse farm?"

Shen Guining nodded. "Yes, thank you for the arrangements, Mr. Qu."

"Your horsemanship is quite good," Qu Yanci praised her.

A look of surprise flashed across Shen Guining's eyes. "How did you know?"

"You can see it from upstairs."

"Oh."

She had almost forgotten that the racecourse was surrounded by glass on all five sides, offering a completely unobstructed view.

Later, several men came over to chat with him.

Back in the city, it was dinnertime, and Qu Yanci asked the little girl what she wanted to eat.

Shen Guining thought for a moment, "Can we have Cantonese food?"

It's been a while since I've eaten here. The last place I went with my colleagues wasn't authentic; it can't compare to restaurants on Hong Kong Island.

“Okay.” Qu Yanci picked up his phone and made a call to have someone make a reservation at a restaurant.

The driver received instructions and drove the car to the Cantonese Cuisine King's Mansion.

This is peak hour; the elevated highway is teeming with traffic, their taillights forming a continuous line, winding and weaving through traffic.

Upon arriving at the restaurant, Shen Guining followed Qu Yanci out of the car and took the elevator directly upstairs to a private room.