The Mysterious Benefactor and a Racetrack Challenge

Si Xi had initially dismissed the forum post as insignificant, yet his university classmates relentlessly probed him with veiled questions via WeChat.

Some, with more aggressive personalities, even sent him direct messages like, “Senior, you’re such a disappointment!” or “Aren’t you just shameless?”

Si Xi was utterly exasperated.

Even if, by some stretch of imagination, he truly were kept by an older man, how did that concern them? He hadn’t broken up a relationship, cheated, or violated any moral or legal codes.

Where did these self-appointed internet police officers come from?

He had been quite pleased about meeting Jing Chen again tonight, but now his mood was thoroughly ruined.

He lay restlessly on his bed, staring at the ceiling, pondering how to resolve the situation.

The best course of action would be to post a photo of himself and Jing Chen on the forum, clarifying that they were a couple, not a sugar daddy arrangement, and that Jing Chen wasn’t truly old, merely dressed unfashionably.

However, wouldn’t that mean publicly revealing his relationship with Jing Chen?

He recalled that it was Jing Chen who had suggested they act like brothers at school, implying some reservations on Jing Chen’s part.

Moreover, their relationship was indeed one of ‘being kept’—just with the roles reversed.

Should he simply let it go?

Absolutely not.

Si Xi abruptly sat up in bed, unable to swallow this indignity.

He had to find out the IP address of the malicious poster.

Anyone daring to provoke him like this deserved a good beating with a sack over their head.

He opened the university forum, only to find that the original post was gone; the new hot topic pinned to the homepage was titled, “Regarding the Rumors of Being Kept: A Clarification Posted on Behalf.”

‘What on earth is this development?’ Si Xi thought, utterly bewildered.

His curiosity compelled him to click on the post.

1st Floor: Posted on behalf, see 2nd floor for details.

2nd Floor: Huh?

3rd Floor: Front row seat.

4th Floor: Holy cow, a reversal?!

5th Floor: Can’t Si Xi access the forum himself? Why post on his behalf?

6th Floor: Hello everyone, my name is Yan He, and I am Si Xi’s maternal uncle. A few days ago, I saw Si Xi post on his Moments saying he wanted a pair of limited edition BL47 sneakers, so I bought him a pair. I delivered them to him yesterday as soon as I returned from a business trip. Si Xi, in his excitement, gave me a hug. I never expected it to be misunderstood by others. Therefore, I found a Yanda student to help me post this clarification. I hope everyone will stop spreading rumors, and I reserve all rights to pursue legal action against the person who posted the libelous content.

****

Si Xi: ???

This wasn’t even the most outrageous part; the truly bizarre element followed, as the poster uploaded another image: a half-body shot of his maternal uncle, Yan He, wearing the exact outfit Jing Chen had worn yesterday.

His uncle, who was forty this year, perfectly suited the ensemble.

And, it had to be said, the photo must have been edited, as his uncle bore a surprising resemblance to Jing Chen; even Yanda students who had seen Jing Chen in person yesterday would likely not suspect a thing.

‘What in the world?!’

His maternal uncle was indeed his maternal uncle, but the story was completely fabricated.

Furthermore, the person who took the original photo still possessed it; if they were to upload the unedited version, this ‘clarification’ would become a fabricated whitewash, further solidifying the rumors of him being kept.

Si Xi was utterly baffled.

He pulled out his uncle Yan He’s number and called him directly.

–Hello, Xiaoshi?

–Uncle, could you please check WeChat? What’s going on with that picture I sent you?

–Let me see… Oh, that. I can’t quite explain what’s happening. All I know is that I have this really tough project, and it suddenly showed some promise today. The prerequisite was for me to take a picture like that.

Si Xi: …?

Things were becoming even more confusing.

–However, the person who asked me to take the photo mentioned a ‘Mr. Huo.’ This project of mine is also outsourced by the richest man, the Huo family, to another company. Do you think there’s a connection?

The Huo family?!

He only knew one person surnamed Huo.

Assuming it might have been Huo Siyuan’s doing, Si Xi secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

He had no grievances with Huo Siyuan; Huo Siyuan wouldn’t go so far as to harm him in this manner.

Huo Siyuan must have dealt with the person who took the photo to dare to orchestrate such a public deception.

He just couldn’t fathom why Huo Siyuan would help him.

Unable to comprehend, Si Xi simply opened Huo Siyuan’s WeChat chat and called him directly.

Huo Siyuan had just finished coordinating their story with his paternal uncle when Si Xi’s voice call came through.

He answered the phone, and at his uncle’s subtle prompting, Huo Siyuan forced a nonchalant tone, saying, “If you’re calling to say thank you, don’t bother. I’m just like Lei Feng; I do good deeds without seeking recognition.”

‘…’ Si Xi was momentarily choked, before asking, “Why did you help me?”

If he remembered correctly, he wasn’t particularly close to Huo Siyuan.

Moreover, due to his suspicion that Huo Siyuan liked Jing Chen, Si Xi had always maintained a rather unfriendly attitude towards him.

‘Could he be a masochist?’

“Hmph, I wasn’t exactly helping *you*,” Young Master Huo the Third retorted, “Last time I went to your school to deliver sneakers, I ran into a classmate of yours who knew my identity. They mistook us for a couple and brought the whole drama to my attention.”

“And me? I’m rebellious to the core. The more they wanted to ruin your reputation, the less I’d let them succeed.”

‘Alright, this modus operandi certainly fits Young Master Huo the Third.’

Si Xi asked, “So, would you mind telling me which of my classmates did this?”

“Ah, that,” Young Master Huo the Third chuckled mysteriously, “You’ll find out tomorrow.”

Si Xi hung up the phone, utterly bewildered, pondering which of his classmates could possibly know Young Master Huo the Third.

They weren’t even in the same social circles.

Si Xi racked his brain but couldn’t figure it out; Young Master Huo the Third clearly had a flamboyant personality and made friends as he pleased.

He himself had seemingly met him by chance and inexplicably added him on WeChat.

Since Young Master Huo the Third said he’d find out later, Si Xi didn’t dwell on it anymore.

He’d just give that person a few extra punches when the time came.

Because of this twist, some of the people who had previously cursed him on WeChat now came forward to apologize.

Si Xi didn’t delete them, but he set them all to ‘do not disturb.’

‘Go gather dust in my contact list!’

At noon, he received a call from Qin Mingtian.

Qin Mingtian was his childhood friend and sworn brother, a true wastrel who was mediocre academically but a master of all things related to eating, drinking, and merrymaking.

He was a third-year student studying hotel management at a local vocational college, and his school required internships this year.

While others sought internships at hotels, he, on the contrary, simply opened his own hotel for his classmates to intern at, transforming from ‘hotel management’ to ‘managing a hotel.’

It was said that his professors didn’t know whether to laugh or be exasperated, only able to watch their student live a carefree life while still being forced to give him full marks on his internship report.

What else could they do? The man simply had too much money.

“What is it?” Si Xi asked languidly.

–What are you doing? Come out and have some fun.

–No, Si Xi refused without hesitation, –What’s fun at this hour? The nightclubs aren’t even open yet.

–Even if the nightclubs were open, I wouldn’t dare take you there. With your alcohol tolerance and your drunken antics, I’m afraid you’d demolish the place.

–… Si Xi said expressionlessly, –Hanging up. Goodbye.

–No, no, no, wait! Listen to me, listen to me.

Qin Mingtian quickly added, –I’m inviting you to the racetrack. Don’t you think this beautiful, sunny weather is perfect for a ride?

Si Xi hadn’t gone out to have fun in quite a while.

He couldn’t just stay home like a docile wife, waiting for Jing Chen until evening. Besides, it had been a long time since he’d been to the racetrack, and he felt a thrill of anticipation, so he readily agreed.

As the weather had recently turned cooler, many people were out enjoying the racetrack.

Si Xi changed into his riding gear, and by the time he emerged, the stable master had already led two horses over.

Qin Mingtian chose a white one, and Si Xi took the reins of the chestnut-colored horse.

Just as he was about to lead his horse inside, several horses came trotting onto the track, pulling up short at the entrance.

As soon as the riders dismounted, several stable masters respectfully came forward to take their horses.

The group was led by a young man who was removing his gloves as he walked out, perfectly colliding with Si Xi and his companion at the entrance.

The young man’s gaze fell on Si Xi’s face, first showing shock, then a complex mix within that shock, and finally, a hint of almost imperceptible joy.

Si Xi didn’t recognize him, so he simply nodded and stepped aside to let them pass.

Once the whole group had bustled past, Qin Mingtian asked, “Do you know that person just now?”

“No, do you?” Si Xi inquired.

Qin Mingtian lowered his voice and said, “The richest man’s son.”

Si Xi, who was in the process of swinging onto his horse, nearly missed his footing.

‘My goodness! I used to think the Huo family was incredibly mysterious, but now I’ve suddenly met Young Master Huo the Third, and then the richest man’s son, all in one go.’

‘And, apparently, the richest man’s son is already this grown up? I thought he hadn’t even married yet.’

Si Xi looked back enviously at the retreating figure of the richest man’s son.

‘He doesn’t have three heads or six arms, so how did he manage to be born into such a family?’

‘What a great father he has.’

Qin Mingtian swung onto his horse and gestured with his chin towards Si Xi: “Care for a race?”

Si Xi immediately pushed the minor interlude from his mind, mounted his horse, and declared, “Bring it on, you sore loser.”

Qin Mingtian was nearly infuriated. The two rode their horses to the show jumping arena, which was currently empty. Qin Mingtian counted, “3, 2, 1,” and the two horses galloped forward.

Huo Siyi was in a terrible mood today.

Less than two hours after he had fallen into the river of ‘love’ named Si Xi last night, Si Xi’s reputation had collapsed.

He didn’t mind Si Xi having a partner; he could simply snatch him away.

However, Si Xi being kept by an older man—such a self-degrading act—truly made it impossible for Huo Siyi not to care.

—Poor Huo Siyi had been so enraged yesterday that he uninstalled the Yanda forum, completely unaware that the plot had taken a dramatic turn.

He was extremely annoyed. He had originally planned to come out for a ride today to relax, but who knew that despite being in the same circles as Si Xi for so long, they had never met, only to run into each other today.

The real person was even more beautiful than what he had seen on the big screen that day, appearing both lovely and docile, like a natural luminary, simply captivating.

“Siyi, it’s sunny here. Let’s go sit in the tea shed,” Liang Yi, the racetrack owner’s nephew, called out.

Huo Siyi watched Si Xi, who was galloping freely on his horse across the track, and said without turning his head, “You all go play, don’t mind me.”

Liang Yi looked in the direction Huo Siyi was watching, seeing two people on a red and a white horse, racing over hurdles on the track.

One of the young men was remarkably handsome; he leaned slightly forward, guiding his horse over each obstacle with a flamboyant yet agile grace. Many onlookers were drawn to him.

“Are you interested in him?”

“No interest!”

‘…’ No interest, yet you’re watching so intently.

Liang Yi realized his question was foolish and quickly tried to mend it: “When he finishes, I’ll have someone call him over… Siyi, where are you going?”

Huo Siyi strode off the viewing platform without looking back, casually taking a horse from a stable master.

Si Xi easily won against Qin Mingtian, reining in his horse and flashing a provocative smile.

“Well, well, well, do you concede?”

Qin Mingtian clearly wasn’t convinced, saying, “Don’t get too cocky. Again, best two out of three.”

“Fine, Daddy will make sure you lose completely and willingly.”

Si Xi rode his horse back to the starting point. The race began again, and just as the two galloped off, a single rider suddenly surged in, seamlessly joining their competition.

He started five or six lengths behind them but caught up in the blink of an eye. As they approached the first hurdle, he gave his horse a flick of the whip, and it accelerated once more, launching forward like an arrow from a bow, soaring over the obstacle.

A gasp erupted from the onlookers.

Si Xi merely registered someone abruptly joining their race, completely unfazed, assuming it was just another rider at the track wanting to compete.

However, seeing that person accelerate like a madman, the horse almost a blur, leaping over one obstacle after another, he felt a jolt of shock.

It was his first time witnessing such a reckless style of riding—it was undeniably cool, but also incredibly dangerous.

The outcome was without suspense; that person reached the finish line first, then performed an incredibly difficult, stylish, high-speed stop.

The horse’s front hooves reared high, emitting a shrill neigh, almost throwing the rider off.

Amidst the cheers and shouts of the crowd, the rider guided his horse to Si Xi’s front, pulled down the visor of his helmet, revealing a handsome, flamboyant youthful face, and smiled at Si Xi, who had just reined in his horse.

“Hello, Senior. My name is Huo Siyi. Shall we get acquainted?”

‘Hmph! So what if he’s kept by an old man? Huo Siyi is younger than that old man, has more money than that old man who can only afford a pair of worthless shoes costing a few tens of thousands, and is clearly superior.’

‘I’ll snatch him away in a heartbeat!’

Si Xi: …?

‘Do I possess some special constitution that attracts members of the Huo family?’