There were no classes in the afternoon.
Xiao Qi and Wei Cheng were both going to the equestrian center, so Mier and Yunshu went along as well.
Mier had a small personal agenda - she was hoping to see the student council president directly at the equestrian center.
Her family ran a small business, so there was a somewhat opportunistic side to her personality.
Meanwhile, Wei Cheng felt some psychological pressure. She wished she could go to the equestrian center to work every day to earn more money.
She felt that compared to the gifts she had received herself, the things she had given out seemed insignificant. She really wanted to do something for her dormmates too, and give them gifts too.
She really needed a computer. Touching the silvery screen, seeing the Apple logo, she would handle it carefully. When using the computer, she would even take off her watch, afraid to scratch the keyboard or screen. Opening the colorful pages on the computer filled her with excitement. She had wanted a computer before, but didn't dare wish for an Apple. Any off-brand would have been good enough.
But thinking of being able to carry an Apple laptop, sitting by the window in a cafe, and opening it up - just picturing that scene felt wonderful, the kind of feeling that would probably make you laugh in your dreams.
She also really liked the watch Yunshu had given her. She had never received such an exquisite gift before, golden and glittery, truly too beautiful.
She would take it off carefully whenever washing hands or showering, placing it solemnly in its box on the bed, afraid that getting it wet would break it, even though Yunshu said it was waterproof.
So although she loved it dearly, Wei Cheng did not wear it that afternoon, because she would be working at the equestrian center soon, afraid that it might get scratched.
Xiao Qi looked at Wei Cheng almost as if looking at her past self, easily empathizing, also lamenting. She felt that Wei Cheng was stronger than her past self. Wei Cheng had always been very optimistic and willing to endure hardship, while she herself had been gloomier, often feeling the whole world owed her.
Yunshu was mostly interested in the chance to interact with horses.
The four took the bus together to the new district. Xiao Qi had let the president know beforehand that she was bringing her dormmates.
It was the first day of classes after the break. Xiao Shengzhou was quite busy too, also back at school. Hearing Xiao Qi was bringing her dormmates to the equestrian center, he readily agreed.
He now had a great impression of Su Xiaqi. Mainly because his little ancestor at home really liked Xiao Qi, talking about her day and night, Xiao Qi this, Xiao Qi that...
He had assumed it would just be a fleeting three-day fascination for the little kid, but unexpectedly, this had persisted.
There was now also footage on Douyin of Xiao Qi in the marathon at the equestrian center. Xiao Bao'er was even a little upset that she had not gone to the finish line to wait, instead leaving halfway through to go to the amusement park. She regretted going to the amusement park.
Xiao Shengzhou and his younger uncle Xiao Yu were also quite astonished.
They would never have imagined that the girl running, would suddenly break the record as she ran! What the heck?
It made Xiao Yu even act a little depressed.
Because he saw the silly smiling selfie Xiao Qi posted on Moments with a big card showing her prize money.
He felt like he could sense Xiao Qi's determination to participate in the competition stemmed purely from money as the goal, but how could chasing money like this allow her to actually obtain money? What kind of spirit was that?
Previously he had assumed the girl lacked money and life experience, even envisioning various romantic pursuit tactics.
But then the girl had casually entered a competition, won tens of thousands in prize money and unhesitatingly donated it away.
And now even more extremely, directly over a hundred thousand.
He was very curious what a poor country girl from the mountains would do with hundreds of thousands?
Would she donate it away again? That would be outright insane.
Xiao Shengzhou was also a little curious, although his righteous brows and eyes should not have such curiosity, it was true that he felt quite curious.
When Xiao Qi's dorm with four people arrived, Wei Cheng first went to the stables to work, cleaning them out.
And since the afternoon weather was nice, Xiao Qi was going to bathe the horses.
Today it was Drum's and Taylor's turns.
The two were both tall powerful horses. Drum was slightly bigger, but the pure black Taylor was clearly more stunning at first sight, practically a handsome fellow.
When Wu Xinyue had come to the equestrian center to photograph, she had chosen Taylor.
The dark coat and mane shone slick and shiny under the sunlight, truly very beautiful and impressive.
Yunshu and Mier were still a little afraid, watching Xiao Qi face the horses with a spray nozzle to rinse them, scrubbing them with washcloths, yet the horses appeared extremely docile, not fierce at all. They slowly drew closer as well.
Carefully extending their hands to touch the warm horse belly even gave them a shock.
There was still a lingering fear, especially feeling the horse's breath.
Yet Xiao Qi appeared completely unafraid, both admired her greatly. Wei Cheng also admired her, not quite daring when bathing horses herself either, always worried about being kicked.
After watching by Xiao Qi's side for a while, Yunshu and Mier went to see the horse stalls, also very curious what the insides looked like. Unexpectedly, they felt it was quite clean, like simple living quarters for people.
When Wei Cheng had first started working she was still unfamiliar, but now extremely skilled already. She was used to working at home to begin with, and now extremely efficient, able to tidy up quickly and thoroughly. Soon she had shoveled out a cart full of trash.
Yunshu and Mier accompanied her to take out the trash.
After Xiao Qi finished washing Taylor, she led him aside to dry off in the sun, then started rinsing Drum.
The advantage of washing horses was the chance for close-up careful observation of changes in the horses - whether their eating was good, teeth condition, any injuries, leg health. This was the most basic requirement for an equestrian. Horses must be treated as intimate partners, keeping the closest eye on a partner's physical condition and every detail.
Xiao Qi did this very well with high affinity to the horses. The horses at the center were not averse to her at all but rather intimate. She also tended to cater to their moods.
After finishing washing the horses she would go to practice riding. With a quick word to her dormmates she headed over.
Wei Cheng also finished up her work, taking Yunshu and Mier on a tour inside the equestrian center.
"The club dinners here are delicious. Xiao Qi already told the president we can eat together here tonight."
"So will the president show up?" Mier asked probingly.
"The president drops by sometimes." Wei Cheng did not know either.
She felt even more shy about it. She had not actually seen the president many times since coming.
Xiao Qi focused mainly on riding for equestrian practice, still practicing speed and coordination for now. Steven was shocked inside at this student's talent, she was so suited to ride horses, as if born on horseback. But outwardly he was still very strict in teaching, scrutinizing every detail, afraid she would become arrogant.
Privately he called up old friends to brag about her every day.
His old friends actually did not really believe it. In that kind of environment domestically, how could any outstanding equestrians be trained? Equestrian was still an aristocratic sport in reality. They assumed Steven's psyche was just injured and he was desperately seeking success, randomly picking someone, or she did not even exist.
But they were still cordial on the surface, congratulating Steven. Inside however, they sighed, feeling Steven had probably lost it. They would never see this old friend again on the tournament grounds.
There was also one thing they did not have the heart to notify Steven of. Steven's ex-wife, also their mutual good friend, had divorced later. Steven kept providing alimony occasionally still drinking together. They had assumed Steven and his ex-wife had some lingering feelings, possibly even remarrying in the end.
But recently received news she was remarrying, to a supermarket owner, seemingly quite wealthy.
The good thing was Steven would no longer need to provide alimony. But they did not dare mention anything regarding the emotional matters, luckily Steven was now away in the far orient, otherwise facing this news Steven might have completely collapsed if still around.
Steven himself did not know any of this. He was now filled with ambition to teach out an outstanding student. Su breaking the record at the marathon also encouraged him, making him feel this student had endless potential. Things he had previously deemed impossible, he now thought likely, with his ambitions rising even further.
Thus he taught even more painstakingly and strictly than ever.
Were his old friends to see Su now they would surely think her ready for tournaments already, but to Steven she was still ordinary, with more effort needed.
Xiao Qi also did not know her own level, she was very amateur, completely listening to the coach. The coach said she performed average, so she thought she was still very average. The requirements for regular equestrians were probably very high, and the level of expertise in horse riding was far from enough.
Therefore, she had never been arrogant and had always trained very hard.
What's more, every time she came to learn and train, the chairman would actually give her money, saying that she had trained the condition of those horses. Xiao Qi felt even more embarrassed, not daring to have the slightest laziness.
There was a lot of physical activity in practicing horse riding.
Xiao Qi's roommates watched from the side, very amazed.
It was unbelievable. Mi'er carried the new camera Xiao Qi had given her and was still in the early stages with the camera. She kept taking pictures, feeling like she had suddenly become professional when she picked up the camera. She captured many moments of Xiao Qi riding, too handsome.
Yun Shu's personality was gentle, she especially admired people with athletic ability. She did not expect Xiao Qi to be so capable. Looking similar to her, also skinny, but Xiao Qi on horseback was too handsome. She watched longingly, not wanting to ride, just feeling this picture was very beautiful.
Wei Cheng squinted, watching, not knowing what she was thinking, with a smile on her face.
After Xiao Qi finished her training for the day, she went to take a shower, covered in sweat.
Wei Cheng also took a shower.
A few people ate together at the club restaurant, it was very sumptuous. Not only was the food delicious, but one could also watch the view of the bay while eating.
After they finished eating, there were still many self-serve desserts. While eating dessert, Xiao Shengzhou came over to say hello.
Mi'er, this little clever girl, immediately added the chairman on WeChat.
Xiao Shengzhou was very approachable to add her on WeChat.
Xiao Qi thought of her previous idea of buying a house. Because of the National Day holiday she had not asked. Taking this rare opportunity to see the chairman, she decided to directly ask him which would be best.
She wanted to ask about the school apartments. She thought the scenery was good. Jin Zaiyan had helped investigate for her, saying there were units for sale, but after all Jin Zaiyan was a foreign teacher and did not investigate very clearly. Xiao Qi simply asked the chairman directly. For such a big event, she felt it would not be clearly explained over WeChat, it would be better to ask face-to-face.
Xiao Shengzhou did not expect the little girl to take the initiative to find him, also not knowing what was the matter.
Xiao Qi asked her roommates to wait for her, and followed the chairman to his office, then told him her thoughts.
Xiao Shengzhou did not expect that the little girl would want to buy a house with her bonus money...
After thinking about it, he still shook his head and said, "The school apartments are available for sale to outsiders, but I don't recommend you buy them. The school properties are not good. Future development space depends entirely on the development of the school. At present, the development of private universities in China is not very promising."
Seeing the little girl listening carefully, slightly frowning, Xiao Shengzhou still could not help but continue: “I suggest you buy a house in the city center of Meng City, but with your money, it’s not realistic to buy in the city center. It’s already several hundred thousand yuan per square meter. The eastern suburbs of Meng City that were recently developed are quite good. Although across the sea, the cross-sea bridge is already under construction. Once built, transportation will be more convenient than some places in the downtown of Meng City. The current price is not high and is expected to have great potential for appreciation in the future. I suggest you can buy there and think about it carefully."
