Platinum Cards required a minimum deposit of half a million. So, what about Black Gold Cards? No one knew. If you couldn't even reach that level of spending, who would risk the embarrassment of asking? In any case, it was something Chen Yang definitely couldn't afford.
"Aren't you embarrassed enough?" Qin Qiu could no longer stand Chen Yang's posturing. Her gaze was ice-cold as she stared at him. "You just pull out a random card and claim it's a Black Gold Card? Are you that naive, or do you take us for fools?"
It's one thing to be incompetent, that can be forgiven. But to be incompetent and still pretend to be a big shot... that's just pathetic and hateful.
"Now, now, you can't say that. What if it's real?" Mu Ziyan blinked, her words laced with hidden meaning. "Right, honey?"
"Right, right, right!" Li Dechao instantly caught on and played along perfectly. "As it happens, I know one of the managers here. Why don't I call him over so we can find out for sure?"
Qin Qiu couldn't bear it any longer. She couldn't imagine the scene that would unfold once this lie was exposed. "Let's go!" she snapped, walking right up to Chen Yang.
"Honey, you mentioned last time that you enjoy riding," Chen Yang said, thinking entirely of her. "It wouldn't hurt to ride for a bit before we go." Besides, he thought, them calling the manager over was a good thing. It would completely clear up this misunderstanding.
"Xiaoqiu, we just got here. Why leave so soon?" Mu Ziyan gripped Qin Qiu's hand tightly. A smile spread across her lips, but a flash of mockery glinted in her narrow eyes.
She'd finally gotten a chance to put this 'good friend' of hers in her place. How could she let it slip by so easily?
Women are naturally vain creatures who love to compare, especially when it comes to their men. It's not just friends; even the closest of sisters will compete fiercely.
Seeing that Li Dechao had already made the call, Qin Qiu felt a mix of anger and helplessness, standing silently to the side. A moment later, a manager in a black suit strode toward them. Li Dechao immediately stepped forward to greet him, beaming.
However, the manager didn't even give him a second glance. He walked right past him, stopped before Chen Yang, and said with the utmost respect, "Big Brother, I didn't realize you were here. What can I do for you?"
He couldn't afford the slightest mistake in front of the boss's most distinguished guest.
Chen Yang gestured to the card on the table, then pointed at Li Dechao and Mu Ziyan. "They're saying this card is a fake."
"Hmph!" The manager spun around, his gaze turning sinister as he stared at Li Dechao. "Sir, as far as I know, you aren't even a member here, are you? Since you don't even have our most basic Platinum Card, what gives you the right to question a man holding a Black Gold Card?"
"I..." Li Dechao's face turned beet red. He stood there, squirming with discomfort.
"Forget it," Chen Yang said, waving a hand. "You can get back to your duties."
"Of course. If you need anything at all, Big Brother, just say the word." The manager gave a respectful bow before taking his leave.
Why did him calling him 'Big Brother' sound so affectionate?
Mu Ziyan and Li Dechao stared at each other. How did the slap we meant for him end up on our own faces?
Chen Xiaoyi lowered her head in shame, her hands twisting the hem of her clothes into knots.
Who could have possibly expected this?
"How do you have something so valuable?" After a moment of shock, Qin Qiu grasped the key issue and demanded, "Tell me the truth!"
"I found it."
Qin Qiu was speechless.
"I told you to tell the truth!" she raged.
Chen Yang remained steadfast. "I found it."
"Heh," Mu Ziyan sneered, her eyes raking over Chen Yang from head to toe. "If you ask me, I bet a certain someone didn't get this Black Gold Card through honorable means, did they?" She added pointedly, "Perhaps by... stealing?"
Chen Yang shrugged. "Go on then. Steal a Black Gold Card for me."
Mu Ziyan was rendered speechless.
"Go on!" he urged.
"Hmph," Mu Ziyan muttered, turning her head away. "Just blind luck."
"Let's drop it! Time to pick some horses!" Li Dechao quickly changed the subject. He could only envy Chen Yang's luck, but on the bright side, at least he wouldn't have to foot the bill—a tidy sum of tens of thousands. As for his lost pride, he'd get it back soon enough.
Qin Qiu remained skeptical of Chen Yang's story, but he was acting so shameless about it that she was at a loss for what to do.
Subsequently, the group went to the stables to choose their horses.
Within five minutes, Mu Ziyan and Chen Xiaoyi had each picked out a pony. They were cute and looked easy to ride.
Qin Qiu, however, hesitated for a moment before pointing to a tall, silver, long-legged horse. "I'll take that one!"
Chen Yang stared at Qin Qiu, stunned. Long-legged horses were notoriously tall. How could a woman like her choose one? What guts!
"Good eye!" Li Dechao gave her a thumbs-up. "But this breed isn't just tall; they're also incredibly spirited. It's very dangerous for a novice, especially a woman."
Qin Qiu wavered for a moment but finally insisted, "I want to try."
"Then let me take you. With an experienced rider like me, I guarantee you'll be perfectly safe," Li Dechao said, puffing out his chest. A powerful flicker of desire flashed in his eyes. On horseback, with her in front and me behind... taking a little advantage would be perfectly normal, wouldn't it? And if the horse started to run... Li Dechao couldn't suppress a thrill of wicked delight.
Qin Qiu hesitated. She desperately wanted to try riding the tall horse, but not with Li Dechao.
His gaze is impure, especially when he looks at me. Chen Yang, on the other hand... his eyes are as clear as a child's, without a single trace of deceit.
She instinctively glanced at Chen Yang, but then shook her head. "Never mind."
"Don't worry, you'll be completely safe with me!" Li Dechao pressed, unwilling to give up.
Qin Qiu shook her head again.
Chen Yang tossed aside the sunflower seeds he was eating, clapped the dust from his hands, and said, "Honey, I'll take you."
"You?" Qin Qiu looked at him in surprise.
"Yes, me," Chen Yang affirmed, pointing to himself.
Qin Qiu was at a loss for words.
"Kid, you've probably never ridden a horse before, have you?" Li Dechao stepped in front of Chen Yang. "Do you have any idea how dangerous it is? I don't care if you want to get yourself killed, but you can't drag Qin Qiu down with you! As a man, you need to be responsible!" He immediately jumped to conclusions, lecturing from the moral high ground before turning back to Qin Qiu. "Really, you should let me take you."
"Get the hell away from me," Chen Yang said flatly, giving him a sideways glance.
Li Dechao's eyes widened. "What... what did you just say to me?"
"Get lost."
Li Dechao was stunned into silence.
Chen Yang walked into the stall and led out the long-legged horse Qin Qiu had chosen. He beckoned to her. "Honey, come on."
After hesitating for a few seconds, a stunned Qin Qiu actually started walking toward him.
"Ha!" Li Dechao sneered ominously. "I'd like to see just how you're going to fall off that horse!"