"You're asking for death!"
Inside the ballroom, seeing Gao Mengmeng nod, Hu Chao's jealousy flared as if a sensitive nerve had been poked.
He had spent months pursuing and pleasing Gao Mengmeng through his friends, yet he had barely exchanged a few words with her. Now, this guy actually dared to ask Gao Mengmeng to be his woman?
Hu Chao, his face contorted with anger and unwillingness, rolled up his sleeves and stepped forward.
"What, you want to fight?"
Song Qiao adjusted his collar, looking at the guy who was shorter than him by a head, completely unfazed.
As Hu Chao approached, he realized the other man was much taller and sturdier than himself, and he couldn't help but glare.
"Damn it, you wait right here, you coward! Don't you dare run, just wait here for me!"
"You'll be begging for mercy soon!"
Knowing it was wise to avoid a confrontation for the moment, he yelled a warning and turned to go find reinforcements.
Meanwhile, Gao Mengmeng, having just finished her phone call, walked over.
"Hey, why did he leave?"
Watching Hu Chao's retreating back, she couldn't help but feel puzzled.
"I saw you talking to him earlier, what happened? Why did he leave so suddenly?"
"It's nothing, do you know him?"
Song Qiao raised an eyebrow, surprised that Hu Chao hadn't lied; Gao Mengmeng did indeed know him.
"Yes, I know him. He's sort of a friend. When he comes here, he usually looks out for me."
Gao Mengmeng said casually, then, fearing Song Qiao might misunderstand, she quickly added,
"But we're not really close. We've hardly spoken a few words."
"What did he say to you just now?"
"He didn't say much, just a few casual words."
Song Qiao nodded slightly and didn't press the matter further.
Gao Mengmeng, not dwelling on it, recalled her uncle's words from the phone call and smiled brightly.
"Right, let's not talk about that. Brother Song, to show my gratitude, I'd like to invite you horseback riding. There's a specialized riding stable right next door. Let's go!"
"It's my favorite sport, it's really fun."
Speaking of horseback riding, Gao Mengmeng's face lit up with excitement. She then specifically mentioned her uncle, Gao Yuan.
"Uncle said he wants to thank you properly and that I shouldn't neglect you."
Without further ado, she pulled Song Qiao along and left the ballroom.
A moment later, as they arrived at the riding stable, they coincidentally ran into Hu Chao from afar.
He seemed to be contacting his subordinates, and before long, seven or eight of them appeared by his side.
"Oh, Miss Gao is here!"
Suddenly, someone spotted Gao Mengmeng, and all eyes turned in their direction.
Seeing Gao Mengmeng, Hu Chao's previously furious expression instantly transformed into a wide smile.
"Yo, Miss Gao, come for a ride?"
He immediately stepped forward to greet her warmly.
"Mm, I'm just here for some fun."
Faced with his effusive greeting, Gao Mengmeng was used to it. She replied indifferently, her expression far from the delighted joy she showed when talking to Song Qiao.
"Miss Gao, don't worry. I know the owner here. I'll have someone prepare the best horse for you right away. I guarantee you'll have a good time."
Hu Chao thumped his chest as he promised, trying his best to curry favor.
"No need, I'm just bringing my friend here to play."
Gao Mengmeng politely declined his offer. She didn't want to get involved with other men in front of Song Qiao.
But as soon as Hu Chao heard this, his anger ignited.
"This guy is going riding too?"
He immediately shot a venomous glare at Song Qiao, utterly surprised that this guy dared to show up in front of him.
He was truly asking for trouble. He hadn't even sent people to intercept him yet.
"Kid, you can ride horses too, can you?"
"How about we have a competition?"
Hu Chao was determined to humiliate Song Qiao and make him lose face in front of Gao Mengmeng.
"Sorry, I don't know how to ride."
However, Song Qiao couldn't be bothered to respond and simply refused. Getting angry at someone like him was a waste of his time.
"You don't?"
"Heh, kid, you're so arrogant, I thought you knew everything. So you don't even know how to ride a horse."
Hu Chao's words were filled with disdain. Entertainment options were scarce in those days, and even the wealthy had limited ways to amuse themselves, horseback riding being one of them.
With their leader mocking, the subordinates behind him joined in with their sarcastic remarks, creating an awkward scene.
Gao Mengmeng actually wanted to tell Hu Chao that she came today specifically to make Song Qiao happy. It was okay that Song Qiao didn't know how to ride, she could teach him hand-in-hand, such opportunities were rare. But what was Hu Chao trying to do? Why was he being so difficult today?
Feeling displeased, she simply remained silent, her expression less than pleasant.
Seeing this, Hu Chao mistook it as Gao Mengmeng being persuaded by him and gaining face in front of her, which made him even more smug.
"Miss Gao, when it comes to making friends, I have to offer you some advice as someone experienced."
"You shouldn't associate with just anyone. Some people simply aren't worthy of being friends with someone like you, Miss Gao."
"He doesn't even know how to do your favorite activity, horseback riding. How can he possibly be qualified to be friends with you?"
Hu Chao's words became increasingly proud.
Indeed, he had practiced horseback riding diligently for Gao Mengmeng, just to show off in front of her. He had even become familiar with the people at this riding stable because of it.
"Miss Gao, speaking of this riding stable, do you know who the owner is?"
Gao Mengmeng was slightly curious. She often came here to ride but hadn't known this.
"Heh heh, the owner of this stable is named Yu Yang. This guy is amazing. He's the chairman of our provincial chamber of commerce, incredibly capable."
Hu Chao became even more pleased when he saw Gao Mengmeng's interest.
"I know this Yu Yang. I'll introduce you to him later."
Song Qiao watched the guy's obsequious attempts to curry favor and felt nothing but disdain. Such a person, twenty-odd years later, would be called a "simp."
Gao Mengmeng, however, had heard of this name and was even more curious.
"Miss Gao, the next time Boss Yu comes, I'll introduce you to him. You can discuss financing or partnerships then, and I can help put in a good word."
Hu Chao's face was full of fawning, desperately trying to prove how useful and impressive he was. He didn't realize that when one needs to prove themselves to a woman, they have already lost.
He then proudly glanced at Song Qiao again.
"Unlike some people, who have no real ability and only deceive Miss Gao with their sweet talk."
"Miss Gao, when making friends in the future, you must be discerning and not be fooled by some individuals."
Hu Chao spoke these words, his gaze unashamedly directed at Song Qiao, his meaning obvious. This guy had only won Gao Mengmeng's favor through deception, unlike himself who possessed genuine talent.
Gao Mengmeng finally realized what was happening. She quickly wanted to explain that Song Qiao was actually very capable, but then she saw his silent demeanor and became curious again. What was going on today? Why was Song Qiao being so patient? He was being spoken to like this directly, yet he remained silent. Was it just because he couldn't ride? Gao Mengmeng suddenly felt she had discovered something interesting and didn't rush to speak.
Seeing this, Hu Chao thought Gao Mengmeng believed him, which made his attitude towards Song Qiao even more arrogant.
"Hey, kid, didn't you hear what I said?"
"You've got no manners. Get lost yourself and stop embarrassing yourself here. If you anger that great Boss Yu, can you afford the responsibility?"
Song Qiao watched the guy's performance until now before finally speaking calmly.
"Hu Chao, this Boss Yu you keep mentioning, perhaps he'll have to listen to me when he arrives."