Soot, Moonlight, Vodka

Chen Zhuo spent the new year at Lu Xingze's former residence.

The furnishings of the old residence have not been changed, and it still retains the appearance when Lu Xingze left. Chen Zhuo thought, as long as he lives, he will keep this place for a day.

But one day, this place will become someone else's place...

The most indispensable thing on this blue planet is the vicissitudes of life.

Thinking that one day, this place will change beyond recognition, Chen Zhuo will feel powerless.

At night, he lay on the double bed on the top floor, where he and Lu Xingze spent the most nights, and he hoped to meet Lu Xingze in his dreams here.

Lu Xingze didn't come to see him in his dream, and gave him a good night's sleep.

After Chen Zhuo woke up, there was a fresh bouquet of flowers on the bedside, including Phalaenopsis, Hyacinth and Rieger Begonia.

Most likely Lu Xingze ordered the servants of this villa to arrange it. After his death, his rules are still in effect.

This was the method Lu Xingze used when chasing Chen Zhuo, in order to please him, a bouquet of flowers every morning.

Chen Zhuo picked up the bouquet and smelled it gently.

In early February, Chen Zhuo and Fu Meng went to Ireland, Uncle Zhou's private horse farm.

Zhou Chongrui and the Lu family are old friends. When Lu Xingze was ten years old, he gave him a purebred foal. The offspring of the champion racehorse, it is a very rare white horse. Lu Xingze named it Wuchen.

The little pony Wuchen grew up with Lu Xingze and they have a close relationship. After Lu Xingze left, Zhou Chongrui took care of Wuchen for him and took him to his own horse farm.

Zhou Chongrui's special plane took the two to the racecourse. The racecourse is very open, with the blue sky and grass beyond the horizon. Not far away is Zhou Chongrui's private villa, surrounded by mountains and rivers. Wildlife such as moose and antelope roam the lake.

Chen Zhuo took a deep breath, just being in it, he felt relieved physically and mentally...

"Long time no see, Mengmeng, Xiao Chen." Zhou Chongrui greeted the two of them, "How is it? You are not too tired on the road."

"Not at all."

"Uncle, your racecourse is too magnificent," Fu Meng said dumbfounded, "Oh my god, I really want to die here when I get old—"

"Haha," Zhou Chongrui was amused by Fu Meng, and snorted his head: "What are you talking about, it's just playing tickets, let's go, let's catch up with you first."

The chef made local specialties, soda bread, mashed potatoes with kale, served with Irish coffee.

They ate and chatted, accompanied by a few other juniors. Most of their families were related by in-laws, only Chen Zhuo was not in this circle at all.

"Oh right, I brought someone here earlier." Fu Meng whispered to Chen Zhuo.

"Huh?" Chen Zhuo was curious why Fu Meng wanted to tell himself.

"It's yours..." Fu Meng cleared his throat: "You know that kid named Xia."

"he?"

"Well, I owed him a favor before, and then he said that he wanted to try to work on this horse farm. He said he had some experience in raising horses, so I let him come. He has been working here for half a month. You will see later He, don't be too surprised."

Chen Zhuo was surprised now.

Xia Zhifeng knows how to raise horses, are you kidding... how is it possible?

Could it be that he is some kind of poor young master from a rich family?Or did you take some equestrian interest classes when you were in primary and middle school?It's not impossible... After all, Chen Zhuo never cared about Xia Zhifeng's past.

Fu Meng drank his wine, glanced at Chen Zhuo, observing his expression.

"Do you know about me and him?" Chen Zhuo asked in a low voice.

"Uh, I know a little bit. In fact, I can probably guess what's going on. After all, his appearance... right." Fu Meng laughed dryly.

"It doesn't matter, we're splitting up now." Chen Zhuo ate the last piece of bread.

"Oh, oh..." Fu Meng smiled and said, "It's good that it's okay, I'm afraid it will be embarrassing, so let me tell you in advance, if you don't care, that's the best."

After eating and resting for a while, Zhou Chongrui took Chen Zhuo and Fu Meng to the stable, intending to take the horse for a walk.

The stables are semi-open, and you can smell a stronger smell of horses before entering. This is unavoidable. Chen Zhuo and Lu Xingze used to go to the racecourse to play, and they have practiced enough to be able to bear the smell.

After entering, several apprentice jockeys were feeding, brushing and harnessing the horses.

Zhou Chongrui introduced his favorite horses, each of which has an extraordinary origin, either a retired horse racing champion, a descendant of a famous family, or a friend who fostered him here.

"Wuchen is also in good condition recently," Zhou Chongrui said to Chen Zhuo: "It should also miss you very much... let's take it out to play later."

"En." Chen Zhuo followed Zhou Chongrui's guidance and came to Wuchen. When Wuchen saw Chen Zhuo, his eyes lit up obviously, and he raised his head with his ears up.

"Xiao Xia, come and prepare horses for the guests." Zhou Chongrui called out.

"coming."

Soon, Xia Zhifeng came over from behind the railing not far away. The brown chestnut riding suit was very slim, and the black riding boots further accentuated the superior shape of his legs.

When walking over, Xia Zhifeng took a look at Chen Zhuo.

Chen Zhuo glanced at him.

Another glance.

This riding outfit really suits him very well, and it shakes my previous impression of him.

Holding a set of harness, Xia Zhifeng untied the dust-free fence.

"Let me prepare the horse." Chen Zhuo said to Zhou Chongrui.

Every horse has its own personality, and Wuchen has a very proud temperament. Except for the owner and Chen Zhuo, it is not very happy to touch it. When it is fierce, it will kick people and cause many troubles.

After half a month of getting along, Wuchen might not be easily manipulated by Xia Zhifeng, and he would put on the harness together.

"It's okay," Zhou Chongrui said with a smile without any worries, "Wu Chen really likes Xiao Xia."

Xia Zhifeng skillfully inspected the horse's body and harness, then stroked Wuchen's coat, and put the sweat pad and saddle pad away.

This link alone already made Chen Zhuo feel unbelievable.

Wuchen didn't show any repulsion or displeasure, he was very relaxed, just like seeing his former master, and occasionally flirted with Xia Zhifeng secretly, gently rubbing his head against Xia Zhifeng's arm.

Could it be because Xia Zhifeng and Lu Xingze look so much alike that even Wuchen can't tell them apart?

Impossible, even if they look the same, there are differences in temperament, smell and movement habits, how could the horses not be able to tell the difference...?

When Chen Zhuo came back to his senses, Xia Zhifeng was already fastening the cinch belt, and soon, the reins were fastened, and he helped Wuchen stretch the ligament.

"Ready, I wish you a happy ride." Xia Zhifeng handed over the reins to Chen Zhuo, showing a polite smile, without any extra words, turned and went back to do his own business.

"Thank you." Chen Zhuo led Wuchen out of the stable, walked a few steps, and stopped again.

He turned back to Zhou Chongrui and said, "Uncle Zhou, can the jockey just now be with me?"