Chapter 54: Equestrianism
"Ye Zi, if Huayou Films' IPO succeeds, the market value of my shares will exceed $100 million!" Murong Feng shared his excitement over the phone with Ye Zi.
"Oh, congratulations, Murong," Ye Zi replied, her voice not as thrilled as Murong Feng had expected.
Murong Feng thought she might be unhappy because he hadn't visited her for a while. He quickly added with a smile, "Ye Zi, I've been busy with Huayou's IPO, so I haven't had time to visit. But as soon as I have a break, I'll come to Wuxi to see you!"
Ye Zi's voice remained gentle and sweet, "It's okay, Murong. Focus on your work. Everything is fine here." Murong Feng believed her. With Gao Yang overseeing the business, Ye Zi shouldn't be facing any difficulties.
"Ye Zi, I miss you!" Murong Feng's sudden wave of longing made him say these rarely spoken words of endearment. Ye Zi was silent for a few seconds before responding emotionally, "Murong, I miss you too. I really do!"
Her mood seemed to lift as she giggled, "I might be coming to Beijing soon, so we'll get to see each other then!" "That's great! I'll be waiting for you!"
After hanging up, Ye Zi couldn't help but feel a wave of inexplicable melancholy.
Murong Feng was becoming wealthier, but Ye Zi felt he was drifting further away from her. She was just an ordinary girl, living far away. Could she really hold onto the handsome, wealthy, and charming Murong Feng? She wasn't sure.
"Ye Zi, double-check the annual financial report data for Weifu," instructed Wang, the managing director, as he passed by with some documents.
Ye Zi quickly responded, put away her phone, and returned to her seat, busying herself once more.
---
It was the weekend again. After the usual underwriting committee meeting, Murong Feng was sorting through a thick stack of documents.
Wang Lei, smiling broadly, walked over and patted him on the shoulder. "Murong, these frequent meetings must be tiring, huh?"
Murong Feng shook his head, "Not really, Mr. Wang. According to the schedule, the due diligence should be almost finished, right?"
Wang Lei could hardly contain his joy as he nodded, "Yes, the team in the US has nearly completed the registration and application procedures. Next month, I'll be traveling to the US with the underwriting team for a roadshow in New York, Boston, Washington, Chicago, and San Francisco."
Murong Feng congratulated him, "Congratulations, Mr. Wang! With the funding from the IPO, your dream of building a film empire will be realized." Wang Lei laughed heartily, "Same to you, Murong. Don't forget you're the largest individual shareholder after our brothers. So, how's your investment in Huayou looking now?"
After a few more jokes, Wang Lei said, "Almost forgot. Tomorrow is the weekend. Do you have any plans? If you're free, we could go horseback riding to relax."
Murong Feng asked curiously, "Horseback riding?" Wang Lei looked at him in surprise, "You don't ride often? I heard you're good at fencing and golf. You should enjoy these kinds of activities."
Murong Feng laughed, "I do like equestrian sports. I visited the Hong Kong Jockey Club and watched a horse race once, but I've never ridden myself. Oh, by the way, I'm also a member of the Racing Club. Is there a horse club in Beijing?"
Wang Lei was surprised, "You're a member of the Hong Kong Jockey Racing Club? That's impressive. As far as I know, although it's not as hard as becoming a member of the Jockey Club itself, the Jockey Racing Club is not easy to join either!" He suddenly realized Murong Feng's influence and gained a new respect for this third-largest individual shareholder who was rarely seen.
Wang Lei's tone grew more enthusiastic, "As for horseback riding in Beijing, why didn't you ask me? I'm a seasoned horse owner! Beijing may not have an organization as impressive as the Hong Kong Jockey Club, but there are several equestrian clubs where you can practice and enjoy riding."
Wang Lei's face showed a joyful expression, "I have a thoroughbred I bought from a British stud farm for €20,000 euros. It's housed at the Tianxing Equestrian Club. If you're interested, we can go have some fun tomorrow."
Murong Feng was naturally tempted. Ever since his trip to Hong Kong, he had developed a keen interest in horse racing and joined the Jockey Club. Although he had been busy recently and hadn't had time to engage in it, he was very fond of horse racing.
Since Ye Zi wasn't in Beijing and he had no plans for the weekend, he agreed.
---
The Tianxing International Equestrian Club, located in Sunhe Town, Chaoyang District, is the most internationalized equestrian training club in Beijing. It's one of the only five clubs in China certified with a four-star rating by the CHS system, co-certified by Chinese and British equestrian clubs.
The club spans 100 acres and features a standard show-jumping training ground, a dedicated equestrian training area, a 2040 dressage arena, and two lunge rings. It houses 40 British thoroughbreds, 8 European warmbloods, 17 domestically bred fine horses, including 5 Murong series and 12 Tuoba series, excluding nearly 20 privately housed horses.
The club's newly built high-standard stables are particularly noteworthy, boasting athlete dormitories, groom dormitories, feed rooms, tack rooms, horse baths, and horse solarium facilities, close to European club standards. Equipped with professional horse health and treatment facilities, the horses are groomed daily and given infrared therapy to relax their back muscles after workouts. In winter, they wear horse rugs to maintain peak condition, earning praise from the Hong Kong Jockey Club for its excellent stable management.
The next day, Murong Feng and Wang Lei arrived at the Tianxing Equestrian Club. Their identical black Mercedes G55 AMGs sparkled under the sun as they parked side by side. Wang Lei laughed, "Lu Ye told me you have a G55 just like mine. I see it today. Seems we have a lot in common."
Murong Feng laughed, "I usually drive this car out of town. When commuting in the city, I prefer my Audi A4 because of the traffic." Wang Lei nodded with a smile, "Same here. I don't drive it to work often. Most of the time, I prefer my M5. Let's go in."
He was in high spirits, putting his arm around Murong Feng's shoulder as they walked into the club.
As they passed the outdoor training ground, Murong Feng saw a female rider in full riding gear and helmet, riding a white racehorse and clearing three 1.2-meter-high obstacles consecutively. The onlookers applauded in amazement.
Murong Feng was also impressed by the rider's graceful and agile performance. Wang Lei introduced her, "That's Zhao Xuanyi, a Hong Kong-born jockey at the club. She has won several grand prizes and is proficient in dressage, show-jumping, and equestrian sports. If you can get her as your coach, you'll learn horseback riding quickly."
Murong Feng looked at the elegant rider sitting upright on the horse and nodded silently.
Wang Lei proudly led Murong Feng to the stables to see his prized horse, "Tafeng." This three-and-a-half-year-old bay British thoroughbred came from the Summerhill Stud in England.
Wang Lei gently placed a carrot in front of Tafeng's mouth while tenderly stroking its head, smiling, "When I first started riding, I had a Sanhe horse. It was very smart, but it got sick and died due to poor management at the club where it was kept. I bought Tafeng when it was just a year old. I've been taking care of it very carefully. It can only do some basic groundwork and simple riding now. In another six months, when it's mature, we can start really riding."
Murong Feng watched Tafeng happily enjoying Wang Lei's strokes and eating the carrot. He smiled and remarked, "Mr. Wang, you seem completely different when you're with Tafeng."
Wang Lei laughed, "Yes, I treat it like my child. Every time I come to see it, give it a bath, and saddle it up, it feels like I'm with my closest friend. Riding it at sunset is pure enjoyment."
Murong Feng laughed, "Mr. Wang, hearing you say this makes me want to buy a horse too."
Wang Lei laughed, "Go ahead. Some horses here are for sale. Do you prefer thoroughbreds or warmbloods?"
Murong Feng quickly waved his hands, "No, no, I'm just saying. I don't even know how to ride yet. I should practice first and think about buying a horse later."
The top-tier membership fee at the Tianxing Club is 100,000 yuan, which is among the highest in Beijing, but it's definitely worth it.
Top-tier membership includes 100 saddle hours of equestrian training, each session lasting 45 minutes, with British thoroughbreds and professional coaches who are award-winning jockeys, either domestically or internationally. Membership also comes with special services for purchasing horses, stable services, and horse healthcare. Members receive a German Stubben saddle, which alone costs nearly 30,000 RMB.
Naturally, Murong Feng chose the top-tier membership. For him, this level of expense was just a number; the key was truly enhancing his equestrian skills.
While processing his membership, he made a special request for the Hong Kong jockey, Zhao Xuanyi, to be his equestrian coach.
Wang Lei, hearing this, laughed, "Murong, I'm really envious of you. Young people like you are always so charming and suave!!"
Murong Feng laughed, "Mr. Wang, why say that? You're also very young. Besides, your reputation in the entertainment industry is well-known!"
Wang Lei laughed heartily.
As the chairman of Huayou Films and a major figure in the entertainment industry, Wang Lei was always surrounded by countless celebrities and beauties. Despite being nearly 40, he remained unmarried, enjoying his lavish and carefree lifestyle.
Murong Feng had no ulterior motives. The female jockey's performance had left a strong impression on him, and Wang Lei had praised her skills highly. He hoped she could teach him well. Besides, learning is always more effective with a partner of the opposite sex.
Wang Lei advised him, "Murong, if you're serious about learning equestrianism, you should buy a horse and get custom-made high-quality equestrian equipment. Only then can you fully enjoy the sport."
After learning a bit more, Murong Feng realized that horseback riding is indeed a sport for the wealthy. A well-crafted set of foreign brand equestrian gear often costs tens of thousands. Hearing Wang Lei's introduction, he discovered that top luxury brands like Hermes started by making horse shoes and equipment, showing the level of refinement and quality in equestrian gear.
To fully equip himself for equestrianism, Murong Feng needed a saddle, bridle, stirrups, girths, helmet, protective clothing, long riding boots, short boots, custom-made if possible, spurs, riding breeches, chaps, gloves, riding attire, and whip. All these items would complete the basic equestrian gear.
Additionally, a novice needs a good equestrian coach who is knowledgeable in riding, care, grooming, farriery, tack, equipment, arena setup, competition rules, and has ample competition experience. Zhao Xuanyi was the perfect coach.
Murong Feng ordered a set of top-tier Italian equestrian gear, which would take 2-3 months to arrive. Thinking back to his initial visit to the "Yitian" Fencing Club, he couldn't help but smile wryly. Why did he always set his standards too high, insisting on custom-made equipment, never being able to play about well the first time.
---
Wang Lei, dressed in a dashing riding outfit, led Tafeng out, strolling into the ring. Murong Feng leaned on the wooden fence, his foot resting on the lower rail, watching Wang Lei carefully communicate with Tafeng before mounting and starting to ride.
Tafeng was a true thoroughbred. Its slender build and light, elastic steps created an unparalleled sense of beauty. Sitting upright on its back, Wang Lei looked every bit the gallant, wealthy knight. Tafeng's elegant gait, even at a trot, made Murong Feng eager to try riding himself.
"Are you Mr. Murong?" A magnetic female voice with a Hong Kong accent asked from beside him.
Murong Feng turned to see the female jockey in a red riding outfit, Zhao Xuanyi. He nodded and smiled, "Yes, I am Murong Feng. Nice to meet you, Ms. Zhao Xuanyi."
Zhao Xuanyi extended her hand warmly, then asked, "I heard you specifically requested me as your equestrian coach. So I wanted to come over and meet you. Are you planning to start practicing today?"
Murong Feng laughed, "I'm afraid not. I just ordered my equipment, which will take 2-3 months to arrive. I'll start my formal training once it's here. Besides, I'm quite busy lately."
Zhao Xuanyi nodded with a smile, "Understood." She looked at Murong Feng's handsome smile, suddenly seeming to recall something. After studying him for a moment, she asked, "Mr. Murong, have we met before?"
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