Ye Qiu and Liu Lingxiu arrived at the French Consulate General in Hong Kong by car, and they carried their passports, ID docunts, and copies inside.
After waiting in line, it was their turn. When Ye Qiu communicated directly in French with the staff, their visas were quickly processed, valid for three months.
However, in reality, a month and a half would suffice, since Liu Lingxiu and he would need to return for classes by then.
Leaving the consulate, Ye Qiu checked the ti; it was only after four o’clock, and the horse racing event scheduled for tonight hadn’t started yet.
Ye Qiu decided to take Liu Lingxiu to a restaurant in Hong Kong for a delicious al, as Hong Kong is indeed notable for its cuisine as one of the world’s travel cities.
This ti, they went to an upscale Cantonese restaurant, and the prices weren’t cheap.
After they sat down, Huo Yingying called to ask, "Did my grandfather invite you over for dinner?"
"No need, we’re about to eat."
"Where are you eating?"
Ye Qiu ntioned a place, surprising Huo Yingying with how well Ye Qiu was treating Liu Lingxiu by taking her to such a nice place, which made her a little envious.
Of course, she had heard that Liu Lingxiu was Ye Qiu’s official girlfriend.
Ye Qiu was bringing Liu Lingxiu to France specifically this ti.
Looking at the Cantonese dishes in front of him, like poached chicken, roasted goose, and braised duck, Ye Qiu ordered several dishes, perhaps too many to finish.
Until after six o’clock, after a hearty al, Huo Yingying called and said, "We’re waiting for you downstairs."
Ye Qiu didn’t expect Huo Yingying to co to pick them up.
After Ye Qiu and Liu Lingxiu paid the bill and went downstairs, upon getting into the Alphard, they found Mr. Huo there. After greeting Mr. Huo, the driver drove towards Sha Tin Racecourse.
Along the way, Ye Qiu found this luxury vehicle very comfortable. In Hong Kong, many celebrities and wealthy individuals preferred it, often referred to as the ’nanny car.’
Buying one in mainland China is nearly impossible without paying a premium.
As the car headed towards Sha Tin Racecourse, Huo Yingying served drinks from the refrigerator to Ye Qiu and Liu Lingxiu.
This customized Alphard is like a mobile ho, equipped with a refrigerator, TV, and even a foldable rear seat for resting.
Upon arrival at the Sha Tin Racecourse, which could accommodate over 80,000 people, both inside and out seed crowded.
Besides tourists, most were gamblers who found horse betting thrilling.
Entering through one gate, the chauffeur parked the car, and Ye Qiu and Liu Lingxiu got out. Along with Huo Yingying and other Huo family mbers, they exited two Alphard cars, heading to their designated seats with Yingying supporting her grandfather.
They had pre-booked the most expensive seats.
With the race soon starting, the excitent lay mostly in various ways of betting on horses.
While horse racing appeared thrilling, the pri focus was betting to win money.
Mr. Huo showed little interest, remarking he hadn’t been there for a long ti.
The Huo family surely had connections across Macau, holding stakes in casinos there, but Mr. Huo disapproved of such earnings.
Thus, profits from gambling were generally funneled into civic developnts, like road construction and various public facilities.
Seated, Ye Qiu and Liu Lingxiu noticed booklets introducing the horses and jockeys for tonight’s races.
Eight races were scheduled, each lasting around thirty minutes.
With the younger Huo family mbers eager to place bets, Mr. Huo seed indifferent.
Bets ranged from one dollar onwards, with no upper limit.
Besides betting on single horse wins, there were odds for placing top three and top five finishes.
Top three and five bets held higher odds due to lower chances of winning.
Popular horse odds were low; the lowest was 1.25 to 1, while the least favored stood at 12 to 1.
A total of fifteen jockeys would participate in the trials.
"Grandfather, which number will win?"
"Your grandfather doesn’t understand these things."
Hong Kong’s renowned horse racing journal offered detailed introductions upon arrival, so free, others not.
Casually, Ye Qiu gathered several journals and reviewed the information thoroughly.
He generally understood the horses’ and jockeys’ conditions.
"Doctor Ye, are you interested?" Mr. Huo thought Ye Qiu might be disinterested, as few young people seed to abstain from gambling.
With fewer young non-gamblers today, it seed rare.
"Mr. Huo, small bets are entertaining, but big bets are risky. I’d like to observe the horses and jockeys’ performance in the first race; I’ll pass on betting initially."
With eight consecutive races tonight, he had ample opportunities to play.
Besides Huo Yingying and Mr. Huo, other accompanying family mbers discreetly went to place minor bets, totaling just a few dozen Hong Kong dollars.
As the race neared, Mr. Huo, with impaired vision at night, took a closer view with his binoculars.
Ye Qiu didn’t need binoculars; his spot provided a clear view. Upon hearing the gunfire, with the crowd of 80,000 erupting in cheers, many cheered for their selected horses while Ye Qiu observed.
When the first race concluded, the fastest horse in first place was number seven.
The crowd’s expressions implied they mostly hadn’t won.
Compared to other betting venues, this felt fairer unless one attempted to buy off jockeys and nurous staff.
Yet, such a scenario seed implausible.
"Get rich through gambling? Easier said than done," Mr. Huo sighed.
Effort and diligence, regardless of circumstance, were paramount in his view; even with chances, exertion was essential, ruling out shortcuts like gambling.
"How was it? Did you lose?"
"We didn’t win," remarked the Huo family mbers.
Before the second race comnced, Ye Qiu planned to take Liu Lingxiu to place a bet. Seeing Ye Qiu leave, Huo Yingying asked, "Hey, where are you going?"
"Of course, to place a bet."
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