Within thirty seconds.

The Si Family's Racecourse

When Mu Qingcheng arrived at the destination, she happened to see Caesar being led out, taking a stroll around the track.

To call it a stroll was a stretch; it was merely a staff member jogging alongside to accompany the animal.

Any thought of gripping the reins hanging from its neck was out of the question. At the slightest suspicious movement from the handler, Caesar would resolutely whip its head around and vent its displeasure by blowing aggressive, snorting huffs from its massive nostrils.

Too angry to speak up, the staff member could only trudge along silently, looking as wronged as a newlywed bride.

Standing outside the wooden fence, Mu Qingcheng raised an eyebrow as she watched Caesar's haughty, pretentious demeanor, thinking to herself that the horse was truly the spitting image of its master.

Once Caesar had completed half a circle, Mu Qingcheng gave a little wave, unlatched the small gate in the fence, and stepped inside.

"Caesar, come here."

Though this horse possessed a notoriously difficult temperament, it was born of purebred lineage and was exceptionally intelligent.

Upon catching sight of the sudden appearance of its "mother-in-law," the horse let out a pair of delighted, short whinnies, tossed its head, and galloped straight toward her on dancing hooves.

Whether intentional or not, its flying hooves kicked up a flurry of grass and dirt along the way, showering the accompanying stablehand right in the face with a mouthful of debris.

The man clutched his nose and mouth, standing frozen in his tracks as he broke into a fit of coughing.

On the other side, Mu Qingcheng looked at Caesar's blatant mischief with a mixture of helplessness and amusement. She gently patted the equine head that had already nudged up against her, and murmured softly,

"Can't you learn something good from your master instead of spending all your time bullying people?"

Neigh~~~

Caesar tossed its mane and wagged its tail, letting out a rapid succession of short whinnies while tapping its hooves excitedly against the ground, its flattering intent glaringly obvious.

The surrounding onlookers stared in dumbfounded silence as the once-haughty prize steed underwent a miraculous transformation, turning into nothing more than an affectionate "big dog" eager to please, prompting silent sighs of amazement—

The world truly had grown cold; even horses knew how to adapt their attitudes to suit the person.

As for Mu Qingcheng, she was thoroughly amused by Caesar's antics, giggling softly as even the frosty expression on her face melted away significantly.

Not far away, by the window of the administrative building,

A man stood with a cold, stern expression, watching the scene unfold below. A communication device remained plugged into his ear, transmitting the sound of the young girl scolding him—her words a blend of complaint and coy pampering against his horse. He could not decide whether to laugh or cry.

Still, letting her come over to play with Caesar for a bit today had indeed been a fine decision.

Just at that moment, however, he heard Mu Qingcheng ask with a hint of puzzlement,

"Caesar? Caesar, where are you taking me?"

Down below, having successfully coaxed Mu Qingcheng into a bright laugh, Caesar suddenly nudged her shoulder, steering her in the direction of the stables.

Si Qingchen knitted his brows, gazing at the destination the woman and the horse were heading toward. A sudden premonition gripped his heart, and he spoke into his comms,

"Si Nan, stop them."

However...

No sooner had those words left his lips than the previously silent earpiece picked up Mu Qingcheng's slightly ominous voice,

"Caesar, are you trying to tell me that Si Qingchen cut back your rations and confiscated... every single one of your carrots?"

Neigh——————

Si Qingchen, "..."

...

At lunchtime, someone came to invite Mu Qingcheng to dine.

Mu Qingcheng did not refuse, though her gaze, now and then, would drift toward the ear of Si Nan, who was faithfully trailing beside her.

It made the large, broad-shouldered man look as though he had been caught red-handed. His Adam's apple bobbed, his face flushed with a creeping heat, and his composure completely shattered.

Noticing this, Mu Qingcheng quietly withdrew her gaze and murmured under her breath,

"If I don't see him within thirty seconds, don't ever let him show his face to me again."

Si Nan, "..."

Twenty-five seconds later,

A man with a stern visage and panicked footsteps appeared at the entrance of the administrative building.

Si Nan watched in astonishment as Si Qingchen strode over alone from not far away, taking broad, flying strides.

Had he not still cared about the watchful eyes of others, he would have suspected their boss might actually just fly over.

Looking at him now, where was even a shred of the dignity expected of a boss?