Volume 1, Chapter 14: It Is Not Too Late to Surrender Now

Qin Weizhou walked in the lead, his nearly 1.89-meter frame robust and imposing. He carried the unparalleled aura of someone accustomed to power. Clad in equestrian gear, he radiated a compelling intensity, much like a prince from antiquity—handsome, wild, unbridled, and aggressively charismatic.

Accompanying him were his constant companions, Yan Feiye and Zhou Zirui. They strode toward their beloved horses, oblivious to everyone else around them.

Jiang Shuwei, holding her reins and wearing gloves, immediately signaled a staff member: "Please, could you lead my horse out for me?"

The staff member nodded and led Star Moon outside.

Jiang Shuwei walked briskly toward the trio. "Mr. Qin, could you spare three minutes for a word?"

Qin Weizhou paused, while the other two men exchanged an amused, knowing glance, as if to say that wherever Young Master Qin went, women would flock to him—they were long past the point of surprise. However, Yan Feiye and Zhou Zirui shared a peculiar hobby: they liked to place bets on whether the women who approached Qin Weizhou had any chance of catching his eye. Yan Feiye shook his head; Zhou Zirui wanted to do the same, but to make the wager more interesting, he nodded instead. Yan Feiye shot him a look that clearly meant, "You're going to lose."

Qin Weizhou glanced sideways at the woman in the riding suit. The light fell upon her face, revealing a beauty that blended purity with allure. Her figure was slender and graceful. She was certainly good-looking, but nowhere near qualified enough to make him look twice.

"What is it?" Qin Weizhou’s attitude was, as always, chillingly indifferent.

Jiang Shuwei immediately produced her business card and offered it with both hands. "I am the head of the 'Clear-Cut Medical Creative Illustration Studio,' Jiang Shuwei."

The two men betting nearby froze at the name.

"You're Jiang Shuwei?"

"The one from the He family?"

Jiang Shuwei knew she was well-known among the younger generation of the elite, though her reputation was less than stellar.

"That's right, it’s me," she answered candidly. "Mr. Qin, you previously promised to collaborate with us on a project. I was wondering why that was suddenly canceled?"

Qin Weizhou’s expression remained cold, his tone flat. "I have no obligation to tell you the reason."

"But... in business, isn't integrity paramount?" Jiang Shuwei saw him about to leave and spoke urgently. "If there is no integrity, how far can the Qin Corporation really go?"

Qin Weizhou’s expression darkened. Yan Feiye and Zhou Zirui were startled. It was widely rumored that the He family's child bride was quiet and averse to conflict. Why was she so different from the rumors today? She had the audacity to provoke even Young Master Qin; she was practically turning the sky upside down.

Jiang Shuwei met Qin Weizhou’s gaze without flinching, ignoring the sudden chill radiating from him.

"Could you provide a convincing reason, Mr. Qin? If the issue lies with me, I won't press further. But if this project was sabotaged by outside interference, I ask that you reconsider. Currently, in this industry, Clear-Cut is the most promising." Jiang Shuwei’s voice was clear and carried a touch of confidence, which finally made the men present look at her with newfound interest.

Qin Weizhou let out a cold laugh. "Just because you are He Jingcheng’s woman—is that reason enough?"

Jiang Shuwei stiffened. Was she to be denied a career simply because she was He Jingcheng’s woman? She finally understood the root of the problem.

"Then let me ask one more thing: are you afraid, Mr. Qin?" Jiang Shuwei arched an eyebrow, emboldened. "You won't work with me because you're afraid of him."

Yan Feiye and Zhou Zirui felt a shiver run down their spines. This young woman had real guts. No one dared to bring up the rivalry between those two men directly, yet she had done just that.

Qin Weizhou finally looked directly at Jiang Shuwei’s small face. He saw her resolute expression, as if she didn't know the meaning of fear.

"Why would I fear him?" Qin Weizhou said softly. "Believe it or not, I could take you right now, and he wouldn't be able to do a thing about it."

The gossiping expressions of Yan Feiye and Zhou Zirui brightened instantly.

Jiang Shuwei’s breath hitched, and her earlier confidence vanished. She looked at these three tall, imposing men and then at her surroundings. Aside from the horse stalls, she was the only one there—a weak, solitary woman. She glanced upward at the surveillance cameras, but she knew these men could shake the very foundations of the capital; what could a few cameras do to them?

*So... had she chosen the wrong place?*

Qin Weizhou watched as the once-confident Jiang Shuwei began to look nervous and uneasy. For some reason, he felt an urge to tease her and deflate her unearned bravado. He took a few steps forward, closing the distance until he stood right in front of her. She could smell the cold, pine-scented fragrance on him.

Her lips trembled, but a second later, she bit down on her white teeth, forcing herself to be brave. Up close, he realized she really was beautiful—a delicate, oval face, exquisite features, and large, bright eyes. Her lips were naturally red, and as she bit them, she possessed a fragility that made one want to bully her.

"Miss Jiang, you say I'm afraid of him? Should I prove otherwise?" Qin Weizhou took another step forward.

Jiang Shuwei felt as though she were about to collide with his solid chest. She retreated several steps, but losing her footing, she nearly fell.

At that moment, a firm arm reached out and caught her, pulling her into a sturdy embrace. Her forehead and nose bumped against his hard chest, and her face flushed deep red. Instinctively, she reached out to push him away, her ears burning. Her business card fell to the floor. Her breath was ragged, and she was panicking internally.

The man bent down, picked up the card, and tossed it back into her hand. "If you want to get your business card into my hands, then show me what you've got on the racetrack."

"What?" Jiang Shuwei blinked. She clutched the card and looked up at him. "You want to race me?"

"Aren't you claiming to be He Jingcheng's woman? His woman shouldn't be a coward." Qin Weizhou sneered.

Jiang Shuwei frowned. Should she race him? But this was the only concession Qin Weizhou had made; if he accepted her card, it meant there was room for negotiation.

"Fine. I'll race you," Jiang Shuwei said, despite the odds. No matter the result, she had to get on the track first.

Qin Weizhou turned to lead out his horse—a tall, powerful Akhal-Teke, chestnut-colored from head to toe, with legs longer than Jiang Shuwei’s life.

"You've got to be kidding..." Jiang Shuwei broke into a cold sweat. Seeing this towering man paired with that regal beast, she felt certain she was doomed. But she had come too far; if she didn't fight for this now, she would truly have lost.

Yan Feiye and Zhou Zirui brought out their own horses. Zhou Zirui looked at Jiang Shuwei with amusement. "Don't worry, Young Master Qin is famous for his chivalry toward women."

Yan Feiye punched him. "Don't talk nonsense. Young Master Qin is allergic to women."

Jiang Shuwei knew these two weren't helping her; they were just spouting sarcasm.

Qin Weizhou swung onto his horse. The horse was massive, the man was tall, and his aura was invincible, filled with pure aggression. He nudged the horse's flanks, and the animal stepped forward with a steady gait. Qin Weizhou looked down at Jiang Shuwei from the saddle, his cold expression enough to make one’s heart turn cold.

"It's not too late to admit defeat," Qin Weizhou warned her with mock kindness.