Extra Story - Tales of the Capital - The Three Young Masters of the Capital

The weather in Jingzhou has always been pleasant.

The wind from the Western Hills, carrying the fresh scent of grass and trees, swept across the pastures of the Jingzhou International Equestrian Club.

This was the most exclusive playground for the wealthy in Jingzhou.

Membership required a referral from an existing member.

The asset verification process was stringent, bordering on draconian.

Owning a thoroughbred horse here was a symbol of status.

Today was not an official competition day.

But the club was more crowded than usual.

Under the sun, impeccably dressed men and women held wine glasses, chatting in small groups.

They were the scions of Jingzhou's most prominent families.

A deal worth tens of millions might be decided within their laughter.

An impending alliance marriage could be hidden in the exchange of their glances.

There were several focal points in the crowd.

But the most eye-catching were three individuals.

Or rather, three distinct circles.

All because of a rumor—that the "Three Young Masters of Jinghua" might make their first simultaneous appearance today.

It wasn't an official title, but it was the unspoken pinnacle of their social pyramid.

Lu Mingye of the Lu family, Mo Zhenbang of the Mo family, Li Xiujian of the Li family.

Three names, representing three vastly different versions of a top-tier life.

They were spoken of in the same breath, yet like three parallel lines that never intersected, they existed only in rumors about each other.

Lu Mingye arrived.

He wore a perfectly tailored white riding outfit that accentuated his tall, athletic build and handsome features.

He didn't head to the stables.

He walked directly to the open-air bar in the lounge area.

"Mingye!"

"Master Lu is here!"

Immediately, a crowd gathered around him.

Men offered cigars, women offered smiles.

Lu Mingye handled it with effortless grace.

He accepted a glass, clinking it with everyone.

He remembered each person's name and could pick up any thread of conversation.

From the latest sports cars, to a newly opened bar in town, to gossip about a certain actress.

He always had the most interesting anecdote to share.

Laughter continuously erupted from his circle.

He was like a natural-born luminary.

Basking in everyone's attention.

The second to arrive was Mo Zhenbang.

He wore a dark riding outfit, simple in style with no superfluous decoration.

His arrival didn't cause a commotion.

But many people instinctively paused their conversations, nodding to him in acknowledgment.

Mo Zhenbang merely gave a slight nod in return.

He didn't approach the crowd.

He walked straight towards the direction of the stables.

His horse was a chestnut Dutch Warmblood.

The groom had already brushed its coat to a gleaming shine.

Mo Zhenbang didn't mount immediately.

He personally checked the saddle, the reins, and the horseshoes.

He examined every detail meticulously.

His movements were slow, steady.

As if performing an important task.

A few young men around his age hesitated, then walked over.

"Brother Zhenbang."

They stood at a distance that was neither too close nor too far, perfectly measured.

"Hmm."

Mo Zhenbang acknowledged without turning his head.

"Our family has also submitted a proposal for that plot of land in the east district. We hope for your guidance in the future."

One of them spoke up.

Mo Zhenbang paused his inspection.

He turned and looked at the men.

"May the best man win."

His voice was calm, betraying no emotion.

But the men seemed to have received some form of assurance, smiles appearing on their faces.

"Naturally."

They exchanged a few more pleasantries before tactfully withdrawing.

Mo Zhenbang's gaze swept over the crowd, settling on the bar area.

He saw Lu Mingye, the center of attention.

Lu Mingye was holding his glass, saying something to a pretty girl.

The girl laughed, her shoulders shaking.

Mo Zhenbang's eyes didn't linger.

He withdrew his gaze and continued checking his stirrups.

As if the bustle of Lu Mingye's circle had nothing to do with him.

Li Xiujian was the last to arrive.

He didn't come by car.

He came on horseback.

A jet-black Arabian horse, its hooves flying like the wind, galloped all the way from the club's main gate.

Kicked-up grass clippings flew into the air.

"Make way!"

Li Xiujian's voice was arrogant and domineering.

Attendants scrambled to get out of the way.

He didn't slow down.

He charged right to the outer edge of the crowd before sharply reining in.

The black horse reared up with a loud whinny.

All eyes were drawn to him.

Li Xiujian sat high in the saddle, looking down on everyone.

He wore a black riding outfit trimmed with gold.

A look of supreme arrogance was on his face.

He relished this feeling of being the absolute center of attention.

The smile on Lu Mingye's face stiffened for a moment.

But he quickly adjusted.

He raised his glass slightly, adopting a joking tone:

"The wind seems a bit strong today."

He pretended not to care, but inwardly he was furious.

Li Xiujian had stolen all his thunder the moment he arrived.

Li Xiujian didn't look at him.

His gaze cut through the crowd, directly locking onto Mo Zhenbang, who was leading his horse from the direction of the stables.

"Mo Zhenbang?"

He pointed his riding crop from a distance, his tone carrying scrutiny and provocation.

Mo Zhenbang stopped and looked back calmly.

"Is there something?"

His voice held not a single ripple.

"Hah."

Li Xiujian let out a cold laugh.

"They say Young Master Mo calculates every move and is as steady as a mountain. Today, I just want to see who's steadier—you, or my horse is faster."

He intended to publicly overshadow this man who shared his reputation, right in front of everyone.

Lu Mingye frowned. He disliked this powder-keg atmosphere.

It ruined the carefully curated party vibe he had cultivated.

"Master Li, we're all here to have fun. No need for such tension right off the bat."

Lu Mingye spoke up with a smile, trying to wrest back control of the situation.

Li Xiujian finally gave him a glance, one filled with undisguised contempt.

"Lu Mingye, right? This is a wager for men."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly across the grounds.

"You should go back to chatting with your little girlfriends. Don't get in the way."

Lu Mingye's face instantly darkened.

He opened his mouth to retort, but ultimately said nothing.

He simply raised his glass and took a sip, a shadow flickering in the depths of his eyes.

The surrounding air grew almost solid with awkwardness.

Mo Zhenbang broke the silence.

He glanced at Li Xiujian, then swept his eyes over Lu Mingye's displeased expression before speaking plainly:

"How do you want to compete?"

He ignored the provocation in Li Xiujian's words and had no interest in such a clash of egos.

But since the other had thrown down the gauntlet so blatantly, avoiding the challenge was not the Mo family's way.

A gleam of excitement flashed in Li Xiujian's eyes.

"We'll wager that plot in the east district!"

He grinned, showing his white teeth.

"Whoever wins, the other two families withdraw their bids. It's better for the three of us to settle it than let the small fry think they can get a piece of the pie."

This wager made everyone gasp.

It was a commercial land plot worth hundreds of millions.

Lu Mingye's heart tightened. His family also had their eyes on that land.