HLM – Chapter 1087 The Star Who Came Knocking

Wang Bo led Tuhao Jin back to the stable. Eva took out his favorite carrots and soybeans. Tuhao Jin happily crunched away, wagging his tail and pawing at the ground.

Wang Bo then grabbed a soft brush and began grooming the horse, smoothing down the fur ruffled by the wind during its wild run.

Tuhao Jin became even more cheerful.

“Feels like serving an emperor,” Wang Bo sighed.

Dale rolled her eyes mischievously and said, “Serving an emperor? My sister’s fine, she’s a palace maid, but what about you, teacher? Are you a eunuch?”

Wang Bo scowled. “What kind of nonsense are you talking about? I’m a general, a renowned minister, understand?”

“The generals and ministers don’t serve the emperor; they protect the country. The ones who serve the emperor are eunuchs. I’ve been watching Princess Returning Pearl lately, so I know everything,” Dale insisted.

Wang Bo said, “You won’t be watching it anymore. What kind of stuff do you even watch all day?”

Dale pouted. “I watch the same TV shows as you guys! I’m going to watch them anyway. If you don’t let me, I’ll ask Uncle and the others—they’ll let me watch.”

Wang Bo turned to Eva. “Darling, here’s the main issue. I think Dale has real talent in music and dance. Look at her fingers—long and elegant—and her body’s flexibility.”

Eva hesitated. “Really?”

Dale also hesitated, stretching out her hand. “Of course my fingers are long, and of course my flexibility is good, but… what does this have to do with watching TV?”

Instinctively, she sensed something was off, but she didn’t want to give up on being praised.

Wang Bo said, “See, she already recognizes her strengths. Darling, I think we should enroll her in classes—dance, piano, that sort of thing.”

Dale immediately realized his intention and shouted, “I—”

Eva covered her little mouth. “Wang’s suggestion is excellent. We’ll sign you up for a few classes. You really do need to learn some skills.”

Dale blinked and clung to Tuhao Jin’s leg, crying bitterly.

A white man wearing sunglasses walked over and asked, “Hey, cutie, why are you crying so hard? Do you want a horse?”

“Oh, we should sign her up for riding lessons too. How can a proper lady not know how to ride?” Eva said.

Hearing this, Dale cried even harder, looking up at the man in sunglasses. “I don’t want that! Go away, boo-hoo! I don’t want to go to classes!”

The man awkwardly scratched his nose. “Is this your child? I’m so sorry. I thought she was moved after seeing Tuhao Jin’s majesty and came here specifically asking for a horse.”

Wang Bo smiled. “We’re just joking. And you are…?”

The man removed his sunglasses, revealing a handsome face. He extended his hand. “Hello, I’m—”

“Wow, Craig Parker!” Wang Bo immediately recognized him and shook his hand warmly.

New Zealand doesn’t have many internationally famous actors because it’s a small country and its entertainment culture isn’t highly developed. Craig Parker, however, is an exception—he’s a true local superstar.

Chinese audiences aren’t very familiar with him. His starring role in Diplomatic Immunity wasn’t broadcast domestically. But he has appeared in some Hollywood blockbusters, like playing the elf Haldir in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and a villainous Roman general in Spartacus: Blood and Sand.

However, his roles in those films weren’t major, and it’s hard for him to gain recognition in Asian countries.

After shaking hands, Craig Parker didn’t act like an idol around Wang Bo. He was fully aware of their differences. Wang Bo was a super-capitalist, owning thousands of square kilometers of land and an entire town built entirely with his investment.

To this day, Wang Bo’s status in New Zealand is equivalent to that of ancient nobility, which is why various political parties compete to win his favor.

“What a coincidence to run into you here. Do you enjoy horse racing as well, Mr. Parker?” Wang Bo asked.

Parker smiled. “Call me Craig—my friends all do. Of course, I like horse racing. Sir Turin is my horse.”

Wang Bo looked surprised. “So it’s your horse? Then you’re really skilled. I know that if it hadn’t been injured, it might have dominated this competition.”

Parker nodded. “Thanks for the compliment. I was confident too—until I saw Tuhao Jin’s performance. Now I know that you have the finest horse.”

He sounded somewhat nostalgic. “If Sir Turin hadn’t been injured, maybe it could have competed. Now… it may have to retire.”

Wang Bo asked in surprise, “Why? I saw it—it performed very well. It placed third in its comeback race.”

Second place went to the defending champion, Sharp Vision. If Tuhao Jin hadn’t intervened, Sir Turin could have claimed the Triple Crown.

Parker smiled bitterly. “This was Sir Turin’s best chance to win. It wasn’t just returning from injury; we prepared a lot for this race. Failing to win may crush its confidence in racing altogether.”

“Over the past two years, its confidence had already weakened due to injury. After today, it may never achieve breakthrough results again.”

In horse racing, just like with athletes, confidence and fighting spirit are crucial.

Wang Bo didn’t know what to say and could only reply helplessly, “I’m sorry.”

Parker smiled. “No need to apologize. I actually came to discuss something with you. I want to ask—what’s Tuhao Jin’s stud fee?”

Wang Bo: “Huh?”

“Tuhao Jin is a fantastic mare. I’d like to breed it, hoping its offspring inherit its superior racing genes,” Parker explained further.

Wang Bo understood. In horse racing, this is normal. Retired top mares are used for breeding, and their foals often fetch very high prices.

Although Sir Turin underperformed this time, it had previously won two consecutive speed races. If bred with Tuhao Jin, the foal could easily be worth over a million.

Similarly, retired stallions can also be used for breeding. Done properly, it can generate profits exceeding those from racing itself.

Wang Bo didn’t know how to price it. He said, “Are you serious? That’s a purebred horse you’re talking about!”

The most prominent racehorses in New Zealand are all purebreds. These horses are elegant, beautiful, and extremely fast—mainstays in horse racing.

Parker said, “But there’s no doubt Tuhao Jin has exceptional bloodlines. Even if it’s not a purebred, it’s a phenomenal horse.”