Tycoon: From Rags to Riches

Chapter 196: Chapter 172: Mission Settlement

Equestrianism and skiing are, in fact, considered sports for the wealthy.

In recent years, however, skiing has become increasingly popular in the country. Influenced by the Winter Olympics and supported by the national slogan "Get 300 Million People on Ice and Snow," it has gradually transitioned from a niche activity to a mainstream sport.

In reality, skiing is far from cheap.

A helmet, snowsuit, goggles, boots, and skis—even if you aren’t going for high-end brands and just focus on practicality and value, a complete set of gear will still easily run you over ten thousand.

And that’s just the cost of the gear.

The subsequent resort fees are the real money pit.

Based on domestic prices, a full-day pass at a resort with international-standard slopes usually costs no less than 500 yuan. On top of that, these resorts are typically far from urban centers, making transportation another significant expense.

To ski enthusiasts, that fresh, white powder is like a beautiful young maiden to a lecher; they can’t suppress the urge to hit the slopes at a moment’s notice.

Many enthusiasts from the south will even fly north just for a weekend to ski the powder they’ve been dreaming of. This just goes to show how alluring—and expensive—the sport can be.

If skiing is a rich man’s sport that an ordinary person might just be able to afford by stretching their finances, then equestrianism is in a whole other league, completely out of reach.

The price of a single purebred horse is enough to daunt any average person.

And as for upkeep, the monthly expenses are like watching money pour down the drain.

Gu Heng was tempted by equestrianism.

But after giving it some thought, he ultimately chose skiing.

The reasoning was similar to his thoughts on sailing: for a place like Ji Province, and even the entire northern region, equestrianism was just too niche.

Skiing, on the other hand, was different. The north has a unique natural advantage, attracting countless ski enthusiasts from all over the country every winter. Take Changbai Mountain, practically in Gu Heng’s backyard, for example—it’s one of the top three powder snow destinations in the world.

Along with the European Alps and the North American Rocky Mountains, it sits at 41 degrees north latitude, a globally recognized golden ski belt. The snow quality is as fine as dust—soft, dry, and considered the absolute cream of the crop.

If he chose equestrianism, Gu Heng would likely find his tastes too refined for the north, making it difficult to find fellow enthusiasts.

With skiing, however, enthusiasts were everywhere. You couldn’t ask for more.

Having made up his mind, Gu Heng sent his response with a thought.

[Host’s Sports Talent selected: Skiing]

As the Sports Talent Card began to take effect, the system’s holographic screen that had been floating before Gu Heng’s eyes slowly vanished, replaced by a ball of azure light.

It looked similar to the emerald-green orb of light Gu Heng had seen when he acquired the [Eternal Day Engine] buff, the only difference being its color.

SWOOSH!

His mind supplied its own sound effect as he watched the azure orb break the boundary between the virtual and the real, merging into his body.

And then...

...that was it.

’I don’t feel anything?’

Gu Heng waited silently for some kind of physical response, but after several minutes, there was still nothing. The "side effects" he experienced when upgrading the [Eternal Day Engine] buff didn’t appear this time.

’Oh well.’

Gu Heng didn’t dwell on it.

He would be returning to the Northeast soon anyway, and heavy snow had already started falling there a while back. Once he was back, he could find a ski resort in his free time and test it out.

Having effortlessly coasted to victory and secured two mission rewards without breaking a sweat, Gu Heng was in an excellent mood.

He currently had three missions left to complete: one was [Conquer], another was [Tempering the Heart], and the last was the challenge mission to unlock the first tier of the [Scepter of Momentum]: [Learning From History].

He was already seeing progress on [Conquer], and [Tempering the Heart] was well within reach.

The only exception was the [Learning From History] challenge. Gu Heng had only just started it. During his time in Zhonghai, he’d only managed to read two books from the 50-book history list provided by Father Tongzi, so he still had a long way to go.

’For [Tempering the Heart], all that’s left is a thorough investigation of the Yunzun High-altitude Restaurant and Bar. After I take over Xingchuan International, I’ll finish that mission first.’

Just as Gu Heng was making these calculations in his head, the soft chime of an announcement sounded quietly through the suite.

"Chairman Gu, we expect to land in fifteen minutes."

"We are beginning our descent. Please prepare."

The voice of the pilot, Han Gang, came over the intercom, giving Gu Heng a heads-up.

"Understood."

Gu Heng responded over the intercom, then glanced at Jiang Ruan beside him.

He didn’t need to wake her; she was already stirring.

"Miss Jiang, now that you’re awake, you’d better get dressed~"

Gu Heng teased, "The plane is about to land. Your fiancé might be waiting for you~"

"And what’s this supposed to be?"

"Cucking yourself?"

Jiang Ruan shot Gu Heng a flirtatious glare, forcing her trembling body to sit up. Her dark hair cascaded over her smooth, fair back, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene.

She casually grabbed a hair tie, pulling her long hair into a simple low ponytail. Then, she slipped out from under the covers and began gathering her scattered clothes from the floor.

She used to be shy under his gaze, but now she was basically immune to it. They had been "intimately acquainted" far too many times recently. He had seen everything there was to see, down to her most private parts, so what was a little nudity between them?

"That depends on which role you’re playing."

Gu Heng got off the bed as well, picking up his clothes from the floor. "Obviously, the role I’m playing definitely isn’t your fiancé."

"You devil~"

Jiang Ruan immediately understood his implication. As he walked past her, she couldn’t help but give him a light, playful punch.

"Took you long enough to figure that out."

Gu Heng arched an eyebrow, continuing to button his shirt.

Suddenly, his hands paused.

Walking to the full-length mirror, he noticed for the first time two dark red hickeys near his collarbone.

"Oh?"

"When did you leave these?"

Gu Heng glanced back at Jiang Ruan and asked.

"It was..."

"It was... after you finished putting that ’bad thing’ of yours in my mouth."

As she recalled the moment, Jiang Ruan’s fair cheeks couldn’t help but blush.

The door to this new world of knowledge had only just opened for her, and she was still a little resistant to such things.

"Looks to me like you’re deliberately trying to provoke Luo Xiwen."

Gu Heng finished buttoning his shirt, hitting the nail right on the head.

"No, I didn’t,"

Jiang Ruan blinked, defending herself in a small voice.

Gu Heng knew better. It might seem like Jiang Ruan was detached and unbothered in Zhonghai, turning a blind eye to the other girls Gu Heng fooled around with, but that was only because she knew they were just fleeting flings, destined to be short-lived.

But Luo Xiwen in Beichun was different. Like Jiang Ruan herself, she had given her virginity to Gu Heng, and thus held a special place in his heart.

"Doesn’t matter."

"Whoever made the mark is responsible for getting rid of it tonight."

Gu Heng walked past Jiang Ruan, lifting her delicate chin. "If they’re not gone by tonight, well, I’ll just have to transfer them onto you~"

As he spoke, his gaze fell upon her slender, snow-white neck.

"Fine, I’ll get rid of them,"

Jiang Ruan muttered in response to Gu Heng’s "threat."

Looking at Jiang Ruan’s animated expression, Gu Heng couldn’t help but let a smile touch his eyes.

Jealousy meant she cared.

Caring meant she liked him.

Sometimes, a person’s subconscious actions revealed their true feelings more than anything else.

Once they were both dressed, they walked out of the suite.

They returned to the aviation seats in the lounge area. This time, Jiang Ruan sat right beside Gu Heng.

A few minutes after they fastened their seatbelts, the plane began to descend in preparation for landing.

Gu Heng turned his head, gazing through the window at the city looming in the distance. A flash of familiarity warmed his eyes.

Beichun. He was back...

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