The Day After Returning

The second day after returning from Hong Kong.

Unfortunately, reality had no thoughtful design like a light novel or RPG game, where one could catch their breath after a fierce battle. After one bout of busyness came another.

There were the arrangements for the two new employees, the corresponding changes and adjustments to each department's work, and the yearlings that also required extensive care. The farm alone was already more than enough to handle.

Additionally, aside from Ikee and Uchida, the trainers from Ritto and Miho who had arranged to visit the farm, there was another visiting trainer to receive today.

Trainer Ming Zhengyi, a former jockey recommended by Mr. Matoba, who had already retired from training.

Since opening his stable, the apprentice trainer under Fujisawa had maintained an old-fashioned, horse-first stable operation, putting tremendous effort even into horses that had difficulty producing results.

Naturally, this resulted in a stable record that did not look particularly impressive.

On the other hand, Ming had earned a solid reputation among quite a few small and mid-sized owners, as well as club-share owners. Before his mandatory retirement, Mr. Matoba had even once suggested transferring Zhibao to his stable.

Though the owner's side had long been considering retiring Zhibao depending on the circumstances.

From early morning after returning until noon, they were busy at last clearing several pending matters that had accumulated during the business trip.

Then came the first somewhat formal internal farm discussion since the two new employees, Takahashi and Miura—both former JBBA trainees—had joined.

"If there's still room in the first-half budget, how about investing as much of it as possible into improving the work environment?"

The proposal first drew surprised looks from the vast majority of employees, including the two newcomers.

"More importantly, the North Barn plan—"

Ravide set down