"The door to my home is always open, welcoming you with open arms."
"Once we've embraced, there's a tacit understanding; you'll fall in love with this place."
...
Inside a shabby car repair shop in Guangshen City, a radio in the corner was playing the song "Beijing Welcomes You". On the right side, over the inspection pit, was a Volkswagen Jetta, with Chen Xiangbei inside changing the oil and doing maintenance on the car.
Squatting next to the pit was a chubby, fair-skinned young man named Wang Yidong, who, red in the face, said in an aggrieved tone, "Xiangbei, I'm going to beat that show-off Hui's Mercedes AMG!"
"With what are you going to win, your dad's Corolla?"
Chen Xiangbei spoke with a very calm tone, his hands steadily unscrewing the oil filter.
"If Fujiwara Takumi's AE86 can beat a GTR, why can't a Corolla beat an AMG!"
Listening to Fatty Wang's stubborn words, Chen Xiangbei replied somewhat helplessly, "An AE86 can win against a GTR because Fujiwara Takumi's dad had money and skills to modify cars. What does your family's Corolla have?"
"There are only timid people, no timid cars; rev it to 7200 RPM, and it's a done deal!"
Fatty Wang replied confidently.
"Full of catchy phrases, are you planning on taking post-grad exams?"
Chen Xiangbei retorted irritably, then wiped his oily hands with a rag nearby and warned Fatty Wang, "You should watch less of Initial D. Racing isn't as simple as you think; I'm afraid you'll die if you actually try it."
"So I'm just supposed to let that show-off Hui take my girlfriend?"
Fatty Wang widened his eyes, looking incredulous.
"No, since when was Xu Yali your girlfriend? You're clearly just being a lovesick puppy on your own."
"But I confessed to her on QQ, and she didn't say anything."
Confessed on QQ...
Hearing this phrase from Fatty Wang's mouth, Chen Xiangbei was momentarily speechless.
This kind of historically rich term—he couldn't remember how long it had been since he last heard it, and he didn't expect to encounter a "Renaissance" in his new life.
Chen Xiangbei was not an ordinary high school student but a former Chinese racing prodigy who almost reached the gates of the F1 races. But on the world's top Formula platform, where geniuses are just entry-level, his performance and talent appeared mediocre, failing due to the nationality factor marked in household registration and sponsorship fees.
The overwhelming psychological gap made Chen Xiangbei desperately want to prove his strength, ultimately leading to a racing accident that brought him to this world.
After a brief recollection, Chen Xiangbei shook his head and explained with life experience.
"Fatty Wang, remember, unless a woman explicitly accepts, she's rejecting you."
"But Xu Yali later said I was nice and quite suitable, just that she wants to focus on studying and getting into a good university. What about that?"
"She's lying to you."
Chen Xiangbei replied bluntly. Only someone like Fatty Wang, a lovesick puppy, would believe that.
Truth often hurts more than lies. Upon hearing this, Fatty Wang stood frozen, as if his soul was lost.
After a long while, he spoke in a hurt tone, "Looks like that line is true, the prettier the woman, the more deceitful."
"You wouldn't believe it if someone ugly lied to you either."
Chen Xiangbei casually replied.
"Damn it, will it kill you to say a little less!"
Faced with Chen Xiangbei's constant harsh truths, Fatty Wang finally broke down.
Seeing this, Chen Xiangbei shrugged and said no more, glancing at the drainage of the Jetta's old oil that was almost done. He got out of the pit to fetch a bucket of new oil to replace it.
Just as Chen Xiangbei was about to pour oil into the engine, Fatty Wang approached with a determined tone, "Xiangbei, I've decided to race anyway, to prove that even if Hui shows off in an AMG, he's still a loser!"
"And then?"
"Then I'll prove Xu Yali chose the wrong person!"
To Fatty Wang's outbreak of a love-struck mind, Chen Xiangbei shook his head helplessly and earnestly responded while focusing on his work, "You still don't get it that it has nothing to do with driving skills. No matter how fast the AE86, it can't catch up with a Mercedes with Natsuki in it."
At that moment, the song "Beijing Welcomes You" ended on the radio, and the DJ switched to another song.
"I head north, leaving the season with you."
"You say you're tired, unable to love anyone again."
"The wind blows along the mountain road, and the past scenes are all my fault."
...
Listening to the lyrics of "Heading North" that express feelings through scenery, Fatty Wang looked very downcast; perhaps this is the growing pain of youth.
"But I've already promised to race tonight; you know that show-off Hui's character. At least I should maintain some final dignity in front of Xu Yali!"
"What good will knowing do, it wasn't me who promised."
Chen Xiangbei replaced the new oil and tightened the engine cap, then descended into the pit again to use a flashlight to check the brake chassis of this old Jetta, ensuring there were no safety hazards overlooked.
"What should I do then, I can't outrun the show-off Hui's AMG."
Seeing Chen Xiangbei's indifferent demeanor, Fatty Wang really got a bit anxious this time.
Not to mention driving skills, the opponent's car was a genuine, new Mercedes SLK55 AMG, equipped with a 5.4L V8 naturally aspirated engine, with horsepower reaching 360P. How could a grocery-getter like a Corolla compete?
"If you know you can't win yet still show off, you deserve for show-off Hui to trample over you."
"I can't win, but you can!"
Hearing this from Fatty Wang, Chen Xiangbei paused in his movements, turned his gaze to him, and asked, "Why can I?"
"Uncle Liang mentioned it; he said your driving skills are impressive."
The Uncle Liang that Wang Yidong mentioned was the owner of this repair shop, Liang Chi, where Chen Xiangbei was currently working part-time.
"Uncle Liang, the unserious old guy, never tells the truth. And you believe what he says?"
Just as Chen Xiangbei finished speaking, a voice came from the door, "Such disrespect, it seems you don't want your wages."