Qin Lianjie sat in the driver's seat of the Civic Type-R, staring blankly through the side window at the gradually receding taillights of the Subaru Impreza, his whole being in a state of daze.
The once proud identity of the "South Cloud Mountain Car God" ended up not even completing half the race, not even reaching the classic double M curve, and was left in the dust by Chen Xiangbei who vanished from sight.
This could no longer be described as a failure; it was practically a one-sided "massacre".
At the same time, he understood why Liang Chi held this high school kid in such high regard and let him drive his treasured Subaru Impreza.
The racing talent this kid displayed was indeed unparalleled!
Meanwhile, Chen Xiangbei, through the rearview mirror, seeing no more taillights behind him, and hearing the Civic Type-R's engine roar quiet down, realized that Qin Lianjie had voluntarily given up.
For winning this street race, Chen Xiangbei's expression remained calm, with almost no emotional fluctuation.
Because for him, this race was nothing more than entertainment.
Although now, Chen Xiangbei's physical condition, driving skills, and control are certainly far from his peak days.
But it was already more than enough to beat Qin Lianjie.
After all, even the overall professional level of racing in China doesn't stand up to global standards, let alone Qin Lianjie, who's merely a professional goalkeeper?
In his previous life, even if Chen Xiangbei hadn't secured an official F1 driver contract, it only meant he was weaker than the top twenty drivers in the world, not that he was incompetent!
Winning was to be expected.
Losing was impossible.
Realizing the race was over, Chen Xiangbei slowed down, no longer driving through bends at race intensity.
However, he didn't stop, heading straight towards Liang Chi's repair shop at the foot of the mountain.
That line about being in a hurry wasn't just Chen Xiangbei showing off or being arrogant; besides his original part-time job, now he also had mountain racing and physical training, among other things.
Top high school studies were already demanding, and this week the class teacher assigned three test papers as homework, which he hadn't even started.
Saying he's in a hurry, does it mean he needs to rush home to do homework?
Although Chen Xiangbei's psychological resilience is strong, saying this in front of so many people would indeed be a bit embarrassing...
"The Subaru Impreza didn't stop, the high school kid has already passed the observation point at the foot of the mountain and left!"
Listening to the last report coming through the walkie-talkie, the people on the mountaintop platform didn't even gasp, leaving only a silence filled with mutual glances.
After a long while, a driver quietly said, "The high school kid crushed Brother Jie, does this mean the title of South Cloud Mountain Car God will change hands?"
"Watch your mouth, where does Brother Jie's dignity go?"
"But to be honest, the high school kid is really something."
"Winning Brother Jie in less than half a race, an average professional driver should be at this level too."
"I feel most professional drivers aren't even this good!"
Listening to the chatter around him, Captain Cao An didn't say much and turned to get into his Porsche 911.
Cao An wanted to hear Qin Lianjie's assessment, did he really lose to this high school kid?
On the other side, Ma Minghan and others were also preparing to head home. Compared to Che Laoquan's solemn expression and Ma Minghan's gloomy countenance, Shai Minghui had a trace of undisguised joy in his eyes.
You see, the fear of comparison...
Last week, Shai Minghui was ridiculed thoroughly, after all, losing with a Mercedes AMG to a Toyota Corolla does sound a bit ridiculous.
But now, even the team leader Qin Lianjie lost, let's see who dares to call him incompetent now.
Thinking you're so great, then go ahead and try!
On Chen Xiangbei's side, he drove straight to the repair shop entrance, where Liang Chi had already composed himself, smoking while sitting in a rocking chair with his legs crossed leisurely.
Seeing Chen Xiangbei get out of the car, he nonchalantly asked, "Back so soon, did you lose?"
"Won."
"Really won?"
Liang Chi's expression finally changed; he once thought highly of Qin Lianjie, knowing what that kid's base abilities were like.
If Chen Xiangbei could win, then his racing talent was somewhat astonishing.
But before waiting for Chen Xiangbei to respond, Liang Chi's phone in his pocket rang. Seeing the caller ID was Qin Lianjie's number, he picked it up.
Pressing the answer button, after just a few exchanges, the cigarette in the corner of Liang Chi's mouth fell, and he looked at Chen Xiangbei with an incredulous gaze.
Truth be told, while emotionally Liang Chi hoped Chen Xiangbei would win, rationally he thought it unlikely, especially after the blow from the CFR2000 loss in China, he didn't dare to hold much hope.
Liang Chi could only sit in the rocking chair and use this seemingly indifferent demeanor to conceal his hopes and nerves within.
But this call from Qin Lianjie confirmed that it was Chen Xiangbei who won!
After a momentary loss of composure, Liang Chi quickly regained himself, hurriedly picking the cigarette from the ground before the three-second rule, putting it back between his lips, and resumed his nonchalant posture.
Then he handed the phone over, saying, "Little Qin wants to say a word to you."
Wants to say a word to me?
Chen Xiangbei felt a bit puzzled; he wasn't that familiar with Qin Lianjie, could it be the other side was not reconciled and wanted a rematch?
Taking the phone and putting it to his ear, Qin Lianjie's voice came through.
"Chen Xiangbei, you're impressive, I admit defeat wholeheartedly."
Qin Lianjie conceding so readily made Chen Xiangbei somewhat appreciative. After all, many in this world can't accept defeat.
"Actually, you're not bad either."
Chen Xiangbei complimented, and he genuinely meant it, not as some perfunctory comfort; judging solely by racing enthusiast standards, Qin Lianjie had indeed performed quite well.
It's just that he chose the wrong opponent.
"The money has been transferred to your account, keep an eye out for it."
"Also, if you're definitely going to race Che Laoquan, it's best to be cautious, his driving isn't exactly clean."
With the cultural customs of Guangdong and Hong Kong being the same, combined with the racing community being so small, if a driver has a bad reputation, it spreads quickly.
"Thanks, I'm aware."
Actually, even without Qin Lianjie's reminder, Chen Xiangbei already knew that Che Laoquan wasn't very clean.
The reason is simple: professional drivers, unless for interest or entertainment, would absolutely not participate in underground racing, let alone for money.
Because many times the rewards don't match the risks.
It's not about the risks of racing accidents, but getting caught would easily result in the revocation of the racing license, which is tantamount to self-destruction.
The movie "Pegasus" revolves around a storyline where the protagonist participates in an illegal street race for money and gets caught, resulting in a five-year ban.
When the ban is lifted, wanting to return to professional racing, he finds everything changed, his future destroyed.
For a professional driver to partake in underground events for money means he's the kind of person who disregards rules and will resort to any dirty tricks to win.
Chen Xiangbei had anticipated this, which is why he agreed with Shai Minghui that the rules would be decided by him.
"Since you know, I won't say more."
"If you ever race Che Laoquan, let me know, I'd like to watch and see if you can beat a professional driver."
Even if Che Laoquan's driving is "dirty," the identity and strength of a professional driver are evident.
After today's race, Qin Lianjie was genuinely curious about the extent of Chen Xiangbei's driving skills and whether he could challenge a professional driver.
"Sure, I'll let you know then."
Chen Xiangbei readily agreed. Qin Lianjie's impression left him feeling quite positive, considering him a worthy opponent to engage with.
After hanging up, Chen Xiangbei handed the phone back to Liang Chi.
The latter then squinted his eyes, smiling leisurely, and said, "Kid, do you know there's a rule on Nanyun Mountain?"
"What rule?"
"Whoever beats the previous fastest driver gets the title of South Cloud Mountain Car God."
"The previous fastest wouldn't be Qin Lianjie, would it?"
Chen Xiangbei replied with a laugh.
"Yes, it's exactly Qin Lianjie."
"From now on, you have a title on the road, South Cloud Mountain Car God!"
PS: Thanks for the rewards and votes, I'm off for New Year blessings, so here's more for everyone to enjoy.