"Uncle Liang, you couldn't even fool Qin Lianjie, and now you want to fool me?"
Chen Xiangbei never let go of his racing dreams from the beginning, but he felt like following Liang Chi around would leave him hungry most of the time.
"Can you use words that aren't so harsh? It's not fooling, it's appreciating!"
"Remember, you need to start your career early!"
Liang Chi got serious. This wasn't just him joking with Chen Xiangbei; in professional racing, the need for "fame at a young age" is often greater than in other professions. Many talented drivers step into top-level events while still in their teens.
"Uncle Liang, if I'm going to race professionally, I only want to race the top-tier Formula cars."
"How top-tier? F1?"
"Hmm."
Chen Xiangbei responded, his previous life just one step away from entering the F1 Paddock.
If he raced professionally once more, Chen Xiangbei would let the world know that whatever he had lost before, he would take back!
Others hearing Chen Xiangbei might think the kid had lost his mind. A high-schooler with some street racing talent, daring to run Formula races—does he really know his own limits?
But Liang Chi didn't.
He too had unrealistic dreams of joining Huasi Sports, aspiring to create China's top-tier Formula events or even build an F1 car!
The CFR2000 model on his desk symbolized Liang Chi's past dreams, ones he hadn't fully relinquished. How could he question Chen Xiangbei's dreams as unrealistic?
Men remain youthful within, just like Liang Chi's fondness for eighteen-year-old technicians. If given another choice, he'd still join Huasi Sports to create China's Formula cars!
"If you want to run Formula races, I'll need to think of a way."
Liang Chi took a heavy drag from his cigarette, his expression a bit grave.
Formula racing's brief success domestically dwindled when the so-called "Chinese F1 Godfather," FIA Vice President Yu Zhifei, was imprisoned, and with Huasi Sports' bankruptcy, went down in flames.
The initial batch of Formula racers, such as the renowned Cheng Congfu, Li Yingjian, Jiang Tengyi, either retired or shifted to circuit racing; there was no foundation for fostering talent domestically.
If Chen Xiangbei wanted to race Formula events, he'd need to head abroad.
But Liang Chi's connections weren't that strong, and he didn't know if at Chen Xiangbei's age, he could still make it in Formula races.
The top-tier Formula racers often start in karting at a very young age, step by step honing their skills, beating many rivals to make it to elite events like F1.
Eighteen-year-old Chen Xiangbei, still a youth in other professions, was considered an "older driver" in Formula racing.
Nonetheless, nothing is absolute. Japanese driver Sato Takuma only started Formula racing at nineteen, yet still sat in an F1 cockpit, his efforts paying off his talent.
"If there's nothing else, Uncle Liang, I'll head back now."
Chen Xiangbei wasn't in a rush; he firmly believed that whenever he emerged, he'd make it.
If a driver doesn't believe in themselves, they might as well quit racing and go wash cars.
"Okay."
Liang Chi nodded, took another deep drag, and a past friend's image surfaced in his mind.
...
At home, it was already eleven o'clock. His mother, Zhao Yumei, was dozing off on the couch, awakened by the sound of Chen Xiangbei opening the door.
"Xiangbei, why are you home so late again?"
"School dragged on, then I went to Uncle Liang's repair shop for a bit."
"Next year is the college entrance exam. If the repair shop is so busy, maybe you shouldn't go."
Zhao Yumei's tone was mixed with worry and affection. Chen Xiangbei got up at six for school, only slept at eleven or twelve; this routine was even more intense than her managing the company. How could he physically endure it long-term?
Besides, with the exam next year, students should prioritize studies over running to repair shops.
"It's alright; the shop's just busy these few days."
Chen Xiangbei walked over, gently shaking Zhao Yumei's arm, trying to appease her. He continued, "Mom, don't wait up for me, go to bed earlier."
"Hmph, don't try to appease me; how can I sleep worried with you coming home this late?"
Clearly, Zhao Yumei saw through Chen Xiangbei's intent; the child seemed to be sneaking around doing something lately.
"Nothing I can do about it; I'll go shower."
If he couldn't convince her, he'd have to escape; otherwise, he'd face a lengthy lecture on life lessons.
Watching Chen Xiangbei rush to his room, Zhao Yumei felt both angry and amused, sighed, and returned to her room.
Chen Xiangbei quickly washed up, knowing he'd have to get up at six again for morning classes. A high schooler's grueling schedule seemed even crazier than assembly line work!
Just as he lay in bed, ready to turn off the lights and sleep, his phone chimed with a QQ message. It was from Xue Meiting, with just five simple words.
[Chen Xiangbei, good night.]
Really? Even sending a goodnight?
Suddenly, Chen Xiangbei felt his brain frying, wondering who really was the underdog here?
A pro, definitely a pro; such a resilient tea performance, no wonder he previously couldn't outmatch her!
He mumbled to himself, put the phone aside, and fatigue quickly pulled him into sleep.
Next day at school, Chen Xiangbei felt a bit strange, as if classmates on the way were glancing at him from time to time.
It was then that Fatty Wang jumped from his seat, threw an arm around his neck, and said, "Xiangbei, you're famous!"
"Famous for what?"
Chen Xiangbei asked, feeling puzzled.
"Last night when you drove Dong Yuanxi home, someone filmed it and posted the video on the school's forum. Now everyone knows about it, you've practically become the enemy of all the guys."
"Is it really that exaggerated?"
"Of course! Have you ever seen Dong Yuanxi talk to guys much, let alone let one drive her home?"
After saying that, Fatty Wang leaned in and asked secretly, "Come on, tell me, what's the deal between you and Dong Yuanxi?"
"Classmate relationship."
"Don't fool me, I'm also Dong Yuanxi's classmate, yet I've never driven her home!"
"Believe it or not."
Chen Xiangbei couldn't be bothered to explain. After all, he didn't even fully understand how it happened; he threw the line and headed towards his seat.
Seeing Chen Xiangbei's demeanor, Fatty Wang somewhat believed him. The two were almost inseparable; if something was up between Chen Xiangbei and Dong Yuanxi, he'd certainly know.
"Wait, you really hooked up with Dong Yuanxi just through a QQ message?"
"Seems like it."
Chen Xiangbei thought for a moment; their connection seemed to start with that QQ message.
"Damn, don't say more; today I'll send messages to all the girls in class!"
Faced with Fatty Wang's words, Chen Xiangbei contently patted his shoulder and said, "Good, with your comprehension and growth rate, you'll soon become the king of simps."
"Why can you hook up with Dong Yuanxi, but I'm just a simp?"
"No one will like you just because you like them; only if you attract them will they like you. Licking won't get you anything, you know?"
Chen Xiangbei's words stunned Fatty Wang.
After a long pause, he replied, "Chen Xiangbei, you really sound like a philosopher!"
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