Returning - Chapter 49
Chapter 49: I Lost
The snow fell harder and harder, yet it did nothing to cool the heat of this raucous revelry even slightly.
The duel between Ling Jianwei and Xue Zi'ang was, in itself, just an ordinary contest on the track, but because of Ling Jianwei's identity as a "bookworm," the onlookers' enthusiasm was unprecedentedly high.
Whether it was the overreaching Ling Jianwei, who had first issued the provocation, getting crushed, or the bookworm who didn't understand racing staging an underdog victory, either outcome would be an exceptionally thrilling spectacle.
Ling Jianwei's sports car was driven over by an attendant. It was only through Nian Feng's introduction that Zhao Yu learned it was the famous Aventador, its price alone nearly double that of Xue Zi'ang's car.
Of course, it wasn't that Xue Zi'ang didn't own cars more expensive than this, but he hadn't come specifically to race today and had simply picked one at random when leaving the house.
These races were just private games among themselves, unlike professional car races with their many requirements. Winning by relying on a car's superior performance was still a win; no one was particular about fairness.
Zhao Yu didn't understand the performance of these luxury cars, much less racing itself, and could only ask Nian Feng in a low voice, "You said earlier that Zi'ang's car isn't suited for playing extreme stunts, so isn't he bound to lose?"
Nian Feng shrugged. "Depends on what that bookworm's got. Relax, Xiao Xue is no slouch."
The track had long been covered with a thin layer of ice, but no one arranged for it to be cleared. They called this thrill, and Nian Feng even bragged proudly, "This? Piece of cake. We've played far more dangerous ones. Don't worry, there are protective measures, no one's gonna die."
The owner of the estate, Dai Juncheng, was a professional racer himself and could provide professional equipment. After putting on his racing suit and helmet, Xue Zi'ang even tilted his head towards Zhao Yu's direction, signaling her not to worry.
Staring blankly at the track below, listening to Nian Feng animatedly recount the thrills they'd played before, Zhao Yu had only one thought in her mind: Do these people not value their lives at all?
When the deafening roar of engines came, the surrounding crowd instantly erupted. Nian Feng kindly acted as a commentator, explaining the situation on the field to Zhao Yu.
But many of the technical terms were completely lost on Zhao Yu, and she barely took in his words. All she knew, from her own observations, was that Xue Zi'ang had been left behind from the very start.
"Relax, there's a hairpin turn up ahead, that bookworm can't handle it. Our Brother Xue's a master at this."
In the night, Zhao Yu couldn't make out the distant track at all. She craned her neck several times, peering through the crowd, but couldn't see clearly. Her gaze accidentally collided with Xu Chengyan on the other side.
He looked at her for two seconds, then suddenly quirked his lips into a smile and walked straight over in her direction.
Knowing he was coming for her, Zhao Yu pretended she wanted to find a spot with a better view and slowly distanced herself from Xue Zi'ang's group of friends.
Xu Chengyan stood beside her, his smile still polished and courteous. "Even Young Master Xue, who never touches his own nest-side grass, can be snagged. It seems I underestimated Miss Zhao."
His tone was flat, but to Zhao Yu's ears, it still sounded about the same as, "No wonder you haven't come to find me for so long, turns out you hooked up with Xue Zi'ang and don't need me anymore."
Giving him a practiced smile, she drawled slowly, "People climb higher. A good bird chooses the right tree to nest in. President Xu also heard it—Xue Zi'ang is treating me as his girlfriend. Compared to being President Xu's plaything, the treatment is far better. I believe even a fool would know how to choose."
Xu Chengyan gave a soft snort. "Aren't you afraid I'll tell Xue Zi'ang about your matters?"
"What matters of mine?" Zhao Yu looked at him with an expression of pure innocence. "The matter of me taking the initiative to seduce you, or... the matter of me having slept with you? It doesn't matter. If Xue Zi'ang finds out he has a rival like President Xu, then my charm in his eyes might just rise a couple of notches."
Xu Chengyan stared fixedly at her, looking so calm and unfazed. Suddenly, he let out a soft scoff.
If she truly didn't care, she wouldn't have deliberately distanced herself from Xue Zi'ang's group of friends, nor would she be speaking to him in such a suppressed voice.
Now that she had climbed her way up to Xue Zi'ang, Zhao Yu would inevitably be more afraid than before of having her true colors exposed by him.
But Zhao Yu also knew that the more she displayed her "fear" without showing it, the less Xu Chengyan would bother to say anything to Xue Zi'ang.
Arrogant as he was, he had always relished this sense of accomplishment from seeing through everything. After discerning her hypocrisy and ridiculousness, he would treat her even more as prey with nowhere to run, watching her panic from his lofty perch, even stepping in himself at opportune moments to toy with her at will.
Pretending to be flustered by his gaze, Zhao Yu asked "uneasily," "What exactly do you want to do?"
Xu Chengyan imitated her earlier expression, looking at her innocently, his lips curving slightly. "Haven't decided yet."
Zhao Yu clenched her fists and glared at him resentfully. But after two deep breaths, she returned to her previous calm and composure. "Do whatever you want."
With that, she strode forward without looking back and soon returned to stand beside Nian Feng.
Not long after, the two sports cars, which had long since vanished from the crowd's view, gradually raced back onto the return section of the track. Ling Jianwei was still in front, but Xue Zi'ang was now close behind him, the two cars almost nose-to-tail.
Nian Feng said excitedly, "Xiao Xue is going to use the slipstream to overtake. This round, victory is guaranteed for him."
The words had barely left his mouth when Xue Zi'ang's blue Vanquish quickly changed lanes, shooting past the dark gray Aventador ahead, almost scraping against it, and in moments, left Ling Jianwei far behind.
Nian Feng's face was full of smugness. "See? The best car is useless with a rookie at the wheel. Skill is king."
However, his gloating didn't last long. Suddenly, as if by magic, Ling Jianwei caught up. Not only was the engine roar deafening, but he even forced chunks of ice to fly and dust to billow on the slick track.
"Holy shit! Holy shit! This damn..." Nian Feng was momentarily speechless. "Is that bookworm seriously fucking risking his life?"
Another person exclaimed in shock, "Ruining a perfectly fine Lambo like that, I can't watch this. Damn, can't he love his car properly?"
Amidst the exclamations, the blue sports car, which was on the verge of being overtaken, suddenly executed a sharp turn. With a loud crash, it forcefully angled itself to block Ling Jianwei's car within the track.
Yet both cars were traveling too fast. Even after the violent impact, they couldn't stop.
The gray sports car lost a front wheel; the blue sports car's left-side windows shattered completely. But the two wrecked cars continued shoving against each other, racing side-by-side, accelerating forward. In the end, they actually crossed the finish line together.
Protected by professional gear, neither Xue Zi'ang nor Ling Jianwei was injured. But the cars were severely damaged, so much so that even after stopping, the two vehicles were still pressed together, unseparated. Xue Zi'ang got out from the passenger side.
Taking off his helmet and wiping the sweat from his forehead, Xue Zi'ang looked at Ling Jianwei beside him. "You've really never raced before?"
Ling Jianwei looked at him expressionlessly and didn't answer.
Xue Zi'ang raised an eyebrow. "If you haven't, then I'll count this as your win."
Ling Jianwei still remained silent, but his icy gaze had already fallen on the figure rapidly approaching from ahead.
Xue Zi'ang also looked forward. Seeing Zhao Yu rushing towards him, he laughed and tossed his helmet aside, triumphantly spreading his arms wide, waiting for her to throw herself into his embrace.
"Baby, your boyfriend's pretty awesome, huh?" But what met him first was a resounding slap to the face.
Even though the scene was chaotic and noisy, that "smack" was jarringly clear, instantly freezing everyone in place.
A long moment later, someone finally muttered, "Who's that woman? She dares to hit Xue Zi'ang?"
"Just because Young Master Xue called her his girlfriend, she's this arrogant?"
Everyone, including Xue Zi'ang's close friends, knew Zhao Yu was done for this time.
Not only had she hit Xue Zi'ang, but she'd done it right under everyone's watchful eyes. No one could tolerate such a thing.
But Xue Zi'ang didn't get angry. More precisely, he had been stunned by the blow and hadn't yet reacted.
He had never expected to be slapped one day, much less expected that the person to do it would be Zhao Yu—the Zhao Yu who was usually obedient and well-behaved in front of him, even somewhat meek.
And now, that docile Zhao Yu was utterly disheveled. Her eyes were red-rimmed, tears streaming down her face, her whole body trembling. Especially the hand that had slapped him was shaking violently.
She was shouting hoarsely, her voice cracking, "Do you have any idea how dangerous that was just now? Is winning or losing that important? Important enough for you to risk your life like that? Do you, fucking, not care about your life at all? Xue Zi'ang, you bastard! You're all fucking bastards!"
Large tears rolled down her face in torrents. By the end of her tirade, her strength seemed completely drained. Not caring at all about the setting or the people around, her whole body collapsed onto the track as she burst into loud, uncontrollable sobs.
They had never witnessed the passing of a life with their own eyes. They had never experienced the despair of facing a cold, stiff corpse in a morgue. Nor had they endured the terror and reluctance when lingering at death's door.
Of course, they wouldn't understand how fragile life was, and how precious.
His face still burned with a stinging pain, the falling snowflakes only intensifying the sting upon landing. Yet Xue Zi'ang couldn't bother about any of that. He just stared blankly at the woman crying so wretchedly before him, her words echoing over and over in his ears.
A long while later, he suddenly broke into a smile. Under everyone's astonished gazes, he reached out, pulled Zhao Yu up, and gathered her into his arms.
"Don't be afraid. I'm fine."
Zhao Yu was still sobbing uncontrollably, trembling nonstop in his embrace.
At this moment, she rather wished she were acting herself. At least then, all this fear and despair would be fake. At least then, she wouldn't have plunged back into the nightmare from three years ago all at once.
"It's okay now, stop crying." Xue Zi'ang gently patted her back, coaxing her. "I know I was wrong. I promise you, I won't ever take risks like this again, alright?"
Ling Jianwei stood silently to the side, watching the two people clinging tightly to each other. A long time later, he finally spoke. "I lost."
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