The two got into their cars.
As the tension of the race built, the audience in the stands grew increasingly excited as well.
At the center of the spectator stands, an exceptionally striking man lowered his gaze toward the activity at the starting line.
Compared to everyone around him, Zhou Yushen carried an innate nobility that made him seem less like someone watching a race and more like an emperor in disguise among ordinary people—his aristocratic aura impossible to conceal.
“This is Fengcheng’s biggest peak showdown of the year. Zhu Yuan and Meng Zhishuo have basically been the fiercest rivals for the championship these past few years. I wonder who’ll win this time.”
Employees from the same department beside him discussed excitedly.
Leaning forward slightly, Zhou Yushen rested his head on one hand.
Ever since his lazy gaze landed on Shen Nanyue beside the white race car, it hadn’t shifted away for even a moment.
The company team-building event had brought them to a racing competition.
He hadn’t expected her to be participating.
What a coincidence.
“But that person doesn’t seem to be Zhu Yuan.”
“Huh? Let me see.”
The man leaned forward, squinting toward the racetrack.
The distance was too far, and he was mildly nearsighted.
Since Zhu Yuan and Shen Nanyue had similar builds, he couldn’t make it out even after staring for quite a while.
“Can’t see clearly. You probably got it wrong. I heard Zhu Yuan and Meng Zhishuo made a bet before the race—whoever wins gets that highly sought-after plot of land in Fengcheng. There’s no way she wouldn’t participate.”
“Maybe.”
As the two continued discussing, a gunshot suddenly rang out.
A black and a white race car shot forward like bullets.
“It started! It started! Whoa!”
Cheers from the audience exploded deafeningly through the venue.
As the white race car accelerated more and more aggressively, Zhou Yushen’s gaze gradually darkened.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa! Since when did Zhu Yuan become this incredible? Her acceleration, drifting, and cornering all flow perfectly together—and her control is amazing!”
“In the past two years, she and Meng Zhishuo were always evenly matched. How did she improve so drastically this year? She’s already two car lengths ahead of him!”
The crowd was electrified.
The vast racing grounds pulsed with adrenaline.
The white car was moving so fast that only an afterimage could be caught.
In mere seconds, it had already widened the distance between itself and the black car.
Sharp cornering. Drifting. Accelerating again.
No one would dare drive like this without supreme confidence in their skills.
Meng Zhishuo’s face completely darkened.
Sweat began forming on the hands gripping the steering wheel.
Over the years, he had raced against all kinds of expert, yet never had someone suppressed him by two whole car lengths right from the start.
This level of skill—
Aside from the legendary racing god Lao Jiu, he had never seen anyone drive like this!
Shen Nanyue actually possessed this kind of ability!
He desperately tried to catch up, but the rear of the white car only grew farther and farther away.
Even the foot pressing his accelerator began trembling.
She was still accelerating!
Was she trying to get herself killed?
Watching the white blur on the screen, Zhu Yuan couldn’t help but frown.
Her hands hanging at her sides clenched tightly, sweat soaking her palms.
Yueyue… it’s time for you to step out of the past.
….
At that moment inside the car, Shen Nanyue’s cheeks were already drenched in sweat.
Her lips were tightly pressed together, eyes locked firmly on the road ahead.
Her foot kept pressing down harder, the thrill of high speed making every drop of blood in her body surge wildly.
The kidnapping from three years ago—
That terrifying, violent car crash—
The memories kept flashing through her mind.
Blood. Screams.
And black ash drifting through the sky, dancing wildly in the flames.
Faster.
Even faster!
As long as she kept going, she could escape!
“Big sister.”
Suddenly, a clear and gentle young girl’s voice echoed through her mind.
Like cool water cutting through scorching heat, it pierced through the blazing sparks and brushed against her face.
In an instant, the boiling blood in her body calmed.
A tear slid from the corner of her eye.
Her pale lips trembled.
Amid the roaring engine, a hoarse whisper escaped her throat.
“An’an…”
The white car gradually slowed down before finally stopping steadily at the finish line.
Ten seconds later, the red car followed behind and came to a stop as well.
“She won! She won!”
The spectator stands completely erupted.
People leapt to their feet cheering.
They had never witnessed such an exhilarating race before.
More accurately, after witnessing a truly powerful racer, the admiration and excitement in their hearts overflowed uncontrollably.
They continuously shouted Zhu Yuan’s name.
At that moment, Zhu Yuan finally let out a fierce sigh of relief.
Limping slightly, she hurried toward the white car and pulled open the door.
Shen Nanyue was leaning over the steering wheel.
Hearing movement, she turned to look at Zhu Yuan.
The tears at the corners of her eyes had long since been wiped away.
Curling her lips, she revealed a dazzling smile.
“We won. Make that bastard call you ‘Dad.’”
Tears filled Zhu Yuan’s eyes as she stepped forward and hugged Shen Nanyue tightly, her voice trembling.
“Xiao Yueyue, you’re seriously my hero!”
The two supported each other as they got out of the car.
Meng Zhishuo approached with a pale face and slumped shoulders.
When he looked toward Shen Nanyue, his expression became far more complicated.
“You… know how to race?”
“I never said I didn’t.”
She truly had never denied it.
Everything had just been their own assumptions.
Shen Nanyue pushed Zhu Yuan in front of Meng Zhishuo.
“A bet’s a bet. Time to kneel down and call her ‘Dad.’”
Although her complexion still looked poor, her face remained full of smiles.
Meng Zhishuo’s expression instantly changed.
He turned to run, only for Shen Nanyue to hook an arm around him and drag him back.
“What? Young Master Meng doesn’t keep his word?”
Zhu Yuan crossed her arms in front of him and raised a brow.
“Meng Zhishuo, you were the one who proposed the bet. If you can’t afford to lose, then stop playing these games from now on.”
Meng Zhishuo clenched his fists tightly, veins bulging on his forehead.
The cheers from the audience still hadn’t stopped.
The host was still passionately narrating the race.
The cameras were aimed directly at this side.
Meng Zhishuo glanced at Shen Nanyue before asking quietly, “Can I kneel privately instead?”
Zhu Yuan looked at him coldly. “If we had lost today, would you have let me kneel privately?”
Honestly—
No, he wouldn’t have.
In the end, Meng Zhishuo steeled himself.
He knelt before Zhu Yuan and loudly called out:
“Dad!”
…..
The club had a dedicated entertainment area for gatherings.
Having just been called “Dad,” Zhu Yuan was in an exceptionally good mood.
With a grand wave of her hand, she treated everyone present—including the audience—to a meal.
Shen Nanyue was dragged over to sit beside her while Zhu Yuan excitedly gestured and rambled on about her incredible racing skills from earlier.
“Xiao Yueyue, your skills haven’t declined at all since back then! So? Want to return to racing? This time, stop hiding behind anonymity as some mysterious expert. Compete openly under the name Shen Nanyue instead—what do you think?”
Shen Nanyue pushed Zhu Yuan’s head aside and said with disgust, “If it weren’t for An’an’s information, I wouldn’t even have come to this race. Stop causing trouble for me.”
Zhu Yuan shrugged. She had expected that answer.
Shen Nanyue set down her wine glass, intending to continue questioning Zhu Yuan.
At that moment, Lin Siwan and Chen Mu walked over.
Chen Mu’s complicated gaze landed on Shen Nanyue, his eyes filled with scrutiny.
In a falsely sweet tone, Lin Siwan spoke first. “Sister, congratulations on winning the championship. Why have I never heard that you know how to race before?”
Leaning lazily against the sofa, Shen Nanyue replied coldly, “Are we that close?”
“Sister…”
Suddenly, Chen Mu looked away, grabbed Lin Siwan, and turned to leave.
Zhu Yuan stared at their backs speechlessly. “They came over just to say congratulations? Are they sick or something?”
Even Shen Nanyue found it a little strange, but she never wasted energy on irrelevant people or matters, so she paid it no further attention.
Not far away at the bar, Meng Yan rested his chin on one hand as he watched Shen Nanyue’s direction.
The corners of his lips curved upward slightly, excitement flashing in his eyes like a hunter spotting prey.
“Shen Nanyue… I’m starting to like you more and more.”
— The end of the Chapter–
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