"Countdown—"
"Three, two, one."
"Go!"
With the sharp, piercing blare of the starting signal, twenty race cars surged forward in unison, launching off with explosive speed! Tiger leapt to his feet, clutching his selfie stick high, his excitement palpable as he shouted, "It's begun! The race is underway!"
The livestream chat erupted with a frenzy of gifts and messages.
"Watching Tiger's livestream on my phone and the Xicheng race on my computer—anyone else doing the same?"
"Someone please drop the link!"
"Just a heads-up, no need to watch the official race livestream. It's tailored specifically for the ace driver North, barely any footage of our Wan Jie…"
"Tiger, stay steady, don't shake!"
Beside Tiger, Fu Liang's posture was rigid, his expression calm and composed. Yet only he knew the thin sheen of sweat forming in his clenched palm. Not out of fear for Su Wanwan losing, but worry for her injured foot.
Su Wanwan's car was the slowest, lagging far behind. She appeared like a novice, yet her control was remarkably steady. Zhang Liang discreetly eased his speed, shadowing her closely. First place was beyond reach, but second was still attainable. Backstage, he had already sized up the competitors thoroughly, giving him unshakable confidence.
"Don't be afraid, little sister. I'm here with you," Zhang Liang reassured.
Su Wanwan cast a faint sideways glance and murmured three words with crimson lips, "No need."
Zhang Liang ignored her refusal. Such a delicate girl should be cherished, not thrust into ruthless battles on the track.
"I get it, backstage was crowded, you felt shy—that's normal. But now it's just the two of us."
"Heh, if you really want second place, I'll step aside for you. I'll settle for third."
Su Wanwan paused briefly. Just as Zhang Liang thought she'd agree, she suddenly accelerated.
"Hey, hey, don't go so fast, it's dangerous!" Zhang Liang hurried to catch up, but…
"Huh? Why can't I keep up?"
He gritted his teeth and floored the accelerator. Just as he neared Su Wanwan's exhaust, she surged ahead again, weaving skillfully between cars, widening the gap.
Zhang Liang watched in stunned silence, then couldn't help but exclaim, "Damn, her technique is impressive!"
Those nimble lane changes were moves even Zhang Liang hadn't mastered.
Suddenly, all eyes were on the unexpected scene.
"Is that Su Wanwan's car?"
"Oh my god, she actually knows how to race?"
"She's already moved up to third!"
"Hold steady, it's only the first lap…"
Xia Kelan noticed the commotion behind her and glanced at the rearview mirror to see Su Wanwan. Just as she prepared to give way, Su Wanwan blocked her path with her car. Xia Kelan had no choice but to veer forward.
Soon, Zhang Liang caught up, his face darkening. Su Wanwan's performance shattered his assumptions—she was no fragile newcomer but a genuine contender.
Zhang Liang's voice was low and strained:
"If I don't place in the top three this time, my father might just end my racing career…"
Despite years of competition, Zhang Liang had yet to earn any notable success. This was his rare chance, only to be challenged mid-race by the dark horse Su Wanwan.
A thin sheen of sweat crept down his spine. Damn, this could go terribly wrong.
Meanwhile, the race commentators were engrossed, two voices suddenly gasping in surprise.
"Just past the halfway mark of the first lap, Su Wanwan has accelerated past sixteen cars to seize third place."
"That seems a rather bold, if not reckless, maneuver…"
"Indeed. Rumor has it someone wagered fifty million on Su Wanwan's victory. She clearly doesn't want to disappoint."
"Who would have thought she'd possess such racing prowess? Truly admirable."
Their eloquent commentary contrasted starkly with the drone footage, which stubbornly refused to focus on Su Wanwan. To them, her breakthrough was but a fleeting spectacle.
From the grandstand, Tiger couldn't help but grumble,
"Eight drones deployed, and five are fixated on the ace driver? Are they filming his car's paint job or what?"
Xie Cheng, watching intently beside him, nudged Fu Liang.
"Want to intervene?"
"Getting Wanwan some camera time would be easy enough."
Fu Liang, gazing calmly at Su Wanwan's steady drive, shook his head,
"No need."
"Why not? Not protecting the wife anymore?"
"She'll earn the cameras willingly, in her own way. No help required."
His eyes shifted to the rear of Su Wanwan's car, settling on Zhang Liang.
"That guy's sticking like glue…"
The full race would span fifty-five laps, covering 310 kilometers, expected to last no more than two hours.
Commentators lavished praise on Li Beimuo, their enthusiasm almost to the point of hyperbole. Li Beimuo glanced at the rearview mirror expressionlessly. Only fifteen laps remained; the duel between him and Su Wanwan was nearing its conclusion.
He inhaled deeply and accelerated. Su Wanwan detected the move, preparing to match his pace—but Zhang Liang's car surged ahead of hers.
Though the car hadn't arrived, its presence was announced loud and clear:
"Little sister, I'm done playing—see you at the finish!"
Su Wanwan jerked the steering wheel sharply, her tires barely skimming the line, forcefully blocking Zhang Liang's attempted overtake.
"Damn it!" Zhang Liang's expression darkened. What was Su Wanwan playing at?
Matching Zhang Liang's speed perfectly, she maintained a gap that made overtaking impossible—a common and legitimate defensive tactic in racing.
Zhang Liang clenched his frustration, but five more laps slipped by, leaving just ten. If he didn't pass her soon, third place would be out of reach.
Grinding his teeth, a fierce resolve flared in his eyes. After feigning restraint to lure Su Wanwan in, he suddenly slammed the accelerator.
Crash! The sound of two cars colliding echoed sharply.
Taking advantage of the chaos, Zhang Liang easily surged past.
Su Wanwan's car wobbled violently, nearly skidding off the track.
Simultaneously, the stadium erupted in deafening uproar.
"Unbelievable! That's a foul!"
"Referee! He's cheating!"