The cross of gazes was a momentary flash.
Then Ji Jue withdrew his gaze and never looked back, the smile on his face unchanged. He quietly watched the dynamic scene at the side of the event, like a bystander who had not participated.
By now he was almost ten thousand percent certain:
Trouble was coming.
He just didn't know how much the person opposite had spent to make this woman snarl and turn into a mad dog guarding her food.
Everyone was working on contract, why make it tough on another contractor?
They could have negotiated privately, crafted some flair and excitement, and shared the money afterward—it wasn't impossible since money wasn't everything. Friendship comes first, competition second.
Of course, provided he wasn't the one coming second.
But seeing the other party cozy with Mu Jiang as if a single entity, he didn't seem like a working stiff like himself, perhaps even a deep-level partner.
So since you don't want friendship...
The only thing left is the big stick.
But all he had was a nine-millimeter deer hunter on him, he wondered what caliber she preferred, should he swap for a bigger one?
Outside the arena, an inconspicuous little tricycle had quietly stopped next to a stack of cargo trucks, ready for orders.
So it went, after mutually harsh words, mocking, and pre-race taunting, the champagne-sated young masters and princesses finally began the race.
Aside from the fiercely competitive Chen Yubo and Mu Jiang, there were five or six other racers, each driving either a luxury car worthy of being center stage at a car show or a variously modified sports car unrecognizable even to its own mother.
Eight or nine sports cars lined up on the road, revving their engines incessantly, deafening to the ear.
"Hmm?"
Getting into the car, Mu Jiang, who was accompanied by a female companion, looked sideways at Kun Peng and slowly raised his eyebrows, "Why did you bring another one? And a man at that?!"
Saying this, his tone became more mocking, raising his voice, "Don't tell me you paid for some help?"
"Hello, yes."
Before Chen Yubo could react, Ji Jue responded first, nodding in acknowledgment. His candid demeanor unexpectedly left Mu Jiang, who had a belly full of snide remarks, at a momentary loss for words.
"Hmm?"
"Considering the risks of mountain road racing, to prevent accidents from occurring between competitors, Mr. Chen specifically hired me to ensure safety during the race."
Ji Jue smiled, pulling out a thick stack of credentials from his pocket: Emergency Lifeguard certificate, First Aid certificate, third-level mechanical engineer, second-degree auto mechanic...
A row of red and green booklets was spread in front of Mu Jiang, leaving him momentarily unable to speak from the change in his expression.
"Safety first, safety first."
Chen Yubo rubbed his belly, laughing loudly, and slapped Ji Jue on the shoulder, "This brother of mine is a Miracle Healing hand; I've paid good money to have him here. If in a bit, little Mu, you blow a gasket from losing, he can still revive you. It's better than someone who can only stand by wiping tears, right?"
"Keep him for yourself!"
Mu Jiang glanced coldly at them and slammed the car door, "When you're blown away by me later, and you're crying too hard to see the road, he can still come out and refill your windshield washer fluid for you!"
Beep—
A sharp and strident horn sounded from directly ahead on the race track, and in that instant, all the participating vehicles burst into fierce engine roars, like the screams and shouts of iron beasts.
Just the continuous sound waves were enough to make one's face flush and blood boil.
The wind that hit the face was hot in the lingering night.
"This time it's all on you, Brother Ji. If I lose this time, I won't be able to face anyone for half a year."
Just aboard the vehicle, Chen Yubo was no longer as arrogant as before, seemingly returned to his normal self, clinging to Ji Jue's hand, unwilling to let go. Ji Jue could only reassure him countless times, "Don't worry, don't worry, it's a sure win."
Beep—
The second horn sounded directly in front, the temporary street lights switching to yellow, and for a moment in the still silence, no one spoke as everyone widened their eyes, staring straight ahead at the imminent green light.
Hold your breath.
Driven by alcohol and bets, everyone was unable to contain their excitement, even their fanaticism for speed.
"Here it comes."
Ji Jue placed his hand on the car door, whispering, "Get ready."
"Huh?" Chen Yubo looked back blankly, "Ready for what—"
In that instant, the final strident alert burst forth.
The green light shimmered, lighting up.
And then, a violent wind burst through the window.
The race began!
[Run, just as you have longed to!]
Ji Jue laughed, caressing the dashboard.[Tonight, no one can stop you, I guarantee it.]
[Understood!]
In the engine roar, Kun Peng seemed already to be sobbing uncontrollably!
Like a mad dog finally freed from its chains, steel roared and bellowed, a prisoner who had never felt any freedom since its creation, now speeding away.
Spark plugs burst sparks, fuel delivered, engine madness.
Zero to full speed in seconds!
As all spectators watched in amazement, usually the slowest to react, Chen Yubo had already surged to the very front, speeding fiercely at an unimaginable pace!
Mechanical Descent!
Further enhanced by his powers and Fluid Alchemy, Kun Peng's acceleration soared even higher than the official data measured.
Hundred kilometers acceleration time: 1.7 seconds!
And still accelerating, moving even further, in this short distance of just a few hundred meters, the numbers on the dashboard had already jumped to over 260!