Monday evening, seven o’clock.
The annual Formula 1 series championship organized by the International Automotive Federation is about to begin.
As a top event in racing, the event organization, team operations, television broadcast, and all aspects have been completed.
F1 has a total of eleven participating teams, with only 22 drivers competing in each race. This year’s starting venue is in O State.
The participating teams had already arrived at the officially assigned team lounges two hours ago.
Sophiron was stretching his wrists and turned to Ethan, "Manager, why hasn’t the captain arrived yet?"
Ethan, who was discussing other teams with the other two drivers, shook his head when he heard it, "I just called, they said they’re on their way, don’t worry, for sure they’ll arrive in time."
"I’m just a bit worried about something happening to the captain," Sophiron joined Meinier to watch other teams’ videos, "... We’ve lost too many times before, this time... I really don’t want to lose again."
Chi Tian looked up, "Where’s the vice-captain?"
Suddenly, the loud and smooth sound of an engine approached from afar and stopped near the rest area.
Voices were heard from outside, and Ethan and others, puzzled, turned to walk out of the lounge.
By the brilliantly lit track, a sleek and sharp misty-blue Lamborghini stopped under the night sky, set against the backdrop of a starry river, mysterious and distant.
The person in the driver’s seat opened the door and stepped out.
Encased in black cargo pants, the long and slender legs of a youth were clad in a red and white team uniform with the Phoemix emblem, the zipper pulled to the top, covering half of their slender, fair neck—both abstinent and cold.
Their black silky hair was tied into a high ponytail, and their deep black fox eyes resembled an unfathomable ocean.
Ethan could even hear gasps behind him.
Even his own breathing stalled momentarily.
Besides those in O State’s upper circles, ordinary people didn’t know Rong Zhi’s identity, prompting someone to ask.
"Who is he? Which team’s uniform is he wearing?"
"Huh, why is he heading toward the Phoemix Team... wasn’t that the predecessor of ATS? It’s said that Ying God is back and even brought Ethan to form a new club. Could this be their new signed driver?"
"It doesn’t feel right, look at the side, that’s a female driver, damn it, is Phoemix so desperate they need to sign a female driver? And she didn’t even bring her own racing car!"
Those who have participated in such races know that it’s best to drive a familiar car for events of this type, and the driver’s car is usually handled by the team’s mechanics.
This driver came in a different sports car, clearly not prepared with a racing car.
The initial awe instantly turned into disdain.
Zhao Mai, who was discussing upcoming race details with the RX Team, turned his head upon hearing the noise and happened to see Ethan turning to chat with a youth.
Upon seeing that strikingly pretty face that could rival a celebrity, Zhao Mai curled his lips.
Has Ethan fallen so low he needs a pretty boy to garner attention?
However, he patted his RX teammate Blute on the shoulder, "Blute, I heard Ying Yunlin will be returning for this race. Are you prepared?"
The myth of the double gods of the former ATS Team still circulates in the racing world.
The attention is so widespread and captivating that people harbor great expectations for ATS.
The car accident from last year almost shattered all of ATS’s fanbase, with its aftermath unimaginable to those who once saw the team at the pinnacle of the racing world.
From then, ATS began its decline, leaving its fans deeply disappointed.
Blute glanced towards the youth upon Zhao Mai’s direction, a hint of amazement crossing his eyes, followed by obvious ridicule, "He’s been off the track for a year now, who knows what his skills are like, what’s there to worry about?"
Zhao Mai, seeing his expression, smirked without saying a word until he saw Ethan and the female driver about to enter the lounge, then raised an eyebrow and strode over, "Wait up, Ethan."
His voice was loud and instantly attracted everyone’s attention around them.
Ethan stopped his pace, turned around, and upon seeing Zhao Mai, his face darkened, "What is it?"
"Old friends, can’t I call out to you?" Zhao Mai grinned familiarly, his gaze landing on the person beside him, "Oh, is this your team’s new driver? Looks good."
He spoke in a frivolous tone, "Racing is so dangerous; your pretty face might get ruined in an accident. How about considering me? Whatever Ethan gives you, I’ll triple it."
Rong Zhi turned her cool and detached eyes sideways, calm and steady, "Are you sure?"
Zhao Mai crossed his arms and, seeing this, scoffed towards Ethan, "Look at you, so poor you can’t even afford the salary for a pretty little beauty. Tsk, tsk."
He disdainfully shook his head and with a greasy smile, said to Rong Zhi, "Of course, sweetheart, name your price. If it suits me, I’ll get you all covered." Google seaʀᴄh N()velFire.net
This completely suggested Rong Zhi was for sale.
Facing Zhao Mai’s cold sarcasm, Rong Zhi hadn’t spoken yet when Ethan, beside her, coldly retorted, "Zhao Mai, I suggest you clean up your language. Don’t just spout shit."
"Shit?" Zhao Mai sneered with disdain, "You’re the one who’s dirty. Without the ATS team, what do you have to compete with me? Go home to graze cattle, racing isn’t a game meant for someone like you."
Ethan felt a chill in his heart.
Back when the ATS Team strived for club sponsorship and membership, every match was fought with total commitment. Though he didn’t have a good rapport with Zhao Mai, the latter never tore into him .
At that time, Little Ying God’s leg injury relapsed, coincidentally when a company’s boss was sponsoring the ATS team and declared that a championship win would seal a collaboration.
Though Little Ying God was after the trophy and honor, she played in earnest even with the injury.
They gave everything for the club’s benefit, yet the club treated them like expendables. When the double Ying Gods weren’t present, they drained what little value was left, discarding them afterward, even letting the RX Team Zhao Mai managed step over them.
The adult world is always cruel and indifferent; alone, Ethan only wanted to preserve the passion left within ATS’s few remaining members, but couldn’t condone such exploitative practices of the club.
Even if they start from scratch, he wouldn’t let Meinier and the others slave away for bloodsucking capital again.
Blute glanced at Ethan, eyes slightly contemptuous as if mocking his stupidity.
Only fools would ignore the harsh truths and believe they could rise above.
"Little Ying God, let’s go."
Ethan didn’t even look at Blute, turned to Rong Zhi, smiling brightly, "Let’s check your car first, it’s been a while since you last drove... you want to test it out first?"
Rong Zhi slightly raised her eyebrows, glanced at Zhao Mai and Blute’s surprise and puzzlement, and then walked into the lounge first.
"Ethan, hold on! What Little Ying God?!" Zhao Mai rushed in, disregarding the other people’s reactions, and asked directly.
Rong Zhi looked down, sending a message, her side profile exquisitely indifferent. Zhao Mai stared at her intently, seemingly trying to bore a hole through her face.