Chapter 56 - Chapter 56: Lu Zhiyuan’s Competition
Chapter 56: Lu Zhiyuan’s Competition
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
“You’ve already said it before. But if you don’t try, how do you know it’s not suitable?”
“I don’t believe in trial and error,” Gu Ci replied with a frosty expression.
“Then tell me, which part of us isn’t suitable?”
Gu Ci locked eyes with him. Chen Rushi admired her courage. Despite being young, she displayed a maturity and steadiness beyond her years. Gu Ci stated, “Our age difference is not suitable, our family backgrounds don’t match, our interests diverge, and our future plans are incompatible.”
“Love doesn’t depend on age, background, interests, or future plans,” Chen Rushi politely responded. “We can find a way to get along.”
Gu Ci maintained her calm gaze. “What is it that you like about me?”
“You have a certain… magnetism that attracted me. Honesty, intelligence, and beauty,” Chen Rushi admitted, flashing a charming smile.
“After all these years, have you never encountered a generous, intelligent, and beautiful girl by your side?” Gu Ci looked at him with a half-smile. “I find that hard to believe.”
“You always reject those who have feelings for you. Is there someone you have feelings for?” Chen Rushi inquired.
Gu Ci pondered for a moment. “There is someone I like. Unfortunately, he doesn’t feel the same way about me.”
After a brief silence, Chen Rushi smiled. “Then he truly lacks taste.”
Gu Ci laughed at herself. “It’s me who can’t have what I desire. I don’t possess the ability to make him like me. That’s my own issue, not his.”
She had openly admitted that Lu Zhiyuan didn’t have feelings for her.
Chen Rushi looked at her in surprise. His usually gentle eyes examined Gu Ci’s serene and perfect profile. For a moment, he felt a stir in his heart. Such a beautiful and composed girl was truly captivating.
Chen Rushi gazed at Gu Ci’s back and lightly tapped his fingers on the table. “The hunter versus the prey… I must admit, I’m tempted.”
After Lu Zhiyuan suffered a serious injury, he took a day off from training to focus on recovery. The wound on his abdomen was deep, and the medical team and coaching staff strongly advised him to withdraw from the upcoming competition. Despite being ranked first in the year, there were still more races to come, and participating with an injury posed great risks.
However, Lu Zhiyuan was unwilling to give up on the competition. Taking the actual situation into account, he decided to withdraw from the first, second, and third stages of the practice competition and requested direct entry into the qualifying competition. The competition spanned three days, and the qualifying match took place from 10 PM to 11 PM on the second day.
If he didn’t participate in any practice matches, he would start last in the qualifying match.
The ranking in the qualifying matches also determined the starting order in the main race, where points could be obtained.
Zhou Jinjin was a racing fan, but she only had eyes for Lu Zhiyuan. Since Lu Zhiyuan didn’t participate in the practice matches, she wasn’t interested in watching them. Gu Ci also chose not to attend. After the first day of practice, Gu Ci went to find Lu Zhiyuan.
Lu Zhiyuan had just finished his lunch when Gu Ci arrived. He was in the midst of changing his dressing. Li Jiang cleverly handed the task of changing the dressing over to Gu Ci upon seeing her.
Gu Ci took a cotton swab to disinfect the wound. It was a deep wound, still showing traces of blood. She furrowed her brows and rcstitched them with precision. Her technique was clean and precise. Leaning slightly over his chest, the breeze in the room tousled her hair, and Lu Zhiyuan caught a whiff of the rose fragrance emanating from it.
“Why do you know how to suture?” Lu Zhiyuan asked, his tone filled with admiration. “You’re so skilled!”
“Your wound is still bleeding. Can you participate in the competition tomorrow?” Gu Ci didn’t directly answer his question.
“No problem!” Lu Zhiyuan exclaimed. “If I don’t participate in the qualifying competition, I’ll lose my spot in the main competition.”
“…Alright then,” Gu Ci said, her worry evident as she glanced at his wound. After disinfecting it, she wrapped it in gauze.
Lu Zhiyuan looked at her long lashes and wondered, “Why didn’t you try to persuade me to give up on the competition?”
Gu Ci finished wrapping the gauze and gave him a gentle smile. “Because you love it.”
In her previous life, after being released from prison, Lu Zhiyuan never touched racing again. However, he would secretly watch the replays of every Fl race. Racing was embedded deep within his bones.
“Because I love it. Even if you don’t share the same passion, will you support me?”
Gu Ci nodded. “Yes!”
Lu Zhiyuan’s eyes reddened. His heart burned with passion, and his blood surged. His enthusiasm and love blazed like a fire. Someone was holding it in the palm of their hand.
He had loved racing since he was young. Lu Ze used to say that racing was too dangerous, that it should be for fun and not pursued as a profession. This would always lead to heated arguments, with Lu Ze giving him money as a sponsorship but ultimately aiming to make him give up racing.
He was dedicated to racing. He didn’t have many friends, but the ones he had were loyal. They had all vaguely expressed concerns about the dangers of racing and advised him not to become too obsessed. Only the girl whom he had always cherished in his heart never said anything to make him give up, even if she knew he didn’t have feelings for her.
Gu Ci said, “I’ll be watching your race from the audience tomorrow.”
Lu Zhiyuan’s expression subtly turned unhappy. This would be the first time Gu Ci watched him compete seriously. It wasn’t him, Lu Zhiyuan, who was competing, but Third Master. A shadow passed through his mind but was drowned out by Gu Ci’s excitement in understanding him.
“In the future, I’ll be in the audience for all your races.”
Lu Zhiyuan wrapped his arms around her neck and kissed her lips. He was eager to prove something, but he didn’t know what exactly. He fumbled around, and his teeth accidentally grazed Gu Ci’s lips.
She could feel his passion. He was young and full of energy.
“Gu Ci, I will wi.,” Lu Zhiyuan’s nose nuzzled against hers intimately. His voice was hoarse yet resolute. “Keep watching me, alright?”
“I will!”
The next evening, around nine o’clock, the audience was already packed with people. Foreign racing fans shouted the names of their favorite drivers fervently, creating a lively atmosphere.
Gu Ci and Zhou Jinjin had VIP seats with a great view. They were in separate stands, and there was a large screen in the room. Zhou Jinjin had brought a telescope to better observe the race.
In the adjacent VIP stands, Chen Rushi was present. He sat leisurely with Ji Meng, sipping tea. Gu Ci nodded at them. The stands were separated by a screen, so even if they moved away, it wouldn’t affect their view.
“Good evening, Cici,” Chen Rushi greeted her.
“Good evening, Mr. Chen.” Gu Ci nodded politely.
Lu Zhiyuan was positioned at the very end. His red sports car adorned with a colorful phoenix stood out prominently. The two racers from Dynasty, Lu Zhiyuan, and Max, occupied the fourth place.
Gu Ci’s heart raced in her chest. She drank water frequently to quell her nerves. Chen Rushi handed her a glass of fruit juice. “Have some cherry juice. Don’t be nervous.”
Gu Ci maintained a calm and composed expression. Ji Yan glanced at her and remarked, “The world champion, Lu Zhiyuan, is positioned at the end. He’s going to give it his all in this ranking competition if he’s aiming for first place.”
“As long as he wants it, he can achieve it,” Gu Ci responded casually.
Lu Zhiyuan had always desired strength and strived to be the best in the world since he was young.
“Miss Gu Ci, care for a wager?” Ji Rong smiled, revealing faint dimples. Dressed in white clothes and trousers, he appeared harmless and amiable when he smiled.
Gu Ci didn’t respond and Chen Rushi asked candidly, “Does Miss Gu Ci like Lu Zhiyuan?”
“You guys are quite nosy,” Zhou Jinjin interjected. “Let’s watch the race quietly. It’s about to start..”