TL: Hua
Zhou Yang and the other two were seated in the upper section, with a clear view of the commotion below. Xie Yu was now crossing over a row of seats, climbing to their level. His face was heavy and visibly irritated.
Among the trio of Zhou, He, and Xie, Xie Yu was known for having the worst temper and being notoriously violent, prone to hitting and kicking. When Lin Yin saw him approach, she instinctively flinched and moved away.
Zhou Yang turned to size up Shen Ci, then wiped his face, asking, “Can you take a punch?”
Shen Ci remained seated, but his eyelid twitched involuntarily.
Zhou Yang looked him up and down: Xie Yu’s little lover was tall but not muscular. He looked refined and scholarly. Underneath his clothes, there was a thin layer of muscle, and his waist was slender. A punch to the abdomen would probably make him throw up bile. Xie Yu’s mental state wasn’t good either, so if he didn’t hold back, he might accidentally kill someone.
Zhou Yang frowned and said, “Alright, I’ll put in a few good words for you.”
Seeing Xie Yu approach, Zhou Yang stood up, put an arm around his friend’s shoulder, patted him twice, and subtly pulled him a bit further away. He asked with a smile, “Why aren’t you driving? Is there something wrong with your car?”
Xie Yu shook his head. “Nothing’s wrong with it.”
He had considered lying that the car had a malfunction, but race cars have specialized maintenance records that could be easily checked. If Zhou Yang and He Zhiyuan found out he lied afterward, they might suspect something was wrong with him.
Zhou Yang was startled: “Then why did you come down?”
Xie Yu pulled his arm off his shoulder: “Nothing, I just suddenly felt that racing wasn’t very interesting.”
Zhou Yang: “Suddenly felt that racing wasn’t very interesting?”
Xie Yu gave Shen Ci a meaningful look: “That’s right. What’s the point if I leave a beautiful person here and go racing myself?”
Seeing that Xie Yu had no intention of being violent, Zhou Yang lowered his arm and asked amusedly, “Then what do you find interesting?”
Xie Yu: “Why so many questions? That motorcycle of yours, the limited edition Augusta, give me the key.”
The original owner also rode motorcycles, but not often. Zhou Yang took the key out of his pocket and handed it to him: “What do you want it for?”
“Taking someone for a ride.”
Zhou Yang was surprised: “Taking someone for a ride?”
“You’re blocking me.” Xie Yu pushed Zhou Yang aside and walked straight ahead. Stopping on the step below Shen Ci, he looked up and smiled. “Assistant Shen, good student, have you ever ridden a motorcycle?”
He twirled the key in his palm and extended his hand to Shen Ci: “Come on, what’s so great about racing? Young Master will take you for a spin.”
Shen Ci lowered his gaze, steadily looking at Xie Yu’s outstretched hand.
By now, the rain had stopped completely, and the sun was peeking out in the west. Golden light shone from behind, perfectly outlining Xie Yu’s handsome eyebrows and eyes. His features were bathed in a reddish halo, and his smile was surprisingly clean.
He was like those high school students who sat in the back row, not listening in class but not causing trouble either. He might not be obedient, but he was very sincere.
It was strange. People in Jiangcheng often spoke of Young Master Xie as being violent and having many ways to torment people. Shen Ci had no idea he had this side to him.
Xie Yu urged him, “Quick, this is part of the contract.”
Following Party A’s arrangements when outside was indeed part of the contract, clearly stated in black and white, leaving no room for refusal.
Shen Ci lowered his gaze and placed his hand in Xie Yu’s palm.
The temperature was low after the rain, and Shen Ci’s body temperature was also low, his fingers cold and chilly. Xie Yu’s palm, however, was scalding, making Shen Ci’s fingertips instinctively flinch.
Xie Yu casually suppressed this insignificant struggle. He closed his hand, and with a slight pull, yanked Shen Ci up. Then, clasping his hand, he walked quickly downstairs, climbing over the seats and taking Shen Ci out of the racetrack under Zhou Yang’s astonished gaze.
Lin Yin watched them disappear and quietly asked, “What does Young Master Xie mean by this?”
Zhou Yang averted his gaze and also muttered, “Has Young Master Xie changed his ways? The sun must have risen from the west.”
*
Zhou Yang’s motorcycle was parked right at the entrance of the track. Its deep red body was flashy and passionate. Xie Yu was a novice at car racing but a half-expert at motorcycles. He straddled it, inserted the key, tested the feel, and roughly figured out how to ride it.
Shen Ci stood beside the bike, a little constrained. He clearly had never ridden a motorcycle before, stiff in place, unsure where to put his hands and feet. Xie Yu, like a boss, casually placed a helmet on his head and commanded, “Get on.”
He adopted the condescending and impolite tone of a rich young master. However, Xie Yu was tall, wearing a white T-shirt and loose pants, his outfit simple and unrestrained. Straddling the motorcycle so casually, with a few stray hairs swept back, he had a youthful and refined aura that wasn’t annoying.
Shen Ci stepped onto the footrest and tentatively swung his leg over, sitting at the very back of the seat, his hands braced on the rear, keeping his distance from Xie Yu.
Xie Yu: “You’ll fall off like that. Come closer.”
Shen Ci moved forward a tiny bit, like a turtle.
Xie Yu instructed, “Further forward… Never mind, hold onto my waist.”
The plot required physical contact, which had to last for a certain period. The time in the car earlier wasn’t enough, so Xie Yu planned to make up for it now.
Shen Ci stiffened slightly, not moving.
Xie Yu chuckled, “What, Assistant Shen, refusing to cooperate?”
He didn’t say anything more, just started the engine. The key turned, and the twin-cylinder engine let out a huge roar. The three exhausts operated simultaneously, and this steel beast seemed to come alive instantly. The body of the bike vibrated violently, and Shen Ci, startled, instinctively wrapped his arms around Xie Yu.
Through the thin layer of the T-shirt, the warmth from his waist permeated through the fabric. His palms rested on Xie Yu’s lower abdomen, faintly feeling the outline of abs.
Xie Yu chuckled again.
Shen Ci seemed burned by the laugh. He pulled his hands back, maintaining the embracing posture, cautiously leaving a slight gap, only lightly holding Xie Yu.
Xie Yu kindly reminded him, “Assistant Shen, you’d better hold on tight.”
Shen Ci: “…”
He averted his gaze: “No.”
The next second, the engine noise suddenly intensified. Xie Yu gripped the handlebars, the clutch and gear shift executed in one smooth motion, and the Augusta shot forward like an arrow released from a bow.
Shen Ci: “!!!”
The roaring wind rushed past his ears, and the trees on both sides of the road rapidly receded, turning into blurry greenish-brown afterimages. The immense acceleration brought a strong backward thrust. Shen Ci had no idea a motorcycle could go so fast. Before he could react, he tightened his arms and clung desperately to Xie Yu.
His arms wrapped around Xie Yu’s waist, his chest pressed against Xie Yu’s back. The moment the motorcycle started, Shen Ci couldn’t help but even press his face against him, like a tailless koala, clinging tightly to Xie Yu.
Xie Yu chuckled again: “Assistant Shen is quite enthusiastic.”
The system required physical contact and verbal teasing. Physical contact was achieved, so verbal teasing couldn’t be left out.
Shen Ci wanted to retort, but the motorcycle was speeding down the road, occasionally making big turns and drifts. He closed his eyes, even his eyelashes trembling, feeling only a rapid heartbeat. He couldn’t say a word and clung firmly to Xie Yu, as if clutching a lifeline.
Xie Yu: “Ow! Ow, ow, ow! Assistant Shen, you’re quite strong; are you clutching me to death?”
Shen Ci opened his eyes, only then realizing he was holding too tightly, his fingers digging into Young Master Xie’s waist. At this point, it was less of a hug and more of a pinch. Was this posture too intimate? Shen Ci quickly loosened his grip: “I didn’t mean to.”
Xie Yu asked, “What? Didn’t hear you clearly; say it again.”
The bike was too fast, and the wind was rushing from all directions. Pressed by Xie Yu, Shen Ci raised his voice: “Sorry! It wasn’t intentional!”
Xie Yu chuckled, teasing, “Good student, are you already scared by this speed? This is nothing yet!”
Shen Ci was startled.
—He wasn’t hurting; he was faking it?
Before he could react, he heard Xie Yu say, “Sit tight; I’m speeding up.”
The words hadn’t even faded when the sound of the wind abruptly intensified. For a moment, between heaven and earth, Shen Ci could only hear the roar of the motorcycle.
The world spun.
Shen Ci squeezed his eyes shut.
In extreme insecurity, he instinctively hugged Xie Yu tightly until the bike had traveled a few kilometers and his body finally got used to its vibrations.
They were riding on the asphalt road in the suburbs. On both sides of the road were rolling green hills, showing lush greenery after the summer rain. The air carried the scent of plants and soil, and lingering raindrops fell on them, making it a bit cold.
Shen Ci’s body was cold, and he hadn’t put on his coat yet. Xie Yu was his only source of heat, and even though he was too afraid to open his eyes, he instinctively held onto him and wouldn’t let go.
Xie Yu let him cling. Shen Ci had never ridden a motorcycle, so the speed was a bit fast for him, which was probably normal. But for Xie Yu, it was commonplace.
Augusta was one of the best motorcycle brands, with excellent performance, top-tier stability, and speed. Moreover, this wasn’t the city; it was a passage built by the racetrack, with a flat road and sparse population. For kilometers, not a soul could be seen, so it could go even faster. While driving, he even remembered his persona and took the opportunity to tease Shen Ci: “Assistant Shen, aren’t you going to ask where I’m taking you? What if I sell you? Lock you in a dark room?”
Shen Ci: “…”
He had signed a contract with Xie Yu. Even if he wasn’t locked up, things wouldn’t be much better. Shen Ci closed his eyes in self-mockery, then asked, “Where are you taking me?”
Xie Yu: “Nowhere, just a spin.”
He just wanted to avoid racing. Where they went wasn’t important.
Xie Yu kept track of time and rode around outside for about half an hour. Estimating that most of the race was over, he made a turn and headed back.
By the time he braked and stopped outside the venue, the first few cars had just crossed the finish line.
Xie Yu glanced far away and saw that there was no car belonging to He Zhiyuan.
He stepped onto the spectator stand, walked over to Zhou Yang, and asked, “Where’s Zhiyuan?”
Zhou Yang pointed, “The last few cars. He’s not in good form today. Actually, none of these cars ran very well today. It’s a shame you didn’t race; otherwise, your results would’ve been great.”
Xie Yu thought to himself, Don’t even mention it. If he had actually raced, it wouldn’t have been a matter of good results, but rather how many funeral banquets would be held.*
Shen Ci sat in the back row, a seat away from Lin Yin. Lin Yin cautiously observed his expression and asked, “Did Young Master Xie do something to you?”
Shen Ci’s face was pale, looking genuinely unwell.
Shen Ci said, “No, it’s just low blood sugar.”
He hadn’t eaten lunch.
Lin Yin gasped, “Then do you have anything to eat?”
Shen Ci shook his head: “No.”
He felt his pockets and found them empty. He had bought a chocolate bar, but it was gone, probably having fallen out of his pocket during the intense motorcycle ride earlier.
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Hmm…