CH 2

Xu Xizhou got out of the taxi and walked into the gate of the go-kart club building. When he was a child, he was a frequent visitor here, and he won championships in various go-kart competitions in China. At the age of twelve, the coach suggested that he go to Europe to participate in international competitions. When he thought about his first time going abroad—holding on to the strap of his backpack in tears and didn’t want to get on the plane—he couldn’t help but laugh. 

“Xizhou, you’re here.” 

A middle-aged man with gray hair walked out. He was Xu Xizhou’s former coach, Meng Hui, and now he was the general manager of this go-kart training ground. 

He approached Xu Xizhou with a smile and patted him on the shoulder, “I heard that you don’t live with the Lu family anymore, what’s the matter?” 

“Just like that, I’m a fake, and it’s not good for a dove to occupy a magpie’s nest.” 

“You just terminated the contract with the team and lost your source of income. What will you do in the future?” 

“Isn’t there still Coach who will be taking care of me?” 

Compared to the man who had a sad face, Xu Xizhou looked much more relaxed. He put one hand on the man’s shoulder and said with a smile, “Let’s go, Mr. Meng, let’s see your lavish office.” 

The track looks the same as if nothing has changed.” 

Xu Xizhou stood in front of the French windows, looking outside to the S-shaped track not far away. 

Meng Hui didn’t know what to think and sighed lightly, “When F1 held races in China a few years ago, quite a lot of people paid attention to auto race, but later on, the attention was dying. After all, this is a niche sport in China. It’s good that I can still operate this venue.” 

He made an internal call and called his assistant to come in. “I’ll let Lili show you around first so that you can get acquainted with this place. I have a meeting in a moment, we will have lunch after the meeting.” 

Xu Xizhou nodded. He thought of another matter and said uncertainly, “I have never taught anyone before. Are you sure you want me to be their coach?” 

“I have no other request, just don’t make those kids cry.” 

“I’m not a bully, why would I make them cry?” 

“Didn’t you make other kids cry when you were young?” 

Xu Xizhou suddenly thought of his arrogant and condescending manner when he won an award when he was a child. While he wanted to laugh, his heart also felt a little bitter. 

Not long after Xu Xizhou left the office room, there was a black Mercedes Benz in front of the office building. Meng Hui saw the car’s license plate in front of the floor-to-ceiling window and his face suddenly showed a smile. He walked out of the office to greet the guest. 

The driver’s door was pushed open and the gray-haired driver wearing white gloves came out first. He walked to the back row, bent down slightly, and opened the door respectfully. 

“Young Master, we’re here.” 

A deep and low hum came from inside the car. A slender foot clad in black leather shoes stepped out. The man who walked out of the car was very tall, wearing a fitting black suit, his hair was a rarely seen light brown, and his face was profound. 

The man’s unsmiling thin lips were slightly pursed. He wore a pair of silver-rimmed glasses on the bridge of his tall nose. A pair of eye-catching light green eyes reflected an emerald-like light in the winter sun from behind the lenses. 

“Mr. Zhuang, we are very honored to be graced by your presence.” Meng Hui stepped forward enthusiastically to shake hands. 

The man also showed a very shallow smile and shook Meng Hui’s hand, “Coach Meng, you’re exaggerating.” 

Tea fragrance was wafting in the office. 

“How long will you stay in the country this time? Is everything okay at home?” Meng Hui asked concernedly. 

“My mother fell ill some time ago and had a minor operation, I may have to stay for a while longer.” 

After exchanging some pleasantries, Zhuang Jingchun cut to the chase and went straight to the point, “I heard that the club has been operating poorly in the past two years, and the capital turnover is in a difficult state ….” 

When it came to the operation of the club, Meng Hui’s expression seemed a little embarrassed and he was in a predicament, but he still told the truth about the business situation over the past two years. 

After listening to his story, Zhuang Jingchun has already hatched a plan, “I will talk to the financial affairs, and the first payment will be sent to your account in three days.” 

“Xiao Zhuang, thank you very much, you have solved my difficulties. I almost wanted to transfer this place over. It’s wonderful that you have become a shareholder now ….” 

Zhuang Jingchun drank the Longjing tea in his cup, turned his gaze out the window, and suddenly noticed a figure wearing a black jacket sitting on the grass beside the track. 

“That’s ….” He felt that the boy’s profile seemed somewhat familiar. 

“That’s my new coach, Xu Xizhou. You should have known this kid if you pay attention to car racing. What a pity, he was originally the most promising Chinese racer to enter F1 ….” 

Zhuang Jingchun immediately remembered the reports he had seen on the Internet. 

“Did the Lu family abandon him?” 

“He moved out of the Lu family. I guess he doesn’t want to owe his adoptive parents anymore. I don’t know where he lives now.” 

Zhuang Jingchun nodded. His eyes slightly narrowed as he looked at the figure sitting on the grass. 

The boy in question didn’t know that someone was watching him. A grass was held in his mouth and he stretched his waist. He took a piece of paper and a pen from his pocket and began to record something. 

Speaking of Xu Xizhou, the old coach was both regretful and indignant. 

“Who would believe that there was such a dog-blooded matter nowadays. The mother seemed to have undergone liver surgery and they found a problem when searching for a matching donor. Those unscrupulous media too, they unexpectedly chased him to the international competition. As soon as his state declined, they began to ridicule him harshly, saying that if he hadn’t been rich, he would not have the qualification to stand on the podium. Those reporters know not a damn thing. I know how hard Xiao Xu has worked for so many years, and how much he has paid ….”

“Meng Lao[1], don’t get too worked up.” Zhuang Jingchun picked up the teapot and filled his empty teacup.

Only then did Meng Hui realize his gaffe. He stroked his chest a little embarrassedly, and said awkwardly, “Xiao Zhuang, I made you laugh. Why don’t you stay for lunch, I’ll let the cafeteria ….” 

“No, thank you. I have a meeting this noon. I will invite you to have a meal another day.” Zhuang Jingchun got up while looking at his watch. 

The old coach sent him out with some regret on his face. 

Zhuang Jingchun returned to the car and as soon as he sat down, his cell phone rang. He frowned slightly at the incoming call, and then answered the phone. 

“Xiao Chun, let me tell you. My friend has a son that has graduated from Stanford with a master’s degree and is now teaching at T University. That kid is talented and good-looking, he is also about the same age as you. Do you want to meet him this weekend? Or should I send you his photo first?” 

“Mom, I’ve said it many times already, but I don’t have any thoughts on this aspect for the time being. Can you not meddle in my private affairs, please?” 

“I’m your mother, how can this be called meddling?” The person on the other end of the phone sighed, and said solemnly, “Xiao Chun, mother didn’t want to force you, but I have been in the hospital for a few days and I have seen a lot of births and deaths. What if something happened to your father and I in the future, you would be so lonely in this world alone. It is always better to have someone by your side.” 

“Mom, why are you cursing yourself like that?” Zhuang Jingchun pressed the space between his eyebrows with a helpless expression. 

“Or you find your partner yourself. I won’t force you to go on a blind date if you already have someone, what do you think?” 

After the call was hung up, Zhuang Jingchun pushed the glasses up his nose bridge and sighed softly. 

“Madam has good intentions.” The driver started the car while he observed Zhuang Jingchuan’s expression from the rearview mirror. 

It wasn’t that Zhuang Jingchun didn’t know the painstaking efforts that his mother make, but he was a person with few emotions and there were few things he desired. Many people flocked to him because of his appearance and family background, but that just made him fed up. 

The black Mercedes-Benz started to drive slowly towards the gate of the club. Zhuang Jingchun put his elbow on the car window and looked back inadvertently, just in time to see the boy walking towards the office building with one hand in his pocket. 

The boy still had the same lazy attitude and maybe the grass in his mouth hasn’t been removed. Inexplicably, Zhuang Jingchun suddenly remembered the Australian Grand Prix half a year ago. The air in Melbourne was warm and humid. For the first time, a Chinese face stood on the F2 podium. The boy’s eyes shone brightly under his helmet, his face was full of excitement as he sprinkled the champagne in his hand high to the crowd. 

Who would have thought that the racing star who was eagerly reported in the sports world at the time, the teenager who shouldered all the expectations and praises of the Chinese racing world, fell from the cloud to the quagmire in an instant, and lived in this small go-kart club?

Zhuang Jingchun looked at the boy’s back and couldn’t tell what his heart was feeling. 

His phone suddenly vibrated, and there was a WeChat message. 

[It’s fine if you don’t want to meet up, but at least look at their pictures, maybe they’re to your liking. 【Smile】]

Zhuang Jingchun took a deep breath, glanced at the photo for two seconds, and didn’t feel anything. 

[They’re not my type.] 

After a few seconds of silence, he typed again. 

[I forgot to tell you that I’m pursuing someone.]