Why race if you don’t have money?

Chapter 70: The Journey to Japan

Without any deliberate farewell, Chen Xiangbei carried his suitcase and got on a Subaru Impreza to Donghai International Airport.

While driving, Liang Chi asked, "Xiangbei, my visa hasn't been approved yet. Lao Zhang needs to deal with the company's aftermath. Can you go alone this time?"

Chen Xiangbei was the only one with the Honda invitation letter, and only through public-to-public channels could he obtain his visa so quickly. Liang Chi, who had a regular visa, naturally didn't receive this privilege and couldn't accompany him to the Suzuka Racing Academy.

"Uncle Liang, this is just like studying abroad. No problem."

"Ah."

Liang Chi just nodded calmly without saying anything more.

It is extremely common for a driver to compete alone, and you have to get used to it sooner or later.

After asking this question, Liang Chi took out a silver card from his pocket and handed it over.

Chen Xiangbei took it and saw that it was the card he had given to Liang Chi to pay for the car repair and modification.

"The money inside has not been touched. You can use it while you are in Japan. If you need money, tell me."

Looking at the card in his hand and then at Liang Chi's expressionless profile, Chen Xiangbei instantly felt a surge of emotions.

Although Liang Chi often "disrespects his elders" and does menial and lousy work, in a sense he is his career guide in this world and has provided him with innumerable help.

"Uncle Liang, I..."

Chen Xiangbei wanted to say something, but the words were on the tip of his tongue but he couldn't utter them.

"Don't be so hypocritical, this is all your money!"

Liang Chi quickly interrupted him, saying that the card belonged to Chen Xiangbei and the money in it was indeed earned by him.

【Really Lao Deng】

Chen Xiangbei smiled and muttered, many things can be known in the heart, no need for further words.

After driving for about an hour, Chen Xiangbei arrived at Donghai International Airport, where Zhang Zhicong was already waiting.

Seeing them approach, he handed over a briefcase and said, "Xiangbei, this contains plane tickets, maps, and documents. The plane will land at Nagoya Chubu Centrair International Airport, the closest airport to Suzuka, around 5:00 PM."

"You can choose to take a boat across Ise Bay, or take a taxi to Suzuka City. I've marked the route on the map in the briefcase."

Zhang Zhicong was very well prepared and had already planned the time, place and route. Chen Xiangbei just had to follow the instructions after arriving in Japan.

"Thank you, Uncle Zhang. I'm fine."

"Okay, let's go check in now."

Zhang Zhicong nodded and took Chen Xiangbei to check in.

After finishing everything, he and Liang Chi stood at the security checkpoint and watched Chen Xiangbei go in, with complicated expressions on their faces.

"Lao Liang, am I a little too impatient? I should give Xiangbei some buffer time."

Zhang Zhicong asked.

Chen Xiangbei is only an eighteen-year-old boy. Unlike himself, he is not used to flying around the world. Going abroad may be a big event in his life.

From the time he received the news last night to now when he was about to board the plane, Chen Xiangbei could be said to have no mental preparation at all as he was about to go to a completely unfamiliar country to accept the challenge.

It's a bit too much to ask of him!
"He has no right to buffer slowly."

Liang Chi replied in a very "cold" manner.

Although the overall strength of Japanese racing cars cannot be compared with that of Europe and the United States, they are far ahead in the entire Asia-Pacific region.

Especially well-known racing academies like Honda Suzuka, which recruit not only top drivers from their own country, but also talented young people from other countries and regions in the Asia-Pacific region.

Chen Xiangbei only had one chance. He had to adapt to the course and the car as quickly as possible, and then defeat his competitors from the entire racing academy to secure a ticket to the Renault Winter Tour. Every day he missed was another day to adapt, so he had to race against time!
After saying that, Liang Chi turned around and left. He didn't want Zhang Zhicong to see his slightly red eyes.

……

At five o'clock in the afternoon, at Nagoya Chubu Centrair International Airport, the sky was very gloomy and a drizzle was falling.

It was not suitable to go to the port in this weather, and Chen Xiangbei did not take a taxi from the airport to Suzuka City as Zhang Zhicong had instructed.

The reason is simple, Japanese taxis are too expensive to take!

Chen Xiangbei chose the cheapest way, took the airport express line according to the signs, and then took the subway to Shirako Station in Suzuka City.

The apartment purchased by Qin Lianjie is only 200 meters away from the subway station, which is very convenient.

Originally, Chen Xiangbei didn't want to trouble Qin Lianjie, but after a long journey and on a cold rainy night, his clothes were soaked.

If I delay any longer to find a hotel, and maybe catch a cold, it would be more trouble than it’s worth.

Finding the apartment building the text message had indicated, Chen Xiangbei entered the password and entered. The apartment had a standard one-bedroom, one-living room layout. Qin Lianjie must have cleaned and tidied it before he left, so everything was neatly arranged.

The first thing he did was take a hot shower and change his clothes. Then Chen Xiangbei went to the 711 convenience store downstairs and bought a bunch of food.

After eating and drinking enough and going to bed early, he must recover enough energy as soon as possible to cope with the assessment of Honda Suzuka Racing Academy tomorrow.

The next morning at 8 a.m., Chen Xiangbei was already on the shuttle bus to the Suzuka Circuit, a journey of about half an hour. Due to the still overcast and rainy weather, there were few fans or tourists that day, and the circuit was semi-closed.

It didn't take Chen Xiangbei much effort to find the main building of Honda Suzuka Racing Academy with its conspicuous logo.

The first thing that catches your eye when you enter the hall is a wall of honor, which displays the glorious history of Honda racing and the professional drivers they have trained. The most famous of them are the two F1 drivers, Satoru Nakajima and Takuma Sato.

Chen Xiangbei didn't have time to browse through the details. He quickly walked to the front desk and took out his Honda invitation letter to state his purpose.

After verifying his identity, the receptionist politely bowed and said, "Mr. Chen, the academy director, Mr. Hiroki Sawano, is currently instructing students on the track. I'll take you to the lounge to wait for a moment."

Instruct students?

Hearing this word, Chen Xiangbei became interested. Thanks to the fame brought by Sato Takuma's miracle creation, the Honda Suzuka Driver Academy of this era is said to have gathered the strongest group of young drivers in Asia. He really wanted to see what their strength was.

"Can I go directly to the track to meet Mr. Sawano?"

Instead of sitting in the lounge, why not go to the track to witness it?

"This one……"

The receptionist looked a little hesitant. After thinking for a moment, she nodded and said, "Okay, please follow me."

Behind the academy hall is the Suzuka Circuit. The reason why it is so convenient is that this circuit was built by Honda's president in the 1960s and was originally used as a Honda car testing site.

At this time, seven or eight young drivers in racing suits were standing in the maintenance area inside the track. They were the leaders in karting and Formula One events in the entire Asia-Pacific region.

This led to him being invited to the Suzuka Racing Academy for Formula One training and to compete for the qualification to participate in the Renault Winter Tour.

Standing in front of them was the academy director Hiroki Sawano, who was about fifty years old and looked unprepossessing.

In fact, he is the chief test driver of the Honda Group. He has won the double championship of Japan's Super Formula and Super GT in the 1s. He has competed with many F race champions and the king of racing, Schumacher, at the Suzuka Circuit!

Just as Hiroki Sawano announced today's training standards, Chen Xiangbei followed the front desk receptionist to the crowd.

"Mr. Sawano, sorry to bother you. The tryout trainees from China Huasai have arrived."

Chinese trial trainees?

Upon hearing this title, everyone present turned their eyes to Chen Xiangbei, and many students unconsciously showed a playful smile on their faces.

(End of this chapter)