F1: The Making of a Racing God

Chapter 13 There is a primal pleasure called showing off.

Go-karting shouldn't have been included in the autumn outing program for second-grade students in the first place. Regardless of whether it's dangerous or not, at least in the school leaders' stereotype, it's not something children should be involved in.

But Lao Wu also understands that sometimes it's better to guide than to block. Even with him and the assistant homeroom teacher who is also a math teacher, it's impossible to keep an eye on every single child. So it's better to take these children out to have appropriate contact and satisfy their curiosity within his control.

Moreover, Lao Wu himself was very curious. He had previously only known the name of go-karts and that they were generally amusement park rides. After talking to Shu Long's parents on the phone, he learned about professional national competitions and a whole bunch of other things he didn't understand.

To draw an analogy, it's like a piano. Ordinary families can enroll in lessons to try it out, but getting a good piano for home and going towards a professional level is a high-end project that not everyone can afford.

Asking a few questions is a matter of professional ethics that drives a teacher to care about the students' future development.

It's best if it's his legitimate profession. Even if it isn't, whether it's relevant to him or not is another matter, but that doesn't stop him from being curious about related information.

Shu Long was pleased that Yu Mujie had at least tried go-karting a few times, although it was limited to entertainment and he hadn't gone any deeper. But at least he wasn't as clueless as some others.

At the same time, Shu Long was also very desperate. He was clearly the one who knew better how to drive, so why did both boys and girls prefer to listen to Yu Mujie's endless description of what the four wheels and steering wheel of a go-kart were like?
It's good that no one is bothering him, but why does he feel a little uneasy?

Especially when you see Zhang Jinhua, the class's notorious big mouth and "scumbag talker," who had just picked up a few words from Yu Mujie, he turned around and started showing off everywhere, acting like he was the one who knew the most about racing, with that smug look on his face!
This person is probably the one that Shu Long hates the most in the whole class, and the only one he hates. He always likes to steal the spotlight when it doesn't belong to him.

For example, during the basketball game last semester, Yu Mujie, who had contributed 70% of the class's points but hadn't scored a single point, was comforting his basketball buddies on the other side. Instead, he turned around and started boasting about his achievement, and even went around mocking and provoking the dejected students from the next class who had just lost the game.

That's not all. The key issue is that this eccentric good-for-nothing also loves to spread baseless rumors about others. Shu Long has been trying his best to avoid any contact with him, but according to Zhang Jinhua's claims, Shu Long has already dated three girls in his short elementary school years.
Damn it, just thinking about it makes me so angry. You better have enough pocket money to run a mile later!
With his mind filled with fantasies about how he would vent his anger on that scumbag, Shu Long, who had been deliberately dawdling on the way, unconsciously quickened his pace. This was probably one of the few things that made him look forward to this autumn outing.

But as they got closer to their destination, some unusual signs made Shulong feel that something was wrong.

There was no engine noise, nor could you smell gasoline; instead, there was a burnt smell of asphalt emanating from under the scorching sun.

Standing at the edge of the track, Shu Long could hardly believe his eyes. The original gray cement road surface was no longer there, but a brand new asphalt road surface, with all the necessary markings and brightly colored standard red and white shoulders neatly painted on it.

Moreover, the track area and length have been expanded and extended, and the route and layout are completely different from before.

The original simple tin sheds of the toll booths and repair area have been demolished, and a new unfinished hall has been built, where about a dozen four-stroke recreational go-karts that look quite new are parked.

Where did this scoundrel come from who would be willing to take on this business?
But he had to admit that the track looked much more attractive than before. Shu Long, who hadn't been on the track for a while and was busy fiddling with tires, felt eager to try it out. If he had known it had changed like this, he could have spent the whole day on the track!
The only problem now is that it seems like no one is running it.

"Hello, is anyone there?"

Old Wu asked four times before a sleepy-eyed young man finally came out of the house: "Sorry, we are still under renovation and are not accepting tourists at the moment."

Shu Long frowned and stared at him. He was a man he had never seen before, but he was definitely not one of those amateur guys who had worked here before.

If the various refereeing, reception, and miscellaneous tasks in the club are mostly handled by the vehicle engineers and coaches, then the few people who used to manage the go-kart track were probably only responsible for collecting tickets and watching the track. Their only skill might have been helping tourists fasten their seat belts and starting the cars.

Otherwise, why do you think there were so many abandoned cars on the open ground next to the track? The only ten or so cars that were still functional were in pretty bad condition.

The broken cars on that open space have all been cleared away, and a black van just happened to come in from outside and parked there.

"Oh, that's our boss. If you really want to get rid of him, I can go and ask him for you."

"No need to ask, let them play!"

Good, good, this boss is really nice.

Shu Long rubbed his hands excitedly. He had brought over five hundred yuan in pocket money today, enough for him to drive until the return bus departed. Wait a minute?!

This? sound?
Shu Long stiffly turned his head and saw Shu Xiong, looking smug, raising his eyebrows at him through his sunglasses.

I should have guessed it! Who else could it be but my own father?
No one saw through this cunning old man, except for Yu Mujie, who had been a guest at Shu Long's house and secretly turned his head away, exchanging a few funny faces with him from afar.

"The teacher brought the students to experience the track, right? I think we'll do this: since we haven't officially reopened yet, we won't charge you admission today. We're also collecting feedback on the new cars and track."

Because Shu Xiong has never attended a single parent-teacher meeting for his son, Old Wu couldn't see any connection between the warm-hearted, rugged boss and the refined-looking Shu Long, and even somewhat embarrassedly made a few token excuses.

However, while admission is free, pre-driving safety education and basic instruction are provided, including some simple protective gear. It looks much more professional and formal than before.

Upon hearing that the steps were so complicated and that there would be classes and training, the enthusiasm of the large group of elementary school students, who were full of anticipation, was instantly dampened.

Since there were no guardians present, and to be honest, Lao Wu didn't dare to guarantee the safety of so many students, after some discussion, he finally chose ten of the most enthusiastic representatives by rock-paper-scissors to "try it out briefly."

Shu Long hadn't initially planned to join in the fun. Knowing that the track was now practically his own, he wasn't in a hurry to try it out in those few minutes.

It's beneath you to actively seek attention; aren't main characters usually the ones who appear last?

Who would have thought that Zhang Jinhua, that annoying devil, would be so lucky, managing to snatch a spot from among more than thirty classmates? Seeing Zhang Jinhua smugly wearing a helmet and sitting in the cockpit, Shu Long was furious.

They should charge him some kind of entrance fee!
Three other boys and six girls drew spots, and then a dramatic turn of events occurred—one of the girls, named Lin Jixuan, blushed and voluntarily gave her spot to Yu Mujie. The vice class monitor, Shen Qian, was immediately displeased and, with a wave of her hand, took the spot from the seemingly easy-to-bully chubby boy, He Xinfan.

It's clear He Xinfan is genuinely frustrated, so don't ask why the women seem more enthusiastic than the men in a racing event. The phrase "ladies first" is enough to override everything; men truly have no rights.
After all, it was too much for just two people to handle. The ten cars in the first quarter started one by one. Apart from Yu Mujie, none of the other drivers were very good at driving, so the situation was relatively peaceful.

Shu Xiong didn't strictly control the children's time. Instead, he noticed that Old Wu, who was in charge of the pay menu, frowned and shouted, chasing the students who were having too much fun out of the room. Shu Long also felt a bit annoyed. He had just been fantasizing about how he would thoroughly humiliate Zhang Jinhua on the track, but now, to maintain his composure, he couldn't bring himself to say anything.

I can't exactly ask my dad for a car, can I? It would be so embarrassing in front of so many people!

Then Zhang Jinhua spoke up: "Teacher! We haven't even seen how Shulong is opened yet. Didn't he say in his holiday homework how amazing he was?"

I swear I never wrote it like that! Okay, maybe a few words do have that connotation?

Zhang Jinhua, after driving a few laps, probably felt pretty awesome and got a little cocky. Judging from his appearance, he seemed to be preparing to call out Shu Long to come down and have a match with him.

Shu Xiong was overjoyed when he heard this. Old Wu had barely opened his mouth when this sly father agreed without a word.

The plot! The flavor! It's just right!

Isn't that how it's always drawn in comics?

First, a few arrogant NPCs question the unassuming protagonist, and then our racing god shows off his skills, winning over a whole chapter of inner monologues.

The classmates all started to jeer, and Shu Long naturally had no objection. After all, it was someone else's request, and he was just worried about how to save face.

Looking at Lao Wu's side, since the students had already played around and it didn't seem that dangerous, in order to take into account the feelings of the few kids who were watching eagerly, he simply told the ones who had already driven over to get off and make room for the others.

Zhang Jinhua was being unreasonable, refusing to give in no matter what, and in the struggle, he even adopted a posture of biting anyone who tried to pull him away. The students were clearly used to his shameless behavior, and no one wanted to continue arguing with him.

Yu Mujie originally wanted to let her have a turn, but Shen Qian insisted on following him around for ten minutes and said that she wasn't quite ready to let Yu Mujie teach her. Shu Long was surprised to find that this blockhead actually showed a bit of enjoyment and pride on his face!

You've changed! You bastard!

The reason Shu Xiong didn't start any new cars wasn't because he was reluctant to part with them; the track wasn't very big to begin with, and having more than ten cars running together was indeed a bit dangerous for a group of novices who had little experience with racing.

Most of the girls who had secured the first opportunity voluntarily gave it up.

It's fun, but without the support of various anime and racing nostalgia, after a run it just felt so-so.
Shu Long found an empty car, but before he could even get to the side, someone pushed him aside.

"Fish Roe Spirit," whose real name is Yu Zijing, is the neurotic boy mentioned earlier who killed three English teachers in one school year.

In this round, there was no rock-paper-scissors, and Lao Wu didn't keep a close eye on anyone. The seats on the track became a matter of each person relying on their own abilities to try and have good luck.

They don't know that the boss is your father. They finally find a fun activity on a field trip, who's going to put up with you?

In that brief moment of surprise, all ten cars on the track were sold, leaving Shulong, who had never experienced anything like this before except for a kindergarten toilet rush, completely embarrassed.

Until a hand grabbed Shulong's trouser leg from the side.

Looking down, I saw Chen Tingya.

The little girl, huddled inside the car, glanced around furtively before quickly unbuckling her seatbelt and letting Shulong sit down.

Aren't you going to play anymore?

"No, no, no, I just drove that far! And... that gas station!"

The girl who seemed a bit awkward was the group leader of Shulong's group. She was responsible for collecting homework every morning and distributing it in the afternoon. She was also one of Shulong's "rumored girlfriends" recently, according to Zhang Jinhua's gossip.

It all started when Shu Long didn't finish his homework the weekend he went to Sanshui for the monthly race in September. When it was time to hand in his homework on Monday, he had to beg Chen Tingya to give him a copy to copy. As a result, they just looked at each other and said a few words, and that's when things got messed up!
The two weren't actually that close. Shu Long himself just felt awkward, so instead of getting closer because of this incident, he actually kept his distance from the other person intentionally or unintentionally.

As for what the young girl thinks...
When Chen Tingya realized that Shu Long hadn't managed to get a car, she didn't know how to unbuckle her seatbelt, so she simply waited in the car for a while until he passed by before she mustered up the courage to say hello.

[Cough! I swear I didn't think that much back then. Now I feel a little regretful. If I hadn't been so clueless, my childhood might have been more exciting.]

[Just thinking about it, I'm just thinking! Don't go around spreading rumors!]

Considering that most of the children were new to racing, the immature dad guided ten cars to the starting grid and, without any fancy tricks, let the children compete in a static start.

Yu Zi initially didn't want to follow instructions, and as soon as the car got on the track, she was ready to go all out and charge.

As a result, Shu Xiong, who was quick-witted and agile, grabbed the back of the car and lifted it up. The driving rear wheel struggled helplessly in mid-air and was dragged back.

This astonishing move immediately stunned everyone, including Lao Wu. Coupled with Shu Xiong's extremely intimidating appearance whenever he put on a stern face, the noisy elementary school students on the track suddenly became surprisingly well-behaved.

Even through a pair of sunglasses, probably no one could tell that this man, who was as cold as a Terminator, was now experiencing a great deal of vanity satisfaction, a feeling he had never felt with his own son most of the time.

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(End of this chapter)