Speed ​​God

Chapter 20 A Piece of Uncut Gem

Alessi was angry, or perhaps panicked.

Beneath the irritability and anger lurked a hint of fear and timidity.

He has been at the Ferrari academy for two years, but still hasn't made a name for himself. He has never even stood on the podium in any F3 race.

To be precise, let alone the podium, even accumulating points is incredibly difficult.

"So even a tiger father can have a dog son."

"To be honest, Jean Alesi isn't exactly a top-tier driver, but he has won an F1 race, so he has guts and courage. But this kid doesn't look very promising. I bet Jean Alesi is worried about him."

"I guess he just doesn't have the talent. You can't force talent."

Those rumors and sarcastic remarks could not silence the public's opinions, and Alessi was constantly in a high-pressure environment.

What if... he can't even get into F1?
So when Alessi heard that an unknown nobody who seemed to have sprung up out of nowhere had been exceptionally admitted to the youth training academy, he couldn't help but feel afraid.

Scared?
Realizing his cowardice, Alessi became even more enraged, and all the emotions that had been building up inside him surged forth as he charged at the Asian boy.

That round, somewhat naive face held no murderous intent, only a fierce rage; it was nothing but a paper tiger, bluffing and shouting.

Soon, Alessi realized that the young man in front of him did not respond. He remained calm, composed, and unperturbed, as if he had not noticed Alessi's presence at all.

That sense of humiliation swept over me again. So, is this what they call the arrogance of a genius?
"Are you deaf? Even if you can't hear, you should at least be able to see. I've never heard of a blind person being able to drive a race car."

"Ah, I know, you're mute, right? The answer is revealed, you're mute."

Alessi, his face flushed and spittle flying, launched into a barrage of sarcastic remarks, exhausting every useful English word in his mind.

So, what about Lu Zhizhou?
Throughout the entire time, Lu Zhizhou stood with his hands clasped across his chest, leaning against the wall, his face calm, his gaze clear as he looked towards the distant mountains.

The level of trash talk they use... honestly, it's incomparable to what you hear on the street. It has a strong "academic" feel to it. You can tell at a glance that they're hothouse flowers, spoiled brats who don't even know how to swear.

Lu Zhizhou felt no impact whatsoever; he didn't want to pay any attention to it. His mind was filled with food, and he was starving. He had now degenerated to the point of being willing to compromise for pizza.

The flies in front of him were disrupting his mental imagery of hometown delicacies. As he watched the pig's trotters and roast chicken fly away, he finally moved, raised his left hand to pick at his ear, and muttered to himself, "The air in the countryside is indeed fresh. Even the barking of dogs is exceptionally clear, full of vitality."

Alessi was taken aback, staring intently at Lu Zhizhou. "Who are you talking to!"

Lu Zhizhou raised an eyebrow slightly. "Hmm, that's interesting. These days, dogs can actually understand human speech and even respond. They're quite well-behaved."

Alessi: ...

He had a breath stuck in his throat, his cheeks were flushed red, and he looked like he was about to explode on the spot.

Fortunately, Monfatini's appearance averted a disaster; otherwise, it might have taken the cleaners some time to clean up the brains scattered all over the floor.

"Giuliano, what are you doing here?" Montfaldini's voice remained calm and composed, though it was a statement, it carried an air of authority without anger.

Alessi was stunned. Looking at Montfaldini, he was like a plucked rooster, completely lacking his previous imposing manner. All the words stuck in his throat.

Montfatini, however, gave him no chance. "The morning test is about to begin. Why are you still here?"

Alessi ultimately did not refute, but glared fiercely at Lu Zhizhou before turning and striding away, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked.

After taking a few steps, he finally couldn't hold it in any longer and let out a loud howl, "Ahhh!"

Montfatini glanced at Alessi. He was a seventeen-year-old young man, full of youthful vigor and impulsiveness. When hormones got the better of him, he couldn't see things clearly.

But without comparison, there's no harm done. Look at Alessi, then look at Lu Zhizhou, who's two months younger than him—the difference is obvious. Almost imperceptibly, Montaffartini let out a soft sigh, turning to look at Lu Zhizhou again. "Let's go, let's go to Mr. Marchionne's office."

Patting Lu Zhizhou on the shoulder, Montfati led the way, and in the blink of an eye, they arrived at the office door.

Lu Zhizhou was slightly surprised. He had thought that the CEO's office would be on the top floor of the building, or a space the size of a basketball court. However, what he saw in front of him was just an ordinary office on an ordinary floor, with a sign that read "CEO" hanging on the door. That was all.

knock --

"Please come in!"

Montfati pushed open the door and immediately saw Marchionne standing by the window, and Todt sitting on the sofa with his legs crossed.

Marchionne stubbed out his cigarette and looked at Montfaldini. "How did the test go?"

Monfati handed over the test report.

It was a thick stack of reports, and the content was not simple; it couldn't be read in just three to five minutes.

Physical tests include cardiorespiratory endurance, neck and core strength, reaction speed, anti-G simulation, body fat assessment, etc.; psychological tests are even more complicated, including cognitive ability, stress resistance, psychological resilience, neurofeedback, etc., to comprehensively assess a driver's ability and potential.

The results were a pleasant surprise. Although Lu Zhizhou had shortcomings in endurance and muscle mass, his other data were truly impressive.

Like a piece of uncut jade, it doesn't even need deliberate carving; everything is perfectly natural.

Marchionne didn't intend to read the report in detail; instead, he looked at Montafftini and asked with his eyes.

Montalcini nodded slightly without making a sound, his eyes brimming with excitement and elation, which he suppressed but could not hide.

Marchionne understood, and subconsciously glanced at Todt, seeing the eager gleam in Todt's eyes. This solidified Marchionne's decision—

It all started with an accident, but behind the accident lay an inevitability. The fact that it could move Todd and inspire him to take an adventure made it worth the risk.

After all, Todd's judgment and intuition have always been excellent, and he rarely makes mistakes.

In a flash, Marchionne displayed the decisiveness of a leader, "The Continent...right?"

His pronunciation was still not quite accurate, and his enunciation was slightly unclear, but Marchionne was trying. "How old are you this year?"

Lu Zhizhou tilted his head, unsure of Marchionne's intentions. "As far as I know, Formula One racing doesn't require a regular driver's license, right?"

Marchionne was taken aback, then burst into laughter. "Haha, don't worry, most of the trainees at the youth academy are minors. Our recruitment target is the next generation of promising talents." Marchionne flipped open the test report in front of him.

The first page already lists the basic information: November 11, 1999.

In other words, Lu Zhizhou just celebrated his seventeenth birthday last week, and then secretly came to Rome to race cars. He is indeed highly skilled and daring.

This, on the contrary, made Marchionne's eyes reveal a hint of appreciation; he liked Lu Zhizhou's courage.

"So, Zhizhou, I'm formally inviting you to join the Ferrari Youth Academy and become one of us. What do you think?"

Montfati looked at Marchionne. Although he had mentally prepared himself and had anticipated it, he was still shocked when he actually confirmed it. Besides that, there was also a hint of... joy?
Todd, however, looked at Lu Zhizhou with unhurried speed.

really--

"Sorry, no. I have final exams, and I have to go home tomorrow."

　The racing novice earnestly requests your support. During the new book period, even if you're not actively reading, please be sure to check out the latest chapter. There will be a big release later, and I'm prepared to work myself to the bone. Thank you all!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)