Chapter 85 A Fierce Rush

Ji Wanqing stared at the last message from the finish line, her fingertip hovering above the screen, momentarily lost in thought.

How about trying... racing?

This question carries a sudden yet intense allure.

She had just experienced an unwarranted online storm. Although she was supported by everyone, those malicious words, like a sticky spider web, still lingered in her mind and wouldn't go away.

A restless urge, a desire to break free, is stirring within me.

Her hesitation lasted only a short time; her suppressed emotions found an answer for her.

Ji Wanqing took a deep breath and tapped her fingertips lightly.

Ji Wanqing: [Now?]

Finish line: [Okay, shall I come pick you up now?]

Finish line. [Rest assured, it's a proper racecourse; safety is our top priority.]

His reply was swift, as if he had anticipated her answer and had even planned out the follow-up arrangements, thoughtfully adding a safety guarantee to dispel any last lingering concerns she might have.

Ji Wanqing: [Okay.]

She sent the address; she really needed a little excitement to wash away the bad luck of the night.

Finish line: OK.

Ji Wanqing put down her phone, changed into a set of casual clothes, and tied her hair into a high ponytail, looking neat and youthful.

She quietly opened the door and found that her mother's door was already closed.

She breathed a sigh of relief, quietly closed the door, got off the elevator, and slowly walked towards the entrance of the residential area.

The finish line didn't keep her waiting long. She had only been at the entrance of the residential area for a short while when she saw a low-key yet luxurious sports car approaching from a distance.

The black car body almost blended into the night, making it difficult to spot. Only the sound of the engine reminded her that the car was getting closer.

This wasn't the first time Ji Wanqing had seen the finish line, but she was still a little nervous, especially after experiencing such a terrible thing tonight; her feelings were mixed.

Xie Chi parked the car steadily in front of her, then got out, walked around to open the passenger door, turned to her with a smile, and said, "Princess, please get in the car."

Hearing his charming and teasing words, Ji Wanqing curled the corners of her mouth, her smile even more shy than the outgoing and unrestrained one she saw in the live broadcast.

Ji Wanqing silently got into the car, and just as she was about to fasten her seatbelt, she realized that the seatbelt in this car was different from that in ordinary cars.

Xie Chi chuckled and bent down to help her. "This is a properly modified five-point safety harness."

The sports car has a low chassis, and Xie Chi is very tall, which means he has to bend his waist even lower.

In the cramped space, the two were very close. Ji Wanqing could almost feel his breathing and her own heart pounding wildly. She tried her best to lean closer to the seat, but it was all in vain.

Her gaze wandered around, finally settling on Xie Chi's long, slender hands.

Xie Chi seemed oblivious to her nervousness, his gaze casually sweeping across her face as he offered a slight smile.

"It will be tied quite tightly, not particularly comfortable but very safe. When you get up to speed, it will give you a sense of security."

“…Okay,” Ji Wanqing replied softly.

The seatbelt was finally fastened, and Xie Chi's upper body was removed from the passenger seat. Ji Wanqing secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Xie Chi closed the car door and got in from the other side, then handed her a helmet.

Ji Wanqing was surprised that he was so professional. She took the helmet in a daze and then laughed, "You're just as professional as a race car driver."

Xie Chi raised an eyebrow and chuckled, "It's not just that it looks like me, it is me."

Ji Wanqing's eyes widened instantly; this was the second shock the finish line had given her that night.

"Do you want me to help you put it on?" The car was dimly lit, and Xie Chi stared straight at her.

Ji Wanqing quickly turned back, "No need... I'll try."

She put the helmet on her head, and it fit perfectly, looking as if it had been bought to her exact size, and it was even pink.

Ji Wanqing's heart pounded. Could this guy have a girlfriend?

Xie Chi seemed to know what she was thinking, and leaned close to her, whispering in her ear, "This was prepared especially for you."

These words were too blunt, even implying that they had been premeditated. Ji Wanqing didn't know how to respond, so she pretended not to hear them.

Xie Chi saw that she was sitting upright, staring straight ahead, and his smile deepened.

He put on his helmet and headed towards his destination.

Xie Chi drove extremely smoothly and obeyed all traffic rules until he entered a closed section of road, when Ji Wanqing suddenly heard Xie Chi's voice.

"Are you ready? We're about to enter flight mode."

She turned her head in surprise, but Xie Chi was still staring straight ahead, his soft laughter seeming to come right next to her ear.

"The helmet has built-in communication, so you can speak and I can hear you."

"Ah... okay." Ji Wanqing answered, still a little confused.

He didn't say a word the whole way, and Ji Wanqing thought they were going to speed in silence.

She gripped the seatbelt, looked at the road ahead, took a deep breath, and exclaimed, "I'm ready!"

Upon hearing her reply, Xie Chi pressed down hard on the accelerator, instantly increasing the car's speed. A powerful surge of acceleration pinned Ji Wanqing firmly to her seat.

Her heart suddenly started pounding like the sports car.

The scenery outside the window blurred as it rushed by, and the needles on the dashboard spun wildly.

Ji Wanqing gradually relaxed from her initial tension and fear, and later even began to enjoy the sense of release and freedom brought by this extreme speed.

She tried her best to suppress the urge to scream, but Xie Chi once again guessed what she was thinking.

"Shout if you want to."

Ji Wanqing could no longer hold back, and with the roar of the engine, she raised her voice.

"ah--"

The shout reached Xie Chi's ears clearly, trembling slightly, but mostly filled with the exhilaration of catharsis.

He didn't speak, but the corners of his mouth turned up a little more.

After driving for an unknown distance, the car gradually slowed down and finally stopped in a deserted area.

The engine shut off, and the world instantly fell into an eerie silence.

Ji Wanqing could only feel her own rapid breathing and the pounding of her still-unsettled heart inside the helmet.

Xie Chi took off his helmet first, with fine beads of sweat on his forehead, but his eyes were surprisingly bright. He turned to the side, looked at Ji Wanqing who was still breathing slightly, and reached out to help her unfasten the helmet buckle.

"How are things?" His voice was a few decibels lower than usual. "Have you gotten rid of some of the garbage in your heart?"

She nodded vigorously, her voice still slightly breathless with excitement.

"Yeah! It's spilled!" She couldn't help but laugh, a genuine, relaxed, and carefree laugh. "You're so...so amazing! I feel like I'm flying! And it seems like I really don't have time to think about those worries anymore!"

“On the track, you can only focus on what’s ahead.” Xie Chi leaned against the steering wheel and looked at her. “There’s no time to look back at a mistake or a turn. The accelerator and brake are under your feet, and the steering is in your own hands. That’s enough.”

His words were pointed, and Ji Wanqing understood.

Cyberbullying is like dust flying on a race track; staring at it will only make you lose your way. Only by focusing on your own route can you steadily reach the finish line you want to go to.

“I think… I understand a little better now why you like racing,” Ji Wanqing said softly. This pure sense of power and control does indeed have a captivating magic.

"If you like it, you can come again next time." Xie Chi smiled, took out a bottle of water, loosened the cap, and handed it over.

"Okay." Ji Wanqing took the water and drank a few mouthfuls. Her throat was indeed dry from shouting and being on edge the whole way.

Xie Chi chuckled softly after watching her finish her water, then started the car again. "Let's go, I'll take you home."

The vehicle smoothly drove away from the closed section of road and rejoined the city's traffic. There was no speeding on the way back, and neither of them was wearing a helmet.

As Ji Wanqing watched the dazzling lights rushing past the window, she felt a sense of ease and brightness she hadn't experienced in a long time.

The man beside me was focused on driving, his profile appearing exceptionally clear and strong in the flickering light.

A breeze slipped in through the slightly lowered car window, dispelling the last trace of boredom.

After saying goodbye to Xie Chi, Ji Wanqing took out her phone to check the time, only to be startled by the sight of several messages.

Kiyono: [Sorry, I just saw this.]

Kiyono: Are you alright?

Kiyono [Voice call not connected]

Kiyono [Voice call not connected]