As soon as the application was submitted to the Hua-Long Team server, Jun-Yu, Team Leader Tian-Xiang, Team Director Hao-Yarn, and Team Coach Ji-Ang joined a video conference.
Tian-Xiang: "Director, we've gathered for this late-night video conference to discuss some important matters regarding tomorrow's CRRC competition."
Hao-Yarn: "Manager, the race is tomorrow, and we already have a replacement rider. So what is the purpose of this conference at this moment? Also, weren't we planning to ban Shu-Yang from the team? Is Shu-Yang participating in this conference?"
★★ Phone Conversation ★★
Just as the director finished speaking, Hua-Long Team's coach suddenly left the conference. Ji-Ang exited because he received a call from the team's chief mechanic, Ze-Lin.
Ji-Ang: "Is something wrong, Ze-Lin? Did the manager tell you anything?"
Ze-Lin: "Yeah, bro. Not just a problem—a huge problem. Does the manager already know about it?"
Ji-Ang: "What are you talking about? I don't understand. The manager is holding this video conference because Shu-Yang was shot. I was attending the meeting until I got your call and stepped out. Don't tell me you don't know about it?"
Hearing Ji-Ang's words, Ze-Lin was stunned.
Ze-Lin: "What?! Shu-Yang was shot? Then what will happen to our team now?"
Ji-Ang: "Why are you so shocked? Shu-Yang isn't just a professional racer—he's also an officer in the Special Crime Branch. It's not surprising that one of his enemies might target him. Besides, the team is planning to remove him, and we already have a replacement rider. So what could possibly happen to the team? Even if we don't win the championship tomorrow, the fact that our team has qualified for the national competition is already an achievement."
Ze-Lin: "Bro, it's not as simple as you think. Ming-Yu is going to race tomorrow as the main rider for another team."
Ji-Ang looked as if he had been struck by lightning when he heard Je-Lin's words. Shocked, he replied—
Ji-Ang: "What?! Ming-Yu was supposed to participate in tomorrow's competition as our team's replacement rider. How can he suddenly race as the main rider for another team?"
Je-Lin: "I don't know, bro. To be honest, I've been suspicious of Ming-Yu's behavior from the very beginning. It's possible that one of our rival teams planned this to sabotage us."
Ji-Ang: "Alright, join the conference and see what's happening there. I'll inform the director and the manager about this afterward."
★★ Back to the Conference ★★
As soon as Ji-Ang rejoined the conference, Je-Lin also joined. At that moment, Tian-Xiang was speaking—
Tian-Xiang: "Yes, Director, but I think we should give Shu-Yang another chance. It's not like he deliberately stood in front of a shooter's gun. Besides, Jun-Yu's racing skills are far better than Ming-Yu's. Hao-Yarn, do you honestly believe Ming-Yu can bring a championship trophy to our team?"
Hao-Yarn: "Manager, your point makes sense. But have you ever heard of Jun-Yu being a racer before? Have you ever seen the name Jun-Yu on any racing roster? More importantly, has Shu-Yang ever mentioned that Jun-Yu is his replacement rider? Shu-Yang entered the racing world through our team. His official replacement rider is Jun-Jie. So how can you trust this boy? What makes you believe Jun-Yu can win a championship for our team?"
Seeing that the discussion had shifted toward selecting Jun-Yu as the replacement rider, Ji-Ang and Je-Lin remained silent for a while, still hiding the fact that Ming-Yu would not be racing for Hua-Long Team tomorrow.
Shu-Yang: "Director, Jun-Jie is missing. The last time I went to the circuit, I wanted to practice with him, but when I looked for him, I found out he had disappeared. And I promise you, Jun-Yu will protect our team's reputation tomorrow. Please trust me. I have faith in my friend."
Ji-Ang: "Sir, at this point, we have no choice but to choose Jun-Yu. Ming-Yu has betrayed us."
Hao-Yarn: "What do you mean? What exactly did Ming-Yu do?"
Je-Lin: "The strategist called me a little while ago. He's the one who selected Ming-Yu as Shu-Yang's replacement rider."
Tian-Xiang: "Hao-Yarn, tomorrow is the National Championship. Please, all of you, do something. I absolutely don't want our team to receive a red mark. We don't have enough time to find another racer, so I ask everyone to approve Jun-Yu for tomorrow."
Hao-Yarn: "But how is that possible, Tian-Xiang? Does Jun-Yu even have a racing license? How can someone who has never participated in an official race obtain one?"
At the director's words, a dark shadow crossed Shu-Yang's face. Looking at both Shu-Yang and the team, Jun-Yu also felt his spirits sink.
Jun-Yu: "An emergency replacement rider can obtain a temporary competition license if the team submits a medical report to the authorities."
Je-Lin: "When taking a high-speed corner, how do you maintain the balance between throttle and braking?"
Jun-Yu: "Entering a corner with speed is a mistake. You enter with control. If you do that, the speed will naturally come when you exit."
Ji-Ang: "Road racing tracks aren't always perfect. If grip suddenly drops or the bike starts to slide, what would you do?"
Jun-Yu: "I wouldn't panic. First, I'd stabilize the bike, then adjust my speed accordingly. Panic guarantees an accident."
Je-Lin: "You've never competed in a professional road race before. CRRC isn't a practice ride."
Hao-Yarn: "A license alone doesn't make someone a professional racer. And you don't even have one."
As soon as Je-Lin and Ji-Ang asked their questions, the sharp-minded Jun-Yu immediately realized that the entire team was interviewing him. However, some of their tough questions left him silent for a few moments. Unable to find an immediate answer, he finally said—
Jun-Yu: "To be honest, a license alone doesn't make someone a racer. Control, observation, and decision-making—those are the three things that help a rider survive."
Tian-Xiang: "You've never participated in an official professional motorcycle road race before. Why should we approve you as an emergency replacement rider?"
Jun-Yu: "Racing is my dream. Motorcycles are my heart, and gears are my oxygen. Speed flows through every vein in my body. I can provide a physical fitness report. Most importantly, I'll step onto the track carrying responsibility—for my team and my friend's career—not just emotion."
Hao-Yarn: "This isn't a testing ground. One mistake here means a direct accident."
For a brief moment, Jun-Yu became nervous. After all, he had never competed in an official race before, let alone a CRRC event. The mention of accidents seemed to pull him into an illusion. He imagined his bike losing speed while attempting an overtake. After a few silent moments, he shook his head, cleared his thoughts, and replied—
Jun-Yu: "I'm not entering this race to make mistakes. I won't lose my speed."
Je-Lin: "And what if you lose control?"
Jun-Yu: "Then only I will suffer the consequences. But I'm not someone who loses control. Trust me just once."
Hao-Yarn: "One final question. You have no professional racing background and very little reason to be confident. So what's your real reason for entering this race?"
Jun-Yu: "Because if this race is canceled, all of Shu-Yang's lifelong efforts will be wasted. And as long as I'm alive, I won't let my friend's hard work go to waste."
Tian-Xiang: "Hao-Yarn, that's enough. Stop questioning him. I trust Jun-Yu."
Hao-Yarn: "Very well. Jun-Yu, whoever you may be, even though you've never raced in an official national league before, Hua-Long Team will obtain emergency authorization and a racing license for you so that you can compete in the CRRC as Shu-Yang's replacement rider tomorrow. However, there's one condition."
Jun-Yu: "What condition?"
Hao-Yarn: "If you lose, Shu-Yang must leave the team. But if you bring home the championship trophy, you'll receive an International Federation racing license."
Once again, silence filled the room. Jun-Yu's mind stopped working. Saying it was easy, but accomplishing it was another matter entirely. If he lost, Shu-Yang's career would be at stake.
Looking at Jun-Yu's pale face, Shu-Yang said—
Shu-Yang: "Mental strength is the key to success. Even if you lose, I won't blame you. My heart won't tremble for a second if I have to quit racing. I'm leaving the track in your hands."
As soon as Shu-Yang's words reached his ears, Jun-Yu absentmindedly nodded and said—
Jun-Yu: "I won't just race...
I'll finish the race.
I accept."
★★★
After more than an hour of discussion, the conference finally came to an end, and Hua-Long Team officially approved Jun-Yu to participate in the race. As soon as the conference ended, Jun-Yu hurried back to the fourth floor.
Shi-Han had just woken up. The moment she opened her eyes, she noticed that Jun-Yu was no longer on the sofa and that a blanket had been draped over her. She stretched and was about to go look for him when Jun-Yu suddenly rushed into the room in a panic.
Jun-Yu: "Miss Ghost Lady! Miss Ghost Lady, help me!"
Startled by his behavior, Shi-Han looked at him in surprise.
Shi-Han: "What? You're calling me Ghost Lady again? What's wrong, Mr. Zombie?"
Jun-Yu: "There you are, Miss Ghost Lady! Come downstairs with me right now. Stay by my side for a while. That Shu-Yang has gotten me into big trouble!"
Unable to understand what he was talking about, Shi-Han simply stared at him blankly. While speaking, Jun-Yu grabbed her hand and dragged her toward the elevator.
Jun-Yu: "Ugh! This elevator is slower than a turtle. One of these days, I'll install a motorcycle engine in it."
Even inside the elevator, Jun-Yu was restless and fidgeting nonstop. Shi-Han could never fully understand him. Sometimes he acted so mature, and other times he behaved like a child.
Seeing how agitated he was, Shi-Han asked in a serious tone—
Shi-Han: "Mr. Zombie, where are we going at this hour? And why are you acting like you've been bitten by a rabid dog?"
Jun-Yu stared at her as though she had grown horns.
Not understanding his reaction, Shi-Han continued—
Shi-Han: "Oh, sorry. You're a zombie. If a rabid dog bit you, then the dog would probably become a zombie too."
Already overwhelmed, Jun-Yu became even more frantic at her ridiculous joke.
Jun-Yu: "Aaaah! Miss Ghost Lady, do you think my friend Shu-Yang is some rabid dog? Forget it—we're here. Come with me!"
As soon as the elevator reached the ground floor, Jun-Yu grabbed her hand again and rushed toward the apartment garage.
While opening the garage door, Shi-Han asked—
Shi-Han: "What happened? Did your brother's condition get worse? Are you going somewhere this late at night?"
Jun-Yu: "Tomorrow is the National CRRC Road Racing Championship. But I haven't practiced at all. I need to go to the circuit right now. Will you come with me? Oh, sorry, I forgot to ask. Never mind—you can go back. I'll head to the circuit alone."
He rattled off the words so quickly that Shi-Han barely had time to process them before he stepped into the garage.
Before he could go any further, Shi-Han stopped him and peeked inside.
There were nearly twenty motorcycles parked there.
Most of them were painted in green-themed designs.
Shi-Han: "Wow... so many bikes! Are they all yours, Jun-Yu?"
Jun-Yu: "Yeah. Ten racing bikes and ten regular ones. Though honestly, all of them are expensive. The engines of the regular ones are just a little weaker. Anyway, I'm leaving. Take care."
With that, he climbed onto a motorcycle painted in a mix of green and black.
Shi-Han: "Wait. Relax, Jun-Yu. Relax. Being this anxious won't help. I'm here with you. Racing isn't only about practice; physical fitness matters too. If you stay up all night practicing, you'll end up falling asleep on the bike tomorrow. Let's go back to the apartment and rest. If you fail the physical evaluation, you won't even be allowed to race."
Jun-Yu was about to start the engine, but her words made him pause.
Jun-Yu: "You're right... but I just can't calm down. I'm so nervous. You know, Ghost Lady, Shu-Yang's entire career is on the line. I won't be able to sleep anyway. Please come to the circuit with me."
Listening carefully, Shi-Han finally understood why he was so anxious.
Jun-Yu: "Come on, Ghost Lady. What's there to think about? Let's go."
When Shi-Han remained silent, Jun-Yu jumped off the bike, put a helmet on her head, and sat her on the motorcycle.
Shi-Han: "Hey, hey, wait! Jun-Yu, what are you doing?"
Before she could finish speaking, Jun-Yu accelerated.
Shi-Han had never ridden a motorcycle before.
And now, on her very first ride, she found herself behind Jun-Yu—a racer who rode like a runaway bull charged with twelve thousand megawatts of electricity.
The speed made her extremely uncomfortable.
Her hair fluttered wildly outside the helmet. She wasn't holding onto anything and struggled to maintain her balance.
Realizing she might fall off, she reluctantly placed her hands on Jun-Yu's shoulders.
But every time they took a turn, she felt herself losing stability.
Shi-Han: "Aaah! Slower, Jun-Yu, slower! Be careful! I'm really uncomfortable! Stop, please stop! I can't take it anymore! Jun-Yuuuu!"
Holding the handlebars with one hand, Jun-Yu reached back with the other, moved her hands from his shoulders, and wrapped them around his waist.
Jun-Yu: "You can't handle even a little speed, Miss Ghost Lady? If I went any faster, nobody would be able to find you afterward. Just imagine how racers ride through a track packed with motorcycles moving at incredible speeds."
Noticing her discomfort, Jun-Yu gradually slowed down.
The moment the bike slowed, Shi-Han released his waist and moved her hands back to his shoulders.
As soon as she did, Jun-Yu deliberately accelerated again.
The sudden burst of speed threw her forward, and she practically fell against his back.
With no other choice, Shi-Han wrapped her arms tightly around him.
A few moments later, Jun-Yu reduced the speed again.
For some reason, Shi-Han found his childish behavior tonight strangely charming.
A gentle smile appeared on her rosy lips beneath the helmet.
Leaning against his back, she thought to herself—
"Jun-Yu, if you and I were boyfriend and girlfriend, tonight would probably be the most exciting night of our relationship."
As soon as that thought crossed her mind, Jun-Yu stopped the bike.
At last, Shi-Han's breathing returned to normal.
Jun-Yu: "Get off, Ghost Lady. We've arrived at the circuit. Now you'll see what real speed looks like."
Shi-Han quickly climbed off the bike and coughed lightly.
The moment she stepped away, Jun-Yu began riding.
However, after practicing for a while, he lost his rhythm and confidence.
He got off the motorcycle and sat beside the garage looking frustrated.
Jun-Yu: "Damn it. I don't feel confident at all. Why did I agree to this?"
Shi-Han slowly walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder.
Shi-Han: "Calm down, Jun-Yu. Keep your mind steady. If you panic, you'll lose your confidence. I'm here with you."
Jun-Yu gently clasped the hand resting on his shoulder and asked—
Jun-Yu: "Are you serious? Do you really think I can do it?"
Shi-Han nodded.
Shi-Han: "Yes. Just sit on your bike and imagine holding the National CRRC Road Racing Championship trophy in your hands. Imagine that you didn't win it by luck—you earned it through your own speed, skill, and determination. Right now, engrave that image into your mind and ride with that vision."