Chapter 59: A Subtle Advantage

Three cars lined up side by side at the starting line.

Apart from He Tian’s Ferrari, Young Master Cheng’s driver was in an Audi R8, and Qi Chenggong’s driver sat behind the wheel of a BMW i8. He Tian was certain both the Audi and BMW had been modified. Yet, the racing cars here were still a far cry from professional machines like those found in F1. No matter how they were customized, the cars used in this race were all available on the market, "Tingchao Pavilion" updating the fleet as swiftly as possible, and all were ‘regular’ sports cars legally allowed on the road. The professional racing vehicles, on the other hand, could only thunder along purpose-built circuits. Perhaps this was the true difference between amateur and professional.

He Tian focused his mind. He was extremely confident in his driving skills, and equally so in his powerful control and awareness of his surroundings—he believed these abilities were unmatched. On a fixed track, He Tian was sure he could beat any driver. Even if a professional racer were equipped with these amateur vehicles, He Tian believed he could still triumph.

He Tian was ready. The other two drivers were equally prepared.

With a wave of the flag, the three sports cars screeched against the asphalt, shooting forward like arrows released from taut bows.

He Tian fell slightly behind the Audi and BMW at first. The Audi and BMW raced fiercely for the first corner—He Tian witnessed firsthand what it meant to race without rules. It was a true battle of metal, each trying to force the other off the track. Yet, despite nearly kissing each other’s bumpers, they managed to navigate the curve safely. However, the inevitable collision had slowed them down just a touch.

Seizing the moment, He Tian suddenly accelerated, overtaking from the outside lane. With the Audi and BMW too occupied with each other to pay him any mind, He Tian swiftly passed the corner and claimed the lead.

Hai Gongzi, Cheng Gongzi, Qi Gongzi, and their entourages watched intently on the giant screen. The racecourse was lined with countless cameras, and four automatic cameras tracked the action, so every detail was clearly visible.

When He Tian first lagged behind the Audi and BMW, Hai Gongzi felt a surge of worry. He Tian's skills were formidable, but whether he could adapt to the fiercely competitive racing environment was uncertain. Yet, when He Tian took advantage of the struggle between the Audi and BMW for the lead, snatching the position in a single instant at the first corner, Hai Gongzi understood his intent. He realized that before the first corner, it was impossible for He Tian to secure a leading distance; such aggressive maneuvering would inevitably result in contact, greatly increasing the risk of accidents or other mishaps. Thus, He Tian had chosen a different path and completed the overtaking maneuver.

“Hahaha! Excellent!” Hai Gongzi, overjoyed, shouted his approval aloud, expressing his delight, and looked smugly at Cheng Gongzi and Qi Gongzi.

“Ten laps! What’s the rush?” Cheng Gongzi maintained confidence in his driver. It was only the beginning; there was still plenty of time to reclaim the lead.

Qi Gongzi said nothing, simply staring intently at his BMW on the screen. Soon, a faint smile appeared on his face. After the tussle, though the Ferrari held first, his BMW had successfully forced the Audi behind, securing a nearly full car-length lead—a favorable position.

In this kind of race, blocking and preventing overtaking was a highly technical aspect. Qi Gongzi believed that anyone stuck behind his car would not easily manage to pass.

Cheng Gongzi’s expression darkened. Though it was only the start, being in last place was infuriating.

“It’s only temporary! Be patient, Cheng Gongzi!” Hai Gongzi laughed heartily, feigning comfort.

“Indeed, it’s only temporary! It means nothing!” Qi Gongzi seized the opportunity to jab at Cheng Gongzi, not about to let the chance slip after Cheng Gongzi had earlier ridiculed both himself and Hai Gongzi.

“The one who laughs last is the true winner,” Cheng Gongzi snorted.

“Hahaha!” Hai Gongzi and Qi Gongzi burst out laughing. Qi Gongzi quickly remembered he was still only in second place, and stopped, silently urging his BMW to overtake Hai Gongzi’s Ferrari.

He Tian held fast to first place, tightly linked with the BMW behind him. Slow-motion replays revealed He Tian led by only the slimmest of margins.

After three laps, He Tian maintained his position. The car trailing him had switched from the BMW to the Audi, but this changed nothing. He Tian kept his speed carefully controlled. Compared to Wang Xinrou’s former Porsche, the Ferrari now under He Tian’s command was a sheer delight—its speed and handling were on a whole different level.

He Tian felt a strong urge to throw caution to the wind and give his all. If he let loose, he could easily pull ahead by several car lengths. Yet, recalling his agreement with Hai Gongzi, he had to maintain this posture, making the Audi and BMW believe he’d snatched victory by exploiting an opening, that his true skill was comparable to theirs. That was He Tian’s aim.

In the lead, He Tian showcased this perfectly. His advantage allowed him to create thrilling, perilous moments. To outsiders, it seemed he was fighting desperately to defend his position, deploying every trick in the book. Even when the Audi or BMW rammed him from behind, He Tian appeared to be in danger, but ultimately he turned calamity into safety and stayed ahead.

The fifth lap unfolded much the same. In its latter half, the BMW surged up from behind, closing within half a car length, and then collided with He Tian, who responded with his own strikes. The two cars tangled, locked together for a full lap.

In the latter half of the sixth lap, He Tian finally shook off the BMW’s harassment. But just as he finished the sixth lap, the Audi seized the chance to overtake the BMW and nearly drew even with He Tian. The two cars collided anew as they sped forward together.

He Tian noticed the Audi’s driver was noticeably more experienced than the BMW’s. A moment’s carelessness let the Audi take the lead by half a car length. He Tian wrestled the steering wheel, repeatedly bumping the Audi while ensuring his own car stayed safe. Over a full lap, he gradually closed the gap.

By the final tenth lap, after a fierce struggle, He Tian reclaimed the lead, ahead by a third of a car length.

The BMW now caught up, making contact with the Audi. Yet He Tian hadn't broken free—he was still locked with the Audi, giving the BMW no chance to pass.

With Hai Gongzi, Cheng Gongzi, and Qi Gongzi watching nervously from outside, He Tian finally crossed the finish line with a slender advantage. The Audi and BMW crossed almost simultaneously, all three cars virtually entwined as one. But He Tian was still in the lead, making him the winner.

“Well done!” Hai Gongzi stood and applauded vigorously. Ten laps, and it had been thrilling and dangerous—he’d thoroughly enjoyed it. He had no idea whether He Tian had gone all out, but regardless, the outcome was a narrow, hard-fought victory, exactly as He Tian had promised.

Cheng Gongzi and Qi Gongzi looked displeased. One had last year’s veteran racer, filling Cheng Gongzi with confidence; the other had a newly recruited driver, making Qi Gongzi full of hope. Yet both had lost, leaving them bitter.

More galling was the way they’d lost—tangled up, barely bested, fueling intense resentment.

“Hahaha, Cheng Gongzi, Qi Gongzi, thank you for letting me win!” Hai Gongzi beamed.

“Such a minuscule margin, and you’re this pleased? Pathetic,” Cheng Gongzi said coldly.

“Hahaha, say what you like—I won!” Hai Gongzi laughed loudly, his arrogance plain.

Qi Gongzi snorted and walked out of the observation room.

“Hey, Qi Gongzi, don’t forget to transfer the money!” Hai Gongzi called after him.

Qi Gongzi paused, his face extremely sour, but he gave quiet instructions and strode away. Soon, his team and the BMW left.

“Next time, I’ll beat you!” Cheng Gongzi was deeply dissatisfied.

“Hahaha, Cheng Gongzi, if you want to bet another billion next time, count me out!” Hai Gongzi acted as though he’d already won.

“Hmph…” Cheng Gongzi snorted, unable to stomach Hai Gongzi’s smugness. But defeat was defeat—there was nothing more to say. He could only leave quickly with his people, sparing himself further irritation.

Hai Gongzi, unconcerned, kept laughing joyfully, thoroughly pleased.

“Young master, the two billion has arrived!” Wu Xiong came over and reported.

“Put it on a card!” Hai Gongzi, in high spirits, was ready to fulfill his promise to He Tian. But before doing so, he wanted to ask He Tian about his experience—whether he’d truly held back. If so, Hai Gongzi would be even more delighted, and feel greater confidence for the year-end race. That was the core point, what mattered most to him.

As for the two billion now in hand—compared to that, it was mere pocket change.