Chapter 34: Don’t Try to Act Tough, It’s Okay to Lose

Chapter 34: Chapter 34: Don’t Try to Act Tough, It’s Okay to Lose

The commotion in the hall attracted a lot of attention, but most people didn’t think much of Wu Shi’s chances.

He was a standout in the lower category, sure, but that didn’t guarantee he’d perform any better in the higher one.

"Sigh, you’re too impulsive," the mechanic sighed, walking over after just finishing with a kart and hearing what had happened.

"I’ll have to ask Uncle Li to help tune the car," Wu Shi said. ’I know I can win; it’s just that no one’s going to believe a nine-year-old.’

"Boss, go fuck him up!" Ling Kang shouted. Then, his eyes darted around, and he leaned in to whisper, "After the race, I’ll go and... ah... ’tune’ his car for him."

"There’s no need for that," Wu Shi said, quickly putting a stop to his friend’s wild idea.

"Boss, you really shouldn’t have agreed to his challenge. It was completely unnecessary."

Zeng Tianyi also shook his head, not optimistic about Wu Shi’s chances. He added, "My mom told me about a principle: the happier person yields. When faced with a harmless provocation or conflict, it’s better to keep a clear head and avoid an unnecessary fight."

"That makes sense," Wu Shi nodded, then said bluntly, "But I can’t stand the guy, and neither can Ye Zhaohui or Ye Ningning."

Zeng Tianyi’s mouth fell open slightly before he facepalmed. ’So it makes sense, but you’re just not going to listen, is that it?’

"Bro! Look! Aren’t you going to thank the boss?" Ye Ningning chirped.

"...He challenged him on his own. If you want to thank someone, you go do it," Ye Zhaohui mumbled.

Seeing his reaction, Ye Ningning puffed out her cheeks and pinched his waist.

’Sigh, dude, you’re so difficult. Don’t you know the whole tsundere act has fallen out of the meta?’

’Wait, no, this is 2007. Rie Kugimiya is huge right now.’

’Oh, in that case, tsundere is in its prime!’

The next day, after the all-drivers meeting, the timed practice session and qualifying heats were held as scheduled.

The Shanghai Kartdrome was far more complex than the previous tracks he’d raced on. It had eighteen turns, including a corner combination composed of five separate corners, which was a true test of a driver’s attention to detail and control.

Wu Shi took a few casual laps and easily secured pole position.

By now, his familiarity with his kart had reached the point where they were one. Combined with yesterday’s untimed practice, he had a solid grasp of the track. Winning this race wouldn’t be hard.

"Chen Lin, that kid really is fast. You definitely weren’t as good as him when you were in the lower category."

The higher-category drivers were watching from the second-floor viewing lounge.

"Bullshit!" Chen Lin snorted arrogantly. "He’ll learn his lesson once he gets into a higher-category kart."

"That’s true." His companion shook his head. "The gap between the two categories is huge."

The others listened without chiming in. At the end of the day, so what if an older kid won against a much younger one?

No one thought Chen Lin would lose; they just felt his actions were inappropriate.

"Alright, their run is over. We can go get ready," someone said.

...

In the track’s pit area, Wu Shi took the towel Louise handed him and wiped away his sweat. The weather was still too hot, and the humidity was suffocating.

"Ye Zhaohui! What’s all the racket! Just you watch, I’ll wreck you tomorrow!" Ling Kang’s roar could be heard from a mile away.

"You’re the noob! I could give you a ten-second head start and still beat you!" Ye Zhaohui shot back immediately.

Zeng Tianyi walked over with a look of disdain. "Those two... honestly. Sigh, I don’t even know what to say."

"It’s great, isn’t it? What’s more fun than friends messing with each other?" Wu Shi said with a smile.

"I’ll aim for third place tomorrow, I guess," Zeng Tianyi said.

"Where do you think you’re losing time to them?" Wu Shi asked.

"Hmm, turns six, seven, and eight," Zeng Tianyi said. "The constant back-and-forth feels like a real struggle."

"Let me see." Wu Shi looked at the track map on the wall, trying to figure out how to explain a line that would suit Zeng Tianyi’s driving style.

"Aha! Zeng Tianyi! Getting private lessons from the boss again!" Ling Kang’s booming voice was relentless.

"..." Ye Zhaohui fell silent, but he stared intently at the map on the wall. He wanted to hear Wu Shi’s explanation too.

After the last few races, he knew he was no match for the young prodigy, even if he’d never admit it out loud.

Wu Shi glanced back. Thanks to Ling Kang’s shout, quite a few drivers from their category had wandered over, along with some of the coaches.

"..."

He shot Ling Kang a glare.

Ling Kang scratched his head, smiling sheepishly.

"This track is pretty difficult because it has a lot of consecutive left and right turns..."

"But no matter what I say, this is just my perspective. Everyone drives differently and has a different feel for their vehicle. You can’t just blindly copy my advice. You have to feel it out and analyze it for yourself..."

In the end, Wu Shi went ahead with his explanation, but he kept it general instead of tailoring it specifically to Zeng Tianyi’s driving style.

On the edge of the crowd, many coaches nodded frequently, amazed at the young prodigy’s understanding of the track.

"Is this really his first time on this track, for this competition?"

"I doubt it."

"You’d better believe it. He’s not even nine yet. He’d never raced karts before this year; he only just started."

"How do you know he’d never raced before?"

"Of course I know. He’s from Peng City, and I’m well-connected in the local racing scene there. I even know the owner of the Speed Kartdrome. Everyone says he only started competing this year."

"Damn... in that case, is this kid really a genius?"

"The real deal. A total genius."

Just as Wu Shi finished speaking, Chen Lin happened to be driving into the pit area. When he saw the scene, a muscle in his cheek twitched. He punched a wall in frustration, causing a few people to turn and look at him.

That evening, Wu Shi and Louise returned to their hotel.

"Wu Shi, are you sure it’s okay to just explain your techniques to them like that?"

Louise was worried. She had asked before, but she couldn’t help asking again now. Wasn’t he concerned that his rivals would learn all his secrets?

"It’s fine. They’re just direct-drive karts; there are only so many techniques anyway. Besides," Wu Shi said, unconcerned, "aren’t I going to Europe next year?"

"You’re very generous," Louise remarked.

"By the way, Louise," Wu Shi said, looking at the girl.

"Hm?" Louise tilted her head, looking at him in confusion.

"Try saying ’urusai’ for me," Wu Shi said, thinking of the anime *Zero’s Familiar* that had come out the previous year.

"What does that mean?" Louise didn’t understand, but she didn’t refuse either. She haltingly said, "U...rusai."

"Perfect!"

"Perfect what?!" Louise’s big eyes were wide with confusion.

"I’ll tell you after the race," Wu Shi said with a grin.

The next day, the semi-finals and finals proceeded on schedule.

Starting from pole position, Wu Shi’s victory was a foregone conclusion.

The race went off without a hitch, and he finished smoothly.

After his race, he went to the second-floor viewing lounge and watched Chen Lin’s entire race. The guy might have been a real piece of work, but his skills were undeniably decent. He took first place in his category.

"See? I told you you shouldn’t have been so impulsive!" Zeng Tianyi couldn’t help but say after watching.

"Don’t build him up at our expense," Ye Ningning said, displeased.

"Anyone with eyes can see he can’t win," Ye Zhaohui muttered.

"You too! The boss is doing this to stand up for us, and you’re making snide remarks!" Ye Ningning’s hand was faster than her words.

"AHHHH!! Murder! She’s murdering me!" Ye Zhaohui squealed like a pig.

After his squealing subsided, Ye Zhaohui walked over to Wu Shi, rubbing his waist, and whispered:

"Wu Shi, be careful. That Chen Lin guy doesn’t play clean. But don’t worry, we know his grandpa really well. If he tries anything funny, we’ll definitely go to Shangjing and report him."

"And also, don’t try to force it. It’s okay if you lose."