NOVPUB
Chapter 163: Chapter 155: I Understand Your Happiness Right Now
The roaring engines, the shouting of the on-site spectators, and the faint scent of rubber in the air, all made Chen Cheng’s first F1 trip very exciting.
Li Bo had also put a lot of thought into this race.
He had purchased 10 tickets for the platinum section of the main grandstand, as the best available seats in a public venue, not only offering soft seats and tea breaks, but also providing an excellent overall viewing experience.
Besides two sharp corners where the race could not be seen, the rest of the track was completely visible.
Men, they are always boys chasing the wind.
Everyone was very satisfied to be able to personally experience such a different event up close.
After the tire-warming lap finished, in starting order, the top formula racing cars, ready at their respective poles, were like arrows drawn back in a bow, poised to leap forward.
Chen Cheng glanced at Wen Shulin beside him.
She was wearing sunglasses, quietly sitting.
"Don’t like it?" asked Chen Cheng.
Wen Shulin’s lips curled into a smile, "Racing, well, men like it. Just like horse racing."
"That’s quite true," Chen Cheng said with a nod and a smile, "It must be a bit dull for you."
Wen Shulin took out a compact from her bag and patted her face, "It’s okay, I’ll just consider it sunbathing."
"Then why bother retouching your makeup?" Chen Cheng asked with a smile.
Wen Shulin took off her sunglasses and playfully glared at him.
"It’s starting, it’s starting!"
With the starting lights on, the cars surged forward like wild horses freed from their reins, igniting the enthusiasm of the entire crowd instantly.
The cheers of the audience grew wave upon wave; Chen Cheng stood up excitedly, his eyes glued to the track.
Wen Shulin also stood up, watching the fierce competition on the track.
Seeing this, Chen Cheng excitedly explained the race strategies and drivers’ techniques to her.
"Look, the current leader, Red Bull Racing Team, he took a great position right at the start, which is crucial. Plus, his choice of braking points is particularly precise; he maintains his speed while controlling his line very well every time he enters a corner."
Wen Shulin nodded as if she understood.
"The Mercedes Team behind is always looking for opportunities to overtake, which requires them to accurately judge the weaknesses of the car ahead and the conditions of the track."
"For instance, on this straight, if the car behind has higher tail speed, it might use the aerodynamic advantage to suddenly accelerate to overtake as they approach the corner."
"And when defending, the driver will constantly change his racing line to block the car behind from attacking."
Wen Shulin continued to humor Chen Cheng with a smile.
She timely asked, "So all these cars, other than their colors and logos, are they the same?"
"Each team’s technology is different."
Chen Cheng explained: "And their tuning directions differ too."
"Depending on different characteristics of the racetracks, adjustments are needed for suspension settings, tire pressure, and downforce, all of which directly affect the car’s performance and handling."
He pointed to the speeding McLaren Team and said:
"You see, the temperature of the track now has a significant impact on tire wear and grip; the team will provide strategies for pit stops to change tires based on real-time data."
Chen Cheng smiled, turning to look at Wen Shulin, only to find that she wasn’t paying attention to what he was saying at all, just smiling purely.
"What are you laughing at?" 𝒏𝙤𝙫𝒑𝙪𝙗.𝙘𝒐𝙢
Wen Shulin chuckled lightly, covering her mouth, "It’s rare to see you so serious and excited."
"You, you just don’t understand the charm of racing."
Wen Shulin softly spoke, "But I understand the happiness you feel at this moment!"
At that moment, Chen Cheng realized that Wen Shulin’s happiness was simply being there with him.
He also smiled helplessly.
"What are you laughing at?" Wen Shulin asked back.
Chen Cheng responded, "I’m laughing because having you by my side makes this wonderful moment even more precious."
Wen Shulin’s cheeks turned slightly red, "I may not understand cars, but I understand one thing."
"What’s that?"
"Sometimes life is like this racetrack, with twists and turns, sprints, but as long as you have someone who understands you, no matter how tough it is, you can endure."
Chen Cheng, moved, his eyes filled with tenderness, said, "Thank you."
Though no words were spoken, Wen Shulin’s smile grew even brighter.
She also responded, "You’re welcome."
By then, the competition on the track had grown even more intense, with drivers constantly setting new fastest laps.
Chen Cheng’s gaze followed the changing rankings, sometimes excitedly clenching his fists, sometimes anxiously holding his breath.
Watching Chen Cheng so engrossed, Wen Shulin found it amusing.
"You, you’re even more nervous than the drivers," she teased.
Chen Cheng kept his eyes fixed on the track, saying, "This is a critical moment; who could have predicted who would ultimately win the championship."
Just then, the VISA Team’s F1 made a mistake in the curve and slid off the track, provoking a wave of gasps.
Chen Cheng’s heart clenched along with it.
"Ah, what a pity," he couldn’t help but sigh.
"The race is like that, filled with uncertainties," said Wen Shulin calmly.
As the race neared its end, the competition for the top three spots reached a fever pitch.
Chen Cheng’s heartbeat seemed to speed up along with the engines.
Finally, the moment they crossed the finish line arrived, and the champion was decided.
Although it wasn’t the Ferrari Team, which Chen Cheng favored, Aston Martin, was also quite satisfactory.
"This race is really quite interesting."
Shulin raised an eyebrow, "Is this enough for you?"
"Definitely!" Chen Cheng answered with a smile, "Just being able to watch one race is enough for me."
Li Bo, Chen Jin, and others were also cheering lively. For these financial magnates, apart from women, only these thrilling races could spike their adrenaline.
Lao Li! This event is absolutely fantastic!" Zhou Xiansheng gave a thumbs up.
"With both classy and vulgar touches, you’ve set the bar so high, how are we supposed to have fun next time?"
Li Bo smiled and waved his hand, "It’s rare for us to gather together, and everyone has come from far away, let’s just enjoy."
Chen Jin also glanced at the time, "The timing also couldn’t have been better. Everyone, I should head to the airport now, have a meeting tonight."
Lao Chen, together. I’m flying to Wenzhou."
"I need to leave as well."
Li Bo nodded, "Then I won’t see you guys out. See you next time."
The group said their farewells and headed towards the exit.
Eventually, only Shulin, Chen Cheng, and Li Bo were left.
"Mr. Chen, are you satisfied with today?" Li Bo asked.
Chen Cheng smiled and nodded, "Very good. Thanks, Lao Li."
"Don’t mention it."
Li Bo let out a long sigh. "Seeing you looking down yesterday, and you disappeared halfway through the second race, I thought you were unhappy!"
"Just tired yesterday," Chen Cheng said with an awkward smile.
"Alright. So, Mr. Chen, are you staying in Shanghai for two more days?"
Chen Cheng shook his head, "I have a flight tonight. Right now’s the perfect time to pick a gift for Xiao Er."
"Mr. Chen, your thoughtfulness and affection really set an example for us!" Li Bo politely said. "Then I won’t keep you any longer, let’s keep in touch."
"Let’s keep in touch."
Li Bo then turned to Shulin, "Chairman Wen, are you returning to Beijing today?"
"I’ll stay here a few more days," Shulin replied. "President Li, thank you for the hospitality."
"Oh, don’t mention it. If you didn’t have a great time, we’ll gather again next time."
"Alright."
Li Bo said farewell to them both.
Chen Cheng and Shulin exchanged a glance, then Shulin said, "Come on, I’ll take you somewhere."
"Where to?"
Shulin beckoned with her finger.
The two walked towards the other side of the grandstand, moving deeper inside, Chen Cheng started feeling something was off.
By the time he realized it, he saw they were near the Paddock.
Shulin took out her phone and made a call.
After a brief exchange, she said, "It will just be a moment."
About five or six minutes later, a blond, blue-eyed foreigner came out.
Seeing Shulin, he was all smiles, "Shulin, when did you arrive?"
"Richard, congratulations to your team for taking the first place in the Grand Prix," Shulin said with a gentle smile.
She stepped aside to introduce Chen Cheng, "This is my boyfriend, Chen Cheng."
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Chen."
Chen Cheng shook his hand, "Nice to meet you."
"Would you like us to have a look inside?" Shulin suggested.
"Of course, that would be my pleasure." Richard warmly invited, "Shulin, if I had known you were in Shanghai earlier, I would have sent the tickets to your residence."
"Just a spur-of-the-moment plan with some friends," Shulin responded. "Maybe I’ll consider it for the next race."
"Australia awaits your esteemed arrival."
Chen Cheng entered the Paddock and saw the McLaren that had just come off the track, even feeling the heat radiating from the car body.
Shulin, holding Chen Cheng’s hand, sensed his excitement at that moment.
"You can touch it if you want," she whispered softly.
Chen Cheng placed his hand on it, and as he felt the touch of the carbon fiber body, it was as if he could feel its passionate dash on the track a moment earlier.
Richard explained several details of the race car and the effort behind the technical team. Chen Cheng listened intently, occasionally asking a few questions, which Richard answered patiently.
Shulin stood by, watching Chen Cheng with eyes full of tenderness and love.
After visiting the Paddock, Richard also gifted Chen Cheng a customized 1:18 scale model car, signing it with his big name.
The two left the premises, Chen Cheng holding the car model, while Shulin observed his excited demeanor and joked, "To those who know, they know you’re holding a model. Those who don’t, might think it’s the real deal."
Chen Cheng happily said, "I didn’t expect you to have this connection."
"Richard is the honorary director of my alumni association fund, one phone call was all it took," Shulin said lightly. "If you like racing, we can follow the schedule and go see races all around the world."
"Is this the charm of a domineering CEO?"
Shulin lightly punched Chen Cheng, "Stop it."
Chen Cheng sincerely said, "Seriously, thanks to you for such an unforgettable experience today."
"If I knew a car model would make you this happy, I wouldn’t have had to spend those 340,000 on that watch," Shulin huffed.
Chen Cheng, holding the car model in one hand and Shulin’s hand in the other, replied, "Can’t I have the watch, the car, and the person?"
"What a charmingly greedy guy!" Shulin leaned on Chen Cheng’s shoulder.
The two walked side by side, enjoying this rare beautiful moment outside the racetrack where the roaring sounds had long faded.
Shulin glanced sideways, "Now that everyone has left."
"Yes!"
"So, where shall we go next?" Shulin smiled as she asked.
