NOVPUBChapter 197: 197, He Can’t Afford to Gamble (2) _1
Chapter 197: 197, He Can’t Afford to Gamble (2) _1
Daniel thought of the gory limbs and shivered, “….”
Though repulsed by the bloody gift, thinking of Baxter’s disgusting demeanor previously, he felt somewhat satisfied.
“I have to handle my withdrawal first.” Time was nearly up, and conducting an emergency car inspection was clearly no longer an option. Daniel gave it some thought and decided not to risk his life on such a trivial race—it just wasn’t worth it.
After giving a brief nod to Jian Qing, Daniel left to join his team.
At that moment, the racetrack’s loudspeaker blared into life and Baxter’s voice emanated from it. He briefly mentioned the bet he was making with Jian Qing without specifying what it involved.
Since Baxter was speaking in Chinese, everyone present could understand. Everyone, incredulously, turned to look at Jian Qing, who was making her way back to the VIP seats.
“How could it be possible? She looks even younger than me; how can she be racing against Baxter?”
“Exactly, it’s entirely unfair. Baxter is the world’s third internationally-ranked racer – racing against a frail-looking girl is an affront to his reputation.”
“I know, right? What’s going on? Does that girl even know who she’s challenging?”
Baxter’s words had stirred up some controversy, causing an uproar at the racetrack.
But before people could further contemplate, the loudspeaker crackled back to life, transmuting Daniel’s voice into sound waves. Calmly, he announced his withdrawal due to illness.
One bombshell after another had left the racing fans restless with unending discussions.
“Why did Daniel suddenly withdraw? Does it have anything to do with Baxter?” Fans who supported Daniel speculated.
“Who knows? This has never happened before. What’s going on today?”
With Daniel’s withdrawal, fans who had come specifically to watch him were left agitated, chanting his name, hoping for an explanation.
When Jian Qing returned to the VIP seats, Jingwu gently beckoned her over, once again enfolding her in his arms.
“All sorted?” he asked, his expression softened as he looked at her.
Jian Qing gave a nod with a light smile, “Yes.”
“Jian Qing, what did you say to Daniel? Why did he suddenly withdraw?” Han Yue turned his head and asked curiously.
Jian Qing brushed off the gazes from the crowd, leaning into Jingwu and retorted, “Didn’t he say he wasn’t feeling well?”
Han Yue fell silent, “…”
Daniel looked perfectly fit. Unwell?
Ha, who was he trying to fool?
“Jian Qing, do you also know Baxter?” Mingxuan asked. He couldn’t help but notice the hateful way Baxter looked at Jian Qing earlier.
“I don’t know such a fly.” Jian Qing responded sarcastically, “He gives me indigestion.”
“But Baxter seems to hate you very much.” Han Yue blurted bluntly.
He wouldn’t believe if anyone told him there was no bad blood between the two.
“Because I can’t stand him, and once beat him up for it, probably he still holds a grudge against me.” Jian Qing said leisurely, showing no concern for the fact that Baxter’s fans were present.
“Cough, cough—” Han Yue nearly choked on his saliva. No wonder; Jian Qing had actually beaten up Baxter! At this rate, Baxter would probably spit out his teeth the next time they met.
It seemed like there would be a lot of excitement being around Jian Qing!
“Jian Qing, Baxter is, after all, the third-ranked international racer. Are you sure you can beat him?” Mingxuan sounded worried.
A glint of contempt flashed in Jian Qing’s eyes. She chuckled, “Third place?”
His spot on the rankings was undeserved; besides, he wouldn’t even qualify for the tenth place based on his driving skills.
“Yeah, Jian Qing, you told us earlier that you only knew the basics of racing.” Han Yue suddenly recalled her words earlier. It was clear to him now that she’d been pulling his leg with plans to race against Baxter with just basic skills.
Thinking this, Han Yue became excited, wondering just how skilled Jian Qing was at racing.
“Darling, what did you bet with him?” Jingwu joined the conversation, hitting the nail on the head.
At the mention of this, Jian Qing, looking quite sheepish, snuggled closer to Jingwu and mumbled, “It doesn’t matter, since he won’t win anyway.”
Mingxuan gave Han Yue a meaningful look who, understanding, smiled and left the room.
Jingwu fixed his gaze on her, lifting her out of his arms, his fingertips lifting her chin, “Darling, if you refuse to tell, you’re not allowed to race.”
Wow, he was so threatening!
Jian Qing pouted, “No way! If I don’t go, won’t that make Baxter too smug?”
“How about I take care of him now?” His thin lips curled into a wicked smile, his tone completely serious.
Jian Qing tugged at his collar. If she told him what the bet was, given his temperament, there was a substantial chance that Baxter would be out of the race altogether, likely making his way straight to the afterlife.
Meanwhile, Han Yue returned, a strange expression on his face.
Mingxuan, “What’s the result?”
Han Yue gave a thumbs-up, indicating a job well done.
“What was the bet?”
“Uh…” Han Yue shifted his gaze, at a loss for words.
Jian Qing glanced at Han Yue, her eyes carrying a subtle threat.
“Speak!” Jingwu ordered coldly.
Han Yue flinched and blurted out the details of the bet between Jian Qing and Baxter.
Jian Qing had already buried herself in Jingwu’s chest, too afraid to look at his face.
After revealing everything, Han Yue felt the room’s temperature plummet. Mingxuan pulled him aside, leaving Jian Qing and Jingwu alone.
When Jingwu got angry, they knew to make themselves scarce. 𝘯𝑜𝘷𝘱𝘶𝑏.𝘤𝘰𝑚
Jian Qing, it seemed, had really gotten herself into trouble this time. If she wanted to make a bet, she could have chosen anything else to wager. Why did she choose herself?
Looking at Jingwu’s face, as dark as ink, his bloodlust could turn upside down heaven and earth.
“Darling!”
Hearing his icy voice above, Jian Qing had a sinking feeling in her heart.
Han Yue, you loose cannon, you got me in trouble!
“Darling!” Jingwu called again, his voice carrying a dangerous calm.
Knowing there was no escape, Jian Qing looked up from his chest and managed a sheepish smile, “Jingwu, are you mad?”
Jingwu stared at her in silence.
“Jingwu!” Jian Qing pulled his sleeve, begging pitifully.
Seeing her in such a state, Jingwu’s heart instantly softened, “Darling, you can place bets using anything you wish, but you should never bet with yourself.”
Not because he didn’t trust her, but because he couldn’t afford to gamble with her.
