Taking this opportunity, Jian Fanyu sat with Ruan Miao in a quieter area, watching the track. He Shanglu was back on the track, driving fast and kicking up dust. Ruan Miao couldn't help but worry. "Is it really safe for him to drive that fast?"
"The safety measures here are excellent. Don't worry," Jian Fanyu reassured him. "There won't be any danger."
Relieved, Ruan Miao nodded, then curiously asked about He Shanglu and Xi Sheng.
Jian Fanyu patiently explained the story.
There wasn't much gossip. It was just the usual marriage arrangements among wealthy families. The Xi and He families had a closer relationship in the past than with Jian's family now. Xi Sheng, as the future head of the Xi family, wasn't interested in women but liked men.
He often visited the He family. With only two brothers in the He family, fourteen-year-old Xi Sheng had immediately taken a liking to the eight-year-old He Shanglu, finding him much cuter than the ever-stoic He Shangye. If he had to choose a future spouse from the He family, He Shanglu seemed a better option than the old-fashioned He Shangye.
"Xi Sheng was just joking back then. No one took it seriously. They were too young to understand love," Jian Fanyu said, still wearing his fuzzy gloves and looking at the track. "But Xi Sheng is a bit sly and often brought it up in front of He Shanglu, scaring him for years, especially since he just turned eighteen last year and became legal."
Ruan Miao couldn't believe that the fearless He Shanglu had such a side. He laughed. "No wonder Xi Li keeps calling him 'sister-in-law.' This family is too mischievous."
"Indeed," Jian Fanyu said absentmindedly.
He had deliberately invited Xi Sheng to distract He Shanglu. Otherwise, he would constantly interrupt Jian Fanyu's time with Ruan Miao.
"Do you know how to drive?" Ruan Miao turned to ask him. "I saw your deskmate on the track too."
Jian Fanyu, fiddling with his gloves, replied, "Occasionally."
Ruan Miao's eyes lit up, expectant: "Can I watch?"
He couldn't imagine Jian Fanyu, usually so composed, driving fast. The contrast intrigued him. Jian Fanyu preferred sitting with Ruan Miao but couldn't resist his eager eyes.
"Sure."
Without hesitation, Jian Fanyu went to get a card and gear, reappearing at the stands ten minutes later. Ruan Miao moved to a closer seat for a better view. Jian Fanyu, tall and elegant, stood out even with his helmet on.
He waved at Ruan Miao before getting into the kart, adjusting the seat and testing the brakes.
At that moment, He Shanglu stopped beside him, provocatively saying, "You're on the track too? Want to race?"
"Not interested," Jian Fanyu replied calmly. He wasn't childish enough to compete with a high schooler.
Ignoring him infuriated He Shanglu. "Don't be a coward. If you're on the track, race. You can set the stakes!"
Jian Fanyu didn't even look at him, continuing to test the kart. "Your stakes don't interest me. Why should I race you?"
He Shanglu detested Jian Fanyu's unflappable, superior attitude. "I'm going to teach you a lesson today! Otherwise, you'll never know who's the boss around here!"
"Watch your behavior," Jian Fanyu finally replied, having adjusted his seat to his satisfaction. He looked up and stared at He Shanglu. "Since you're so eager for a lesson, I can oblige."
With that, he smirked at He Shanglu, then immediately started his engine and floored the gas pedal, speeding off in an instant. He Shanglu was a second slower to react but quickly followed.
Ruan Miao watched from the stands. Jian Fanyu's car was clearly outmatching He Shanglu's, repeatedly blocking his attempts to overtake. Even from a distance, Ruan Miao could tell that Jian Fanyu was driving steadily while He Shanglu seemed increasingly impatient.
The other drivers on the track quietly pulled over, watching the two experts duke it out. Though not on par with professional racers, they were exceptionally skilled for amateurs.
Ruan Miao began to understand why so many people enjoyed the racetrack. It was indeed thrilling. Many spectators were blowing whistles and cheering them on, adding to the excitement.
By the third lap, Jian Fanyu was still easily keeping He Shanglu at bay, practically ensuring his victory. He Shanglu had no chance of turning the tables.
As expected, after five laps, Jian Fanyu parked his car at the finish line, unbuckled his seatbelt, and climbed out. He removed his helmet and said to He Shanglu, who finished a few seconds later, "I'm done. This is boring."
Despite his reluctance, He Shanglu wasn't a sore loser. He got out of his car, stared at Jian Fanyu for a while, and then snorted. "I didn't expect you to be this good. I thought you were all talk."
Jian Fanyu didn't reply, walking over to Ruan Miao, who was basking in the warm spring sunlight. He smiled and asked, "How was it?"
Ruan Miao clapped enthusiastically. "That was amazing! You really surprised me!"
Jian Fanyu's mood lifted even more.
They stayed at the track until noon. When Ruan Miao's stomach growled, He Shanglu pulled him to get lunch, only to find Jian Fanyu following them. He Shanglu, annoyed, asked, "Don't you have somewhere else to be?"
"No," Jian Fanyu replied blankly.
Xi Sheng intervened, "Why don't we all go eat together? My treat."
"Mind your own business!" He Shanglu snapped. "Go away!"
Ruan Miao glanced back at Jian Fanyu and discreetly said goodbye.
He Shanglu dragged Ruan Miao out of the locker room. Though still a bit frustrated from losing, he now held some respect for Jian Fanyu's driving skills, lessening his previous animosity.
"Second brother..." Ruan Miao stopped after a few steps. "I'm hungry."
He Shanglu turned, initially ready to scold him for always thinking about food. But he felt guilty, remembering he had dragged Ruan Miao out to play and then left him alone in the stands. "What do you want to eat? I'll take you."
"I want hotpot," Ruan Miao said eagerly. "Extra spicy."
"Not a chance," He Shanglu refused firmly. "Dr. Su said you need to take care of your health. No eating overly spicy, unhealthy foods. It's bad for your stomach."
"Then why did you ask me?" Ruan Miao muttered, displeased. "You decide."
Seeing Ruan Miao upset, He Shanglu thought for a moment. "How about a seafood buffet? All you can eat."
The two brothers headed to the high-end buffet. He Shanglu texted his friends to meet them there, while Ruan Miao took the opportunity to message Jian Fanyu, apologizing for leaving first.
Jian Fanyu wasn't upset, replying gently and reminding him not to overeat.
Ruan Miao felt relieved. They arrived at the buffet, which cost 588 yuan per person, making Ruan Miao's heart ache as he scrutinized the price.
"What are you looking at? You don't have to pay," He Shanglu poked his forehead. "Don't be so stingy."
Ruan Miao put the bill down and earnestly promised, "Don't worry, second brother. I'll make sure to eat my money's worth!"
As they spoke, He Shanglu's friends arrived, including Ye Ling, who was scowling. Despite their frequent bickering, Ye Ling and He Shanglu often ended up hanging out together.
"Xi Sheng stopped me earlier, talking all sorts of nonsense," Ye Ling grumbled. "As if everyone is after you. Just so you know, I wouldn't take you even if you were given to me."
He Shanglu kicked him. "Watch your mouth!"
Ye Ling, unfazed, sat opposite Ruan Miao, who was engrossed in the menu, planning to start with two king crabs. Ye Ling, bored, stared at Ruan Miao for a while before exclaiming, "Hey, He Shanglu, your brother's quite good-looking!"
"Why didn't I notice before?"
Ruan Miao looked up, confused. "Brother Ye?"
He Shanglu kicked Ye Ling under the table. "What are you staring at my brother for?"
"What's wrong with complimenting him?" Ye Ling kicked back, still eyeing Ruan Miao. "It's weird. I used to find you annoying, but now I think you're cute."
"Hey, He Shanglu, why not give me your brother?"
He Shanglu threw a napkin at Ye Ling's face. "Keep dreaming. If you even think about it, I'll break your legs!"
"Cut it out," Ye Ling calmly removed the napkin from his face.
Ruan Miao was speechless at their interaction. Even elementary school kids didn't bicker this much. Were these two secretly frenemies?