Chapter 52: Midnight Street Race

After a hesitation of precisely 0.05 seconds, Fu Ziyang relaxed. Girls, he thought, probably think street racing is just a casual joyride. She wouldn't know the difference anyway—he'd just take her for a few leisurely laps.

"Alright then…" Su Wanwan glanced at her phone. "There's a road on Ring City Second Avenue specifically used for racing. Why don't we try it there?"

"Su—sure, I've got a few friends. I'll call them up to join us," Fu Ziyang replied.

"Great."

Once Su Wanwan had left, Fu Ziyang opened his WeChat group and posted a message:

[Emergency call! Taking a girl out tonight! Ring City Second Avenue—clear the track for your boy! Make way!]

He followed up by throwing out ten red envelopes of 200 yuan each.

[Yo, look who's finally grown up! Taking a girl out now?][Haha, with his driving skills? Not sure if he's taking her or she's taking him.][Got it, got it. We do the job, we clear the karma!]

Having made all arrangements, Fu Ziyang finally felt at ease.

During dinner, Su Wanwan mentioned her plan to go racing with Fu Ziyang that evening. Fu Liangmu responded with a single, frosty "Mm."

"If you want to go, go."

It sounded indifferent, but Fu Ziyang couldn't shake off a chill running down his spine—something didn't feel right.

After dinner, the two left the villa and headed for the Second Avenue track. A group of youths, all around Fu Ziyang's age, were already gathered there. They lit up at the sight of them, waving excitedly.

While Su Wanwan inspected the cars, Fu Ziyang was dragged into the crowd, interrogated one by one.

"Damn! That girl's a ten!""Not bad, bro! Just one month gone and you're pulling this kind of beauty? Which school's she from?""Don't even think about it," Fu Ziyang warned, eyeing the lechers warily. Remembering the cold-blooded giant at home, he added, "She's married. To my older brother. If any of you want to keep breathing, keep your distance."

Everyone gasped in unison.

"You're kidding! She's married? Is she even twenty?""Exactly—doesn't the law say you can't register before twenty?"

Fu Ziyang twitched at the corner of his mouth, grinding his teeth. He'd been fooled by that innocent face too.

"She's twenty-two!"

"No way! I thought she was a high school freshman!""She looks so young…"

Listening to their endless chatter, Su Wanwan poked her head out and asked, "When do we begin?"

Fu Ziyang gave the group a look and pointed at his phone. They all immediately responded with eyes full of understanding and shouted, "Coming! Right now!"

Everyone got into their cars. Su Wanwan fastened her seatbelt and held out her hand toward Fu Ziyang. He froze, heart rate spiking to 160. With feigned modesty and lowered lashes, he murmured shyly, "You're too forward… My brother's not here, and you're already making the first move…"

He reached out, trying to interlock fingers.

Su Wanwan slapped his hand hard, making him yelp in pain.

"I want the helmet."

Fu Ziyang awkwardly pulled back, trying to hide his embarrassment. "Helmet? We don't use those."

"You're a girl—it's dangerous if I take you speeding. Tonight's just for the experience."

"Oh, okay."

The whistle blew, and all the cars launched forward.

Fu Ziyang kept his speed conservative, comparable to an ordinary car on a public road. Su Wanwan rolled down the window. The supposed thrill of racing felt more like a casual drive, stripping away the excitement.

"Fun?" he asked.

"Mhm." Su Wanwan answered cooperatively.

As expected, Fu Ziyang took first place with ease. Just as he was about to gloat, a few flashy sports cars roared up and blocked their way.

"Out of the car!" a burly man shouted, banging on the window.

Fu Ziyang stepped out quickly, shielding Su Wanwan inside.

"What do you want? We booked this road tonight."

"Booked?" the dark-skinned man scoffed, leaning on Fu Ziyang's car. "Did no one tell you this is our training ground? Booked, my ass."

Fu Ziyang's expression darkened. "We made a reservation and paid in advance. If you've got a problem, call the coordinator. If they revoke our access, we'll leave immediately."

His friends stepped forward too.

"Yeah, we paid for it!"

The burly man sneered, baring his teeth in a threatening grin. "So you're not planning to leave, huh?"

"We paid! Why should we leave for you?!"

With a sudden roar, the man kicked Fu Ziyang's car hard, making it lurch.

"Then how about this—let's race for it. Winner keeps the road. Deal?"

Fu Ziyang's face turned grim. He shoved the man with force. "What the hell's your problem? Talk it out—keep your hands off!"

The man blinked in surprise, then burst into laughter. "You've got guts, kid."

Though Fu Ziyang stood at about 1.8 meters, he was lean—nowhere near the muscle-packed brute before him. In comparison, he looked as fragile as a twig.

Su Wanwan stepped out of the car. Fu Ziyang panicked, frantically signaling for her to stay back.

The man's eyes went wide when he saw her, stunned. A moment later, he recovered.

"No wonder you didn't want me kicking the car—had a little beauty hidden inside, huh?""Babe, why hang out with these little boys?""Come with me. I'll show you what real racing feels like."

Su Wanwan sized him up from head to toe.

"You're a racer?"

"Of course." The man puffed up with pride.

Su Wanwan gave a disinterested "Oh," and said, "Could've fooled me. If all racers act like you do, no one would know whether you're from the racetrack or the street corner. Try not to disgrace the profession, alright?"

His eyes narrowed, fury flickering across his face.

Fu Ziyang tugged at her arm desperately, silently pleading for her to back down. The situation was clearly turning against them. If things went south, not only could he not protect Su Wanwan—he might get beaten senseless.

"You've got some nerve, girl. I like that."

"Want to know if I'm really a racer? Come on, I'll show you. Win or lose, I'll give you not just this road—take ten if you want!"

Sensing danger, Fu Ziyang quickly played the Fu family card.

"Hey, hey, calm down! This woman isn't just anyone—she's the wife of Fu Liangmu, eldest heir of the Fu family."

"You've heard of Fu Liangmu, right?"

"Guy's lethal—kills without blinking!"

"You touch her, and you won't even know how you died!"

The burly man let out a derisive laugh, brimming with mockery.

"You mean the disfigured cripple who doesn't even dare leave his house and lives off his family? That Fu Liangmu?"

"Tonight, I'll play with his woman and see what that coward can do about it!"