Chapter Three: Two Consecutive Victories

“Uncle Zhang, should we help him?”
“Uh… let’s help.”
“But… we have a good chance at winning this leg.”
“Hurry up, you drive fast anyway.”
“Alright.”

Before them lay a vast funnel-shaped pit, or more accurately, the bottom of a massive sand dune. Fortunately, Li Xun’s car had come to a halt on a gentle slope at the pit’s edge. Though the front end and much of the vehicle were buried deep in yellow sand, the occupants were unharmed. The doors wouldn’t open, so the two of them, after a strenuous effort, managed to wriggle out through the windows.

The beloved car was beyond moving, the navigator was squatting by the side, retching without pause, and their satellite phone for contacting rescue was nowhere to be found. Li Xun, utterly despondent, threw his head back and howled to the sky, “Waaaah! Mo Shu! I’ll never forgive you!”

Clang.

A tow hook dropped beside Li Xun.

“Waaah? Are you singing opera? It’s just a car, no need for such dramatic feuding…” Mo Shu chuckled.

It was this calm composure, this equanimity in the face of gain or loss, that made Li Xun feel he was no match for him. Yet he was unwilling to accept it.

“Who asked you to rescue me?”

“Uncle Zhang did…”

“I don’t need it! Go away! You pauper! You lackey!”

Though Mo Shu aspired to a gentle and unbothered demeanor, these words were sharp and hard to swallow. After all, he was still only twenty-one—who doesn’t have a bit of fire in them?

The navigator hurriedly staggered over, gently pressing down with his hands as if to quell the blaze in Mo Shu’s eyes. But Mo Shu, heedless of any persuasion, advanced with a fierce and imposing air. The forceful presence and burning gaze made Li Xun falter; an invisible pressure seemed to close in. With every step Mo Shu took, Li Xun’s heart jolted in his chest.

“Waaaah! Mom! Save me!”

Perhaps pushed to the brink, Li Xun’s knees gave way and he fell to the ground, bawling. Now it was Mo Shu’s turn to be at a loss.

“Sigh… just like the system, always bursting into tears,” Mo Shu thought, awkwardly trying to comfort him, “I didn’t mean to scare you—if you weren’t so rude and headstrong… Come on, stop crying, you’re acting like a little girl.”

“Waaah! I’m telling my mom on you!”

“Alright, alright, aren’t you eighteen already? Time to leave the tantrums behind.”

“Waaah—”

Li Xun’s wailing was relentless. Mo Shu, having tried every method to no avail, could only silently pick up the tow hook and get to work; after all, he and Uncle Zhang had a championship to win.

Soon enough, the car was pulled free, and Li Xun composed himself.

“Mo… Brother Mo…” Li Xun called out softly.

“Oh, you’ve calmed down?” Mo Shu was surprised; this sudden politeness was unfamiliar.

“Brother Mo, I was too reckless earlier. I’m sorry.”

Ding—

A melodic chime rang in Mo Shu’s mind.

“Congratulations, host, for completing the novice task.
New task: Win a championship title.
Reward for completion: New skill—Enhanced Driving Technique (Excellent).
Host level upgraded to Level 2.”

That was it? Mo Shu was astonished.

The system replied, “Gaining the respect of others is also a victory.”

So that’s how it works. Mo Shu felt gratified—turns out the system valued human feeling after all.

The new task didn’t seem too difficult, especially with the system’s help; winning the leg’s championship was still within reach. Mo Shu glanced at his watch; the rescue had cost him almost an hour. At his pace, that meant 170 fewer kilometers covered in that time; even if the other drivers were slower, their average speed would be at least 100–120 kilometers per hour. He and Zhang Aimin were likely far behind, maybe even in last place.

“Li Xun, your car’s drive axle is bent and the coolant is leaking. I’m afraid you’ll have to withdraw. Wait for the organizers’ rescue team. I’m off—Uncle Zhang and I have a championship to win.”

With that, Mo Shu leapt into his car and donned his helmet.

“Oh, and your gearbox is low on oil. Remember to service your car when you get back.”

Was he for real? To casually point out three problems like that—could he be some hidden master? Li Xun and his navigator exchanged glances, watching as Mo Shu’s car disappeared in a cloud of dust.

Chase! Race against time!

For the sake of leveling up, acquiring new skills, and fulfilling his automotive dreams!

Mo Shu stuck to his previous driving style, relying on his skill-boosted car. The relatively flat, undulating desert terrain was perfect for letting loose. If this were a professional circuit or rally stage, Mo Shu wasn’t sure he could handle it, even with the system’s help. Mastering racing lines or drifting on narrow mountain roads required more ability than he currently possessed.

So this was a golden opportunity to gain experience, to level up, to improve himself.

“Uncle Zhang, keep an eye on the route book—we’re going full throttle!”

Mo Shu’s hunger for victory was infectious; Zhang Aimin’s passion was reignited.

“Deep pit on the right in 300 meters, proceed with caution.
Sharp right turn in 1,000 meters.
500… 300… 50… turn!
Vehicle repairs on the left ahead, watch for obstructions.
Six kilometers straight ahead—conditions clear, go full speed!”

Zhang Aimin was exhilarated; Mo Shu’s driving was ferocious and swift. After an hour, they caught up to the champion of the first stage—the last team to set out in this leg.

No need for words—overtake!

Mo Shu didn’t even give them a chance to see who had passed.

They rejoined the main pack; Zhang Aimin allowed himself to relax, not because he was content, but because age was catching up with him. Discounting the time spent rescuing Li Xun, they had covered nearly 400 kilometers in two hours—a feat too much for the old man. Besides, wasn’t Mo Shu there? This championship—Mo Shu was determined to seize it.

While Zhang Aimin rested briefly, Mo Shu refused to let up, spurring himself onward.

Overtake! He yearned to surge past every rival! Regardless of their speed, Mo Shu reveled in the thrill of pure velocity. The 170 kilometers he’d lost earlier now seemed insignificant.

“That car’s gone mad!”

This was the thought of every driver he overtook. This was the amateur class—was it really necessary to drive so fast? Not even the super-modified class could keep up.

“It’ll be lonely soon… probably no cars ahead.” After another overtake, Zhang Aimin sighed with a trace of regret.

They had advanced from third-to-last to first in position, and were now far ahead in time.

Overhead, helicopters began to circle.

In the distance, colorful hot air balloons and fluttering banners grew clearer. Mo Shu’s tense expression finally relaxed.

The finish line was near—the championship within reach!

The old and the young couldn’t help but high-five in celebration; Zhang Aimin’s eyes even glistened with tears.

“Thank you, Mo Shu, for making me feel eighteen again…”

Mo Shu had expected some trite victory speech, but was moved by the heartfelt words of the wealthy Zhang Aimin.

For a while, Mo Shu didn’t know how to respond, only managing a modest smile.

Instead, he used the final sprint—an exuberant, soaring leap over the finish ramp—as his almost perfect reply.

Everyone was applauding and cheering for them. Zhang Aimin’s team swarmed around, voices raised in jubilant shouts.

“Champions! Champions!”

Where it took others five and a half hours to finish, Mo Shu and Zhang Aimin had done it in four hours and three minutes. They had shattered the amateur class record, one that would likely stand for a long time to come.

Ding—

“Congratulations, host, for completing the task.
New task: Place in the top three in a professional race.
Reward for completion: New skill—Danger Avoidance Modification.
Host level upgraded to Level 3.”

“A professional race? System, do you have to push so fast? What about gradual progress?” Mo Shu was a bit daunted.

“Too hard? Heh…” Ever since the last misunderstanding, the system had been cold and distant; sometimes Mo Shu suspected the young lady system was deliberately making things difficult for him.

Escaping the bustling celebration, Mo Shu sought a quiet corner to speak with the system, but was stopped by a stranger along the way.

The man was powerfully built, with a thick beard, vintage sunglasses perched on his nose, and dressed far too smartly for an off-road desert event. He looked a few years younger than Zhang Aimin.

“You’re Mo Shu?” The man’s voice was deep, resonant, magnetic—yet his presence was faintly intimidating.

“And you are?”

“I want you to join my racing team. Report in after the event.”

He didn’t answer Mo Shu’s question, simply issued an order, which immediately bristled Mo Shu.

“Who do you think you are, demanding I join your team without even asking me?” Mo Shu thought, but outwardly kept his composure. “Thank you for the offer, but I’d like to know who you are, and what team this is?”

“Heh. The very team you dream of… and I am—”

The man paused deliberately, lowering his sunglasses and grinning slyly, about to speak again when someone behind interrupted with a disgruntled tone.

“Hmph, so it’s Old Zhao. What brings you to the desert?” It was Zhang Aimin himself.

At the sight of Zhang Aimin, the stranger’s face fell; with a cold snort, he turned and left.

“What a peculiar fellow. Uncle Zhang, you know him?”

“Of course I do. He’s a famous entrepreneur back home—heard of Zhao Kunlun?”

“Oh, right! Wait, is he from Kunsheng Group?” Mo Shu suddenly realized. “So… the Kunsheng Racing Team that’s won GTCC (National Touring Car Championship) two years in a row is his too?”

“Exactly. The name gives it away—Kunsheng is his family’s business. So, are you tempted?” Zhang Aimin asked, concerned.

Mo Shu touched his forehead, lowering his eyes with a quiet smile.

To say he wasn’t tempted would be a lie. What man hasn’t dreamed of racing? And with his system tasks, this could be a golden opportunity. Yet Zhao Kunlun’s domineering attitude left Mo Shu cold.

Zhang Aimin saw right through him and reassured, “It would be a pity to miss out on Kunsheng.”

“Yes… it would be a shame,” Mo Shu admitted, somewhat evasively.

“But if you’re interested, come to my team. I think we get along well.”

“Uncle Zhang, you mean…?”

“Hahaha, did you underestimate me? My company’s scale matches—if not surpasses—Kunsheng’s. My new team is forming now, and we’ll focus on touring car racing in the future. Think it over and let me know after we return.”

“I…” Mo Shu wanted to accept immediately, but reason told him to play it cool, so he swallowed most of his reply.

Zhang Aimin laughed, “What’s the matter? Too excited? Think it over—there’s a number one driver’s seat waiting for you.”

On the surface, Mo Shu forced a calm demeanor, but the excitement in his eyes betrayed him, and a seasoned man like Zhang Aimin couldn’t miss it. He said no more, just gave Mo Shu’s shoulder an encouraging pat, as if sealing some kind of pact, then strode off with the confident swagger of a boss from the late ‘80s.

The past day and a half had been incredible—Mo Shu needed time to reflect.

At last, a familiar, gentle smile returned to his lips.

For the first time, he realized—

His dream was closer than ever.