Chapter Forty-Two: The Eve of the Final Battle

After the scandal involving Kunsheng Group and Veilmin was exposed by Mo Shu and his team, Kunsheng Group really did fall silent for a few days. Mo Shu had expected the shrewd Zhao Kunlun to immediately organize a comprehensive counterattack on the internet, but he waited and waited, yet there was no response from Kunsheng Group at all. He and Li Xun had even discussed in detail the strategy for a second wave of verbal warfare, but now it seemed there would be no opportunity to deploy it.

Had the entire Kunsheng racing team panicked? Were they abandoning any counterattack, tacitly admitting to their disgraceful deeds? That was absolutely unlike Zhao Kunlun!

Sure enough, another night passed—on the eve of the GTCC Qingcheng Grand Prix, something completely unexpected finally happened.

Kunsheng Group, owner of the Kunsheng Racing Team, published an official statement on its website. The statement announced that the group’s founder and CEO, Mr. Zhao Kunlun, had formally resigned and withdrawn completely from the company. Not only would he no longer involve himself in any company affairs, he had even relinquished all rights to manage or operate the racing team.

Good heavens! What was this move? An internal split?

Mo Shu and his companions read on, and a familiar name caught their eye.

“Alessandro Blackgolden!”

Wasn’t he the head of Blackgold Petroleum?

A figure as prominent as Blackgolden had personally taken over Kunsheng Group, a company that, in comparison, was rather small.

Immediately after, a video statement, re-shared from overseas networks, began circulating online. The speaker was none other than Blackgolden himself.

The statement was relatively brief, but it contained much to ponder.

“I, Alessandro Blackgolden, on behalf of Blackgold Petroleum today, strongly condemn the Star Racing Team’s slander that our company colluded with others to manipulate the international racing scene. However, our company will not withdraw our previous sponsorship of the Star Racing Team, as a token of our respect and recognition for old friends!

At the same time, I must announce an important decision: From today onward, our company will inject capital into Kunsheng Group by acquiring a 69% ownership stake, formally initiating our first in-depth cooperation with Kunsheng Group. This is to infuse more financial energy into the future of the Huaxia GTCC Grand Prix, and to make a modest contribution to the international racing world. Thank you, everyone!”

After watching the video, Mo Shu felt a wave of foreboding. It seemed Veilmin was now seizing the opportunity, indirectly laying bare her backstage manipulation of the whole affair.

First, Zhao Kunlun had likely been sidelined for mishandling the “Star Racing Team acquisition.”

Second, the supposed respect and recognition for the Star Racing Team was a hollow excuse. Since Star had exposed Veilmin’s scandal, not only did she refuse to explain, but instead, she doubled down and directly took over Kunsheng Group, which had previously served as a shield. After all, acquiring Kunsheng was tantamount to acquiring the Star Racing Team. Veilmin intended to utterly strip them of any refuge.

Third, through Blackgolden’s indirect admission, Veilmin demonstrated she was entirely unfazed by public opinion. No matter how legendary a woman in her thirties might be, she was, after all, just one person—a lone sponsor. Setting aside the colossal funds needed for two consecutive corporate acquisitions, such a forceful operation certainly required a vast team. It was impossible she could accomplish this alone. Was there perhaps an even deeper shadow behind Veilmin, a shadow within the shadow?

The more Mo Shu thought about it, the more terrifying it seemed. Had this bold move of his been too reckless, too impulsive? It now seemed almost certain that Star Racing Team would not escape being acquired.

No matter. Mo Shu, seething, locked his phone. With the race about to begin the next day, whether or not they were acquired, whatever the future held, right now the most important thing was to win the race. Once Mo Shu made his name in the racing world, could Veilmin really acquire the very name of Mo Shu as well?

As for how Russlein’s engine had managed to slip past the scrutineers, Mo Shu, in the end, never found a solution.

During inspection, he had grit his teeth and driven up onto the platform, only to find the scrutineering team surprisingly perfunctory. Mo Shu, sweating bullets, didn’t even dare meet the official’s eyes, but then a small voice whispered in his ear.

“Kunsheng Racing Team has already used connections for illegal modifications. You must not let Veilmin steal the spotlight on our turf!”

Mo Shu’s heart leapt. He looked up in amazement at the not-so-young official and nodded earnestly, forcefully. In that moment, a small seed was planted in his heart.

He could not let them down—he must live up to expectations. In both Friday’s practice and Saturday’s qualifying at Qingcheng, Mo Shu’s performance was outstanding, securing pole position with effortless ease. Of course, the wild six-turbocharged engine in Russlein’s car deserved much of the credit.

Even so, Mo Shu ran every lap with a restrained throttle—not because he feared losing control in corners from excessive speed, but because he wanted to save the most spectacular, most thrilling moments for the main race.

The final event! The GTCC season finale! A year’s worth of fierce rivalry between teams was about to be resolved.

The stands would surely be packed, with television and internet broadcasting live across the nation and, in some countries, even abroad. Mo Shu wanted everyone to witness just how invincible he truly was.

Towards evening, Mo Shu left the hotel and found a salon with tasteful décor and a steady flow of customers. He had his hair, grown out over the past year, cut short once more. He never particularly liked himself with short hair, but since childhood, whenever Mo Shu resolved to accomplish something, he would change his hairstyle as a vow to himself.

By the time he returned to the hotel, it was already eight or nine o’clock. Wang Yining was quietly reviewing strategies for the next day’s race in her room. Wang Yu and the rest of the team’s staff still had their doors tightly shut—no doubt they were again working late in the pit, fine-tuning the car.

Wang Yining, ever observant, noticed that as each major race approached, no matter how calm Mo Shu seemed outwardly, a trace of the storm in his heart always showed on his face.

Just as Mo Shu was about to leave, Wang Yining quietly cleared her throat.

Turning back, Mo Shu saw not only Wang Yining’s radiant, smiling face, but also the ring on her raised finger—a symbol of their shared trust and connection.

That faint purple gleam reflected off Wang Yining, bringing Mo Shu’s wildest, grandest year—2017—a touch of warmth and serenity.

Mo Shu grinned at her, gentle and mischievous, yet as he turned to leave his expression grew resolute and cold.

Tomorrow! Mo Shu would show the world that, even if Star Racing Team was ultimately acquired, he and his companions had once shone with a brilliance as dazzling as the stars themselves in the 2017 GTCC Grand Prix!