Chapter Nine: The Delicate Wang Qing

In Nanshan City, on Shuangdong Street, within the Nanzhong Auto Trade Park, there stood a restaurant named “RAL,” the city’s only automotive-themed eatery. The proprietor was a friend of Zhang Aimin, both equally obsessed with cars and mechanics—a pair of kindred spirits and seasoned veterans.

Although the car theme did not necessarily attract a large crowd of citizens, the restaurant’s clientele was precisely targeted. Most car enthusiasts enjoyed financial freedom and spent lavishly, so come dinnertime, the place was bustling, its tables nearly all filled.

Zhang Aimin had wanted to book out the entire restaurant, hoping for a private, carefree gathering among friends, but his plans were dashed when other patrons occupied almost half of the venue.

Fresh from their championship victory and on the cusp of advancing to the GTCC Elite Production Group, the members of the Stellar Racing Team were beside themselves with joy, nearly every one of them in attendance. The team had only recently been assembled, so many staff members hadn’t met before, making every new face a source of curiosity. Lively banter filled the air, turning the restaurant into a scene of vibrant conviviality.

Mo Shu and Wang Yining, two drivers, entered together, and immediately applause thundered through the restaurant, cheers echoing without end. The owner, Zhang Aimin, stood up from the side and waved his hand, raising his voice, “Everyone, mind your volume! There are other guests tonight! Let’s not be too rowdy!”

No one dared ignore the boss’s words; a few quickly pressed their fingers to their lips in a gesture of silence, and the crowd settled into quieter laughter and conversation.

Mo Shu, unaccustomed to such scenes, felt a bit awkward. As he looked around, searching for an empty seat, he saw Wang Yu beckoning to him, so he called Wang Yining over and they went to join him.

Wang Yu was thoughtful, having chosen a small table near the corner. Of the four seats, three were already occupied. When Mo Shu and Wang Yining arrived, a burly man promptly got up and said to Wang Yu, “You four sit and chat, I’ll find another table!”

Mo Shu thought adding another seat would suffice—why make the man move? Just as he was about to intervene, a coquettish voice piped up behind the big man, “No, Old Guo, you have to stay with me…”

Why did that voice sound so familiar? Mo Shu had a sudden realization.

“Wang Qing? You’re finally back in the country, you little rascal?”

A moment ago, the mysterious Miss Wang Qing, with her dramatic flair, was pouting and tugging at Old Guo’s sleeve, but upon seeing Mo Shu, she nearly leapt from her seat in excitement.

Who cared about Old Guo? Mo Shu was the most important!

Wang Qing darted into Mo Shu’s arms, clutching his waist tightly with her short arms.

Wang Yu watched from the side, both exasperated and amused, gently tugging his sister’s ear as he coaxed, “Piggy, you’re already nineteen, a grown woman—you can’t keep clinging to Mo Shu like this!”

“No way! Mo Shu would never mind how old I am, right, Mo Shu?” Wang Qing looked up at Mo Shu, her eyes aglow with adoration.

Mo Shu stood awkwardly, hands raised, uncertain what to do, his eyes flicking toward Wang Yining, worried that, since the three of them were acquainted, Wang Yining might feel neglected.

Contrary to his concern, Wang Yining was smiling, sizing up the nineteen-year-old girl before her, and had already settled Old Guo back into his seat. Turning back, she gently advised, “Wang Qing, if you keep hugging Mo Shu, he won’t be able to eat. Why don’t you two sit together and chat while you eat?”

“Alright!” Wang Qing chirped, darting to her seat and patting the chair beside her for Mo Shu.

With a helpless smile, Mo Shu glanced meaningfully at Wang Yining and took his seat.

Zhang Aimin, busy chatting and drinking with the team’s management, never found time to check in on them all evening.

The five at Mo Shu’s table were clearly hungry; with no one else to disturb them, they seized the chance to devour their meal, occasionally conversing in bits and pieces.

After pushing the last grain of rice into his mouth, Mo Shu finally remembered to reach for a drink, only to find Wang Qing beside him, chin propped up, gazing at him with a silly smile.

“……”

“Hey, sister! Will you go to the restroom with me?” Wang Qing suddenly turned her attention to Wang Yining, leaving Mo Shu both amused and exasperated.

Watching Wang Qing gleefully dragging Wang Yining away, Wang Yu nudged Mo Shu with his elbow, his eyes blinking rapidly.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Mo Shu, having spent the afternoon driving, had no energy for guessing games.

Wang Yu narrowed his eyes, speaking mysteriously, “Playing dumb, are we… Tell me, which do you like more, my sister or Wang Yining?”

“Tsk… Are you nuts? When I joined the team, I barely had time to think about anything—I was focused entirely on the races…” Mo Shu tried to hide his nervousness.

“Races and women, they don’t conflict… Come on, tell me, who do you actually like?” Wang Yu pressed on.

“Uh… Well…” Mo Shu looked to Old Guo for help.

“Come on… Old Guo, no eavesdropping!” Wang Yu grinned wickedly, determined to pry the truth from Mo Shu.

“Ah!!! Help!!!”

“What are you doing? Let her go!”

It was Wang Qing and Wang Yining. The two had been gone so long to the restroom, and now it was clear someone had been troubling them. All three men at the table shot to their feet.

At the restroom door, a drunken man was yanking Wang Qing’s hair, cursing loudly.

The man had no idea—a fist the size of a sandbag was rushing toward his face.

“Old Guo, wait.” Wang Yu intercepted the punch halfway.

“Sir…”

“Old Guo, I know this man. Don’t act rashly—let it go for now.”

Old Guo lowered his fist in frustration. Whoever this man was, he must be someone to make the eldest son of the Wang family so cautious.

Wang Yu stepped forward, his tone firm. “Ai Chixiang, let go of my sister!”

“Well, well, who do we have here? The eldest son of the Wang family! Did you know your sister dirtied my twenty-thousand-yuan leather shoes?” Ai Chixiang’s words were confrontational, but his grip on Wang Qing’s hair loosened immediately.

“It’s fine, wipe them clean and they’ll be good as new. If my father finds out Wang Qing lost a bit of hair, it’ll cost far more than twenty thousand!” Wang Yu had no intention of wasting words, pulling Wang Qing away and turning to leave.

“Wait, I can let the Wang family off, but that big guy over there—wasn’t he about to take a swing at me?” Bolstered by liquor, Ai Chixiang dared to challenge Old Guo—a rare sight in Nanshan City.

“Make him kneel and apologize!” Ai Chixiang grew more arrogant as Old Guo ignored him.

“He’s with our Wang family too!” Wang Yu was furious; if not for Ai Chixiang’s backing by Kunsheng Group, he would have acted before Old Guo could.

“Anyone can be Wang family now? Looks like your old man has plenty of women outside!” Ai Chixiang’s mouth was truly insufferable.

Wang Yu clenched his fists so tightly his nails dug into his flesh.

Damn it, dragging my father into this—he needs a lesson.

Suddenly, there was a splash and a slap.

Wang Yu looked up to see Wang Yining and Mo Shu—one had thrown wine, the other had slapped Ai Chixiang.

Clearly, the two of them could bear it no longer!