C12 Just to Make up the Numbers!

Sheng Xu tapped his Bluetooth earpiece with a hint of impatience. "Lu Sizhe, have you arrived yet? What's the hold-up?"

"I'm here."

As Lu Sizhe spoke, he gripped the steering wheel with one hand, bringing his white race car to a halt beside Sheng Xu's vehicle, then turned and flashed a smile at him.

Sheng Xu quickly made another call. "We've arrived. Let's get started."

After ending the call, Jiang Ci turned to Shi Qian. "They're here. You take my car, I'll take Huo Fei's. Let's kick this off without delay."

Shi Qian had arrived in a sports car, which wasn't cut out for racing.

She nodded in agreement. "Okay." She then slid into Jiang Ci's sleek black race car.

Meanwhile, Jiang Ci approached Huo Fei's fiery red racer.

Huo Fei was merely there for the excitement; the real competitors were Shi Qian and Jiang Ci.

Leaning against Shi Qian's black sports car, she cheered, "Go for it, Mr. Ci, Ms. Qian!"

Shi Qian, gripping the steering wheel, returned Huo Fei's smile.

She was teamed up with Jiang Ci, up against the other duo, rumored to be quite the brash pair. She hadn't inquired about their identities.

The four race cars, a red, a white, and two blacks, were lined up side by side at the mountain's base, ready for the challenge.

On the open ground, a fleet of race cars and an eager crowd anticipated the thrilling spectacle.

"Who do you think will win this race, Young Master Sheng and Young Master Lu, or the other team?"

Jiang Ci's reputation preceded him, yet few truly knew him. He was a regular on the racing scene, but his real identity remained a mystery.

"Come on, it's a no-brainer. Young Master Sheng and Young Master Lu are going to take it. Those other two wouldn't dare win against them if they had any sense. Angering the Princes could ruin their chances of fitting in here. I bet the other two are just here to make up the numbers."

"That's not a given. That guy has raced with Young Master Sheng and Young Master Lu several times, with wins and losses on all sides. He lost the last one and was the one who suggested a team race for the next round. That's why we've got today's team face-off."

"Oh, I see. Well, this is shaping up to be quite the showdown!"

As they conversed, four race cars had already zoomed off, initiating the pursuit. Shi Qian trailed behind, maintaining a noticeable gap from the other three racers. A few onlookers furrowed their brows in mild concern.

"I knew it, this woman is just here to fill the ranks. She's totally out of her league!" a man exclaimed.

Another chimed in, "I thought that guy would bring in a pro, but he ends up with her? Looks like they're headed for a major loss!"

"Still, you've got to admire the woman's guts. I wonder if she's good-looking? Can't tell with her face hidden under that hat."

"She can't be that attractive; otherwise, she'd have shown her face by now."

Huo Fei, standing nearby, overheard their banter. He glanced at them with a hint of disdain, snorted, and approached them.

"Care to wager? I bet the duo will come out on top."

The men looked at Huo Fei as if he had lost his mind. The woman was clearly lagging behind, and yet he was betting on their victory?

"Are you up for it? A million." Huo Fei proposed.

One of the men burst into laughter, giving Huo Fei a look reserved for fools. "Alright, but... it's a million per person. If both of them lose, you owe us two million!"

He couldn't fathom the pair outperforming Young Master Sheng and Lu Sizhe.

"No problem," Huo Fei retorted confidently, "and if I win..."

The man smirked, "I'll pay you double."

Huo Fei grinned, "Deal."

With the stakes set, the surrounding crowd buzzed with excitement, craning their necks towards the bend in the track, eager to see who would emerge first.

Sheng Xu and Lu Sizhe were the crowd favorites, with a few rooting for Jiang Ci. Yet, no one had high hopes for Shi Qian, reasoning that if she could just manage to keep up with the trio without falling too far behind, it would be an achievement in itself.