Chapter 23: The Racetrack

The person in charge, dressed in elegant and professional business attire, smiled upon hearing Gu Lingyi’s question. She tapped a few times on her tablet and handed it over to the two of them.

On the screen were several sets of photos that had been trending on social media the night before. In them, Gu Lingyi appeared resolute and daring. Even her disheveled and bedraggled appearance could not mask the confident, stunning beauty radiating from within. Just by looking at the photos, one could tell she possessed an incredibly strong core.

"Ms. Gu," the woman said with a gentle look in her eyes, "please don't sell yourself short. I’m not the only one who was blown away by these photos."

Watching the entire process of Gu Lingyi climbing the wall again, Tang Shu’s expression was complex, her mind filled with worries she couldn't vent. Even after finishing the script review and seeing the person in charge out, Tang Shu could not shake her suspicions.

Gu Lingyi had changed—that was her most immediate impression. Putting aside her appearance and behavior, her very temperament was worlds apart. She even began to suspect that Gu Lingyi was suffering from split personality disorder due to extreme mental stress.

With that thought in mind, Tang Shu suddenly suggested, "Yiyi, let’s pick a time and go to Xianjiang Hospital..."

Xianjiang Hospital?

Gu Lingyi paused. If she recalled correctly, that was a psychiatric hospital—the premier one in the country, at that. Xianjiang Hospital appeared quite often in the original story.

Gu Lingyi tilted her head, looking suspicious. "Is there something wrong with you?"

Tang Shu: "..."

*It’s not me, it’s you! You’re the one with the problem!*

Tang Shu screamed inwardly, but afraid of triggering Gu Lingyi, she could only force a smile, deciding to plan her next move carefully. She waved her hand, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. "I was just joking!"

Gu Lingyi: "..."

Work finished much earlier than expected. With nothing better to do, Gu Lingyi checked her new friend requests on WeChat. There was already a message from an hour ago.

【Cheap Fiancé: When will you be finished?】

Gu Lingyi curled her lips and replied:

【Now!】

Tang Shu had other artists to manage, so the two parted ways downstairs at the company. Gu Lingyi put on a mask and waited for a long time, but instead of a reply from Fu Linyuan, she was greeted by an incredibly flashy sports car.

Her knowledge of this world came only from the original host's memories and the flickering plot points in her mind. Therefore, she didn't recognize this convertible, which sat so low it couldn't even clear a speed bump.

However, the person in the car... his chestnut-colored curly hair was quite distinctive.

Qin Xiao took off his sunglasses and tilted his chin at Gu Lingyi. "Where to? I'll give you a lift."

He had just left Huo Qi’s company and had seen Gu Lingyi standing by the roadside wearing a mask from a distance.

He skipped the turn he was supposed to take.

Gu Lingyi crossed her arms over her chest, looking down at the man in the driver's seat. She said coolly, "No need."

Not to mention whether they had any rapport, she still had yet to settle the score with Qin Xiao regarding the hotel surveillance footage.

Expecting a refusal, Qin Xiao unconsciously tightened his brow. "What are you afraid of? I wouldn't do anything to you."

*Afraid? Her?*

Gu Lingyi smirked and took a step closer to the car. "Give me a ride?"

Her voice was cold, and she hinted with a double meaning: "How about you just give me the car instead? How does that sound?"

Hearing her tone—so matter-of-fact yet dismissive—Qin Xiao was stunned for a moment. Then, his head went hot, and the words slipped out.

"Fine."

Gu Lingyi: "..."

Since that was the case, she wouldn't be polite.

The car was parked in a very conspicuous spot on the main road, drawing curious onlookers. Gu Lingyi walked around to the driver's side as people watched, raised an eyebrow, and said, "Get out."

The smile that had just formed on Qin Xiao’s face froze. "You know how to drive?"

He had worked with her in the racing team for so long and had never once seen her touch a car. He had intended to give her the car *and* drive her, but now she was telling him to get out?

Qin Xiao’s bright, peach-blossom eyes dimmed. He braced himself and slowly unbuckled his seatbelt.

The Bugatti Chiron pulled away from the block at the slowest speed it had ever traveled since leaving the factory.

Through the rearview mirror, Gu Lingyi saw Qin Xiao still standing where she left him. He kept his head lowered, clutching his phone with a look of utter frustration on his face, his short, chestnut curls drooping over his forehead.

He looked like a pathetic little puppy.

Gu Lingyi tapped her index finger on the steering wheel and raised her eyebrows, glancing at him in the mirror once more.

*Oh well. Burning bridges isn't my style.*

The car reversed, its unique body creating a gust of wind as it pulled up in front of Qin Xiao. He looked up, dazed, his confusion still lingering on his face.

"Get in."

Gu Lingyi glanced at Qin Xiao, her tone indifferent and devoid of any extra emotion. Seeing that he didn't react, she grew impatient. "If you're not getting in, I'm leaving."

Qin Xiao finally snapped out of his secret delight. "Don't!"

He moved with alacrity, jumping into the passenger seat in two quick strides. Gu Lingyi stepped on the gas, though the speed remained leisurely. She hadn't decided where to go yet.

After a silent journey, Qin Xiao couldn't help himself and offered a snarky remark: "The way you drive..."

With a look of utter disdain, he scoffed, "It’s like you're driving a bumper car."

Gu Lingyi: "..."

*Heh!*

She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, a wicked smile playing on her lips. "Find a racetrack and teach me, then?"

Hearing this, Qin Xiao immediately straightened up, assuming the air of a mentor. Ignoring the chill on the back of his neck, he said seriously, "Sure, my racing skills are on par with Brother Qi’s."

At the mention of Huo Qi, Qin Xiao glanced at her discreetly. Seeing that Gu Lingyi had no reaction, he breathed a sigh of relief and continued, "You must have seen me race back when you were with the team, right?"

Gu Lingyi thought for a moment. There were indeed a few glimpses of Qin Xiao competing in her memories.

She nodded. "I've seen it."

Those two words acted like a stimulant for Qin Xiao. From the business district all the way to the suburban racetrack, he talked the entire time.

When Gu Lingyi stepped out of the car, the sound of Qin Xiao’s self-aggrandizing still echoed in her head. Looking around, the racetrack was completely empty. The asphalt track had been torn up, making it look as though it had been abandoned for a long time.

Qin Xiao explained, "The area wasn't big enough, so the competitions were moved to the west suburbs."

"There’s not a soul here." Gu Lingyi gazed out at the yellow sand, which reminded her of the quicksand zones in the apocalypse—a region in total contrast to the prosperous and advanced uptown, a place even the zombies avoided.

She was puzzled. "Even if there aren't any races, you should still be able to practice here, right?" It shouldn't be deserted to this extent.

Qin Xiao shrugged. "This place was bought out. It's private property now, so other racers aren't allowed to practice here."

"Private property?" Gu Lingyi’s eyes flickered. "So, we are..."

She gestured toward Qin Xiao and then herself.

"Trespassing on someone else’s land?"

Qin Xiao chuckled at her remark. "Why do you put it so strangely..."

He spread his hands dismissively. "Don't worry, I know the buyer." After a pause, he added, "Actually, you probably know them too."

Gu Lingyi hesitated and was about to ask for details when she saw Qin Xiao waving at someone in the distance. "Look, the buyer is here."

A gunmetal-grey car pulled up—a classic Lamborghini. The top was closed, but Gu Lingyi could still clearly see the person in the driver's seat.

He had straight, short hair without any styling products. His features were clean, cold, and sharp, his eyes deep and captivating.

Huo Qi’s circle of friends certainly didn't lack for good looks.

Gu Lingyi leaned against the car door, watching as the gunmetal-grey supercar pulled closer.