Chapter 49: Chapter 46: East Sea Career Path
The discussion on the track didn’t last long before Chen Xiangbei drove the Subaru Impreza back to the trailer.
For him, defeating Han Han wasn’t really the main goal; it was more of a stepping stone to impress Zhang Zhicong.
Chen Xiangbei needed a mentor to help him open the door to the world of Formula racing.
Ma Minghan and Shai Minghui were sitting in the Mercedes G55, watching Chen Xiangbei load the Subaru Impreza onto the flatbed, their expressions particularly complex.
After a long silence, Shai Minghui finally spoke, "Young Master Ma, what should we do now?"
Not only can professional drivers like Che Lao Quan not compete with Chen Xiangbei, but even national champion Han Han lost at the last moment of the race.
If we keep rolling with this standard, do we have to find the Asian King of Cars as a hitman?
Or is that not enough, and we need an F1 Driver to take down Chen Xiangbei?
"What the hell can we do, who the hell can outrun Chen Xiangbei."
Ma Minghan finally understood that Chen Xiangbei’s driving skills were beyond what he could handle.
Shai Minghui didn’t refute this, as he had already "accepted fate" a step earlier than Ma Minghan.
"How about this, we find someone to beat up that bastard Chen Xiangbei, at least vent our anger."
Shai Minghui thought left and right, wondering why bother with these flashy tactics, it’s better to go simple and crude with fists!
"No, we’re in the middle of a transition, my dad warned me that nothing should go wrong at this timing. Besides, it seems like Chen Xiangbei has some backing, if things get out of hand, it could affect my dad’s career path."
Ma Minghan immediately dismissed Shai Minghui’s idea, weighing the pros and cons accurately, knowing that his father was planning to rise during this transition, and if affected, his own skin would be peeled off!
"Then what do you suggest?"
"Aren’t you also at odds with Chen Xiangbei, why do you only ask me?"
Shai Minghui’s persistent questioning made Ma Minghan feel a bit irritated, as this guy acted like a hands-off manager.
"I can’t handle him either."
Shai Minghui was "honest," if even the great Young Master Ma couldn’t handle it, how could he?
Facing Shai Minghui’s defeatist attitude, Ma Minghan’s face grew increasingly dark.
"Damn, Chen Xiangbei steals my girl, I’ll steal his girl."
"Starting tomorrow, I’ll officially pursue Dong Yuanxi!"
Ma Minghan said with gritted teeth, never having felt so aggrieved before.
"Young Master Ma, are you admitting that Dong Yuanxi is already Chen Xiangbei’s girl?"
Shai Minghui snapped back to his senses, realizing something was off, as Dong Yuanxi was just close to Chen Xiangbei; could she really be considered his girl?
Hearing what Shai Minghui said, Ma Minghan also realized he was a bit angry, but continued to insist, "Why do you have so many questions, anyway, Dong Yuanxi will be mine in the future!"
After finishing, Ma Minghan hit the gas and sped off, feeling that even one more second looking at Chen Xiangbei would make his lungs explode with anger.
...
With the Subaru Impreza loaded, Liang Chi and Chen Xiangbei returned to the cab and headed back in the direction of Guangshen.
While driving, Liang Chi said, "Kid, while you were racing on the track, Old Zhang and I discussed your Formula path, want to hear it now?"
"Yeah."
In response to Chen Xiangbei’s brief reply, Liang Chi didn’t know whether to say this kid was too emotionally stable or just downright uninteresting, but he felt even more composed than himself.
"Huasi Sports went through quite an ordeal with the F1 Chinese Grand Prix, and their funding chain has been unable to hold up. The CCC event rights in the touring car segment will be transferred to Shengli Sports, and next year it will be rebranded as the new CTCC event."
"Karting and Formula projects are barely maintaining operations, but if things continue like this, they won’t last much longer. You’ll probably need to head to East Sea for karting training before Huasi loses its hosting rights, and then go through trial training with partners!"
"Only in this way can you make up for the age disadvantage."
Huasi Sports’ early status in China was somewhat similar to Shengli Sports later, and even further back to Jiushi Sports, essentially holding major domestic touring car and Formula event hosting rights, with internationally recognized rating qualifications as well.
At the same time, when Huasi Sports was founded, Zhang Zhicong found a very professional investment partner to help jointly build the Formula racing system.
He was Oliver Staler, a major sponsor of the Williams Team in F1 in the 70s and 80s, hailing from the United Kingdom.
Oliver provided a significant amount of venture capital to Huasi Sports, and used his network to gain support from many car manufacturers overseas, such as engines for competition from Ford, technical guidance from Honda, and so on.
Now that Huasi is on the brink of collapse, it still holds the hosting rights to the Chinese Karting Championship (CKC), which can help Chen Xiangbei build a very impressive karting resume.
Additionally, before the foreign partners completely withdraw, if you can pass their trial training and receive approval, Chen Xiangbei can participate in the factory team driver’s training plan, receiving more substantial professional training resources.
For example, the Honda Racing Academy, France’s Renault Formula training program, and McLaren’s Young Driver Program.
The only driver currently participating in overseas Formula events from China, Cheng Congfu, received support from McLaren’s Young Driver Program, and in 2005 was arranged on the Manor Team alongside Hamilton, although he didn’t achieve results.
For Chen Xiangbei, it’s now up to Huasi’s remaining embers to light up his path to a bright future.
"Uncle Liang, I understand, let’s arrange to go to East Sea as soon as possible."
Chen Xiangbei didn’t say a single unnecessary word, because he was very aware of Huasi’s historical operations and knew it was almost impossible to sustain.
"If you want things to be fast, Old Zhang will return to the company tomorrow to handle affairs, if you decide, you can go with him."
Liang Chi gave a precise time directly, as Huasi’s current situation is not optimistic, and delay could lead to changes.
Another reason was that Chen Xiangbei had never been in contact with karting before; even if he had top-notch racing talent, the two completely different types of events can’t guarantee universal compatibility.
The earlier you go to East Sea to get acquainted with karting, the greater the chance of passing trial training.
"Alright, then let’s go to East Sea tomorrow."
Without a moment’s hesitation, Chen Xiangbei agreed.
"Have you thought about how to explain this to your mom when you get back?"
Liang Chi asked in return, as professional racing is different from street racing, where you can’t just go and play a few games in your spare time. This trip to East Sea for trial training will take at least a month; Chen Xiangbei has to choose between academics and career.
For traditional parents, it’s hard to accept their children pausing their studies to engage in a dangerous and uncertain career like racing, as family factors often become a professional obstruction.
"Yeah, I’ll manage."
Chen Xiangbei nodded, as he had been considering this matter for a long time.
Racing is Chen Xiangbei’s dream, with no possibility of giving up.
The reason dreams are precious is because on the path to realization, they drive you to go forward without hesitation and to give it your all.
No matter his mother’s attitude, he will steadfastly walk down this path until he reaches the highest temple of Formula racing!
PS: The third round of loop promotion has been recommended, and every time it’s the minimum collection PK victory, sincerely thank you all for the support.