Chapter 68: Chapter 65: Is He Even Human?
"Qin Lianjie, it might sound a bit ridiculous, but I’m very sure that Huali Automobile will successfully merge, and the investment from Goldman Sachs Group will earn substantial returns."
Chen Xiangbei is currently in a stage where his words carry little weight, discussing such a major cross-border merger seems more like a keyboard strategist pointing fingers at the country.
But he still chooses to speak his mind, just like the famous butterfly effect, no one can predict how tiny variables will ultimately impact the result.
"Actually, I also believe in Huali, having the courage to host a Formula event means it’s inherently unwilling to be ordinary."
"Huasi has already failed, I don’t want to see Huali follow in its footsteps."
Qin Lianjie is a driver, and he also hopes to see the development of China’s automobile industry and events.
To be honest, his trip to the East Sea was not just to discuss the underground race with Chen Xiangbei, but also to talk to his father about the progress of the Huali investment project.
After all, compared to people in the financial circle, he is more familiar with the development of Huali Automobile, and he might be able to provide some decisive suggestions.
Qin Lianjie studied finance in Japan, and his father hopes he will take over his future position in investment banking, but he prefers racing, leading to a constant tug-of-war between father and son over this matter.
Qin Lianjie refused Liang Chi’s suggestion to join Huasi as a professional driver, largely due to this aspect. He knows very well that he is destined to inherit the family business and cannot be fully devoted to a career.
"Enough of this talk, why don’t we check out the race venue?"
Every family has its problems, and every time the topic of dreams versus reality comes up, Qin Lianjie instinctively wants to escape.
"Okay, since we’re free, let’s take a look."
Chen Xiangbei nodded, and according to Lu Xiaoman’s description, this unfinished closed road is quite similar to a WRC track, filled with the unknown and danger during driving.
To achieve the fastest speeds on this kind of track, like running a WRC event, one needs to scout the track in advance to create a roadbook, remembering every corner and obstacle on the route.
In fact, there are similar operations in Formula racing, where drivers and team members walk the track before the race.
However, for Formula racing, the purpose isn’t to remember the routes and turns because the circuit map is already ingrained in the F1 driver’s mind. They can even complete it with their eyes closed in a simulator.
It’s like the Red Bull Driver, Perez, demonstrated driving on a simulator with his eyes closed during an event, executing precise line cutting seamlessly.
Even more astonishing, a super talent like Verstappen only needs to listen to the F1 engine’s roar to judge, through the changing RPM, which corner the car is currently navigating, like a human cheat code!
...
The new route for the East Sea underground race was set in the under-construction outer ring tunnel. Due to its remote location without streetlights, it appeared desolate and silent.
At this moment, two people were chatting on a pedestrian bridge above the tunnel, the younger one advised, "Mr. Peng, selecting sponsored drivers from underground events, I feel that their skill and fame might not be worth the cost."
The man referred to as "Mr. Peng" is Peng Sheng, the founder of Jiuli Sports.
Initially, Peng Sheng set his sights on signing Olympic champions and similar sports stars. However, as a startup, Jiuli Sports’ commercial benefits were clearly not up to par with specialized agencies.
After a series of failed negotiations, Peng Sheng quickly adjusted the company direction, focusing on emerging events such as the Spartan Race.
Plus, some niche but potentially promising sports projects like boxing and auto racing!
With his keen business acuity, Peng Sheng realized that with economic development and rising car ownership, both the automotive industry and motorsport in China would have broad prospects.
Laying the groundwork now will undoubtedly seize the early advantage!
However, renowned domestic professional drivers are either training overseas or signed with teams like Han Han. Sports companies noticeably lack the fame and resources to compete with factory teams.
Peng Sheng resorted to targeting yet-to-be renowned street racers, gambling on finding potential gems.
"No problem, I’ve already chosen my candidate."
Peng Sheng casually replied. To him, the East Sea underground race is just a touchstone.
His real sponsorship target is actually Zhang Zhendong, a Formula driver who left Huasi!
Peng Sheng had done a background check long ago and knew Zhang Zhendong’s internal training results at Huasi Sports; if not for a funding interruption, he might have been racing in high-level Formula events overseas by now.
This is like hidden jewels; as long as he can prove his strength in the underground race, Peng Sheng plans to sign Zhang Zhendong and continue competing as a Jiuli driver.
Just as the two were discussing, a thunderous engine roar erupted from the tunnel. Before Peng Sheng could react, a light flashed past his eyes, the roar echoing in the tunnel long after it had sped away!
"What speed is this?"
Peng Sheng exclaimed on the spot; over the past days, he had done extensive research on racing to discover potential drivers.
The performance car that just zoomed past was at least twice as fast as the East Sea SRT drivers he usually saw. Even with the home-ground advantage, ETCC race captain Gao Hao was still lagging behind this car!
"Mr. Peng, is this someone practicing for the underground race?"
The secretary’s face was also filled with shock. Over the past few days accompanying Peng Sheng on this route, he had seen many underground drivers familiarizing themselves, but none drove this fast at night.
Peng Sheng couldn’t answer the question, as his expression had shifted from shock to excitement.
His intuition told him, this might be the potential driver he was searching for!
Without a second thought, Peng Sheng hurriedly ran down the bridge’s stairs, standing outside the road barrier, he switched on his phone’s flashlight.
This closed road only has one exit, the car must circle back. Once it gets close, waving the light to signal it to stop would reveal its mysterious identity!
Yet Peng Sheng hadn’t waited for Chen Xiangbei to return when a Civic Type-R emerged from the tunnel. Seeing the light, Qin Lianjie slowly pulled over to stop beside it, his mindset at that moment best described by a saying from later internet slang — he was overwhelmed!
Originally, Qin Lianjie was eager to spar with Chen Xiangbei, seizing this opportunity.
No driver would miss a challenge, Qin Lianjie also wanted to know, on a completely unfamiliar track, just how large the gap was between him and Chen Xiangbei.
The result left him questioning his life; for a moment, Qin Lianjie felt like he wasn’t driving a modified Civic Type-R, but a three-wheeler on a public road.
The gap couldn’t even be measured in seconds; on close to ten kilometers stretch, Qin Lianjie felt he’d be left behind by Chen Xiangbei with a minute-level time difference.
More absurdly, the gap in driving skills was just one factor; Qin Lianjie also noticed Chen Xiangbei seemed unfazed by the unknown and the darkness.
Without mentioning obstacles like stacked debris, at that speed, hitting something like a pothole or a brick on the road could cause the car to fly off the ground.
Qin Lianjie, driving nervously, didn’t feel ashamed; this was a normal reaction.
In contrast, it seemed like Chen Xiangbei was unfazed, is he even human?