God Of Racing

"Damn, they're just a bunch of pigs who only know how to sleep," Ma Ji grumbled as he ran out.

....

At the newly established Zhongshen Racing Team base, in the office building:

"Little Chen, please call Little Zhang to my office. I'll wait for him there," said the team's chairman, who had just finished with his social obligations.

Arriving at his office, he took off his suit jacket. "Good God! Wearing this thing in such hot weather is miserable! The people of Chongqing are certainly passionate. It took two days to finish all the social engagements! Sigh..."

"Chairman, you called for me?" Little Zhang entered.

"Little Zhang, come in! Sit down. Would you like something to drink?"

"No need. What's the matter?"

Leaning back in his chair, the chairman asked, "Little Zhang, what do you really think about the person you raced against the other day?"

"050302?" Little Zhang thought to himself, 'I knew it would be about this.' Aloud, he said, "But I'm just a second-tier driver in the team. I wouldn't dare to speak out of turn."

"Zhang Song, I've told you before that your skills are definitely above second-tier level. Besides, you've raced against him, so you're the most qualified to comment. Speak freely, let's just treat this as a casual chat."

"Alright. Regarding 050302, I really have nothing to say about his driving skills. They're impressive. However, he seems unfamiliar with some racing etiquette. He's almost like a complete novice when it comes to the rules..."

"So you think it's okay to recruit him for the team?" The chairman interrupted eagerly.

Zhang Song hesitated briefly, then nodded.

"Good. Then I've decided to go after him - 050302! Zhang Song, you can go now. I want to take a nap. Are you free the day after tomorrow? If so, accompany me to the taxi company."

"Yes, I'll be free. I'll take my leave now."

.....

Back in the dormitory, Zhuifeng woke up. "Little Jie!" He sat up, then fell back heavily. "Little Jie, where are you?" Looking at the ceiling, what might have been sweat or tears, or more likely a mixture of both, slowly trickled down from the corners of his eyes. "School starts the day after tomorrow, right? I should visit Uncle Wang. I haven't seen the old man since I started working."

....

Out on the street, seeing the crowded buses, Zhuifeng smiled wryly. "Looks like there's no way to save money here."

.....

After getting out of the taxi, he saw Uncle Wang returning from grocery shopping.

"Uncle Wang, I've come to see you! Let me help you with that!" The long-absent smile returned to Zhuifeng's face.

"Oh, young master! I can manage. Do you need to use the car?"

"Uncle Wang, I've told you before, don't call me young master. Just call me Zhuifeng or Little Feng. I'm not here for the car. School starts the day after tomorrow, and I was afraid I wouldn't have time to visit you later, so I came today." He forcefully took the grocery basket from Uncle Wang and supported him with one hand.

"You're staying in the dorms? Not going home?"

"Home? I... I don't have a home anymore."

"What? Young master, oh, I mean, Little Feng, you've moved out?" Uncle Wang asked excitedly, grabbing Zhuifeng's arm.

"Yes. But Uncle Wang, don't worry. My life before wasn't much different from living alone. Besides, I'm living in the dorms now, so you really don't need to worry."

"Ah... you child, always thinking of others. I really don't understand. They're both biological children, but how can the treatment of two brothers be so different? It's like heaven and earth." He caressed Zhuifeng's face with his calloused hand, sighing.

Although the calluses against his skin were a bit uncomfortable, Zhuifeng enjoyed this caring touch.

"Come, let's go home and talk more."

"Actually, I'm really confused. I've been thinking about that one question: Am I really my parents' biological child? Uncle Wang, can you tell me?"

"Although I didn't personally witness your conception or birth, I believe you must be the flesh and blood of the master and madam."

"Uncle Wang, are you saying you didn't see me born? Haven't you been with our family for twenty or thirty years?" Zhuifeng's heart began to race.

"At that time, the master and madam weren't in Chongqing, they were in Beijing. We all learned about madam's pregnancy through phone calls. You were born after eight months, and that was also announced by phone. Think about it, if you weren't madam's child, where did the baby she was carrying go? Alright, we're here. Don't overthink it. Although I don't know why the master and madam treat you this way, I do know you're their child."

Zhuifeng, torn between not wanting to be their child and fearing he might be an orphan, began to regret asking after getting a clear answer. The space for imagination was gone, leaving him feeling empty.

"Sigh... what am I thinking? Even if they are my parents, isn't it the same as not having any? This is fine, at least I nominally have parents..."

"Little Feng, what are you thinking about? Come in quickly, it's so hot outside!"

"Oh, Uncle Wang, I'm coming."

"Uncle Wang, you washed my car again! I told you it wasn't necessary. It doesn't cost much to wash a car outside, and from now on, I won't be using it much anyway." As soon as he entered the gate and saw his vehicle sparkling in the garage, Zhuifeng sighed again. "Uncle Wang, you're so good to me. How can I ever repay you?"

"Little Feng, don't talk about repayment. I'm just idle at home now, it's nothing. Come, have some watermelon!... By the way, you didn't take the car for maintenance last month. Are you not going to use it?"

Taking the watermelon, Zhuifeng paused: "Forget it, I won't be using it anyway." He finally understood the saying that money isn't everything, but without money, you can't do anything. He sighed again.

Uncle Wang just looked at him without pressing further. "Little Feng, I'm leaving the day after tomorrow too."

"Leaving? Where to?"

"My son is working in Beijing now. He's called several times asking me to go there. He even bought the plane ticket for me. He says I've worked hard for most of my life and should rest now." A content smile spread across his face as he spoke.

Zhuifeng was also happy for him. "That's right, Uncle Wang. You should rest and enjoy life now. Oh no... I won't have time to see you off the day after tomorrow. What should we do?"

"No need, no need. My son will send someone to pick me up. Here, take this." He handed over a set of keys. "In the future, when you have time, come and check on the house for me."

After thinking for a moment, Zhuifeng accepted the keys. "Alright, no problem. If I have the chance in the future, I'll definitely come to Beijing to visit you."

"That would be great! Little Feng, you watch some TV first. I'll go prepare dinner."

"I'll help you!" Knowing this might be their last meal together in Chongqing, Zhuifeng readily agreed to stay.

It was already past 7 PM when Zhuifeng left Uncle Wang's house. Looking up at the sky, he thought, 'I should walk around a bit. It's been a while since I've been here.'

Following the evening crowd out for a cool breeze, he slowly made his way to the riverside, a place filled with fond memories. Seeing the sparsely populated riverbank, he lay down on the beach, his thoughts drifting back to the past...

"...By the way, Brother Feng! What's your full name?"

"Why do you want to know?"

"I've always just known you as Feng, and I call you Brother Feng. But I'm about to move away. If I don't know your name, how will I find you in the future? Tell me, please?"

"Stop shaking me, or I'll shake you apart! Haha... My name? You'll have to guess! It's what follows right after 'feng1'."

...

When you're young, you probably think the wind is fast, and young Zhuifeng was no exception! But little Little Jie didn't understand then. After growing up and realizing that the wind wasn't actually that fast, Little Jie became even more confused about what could possibly follow 'wind'.

"Hey... Little Jie, look over there. I thought you were the only one who liked sleeping on sand, but there's someone else too. Is it really that comfortable sleeping on the beach?"

"Why don't you try it yourself and find out?" Zhao Jie replied lazily, eyes closed, enjoying the river breeze caressing her face.

"No thanks, I'm afraid I might catch a cold. You enjoy yourself!" Li Ling shook her head quickly. "By the way, Zhao Jie, how did you know there was a hidden beach here?"

"Don't you remember I used to live in Chongqing? Back then, this place was our favorite spot."

"Our? Who else?"

"Nothing..." Zhao Jie fell silent, gazing at the gradually darkening sky, memories buried deep in her heart stirred by the question.