Chapter Thirty-Eight: Relentless Barrage

“Shu, the Ruslein car now belongs to you, but the true reason I came here today is to invite you to join my organization. One day, I will see you succeed Ruslein as a member of the Six Realms Celestials!” Wilmyn made an offer of astonishing generosity.

Mo Shu glanced at Wang Yining, then turned to fix his gaze on Wilmyn, lost in thought.

What kind of figures were the Six Realms Celestials? Legends of the racing world, almost godlike, and judging by the situation, it seemed Wilmyn truly held those six men in her grasp. Mo Shu’s suspicions were confirmed—the rumors on the “Oil Pan” website were real.

As a driver, who didn’t dream of being a champion? Who wouldn’t yearn to ascend the altar of the Celestials? If Mo Shu claimed otherwise, it would be an outright lie.

Wilmyn smiled serenely, waiting for Mo Shu’s answer. She had high hopes for this young man from the East. In her mind, Mo Shu had already replaced her original candidate, Black Mirror. Besides, the offer she gave was nearly enough to make one a legend overnight—hard for anyone to refuse.

“I...” Mo Shu bit his lower lip. Wang Yining’s eyes signaled him with all her might not to accept; she’d always felt Wilmyn was not a woman to be trifled with.

“I accept...” Mo Shu forced out the words with difficulty, and Wilmyn’s smile turned triumphant.

“I accept your first proposal—the Ruslein car is mine!” Mo Shu’s reply, punctuated by deep breaths, turned the mood on its head for the two women. “Miss Wilmyn, as for joining your organization, for the time being, I’d rather stay with my friends. This is loyalty—to my companions and my team. I hope you understand my intentions. I’m grateful for your invitation; perhaps one day, we may have the chance to cooperate.”

“Ha... Friends? Loyalty?” Wilmyn sneered. “I didn’t expect you to refuse me... Very well, when you step onto the international stage, don’t forget you spoke of ‘cooperation.’”

She deliberately emphasized the word “cooperation.” Mo Shu smiled and nodded, watching as Wilmyn strode away.

Wang Yining pinched Mo Shu, jealousy written all over her face. “Cooperation? You just think she’s pretty and wanted to keep your options open!”

“Not at all! I was afraid she’d get angry and do us in on the spot!”

“So you never planned to join her organization?”

“Of course not. Her own words proved the rumors true. I don’t want to deal with such a scheming woman. Silly...” Mo Shu flicked Wang Yining’s nose.

Just then, the system’s notification chimed in Mo Shu’s mind—the ‘Eternal Engine Core’ mission was complete. He and Wang Yining could return home and compete!

“But how are we supposed to get back with this car?” Wang Yining frowned at the Ruslein race car.

“If you ask me, we’ll just drive it back ourselves!”

“Drive it? From Italy?” Wang Yining thought she must have misheard.

“Sure! It won’t take long—a week should do it!” Mo Shu had always dreamed of such a road trip, ever since high school.

“Lunatic...” Wang Yining pouted, but then said, “But since I’m traveling with you, why not?”

“Ha! Let’s head out!”

“Let’s go!”

...

About a week later, at dawn, a strange “alien battle car” sat quietly parked at the entrance of the Star Racing Team in Nanshan City.

“Uncle Wang, Uncle Zhang, we’re back!” Even before they stepped through the doors, Mo Shu and Wang Yining couldn’t wait to announce their return from Rome—they had plenty of stories to share.

Yet, the usually bustling team headquarters was peculiarly quiet. On their way in, they saw only two or three colleagues, all looking listless and merely nodding as they hurried past.

How odd—not a weekend, yet the place was deserted. Mo Shu jogged up to the second floor.

“Uncle Wang! Uncle Zhang!”

Mo Shu pushed open the manager’s office door. Normally, Wang Yu and Zhang Aimin would be there, reviewing race footage. But today, only Wang Yu stood by the window, looking rather forlorn, a nearly spent cigarette in his hand.

“Uncle Wang, when did you start smoking again?” Mo Shu asked in surprise.

“Sigh... Gave it up for two years, but lately, I just couldn’t help it.” Wang Yu forced a bitter smile.

“Uncle Wang, has something happened?” Wang Yining’s woman’s intuition told her something serious was afoot.

Wang Yu suddenly looked up at the two of them, stubbed out his cigarette hard into the flowerpot, and said gloomily, “My uncle’s in the hospital. It’s pretty bad.”

“A heart attack? He mentioned his heart to me before—it’s been an issue for years. I’m sure Uncle Zhang will be out in a few days,” Mo Shu offered reassurance.

But Wang Yu only shook his head with another bitter smile and quietly asked, “Do you know why he had a heart attack out of the blue?”

Mo Shu and Wang Yining looked blank—how could they possibly know?

“Heh.” Wang Yu let out a cold chuckle. “My uncle’s company is being targeted for a hostile takeover. He no longer has enough shares to control the situation—there’s nothing he can do. The burden finally broke him. I’m afraid our Star Racing Team will soon have a new owner. After this, it won’t be up to my uncle anymore.”

It was a bolt from the blue. Mo Shu’s mind went blank. He’d only been away a few days—how could such a crisis have erupted?

“Uncle Wang, who is behind the takeover of Star Group?” Wang Yining’s eyes flickered strangely as she asked.

“Who else could it be? Kunsheng Group—Zhao Kunlun!” Just mentioning the name made Wang Yu’s anger flare.

“But Zhao Kunlun’s company is nowhere near as large as Star Group. Is someone backing him?” Mo Shu couldn’t believe it. He’d seen Zhang Aimin’s strength and methods; even Zhao Kunlun was wary of provoking him.

“Word is, Zhao Kunlun’s backer is that vicious woman—Wilmyn!” Wang Yu’s back slumped with dejection, making him look like a tired old man.

Another thunderclap sounded in Mo Shu’s mind.

Could Wilmyn really be seeking revenge for his refusal in Rome?

Impossible—he quickly dismissed the thought. A woman like Wilmyn would never go to such lengths for personal grievances. There had to be a larger ambition at play.

This was a dire situation. Star Group was a leading company in Nanshan City, but internationally, it probably wouldn’t even rank in the top 500. If the rumors were true—that Wilmyn secretly controlled five or six multinational corporations—and she was helping Kunsheng Group with this hostile takeover, not just Star Group, but all the enterprises in Nanshan combined couldn’t match that woman.

“Wang Yining, wait here for me. I’ll get the car and we’ll visit Uncle Zhang at the hospital.” Mo Shu pulled out the RT500’s keys.

He rushed out of headquarters—only to run straight into the last person he wanted to see: Black Mirror.

“Hehehe, what’s the rush?” Black Mirror asked with obvious malice.

“What’s it to you? What are you doing here at our team?” Mo Shu retorted irritably.

“Your team? I’m afraid this will soon be Kunsheng’s second team.” Black Mirror was pouring salt in the wound.

“Not necessarily. Get out of my way—I’ve got somewhere to be!” Mo Shu restrained his urge to start a fight, brushed past Black Mirror, and kept walking.

“Go ahead. The farther away, the better. Just stop dragging my sister around with you!”

The words stopped Mo Shu in his tracks. He suddenly remembered Black Mirror’s flirtatious behavior with Wang Yining at the test track, and all the awkwardness that surfaced every time Wang Yining’s name was mentioned in connection with Black Mirror. He’d always suspected a connection between them, and now, the truth was out.

“Heh...” Mo Shu’s face turned ashen; how many more blows would this day bring?

Black Mirror smoothed her golden hair and deliberately slowed her speech to torment Mo Shu.

“That’s right. I know you want to ask but are too shy to say it, so I’ll tell you myself: She is my biological sister—Wang. Yi. Ning!”