Chapter Sixty-One: Reunion Before the Opening Match

Bern, Switzerland—this was the second time Mo Shu and his companions had visited. Unlike their first trip, they could no longer treat the ERC race as a lighthearted game. Awaiting them now was the mental chess played beneath the track, and the fierce competition above it.

Given their growing popularity in Switzerland, the Divine Team was welcomed by fans wherever they went. Upon arrival at their hotel, the hosts greeted them with a grand red banner, reminiscent of celebrations back in their homeland. The golden characters emblazoned across it were strikingly prominent: "Warmly Welcome the Distinguished Guests of Divine Team to Our Hotel!"

The hotel itself was lavish—though its floors were not tall, the lobby was bright and tastefully decorated. The only pity was that their stay would be brief; soon, Divine Team would be moving on to the next stage.

Once everyone had settled into their rooms, the ERC official responsible for their reception departed early—Swiss people, after all, adhered meticulously to schedules, allowing neither carelessness nor delay.

Mo Shu arranged his luggage, changed into more casual clothes, and left his room alone. Today, he wished to wander by himself, reviewing technical essentials—a ritual he had cultivated before every major competition.

It was already late. The hotel lobby was quiet, almost empty of guests—Mo Shu’s favorite time of day. He lounged on a soft, comfortable sofa, gazing up at the massive crystal chandelier suspended above, his mind beginning to simulate the possible scenarios he might face on race day.

"Mo Shu?" Someone seemed to recognize him—likely another fan. At this hour, there shouldn’t be any media or journalists, Mo Shu thought, yawning lazily as he turned around.

Who was this person?

Mo Shu’s first instinct told him he definitely knew her.

He observed her for a long moment before realization struck, and he blurted out in surprise, "Liu Ting?"

"Yes, I’m surprised you still remember me after so many years," Liu Ting replied, her smile radiant.

"Hey... didn’t you recognize me at once, too? You’ve changed so much," Mo Shu said, his face flushing slightly.

Their slightly evasive glances revealed that there was a story between them.

This Liu Ting was no ordinary girl. Her father held a senior position in a major Chinese enterprise, her mother had long since reached an executive level in a bank, but most significant of all—she was once Mo Shu’s first love.

Back in their high school days, Liu Ting and Mo Shu were classmates. During the initial military training, Liu Ting nearly fainted on the field from exhaustion. Mo Shu happened by and promptly took her to the infirmary, and thus began their acquaintance.

When military training ended and the school year officially began, a delightful coincidence occurred: Mo Shu and Liu Ting were assigned as desk mates.

They exchanged smiles, marveling at the mysterious workings of fate. As their friendship deepened, a subtle, indescribable attraction blossomed, and soon, they embarked on their first romance.

But their innocent love was discovered by their homeroom teacher—a notoriously domineering woman whose complaints filled the air. Other teachers avoided her, lest they be caught in a tirade about the school’s leadership or inadvertently offend her, incurring her wrath.

Encountering such a teacher was a calamity for any student.

Determined to nip their pure affection in the bud, the homeroom teacher spared no effort.

First move: change seats! Thus ended Mo Shu and Liu Ting’s desk mate days.

Second move: summon their parents! Both families were harassed to distraction.

Third move: threats! Seeing the students’ stubborn resistance, the teacher brandished her ultimate weapon—she warned Liu Ting’s parents that if Liu Ting continued her relationship with Mo Shu, she would do everything in her power to remove Liu Ting from the top-tier class during the academic streaming in their second year.

Though Liu Ting’s parents were influential, they did not wish to antagonize the teacher and risk their daughter’s academic prospects, especially since early romance was frowned upon at that time. So they spent a long session persuading Liu Ting.

From then on, the young couple’s romance went underground.

Finally, the winter holiday arrived, and Mo Shu and Liu Ting had more time together. That winter, Mo Shu took Liu Ting to every park in Nanshan, sampled all its delicious foods, and, as the lunar New Year approached, vowed never to be parted from her.

Yet Mo Shu, careless and young, failed to notice the fading spark in Liu Ting’s eyes, the occasional shadow of gray sadness.

The joyful winter break soon ended, and the new term began. As always, Mo Shu waited outside Liu Ting’s house early each morning to escort her to school.

But when Liu Ting rode up on her bicycle and Mo Shu greeted her with a bright smile, the icy coldness in her gaze left him at a loss.

What had happened? Why did she look at him that way?

From that day on, Liu Ting never looked at Mo Shu again. No matter how he questioned her, pleaded, or humbled himself, her response was always the same: she ignored him completely.

He never knew why. There was no explanation, no sense of familiarity—just bewilderment for the young boy.

Even after the second-year class streaming, when the homeroom teacher expelled Mo Shu, he still didn’t know what had transpired between himself and Liu Ting.

If only life were as it was at first meeting—why must the autumn wind bring sorrow to painted fans?

Gradually, Mo Shu’s sadness and despair brought him to resignation, though he never understood the reason.

He never imagined that, after so many years, he would meet Liu Ting again in Bern, Switzerland, thousands of miles from their homeland. Could it be that their fate was not yet extinguished?

First love—a cherished memory kept alive in the hearts of so many.

"So... what are you doing in Switzerland?" Liu Ting had meant to ask, but Mo Shu beat her to it.

"I live here now," Liu Ting replied softly.

"Oh, really? Switzerland is a wonderful place..."

"Yes, it is..."

"The weather’s nice today; the clouds are beautiful," Mo Shu said. The moment the words left his mouth, he wished he could slap himself—clearly, it was nighttime. He cursed his own stupidity.

"......"

"Have you been well these years?" Mo Shu tried to regain his composure.

"I’m alright. After graduating high school, my parents sent me to study in Switzerland. I stayed on, found a job, and followed in my mother’s footsteps into the banking system," Liu Ting said, seemingly content with her work.

"Oh..." Mo Shu drew out the sound, searching for a way to continue.

"And you? Are you living in Switzerland long-term?" Liu Ting asked in return.

"No, no, I’m here on business."

"That’s good—you don’t have to pay for your own travel then."

"Uh... I suppose so," Mo Shu replied, uncertain whether the expenses were his own—most likely, thanks to Wang Yining’s contribution.

"So which industry are you in now?" Liu Ting asked curiously.

Just as Mo Shu was about to answer, a tall, handsome Chinese man appeared, interrupting the long-awaited reunion.

"Ting, have you met an old friend?"