Chapter Ninety-Three: I Have Returned

"I’m back!"

Mo Shu shouted at the top of his lungs.

Yes, Mo Shu was back, returned to the team headquarters in Monte Carlo where the Divine Racing Team had been stationed and where he had thought of day and night.

In just a few more days, the second stop of the European Rally Championship, the Monte Carlo Grand Prix, would open in grand style in the suburbs not far from this base.

Speaking of Monte Carlo, one must mention the country to which this city belongs: the Principality of Monaco.

It is a tiny nation in the south of France, one of the few true city-states in the world.

Though Monaco is small in territory, its people enjoy extraordinary wealth. Its distinctive European palace-style architecture and the luxurious, ancient grand casino in Monte Carlo are among the main reasons tourists from all over the world are drawn here.

Another important reason is racing. Monte Carlo not only hosts the annual European Rally Championship, but is also the venue for the Super Formula Grand Prix, a contest of equal fame.

Its deep ties to motorsport have made this city home to many of the world’s top drivers, so when people stroll down the street, any passerby in sunglasses might well be one of the great names usually seen only on television.

"I’m back!"

Mo Shu shouted again.

Why was no one coming out to greet him?

Hadn’t Wang Yu especially hoped for his early return?

After so many days apart, had Wang Yining not missed him at all?

"Huh? Mo Shu?" Geng Hua hurried out of the headquarters, his face full of anxiety, but even after seeing Mo Shu suddenly appear, there was not much joy on it.

"What happened? Where did everyone go?" The team’s unnaturally quiet atmosphere felt terribly unfamiliar to Mo Shu.

"Wang Yu was overcome by anger and worry and collapsed. I went out to buy some medicine on the team doctor’s orders, or I’d have known you were back." Geng Hua’s expression was plainly one of deep concern.

"What? He collapsed? Then hurry and get the medicine. I’ll go inside and take a look."

Mo Shu dashed into the headquarters.

In the team clinic, everyone except Geng Hua had gathered. Wang Qing was leaning beside the bed, gripping her brother’s hand tightly, while Wang Yining stood with folded arms, looking helpless.

Mo Shu had run all the way there and was breathing hard. Wang Yining motioned for him to keep quiet and came over on tiptoe.

"How is Old Wang?" Mo Shu asked softly.

"The team doctor said it’s just exhaustion, nothing too serious."

"That’s good. Is he asleep?"

"Mm. He’s settled down now. He really scared us just a moment ago. It was the first time I’d ever seen someone convulsing in real life!"

"Convulsing? An epileptic fit?"

"Yeah..."

"I’ve never heard that Old Wang had this problem before."

"Neither have I."

Mo Shu’s breathing finally evened out a little. He gave Wang Yining a glance and slowly moved toward the hospital bed.

There lay Wang Yu, flat on his back. Though his eyes were shut and his brow was tightly furrowed, his breathing was steady and even, as if he had merely fallen into a deeper sleep.

Hearing footsteps approach, Wang Qing turned her head, and what Mo Shu saw made him jump.

Good heavens!

A pair of swollen, walnut-sized eyes nearly swallowed up Wang Qing’s small face. The eyeliner blurred by tears had left two dark, streaky trails down her cheeks.

"Brother Mo Shu..."

She muttered weakly, sounding utterly helpless.

"Ah... I’ll keep your brother company. Go wash your face."

Mo Shu could hardly bear to look at her again.

"Oh no, is my makeup ruined?" Wang Qing cried, hurriedly wiping at her face as she shot a questioning look at Wang Yining, who stood off to one side.

"Mm..." Wang Yining pressed her lips together and nodded hard, nearly bursting out laughing.

"No! I’m going to die of embarrassment!"

Wang Qing nearly yelled, and Mo Shu quickly covered her mouth just in time.

Watching the adorably foolish girl run all the way out of the clinic, Mo Shu and Wang Yining both shook their heads with quiet smiles.

"Mo... Shu... you’re finally back."

Wang Yu must have been woken by his sister’s commotion. He weakly called Mo Shu’s name.

"Hey, Old Wang, you’re awake? Don’t talk too much. Go back to sleep for a while."

Hearing Wang Yu’s voice, Mo Shu quickly took the trembling hand hanging in the air.

"The new car... no chance... no way to make it in time."

Even in his weakened state, Wang Yu was still thinking about the race.

"Old Wang, I told you before, I could handle it."

Mo Shu tried to reassure him.

"Don’t lie to me. You’ve been running around these past few days; when would you have had time to arrange all this?" Thinking of losing his chance to compete, Wang Yu was on the verge of tears.

"Old Wang, when have I ever lied to you? Trust me. Get a good night’s rest. When you’ve recovered tomorrow, I’ll take you to see the new car."

At a time like this, Mo Shu no longer dared keep Wang Yu in suspense.

"Really? If you’re lying to me, you..." Wang Yu began to cough in his anxiety.

"Old Wang, don’t get worked up. I promise you, when you get up tomorrow, you’ll definitely see our new racing car!"

Mo Shu made the vow with absolute confidence.

"Mm... I believe you. In that case, I’ll sleep a little longer. I’m counting on you for the next two days."

Wang Yu let out a faint breath. It seemed Mo Shu’s return had truly put him at ease.

Seeing his friend reduced to such a state, Mo Shu felt his nose sting.

He rose to tuck the blanket more carefully around Wang Yu, then looked at him twice more. Only then did he notice a few strands of white thread among Wang Yu’s formerly thick black hair.

"Ah..."

Mo Shu could not help but sigh.

It seemed that managing an entire racing team was no easy matter after all.

Just as Mo Shu was growing sentimental and melancholy, Wang Yining handed him a steaming cup of coffee.

A little pained, Mo Shu asked, "These past few days, you’ve all been worried sick too, haven’t you?"

Wang Yining, for her part, was remarkably strong. She smiled and said, "We’re fine. As long as you’re back, that’s what matters. But tell me, the new car for our team is really ready?"

Mo Shu nodded seriously, looking as though he wanted them to be completely at ease.

But in truth, everyone had seen that Mo Shu had returned alone. He had not brought back any new racing car at all.

Still, if the new car did not arrive by tomorrow, not only would they miss the official inspection for the European Rally Championship, but even the subsequent course reconnaissance would likely be delayed.

Yet Mo Shu trusted Tang Xiuxian. He was certain his father’s friend would not fail at such a critical moment.

Changing the rules on the fly and setting arbitrary speed limits—those were indeed some finely honed methods of torment from the Wermin family.

But the Wermin family had surely never heard a certain old saying from Huaxia: fortune turns in cycles.

The Divine Racing Team was no longer the amateur outfit of a few hot-blooded youngsters striking out alone.

At the very least, Mo Shu now had the support of a family behind him.

And not to mention Wang Yu, who had fallen ill from worry and anger—once the great figures of the Wang family in faraway Huaxia heard about it, who could say whether they might also extend a helping hand to the Divine Racing Team?