CNYTM Chapter 32

“Whose poem is this? Is it also by Keats?”

 

“Marguerite Duras.”

 

“Oh! Thanks.”

 

“Go to sleep.”

 

Hunter was in a daze the next morning when he felt something touch his forehead and then heard the sound of the door closing.

 

“Hmm?” Hunter rubbed his eyes before recalling Winston slept in his room last night.

 

He should have left the hotel and gone to the airport.

 

After waking up, Hunter stretched and headed to the restaurant for breakfast.

 

He remembered Marcus’s reminder to send flowers to Audrey today.

 

There is a flower shop on the road beside the hotel. The fresh flowers look exquisite in the morning light.

 

Hunter slipped his hands into his pocket, and a florist greeted him, asking what flowers he wanted to buy.

 

“Well… I don’t want red roses; they should just look nice.”

 

“I thought you were going to buy flowers for the woman you like, but it turns out you weren’t.”

 

Hunter was taken aback, for sure… He always liked Audrey Wilson, so why did he say “No red roses” right now?

 

“What do you think about the combination of peony, goldfish flowers, and baby’s breath?”

 

“Very lovely!”

 

Hunter replied with a smile.

“Do you want to write a card?”

“Of course!“.

Hunter took the card and pen. What poem did Winston teach him last night?

I met you.

I remember you.

Your soul was born to be in love with me.

 

This city was tailor-made for our love.

Hunter grinned, raised his pen, and thought for a few seconds before scribbling a few lines, signing his name on it, tying the cart to the bouquet, and instructing the florist to deliver the bouquet to Audrey’s hotel room.

 

He also has to pack and prepare to fly to Japan, the next race’s destination.

 

Hunter was bored when he arrived at the airport. He paused in front of the vending machine, debating whether to purchase a bottle of Coca-Cola or Pepsi.

 

“I’ve been waiting for you for a long time. In fact, if you can drink, I’ll buy you everything in the vending machine. All I want is a bottle of juice.”

 

A somewhat sarcastic voice came from behind Hunter.

 

He noticed Owen’s lovely eyes as soon as he turned his head.

 

“Oh…Owen…would you like to buy a drink?”

 

“Uh-huh. I assumed you had a phobia of choice, but it now appears that you simply enjoy blocking others.”

 

“You could have called me earlier.” Hunter stepped aside, embarrassed.

 

“It’s okay, I only stood behind you for less than three seconds.”

 

Owen turned around with his drink in his hand and grinned at Hunter.

 

“Wait… I’ve suddenly remembered something!”

 

“What?”

 

“You said last time if I could beat Donald in the main event...”

 

Owen replied, “I will invite you to a party.”

 

“As long as you remember!”

 

“My taste isn’t great; are you sure you want to come play?”

 

“It’s not a bondage party...”

 

“I had no idea you had such a strong taste,” Owen said with a smile. “Does your team have time to rest when you arrive in Tokyo?”

 

“Well, on the first day.”

 

“I’ll come pick you up.” Owen walked away with a drink after speaking.

 

“Are you going to pick me up? “Do you even have any idea of where I’ll be?”

 

This guy doesn’t even have his phone number!

 

Perhaps Lawrence Owen, like Donald, appears friendly on the surface but has no intention of getting close to anyone.

 

At this moment, Hunter’s cell phone rang, it was an unfamiliar number.

 

Hunter answered it suspiciously, and Owen’s voice came through.

 

“Stinky brat, do you think I’m playing tricks on you?”

 

“Eh, why do you have my mobile phone number?”

 

“What do you think?” There was an obvious smile in Owen’s voice.

 

“Oh, I see-Donald gave it to you!”

 

“I will give you two hours after you arrive at the hotel. If you don’t show up within two hours, our agreement will be considered void.”

 

The phone was hung up on him right after he finished speaking.

 

Hunter suddenly felt that Owen was very wilful. Two hours? Will Marcus even have enough time to nag?

 

When Hunter boarded the plane, he found that he and Owen were on the same flight. But as soon as he sat down, Owen pulled on his eye mask and fell asleep, he didn’t even have a chance to say hello.

 

It’s as if they’re pretending, they don’t know each other.

 

In the hotel lobby in Tokyo, Hunter found that Owen and his team were staying in the same hotel.

 

Owen was wearing sunglasses the entire time with his hands in his pockets. Those who didn’t know would have guessed that it was some celebrity traveling. He had checked in before Hunter, and as he headed to the lift, he pointed two fingers at Hunter, implying that the agreement was now almost invalid.

 

Marcus began nagging, and Hunter felt like rolling his eyes at him.

 

“Tokyo is a very special place, and some industries here are particularly developed!”

 

“Thank you for reminding me, I will go and take a look.” Hunter nodded.

 

Two hours was not enough for him to stop spewing nonsense.

 

Hunter scratched his ears and walked to his room with his luggage. Another peek at the clock revealed that the time agreed upon with Owen was barely five minutes away.

 

At that very time, Hunter’s phone rang; it was Owen. He said only two words: “Come down.”

 

Hunter dashed out of the room, into the lift, and pushed the lift button. He observed an arrogant Porsche at the hotel’s entrance, as well as Owen wearing sunglasses and lounging in the sun with his head on his hands

 

Hunter did not open the car door, but instead leaped into the co-pilot seat and yanked on the seat belt.

 

“Where exactly are we going?”

 

“You will know when we get there” Owen smiled as he turned his face sideways.

 

Hunter suddenly felt that he had boarded a pirate ship.

 

At this point, Hunter’s phone rang, and the caller ID showed that it was Winston.

 

Hunter’s heart fluttered for no clear reason, as he answered: “Hey——are you calling to ask if I’ve arrived in Tokyo? “I’m already here!”

 

Hunter smiled.

 

“Hmm.” Winston’s voice was calm. Hunter could hear the tolerance in his voice even if it was only one syllable.

 

“Hey, it was you who called, and you’re just saying yes or no?”

 

 

“Why didn’t you write the poem I taught you on the card?”

 

“Huh? What?” Hunter was a little puzzled.

 

 

“Audrey Wilson just finished an interview with Ferrari. She mentioned the birthday card you gave her, claiming she will remember it forever.”

 

“Really… I don’t even remember what I wrote!” Hunter said, smiling.

 

“What you wrote is, I hope that even when I am fifty years old, you will still be as beautiful as a young girl.”

 

“Isn’t it good?”

 

“You can’t remember the poem I read to you at all, can you?”

 

“Don’t underestimate my memory! I thought about it, the poem you read to me is not at all suitable for Audrey Wilson.”

 

“Why?”

 

“I want to save it for my proposal.”

 

“Proposal? I hope you remember it.”

 

Hunter imagined a nod and a smile on the other end of the phone.

 

You’re so happy just because I can’t remember that poem?

 

Hunter realized Owen had been looking at him with a profound smile as he hung up the phone.

 

“Who were you talking to?”

 

“Ah, it’s that guy Vann Winston!” Hunter grinned and rubbed the back of his neck.

 

“Oh? It’s quite unusual… I assumed Vann Winston wouldn’t have anyone’s phone number saved in his phone. It appears that the rumors about him eliminating McGrady from your team for you are true?”

 

“Do you mean what he said in the hotel? It’s all right…”

 

“It’s more than that. Certainly, it has something to do with what he said in the hotel.”

 

 “Didn’t he say that as long as McGrady plays, he’ll be kicked off the track?”

 

“You’re talking about the race in Austria. How can it be possible- McGrady was lapped, and Winston simply overtook him. And it was only after he overtook that McGrady rushed out of the track!”

 

 

Owen grinned. “Although there is no way to punish him for a foul, he used his experience to cause McGrady to panic,” he stretched his arms and patted Hunter’s head. McGrady expected him to come from the left side, but Winston misled him, causing McGrady to make a wrong turn.”

 

“Impossible… Even if he said those things and told McGrady to stay away from the track, he wouldn’t do it. He and McGrady have no grudges. Also, his ranking is miles ahead of McGrady’s!”

 

“Because he’s Vann Winston, he has to do what he says. Hunter, you have to be careful.”

 

“What?”

 

“If you reject such a man, He won’t let you go.”

 

Hunter couldn’t see Owen’s eyes properly because of his sunglasses, but his smile was evil.

 

“Why do I get the feeling that you’re gloating?”

 

“That’s because I am,” Owen admitted generously.

 

“But… I think something is wrong with what you said. Why would I reject Winston?” Hunter was at a loss for words.

 

Owen continued to laugh saying, “All I know is that it’s the first time I’ve seen Vann Winston call a fellow driver instead of a team staff.”

 

“We’re good friends!”

 

“Oh, he’s been racing in Formula One for a while. This is the first time I’ve heard that he has friends.”

 

“Okay…...”

 

When the car came to a halt at the intersection, Owen propped up the window and glanced at Hunter, saying, somewhat solemnly, “Hunter…do you remember what I said to you just now?”

 

“What exactly are you talking about?”

 

“You’ve said a lot of words, some of which are useless; which one are you referring to?”

 

“I said don’t reject Winston because if you do, he’ll come hard at you.”

 

Owen drove away as the traffic lights changed.

 

“Come hard at me? When you put it like that, I sound like the woman he’s chasing.”

 

“Half is right, and half is wrong.”

 

Owen said part of it, kept half of it and laughed obnoxiously.

 

Hunter wanted to have a serious discussion with Owen about this issue, but the car stopped in front of a clubhouse.

 

“We are here.”

 

“Where exactly is this place?”

 

“Shinjuku.”

 

“Is this the kind of club where there are a lot of maids sitting on my lap with trays?” Hunter’s face was filled with eagerness.

 

“Have you seen too many vulgar films?” Owen tossed the keys to the valet in the suit, removed his sunglasses, and said, “Let’s go.”

 

Hunter followed Owen in, only to find out that it was nothing like he had imagined.

 

There was a long runway with seats at both ends for all the guests. The lights were bright, and the music had a distinct rhythm.

 

“This is a fashion show?” Hunter became disappointed.

 

The models in a fashion show are exclusively for viewing and not for touching! Boring!

 

“A fashion show? That’s so dull.” Owen put his arm around Hunter’s shoulder. “Little guy, if you have a good time today, can you promise me one condition?” I promise I’ll make you happier in the future.”

 

Hunter squinted his eyes and glanced at him. Hunter responded fiercely, saying, “Anyway, I won’t let you force me.”

 

“I’m very straight… so, I can’t like you.” Owen averted his gaze from Hunter.

 

“I’m a straight guy, too!” Hunter voiced his great dissatisfaction.

 

“You may have been very straight before, but who knows what will happen in the future?” Owen curled his lips, looking stunning in the light.

 

Just as he had finished, a man in a suit on the other side winked in Owen’s direction.

 

Hunter grinned and clapped Owen on the shoulder, saying, “Hahaha! That’s correct! You are so straight that only women wink at you!”

 

“Hey didn’t you notice, that man is interested in you?” Owen gave Hunter a dubious look.

 

“Ah? How is that possible—I’m not as attractive as you!”

 

“You make other men want to conquer you.”

 

After speaking Owen pressed Hunter’s head into his shoulder, his happy eyes turning chilly, as he gazed at the man dressed in a suit.

 

The man in the suit lost the staring contest and had to avert his face to avoid Owen’s stare. Hunter kept looking at him, puzzled as Owen covered Hunter’s eyes with his hands.

 

“Are you still looking? I just gave the other party a warning, and you’re still gazing at him. You realize you’re telling the other guy that he can pursue you, right?”

 

“What? Just what sort of show is this?”

 

Men can even wink at each other!  This is like discovering a new world!

 

“A show? Didn’t I say I’d take you to a party? The theme of this party is ‘Beauty and the Beast.’ After some time, either a beauty or a beast will walk down the runway. Pay close attention to the auction if you like someone. The beauty or beast’s time is the topic of the auction. You cannot seek a return or replacement after the auction has ended. So, keep your eyes open and don’t make the wrong decision.”

 

“Auction?” Hunter’s first thought was that Winston had purchased his baseball cap at Ferrari’s charity event.

 

“What kind of mess are you conjuring up in your head? All those who have come here are successful people from all walks of life.”

 

“Oh…well-dressed…”

 

“It’s a well-dressed philanthropist. The profits from the auction will be used to help children in poor areas of Africa.”

 

“What?” Hunter was a little taken aback. He had not expected such a lavish party to serve such a “noble” goal.

 

“This is the ingenuity of this clubhouse’s owner, to make those wealthy people happily donate money. So, Hunter, if you fancy someone and win their time in the auction, you are not permitted to roll on the sheets here. This is the party’s rule. The auction is about time rather than the body.”

 

“What’s the point of doing that? We are just allowed to talk and chat?”

 

“Except for rolling sheets, you can still kiss. If you have good kissing abilities and the other party is willing to leave you their phone number, you can pursue them outside the club.”

 

“I suddenly don’t understand you rich people’s pursuit.” Hunter shook his head.

 

At this point, the music began to play, and tall and thin women dressed in elegant clothing emerged one after the other.

 

Some had blond hair and blue eyes, while others had brown wavey hair and some were Asian women with black hair.

 

Their legs were long and graceful, and every step they took made their hearts beat like drums.

 

The guests all raised their chins and opened their eyes wide, as though looking up at an altar.

 

“They are so beautiful…”

 

They’re all gorgeous but where are the beasts?

 

Then a girl with short brown hair and a long aqua-blue gown walked down the runway.

 

Hunter’s heart sank for no clear reason when he saw her fair skin and icy blue eyes.

 

And after that no matter how lovely the girl who walked in front of him was, he couldn’t forget those ice-blue eyes and ethereal disposition.

 

After nearly an hour, the guests seemed to have had enough of the show.

 

“Do you like the girl with short hair and a long aqua-blue dress?” Owen whispered in Hunter’s ears.

 

“Hmm.” Hunter nodded. “Can I bid for her time?”.

 

Hunter felt that he would not be bored even if he could only listen to her.

 

“I think she should be very expensive.” Owen smiled in response.

 

“That’s it… too bad.”

 

Hunter sighed, remembering the auction price at the Ferrari charity event; the price of that girl would very certainly be in the tens of thousands of dollars.

 

And it’s obvious that this is a place to blow money.

 

“I can invite her for you,” Owen responded.

 

“No…no need!”

 

With the auction being so pricey, it was impossible for Hunter to let Owen invite the lady on his behalf.

 

“Don’t worry. I can find someone to return it to me.”

 

At this point, the music changed. The girls on stage began twisting their waists, and one steel pipe after another rose on the T-stage.

 

They ripped their long skirts around their waists and let loose. They began to perform an array of alluring maneuvers, which were enough to make people’s hearts race with excitement.

 

Hunter’s eyes widened as the girl with short brown hair twirled around the steel pipe and executed a split that accentuated her enticing physique. Hunter hadn’t ever thought that anyone in the world could be both sexy and pure at the same time.

 

The so-called auction was about to begin when the music stopped.

 

“Each girl is auctioned off for three hours. If you get her, you must try to impress her as much as possible. Every second is valuable. Otherwise, once you leave here, you may never see her again.” Owen prompted.

 

Hunter became dumbfounded when the first girl’s time was auctioned off for 30,000 US dollars.

 

The price was likewise rising, with the highest bid reaching 60,000 US dollars.

 

Hunter cast a sideways glance at Owen; this guy with his chin propped up and a smirk on the corners of his lips, was staring at each girl as if she were a work of art.

 

When a girl with long black hair approached the stage, Owen licked his lips and raised his hand to bid without hesitation.

 

In the end, the price soared to $70,000. Hunter finally knew what “spending money like water” meant, and Owen finally won three hours with the black-haired girl.

 

“Don’t worry, I’ll help you if you want.”

 

When the girl with short brown hair showed up at the front of the runway, the atmosphere instantly became lively.

 

She lowered her head and glanced at Hunter.

 

Those piercing icy-blue eyes seemed to contain a giant ocean that could drown Hunter.

 

Her name is Nicky.

 

Nikki smiled shyly at him, her eyes full of anticipation.

 

Hunter, on the other hand, was disappointed since the price soared to 50,000 US dollars.

 

“She seems to like you a lot,” Owen remarked with his chin propped up.

 

“My annual salary is only 250,000 euros…”

 

“You got the points, so the team should have rewarded you handsomely. Where did the money disappear?”

 

“The house I grew up in was auctioned off to pay off debts. I want to buy it back.” Hunter lowered his head not daring to meet Nikki’s eyes. “I now regret not giving it my all in the first three races…Otherwise, I would have earned more dividends.”

 

“You are so cute, Hunter.” Owen unexpectedly seized Hunter’s wrist and lifted his hand, “Sixty thousand dollars!”

 

“Hey——” Hunter looked surprised at Owen, but the other side looked like an old god.

 

“When you play with me, you don’t have to worry about money.”

 

At this point, the man in the opposite suit was surprised by the sudden bid and then joined the bidding: “Seventy thousand dollars!”

 

“Eighty thousand dollars.” Owen raised Hunter’s hand once again.

 

“Hey! Owen, please don’t be like this! I know you’re richer than me, and I think it would be great if you bought me a glass of fine wine or took me to the North Pole to view the aurora, but spending $80,000…”

 

“Do you think that girl’s expectations and affection for you are not worth 80,000 dollars?” Owen questioned with a smile.