CNYTM Chapter 33

“It’s not that she’s not worth it; it’s just that I’m not.”

 

If you have the ability, you must cherish the other party as much as possible.

 

However, if you are unable to lavish them with the attention they deserve, do not set unrealistic expectations for the other person. Hunter has since long held this belief.

 

“Come to the Red Bull team; we will pay you an annual salary of 750,000 euros, which is three times the salary of the Marcus team.”  Owen stated.

 

Hunter’s eyes widened with disbelief and he thought that he was having auditory hallucinations.

 

“The liquidated damages will be borne by Red Bull Racing Team.” Owen wiped away his grin.

 

This man is dead serious.

 

At this point, the man in the opposing suit bid another $90,000.

 

“One hundred thousand dollars.” Owen maintained his grip on Hunter’s wrist and lifted his hand to bid. He then made a throat-slitting motion toward the man in the suit opposite to them.

 

The other person swallowed his saliva and wanted to keep bidding. Owen raised his eyebrows, and only then did the other party not open his mouth.

Hunter wanted to spit blood.

“Hey… that’s enough, Owen…”

“Join the Red Bull Racing team and be my teammate, Mr. Hanks. This one hundred thousand dollars is for you as the team manager.” Owen cocked his head and smiled like an enchanting old fox.

Hunter was taken aback, and it took him some time to realize that he was being poached for the first time in his life.

 

“If you continue to earn points, then based on your performance in these previous stations, your annual salary after tax is very likely to exceed one million euros.” You’ll be able to buy back your home soon.”

 

Hunter still had that ‘I don’t know what’s going on’ look on his face.

 

“Did you know that the most important factor determining a driver’s ranking is no longer the driver’s skills?” Owen inquired.

 

 “I know. It’s the car’s performance.”

 

“In comparison to the big teams, Marcus’ team is weak, and their power unit development is lacking. If you truly want to win Formula One someday, you will need more support. What are your plans now that Red Bull Racing is extending an olive branch to you?”

 

“Do you really think that this is a good time to discuss this?” Hunter frowned slightly.

 

The Red Bull team is far stronger than the Marcus team; both financial and technical support are not on the same level.

 

“I believe that now is the best time—when your willpower is at its weakest.”

 

“If my answer is ‘no,’ do I have to pay the $100,000 US dollars on my own?”

 

No wonder Donald warned him to be wary of Owen.

 

 “It’s okay, I’m still paying.” Owen stretched out his hand and pinched Hunter’s cheek. “I’m not such a stingy person.”

 

I would rather you were stingy

 

“So, what’s the answer?” Owen inquired.

 

At that moment, the auctioneer announced that Nikki now belonged to Hunter’s.

 

“You know, when I was at the lowest point in my life, Marcus’s team gave me my only reason to live. I can leave F1, but I can’t leave the Marcus team, at least not now.

 

Owen gazed into Hunter’s eyes, tilted his head, and smiled.

 

It was not clear whether the smile was helpless, appreciative or mocking Hunter’s naivety.

 

“Well, being able to take you out to play, I still find it quite interesting,” Owen casually took out his checkbook, smoothly wrote down a number, folded it into a paper airplane, and threw it to the waiter who came to receive the check.

“Is that it?” Hunter now doubted if Owen’s earlier statement about Red Bull team trying to poach him was just a cruel joke.

 

“That’s it,” Owen replied.

 

The black-haired girl nestled up next to Owen, and they shared a slow yet passionate kiss. He whispered something in her ear, and she began kissing his cheek and neck.

 

It seemed that Owen was also a master of flirting, no less than Donald.

 

Nikki walked gracefully towards Hunter, lightly hooking her finger on his collar and tilting her chin, implying, “Let’s go.”

 

The subtle curve of her lips was a silent seduction, and Hunter was pulled away by her.

 

There were numerous rooms inside the club.

 

Nikki lightly pressed her fingertip against a certain room’s door, and it opened.

 

She turned around, looped her arm around Hunter’s neck, and led him inside.

 

Hunter looked into her eyes, feeling as if the world was drifting away.

 

“Hey, Hunter, about joining the Red Bull team, have you made up your mind?” Owen embraced his female companion, stopping in front of Hunter’s door.

 

“Sorry. I’ll return the $100,000 to you, although it might be a bit delayed until I receive my share of the earnings.”

 

Hunter knew in his heart that Nikki’s expectations could not be measured solely by money.

 

Owen’s eyelids drooped, and his smile was tinged with an unsettling wickedness that made Hunter feel uneasy.

 

“Then enjoy your beast. These three hours are non-refundable!” Owen said with a smirk.

 

“What?” Hunter exclaimed.

 

Before Hunter could react, Owen kicked the door shut with the tip of his shoe.

 

Nikki turned around, smiling at Hunter.

 

It was then that Hunter noticed Nikki was quite tall.

 

He stood at 178 centimeters, and with Nikki wearing high heels, she was nearly five centimeters taller than him.

 

She lowered her gaze and looked at Hunter, a playful smile on her lips, her eyes filled with a seductive gaze.

 

Hunter instinctively swallowed, and Nikki placed her hands on his shoulders, turning him halfway and gently guiding him towards the bed behind them, adorned with hanging curtains.

 

When Hunter’s knees touched the mattress, Nikki suddenly pushed him forcefully. Hunter could have stood his ground, but Nikki turned her face to kiss him, causing Hunter to instinctively retreat and fall down.

 

Nikki laughed as she sat on top of Hunter, embracing his neck. She still lowered her head to look at him and said, “When I stood above you, I found you particularly adorable.”

 

Hunter paused, tilting his head uncertainly, and asked, “Your… your voice sounds a bit like a man’s?”

 

Nikki pressed her forehead against Hunter’s, her lips curved into a teasing smile. “Because I was originally a man.”

 

“What?” Hunter widened his eyes, staring at her in disbelief.

 

He thought he must have misheard!

 

Nikki lifted Hunter’s hand and touched his Adam’s apple, where there was clearly a man’s Adam’s apple.

 

The question was… How did he not notice it earlier?

 

“Before you came here, didn’t you know that the theme of this party is Beauty and the Beast?” Nikki laughed, tilting her head closer to Hunter.

 

But Hunter firmly held her shoulders and stopped her from getting closer. “I knew the theme of the party is Beauty and the Beast, but you’re clearly wearing a dress… and high heels! And…”

 

“That’s the interesting part. Every performer on stage is a VIP, and we are all decked out as the most alluring women we can think of, displaying our most alluring demeanor to see how many people we can enchant.

 

So you could say… those on stage are players, those in the audience are players too, and I’m the only one being played?

 

Nikki… oh, no, let’s say Nikki extended her finger and lightly brushed it against Hunter’s chin. “A real woman, of course, is a beauty. As for someone like me…”

 

“Is a beast?” Hunter instinctively finished her sentence.

 

“Got it.” Nikki pressed her body weight against Hunter.

 

But Hunter managed to hold his ground.

 

He finally understood why Owen had said, “These three hours are non-refundable.”

 

“Sorry.” Hunter’s hands clasped around Nikki’s waist as he forcefully pushed her away from him.

 

“Hey, you look upset, but you seemed so focused while watching me from the audience. I thought you knew that I was a man.”

 

“I didn’t know, sorry. I’ve been fooled…”

 

Hunter, feeling frustrated, hugged his knees, wanting to hide his face.

 

“Do you feel like you have been played?” Nikki chuckled, hugging her arms and looking at the top of Hunter’s head. I am sorry I made you feel disgusted and uncomfortable because I am not a woman.”

 

“No… it’s not like that. It wasn’t you who played me…”

 

It was that bastard Owen.

 

Hunter finally understood why Owen had asked if he was certain about his answer regarding joining the Red Bull Racing team before kicking the door close.

 

If he had accepted, Owen might have gleefully told him that Nikki was a man.

 

But since he refused, this was Owen’s revenge on him.

 

“When you were on stage, you were truly beautiful. I don’t regret finding you beautiful.”

 

Nikki paused, chuckled, and said, “Hey, are you really planning to sit here like this until the three hours are up? You should know that once this door closes, it won’t open until the time is up…”

 

“It’s okay.” Hunter still held his knees, bowing his head.

 

“Do you know that if we break the rules, we can end it earlier?” Nikki leaned towards Hunter’s ear and whispered softly, “Are you sure you don’t want to give it a try?”

 

Nikki’s voice was soft and drawn out, her breath lingering near Hunter’s ear.

 

“No need.”

 

However, I want to.

 

Nikki turned her face sideways, stuck out her tongue, and was about to touch Hunter’s ear when Hunter pushed her away.

 

Nikki nearly fell down, and her teasing expression turned cold. “Hey, you really don’t hold back, do you? Why don’t you just say you hate me? Or do you think I’m one of those effeminate guys? Kid, I’m the one on top.”

 

“I’m sorry, I didn’t control my strength. I just didn’t want it to happen like this… Because for me, there are certain things that shouldn’t be experimented with.”

 

Hunter didn’t know how to explain, but he felt like he had hurt Nikki’s pride.

 

“Because I’m a man, and you’re afraid you might be swayed,” Nikki said sarcastically.

 

“No! It’s because your eyes are the same as his!”

 

Hunter anxiously blurted it out.

 

“Eyes? Like whom?”

 

Hunter scratched his head, unsure of why those words came out. But whatever it was, as long as it didn’t harm anyone else, like Owen’s prank that cost $100,000, it would be fine.

 

“My best friend!”

 

“Oh, a man’s most important friend is another man. Does he have good eyes?” Nicky still didn’t believe what Hunter said, thinking that he just didn’t want these three hours to be too embarrassing.

 

“Yes, he is a man. But his eyes are truly beautiful. They’re blue, resembling the color of a frozen transparent ocean, refracted by sunlight,” Hunter said earnestly.

 

Nicky looked at Hunter, and the anger in his eyes gradually faded. He abruptly removed the silicone breast pad from his clothes and kicked off his high heels. He sat cross-legged in front of Hunter, propped his chin, and gazed up at him.

 

“Then what?” he asked, his expression tinged with curiosity.

 

Hunter covered his eyes and said dejectedly, “My God…you really are a man…I didn’t realize it at all just now!”

 

“Because I’m good at acting,” Nicky replied, smirking. He gently moved Hunter’s hand away from his eyes. “Don’t dwell on the past; let’s enjoy the present. We’re already locked in here, and you don’t want to engage in anything illegal to make us leave early. So, we’ll have to pass the time by chatting.”

 

Hunter turned his face away and chuckled. “Okay… What shall we talk about?”

 

“Let’s talk about the man with eyes that resemble mine. I want to know more,” Nicky suggested.

 

“Well, if you look closely, your eyes aren’t that similar. Nicky, your eyes give the impression that your world is uncomplicated,” Hunter remarked.

 

“If it were simple, it wouldn’t be so easy to deceive you,” Nicky countered, wearing a self-satisfied smile. “You merely use your charm as a playground, but he is different. Sometimes I feel like I understand him quite well, but at times…I feel ignorant.”

 

“But you think he’s important?” Hunter asked.

 

“Because…he has given me a purpose. He has made me brave enough to face a past that I dared not confront. Even if he has only shown me a fraction of himself, I still believe he is irreplaceable. My time… It feels like I can’t go back to the time before I knew him.”

 

“In that case, this man must be quite formidable,” Nicky teased, poking Hunter’s brow with his finger.

 

“Why?” Hunter inquired.

 

“Because he’s your spiritual opium, and you’re addicted. You should quit him,” Nicky said seriously.

 

“Since he is my most important friend, I don’t believe I have to quit relying on him. It’s a part of human nature. Without someone to rely on, one may appear mentally strong and independent…but also very lonely,” Hunter replied with a smile to Nicky.

 

Nicky looked at Hunter, remained silent for a few seconds, and then extended his hand to him. “My name is Weiwen Nicky. Even though I didn’t manage to seduce anyone today who could be a potential partner, I don’t think practicing how to walk like a woman and wearing high heels for three whole months was a waste of time, now that I’ve met you.”

 

Hunter paused for a moment, then smiled and shook his hand. “Hello, I’m Evan Hunter. You have successfully captured my attention, which proves that practicing how to walk like a woman and wearing high heels for three whole months was definitely not a waste of time.”

 

Nicky burst into laughter.

 

The two of them began to chat without reservations and were surprised to discover that they had actually graduated from the same high school.

 

“Oh my god! You’re that slightly stuttering, freckled kid!”

 

“You recognize me, but I don’t recall you.”

 

“Maybe you’ll remember me once I remove my makeup.”

 

Meanwhile, in the control room, all the surveillance footage was switched to Hunter’s room.

 

A stern man crossed his arms and watched each frame of the footage.

 

“Sir, should we open the door and let them out?.”

 

“No need, they haven’t done anything wrong.”

 

“So, do we no longer need to monitor the other VIP rooms? What if something against club regulations occurs?”

 

“Switch the feed.”

 

His voice was as cold as frost.

 

All the surveillance footage started to change, leaving only one screen in the corner, showing Hunter gesturing animatedly while talking to Nicky.

 

The man’s gaze remained fixed on that screen.

 

Until the three hours were up, the door made a light sound and opened.

 

Hunter stretched lazily and smiled, “Finally, we can leave!”

 

“Ah… I don’t feel like wearing high heels. My feet hurt,” Nicky glanced at Hunter’s shoes, “How about you give me yours to wear?”

 

“That’s possible, but I absolutely won’t wear yours!”

 

Nicky laughed.

 

As Hunter opened the door and walked out in his socks, he noticed Owen passing by with his female companion.

 

Owen whistled at Hunter.

 

In an instant, a fire burned in Hunter’s heart, rising up to his head. He rolled up his sleeves and quickly approached Owen, aiming a punch at his face.

 

“Lawrence Owen—go to hell!”

 

Owen’s female companion cowered behind him, but he seemed to have expected Hunter’s reaction, calmly blocking Hunter’s fist with his palm.

 

“Darling, guess who’s waiting for you outside the club now?”

 

Owen smirked with narrowed eyes.

 

“Who?”

 

As Hunter looked at his smile, a chill suddenly ran down his spine.

 

This guy wouldn’t have informed his racing team, would he?

 

“Vann Winston. Aren’t you good friends with him? You can share this delightful experience with him. Maybe he can take revenge for you, just like how he crashed McGrady to death on the Suzuka circuit.”

 

“Hey, what do you mean? I don’t need Winston to seek revenge for me! Believe me, I’ll crash you this time!”

 

“This time will be tough. Your car’s performance is far behind mine. I’m afraid that once I truly retire, you won’t even have a chance to compete with me on the track.”

 

After speaking, Owen gently kissed the top of his companion’s head, and they walked away, embracing each other.

 

No matter how you looked at his back, it was arrogant.

 

“Did you know, I used to think this guy was quite handsome!” Hunter pointed his thumb towards the other man.

 

Nicky shrugged, “Lawrence Owen is quite famous in this club. He’s one of the shareholders. Many men admire him for his good looks and professional racing physique, but he’s only interested in women. Besides, he has a nasty personality and a strong vindictive streak. Don’t tell me you’re friends with him?”

 

“There is no way I am friends with him!”

 

As Hunter spoke, Owen, who had reached the end of the corridor, turned back and said, “Oh, I forgot to tell you, when I called Winston to pick you up, it was three hours ago.”

 

Hunter froze in place.

 

Then his phone rang in his pocket, and when he saw the name on the display, he almost dropped the phone.

 

“Hello… Winston…” Hunter’s nervousness caused his old stuttering problem to resurface, making it difficult for him to speak.

 

“Is the party still going on?” Winston’s voice sounded as calm as ever, as if he wasn’t angry at all.

 

“It’s over… I’m about to leave… Hahaha!”

 

“Lawrence Owen called me and asked me to pick you up from the hotel. He said he had other matters to attend to.”

 

“Oh… did he tell you that?” Hunter tentatively asked.

 

“Otherwise, should he have told me you spent a hundred thousand dollars and three hours in a room with another man, talking about love and romance?”

 

Winston’s tone remained steady, but Hunter felt as if the world was collapsing around him.

 

“I… I was duped by that Owen bastard…”

 

Hunter had not felt this helpless in a long time, unable to cry even if he wanted to.

 

“I am waiting outside the club for you.” Come out.”

 

Hunter let out a long sigh and turned back, waving his hand at Nicky. “Hey, my friend is here to pick me up. Goodbye.”

 

“Goodbye,” Nicky waved back.

 

As Hunter walked away, he looked down at his shoes.

 

When he reached the end of the corridor, club staff approached him to lead the way, and even the party host personally pushed the door open for him.

 

It made Hunter feel awkward.

 

When he had entered with Owen earlier, these people weren’t so… polite?

 

Other departing VIP guests were greeted with “Welcome back next time,” but he was only greeted with “Goodbye.”

 

“Can’t I come here anymore?” Hunter frowned, dissatisfied, as he looked at one of the young staff members.

 

“We certainly welcome you to come again…”

 

“That’s more like it,” Hunter touched his nose and walked out.

 

“If the boss agrees, that is.”

 

He didn’t hear the follow-up remark from behind.

 

At the club entrance, there was a black Ferrari parked, and the license plate looked familiar.

 

Winston leaned against the car door, cocked his head to the side, and pointed his chin up at Hunter while donning sunglasses. 

 

That posture… it was a pity there wasn’t a photographer around; it would have made for the perfect Ferrari advertisement.

 

“Hey…” Hunter opened the car door and got in.

 

Winston didn’t say anything, he just drove the car away from the club.

 

“Owen said he called you three hours ago… Were you waiting for a long time?”

 

“Did you have fun?” Winston didn’t answer Hunter’s question but asked another.

 

“How could I be happy? I… I… Well, Lawrence Owen played me like a fool!”

 

Hunter couldn’t possibly tell Winston about mistaking a man for a woman.

 

Author’s Note: Salted egg time:

 

Winston: I was originally going to give you a hard time, but I didn’t expect you to confess to me while having an affair.

 

Hunter: I didn’t cheat on you!

 

Winston: Who said, “His eyes are blue, like a frozen transparent ocean, the color refracted by sunlight”?

 

Hunter: There are plenty of people with blue eyes! Don’t flatter yourself!

 

Winston: Who said, “He gave me purpose, he made me brave, he made me face things I couldn’t face before, even if what he showed me was only a part of him, I still felt he was irreplaceable”?

 

Hunter: Marcus gave me purpose too!

 

Winston: Alright, I understand. I’ll give you some drama in the next chapter.

 

Hunter: …

 

(Note: This is a fictional conversation inserted by the author for entertainment purposes.)