“Why did he play you?” Winston asked again.
“Probably because I turned down his invitation. He was testing me on behalf of the Red Bull Racing team to see if I had any intentions of switching teams,” Hunter told Winston without reservation.
“You’re not going to Red Bull,” Winston said.
“How do you know? If I want to move forward, I need strong backing. Markus’s team is lacking in both technology and funding compared to Red Bull, by more than just a little,” Hunter said with interest.
“Because you’re a simple person, and you value emotions more than fame and fortune. Markus has shown you favor, and unless he actively releases you, you won’t leave.”
Hunter smirked, “Thank you for making me sound so noble.”
“You are the soul of Markus’ team. However, you will become a mere tool on other top teams. And you will not accept being a tool.”
Hunter paused for a moment before finally saying, “Thank you.”
Thank you for understanding me so well.
“One more thing.”
“What?”
“After being played by Owen, how could you join the Red Bull team and let him keep playing you?”
“…I don’t want to talk to you for the next thirty seconds.”
Hunter turned his face away, but a smile played at the corners of his mouth.
Winston actually tapped the countdown timer on his phone, calculating thirty seconds.
Thirty seconds later, he resumed speaking. “Audrey Wilson praised me as a charming man in an interview.”
Hunter didn’t want to pay attention to him.
Miss Wilson admires you; you should be proud!
“Thirty seconds have passed; you can talk to me now.”
“…Fine, you’re really charming. Do you want me to set off fireworks to celebrate?”
“I am not sure if her so-called charm means she genuinely finds me attractive or if it is just politeness.”
Hunter furrowed his brow. He didn’t think Winston would contemplate such matters.
“Who cares!” Hunter picked up his phone again, ready to play another game.
However, Winston extended his hand and took Hunter’s phone away.
“Which part of me do you find most charming?”
Hunter wanted to retrieve his phone, but Winston placed it on the other side directly.
“You’re charming everywhere!”
What’s gotten into Winston?
He should be uninterested in discussions about charm!
Did something stimulate him?
“Perfunctory,” Winston said, gripping Hunter’s phone and hanging his arm on the edge of the Ferrari’s door as if he was about to throw it away at any moment.
“Hey!”
The car happened to stop in front of a traffic light, and the red light displayed for nearly a minute and a half. Seeing Winston release the handbrake, Hunter unbuckled his seatbelt and leaned over to retrieve his phone, but unexpectedly, Winston used his other hand to press him down.
His face smashed onto Winston’s lap, one side of his face, and his nose seemed to bump into something. Hunter felt extremely embarrassed.
Even though he was wearing casual pants, Hunter could still discern Winston’s outline, and it seemed like young Winston was well-developed. Although he was quiet now, he was still sizable, and it would definitely make a visual impact when he stood up.
“Let me go…”
“You answer my question, or we’ll continue driving in this position. There are still seventy seconds left until the red light.”
Oh my god! What kind of position is this to drive in? The traffic police will surely catch up to you!
Hunter struggled hard, even reaching out to try to lift Winston’s hand, but his opponent was strong.
Both of them were race car drivers, with strong arm strength, so Hunter couldn’t understand why he couldn’t withstand the strength of just one hand.
“You… you have a great physique!”
Hunter closed his eyes, furrowed his brow, feeling that young Winston might suddenly stand up and smack him in the face.
“Little liar, I never stripped for you.”
“Your legs…I can tell even without you stripping!”
“Not sincere at all. Fifty seconds remaining.”
“You’re handsome too!” Hunter twisted his neck, still being pressed down tightly, with his head directly stuck under the steering wheel.
This is fucking outrageous!
“Oh? Where am I handsome?”
“You’re not handsome at all! Let me go!” Hunter’s ears turned red.
“If your head keeps moving around, do you believe that I’ll actually make you get it out for me?” Winston’s voice was cold, with a hint of threat.
Hunter immediately froze.
Even though he knew that a man’s little brother is sensitive, and even the friction of clothing sometimes triggers a reaction, he knew that Winston wouldn’t really make him get it out, but it was still intimidating.
“Think carefully. Where do you think I look good?”
“I think young Winston must be very capable, so women like him!”
Hunter had a quick wit, believing that no man would dislike such a compliment.
“I’ve never tried on you; how do you know? It seems like your mouth needs a lesson.” Winston’s voice slightly rose.
“No! No!” Hunter became flustered.
“Then tell the truth.”
“You…your eyes are the most beautiful!”
Hunter shouted out, and at that moment, Winston released his hand, and Hunter quickly straightened his back.
“Seatbelt.” Winston reminded.
Hunter wanted to rush out of the car immediately, but…he didn’t dare.
“How are my eyes beautiful?” Winston asked again.
“They’re just beautiful! Why does it have to be so complicated?” Hunter’s attention was completely on his phone, but Winston placed it on the other side, showing no intention of giving it back.
He felt that today’s Winston was abnormal—particularly malicious!
“I have always thought you had a knack for compliments. After hearing it once, you could memorize ‘If I Had the Silks of Heaven,’ and even consider writing poetry for Audrey Wilson. So how come you can’t describe my eyes properly?”
Winston turned his head, his lips tugging into a smile as he looked at Hunter.
This guy is teasing me again!
What exactly did I do to annoy you? Just say it! Can’t I change it?
Or are you dissatisfied because you had to drive me back to the hotel from afar?
You didn’t have to come! I could have taken a taxi back myself!
Even though I can’t understand the English spoken by the Japanese!
Wait…maybe it’s that guy, Lawrence Owen, who’s trying to sow discord?
“Eton College did not award me a degree!”
“I see. I thought you had good improvisation skills, but it seems like you’re not always up to par.”
Winston pulled up in front of Hunter’s hotel.
Hunter stepped out of the car and walked to the side of the door, snatching his phone from Winston’s grasp. Then, holding back his anger, he walked into the revolving door.
Winston turned his head, watching Hunter enter the elevator before driving away.
His phone was connected to the car’s Bluetooth, and with a light touch, an audio clip started playing.
It was a conversation between Hunter and Nikki in their room.
“But his eyes are really beautiful. They’re blue, like a frozen, transparent ocean, the color refracted by sunlight.”
Just that single phrase was repeated over and over.
When he stopped in front of his hotel, a valet approached him to park the car, but he hesitated before handing over the keys…It wasn’t until the audio clip was played three times in a row, that he let out a sigh.
“I was actually planning to give you a scolding. But after hearing words like that, I couldn’t help but soften.”
Back in his room, Hunter’s heart was still pounding.
He opened his phone and saw a text message from Donald, saying: “Are you okay?”
Hunter gritted his teeth, but then he thought, Donald did try to warn him. It’s just that his warning wasn’t very clear.
He made a phone call to Donald, saying, “Hey, Donald, I’m great, I’m happy.”
“Oh…that’s good! As long as you’re happy! Are you getting ready to have some fun in bed now? Or have you already had your fun?” Donald sounded relieved as if he had genuinely been worried about Hunter.
“Hey, Donald, I have a question for you. Please answer me honestly.”
“What’s the question?”
“You were so worried about me. Did Lawrence Owen ever play you before?”
“A lot of people have been played by Lawrence Owen, but not me,” Donald’s voice held a hint of pride.
“Then who has?”
“The Great White Shark’ Shire”! Shire and Owen have been at odds for over ten years. Do you know why?”
“Hmm, go on!”
“It’s not relevant to you. Back then, Jean and Owen were both part of the Lotus team. Once the Lotus team organized a pool party in Las Vegas. Shire was only twenty-four years old at the time, and he was quite popular, but his words and actions were quite irritating, and he saw himself as a ladies’ man.”
“Okay, what happened next?”
“Owen found some beautiful girls to hook him away from the pool party. They were just about to have some fun in the hotel room when he discovered that those girls were actually men! Hahaha! Isn’t that funny? The worst part is that one of the girls captured Shire’s expression on her phone! It was a lifetime of despair! It later spread online and became a popular phone screensaver at that time!” Donald chuckled.
Hunter swallowed and thought to himself that compared to Jean, he was relatively lucky.
“Penney from the Renault team and Maiden from Force India have also been played by him.”
So, the scale was quite large.
Hunter’s heart finally felt balanced.
“But Hunter…if you’re going to have fun with a girl, don’t let her leave any marks on you…and don’t take any photos as a keepsake. And when you go back, don’t mention it to anyone except me. Uh…just be happy on your own,” Donald suddenly said seriously.
“Why?”
“Someone will get angry, and the consequences would be severe.”
“Don’t you realize you always say half of something and omit the other half that would help me understand?” Hunter replied.
“It’s not that I only say half of something, it’s that you lack the ability to understand implied meanings,” Donald said helplessly.
“Do I? What implied meaning?” Hunter asked.
“Sexual implications!”
Donald abruptly cut the call off, sounding frustrated.
Hunter scratched his head, repeating the phrase “sexual implications” in his mind.
Was there anything related to “sexual implications” in Donald’s words just now?
Oh no! Could it be that Donald is interested in me?
Oh my god, I envy Donald’s mature demeanor in front of women, but if he’s genuinely interested in me, it’ll drive me insane!
While Hunter was tormenting himself, a message from Winston flashed on his screen. He opened it and read: “I’ve paid Owen back the $100,000 for you.”
Hunter’s shoulder twitched. It meant that Owen must have told Winston everything that happened at the club.
I suddenly felt like I was losing more than a little bit of ground.
Owen’s retaliation for rejecting the Red Bull team was not only not telling him about Nikki being a man, but calling Winston!
He quickly replied to Winston’s message: “I’ll repay you once I receive my year-end bonus.”
Winston’s response came quickly: “Calculate it with interest.”
Hunter rolled his eyes. $100,000 meant nothing to this guy!
The following message from Winston shocked him so much that he almost fell off the couch: “Would a man do for you?”
“Sure enough! This guy knows about Nikki!” Hunter stood up and paced around the room. The fourth message from Winston arrived: “If a man would do, sleep with me for one night, and the $100,000 debt will be cleared.”
Hunter read that message over and over again, feeling as if his heart was being squeezed.
Was Winston mocking him for being swayed by a man, or…testing him? Did he have a smile on his face as he typed that message?
Hunter was taken aback when the word “test” entered his mind.
Does this imply that I’m hoping for something from Winston?
Hunter stared at his phone. What would Winston say if he didn’t reply? Would he ask if he was angry? Or would he just say “idiot” to let him know that everything in the message was just a joke?
His heart was racing, especially when he turned around and saw his double bed as if a force was about to push him onto it.
But half a minute passed, and there were no more messages on his phone.
Wait, Winston said “One” night.” They had spent more than just one night together. Hunter, oh Hunter, how could you be scared by such a message?
There had been no reports of Winston having any relationships, whether with women or men since he joined Formula One. This man appeared to be devoid of desire, both physically and emotionally.
Hunter helplessly laughed, “This guy’s tactics…”
If you take it seriously, you will lose.
“Then come over,” Hunter said directly.
He also included a cheeky emoji.
At that moment Hunter’s phone rang, and Marcus’ name flashed on the screen.
Oh no, does he know about me going out with Owen and is he angry?
“Hunter! Did you bring your suit?”
“Oh? Yes, I did!”
Ever since the last charity gala where Donald mistook him for a waiter, Hunter had bought a new suit.
“Good. Change into it! McGrady and I are going to have a meal with Mr. Narita, a renowned Japanese industrialist in the automotive manufacturing industry. He’s going to sponsor our team!”
“Well, you’d better not invite me. I’m not good at socializing and might unintentionally offend Mr. Narita!” Hunter replied.
“Mr. Narita specifically requested your presence! He was deeply impressed by your performance at Silverstone! Mr. Narita speaks English very well, and we’ll be going to a Michelin three-star Japanese restaurant! It’s delicious! If you don’t want to talk, just lower your head and enjoy the meal!”
Hunter sighed. He knew that sponsorship was Marcus’ lifeline.
“Okay, okay…I got it…”
They got into the car sent by Mr. Narita.
McGrady sat next to Hunter, still with a cold expression, which made Hunter uneasy.
Hunter, on the other hand, felt uneasy in this environment and made no sound.
“Hey, McGrady…do you also believe, like others, that in the previous race, Winston pushed you off the track to vent my anger for me?” Hunter questioned.
Marcus, who was sitting in the front seat, covered his face. “Hunter, Hunter would you like to meet Mr. Narita, with panda eyes?”
“Isn’t that right?” Maddy inquired angrily.
“Winston isn’t like that, really,” Hunter explained sincerely.
“So, it’s because of my poor skills that I got overtaken and went off track?” McGrady asked, his eyes wide.
Hunter hesitated for a moment and finally said, “If you find solace in thinking that Winston pushed you off track to stand up for me… then let’s say it was Winston who pushed you out.”
“You…” McGrady’s eyes widened.
But Hunter had a look on his face as if to say, “If that’s not enough, then what else do you want?”
“Alright! If you two start fighting in front of Mr. Narita, I’ll kick both of you out!” Marcus’s forehead was already turning purple.
Hunter shut his mouth and remained silent.
This was a traditional Japanese restaurant, and Hunter felt uneasy looking at the low tables.
After Mr. Narita stood up to greet them, Marcus, Hunter, McGrady, the team’s accountant, and the PR manager all imitated Mr. Narita’s posture and sat down on their knees.
Even with the best food, this position would give him a cramp in his legs.
Seeing Hunter’s discomfort, Mr. Narita smiled and gestured for him to sit however he liked.
Only then did Hunter breathe a sigh of relief and stretched out his legs.
Undeniably, the food that evening was delicious, and Hunter’s appetite was whetted.
Most of the time, it was Mr. Narita conversing with Marcus and the accountant.
Hunter couldn’t understand what they were talking about, but both Mr. Narita and Marcus laughed. Mr. Narita looked at Hunter and suggested in broken English that he should try some Japanese sake.
Hunter was bewildered.
Wasn’t this guy supposed to be good at English? Why couldn’t he understand what he was saying?
Marcus put his arm around Hunter’s shoulder, appearing as though he was about to fall over. “Hahaha, this kid isn’t twenty-one yet, so he can’t drink legally in America,” Marcus said.
From experience, Hunter felt that Marcus was getting drunk.
Mr. Narita once again extended an invitation to Hunter, “Japanese sake is famous worldwide. It’s a pity that you came here and haven’t tasted sake. In Japan, it’s legal for you to drink at your age.”
McGrady cast a glance at Hunter and muttered something along the lines of, “He’s just a kid who hasn’t grown up. He doesn’t even dare to drink sake.”
This kind of hospitality is scarce, and the alcohol content of sake is comparable to that of red wine. Hunter drank a small glass under Mr. Narita’s watchful gaze.
Hunter blinked as he tasted something refreshing, smooth, and pure.
Mr. Narita smiled and asked, “Is it delicious?”
Hunter drank four or five cups in a row in this manner, and when paired with fresh seafood dishes, he felt that it was even more delicious.
McGrady and Marcus had already passed out on the table, with only the accountant remaining awake.
Hunter began to feel dizzy, and the world appeared to be spinning.
This sensation is a precursor to getting completely drunk.
Unlike the last time he ended up drinking a lot of strong alcohol, this time he felt like his nerves were awake, but he couldn’t seem to control his body. Especially when he tried but failed to pick up a piece of sushi.
Mr. Narita, on the other side, smiled and said, “Drunk, drunk, they’re all drunk.”
It seemed vaguely that they were saying that, while sake was not as strong as Chinese baijiu, it was easy to drink, not to mention that they were drinking high-quality sake.
Hunter’s phone continued to ring.
The phone fell to the ground as soon as Hunter picked it up, and Winston’s name flashed across the screen.
He pressed it for a long time but couldn’t get it to work properly.
The accountant next to him answered the call, “Hello, I’m Vincent, the accountant for Marcus’ team. Are you looking for Hunter? He’s drunk…”
“Where are you?”
The chilling voice made the accountant’s head, already dizzy from alcohol, instantly clear.
“Tiger Bai…”
“Then I’ll come over now.”
“Thank you?” The accountant responded hesitantly. He remembered hearing that this kid had a good relationship with Winston as he looked at Hunter, who was staring blankly while holding his chopsticks.
But to rush over just because Hunter was drunk, their relationship must be quite close.
However, no matter what, the accountant felt that they were in need of assistance.
Mr. Narita had left two assistants behind, but with four intoxicated members from Marcus’ team and the accountant himself struggling to stay awake, it would be good if Winston could come.
As Mr. Narita’s assistants assisted Marcus, McGrady, and the PR manager into the car, the accountant struggled to support Hunter, but Hunter only swayed and showed no intention of getting up.
Winston: When do you think I’m most charming?
Hunter: When you’re not bothering me!
Winston: Well, it seems I’ll have to give up on being charming then.
PS: Happy Lantern Festival to everyone! May your mood always be sweet and round like tangyuan (sweet rice balls)~
By the way, in the next chapter, you’ll probably enjoy what’s coming. Hehehe…
![The Rebirth of the Last Days and Return to [Fang] Hao](https://www.freenovels.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/image_2021-09-11_143139.png "The Rebirth of the Last Days and Return to [Fang] Hao")
