The vehicle had to tilt almost sideways to climb over the dune in front of them. The other passengers behind Hunter and Winston screamed in fear, but the two remained unfazed. The driver’s pride was hurt. He intentionally took a few more dangerous turns over the dunes, each drop feeling like a dive from a great height.
“Hey—boys, aren’t you scared at all?”
Hunter rubbed his nose awkwardly, “Actually… compared to the g-force we experience in F1 corners, this is pretty mild…”
“Are both of you F1 drivers?” The driver asked in astonishment.
“Yep!”
“Then you won’t find this fun at all! You should try driving an off-road vehicle in the desert later!”
“Really? I’ll definitely try it!” Hunter’s eyes lit up.
Having started as a kart driver, the idea of driving an off-road vehicle in the desert sounded incredibly exciting!
“Hey, young man in the back. The one who hasn’t said a word or smiled. You should learn from your friend here. He’s full of hope for life!”
Winston responded in Arabic, making the driver burst out laughing, while Winston himself maintained the same expression.
Hunter discontentedly patted the back of the seat in front of him, “Hey, what did my friend just say?”
“Haha, he said as long as you’re full of hope for life, he’ll feel the same. So as long as you’re happy, that’s enough!”
Hunter looked at Winston skeptically. The other showed no intention of explaining.
Forget it. This wasn’t the first time something like this had happened! Whatever Winston said, it didn’t really affect him anyway.
The dune buggy took them to the campsite. Here, they could enjoy an Arabic barbecue and try driving in the desert. Without a second thought, Hunter ran towards the off-road vehicles. Winston walked behind him with his hands in his pockets.
“Winston! Winston! Do you want to join?”
“No. Once you’re in the car, you’ll feel it’s not as fun as F1,” Winston replied.
At that moment, the car enthusiast approached Hunter, “Can I ride with you? Formula One cars don’t have a co-driver’s seat, but this off-road vehicle can fit two people! Can you take me for a ride? Let me experience the skills of a top racer!”
“Me? A top racer?” Hunter pointed at himself and asked with unsureness.
“Yeah! You’ve gone up against Winston and Ciel, so you must be a top racer!” The young man seemed sincere, which softened Hunter’s heart.
“Alright, I’ll drive you! But if we flip over, don’t blame me, hahaha!” Hunter laughed heartily and got into the driver’s seat. “By the way, what’s your name?”
“I’m Merlin!”
“Then… Merlin, make sure to fasten your seatbelt!”
After the campsite’s safety officer briefed Hunter on the operation and safety precautions of the off-road vehicle, Hunter eagerly sped off.
Merlin waved at his friend, “Remember to take pictures of me!”
Hunter drove so wildly across the desert that even the staff were scared. “Slow down! Slow down, brother!”
But Hunter couldn’t hear them. The louder Merlin screamed the more fun he had.
After five minutes, Hunter drove the vehicle back to the starting point. Merlin clung to the car door, leaning out and vomiting. Hunter felt a bit guilty. “Uhm… are you… are you okay?”
He patted Merlin’s back. Seeing the guy about to puke his guts out, Hunter felt even worse. He stroked his back and thought he should get some hot water for him from the camp later. Merlin’s friend came over to help him down, but surprisingly, the young man fully recovered in less than a minute.
“This is the first time I’ve experienced F1 driving skills! I want to go again!”
Hunter’s eyes widened, “You… you vomited so much… and you still want to go again?”
“Can I take a photo with you?”
“Oh… sure…”
Merlin stood next to Hunter, both leaning against the off-road vehicle. With a fan around, Hunter didn’t dare to make a V-sign with his fingers, so he just placed a hand on the car door and grinned widely.
Gotta learn from Winston, gotta look cool!
As the girl taking the photo framed the shot, Hunter felt something press against his cheek. It was Merlin’s cheek. Hunter reflexively pulled away, but Merlin had already pulled back.
“Thank you! I wish you great success in the US race!”
Merlin hugged Hunter tightly. Hunter stood there like a wooden statue, completely bewildered by what had just happened. At that moment, someone came and pulled him out of Merlin’s embrace.
“Let’s have a match,” Winston’s voice came.
Hunter suddenly felt relieved. While having a fan boosted his ego, the overly intimate behavior of a stranger made him uncomfortable. He was suddenly grateful that Winston had rescued him.
The two chose their vehicles and began chasing each other across the desert. The speed and dry air offered a completely different experience compared to the racetrack. There were no sharp turns here, just numerous dunes that could shift with the wind at any moment.
With no rules, Hunter felt free to let loose. He pursued Winston and a radiant smile spread across his face each time he got close. When their vehicles slid down the dunes side by side, Hunter reached out his hand towards Winston, and to his surprise, Winston reached out as well. This unspoken connection made Hunter incredibly happy.
When their five minutes were up, they drove back to the campsite. As soon as Hunter got out of the car, he spat out the sand he had inadvertently eaten from laughing so much. Winston opened a bottle of mineral water and handed it to him, “Rinse your mouth.”
“Thanks…” Hunter didn’t dare say another word, afraid he might accidentally swallow more sand.
Back at the campsite, people gathered around the fire, enjoying kebabs. Amidst the laughing and chatting young people, Merlin enthusiastically offered Hunter some barbecue, making Hunter feel awkward. When Merlin offered him another skewer, Hunter was about to accept it when Winston grabbed his wrist.
“Sorry, the race in the US is just a few days away. We can’t eat too much barbecue.”
“Oh! Got it! Sorry, I didn’t think about that!” Merlin apologized and took the skewer back.
The setting sun bathed the desert in a blood-red hue, resembling a grand sacrifice to the heavens. Arabian girls swayed their supple waists, and the safari group clapped along to the rhythm.
Hunter’s eyes sparkled like stars. He leaned towards Winston, who wore a stoic expression, “Hey, I think Merlin likes you a lot. Why don’t you take a photo with him?”
“Just because he keeps offering you meat, you think he likes me?” Winston’s voice was as cold as the moonlight in the desert night.
“The reason he’s being so enthusiastic with me is probably because you’re too aloof. He can only get close to your best friend to learn about you…”
“Well, let me tell you, since we arrived, he’s only been watching you, not me.”
“… Are you saying… he’s actually my fan?” Hunter scratched his head, looking surprised. “Then why did he want a photo with you at first?”
“To make you lower your guard, making you think his purpose in approaching you was because of me.”
“Huh?” Hunter was completely puzzled, “How does that make sense?”
“Who has seen more fans, you or me?” Winston retorted. His meaning was clear: I’ve experienced much more in life than you have.
“If he’s my fan… he could just say so. I’m very easygoing!”
I’m not always pushing people away like you.
“Do you remember when we were in Austria, you said you were worried that I would be kidnapped by a perverted fan on my way back to the hotel alone?”
“Did I say that?” Hunter tilted his head, thinking that even if Winston encountered a perverted fan, it wouldn’t matter—he was probably more perverted than the fan!
“You should worry about yourself. You have quite the aura that attracts perverted fans.”
“What—” Hunter’s eyes widened.
At this moment, Winston stood up and said a few words to the person in charge of the campsite, then gestured to Hunter, indicating it was time for them to leave. It would probably be midnight by the time they got back to the hotel.
As Hunter walked towards Winston, Merlin chased after him, “Um, may I ask for your email? My friend recorded the footage of you and Winston racing in the desert… I’d like to send it to you.”
Suddenly recalling what Winston had just said, Hunter felt wary, though it seemed like he was being overly paranoid. Hunter laughed heartily, “You guys should keep it as a souvenir! I race with that guy every year!”
After saying that, he waved goodbye to Merlin and got into the car with Winston to leave the campsite.
The stars were bright in the desert night, with the Milky Way right above their heads. Hunter turned his head to take it all in. “Actually, it would be nice if we could camp here.”
“Dummy. The temperature difference between day and night in the desert is huge. Stay here and you’ll know what real cold feels like.”
“Oh… that’s a shame.” Hunter quickly thought of something and wrapped his arm around Winston’s shoulders, smiling mischievously, “But there are other ways to keep warm!”
“What?”
“Sleeping together! Hahaha!”
“The desert is indeed a suitable place. You have no sense of direction, so if I took you into the desert to do whatever I want, you wouldn’t know where to run.”
“…”
Hunter sulkily withdrew his arm. How could this guy turn something beautiful into something so brutal!
Back at the hotel, Hunter eagerly rushed into the bathroom. This time, he was determined to fully enjoy the bathtub’s features.
While preparing the water, Winston’s voice echoed, “Don’t forget to bring your clothes in.”
Hunter’s mood plummeted. He had planned to ask Winston to bring in his clothes again, but that plan was foiled! Hunter stepped out to grab his clean clothes, flipping the middle finger at Winston who was sitting on the sofa.
Settling into the bathtub, he studied the buttons. The water would bubble up as if boiling and then stop but never achieve the massage effect. Hunter had to call out, “Winston—Winston—”
“What? Did you slip again?” Winston opened the door and frowned, “Why don’t you ever lock the door when you’re in the bath?”
“Ah… Because I live alone… so I’m not used to locking the door… No, come here and help me figure out how to turn on the massage function!”
Winston stood still, showing no intention of moving closer.
Hunter sat up from the water, squinting as he examined the buttons with apparent frustration, “Come over and take a look!”
After two seconds of silence, Winston walked over, leaned on the side of the bathtub with one hand, and turned his head sideways as if completely uninterested in Hunter’s body.
“Lift your leg, you’re covering the buttons.”
“Huh? What? The massage button is there!”
Hunter lifted his legs and rested them on the edge of the bathtub. Winston reached out to press a button and adjusted the intensity. Hunter immediately felt the massage on his back.
“Remember to drain and refill the water when it gets cold.”
As Winston started to get up, he reflexively placed his hand on the edge of the tub, only to accidentally touch Hunter’s calf. His palm was so hot that Hunter wondered if it was an illusion.
When Winston left the bathroom and closed the door, Hunter suddenly realized something. Why did he prop his legs up on the edge of the tub? He could have just closed his legs and leaned to the side to reveal the button for Winston!
He glanced at the door and noticed what seemed to be Winston’s shadow leaning against the frosted glass?
Outside, Winston leaned against the glass door, tilting his head back, closing his eyes, and taking a deep breath. He tugged at the collar of his T-shirt as if needing to do so to breathe. A few seconds later, he stood up straight and walked back to the sofa.
The coat that Hunter wore in the desert was discarded there casually. Winston picked it up by the collar and gave it a few strong shakes, causing tiny grains of sand to fall like star fragments. Winston pressed his nose to the collar and closed his eyes as if to savor the scent of the jacket’s owner. After a moment, he hung the jacket back in the closet.
Hunter stepped out in his pajamas, “Your turn! Winston, where are we going tomorrow?”
“To get the diamond ring,” Winston replied.
“Huh? What?” Only then did Hunter recall the joke they had made on the plane before the Abu Dhabi race.
“Dummy, we’re going shopping. Since we’re in Dubai, we should go up the Burj Khalifa to see the view, though there’s really nothing interesting about it.” Winston entered the bathroom and closed the door.
“Of course, you’ve already seen it, so it’s not interesting!” Hunter sat back down on the sofa, grumbling. He unlocked his phone and, as expected, saw a message from Owen: Did you have fun at the water park today?
Just the mention of it made Hunter annoyed: You jerk, you wanted me to lose my swimming shorts and embarrass myself in front of Winston!
Owen: Really lost them? Amazing! Did Winston see your cute little Hunter?
Hunter: See, my ass! He helped me find my shorts!
Owen: Hahaha, how do you know he wasn’t admiring your little Hunter underwater while helping you find them?
Just reading this made Hunter’s ears burn red. Now he understood the purpose of the “accident” Owen had created. He replied: Admire, my ass! There were so many people! If Winston could see it, everyone else could see it too!
Owen: Anyway, it’s not little Hunter that Winston is interested in.
Hunter: So what is he interested in?
Owen: Hahaha, why don’t you ask him!
Hunter rolled his eyes. Could they ever have a serious conversation?
Tomorrow’s plan was to go shopping at the Dubai Mall. Dubai was known for its duty-free port, making everything relatively cheap. Hunter opened a webpage, thinking about what to buy tomorrow.
Although Marcus nagged constantly, he treated him well. Hunter thought maybe he should buy a tie for him. And there were Shen Chuan and Little Xi as well. Snacks would be enough to make Little Xi happy, but he couldn’t decide what to get for Shen Chuan.
After browsing for a while, Hunter suddenly noticed that Winston still hadn’t come out of the bathroom. He checked the time—damn, a new record, over an hour!
Hunter went to the frosted glass door and called out to Winston, “Hey! If you soak in there any longer, you’re going to start wrinkling up!”
“I’m coming out soon.”
Not sure why, but Hunter felt that Winston’s voice sounded a bit strange.
After waiting another ten minutes or so, Hunter leaned against the headboard and yawned when Winston finally emerged.
“If you’re tired, you can sleep first.” Winston sat on the edge of the bed and put his legs up.
This was Hunter’s favorite part. He turned his head without even blinking.
“If I’m asleep, how can I look at you?” Hunter responded instinctively.
Realizing what he had just said, he felt a little nervous but still smiled brightly. “I’m your fan too!”
“Dummy, if you want to look, you can just tell me.” Winston covered himself with the quilt.
“If I want to see something, will you show it to me?” Hunter suddenly felt excited.
“No,” Winston replied.
Hunter sighed, irritably pulling the quilt over himself and turning his back to Winston. But thinking that Winston had just taken a bath and might catch a cold, he moved the blanket closer.
Hunter quickly fell asleep, and in his drowsiness, he snuggled toward the warmth. Suddenly, something hugged him tightly, followed by a familiar and comforting scent. Hunter mumbled “Hmm…” and the hug seemed to tighten around him.
They slept soundly until ten o’clock the next morning. When Hunter woke up, he found something wrapped around him. He was stunned for a couple of seconds, and as soon as he looked up, his nose bumped into Winston’s chin.
“Ouch!”
As Hunter was about to sit up, he realized that Winston was the one holding him, and his own leg was draped over Winston’s waist, as if he were completely at ease.
“If you’re awake, take your leg off,” Winston said calmly.
Hearing such a voice first thing in the morning was an effective wake-up call. Hunter quickly moved his leg, getting out of Winston’s embrace. Winston had probably been awake for some time, propping himself up on his side and watching Hunter.
Hunter quickly went to the bathroom to brush his teeth. As he was spitting out the toothpaste, he suddenly realized: Winston had stayed in bed with him until after ten in the morning! Winston usually had a strict routine and always got up early to go for a run! Yet today, he stayed in bed until ten!
Had his bad habit of sleeping in rubbed off on Winston?
Hunter hummed a song as he washed his face. Today’s schedule was much more relaxed than the past few days, though tonight they would have to fly back to the US. Perhaps these past two days in Dubai with Winston had been so enjoyable that Hunter was reluctant to leave.
After a simple breakfast, they went to the Dubai Mall, an enormous shopping center. It could be considered a shopping paradise for women, but not many items caught Hunter’s eye. They went to check out men’s clothing. Under Winston’s guidance, Hunter bought an Armani leather jacket and a Versace coat.
“Thinking about it, most of our time is spent flying all over the place and competing…”
“But the time from November to February is personal time.”
“There’s still physical training and test driving…”
When this season ends, Shen Chuan and Little Xi will definitely be busy researching the new race car… No, not research, they’ll be conducting wind tunnel tests and car evaluations. The design for the new car must have been completed long ago.
“I’m thinking of giving Shen Chuan some T-shirts. What do you think? T-shirts are comfortable, and I’ve noticed he doesn’t wear dress shirts like other engineers.”
“Sure, these T-shirts are pretty good quality. Shen Chuan should find them comfortable.”
“But what about the size… Shen Chuan is Asian and seems pretty skinny…” Hunter looked at Winston.
“Why are you looking at me? I don’t know his measurements either.”
“I thought you had a good eye! Can’t you guess his size like you did with mine?”
“I’ve hugged you before, but I’ve never hugged him,” Winston said before turning to the other side of the counter.
After a couple of seconds of being stunned, Hunter tilted his head and smiled unconsciously.
They continued strolling until they came to the Vacheron Constantin1Vacheron Constantin is a luxury Swiss watchmaker store. Winston put his hands in his pockets and stood looking at a watch in the display window for a few seconds. As he was about to pass the door, Hunter saw the watch from behind him. He had heard of Vacheron Constantin and knew that with Winston’s quality of life, he would definitely wear such high-end watches. Hunter glanced at the watch that had caught Winston’s attention, a model with a half-openwork design, featuring a smooth, elegant curve that looked as refined as a gentleman—truly matching Winston’s demeanor.
The author has something to say:
Hunter: What makes you say I have the charm to attract perverted fans?
Winston: I’m also a huge fan of yours.
Hunter: Really? I’m so flattered!
Winston: Plus, I’m definitely perverted.
![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")
