Chapter 58: The Two Billion Competition

He Tian drove the modified Ferrari straight from Longhai Garden Villas toward Nanshan. Now, he was no longer wearing He Long’s appearance, but had restored his true face.

Yet, as he recalled all that had happened inside the Dreamy Soft Apparel Group with Julyman, the exclusive designer, a smile played at the corners of He Tian’s mouth. This made him absolutely certain—more than certain!—that a man’s skin is always thicker than a woman’s. It all depends on just how far you’re willing to go.

Wang Xinmeng had only been able to stare at He Tian for three minutes before she fled in embarrassment. After being forced to finish a sketch of him, Cao Xiaomin and Shi Yongrong also made a swift escape. Only Julyman had continued to gaze at He Tian, her eyes shining, as drawing after drawing emerged rapidly from her hand. In the end, when He Tian put on his clothes and, at Julyman’s excited invitation, reviewed her work, he found himself genuinely astonished by the array of men’s underwear designs she’d produced.

Throughout it all, Julyman hadn’t betrayed the slightest emotion. After successfully ‘scaring off’ Wang Xinmeng, Cao Xiaomin, and Shi Yongrong, He Tian couldn’t help but feel a newfound admiration for Julyman. He also gained a deeper understanding of what others called a true artist’s heart.

For He Tian, everything he had experienced that afternoon had shaken him to his core—the liberation he felt after shedding his old shackles, the boldness and fire of modern women, and his own newfound resolve and determination. And then there was that ineffable feeling between him and Wang Xinmeng, something he couldn’t quite describe, but which left him unable to restrain his excitement.

All of this was beyond anything He Tian had ever known. It broadened his knowledge and widened his horizons.

He Tian soon arrived at Nanshan. The license plate on Young Master Hai’s car was eye-catching, clearing the way for him—no one dared to stop him.

“Hahaha, Young Master Cheng, Young Master Qi!” Young Master Hai laughed heartily as he greeted them with enthusiasm.

“Young Master Hai!” Both Cheng and Qi returned his smile. The three of them seemed like old friends reuniting after years apart, their camaraderie obvious.

Both Cheng and Qi appeared to be in their early thirties, yet each arrived with grand entourages—large motorcades and groups of bodyguards.

“Young Master Hai, it looks like you’re bound to lose quite a bit tonight,” Young Master Cheng remarked, noticing that aside from their own parties, there was no one else present. The racetrack owned by Young Master Hai was notorious for its profitability, earning a tidy sum in a single night.

“You must be joking, Young Master Cheng! How could I possibly lose? With you two here, how could I?” Young Master Hai replied with a sly smile, his meaning clear.

“So, you’ve invited us here tonight because you have something up your sleeve? Are you warming up for the year-end race, planning to take us down?” Young Master Qi’s voice was cold despite the smile on his lips.

“Afraid, Young Master Qi? No problem, you can always leave, right, Young Master Cheng?” Young Master Hai chuckled, his tone light and unconcerned.

“I can’t speak for others, but I’m more than confident enough to enjoy a good game with you,” Young Master Cheng said cheerfully. Last year, his driver had taken third place in the race, the best result in the Tianhai elite circle. Naturally, he was full of confidence.

“Stagnant as always! I’ll join you, just to show you the skill of my new driver,” Young Master Qi replied with a cool smile.

“Hahaha, it seems Young Master Qi still can’t get over finishing last year!” Young Master Hai winked at Cheng and laughed.

“That’s not fair, Young Master Qi’s driver was quite skilled last year! It’s just that he’d eaten something bad before the race, that’s all,” Cheng said, grinning.

The three of them were relentless with their jabs, never willing to concede an inch. As Young Master Hai mocked Qi, Cheng immediately piled on, relishing the banter. The misfortune of one always delighted the others.

“I remember someone vowing to break into the top three last year, but what happened? You didn’t even make it! I wonder what sort of driver you’ve found this time, Young Master Hai. Hope he can live up to your boasts!” Young Master Qi shot back.

There was no way to needle Cheng—after all, he had placed third, the best among them. So Hai and Qi could only trade barbs, while Cheng switched sides at will, mocking whichever of them he pleased. Nothing amused him more.

“Enough! Tonight is just for fun. The year-end race is nearly upon us, but I can’t find a proper benchmark—except you two. If my new driver doesn’t cut it, I’ll simply find another. But no matter how we fare, we must not disgrace Tianhai!” After a round of banter, Young Master Hai grew serious, looking at the other two.

“I’m all for a test run, but what’s the point without a little wager?” Cheng declared confidently. Over the past year, he had pushed his driver hard and even sought out expert coaching, so he was sure of victory. How could he pass up an opportunity for profit?

“My new driver is formidable, Young Master Cheng. Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” Hai replied with a grin.

“One billion. Just for fun,” Cheng responded offhandedly, unfazed by Hai’s words.

“Fine, one billion it is. I could use some pocket money,” Qi laughed easily. He, too, had great faith in his new driver and agreed with Hai’s point—the pre-race trial would benefit them all.

“One billion, then,” Hai said, not to be outdone. He could not show weakness before either Cheng or Qi.

With a snap of their fingers, Cheng and Qi summoned their gleaming sports cars, which pulled up smoothly beside them.

“He Tian isn’t here yet?” Hai asked quietly, turning to Wu Xiong.

“Not yet. I’ll call him—wait, he’s here!” Wu Xiong, visibly anxious, had just reached for his phone when he saw a car speeding toward them—Hai’s Ferrari.

“Bring him over,” Hai ordered, noticing that Cheng and Qi had already climbed into their cars to confer with their drivers. A cold smile flickered across his face.

“Brother Hai, I’m not late, am I?” He Tian pulled up beside him, speaking with an easy smile.

“Just in time. Any later and Ah Xiong would have called you,” Hai replied, beaming as he got in.

He Tian glanced at the two cars not far off. “Those are the ones?”

“Yes. Be careful—one is last year’s third place, the other’s background is unknown,” Hai warned solemnly.

“What are the rules?” He Tian asked, not familiar with the specifics.

“There are no rules. Car crashes and fatalities are quite normal. Don’t worry—there won’t be a problem,” Hai said with a sinister, confident smile.

“How do you want to win?” He Tian was briefly taken aback, but then smiled, brimming with confidence.

“Hahaha! Very good! Listen, both of them have put up one billion each. Normally, even if you win, you’d only get one billion, as per our rules. But I’ve changed my mind. If you win, you take the whole two billion! I’m not asking you to destroy their drivers—just don’t let them think it was easy to lose. Show them some real skill,” Hai said, clapping He Tian on the shoulder. “If you’ve got the talent, stick with me and you’ll make a fortune.”

“Two billion?” He Tian’s eyes lit up.

“Two billion,” Hai nodded. But only if He Tian could win—and win in the manner he wanted. So Hai felt no risk, only curiosity to see where He Tian’s limits truly lay. The year-end race was the real event, and by then, two billion would be nothing.

“Just wait and see,” He Tian replied with a slight smile.

“Excellent! I’ll be waiting to celebrate your victory! Remember, ten laps in total. Any problem with the car?” Hai asked.

“Tank’s full,” He Tian replied simply.

“Then get ready,” Hai said, stepping out of the car, thoroughly pleased with He Tian’s confidence. Of course, if He Tian lost, Hai would turn on him without hesitation. But if he won—and won as expected—Hai would keep his word, and even go out of his way to ensure He Tian’s safety. Such a prized driver was hard to come by.

He Tian took a deep breath, closed his eyes to rest, and recalled Hai’s words about cars destroyed and lives lost. Now he understood just what kind of game these young lords were playing. The danger it involved was obvious to anyone who thought about it, yet here they played, all perfectly legal, organizing the sons of the nation’s elite for their amusement. One could only imagine the scale of their arrogance.

Yet, strictly speaking, nothing they did was truly criminal—especially for people of their status.

He Tian couldn’t care less about such things. He had only one goal: to investigate Young Master Hai and see if he was connected to the Dragon Fang affair. That was what really mattered.

Of course, for now, He Tian was more than a little interested in pocketing that two billion.