Chapter 60: Various Episodes of the Car Race

“Haha, Brother He!” From afar, Young Master Hai laughed heartily as soon as he spotted He Tian stepping out of the car.

“You’re something else! Good! Very good!” Young Master Hai gave He Tian a firm hug, repeating his approval.

“Brother Hai, I’m glad I didn’t let you down!” He Tian replied, smiling broadly, clearly in high spirits.

“Come, let’s talk inside!” Young Master Hai pulled He Tian into the house, then dismissed everyone else.

“Did you really hold back out there?” Once they were alone, Young Master Hai couldn’t help but ask eagerly.

“Brother Hai, we can’t keep doing this in the future! I found that deliberately playing cat-and-mouse with them is actually harder than just pulling ahead by a mile,” He Tian grinned.

“Hahaha!” Young Master Hai burst out laughing. “Wonderful! Truly exhilarating! That driver working for Young Master Cheng—the one in the Audi—he finished third in last year’s race! If you can beat him by a wide margin, then taking the championship this time shouldn't be too hard at all!”

“Don’t worry, Brother Hai. When I say I’ll win the championship, I mean it. That’s not just empty talk,” He Tian said with a twinkle in his eye.

“Straightforward! Here, take this card—it’s a full two hundred thousand! The code is six ones,” Young Master Hai said without hesitation, handing He Tian a card.

He Tian accepted it, grinning from ear to ear with satisfaction.

Young Master Hai was just as pleased.

The more readily He Tian accepted money, the more convinced Young Master Hai was that he could keep him firmly under control.

He wasn’t afraid of He Tian being greedy.

What he feared was He Tian not being greedy.

Young Master Hai was confident—money alone was enough to keep He Tian bound tightly to his chariot.

“This time you did exceptionally well! At the very least, you didn’t alert Young Master Cheng and Young Master Qi. When the year-end race comes, you’ll stun everyone. I’d better start preparing, raise more funds, and make a fortune!” Young Master Hai’s eyes gleamed.

He could never have enough money—especially money taken from the other heirs. That was his favorite way to win.

“Brother Hai, tell me more about the race—what will you do with all that money you’re preparing? I’m itching with curiosity,” He Tian said at just the right moment.

Even with two billion in hand, He Tian didn’t feel the money was so easily earned.

Having experienced the race, he knew very well—what looked effortless was fraught with unseen risks. Only he understood that.

For ordinary people, or even successful businessmen, such a sum was either astronomical or overwhelming.

But now, Young Master Hai and his circle operated at a rarefied level.

They wielded invisible power, sweeping up vast fortunes—money here seemed almost meaningless.

But to be lulled by that illusion would be a grave mistake.

So He Tian kept his mind clear, never forgetting his purpose in getting close to Young Master Hai.

But if he asked too many probing questions too soon, it would only arouse suspicion. He had to take it step by step—asking gradually, getting closer bit by bit.

He didn’t believe Young Master Hai wouldn’t let slip some information.

“Haha, come, have a drink first and then I’ll tell you everything,” Young Master Hai laughed.

“I wouldn’t trouble you, Brother. Let me,” He Tian quickly took the bottle and poured for both of them.

After they drank, Young Master Hai finally spoke. “Do you know why the year-end race exists, and how it grew to this scale?”

“I have no idea,” He Tian shook his head. He truly knew nothing.

“At first, there wasn’t even a race—just a group of car-loving young heirs in Beijing getting together for fun, celebrating the New Year,” Young Master Hai explained with a smile. “Back then, all the heirs drove themselves. It was pure enjoyment.”

“But these young heirs—well, their influence is huge. Their hobbies were quickly imitated, and more and more joined in. But not all of them were good drivers. So, they started hiring professionals,” Young Master Hai chuckled. “Of course, they hired the best. Soon, those who hired drivers easily beat those who drove themselves. Gradually, it became standard for everyone to hire drivers.”

“The influence of Beijing’s heirs was enormous. And this circle is really quite small. With introductions and invitations, each taking their turn, the race grew larger and larger, eventually becoming a grand national gathering for all the young heirs,” Young Master Hai continued. “But then it got too big, so they had to limit the number of participants. And how did they decide? By influence, strength, background, and so on.”

“So naturally, those who qualify for the year-end race are the leading, most influential heirs in the country. Every year, some lose their spots and others rise. With only twenty places, it’s become a kind of national ranking among heirs,” Young Master Hai said lightly. “On the surface, it looks like just a race ranking. But the other heirs watching don’t see it that way. Making the top twenty and winning a good place brings enormous prestige and rapid advancement in every area—reaping unimaginable benefits.”

“That’s how the event took shape—held once a year, a true national festival for the heirs,” Young Master Hai concluded.

“Brother, from what you’re saying, this isn’t just a long-standing tradition—it’s practically an honored one!” He Tian grinned.

“Haha, well put!” Young Master Hai laughed heartily.

“But, what about the money?” He Tian pressed.

“I won’t bore you with more history—let’s talk about the current rules. First, every year, the twenty heirs each put up the same amount of money, pooling it together as a prize for the top three finishers. The split is seventy percent for the champion, twenty for second, ten for third. As for how much money—well, that depends on the year, but the lowest ever has been ten billion per person. So, when I told you the total would be at least two hundred billion, that’s the bare minimum,” Young Master Hai smiled. “If I put up thirty or even fifty billion, and half the others follow suit, the total prize money climbs even higher.”

“And that’s just one way to make money. There’s also the betting. You may not know this, but outside the twenty racing heirs, there are plenty more with just as much wealth and influence. So, there’s a huge betting pool,” Young Master Hai went on. “With twenty cars, anyone can bet as much as they want—there’s no upper limit and no fixed odds.”

“For example, if someone bets ten billion on you to win, and you do, they’ll double their money—they get twenty billion, not counting their original stake. If you only come second, they lose—the bet fails,” Young Master Hai chuckled. “All the money lost in failed bets is used to pay the winners. If there’s not enough, the twenty racing heirs make up the difference equally. If there’s extra, it’s split among the twenty. That’s another reason everyone wants to be among the twenty—it’s almost impossible to lose money.”

“Being in the top twenty—you can hardly lose,” Young Master Hai said with a satisfied smile.

“There’s so much profit in that! But what about the heirs who don’t make the cut? Won’t they just watch their money go down the drain? No one can guarantee they’ll pick the winner,” He Tian wondered aloud.

“Haha, even so, the entry fee is at least ten million! You think this circle is easy to enter?” Young Master Hai laughed.

Suddenly, He Tian understood.

“In short, if you’re confident, bet more on yourself—you might make even more than your share of the prize,” Young Master Hai clapped him on the shoulder. “But if you don’t win, you get nothing.”

“How can I lack confidence, Brother? I’ve got plenty!” He Tian said with a laugh.

“Don’t be careless. There are many skilled drivers—there are hardly any rules. If something unexpected happens, well, it would be a shame. So be cautious—it’s essential,” Young Master Hai said earnestly.

“Thank you for the warning, Brother!” He Tian nodded seriously, putting on a look of understanding.

“Haha, all right. I’ll have your sports car repaired. Take another car home tonight,” Young Master Hai said with a smile.

“Then I won’t overstay my welcome,” He Tian said, rising to take his leave.

“Oh, by the way, Brother He—Young Master Cheng and Young Master Qi are just as powerful as I am in Tianhai. You beat them today; I’m afraid they might want revenge. Let me send some men with you for protection—what do you think?” Young Master Hai suggested.

“Brother, to be honest, I used to work in Africa. I got tired of that lifestyle and came here through the Wang family, who needed a bodyguard. I don’t claim much, but I can guarantee my own safety,” He Tian replied with a faint smile.

This was a carefully considered revelation.

He had no way to keep his abilities hidden from Young Master Hai forever.

So it was important to provide a reasonable explanation.

Coming from Africa, having seen conflict—that was all true. Whether Young Master Hai thought he’d been a mercenary or something else, He Tian didn’t care.

But he steered toward the idea of a mercenary—that would only help him get even closer to Young Master Hai.