Chapter 7: A Billion on the Line

Nanshan, situated in the southern suburbs of Tianhai City, took its name from its location. It was a modest hill, rising only three hundred meters above sea level, with a circumference of just twenty kilometers. Strictly speaking, it hardly qualified as a true mountain. Yet, in the outskirts of Tianhai, it was the only high ground to be found.

The place was a popular destination for tourists, dotted with numerous resort villas—a notorious den of extravagance! But what truly made it famous was not the luxury, but the racetrack. This was a paradise for amateur racers, hosting all kinds of racing events throughout the year.

“I used to come here often,” Wang Xinyou admitted to He Tian without reservation. “I always thought I was a pretty good driver. That’s why I got tricked last time and lost the race.” She spoke candidly, not hiding the reason for her previous loss.

“Just do as I told you. I guarantee we’ll make a fortune this time!” He Tian was already plotting to outwit their opponents. This promised to be great fun.

“No problem! He Tian, just leave it to me!” Wang Xinyou clenched her small fist in excitement. She realized that having someone to back her up felt completely different from going it alone. Now, she brimmed with confidence.

“Here comes our lady of fortune!” A group of people, led by Huang Zhiwen, began to holler as soon as Wang Xinyou parked her car in the plaza.

It seemed they were convinced Wang Xinyou was there to hand out money.

“Huang Zhiwen, how do you want to play? Set the terms!” Wang Xinyou stood up and pointed at him directly.

“It’s simple—one lap, fastest wins. One million!” Huang Zhiwen said. “Last time I beat you, so this time I’ll let you win it back. Otherwise, your sister might scold you again! Hahaha!”

He Tian patted Wang Xinyou’s hand reassuringly.

Wang Xinyou smiled faintly, then, with a look of disdain, prepared to get back in the car and leave.

“What’s wrong, Wang Xinyou? Afraid to play?” Huang Zhiwen burst out laughing, and the group around him joined in, jeering loudly. They were a bunch of idle rich kids—sons of officials and businessmen—who thrived on trouble. If there was excitement to be had, they would stir the pot, true mischief-makers who loved nothing more than a good spectacle.

“That’s too little—boring! All of you are here, right? Last time, you all beat me. Seven million in total! If I’m going to race, I’ll win it all back, and strip you down to your shorts. Ten million each, against all seven of you! Same rules as last time—do you dare?” Wang Xinyou stood up again, pointing at the seven who were shouting the loudest.

“Ten million each?” Huang Zhiwen and his friends were momentarily stunned. A million or even a few million was nothing to them, but over ten million was a different story. No matter how rich their families were, getting that much pocket money was difficult.

“Is that too much? My sister’s got plenty of money. If you’re scared, forget it—your auntie here won’t play with you!” Wang Xinyou scoffed, flaunting her wealth with abandon.

“Wait! Ten million each, racing all seven of us in turns, like last time?” Huang Zhiwen waved for the others to quiet down and asked seriously.

“What’s wrong? Can’t you hear, or is your brain not working? Was I not clear enough?” Wang Xinyou looked at him with contempt.

“Let’s race!” Huang Zhiwen waved his hand. “Boys, when Lady Fortune herself insists on handing us money, how could we refuse?”

“Exactly! Let’s race!”

“Anyone who doesn’t dare is a coward!”

“If she wants to give us money, who wouldn’t take it?”

“Wang Xinyou, will your sister really give you the money?”

“I’ll put myself up as collateral. You think you’ll get shortchanged?” Wang Xinyou replied, hands on her hips.

“Alright! Hei, Hei, over here! We’ve got business!” Huang Zhiwen called out to Hei, who was well-known throughout Tianhai for being connected to Wang Xinyou’s sister, Wang Xinmeng. With Wang Xinyou’s word, there was no need to worry about payment. Besides, with a written contract signed at Hei’s table, who could back out? Everyone knew Hei was backed by the Sea Prince.

A burly, dark-skinned man with earrings and a flamboyant shirt strode over with his entourage.

“What are the rules?” Hei asked directly.

“We’ll each race her in turn—seven times, ten million each!” Huang Zhiwen answered smoothly.

“Second Miss Wang, that’s quite a hefty bet,” Hei remarked, recognizing Wang Xinyou.

“If we don’t raise the stakes, they never learn,” Wang Xinyou replied. “Oh, and listen up, all of you. Today, I’m betting my car, but this handsome guy will be driving. Any objections?” She patted He Tian on the shoulder.

“You’re not driving?” Huang Zhiwen hesitated. He knew Wang Xinyou’s skills, but this He Tian was an unknown quantity. Ten million was no small matter.

“What, scared? My friend here is new in Tianhai, first time at Nanshan. Seventy million in total, and I’m just letting him get familiar with the track,” Wang Xinyou said lightly, as if seventy million meant nothing to her.

The seven gathered to discuss among themselves.

“Forget it, Xinyou, let’s go. I didn’t really want to race anyway. They dragged us here for nothing. It’s a waste of time,” He Tian said disdainfully, pulling Wang Xinyou to sit down.

“Exactly, they’re killing the mood!” Wang Xinyou agreed, starting up the car.

“Wait! We’ll race! Hei, please,” Huang Zhiwen and his friends, provoked by the exchange, could not back down now. They all knew the track well; no first-timer could possibly be fast. They’d each done hundreds of laps here. How could a newcomer pull off a miracle?

“Mr. Hei, please wait a moment,” He Tian said with a smile. Turning to the seven, he continued, “Taking turns seven times is too tedious and a waste of time. How about this—I’ll race all seven of you at once. If, at the finish line, any one of your cars is ahead of mine, you win. As for the wager, let’s make it an even one hundred million. Let’s be decisive—do you dare?”

“All seven of us, against you alone, for one hundred million in a single race?” Huang Zhiwen was even more uncertain now. He sensed that He Tian was relying on something.

But when he saw Wang Xinyou tugging nervously at He Tian’s arm, and He Tian appearing to tremble, Huang Zhiwen felt he understood.

Trying to scare us off? No chance!

“Mr. Hei, that’s the deal—seven against one, one hundred million wager!” Huang Zhiwen declared on behalf of his group.

“What’s your name, brother?” Hei asked He Tian with a grin.

“He Tian,” he replied.

“Very well.” Hei gave a few quiet instructions.

In less than three minutes, the contracts were on the table—nine copies in all: one for He Tian, one for each of the seven challengers, and one for the house.

“Brother He, since it’s your first time here, let me explain our rules. No matter who wins or loses, the house takes five percent of the total pot. However, for wagers over one hundred million, we only take one percent. For this race, it’s one percent,” Hei explained with a smile.

“Understood,” He Tian nodded. Wang Xinyou had already briefed him. The owner here was influential and powerful. Taking a cut from the wagers like this brought in an impressive annual income.

And indeed, with one hundred million on the table, whichever side won, they’d already pocketed a million. The speed at which they made money was staggering.

Soon, after signing, eight cars lined up at the starting line.

A fleet of sports cars: mostly Ferraris, with some BMWs, Mercedes, and Wang Xinyou’s Porsche. It could have passed for a car show.

Hei’s men served as referees—not just here, but all along the track, with professional medical staff on standby. No matter your background, safety was paramount. Otherwise, even the most powerful couldn’t protect you if accidents happened too often.

“Are you sure about this? Is this really your first time on this track?” Wang Xinyou, seated in the car, showed a rare moment of hesitation.

“I thought you’d trust me completely,” He Tian smiled.

“Hmph, just because I ask doesn’t mean I don’t trust you! I’m just concerned,” Wang Xinyou pouted.

“Your choice: one, win by a landslide; two, overtake at the last moment,” He Tian said coolly.

“Seriously? I get to choose?” Wang Xinyou looked at him in disbelief. He was just too impressive.

“But there’s a price—you’re not allowed to come here to race again without my permission,” He Tian said.

“Then I choose the first! Win so thoroughly they’re left speechless!” Wang Xinyou clenched her fists.

“Knew you’d pick that. Buckle up!” He Tian smiled, starting the engine and revving it hard.

As the referee’s flag dropped, He Tian slammed the accelerator.

The Porsche shot forward like an arrow released from the bow.

“There’s a turn just eighty meters ahead!” Wang Xinyou warned.

No one had ever dared to start at such speed, especially with a turn so close.

“If your car’s up for it, then so am I,” He Tian replied with a smile. As Wang Xinyou watched in shock, the Porsche executed a perfect drift through the first corner, barely losing any speed.

“Ah!” Wang Xinyou screamed in excitement.

“Thrilling, isn’t it?” He Tian found time to chat as they raced.

“It’s incredible!” Wang Xinyou nodded fiercely.

She suddenly realized she was starting to admire He Tian. That move had been simply too cool.

“Damn, this guy’s a pro!” Huang Zhiwen and his friends saw He Tian handle the corner perfectly and were beside themselves with frustration.

But the contracts were signed, and Hei was presiding. None of them dared go back on their word. All they could do was push their cars to the limit, hoping that He Tian’s earlier display was just luck.

After the first turn, less than two hundred meters later, there was a massive U-bend—a signature of this mountain circuit, notorious for its many corners.

But now, Wang Xinyou had no more worries. She surrendered herself to the intoxicating thrill of speed and drifting.

He Tian grew serious as well. What Wang Xinyou didn’t see was the gleam in his eyes—bright, shining, and full of purpose.