If it weren’t for Old Lai’s nouveau riche style of dress, he and Wan Shengbang standing together would have looked exactly like long-lost twin brothers.

Wan Shengbang was displeased with Old Lai’s intervention in this matter. His expression darkened as he said, “Brother Lai, the gambling table has its rules, and so does the racing track. You should understand this.”

Old Lai chuckled, “I don’t understand any of that. All I understand is that I only have this one unlucky son, and I’m counting on him to take care of me in my old age, so we can’t let relationships turn sour.”

Wan Shengbang patted Old Lai’s shoulder with a forced smile, “I’ll let you win big at the poker table next time. But for today, take my advice and stay out of it. There are powerful people behind this that neither of us can afford to offend.”

That comment immediately triggered Old Lai’s competitive spirit. He burst out, “What powerful people? Who do they think I can’t handle? Back when I was running things in Tonggang, you all acted like my grandsons. Anyone who dares to put on airs in front of their great-grandfather – I’ll make sure they come walking but leave crawling.”

Then he changed his tone: “Although my brothers aren’t in that line of work anymore, they’re all making honest livings in different industries…”

He waved his hand, and Jiang Mu followed Old Lai’s gesture to look behind them. While she could understand the bus driver and dump truck operator, she couldn’t make sense of the middle-aged woman in the pink F0 with fake eyelashes on its headlights.

Old Lai continued, “But if anyone dares to cross me, Old Lai, one word from me and I guarantee they won’t be able to take a single step in Tonggang.”

He Zhao stepped out from behind Wan Shengbang with a cigarette between his fingers, “Uncle Lai, don’t be so arrogant. It’s not your era anymore.”

Old Lai slowly shifted his gaze to He Zhao’s face, a hint of amusement in his eyes. “Is that so?”

As his words fell, the amusement vanished from his eyes. In one swift motion, he snatched the cigarette from He Zhao’s fingers and pressed it out on his forehead. A scream of pain erupted from He Zhao’s mouth, and the young car enthusiasts around them turned pale.

He Zhao raised his fist in pain, but Old Lai didn’t dodge. Instead, he sneered, “Go ahead, hit me. Let’s see how much guts you have.”

In an instant, a wave of construction workers jumped down from the dump truck. In the blink of an eye, a dark mass of men stood behind Old Lai, each holding a brick. He Zhao’s wrist trembled slightly, and that raised fist never came down.

Wan Shengbang raised his hand to lower He Zhao’s fist, then turned to San Lai: “Weren’t you here to deliver food? Where is it?”

Jiang Mu broke out in a cold sweat but watched as San Lai opened his car door and took out a wrapped lunch box. He even opened it in front of Wan Shengbang, showing off, “Uncle Wan, want to try my meatballs? Not to brag, but with my cooking skills, I could open a restaurant. Come on, try one – they’re braised and delicious.”

He enthusiastically offered the meatballs to Wan Shengbang. Jiang Mu was stunned by the lunch box that San Lai had seemingly conjured out of nowhere. Wan Shengbang waved his hand impatiently, “I’ve already eaten, keep it for yourself.”

San Lai smiled and closed the lunch box. Wan Shengbang looked at one of his men, who got in his car and moved it aside. Trying not to show her anxiety, Jiang Mu returned to the passenger seat. San Lai had already gotten in the car, and they drove through the gap into the mountains. San Lai glanced at Old Lai, who adjusted his gold LV belt and gave an almost imperceptible nod.

Only after passing this section did they truly enter the mountain road. Jiang Mu asked in surprise, “I thought you were making it up. Where did the food come from?”

San Lai replied seriously, “Do I look like someone who makes things up?”

“…” Yes, quite a bit.

“I brought it when we left. Who knows how late we’ll be out? If we can’t order delivery, I get anxious when I’m hungry. If you want some, I’ll share a couple of meatballs with you later.”

“…That’s quite alright.”

Jiang Mu turned her gaze to the window. As they drove deeper into the mountains, the echoing sounds they’d heard from outside grew clearer. Jiang Mu checked the time on her phone – they’d spent too long in the standoff with Wan Shengbang. With only about ten minutes until the race, she hurriedly urged San Lai, “Can you go any faster? I’m afraid we won’t make it.”

San Lai’s expression became uncharacteristically serious. They could already see many sports cars’ headlights on the opposite mountain road. Jiang Mu pointed out the window, “Is that it?”

San Lai glanced over, increasing speed: “Should be.”

But just as they were about to drive along the mountain road, another large crowd appeared ahead, blocking the way completely. San Lai cursed, “Damn it, layers upon layers of people – what is this, a video game boss battle?”

The car stopped, and a girl in a miniskirt ran over to San Lai, “Hey handsome, if you’re here to watch the race, park here. You can’t go any further.”

San Lai told her, “My brother’s competing in the race. I need to give him something.”

The girl smiled, “The race is about to start. No one else can enter now.”

San Lai and Jiang Mu exchanged glances before getting out of the car. Before them was a chaotic crowd of young people. Several Bose speakers played thumping dance music that echoed through the mountain road. Glow sticks and night lights flew everywhere as groups of young people swayed to the music, holding beers. The scene was a pre-race party in full swing – forget cars, even getting through on foot seemed impossible.

Sweat dripped from Jiang Mu’s forehead. Her eyes filled with unstoppable determination as she charged into the crowd. San Lai called anxiously after her, but she was quickly swallowed by the dancing mob. She pushed forward desperately as the crowd jostled her. Surrounded by flashing neons and deafening music, she had only one thought: there was no time left – she had to find Jin Chao, she must find Jin Chao.

Suddenly, a hand grabbed her arm and pulled her from the crowd. Before she could steady herself, she saw Jin Fengzi before her. He exclaimed in surprise, “How did you get here? Did you come alone?”

Just as Jiang Mu turned around, San Lai pushed through, cursing, “Damn, they almost tore my clothes off. These people are possessed!”

But Jin Fengzi asked tensely, “Which way did you come from? Did you see Iron Rooster return to the garage?”

San Lai asked bewildered, “Why?”

The surrounding noise was too loud, so Jin Fengzi shouted, “I’m asking which way you came from! Did you see Iron Rooster return to the garage?”

Seeing Jin Fengzi’s expression, San Lai paused before answering, “No, wasn’t Iron Rooster supposed to come with You Jiu? We were at the garage all afternoon, and didn’t see him come back.”

Jin Fengzi’s face suddenly tightened, “This is bad, really bad. There might be something wrong with the car. We need to find You Jiu.”

San Lai shouted back, “I want to find him too! What do you want me to do, blow up these people?”

Jin Fengzi looked back at Wan Qing standing with a group on the high rocks, his expression grave, “Will Little Green Snake help us?”

Jiang Mu checked her phone again – there was no time left.

She said directly to San Lai and Jin Fengzi, “You go get the car, and I’ll talk to her.”

As soon as she finished speaking, she pushed past a burly man, her body exploding with terrifying strength as she rushed toward Wan Qing.

Wan Qing, who had been smoking and chatting casually with some friends, was surprised to see Jiang Mu here. She frowned, looking down at Jiang Mu’s panting figure, warning her, “This is no place for good girls. Go home.”

But Jiang Mu climbed right up onto the high rock, standing before her with resolution in her eyes. Her voice trembled as she said, “We need to find him. Help us get through.”

Wan Qing took a leisurely drag of her cigarette, blowing the smoke in Jiang Mu’s face with a mocking smile, “Since when are we so close?”

The men around them laughed derisively, but Jiang Mu ignored them. She stepped closer, her chest heaving, her eyes filling with desperate moisture.

“If you don’t want him to get hurt, help us through.”

Wan Qing’s cigarette paused between her fingers, her expression tightening slightly, but she replied coldly, “He told me to get lost.”

Jiang Mu’s voice carried unprecedented fierceness, “Why did he tell you to leave? Wasn’t it enough that your father used you to destroy him once? You know very well how he was forced into this situation. You can refuse to help us unless you don’t care if he lives.”

Ash fell from Wan Qing’s cigarette as she stared intently at Jiang Mu, who didn’t flinch. She couldn’t afford to now. In that moment, she let go of all dignity, face, and pride. Her fists clenched at her sides as she lowered her gaze and said, “Please… I’m begging you…”

Two minutes later, Wan Qing’s brothers pulled the dancing crowd apart, forcibly clearing a path just wide enough for a car. Jiang Mu jumped into the vehicle, and San Lai drove straight onto the race track.

As soon as they were in the car, San Lai raged, “There better not be more people blocking the way ahead! Old Wan wasted our time.”

Jin Fengzi quickly asked, “What Old Wan? Manager Wan is here?”

“Why else would we have been held up so long at the bottom of the mountain?”

Jin Fengzi slapped his thigh, “Something’s wrong, really wrong, San Lai. Manager Wan usually never comes to race sites.”

San Lai grew anxious, “Just spit it out!”

“Manager Wan isn’t here to win the race – he wants to destroy You Jiu! Let me drive!”

They quickly switched positions, and Jin Fengzi floored San Lai’s car. Just then, a loud “Bang!” of the starting gun echoed from the opposite mountain. The three in the car froze. Jiang Mu’s hands and feet turned to ice as she repeated in a voice that didn’t sound like her own, “What do we do? It’s started – what do we do?”

After a moment’s shock, Jin Fengzi pressed the accelerator harder. The car didn’t stop at all as it chased after the race cars that had already crossed the starting line. San Lai also frowned intensely, watching the high-speed headlights flashing between the mountain roads through the window.

Finally, Jin Fengzi slammed on the brakes, punching the car door and saying hoarsely, “We can’t catch up.”

Jiang Mu threw open the door and ran to the cliff edge. Race cars chased each other through the mountain roads, their speed so great their headlights stretched into spectral trails slicing through the black mountains. Jiang Mu’s heart pounded violently in her chest, terror like a beast tearing her body apart. But then she saw it – that familiar black GTR, moving at an unstoppable speed, aggressively taking the turn and pressing into second position. Jin Fengzi saw it too and shouted, “You Jiu’s car!”

Jiang Mu didn’t dare move her gaze a fraction, biting her lip until she tasted blood shocking her brain. She suddenly came to her senses and grabbed San Lai, “The sparklers – are they still in your car?”

San Lai nodded, “In the trunk.”

“Quick, give them to me.”

They ran to the back of the car and took out all the sparklers. Jiang Mu’s body wouldn’t stop shaking – she could barely hold the lighter Jin Fengzi handed her. She had only one thought: light the sparklers.

As the colored sparks shot from the tube, Jiang Mu raised her arm high above her shoulder. She didn’t know if Jin Chao would notice, but this was her only option. She hoped he would see it, see the light from the sparklers, but one sparkler was too weak – the sparks shot into the sky and quickly died.

Jiang Mu turned to San Lai and Jin Fengzi, “Help me light them all!”

She climbed onto the cliff face in one breath. San Lai was below her feet was a bottomless abyss, Jin Chao’s life hanging by a thread. Jiang Mu didn’t know what danger was anymore – she only knew that at this moment, her life was tied to Jin Chao’s. She took all the sparklers from San Lai and Jin Fengzi and held them high.

In an instant, seven or eight sparklers simultaneously shot colored sparks into the night sky, bursting open like parachutes spreading brilliant colors. Jiang Mu’s heart was already suspended on those arrows. She was betting on that one percent chance – if only Jin Chao would see, just one glance and he would know she was here, warning him in her way.

She saw the black war machine disappear from her view, only to suddenly roar past the first car on the next mountain road;

She saw Jin Chao’s GTR far ahead in the night shadows, she could even hear the echo of tires gripping the mountain road;

She saw the ghostly black car shadow suddenly slow down as it entered the straight, its direction starting to drift;

She saw the car that should have entered the consecutive turns instead careening out of control toward the cliff wall…

Jiang Mu’s hands went slack, the sparklers falling from her grip into the ravine. The next second, flames erupted, blinding light piercing Jiang Mu’s pupils as the cars behind stopped far from the cliff wall.

A thunderous “BOOM” shook heaven and earth as the explosion’s flames burst through the night curtain, illuminating the entire valley.

Jiang Mu’s soul wavered. As her body tilted forward, San Lai grabbed her in one swift motion.