"No need to be so moved. My admirers are already lined up for Rome." Lorenzo waved his hand dismissively, but his chin was tilted high, his nostrils flaring, practically screaming, 'Praise me! Worship me!' His smug expression was genuinely punchable.
Kai swallowed the lump of emotion in his throat and said, "I'm not moved. I'm just worried your dad is going to break your legs."
Lorenzo's face fell. "In your eyes, am I just a useless trust fund baby? I worked hard to convince the company to approve this funding, okay? This sponsorship is in Brembo's name!"
Kai raised an eyebrow. "So, if it all goes down the drain, Mr. Moretti won't be angry?"
Lorenzo: ...
He realized he'd walked right into a trap. He forced a smile back onto his face. "I'm not worried about it going down the drain. Who am I sponsoring? Kai Zhizhou, the next God of Racing. I'm just waiting for you to dominate the track, and then the whole paddock will look at me with admiration for my brilliance."
"You know, Todt has been watching you all along. when I brought this up with the company, you weren't a stranger to them."
Kai paused. "Nicolas Todt?"
Lorenzo shook his head. "Jean Todt."
Kai didn't hide his surprise.
Lorenzo noticed. "What? He hasn't contacted you?"
Kai was even more confused. "No, never. In fact, after the Maranello test, I haven't heard a word from him. I thought he'd forgotten all about that little episode. The FIA President is a busy man; he doesn't have time for small things like this."
Lorenzo pursed his lips. "True. I thought he was removed from the front lines, too. Who knows? Maybe he sees a shadow of Schumacher in you?"
"Ha. Ha. Very funny. Lorenzo, you've never been this hilarious."
Teasing and chatting, discussing the excitement of F1 qualifying and looking forward to tomorrow's race, Kai and Lorenzo returned to the hotel.
Surrounded by luxury and high society, Kai's trip to Monaco had been incredibly fruitful. Two major sponsorships had solidified his position at ART, pushing the heavy door of Formula racing open just a little wider, letting more light shine through the darkness. The future was bright.
Ding.
The elevator doors opened. A figure stumbled out, not looking where he was going, and slammed straight into Lorenzo, nearly knocking him over.
"Hey! Watch where you're going!" Lorenzo shouted.
But the person didn't seem to hear. He had fallen to the ground but ignored it, scrambling to his feet and trying to run forward.
But his balance was gone. Like a bad circus act, he tripped over his own feet again.
Thud!
He hit the ground hard, a dull, heavy sound.
Even Lorenzo sucked in a breath, his anger evaporating. But the person didn't notice the stares of the onlookers. He just crawled, desperate to stand up.
Kai stepped forward, extending his hands to help him up, concern filling his eyes. "Charles?"
Kai wasn't mistaken. The young man was Charles Leclerc.
But the usually sunny Leclerc looked like he was out of his mind. His eyes were unfocused, soulless, like deep black holes.
Leclerc didn't even seem to recognize Kai. He pushed him away, muttering instinctively, "Sorry, really sorry."
Then, he pushed past Kai, stumbling forward again.
Lorenzo recognized him now, his mouth hanging open in shock. He didn't understand. Just this afternoon, Leclerc had taken pole position for the F2 Monaco race, riding high. Why did he look like he'd lost his soul?
Chaotic thoughts swirled in Kai's mind. His heart sank. Without time to think, he chased after him. Seeing Leclerc about to fall again, he reached out and grabbed his arm. But before he could pull him back, Leclerc's momentum dragged Kai down with him.
Leclerc's knees slammed into the ground. If not for Kai's grip slowing the fall, they would have been bruised instantly.
Kai moved in front of him, grabbing his shoulders and shaking him. "Charles! Wake up!"
Finally, Leclerc's unfocused gaze sharpened slightly. "Kai, quick... I need to hurry... Dad... Dad is critical... I need to go to the hospital."
Panic. Brokenness. Emptiness.
There wasn't even fear or sadness yet. It was as if his soul had been lost in the dark, forgetting how to react.
Kai's heart was yanked hard, and he forgot to breathe for a moment. "Charles, I'll take you to the hospital."
Leclerc shook off Kai's arm. "I... I... I have to hurry. Hospital. I need to go now. There's no time."
Kai looked at Leclerc's stumbling figure. "Lorenzo, keys."
Lorenzo didn't hesitate. He pulled the car keys from his pocket and threw them to Kai.
Kai caught them, glancing at Lorenzo. "Thanks."
Lorenzo waved him off. "Stay calm. Drive safe."
Kai didn't say another word. He sprinted after Leclerc, grabbing him again. "Charles, I'm driving. Trust me. We're going to the hospital right now."
"Charles, I don't know the way. I need you to wake up and guide me. Mr. Leclerc is waiting for you. Can you do that?"
Leclerc seemed to finally snap back to reality. He took a deep breath, unable to speak, and just nodded frantically.
Kai led Leclerc to the roadside, to the Ferrari whose engine was still warm. They got in and sped away.
The wind whipped at their faces.
Kai glanced at Leclerc in the rearview mirror. He tried to say something, but words failed him.
Usually so eloquent, he found language to be poor and powerless. What could he say? In the face of life and death, all words seemed pale. He had never felt so small.
Only now did Leclerc seem to fully comprehend what was happening. He covered his face with his hands, but he couldn't stop the tears from flowing through his fingers.
"...What if Dad doesn't see me make it to F1... What if... what if..."
His trembling voice was broken, scattering in the wind. The spirited young man from Maranello was now curled into a helpless ball, reminding Kai that he was, after all, just a nineteen-year-old boy.
Kai opened his mouth, trying to offer comfort, but the words stuck in his throat, turning into an infinite silence.
A short while later, they arrived at the hospital. Kai parked the car, still wondering how to comfort his friend. But Leclerc had already recovered. He wiped his tears roughly with his sleeve, took several deep breaths, and regained his composure.
He looked at Kai, forcing a smile. "How do I look? Calm enough?"
Kai was stunned.
Tears still shimmered in Leclerc's eyes. "I need to be strong. Mom needs me. Dad needs me. I can't fall apart, right? In the face of death, you need even more courage."
Kai gently patted Leclerc's shoulder. "You look good. Everything is good."
~~----------------------
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