The club had a circular track used for daily training.
It was similar to the ones at driving schools. Vanessa drove Blazing Wind around it in steady loops.
She kept the speed extremely low, not even one-thousandth of Blazing Wind's true performance, yet everyone watched with quiet relief.
"Derek Su, Vanessa used to tell me she loved racing. All I could say was that once her illness was cured, she'd definitely be able to drive. When she asked when she'd get better, I'd tell her 'soon.'"
Beto Ming watched his daughter on the track, tears glimmering in his weathered eyes.
"As she grew older, she asked that question less and less. I knew it wasn't that she stopped liking racing. She just became more sensible. She understood that asking would only make both of us sad. She also knew her illness meant she'd probably never get the chance to race on a real track… so she stopped asking."
"I once thought it would take ten, maybe even decades, before I could develop the medicine to cure her. When that day came, I'd let her race properly. I never expected to see this moment so soon."
He turned to Derek Su, his voice solemn and sincere.
"Derek Su, I have to thank you for this. And I'm thanking you on Vanessa's behalf too."
"Thank me for what?" Derek Su waved it off. "It's mainly because of Blazing Wind's special skill adaptation. It doesn't have much to do with me."
The sponsor had helped him a great deal.
Aside from Mr. Liang, he was the second great benefactor in his life.
Without his support, there would be no Derek Su today, no Stella. Derek Su didn't consider himself a saint, but he understood the value of repaying kindness.
And Blazing Wind being willing to help the sponsor and Vanessa… maybe that was fate too.
…
After a few laps, Blazing Wind brought Vanessa back to the club entrance.
She didn't immediately open the door to deactivate her deployment.
Even though it had only been a few casual laps, Vanessa's emotions had been nothing but joy and excitement the entire time.
"Vanessa," Blazing Wind turned to her, "your first time driving a race car—wasn't it thrilling?"
The cockpit had returned to its normal seating position. Vanessa swung her little legs happily, nodding again and again, her big eyes shining.
"It's something I didn't even dare dream about! And I… I really didn't have an episode from getting too excited… Blazing Wind, you were right. We really are a perfect match!"
Blazing Wind smiled to herself. Kids really were pure.
"But Vanessa, once you leave the cockpit, we won't be able to support each other like that. You need to learn to regulate your emotions on your own. I know you're happy right now. But this isn't the last time you'll drive."
"You can come every day from now on. Racing isn't some distant dream anymore. It's something within your reach."
Becoming a Mecha Girl's pilot… was really within reach now?
Vanessa's eyes grew brighter, her cheeks flushed pink.
Blazing Wind knew her excitement wouldn't fade quickly, but there was no rush.
"A qualified racer must stay calm at all times," she continued. "They have to analyze the track carefully. If something unexpected happens, only a clear head can help both the driver and the Mecha Girl get through it."
"Oh! I understand! I'll stay calm!"
Vanessa clenched her fists, straightening her little face into a serious expression.
To be safe, Blazing Wind parked at the club's back entrance and stayed with her for more than two hours.
They sorted through her emotions, planned the months ahead, talked about her future…
Only after Vanessa had completely stabilized did Blazing Wind deactivate her deployment mode. Holding the medicine box in her left hand, she scooped Vanessa up with her right.
Seeing the tension on Blazing Wind's face, Vanessa patted her shoulder.
"Don't worry, Blazing Wind. I'm a cold, serious driver now. No feelings. No emotional fluctuations."
The little angel deliberately put on a blank expression.
Even knowing she was pretending, Blazing Wind couldn't help laughing.
Still, Vanessa's mood really had steadied.
Living from age five to fourteen wasn't only because of Beto Ming's care. Vanessa's own emotional control played a part too.
When her condition was relatively stable, she would stare quietly out the window, practice calligraphy, or fish by the artificial lake near their villa.
These calming hobbies had been part of her routine for years.
In the past, she couldn't even watch races.
Now she could watch them with her father, even celebrate a little.
"Vanessa, how do you feel?"
Beto Ming hurried over the moment she stepped down.
He examined her complexion and watched her breathing.
Everything was normal.
She even looked better than before.
The old Vanessa used to laugh and joke every day, yet there was always a faint lifelessness about her.
Now that feeling was gone. Aside from her pale skin and slender build, she looked like any energetic child.
The truth was, once she stepped out of the cockpit, she returned to her frail self.
If death came to claim her life, she would have no strength to resist—only watch silently as it was taken.
But now?
She would fight back.
She'd even take a bite out of death.
"Dad, I'm a serious race driver now," Vanessa said coolly after climbing down from Blazing Wind's arms, crossing her arms over her chest. "From today on, you have to call me Vanessa the Racer! And I'm going to compete in the Knox Rally four months from now!"
"Ah…" Beto Ming froze for a moment, then burst out laughing. "Alright, alright! Vanessa the Racer! Hahaha!"
He laughed heartily.
As a father, his heart had always revolved around his daughter.
He knew she hadn't laughed from the bottom of her heart in a long time.
But he hadn't realized he hadn't either.
As he laughed, tears slid down his cheeks.
Vanessa stood on tiptoe to wipe them away, half distressed, half annoyed.
"Dad, aren't you embarrassed? You're so old and still crying!"
"I'm happy… hahaha, I'm just happy…" Beto Ming laughed and cried at the same time. It took him a long while to calm down.
"But Vanessa, you're only fourteen. Isn't it too early to enter the Knox Rally? And your body…"
He worried she wouldn't be able to handle it.
Driving for fun and competing in an official race were two completely different things.
Races were dangerous. Beyond technical risks, there were also unpredictable dangers from other drivers.
"That's why I have four months to learn emotional control," Vanessa said, puffing out her cheeks. "Blazing Wind and I agreed—we both have to pass a strict assessment before entering the Knox Rally. Over these four months, she'll improve her Impact Resistance and Stability and choose the right Modules. As for me, I'll learn to keep my emotions steady and train with Derek Su. If I pass the assessment before the race, Blazing Wind and I will compete together."
Beto Ming glanced at Blazing Wind.
She gave him a helpless smile.
Vanessa had insisted, and she had no choice but to set an assessment.
She would discuss the details with Derek Su. The difficulty would definitely be high. There was a ninety percent chance neither of them would pass.
If they truly could pass, then entering the Knox Rally would be a safe bet.
With one look, Beto Ming understood exactly what she was thinking.
The assessment was likely a delaying tactic to steady Vanessa.
And that was fine.
Even if she couldn't pass this time, there was next year. And the years after that.
As long as Vanessa kept hope for the future and kept challenging herself, she would only grow stronger.
Wasn't that exactly what a father wanted?
"Alright, I understand." Beto Ming rubbed her head and agreed readily. "Then you and Blazing Wind better work hard these four months. If you qualify for the Knox Rally, and Su Boss races at Panlong Mountain at the same time, you'll be on different tracks competing for championships. Let's see who wins!"
"Hehe, of course Derek Su will win~"
Vanessa looked at Derek Su with sparkling eyes, her face full of admiration.
"Derek Su, can I join your club? As a driver."
Blazing Wind had told her that even all the knowledge and skills she shared amounted to less than one ten-thousandth of Derek Su's.
How strong was he?
He was practically godlike.
Rounding up, if she trained under The Magician, she'd become the next little magician!
"Of course," Derek Su said with a smile. "We just happen to be short a driver."
He knew the assessment was a delaying tactic.
And he didn't mind having a young trainee like her in the club.
Of course, accepting Vanessa meant taking responsibility for her safety at the club.
It would be troublesome.
But compared to everything the sponsor had done for him, this adorable trouble was something he was willing to shoulder.
…
By the time they finished arranging Vanessa's matters, it was almost noon.
Derek Su planned to treat the sponsor and Vanessa to lunch at the restaurant next door.
But the sponsor didn't seem ready to leave.
He looked around at the simple track facilities, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
"Derek Su, this training track setup is a bit too basic. The space is also a little small. It's not very good for long-term development."
Derek Su stared blankly at the surroundings.
It wasn't small. The facilities were a bit outdated, sure, but it had everything it needed.
The real problem was money. Once they had more funds, they could upgrade.
Besides, this was Tianyuan City's Second Ring Road. Land here wasn't cheap.
"I think it's fine for now."
"You need to think ahead." Beto Ming pointed toward the commercial district across the street. "Demolish that mall and merge the land into your club. Expand the track. Add the latest facilities. Oh, and build a swimming pool. You can relax there in the summer."
Derek Su was speechless.
He understood all that.
He just didn't have the money.
A few million sounded like a lot, but it was nothing when it came to land prices.
"Then it's settled, Derek Su. In a few days, someone will come discuss the contract with you. Don't worry about the money. I'll handle it. You just sign."
Derek Su froze.
"Huh?!"
Had he misheard?
But Beto Ming continued, "Your club is too small anyway. It needs expansion. How can the Mecha Girls and drivers all squeeze into the fourth-floor dorms? Build a separate luxury residence."
He gestured toward the neighboring hotel.
"Tear that down. The Seoul Kaiyang Hotel… I happen to know the president of Kaiyang Group. Just a word from me."
Derek Su: "???"
His expression grew increasingly absurd.
"You got schemed against at the Maratela Circuit, right?" Beto Ming said with a pleased smile at Derek Su's reaction. "That's what happens when you don't have a logistics team. I recently acquired a few clubs. Not in Tianyuan City, but they have complete support teams. I'll transfer their core functional Mecha Girls to you. Then you'll have a full logistics squad and won't have to worry about those petty tricks again."
"Old man… you're not joking, are you?"
Derek Su had seen the world before. In his previous life, he had lived in luxury houses and driven expensive cars.
But compared to true business tycoons, he was still far behind.
Just now, with a couple of casual gestures, Beto Ming had casually written off assets worth at least three billion.
And that didn't even include the cost of redevelopment.
Now he was saying he'd cover all of it. And send over a professional logistics team worth a fortune.
Even good fortune didn't fall from the sky like this.
"Derek Su, let's reintroduce ourselves."
Beto Ming extended his right hand, flashing a gold tooth.
"I'm Beto Ming, President of Longteng Group. Our group keeps a low profile and doesn't advertise much, so you probably haven't heard of us. But you should know that every major club is backed by a conglomerate. That's their capital chain. Longteng Group is one of the major financial powers. We just haven't invested in any club until now…"
"So, kid, I'm richer than you think."
He glanced at his daughter, his eyes full of tenderness.
"Starting today, I officially represent Longteng Group in joining the Stella Club."
...
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