The race had ended successfully, but the final result immediately became the center of controversy.
Ming-Yu, along with several other teams, protested the outcome.
Ming-Yu: "Jun-Yu deliberately crashed before completely clearing the finish line."
He continued,
Ming-Yu: "Jun-Yu knew I was right behind him. He knew I could increase my speed and overtake him before the finish line. That's why he intentionally slid the bike, forcing me to slow down out of fear of a collision so he could cross the finish line first."
The Racing Authority turned to Ming-Yu.
Authority: "Mr. Ming-Yu, you were originally scheduled to compete today as Hua-Long Team's replacement rider and were even prepared to sign the official participation agreement. Yet overnight, you canceled your contract with Hua-Long Team and suddenly became the main rider for another team. Isn't that rather suspicious? Are you certain there's no deeper connection between your sudden transfer and Jun-Yu's accident?"
The unexpected question caught Ming-Yu completely off guard. His eyes widened in shock, but realizing that any explanation could make matters worse, he chose to remain silent.
The Racing Authority, however, had no intention of taking anyone's side. They knew that openly defending Jun-Yu without a proper investigation would only fuel more complaints from the other competitors.
To calm the growing dispute, the Authority addressed everyone.
Authority: "You have all witnessed Jun-Yu's physical condition. He lost consciousness immediately after the accident. However, we will never declare him the winner simply because of sympathy. We have the complete race footage, and we also have Jun-Yu. Once his condition stabilizes, he will be questioned publicly and live. At the same time, every frame of the race footage will be carefully reviewed before a final decision is made."
Jun-Yu sat weakly on a bench while Je-Lin firmly supported him from behind.
Ji-Ang held a portable oxygen mask in front of Jun-Yu's face.
As the doctor removed Jun-Yu's leather racing suit, he discovered that the racing base layer underneath was completely soaked with sweat.
Tian-Xiang: "Doctor, he still isn't responding properly. Does he need to be admitted to the hospital?"
Doctor: "No. He's already regained consciousness. He's simply exhausted. Give him a little more time, and he'll recover quickly. For now, increase the air conditioning—you can see how overheated he is."
Following the doctor's instructions, one of the staff members lowered the room temperature.
A few moments later, Jun-Yu spoke in a weak, trembling voice.
Jun-Yu: "D... Did I win... Manager?"
Tian-Xiang looked at him with guilt.
Tian-Xiang: "Jun-Yu... we're sorry. We doubted your ability. Here, drink some water first."
He handed Jun-Yu a bottle of water.
Jun-Yu's hands were shaking so badly that he could barely hold it.
Just like the Racing Authority, Tian-Xiang deliberately avoided answering whether Jun-Yu had actually won.
Seeing his condition, Ji-Ang gently helped him drink the water.
Meanwhile, Shi-Han was desperate to see Jun-Yu.
She had been watching the race from the grandstand among the crowd with a face mask covering her identity.
The moment Jun-Yu crashed, she ran straight toward Hua-Long Team's pit area.
However, the security guards refused to let her inside.
Instead of arguing, Shi-Han calmly lowered one side of her mask and spoke in a firm voice.
Shi-Han: "I'm Gaming Queen Shi-Han. Jun-Yu is my friend, and we live in the same apartment building. I want to see him. I believe my identity speaks for itself—I don't need permission to enter."
The moment the guards recognized her, they immediately stepped aside.
As Shi-Han entered the pit area, Hao-Yarn arrived as well.
Hao-Yarn: "Tian-Xiang, the Racing Authority wants to question Jun-Yu. Is he well enough to speak?"
Before anyone could respond, Shi-Han hurried over to Jun-Yu.
Shi-Han: "Jun-Yu! Jun-Yu! Are you alright? You're not seriously hurt anywhere, are you?"
Jun-Yu smiled faintly.
Jun-Yu: "I'm still alive... so don't worry that much."
Then he looked toward the director.
Jun-Yu: "Director... I've injured my neck, shoulder, and leg. And my head is killing me. Please... could someone get me a painkiller? It feels like my head is splitting apart."
The moment he finished speaking, he began breathing heavily from exhaustion.
A short while later, Jun-Yu was seated in a chair.
Shi-Han stood quietly beside him.
The entire Hua-Long Team stood behind him, while the Racing Authority sat directly across from him.
Authority: "Jun-Yu, today's final race result depends entirely on your statement. Please tell us the truth. What really happened?"
Jun-Yu took a deep breath before answering.
Jun-Yu: "Today was the first official race of my life, and I entered it without any proper practice. At first, I followed every instruction from my team. But after a few laps, I realized I was gradually losing control of the motorcycle. The brake cable felt unusually tight, and eventually the brakes failed completely."
He paused briefly before continuing.
Jun-Yu: "The team wanted to withdraw me from the race, but I wanted to keep fighting. In the end... I deliberately crashed the motorcycle. If I hadn't done that, there would've been no safe way for me to get off the bike. The engine was overheating as well. I intentionally slid the bike about twenty meters after crossing the finish line."
The officials exchanged glances before the chief official finally spoke.
Authority: "We're sorry... and we're proud of you."
He continued,
Authority: "History may never have witnessed a rider as courageous as you. However, Hua-Long Team must resolve the internal conflicts within your organization. Those internal disputes have already begun putting lives at risk. If Jun-Yu had suffered a fatal accident today... who would have taken responsibility? The Racing Authority?"
Tian-Xiang lowered his head.
Tian-Xiang: "I'm sorry. I promise we'll begin a full investigation immediately."
The Authority then turned toward the other competing teams.
Authority: "We've thoroughly reviewed Jun-Yu's testimony along with the race footage. We found no rule violation on Jun-Yu's part during today's race."
After a brief pause, the official smiled.
Authority: "The award ceremony will begin shortly. Jun-Yu, please wait just a little longer."
A short time later...
Jun-Yu was officially crowned the National CRRC Road Racing Champion and received the championship trophy.
Standing quietly in one corner, Shi-Han watched him with proud, shining eyes and silently congratulated him from the bottom of her heart.
★★★
The fading afternoon sun cast a warm yet weary glow across Jun-Yu's exhausted face. Today, he had become a racing champion for the very first time in his life, yet to Shi-Han, his expression seemed strangely dull and lifeless.
Jun-Yu and Shi-Han were sitting inside a Ferrari Portofino M, while Jun-Yu's chauffeur drove them toward the hospital immediately after the award ceremony at the circuit.
Holding Jun-Yu's hand gently, Shi-Han asked,
Shi-Han: "Jun-Yu... aren't you happy about today's victory? Why do you look so down?"
Jun-Yu replied softly,
Jun-Yu: "I am happy... but I'm worried about Shu-Yang. He has too many enemies after him. If I hadn't participated in today's race, I would've never realized what was really happening. But there's something I've been thinking about..."
Shi-Han: "Maybe someone from a rival team sabotaged the bike's brakes to keep your brother from racing. Once he investigates the case as a police officer, everything will become clear. But what are you thinking? What will you tell him about today's incident?"
Instead of answering her question, Jun-Yu changed the subject.
Jun-Yu: "Look over there—the Cherry Blossom Festival in the park. You've looked upset for several days now. Besides... I still owe you an apology. I wanted to take you shopping, ride a roller coaster, go on the Ferris wheel, watch a movie, and have dinner together."
As soon as he finished speaking, a gentle smile bloomed across Shi-Han's rosy lips.
While watching the cherry blossoms through the car window, she quietly drifted into a romantic daydream.
Fantasy
It was a holiday, so the shopping mall was far more crowded than usual.
The moment Jun-Yu and Shi-Han entered the mall, many people immediately recognized Shi-Han.
But Shi-Han noticed something far more irritating.
Just as always...
Almost every girl in the shopping mall was openly staring at Jun-Yu.
Her soft heart simply couldn't tolerate other girls looking at him like that.
"Why are these shameless girls staring at Jun-Yu? He's a human being, not some alien. What's there to gawk at?"
Suddenly, a fashionable young woman walked up to Jun-Yu with an overly sweet smile.
Girl: "Hey, handsome! Out shopping today? Come on, I'll show you where the men's section is. Oh, and could you help me choose an outfit? Which one do you think would look best on me?"
Her flirtatious attitude immediately irritated Shi-Han.
"We don't even know you, and you're already bothering us..."
Even Jun-Yu responded with an awkward cough.
This was exactly Shi-Han's biggest problem whenever she went out with Jun-Yu.
Girls constantly surrounded him.
Standing beside him, Shi-Han wrapped both of Jun-Yu's arms around her own and smiled confidently.
Shi-Han: "Thank you, Miss, but we'll find the section ourselves. Come on, King, let's go over there."
She deliberately called him "King" while holding his arm tightly so every girl in the mall would assume Jun-Yu was her boyfriend.
Unfortunately...
That only made the girl even angrier.
She suddenly raised her voice for everyone nearby to hear.
Girl: "Wait... aren't you Shi-Han? The one who killed the famous music industry owner, Shin-Yan? The media reported it everywhere!"
The loud accusation instantly drew everyone's attention.
People nearby began whispering among themselves.
Without wasting another second, Shi-Han grabbed Jun-Yu's hand and started running.
Shi-Han: "You've mistaken me for someone else!"
The truth was...
Shi-Han didn't want Jun-Yu to know how famous she really was in the gaming world.
She knew that if they stayed any longer, people would recognize her as the Gaming Queen.
So she wanted to leave before Jun-Yu understood what was happening.
Jun-Yu looked confused.
Jun-Yu: "Hey! Why are we running? You should explain to her that you're not a murderer!"
The moment he finished speaking, Shi-Han glanced behind them.
A large group of girls was already chasing after them.
Shin-Yan had been just as famous as Shi-Han.
As soon as someone called Shi-Han Shin-Yan's killer, many of Shin-Yan's fans rushed after her in outrage.
Running as fast as they could, Jun-Yu and Shi-Han eventually reached a much quieter section of the shopping mall.
It was filled with inexpensive, everyday clothing.
Without hesitation, Shi-Han dragged Jun-Yu into a fitting room, picked out a very ordinary outfit, and handed it to him.
A few minutes later, Jun-Yu stepped out wearing it.
Shi-Han smiled brightly.
Shi-Han: "Wow... you actually look really handsome in this! From now on, this is what you're wearing."
However...
Judging by the expression reflected in the mirror, Jun-Yu looked like someone had forced him to drink an entire glass of bitter melon juice.
He didn't like the outfit even a little.
But Shi-Han didn't care.
What mattered most was keeping other girls from staring at him.
Out of pure jealousy, she intentionally chose the plainest clothes she could find so that no one's attention would linger on Jun-Yu.
A little later...
Shi-Han entered the women's clothing section.
One after another, she tried on different outfits and stepped out to show Jun-Yu.
Every single time, however, Jun-Yu shook his head.
Jun-Yu: "Shi-Han... why do you look like a little ghost today? Honestly, not a single outfit in this entire store looks good on you."
The moment he said that, Shi-Han clenched her fist and charged toward him.
Frightened, Jun-Yu quickly leaned backward to dodge the incoming punch.
Jun-Yu: "H-Hey! Don't hit me! You look beautiful! Really! Buy whichever one you like!"
Shi-Han pouted and took a step away from the display.
Shi-Han: "I don't like these either... but the clothes in the other stores are too expensive. I'm not buying anything. Let's just go home."
Jun-Yu gently caught her hand.
Jun-Yu: "Come on, Ghost Girl... don't be mad. I was only teasing you. You're actually much cuter when you're angry. These outfits suit you perfectly. Buy them."
Instead of replying, Shi-Han turned around angrily and walked out of the store.
Jun-Yu simply smiled helplessly before turning toward one of the employees.
Jun-Yu: "Please pack every dress she tried on."
A short while later...
Outside the shopping mall...
Shi-Han had already climbed into the car.
Meanwhile, Jun-Yu could barely walk.
Both of his arms were overflowing with shopping bags, completely blocking his view as he struggled toward the vehicle.