Chapter 104: A Day of Experiencing Racing

Chapter 104 A Day at the Racetrack

"This is a racing simulator that new team members use for daily training. You can give it a try."

Qiu Yuelun led Jian Ye to an indoor training area where over a dozen simulators were arranged. Each simulator was donut-shaped, with drivers seated inside the ring, facing a screen that displayed a first-person view of the race car.

It felt almost like an arcade racing game. For Jian Ye, who was seeing such a training simulator for the first time, he quickly got the hang of it under Qiu Yuelun’s guidance.

Jian Ye thought, having obtained a driver’s license in his past life, he had no trouble handling the basics of driving.

Watching the boy sit inside the simulator, gripping the steering wheel with a focused expression, Qiu Yuelun couldn’t help but smile and praise, "You’re a natural. If you ever want to switch careers and become a race car driver, it’s not too late—you could join my team."

After completing a lap on the simulated track, Jian Ye turned to Qiu Yuelun and said, "This is just a simulation. If it were a real car, I’d never drive this recklessly. Professionals should handle professional tasks—I know better than to overstep."

Being stared at by Jian Ye while speaking, Qiu Yuelun subtly curled his fingers when no one was looking. Truth be told, his heart still hadn’t calmed down since the moment he hugged Jian Ye earlier.

He’d been wanting to do this ever since he found out Jian Ye was coming yesterday.

Qiu Yuelun didn’t want Jian Ye to know his not-so-innocent thoughts. Taking advantage of the cameras and catching Jian Ye off guard with that hug was already crossing a line.

He made sure to break away after just a second, making everyone believe it was just a friendly embrace—while internally, he was overjoyed, secretly thrilled.

Outwardly composed, his hidden feelings spiraled wildly under the cameras, especially when done so openly—it was even more exhilarating.

"Come on, let me take you around the track for a few laps," Qiu Yuelun said to Jian Ye while signaling to one of his team members. "This is... the racing suit I prepared for you. Go ahead and try it on. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you’re safe."

Concerned that Jian Ye might be hesitant, Qiu Yuelun reassured him.

"Thanks, this suit looks amazing. I’m not scared—didn’t you win a championship? I’m in good hands in your car," Jian Ye said as he took the suit and headed to the changing room.

Qiu Yuelun froze for a moment.

The words "I’m in good hands" sent a jolt through his entire body. Turning away from the cameras, he took a deep breath.

He felt like he was done for—he liked this boy far more than he had imagined.

Soon, Jian Ye emerged from the changing room in the suit, spinning around briefly. "Fits like a glove. Let’s go."

But after saying this, he received no response. Looking up, he saw the red-haired young man staring at him, completely spellbound.

Jian Ye was wearing a red-and-white racing jumpsuit, slightly form-fitting, accentuating his already impressive physique.

A dancer’s legs, long and straight, led up to a graceful curve at the waist—Jian Ye’s slender waist was downright distracting. With a layer of lean muscle, the suit sharpened his entire demeanor, making him look clean and striking.

The red-and-white of Jian Ye’s suit paired with Qiu Yuelun’s red-and-black, looking like a matched set of team uniforms—inviting imagination.

Qiu Yuelun had expected the suit to look good on Jian Ye, but seeing it in person blew his expectations out of the water.

"Sorry, got lost there for a sec. You look great in that," Qiu Yuelun said, turning away with flushed cheeks and clearing his throat.

He was ashamed of his reaction. He’d never have pictured himself being so captivated by a guy’s figure—let alone getting flustered just from looking at someone on camera.

Qiu Yuelun was feeling too overwhelmed and desperately needed to drive a few laps to burn off this restless energy.

The filming crew couldn’t follow in the car, so they stuck a GoPro on the car instead. The two got in, the engine revved to life, and the car surged forward with a powerful thrust.

Jian Ye, wearing a helmet, was pinned to his seat by the intense acceleration.

Qiu Yuelun focused on the road ahead, the car picking up speed rapidly from the start and only getting faster.

When they reached the curve, there wasn’t the slightest deceleration—just a slick, practiced drift and tail flick, like he'd done it a million times before.

Jian Ye’s heart raced along with the car. It was his first time in a race car, and this was just…

Whoa! This is so fucking intense!!! So badass!!!

Even though he wasn’t the one driving, he felt the rush of conquering each turn right alongside the race car driver.

Driving a race car was truly a cool thing—at this speed, all worries were left behind. In this moment, life narrowed down to just acceleration and speed, with no other thoughts except the goal of crossing the finish line.

One curve after another flew by, the car’s occupants swaying with inertia, adrenaline surging wildly. Jian Ye was practically vibrating with the urge to scream.

Even after they crossed the finish line and came to a slow stop, Jian Ye was still riding the adrenaline high.

Qiu Yuelun deftly removed his helmet, shaking his sweaty hair before turning to ask, “So? You okay?”

Jian Ye’s breathing was a little rapid as he tried to calm himself. His eyes shone with starry excitement before he suddenly exclaimed excitedly, “I love this feeling! Qiu Yuelun, you’re insane at this!”

Thump—thump—

Qiu Yuelun’s heartbeat was also accelerating, and not because of the race they’d just finished, but…

Because of the sudden dopamine hit from seeing the boy beside him looking at him with such wide-eyed hero worship.

The boy’s eyes were especially clear and dark, like polished black onyx or a pool of crystal-clear water.

The up-close gorgeousness plus the verbal praise, made the young man’s heart tremble, goosebumps racing down his arms.

His gloves still on, he tightened his grip slightly on the steering wheel. “If you’re having fun, I’ll take you for a few more laps.”

“Yes!” Jian Ye agreed immediately.

If not for this opportunity to experience someone else’s life, Jian Ye felt he might never have truly understood what makes racing so addictive.

Just sitting in the passenger seat was this thrilling—how much more intense must it be for the person actually driving?

He wouldn’t waste this chance. He had to make the most of it today.

What had started as just casually joining a variety show had turned into an unexpected perk. This program was truly great—Jian Ye was only now fully experiencing it.

The car ran several more laps in a row, until Xiao You, waiting in the spectator stands, got bored just watching.

Boys really couldn’t resist race cars, huh? Just how much did they love this?

She couldn’t resist teasing the camera, “If there weren’t any time limits, they’d probably keep going until dark, right?”

“Who’d have thought Qiu Yuelun, who always seems so aloof, could be this patient taking Jian Ye lap after lap?”

This day of experiencing a different life was equal parts eye-opening and adrenaline-pumping.

Later, Qiu Yuelun also showed Jian Ye their regular workout routine.

As a professional race car driver, daily workouts were non-negotiable—just like Jian Ye’s foundational training before his dance sessions. It wasn’t an unfamiliar concept to him.

Every grueling rep held significant meaning for when it counts on the track.

Before today’s recording ended, Qiu Yuelun truly made good on his word to Jian Ye.

After leaving the track, he took Jian Ye cruising and treated him to some of Z City’s famous must-try eats.

"Are you sure you don't want me to drive you? I can drive to Yunjing quickly," Qiu Yuelun said, watching Jian Ye get into the production team's car, his voice tinged with reluctance.

Jian Ye waved his hand. "It's fine. You've already spent the whole day with me—no need to trouble yourself. I'll just go back with them."

Qiu Yuelun quickly replied, "Not tired at all! Being with you wasn't tiring in the slightest!"

Jian Ye froze, suddenly embarrassed by the response...

Xiao You, sensing the awkward tension, quickly chimed in, "Xiao Qiu, you should head back. Don’t worry, we’ll make sure your friend gets home safely. You’ve already been a great host today. If you happen to draw Jian Ye’s card later, he’ll treat you just as well as you treated him today."

"Yeah, see you around," Jian Ye said with a smile.

"See... see you," Qiu Yuelun murmured, his heart heavy. He wanted to ask for one last hug, but when he looked up again, the car had already started moving.

He hadn’t drawn Jian Ye’s experience card earlier—instead, he got a guest whose profession was "carpenter."

The show’s matching system was completely random, and he didn’t know if he’d have the chance to draw Jian Ye’s card again before filming ended.

...

By the time they reached Yunjing, it was already very late.

Jian Ye had informed Yi Siyu in advance, texting his estimated arrival time.

When the car dropped Jian Ye off at the entrance of the neighborhood, the man was already waiting downstairs—no telling how long he’d been standing there.

"Thank you for bringing Yèyè back safely. I appreciate it," Yi Siyu said to Xiao You and the others.

Xiao You hurriedly waved her hands. "No need for thanks! The director emphasized over and over that we must ensure the guests’ safety. Jian Ye is our show’s most precious treasure—I’d make sure to return him safe and sound. You’re too kind."

"Xiao You, I don’t have any more filming in the next few days, right?" Jian Ye asked.

"Right, you can rest for now. We’ll need to wait until the other guests finish recording their experience segments after drawing their cards before it’s your turn again. But you might also become the one being matched with, so be mentally prepared. If someone draws your card, we’ll notify you in advance," Xiao You explained.

"Got it. See you next time!"

After bidding farewell to the production team, Jian Ye breathed a sigh of relief.

"Tired?" Yi Siyu asked gently, automatically reaching for the boy’s hand.

In front of Yi Siyu, Jian Ye let his guard down. "A little, yeah. But I’m in a great mood. Racing was really thrilling. We should catch an international race sometime—I want to experience being a spectator in a grand event with thousands of eyes watching."

"Alright," Yi Siyu replied, the corners of his lips lifting slightly, his voice as rich as aged red wine. "Anything you want."

"But before we dream about the future... let me recharge."

The moment the door closed, Jian Ye was pressed against the wall in the entryway as Yi Siyu captured his lips in a kiss.

They had only been apart for a day, yet Yi Siyu had zoned out a dozen times at work today.

As Xie Fei and Huo Kai put it, he was already hopelessly lovesick—incurable, with only the person before him able to heal him.

Yi Siyu kissed the boy fiercely, urgently, then lifted him up. The warm orange light cast over the scene, painting an intimate, lingering scene.

Jian Ye’s fingers clutched at Yi Siyu’s shirt, crumpling the fabric. Suddenly, he recalled the feeling of sitting in the race car earlier—his mind going completely blank.

What he was experiencing now was starting to feel just like that.

Only this time, someone else was in the driver's seat.

Yi Siyu kissed him inch by inch, finally nipping at Jian Ye's earlobe, which had turned so red it seemed about to drip blood.

The night stretched endlessly before them...

Having received the program team's promise of a few days' rest, Jian Ye let himself go again tonight.

When his body was vaguely carried to Akina, Jian Ye couldn't help but sigh inwardly—

Holy shit, this guy can really drive!

Author's Note

Yi "Akina Speed King" Siyu: Babe, don’t admire him, look, I can do it too! :3

Puppy Jian: o(￣皿￣)o