Chapter 195: Narrow Encounters

The celebration at the Donghai Police Station lasted well into the night. Relief and joy filled the air as the officers began to disperse. The tension that had been building for weeks finally lifted, leaving everyone in a lighter mood. Insults and criticisms had flooded their complaint mailboxes daily, but that was now behind them.

With the case closed, it was time for them to bask in well-deserved accolades—flowers, applause, and commendations. From today, the Xu Yun Task Force was officially disbanded. It still existed in name, but its purpose had concluded. The team members returned to their regular duties, and the entire department was busy wrapping up their work on the serial murder cases.

Lin Xian walked back to the shared dorm room he had lived in before joining the task force. With the team disbanded, he also had to move out. The room had been silent for days. Ji Lin’s belongings were gone; he had taken everything when he moved to Japan. Lin Xian’s toiletries were still there, but he hadn’t stayed in the room for some time.

He flipped on the light switch. The empty room stirred a sense of nostalgia within him. Everyone thought the horrific events were completely behind them. Lin Xian knew better—it wasn’t over yet. There was still one final act before the curtain would fall. Who would take the final bow? That remained to be seen in the last showdown.

Lin Xian packed his belongings, turned off the light, and took one last glance at the room he had shared with Ji Lin for over two weeks.

Bang.

The door shut behind him.

MX Company, 22nd Floor, Zhao Ying Jun’s office, Lin Xian placed the Ferrari key on Zhao Ying Jun’s desk.

“All finished with it?” Zhao Ying Jun looked up with a smile. “You really pulled off something big.”

“You’ve heard then?”

“Of course, such good news travels fast. Even though the police haven’t announced it officially, I bet the whole city knows by now.”

Zhao Ying Jun rested her chin on her hand, observing Lin Xian. “The Donghai City Police must be treating you like a hero. You’ve really helped them solve a massive problem.”

“Thanks to your car,” Lin Xian pointed at the key. “Without it, I might have been outrun by the criminal, and none of this would’ve been possible.”

“You seem to really enjoy driving.”

“I do,” Lin Xian admitted with a smile. “It’s probably the only thing I excel at.”

“You’re too modest,” Zhao Ying Jun countered, leaning back in her chair. “You have many talents, and it’s obvious to everyone. A good horse deserves a good saddle. If you like the car, keep it. I don’t use it much; I have a chauffeur.”

“No, no, I always end up returning it in a mess. I’d feel bad keeping it,” Lin Xian chuckled, then quickly changed the subject. “But I really appreciate the loan and your trust. I can’t offer much in return, but a friend recommended a great restaurant. How about I treat you to dinner?”

Zhao Ying Jun pondered briefly, then smiled. “Dinner isn’t necessary. If you really want to thank me, how about a different favor?”

“What do you need?” Lin Xian asked, intrigued.

Zhao Ying Jun toyed with the Ferrari key on her desk. “After joining you in those high-speed chases, I’ve grown to like the thrill. How about you teach me how to drive like that? Drifting and high-speed maneuvers seem really cool.”

Lin Xian blinked, surprised by her request.

“Are you sure? Street racing can be quite dangerous.”

Meanwhile, on the first track of Tianma Racing Track, a fiery red McLaren Senna skidded through the final turn with an exaggerated drift, its low-profile tires scraping the ground before stopping sideways on the track. The scissor door opened.

Su Su removed her helmet, shaking her bright yellow hair back into place, and looked at her instructor.

“So, how was it?”

Her instructor, beside her, gave a double thumbs-up. “Fantastic! Absolutely fantastic, Su Su! You’re the most talented female racer I’ve ever trained!”

“But I feel like I’m still not hugging the inside of the turn enough.”

“How could that be?” the instructor exclaimed. “This is already top-notch! Even professional racers can’t get their cars’ front to scrape the inner turn. This isn’t ‘Initial D’ or ‘Crazy Kart.’ Nobody can drive that perfectly. You’re already doing amazing!”

“Hmm...” Su Su smacked her lips. “But I saw two people recently who were even better. They were driving on a busy highway, handling their cars better than on a racetrack. Their turn skills were so precise, their headlights almost kissed the curb.”

“Hahaha... You must be mistaken,” the instructor laughed awkwardly. “That’s impossible... purely an urban legend.”

“Well, I’m off. See you next week.” After the instructor got out, Su Su called her waiting friend into the car, and they waved goodbye as they drove off the first track.

“Alright, Miss Su Su, see you next week!” The instructor waved enthusiastically, knowing she was a valuable client who tipped generously.

Su Su’s friend grabbed a box of bubble gum from the McLaren’s glove compartment, popping one into her mouth. “Su Su, you’ve been coming here every week to practice since that Ferrari incident. It must have really fired you up.”

Su Su snorted. “The Ferrari was fine... I’m just pissed at that date. He acted all cool and then left. It was disgusting! For the first time, I asked someone to scan my WeChat QR code, and he dared to refuse me?! Such nerve! If I see him again, he won’t get off easy!”

“Come on, don’t be mad,” her friend chuckled, offering her a bubble gum. “Donghai City is huge. How likely is it you’ll run into him again? Whether it’s that Ferrari or that date... I bet you’ll never see them again!”

Roar!!!!!!!

As they passed the outer edge of the second track, a red blur, trailing black smoke from its tires and roaring with high RPMs, zoomed by, leaving them wide-eyed and gaping.

Both women craned their necks to look at the disappearing car on the second track...

That familiar red color,

That familiar model,

That familiar taillight!

“Damn!” Su Su gritted her teeth. “What a narrow encounter with an old enemy!”

This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation