Chapter 21: The Donation

Zhang Chao and his companions exchanged high-fives in celebration.

Wu Qingya’s expression grew slightly solemn; she hadn’t seen Shishi for a while, and it seemed her driving skills had improved even further.

Inside the Bugatti Veyron, Yu Shishi looked through the rearview mirror at the empty track behind her, a contemptuous smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Is the race already ending just as it’s begun? How truly boring."

At the same time, the Lamborghini reached the turn.

"He isn't slowing down!"

"Damn, is this guy crazy? Taking a turn at 150 km/h? That’s a recipe for a wreck!"

Zhang Chao and the others noticed something was wrong and held their breath. Wu Qingya’s face changed dramatically, her heart leaping into her throat.

On the big screen, the real-time speed display next to the Lamborghini Aventador read exactly 150 km/h. Although it was a high-speed turn, even amateur racers could usually only handle it at 100 km/h; 150 km/h was a speed only top-tier professional racers could manage.

Just as everyone watched in terror, the Lamborghini plunged into the high-speed turn and executed a limit-defying drift. The rear of the car slid through the corner, barely brushing the edge of the track. It was as fast as a bolt of lightning!

"Holy crap, am I blind?"

"What just happened? Is the speedometer broken?"

"150 km/h through that turn? Is this guy a professional racer or what?"

Zhang Chao and his friends were stunned. They had spent years hanging around the Magic City Park and had never once seen an amateur driver take that first high-speed turn at 150 km/h.

Wu Qingya was also shocked by Jiang Jin’s extreme maneuver, and it took her a long while to regain her composure. *This guy—was he playing me before?* While angry, she felt a flicker of joy. She had previously assumed Jiang Jin agreed to the race just to get close to Yu Shishi, but it seemed she had misunderstood; he had only agreed because he knew he would win.

*Wait—doesn't that mean I’m going to lose 12 million to him?* Wu Qingya felt her world go dark; her joy vanished in an instant.

After clearing the turn, Jiang Jin accelerated aggressively, pushing the car to 200 km/h. The Lamborghini roared past the Bugatti Veyron like a blue lightning bolt. Inside the Veyron, the contempt on Yu Shishi’s face froze instantly.

"Huh? Did something just fly past me?" When she realized she had been overtaken by Jiang Jin, she became completely bewildered. She had been tens of meters ahead of him just moments ago—how did he manage to overtake her right after the first turn? It made no sense!

***

Just as Yu Shishi was reeling in confusion, Jiang Jin reached the fifty-meter mark before the second turn. Then, to her shock, he tapped the brakes just enough to bring his speed down to 150 km/h and executed another beautiful, limit-defying drift to clear the corner.

*Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?*

Yu Shishi was completely floored. The second turn was even more difficult than the first; with her skills, she could manage it at 80 km/h at best. Yet, Jiang Jin had zipped through it like a flash of lightning. His driving skills were streets ahead of hers. In that moment, all her competitive spirit evaporated.

The rest of the race was essentially Jiang Jin’s solo performance. Especially at the triple hairpin turns, he executed three consecutive drifts, drawing gasps from Zhang Chao and the others. The on-site staff watched in pure fascination.

By the time Jiang Jin returned to the starting line, he was a full kilometer ahead of Yu Shishi. On a 3.6-kilometer track, Yu Shishi couldn't even see his taillights.

After the Aventador came to a steady stop, Jiang Jin stepped out and gave Wu Qingya a victory gesture. Wu Qingya rolled her eyes, but couldn't help but laugh. This guy always knew how to surprise her.

Zhang Chao and his friends were deathly silent, their faces as dark as a storm cloud. Having expected an easy win, they found this crushing defeat impossible to swallow.

Soon, the Bugatti Veyron returned to the start, and Yu Shishi stepped out with a sullen expression. "Jiang Jin, you played me!" She stomped over to him, her lower lip puffed out enough to hang a soy sauce bottle from it.

Jiang Jin looked at her with an innocent expression and said helplessly, "My dear Miss Yu, when did I ever play you?"

"You clearly have such amazing skills, but you were driving so slowly before. If that’s not playing me, what is?" she demanded, hands on her hips.

Jiang Jin scratched his head and offered a bitter smile. "I was just getting a feel for the car's performance. Besides, I didn't even know you were watching from afar."

Hearing this, Yu Shishi wavered, though she remained stubborn. "Hmph, who knows if you're telling the truth."

"Alright, the results of the race are clear. Are you going to pay up?" Jiang Jin asked, rubbing his thumb and forefinger together with a playful look.

Yu Shishi glared at him. "Give me your account number; I’ll transfer the money." She wouldn't dream of welching on a bet—not for ten million, or even a hundred million. She couldn't afford the loss of face!

Although Zhang Chao and his friends were reluctant, they were men of their word; they had enough pride for that. They quickly transferred the money to Jiang Jin’s account. To Jiang Jin’s surprise, Wu Qingya didn't say a word and transferred her 12 million as well.

***

"You're quite something, young man, earning 30 million in such a short time."

Once she had cooled off, Yu Shishi found Jiang Jin more and more appealing. He was handsome, a great driver, reasonably wealthy, and most importantly, he was Wu Qingya’s boyfriend! She decided she was going to steal this man for herself.

Jiang Jin smiled gently and responded with polished elegance, "Miss Yu, you flatter me. While I earned this money through my own skill, I don't intend to keep it for myself."

Yu Shishi blinked, asking playfully, "Are you going to give it to Wu Qingya to spend? You’re quite the henpecked husband, aren't you?"

This drew loud laughter from Zhang Chao and his group.

"Wu Qingya is a total tigress, so you should consider me instead. I promise I won't care how you spend your money," Yu Shishi teased, winking.

Wu Qingya couldn't help but roll her eyes. *I look like the virtuous, wifely type, so how am I a tigress?*

"Miss Yu, there's a misunderstanding. I plan to donate this money to children in poverty-stricken mountainous areas."

As Jiang Jin’s words landed, the entire scene fell into absolute silence. Donating the entire 30 million Dragon Coin sum to children in the mountains? What a scale of character!

A glimmer of surprise flashed in Yu Shishi’s eyes. She asked softly, "You aren't joking, are you?"

Jiang Jin’s expression was resolute. "Of course not. I never take charity lightly. So, I’d like to ask if any of you know a reliable charity organization so I can transfer the funds directly."

In the end, it was Wu Qingya who solved the problem for him. She had a friend who ran a charity foundation where every expenditure was publicly disclosed on their website, making it highly transparent and reputable.

Once Jiang Jin transferred the funds to the foundation’s account, a system chime rang out.

[Ding! Congratulations, Host. Side quest 'Racing Mania' completed. Distributing rewards...]

[Ding! Congratulations, Host. You have received a fixed reward of 10 million Dragon Coins, plus an additional reward of 90 million Dragon Coins.]

With a "small goal" achieved, his account balance reached 260 million.

Having witnessed Jiang Jin donate the money with their own eyes, Zhang Chao and his friends looked at him with newfound respect. 30 million was no small sum. Even when their own elders did charity, they would usually put out the word beforehand and invite crowds of reporters to build hype. Jiang Jin, on the other hand, had simply donated the money without any intention of seeking fame or attention.

Yu Shishi’s eyes danced with interest, and a playful smile tugged at her lips. "You’re a good guy, young man. Let’s add each other on WeChat!"

Jiang Jin declined. "Forget it, my girlfriend would get jealous."

As he spoke, he tilted his head slightly toward Wu Qingya, his tone filled with gentleness and affection. "Qingya, shall we head back to the hotel?"

Since he was technically her "boyfriend," would it be appropriate to add another woman on WeChat right in front of her? *Better to play the long game,* he thought.

Hearing this, a subtle, cryptic curve appeared on Wu Qingya’s lips. She replied with a blend of teasing and indulgence, "If you want to go, let's go. Haven't you always been the one calling the shots at home?"