Feng Miwan scratched her head. “I basically don’t have any real days off.”
“Most of the time, it’s training, analyzing data, meetings, physical conditioning… over and over in a loop.”
“If I can squeeze out a little time, I’d probably go hang out with Shu Tong and the others, or hole up at home playing games.”
Xiong Yibai sighed. “Race car drivers are that exhausted?”
Feng Miwan spread her hands. “Yeah, super tiring.”
Xiong Yibai asked, “Then why did you choose this path?”
Feng Miwan began to reminisce.
“The first time I touched a steering wheel was in fifth grade.”
“My brother Feng Yuxiao was in college back then, and his dream was racing, but he couldn’t compete because of his health.”
“He had this beat-up practice car parked in the warehouse. One day when he wasn’t around, I snuck up and climbed in. I turned the key, and the car shot out, crashing straight into a pile of scrap tires.”
Xiong Yibai listened quietly without interrupting.
Feng Miwan couldn’t help laughing as she spoke.
“I was scared out of my mind back then, covered in dust. But when my brother found me, guess what?”
“I was struggling to pull the car out of the tire pile, dying to drive it again.”
“That’s when I realized, even though it was frightening, that sense of speed was just too captivating.”
“And so, my brother decided I had a talent for racing too, and he founded the Maple Grove Racing Team.”
She told the truth. “Our family is just ordinary folks—not poor, but definitely not some wealthy dynasty.”
“Mom and Dad are regular office workers. They supported us siblings in chasing our dreams, but they couldn’t bankroll us like those elite teams with their bottomless budgets.”
“When we started the Maple Grove Racing Team, we had to pinch every penny.”
“We used the cheapest tires, fixed the cars ourselves, and spent every cent wisely.”
“I owe my career as a professional racer entirely to my brother guiding me.”
“He was the team manager, my engineer, and my first coach.”
“After that, it was endless day-after-day training.”
“While others were off on vacation having fun, I was practicing; while they relaxed and entertained themselves, I was studying race footage.”
“Calluses formed on my palms, and my body was covered in injuries, but none of that mattered.”
Xiong Yibai nodded after hearing it all, thinking to herself:
There’s no such thing as a genius racer. She just turned all the time others spent resting into training.
But she’s way too fond of taking risks. I should remind her about that.
She said, “So now you have more rest time.”
At the mention, Feng Miwan’s mood sank, and she poked at her plate.
“Yeah…”
“My rest time has increased, but the price was way too high… The Yongcheng Station race in mid-next month looks like it’s doomed…”
Xiong Yibai looked at her dejected expression.
“Consider it a lesson learned. Next time in training, you’ll know to prioritize safety.”
“Dreams won’t run away. You can chase them once your hand heals.”
Feng Miwan gazed longingly. “My dream is to win the annual overall championship in the China Super Car Championship.”
“Then, to take on even bigger international stages… Too bad, the year’s just begun and…”
She trailed off with a sigh.
Xiong Yibai watched her eyes dim and said, “Not necessarily.”
“Hm?” Feng Miwan didn’t understand.
Xiong Yibai analyzed, “Your wrist is an acute sprain with moderate ligament damage—not the worst level.”
“As long as you strictly immobilize it, do ice packs, and follow-up rehab, if recovery goes well, you can remove the splint in two weeks.”
“With proper rehab training, you could be back to low-intensity practice by early next month.”
“That would give you a few days before the Yongcheng Station race for adaptation training.”
“Who knows? The championship might still be in reach.”
Feng Miwan’s eyes lit up. “Really?! Yibai! You mean it? My hand… it can really make it in time?”
Xiong Yibai nodded firmly. “Mm.”
“No fooling. I’m a doctor.”
“That’s awesome!!”
Feng Miwan got excited and grabbed her phone to send a voice message to Feng Yuxiao.
“Bro! Bro! Good news!”
“Doctor Xiong says if my hand recovers quickly, I can start adaptation training early next month!”
“Yongcheng Station is still on! Hurry and make me a new training plan—the most scientific and effective one!”
Feng Yuxiao replied quickly.
“Really?! Awesome! I’ll whip up a detailed training plan right now!”
“Guaranteed to get you back on the track in peak condition!”
With the weight off her chest, Feng Miwan felt light and joyful.
She set down her phone and saw Xiong Yibai had already cleared the plates and cups. She was heading to the living room, picking up the remote to turn on the TV.
She didn’t care what was on and just selected a highly rated classic movie to play.
Feng Miwan scooted over and sat on the other end of the long sofa, watching together.
They didn’t talk much. Feng Miwan occasionally let out a soft laugh at the plot or muttered a quiet complaint, while Xiong Yibai mostly watched in silence.
As noon approached, the movie neared its end.
Xiong Yibai checked the time, got up, and went to her room to change clothes.
As she walked toward the front door, she said, “I should head to the hospital now.”
“You’ll be okay alone at home?”
Feng Miwan nodded quickly. “Totally! No problem!”
“I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself!”
“Mm.”
Xiong Yibai nodded, slipped on her shoes at the door, and gave a few more instructions.
“There’s food and drinks in the fridge—help yourself if you’re hungry. Don’t forget your meds and ice packs.”
“Text me on WeChat or call if anything comes up.”
Feng Miwan waved at her. “Got it! Go to work without worries!”
“Drive safe!”
Watching Xiong Yibai close the door and leave, Feng Miwan was suddenly alone in the house.
Once the initial novelty wore off, endless boredom washed over her.
She awkwardly tried reading a physical book with her left hand, but turning pages was a hassle.
She watched some TV, but it felt dull alone.
She even poked around Xiong Yibai’s minimalist living room.
In the end, she curled up on the sofa scrolling her phone, checking the team group chat and the docs from her brother on “recovery period taboos” and “initial adaptation training plan.”
When she got tired of reading, she stared at her left hand. After a moment, she grumbled irritably.
“What’s wrong with you, left hand? All these years, you’ve barely done any work. All the dirty, tiring, heavy jobs went to righty. Look, now righty can’t move.”
“How lazy can you be?”
“Do you know what happens if you keep this up? Righty will just keep getting better than you.”
