Zhao Shutong sat on the luxurious large bed in the presidential suite at that moment, listening to those words coming from her phone. Her entire body turned to stone.
She had schemed a thousand times over, but how had she forgotten that workaholic Feng Yuxiao might pull an all-nighter and not return?!
A complete defeat!
A thorough and utter defeat!!!
Feng Miwan waited a few seconds without a response, glancing puzzledly at her phone screen. The call was still connected.
“Hello? Shutong? Why aren’t you saying anything? Bad signal? Hello?”
Zhao Shutong took a deep breath and squeezed the words out from between her teeth:
“Nothing!”
Then, with a burst of petulance, she quickly added:
“Whoever hangs up first is a dog!”
With that, she slammed the phone down with a bang.
Feng Miwan heard the dial tone and reacted half a beat late:
“Tch! That trick again!”
She pursed her lips at the already-disconnected phone screen, switched to the WX interface, and fired off three [Angry] emoji stickers to Zhao Shutong in a row.
After sending them, she tossed her phone onto the bed and continued packing her luggage in a huff.
Meanwhile, Xiong Yibai had already packed up and was ready to meet the other members of the Maple Grove Racing Team in the hotel lobby before taking the team-arranged shuttle bus to the airport together.
In the hotel lobby, Feng Yuxiao—who had stayed up all night and still looked haggard despite his glasses—clearly froze for a moment when he saw Xiong Yibai.
Feng Miwan quickly sidled over and explained in a low voice:
“Bro, Yibai heard about my accident during yesterday’s race and flew in specially from Tanzhou to check on me. Since you weren’t back last night, she stayed in your room.”
Feng Yuxiao pushed up his glasses, his gaze shifting back and forth between his little sister and Dr. Xiong. He let out an understanding “oh,” and a relieved expression crossed his face—like the cabbage at home had finally attracted a pig to uproot it. Smiling, he nodded at Xiong Yibai:
“Dr. Xiong, welcome, welcome. Next time you come, let me know ahead of time so I can make arrangements.”
He thought to himself: Looks like my good little sister is finally getting a girlfriend.
Xiong Yibai responded politely: “You’re too kind, Manager Feng. Sorry for the intrusion.”
The group arrived at the boarding lounge, where Xiong Yibai and Feng Miwan found adjacent seats and sat down.
Feng Miwan was still excitedly talking about her preparations for the next race in Modu, while Xiong Yibai listened quietly.
At that moment, a lively figure bounced over.
“Sis Wan! What a coincidence—you guys are waiting for your flight here too?”
It was Jiang Chengfeng from the Chengfeng Team, wearing an exaggerated cartoon-patterned mask that only revealed a pair of crinkled, smiling eyes.
Feng Miwan looked up and saw him: “Yeah, Chengfeng. Aren’t you prepping for the race?”
“My dad suddenly called me home to handle some stuff, so the team’s substitute will step in.”
Jiang Chengfeng’s tone was light, then he said seriously:
“Sis Wan, that last moment in yesterday’s race was such a shame, but street races always have surprises!
“Don’t get discouraged. With your skills, I bet you’ll turn it around in Modu next stop—surpassing Brother Zhe is just around the corner!”
Feng Miwan smiled.
“Thanks, Chengfeng. I’ll take those good vibes.”
She noticed Jiang Chengfeng’s curious gaze landing on Xiong Yibai beside her and made the introduction:
“Yibai, this is Jiang Chengfeng from the Chengfeng Team—he’s a total riot. Chengfeng, this is my good friend Xiong Yibai. She’s a doctor.”
Jiang Chengfeng’s eyes lit up:
“Wow! Hello, Doctor Sis! No wonder you have such a unique vibe—cool and aloof, but kinda… badass!”
His chatterbox mode activated:
“Are all doctors super steady like that? People like me and Sis Wan who race cars are all fire and fury—total opposite worlds from doctors! Dr. Xiong, have you ever ridden in Sis Wan’s car? That feeling… tch, way more thrilling than a roller coaster!”
Out of politeness, Xiong Yibai gave a slight nod: “Hello.”
Jiang Chengfeng enthusiastically extended his hand for a friendly shake.
Xiong Yibai was prepared for it. The moment he raised his hand, her pocket phone rang with a pre-set ringtone at just the right time.
She pulled out her phone, gestured apologetically to Jiang Chengfeng: “Sorry, I have to take this call.”
With that, she turned and walked a few steps away, saying “hello” into the phone.
Jiang Chengfeng’s outstretched hand hung stiffly in the air. He awkwardly withdrew it and, while Xiong Yibai had her back turned, quickly leaned toward Feng Miwan, lowering his voice excitedly:
“Sis Wan! Your friend’s gorgeous—killer aura! Meeting her today feels like fate from the heavens!
“Does she… have a boyfriend? Or what type does she like?”
Feng Miwan frowned at his words and kicked his shin:
“What are you thinking? What does meeting her have to do with you? Get lost! Don’t even think about hitting on her!”
Jiang Chengfeng clutched his kicked leg, grimacing dramatically, but he didn’t give up:
“Come on, Sis Wan! Don’t be like that—keep the good stuff in the family, right? Hook me up? I’m so sunny, outgoing, and handsome…”
Feng Miwan ignored his nonsense and called out loudly:
“Bro!”
Feng Yuxiao, who had been keeping an eye on the situation, had long been annoyed by this chatterbox hanging around his sister and Dr. Xiong. Hearing the summons, he strode over immediately and grabbed Jiang Chengfeng by the back of his collar:
“Jiang kid, quit causing trouble over here. Come with me.”
“Hey hey hey? Bro Feng! Manager Feng! Easy, easy!”
As Jiang Chengfeng was dragged backward, he still twisted his head to wink at Feng Miwan and mouth:
“Sis Wan! Think about it! Contact info! Pretty please!”
Feng Miwan rolled her eyes at him big time.
After shooing Jiang Chengfeng away, Feng Miwan turned back and saw that Xiong Yibai had “finished her call” and was walking over.
“What did he say to you?” Xiong Yibai asked.
Not wanting to give him Xiong Yibai’s contact info, Feng Miwan said casually:
“Nothing, just a bunch of nonsense.”
Xiong Yibai had actually caught every bit of Jiang Chengfeng’s mouthed words as he was dragged off. She let out an “mm” and thought to herself:
Zhao Shutong’s words from last night weren’t entirely baseless.
Looks like I need to keep a tighter leash on this little puppy.
As for this Jiang Chengfeng…
The corner of her lips curved up.
Not worth worrying about.
Before long, boarding began. The two followed the flow of passengers toward the jet bridge.
As they passed through the first-class section, Feng Miwan happened to glance at a passenger in an aisle seat and couldn’t help but take a second look.
The person wore a wide-brimmed hat, oversized sunglasses, a mask, and even a silk scarf around their neck, covering their entire face tightly.
There was no sun on the plane—why bundle up like that? Not hot?
She grumbled inwardly, finding it odd, but then thought maybe they were a celebrity or had some special habit.
She shook her head and stopped paying attention, continuing to her seat.
Xiong Yibai, following behind, also spotted the fully armored figure. Her gaze swept over their stiff posture and the small tuft of hair peeking out from under the scarf—she nearly burst out laughing.
