After hearing Leclerc explain the new team, Guanyu Zhou took a moment to process it, muttering to himself, "Oh… so a new team is coming in…"
He was stunned for only two seconds before the meaning sank in. His eyes widened as he turned sharply toward Alex Sun, his voice urgent and confused. "Wait, that's not right. What do you mean your team? You'd better explain that properly. What exactly do you mean?"
The smile in Alex Sun's eyes was impossible to hide. He spoke calmly. "Exactly what it sounds like. Next year, I'll be competing in the 2022 season as both an F1 team owner and the number one driver."
"Damn it!" Guanyu Zhou wailed, shooting to his feet and grabbing Alex Sun by the shoulders, shaking him hard, his voice full of frustration and disbelief.
"I've been grinding in F2 for almost three years just to get a shot at F1."
"And you, you jump straight to being both a team owner and the number one driver. You've really hit the jackpot."
"No wonder when you went to Shanghai before, you brushed me off when I asked what you were doing. So you were secretly setting all this up back then!"
Verstappen had been sitting quietly to the side, listening to their back and forth. When Guanyu Zhou suddenly blurted out a phrase in Chinese he could not understand, he frowned.
Curious, he leaned closer to Leclerc. He first asked about their scuffle, then added, "They are always like this? It is really fine?"
"And that thing he just said, what does it mean? I did not understand a word."
Leclerc smiled and shook his head, his tone relaxed and faintly amused. "Don't worry. They've always been like this. It's just how they joke around. Nothing serious."
Then he casually explained, "As for that phrase, it's just something they say to vent frustration or complain."
As he spoke, he turned and teased Verstappen, "You must have run into it when racing them online. That 'wocao' they say can mean all kinds of things depending on the tone. It's basically a universal expression."
While Guanyu Zhou was still lightly hitting Alex Sun to vent, Leclerc took the opportunity to start teaching Verstappen, carefully explaining how phrases like that could be used in different situations.
He even emphasized, "These kinds of expressions are really useful. When you complain over team radio, they won't get censored, you can vent properly, and you don't have to worry about fines. Honestly, it's perfect for drivers."
After only a few shakes, Guanyu Zhou's frustration faded. He was more envious than truly angry. Once he had vented about Alex Sun keeping this from him, he let go and sat back down.
Verstappen looked at the two of them, his tone sincere. "I wish you success. Hopefully the four of us can all compete properly in the F1 paddock next year."
After a brief pause, he added, "I was worried before that you might hesitate to enter F1 because of that BBC reporter situation. I did not expect you to be planning something this big."
Alex Sun smiled lightly. "This has to stay confidential for now. But you are different. You are my friends. Without your help before, I would not have achieved what I have now, let alone prepare a new team."
He turned to Guanyu Zhou, his tone earnest. "Guanyu, you were patient with me from the very beginning. You taught me how to handle unexpected situations on track. That helped me a lot."
Then he turned to Leclerc. "Charles, after we met, you held nothing back. You taught me a lot of techniques to improve lap times. I improved quickly because of you."
Finally, he looked at Verstappen, gratitude clear in his eyes. "Max, when we race online, you never go easy on me. I have learned a lot from you when it comes to track tactics."
Hearing the praise, Guanyu Zhou scratched his head awkwardly and waved it off with a smile. "It is not that big a deal. Just small things."
Leclerc chuckled first and responded generously, "Of course. If you can say that, it means you really learned something."
Verstappen nodded as well, his eyes lighting up as he tried using the phrase he had just learned. He looked at Alex Sun and said, "That phrase you taught, your level is high. Racing you actually means something."
Alex Sun froze for a moment, then slapped his forehead, both amused and exasperated. He waved at Verstappen. "Not bad, Max. You picked it up quickly. You used it at the right moment."
Then he turned to glare at Leclerc, putting on an exaggerated look of complaint. "You are really something. If your team radio gets broadcast later, people will hear that phrase and know it came from me."
"They will all come after me saying I corrupted you guys."
The group continued chatting for a while. They talked about track details, upcoming races, and did not avoid mentioning the regrets from the Baku race.
Leclerc sighed about missing the podium in the final laps. Verstappen brushed off his retirement from a tire blowout, though the frustration was still there. Guanyu Zhou complained about his inconsistent race pace and missing out on points. Alex Sun listened and reassured each of them, while also discussing their plans for adjustments moving forward.
The atmosphere remained relaxed and in sync. The disappointment did not weigh things down, and the meal ended quickly as they went their separate ways.
Alex Sun saw Leclerc and Verstappen off first, then drove Guanyu Zhou back to his hotel. He watched as Guanyu Zhou walked into the lobby and waved goodbye, then turned back, started the car, and returned to his own hotel.
As soon as he entered the room, he let go of all his fatigue, his eyes turning sharp and focused.
The Baku round was over. It was the perfect time to claim the system rewards. It was time for a proper upgrade.
Without wasting a second, he locked the door, shutting out all distractions, leaned back against the soft headboard, and called out in his mind, "System, check all completed tasks and claim every pending reward."
A cold mechanical voice immediately responded as the blue task panel of the driver system unfolded before him.
[Side Mission: Conquer the Streets of Baku]
[Completed. Rewards available:]
[Practice Target Achieved: Unlock Baku circuit-specific optimization setup approach (claimed);]
[Accumulated Stage Rewards: 6 free attribute points (4 already used);]
[Full Completion Bonus: Resource Management +3, Emergency Reaction +3, Track Proficiency +10%;]
Closing the driver system panel, Alex Sun opened the team system. A golden interface appeared.
[Core Main Long-Term Mission: F1 Customer Team Creation Plan]
[Long-Term Side Mission: F1 Car Technology Accumulation Plan]
[Two stage objectives completed. Stage rewards available:]
[Fixed Rewards: All base team attributes +15, $32 million funds, Team Visibility +70;]
[Selectable Rewards: 2 advanced F1 core technical concepts, 1 basic F1 core technical concept (direction: aerodynamics/chassis/power/durability)]
Looking at the $32 million credited, Alex Sun could not help but feel impressed. After Monaco, he had only received $14 million. Now after Baku, it had more than doubled.
At this rate, in just two more races, he would be able to pay off the system's $100 million debt. The remaining three races would then give him enough funds to heavily upgrade his facilities.
The thought filled him with excitement. Without hesitation, he began assigning his attribute points.
...
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