Chapter 29 – A wager

Unedited atm, please forgive me if the English gets wacky QAQ

This is a 2 chapter simu-release! Head back to read the previous one if you haven’t~

The two of them laid on the bed, Winston was quiet, Hunter was leaning on his sides, hesitating on whether to hug the other. The words that Winston had told him today was the past that no one knew about, this made Hunter want to get closer to him. But it’s so unnatural to have two big men sleep on the same bed with their arms around each other!

“What are you thinking about?” Winston’s voice resounded amidst the silent night, just like water in a drinking glass, Hunter suddenly felt dumbfounded.

“Nothing… “

Just as Hunter wanted to flip his body, Winston suddenly reached over to hug him.

“Just sleep.”

As Hunter started to twist and move, Winston’s arms hugged him tighter.

Accidentally, Hunter knocked on Winston’s nose.

“Ouch…”

He was about to raise his head slightly when he felt his lips rub against something both warm and soft.

His heart tensed up suddenly, his blood quickly sank, leaving Hunter’s body stiff.

It’s over… all over…

To smoke a cigarette together and eat from the same fork is one thing, but it’s another thing to kiss the other!

Hunter’s heart burst into tears, fearful that Winston might’ve decided to break his neck.

After waiting for about half a minute, the one who was hugging him continued to remain motionless.

Hunter didn’t dare be imposing, it was the first time that Winston was so close to the point that he’d accidentally brushed against the tip of the latter’s nose as his eyes slightly opened.

“Why aren’t you sleeping yet?”

Winston’s voice was light with his gentle breaths filtering between Hunter’s lips. It was so close that it caused Hunter to worry about rubbing the other’s lips if he were to be careless again.

“I… I was about to sleep… “

I can’t sleep at all while facing you like this!

After enduring three minutes, Hunter finally decided on lightly shifting Winston’s hands away to turn his body over and let his back face the other.

Ah… The air feels fresh, the most important thing was that he didn’t have to worry about touching things that aren’t supposed to be touched.

The hug behind him fit snugly, with Hunter’s back against Winston’s chest, the other’s breaths brought an indescribable sense of ease for him.

Hunter slept very well tonight.

While not knowing the time, he felt some movement beside him. Frowning his brows, he opened his eyes to find out that it was already dawn.

He reached out to the bedside table, Hunter felt around for his phone. Noticing that it was about to be 7.30 am, he estimated that he would be called in ten minutes to get up for flexibility training.

He turned his face over, noticing Winston lifting up the quilt, preparing to get up. His hair was a little messy, seemingly languid yet willful. He held his phone in one hand, while the other smoothened his hair backwards, revealing his forehead.

The morning light from the window sill coincidentally fell onto the tip of Winston’s nose, his eyes sight drooping, akin to a sharp sword silently lying in its scabbard, it looked pure yet sexy enough to drive people into envy.

“I’m leaving first.”

Winston’s hair fell from his fingers as he reached out to rub Hunter’s head.

“Hey, I’ll get annoyed if you do this.”

“Annoyed by?” Winston finally put down his phone and looked over.

“It feels like you’re treating me like a kid.”

“You’re clearly younger than me.”

Winston’s fingers left Hunter’s hair, scrapping past the tip of his nose.

“Oh, if I can get up earlier, can I invite you out for breakfast? Since it’s your birthday, yet I don’t seem to have any presents for you at all… “

With just a cake that got swayed awry by himself, he’d exchanged it for Winston’s innermost thoughts. Hunter felt a little similar to scoring a cheap deal.

Winston stretched out and propped himself on the bed with a hand while leaning close to Hunter, so close that he’d thought that the latter’s eyelashes were about to sweep against his, and the corner of Winston’s lips slowly curled up.

“How about you give yourself to me?”

Hunter’s breath got stuck in his throat, he turned his face over, as if he really wanted to kiss him.

There was a hint of mischievousness from the bottom of his eyes. Hunter suddenly understood that this fellow was actually teasing him again.

On top of that, there was the ‘I want to date you’ and such from last time, Hunter understood all at once that Winston already had control over him, so he could incessantly make these all these jokes that crossed the line.

But it’s different now, he clearly remembered the words that Winston had told him yesterday night.

If Winston’s heart was one that no one could set foot in, then Hunter was assured that he had already walked in, and he might even have the privilege pass to be willful and wild.

Since that’s the case, no matter how he looks at it, he should also reclaim back his lost ground and not let Winston continue to be so rampant.

He, Hunter Evan, had no strong points, but when it comes to mutual harm, there’s no one that could be compared to him!

Hunter raised his chin slightly and closed in on Winston without warning, he propped his hand beside Winston’s, revealing a smug expression, “Sure, I’ll give myself to you. You can take it!”

Lil’ old me isn’t afraid of you anymore, let’s see how you continue this.

“Then you have my thanks, I’ll be accepting you.”

Between Winston’s lips that were opening and closing, his warm breath continued to brush past him and dissipate in the air.

“Keep it! How do you plan to keep me? Are you planning to bag me up and bring me to Ferrari?“

I’m willing to do it!

Best to send me 17 or 18 more Ferrari supercars!

Winston faced over, the tip of his nose brushed by Hunter’s, it was so close that Hunter could feel the warmth of others’ lips.

Feeling like his heart was being pinched, his blood seemed like it was being pulled down by gravity, and Hunter subconsciously shifted back.

Yet, Winston came closer and closer, his eyesight hanging lower and lower. Hunter held his breath as he supported his upper body, and retreated back little by little.

However Winston continued to advance forward, Hunter resisted the urge to face elsewhere because he realised that the corners of Winston’s lips were rising higher and higher.

As Hunter continued to retreat backwards, he had unexpectedly already reached the edge of the bed, with his hands landing on empty space, he abruptly fell back.

Winston widened his eyes in front of him, just like a cheetah on a hunt, he supported himself on the bed with a hand, while the other quickly hooked onto Hunter’s wrist, quickly drawing him back.

Hunter, who thought that the back of his head was about to meet the ground, was instantly slammed amidst the other’s warm yet powerful embrace.

Patting his back twice, Winston’s voice sounded beside his ears, “Was it fun?”

His suspended heart fell back to his chest, Hunter let out a breath, “It’s not fun. I lost again.”

“Then do you still want to play again next time?”

“I’m not playing anymore. I’m afraid that if I had actually kissed you, you would have me killed.” Hunter felt bitter.

Winston let out a chuckle, pushed past Hunter, and got out of bed. He put on his jacket with ease and adjusted his hair.

“I’ll be going. Play by yourself.”

Do you have to be such a show-off!?

Staring at Winston’s retreating back, Hunter faced away to laugh.

Only he could see such a Winston.

A sense of superiority burst forth in Hunter’s heart.

The drivers for Marcus’s team this weekend at the Red Bull Circuit were Hunter and McGrady.

Before the practice round, even if McGrady were to die, he still refused to acknowledge Hunter.

This made Hunter spend three seconds to think back on whether he had provoked him on any other occasion.

After three seconds had passed, Hunter shrugged.

Whatever, there’ll always be people who are born to be the villain in his life.

Hunter bumped into Donald in the restroom, he immediately placed his hand on his shoulder in excitement, “Hey! Bro!”

Once Donald heard the voice of Hunter, his whole body trembled, and almost had to hold back his urine.

“Hunter, I say, could you not appear in such a shocking way every time! I’m growing old!” Donald quickly pulled up his pants and took Hunter’s hand off his shoulders.

“What’s up with you?” Hunter squinted his eyes at the latter, he always felt that Donald had become strange.

“I… What can I even have…”

Donald got anxious from Hunter stare, as he took a step back, Hunter took one forward, when they’ve reached the innermost point of the restroom, Hunter abruptly stretched out a hand to press against Donald’s ear.

“What… What are you planning to do?” Donald pressed his back against the wall, nervously observing Hunter.

“What do you think I would do? I didn’t even have a share of the bunny girls party, how about I make you compensate for it?”

Hunter recalled how two mornings ago, he wasn’t at the same level as Winston and was almost forced to fall from bed by the latter that he suddenly felt the urge to improve a lot. It was better to take Donald as a practice point now.

The expression in Donald’s eyes trembled, he suddenly stammered, “You… You… let me tell you, I’m getting older, so I don’t taste good… “

“How could that be? I feel that you’re very mature and charming, I know that you’re very chewy at a glance, you must definitely be very delectable.”

Hunter faced over, recalling the angle Winston used to lean towards him that morning and approached slowly.

The difference was that Winston had closed his eyes, yet Hunter’s was opened wide on purpose to clearly take in Donald’s embarrassed expression.

Donald immediately turned away to avoid Hunter’s face, he shut his eyes, and his expression was similar to going through torture.

“I’m not delicious… You can go find Winston! Go find him! He’s definitely the finest Angus steak!”

Hunter’s expression switched from a vile smirk to a bitterness, “Why would I go look for him. Right now, I’m playing with you!”

It’s not like I can fight against him, I’ll only be played by him!

No matter how fine he was, it’s not like I can chew on this mouthful of meat!

“Then what do you want!” Donald stretched a hand out to Hunter’s shoulder, seizing an opportunity to escape.

“Nothing. If there’s going to be an after-race party, remember to call me!”

“Call your head!” Donald glared at Hunter with disdain.

“Don’t leave! As an old man, don’t ever pee when you’re driving! I think you didn’t flush enough to wash it clean just now!”

Hunter despicably smiled, as he looked up, he noticed a smiling man with a hand in his pocket, it was unsure how long he had been observing them.

“Hey, Owen!” Donald smiled embarrassingly.

Hunter, who was originally chasing after Donald to tease him more, also stopped.

“Have I disturbed the both of you?” Owen glanced at Hunter.

“You’ve disturbed at a fantastic time!” Donald looked at the other with eyes full of gratitude.

“You can join me and together we can bully other old men!” Hunter laughingly hooked his arms around Donald’s shoulders, admiring his loathing expression.

Owen lowered his head, the smile laying on his lips grew even more distinct.

“If Donald was considered an old man, then wouldn’t I be counted as an old antique?”

In Hunter’s opinion, Owen of the Red Bull’s team is definitely an existence on a legendary level, furthermore, he’s also a rare good-looking man in Formula One.

He was born in the Netherlands with short-flaxen hair, paired with green eyes that can drive the female fans nuts.

Even if it was Hunter observing Owen at such a close distance, he has to admit that this fellow was perfect in all 360-degree angles, together with ‘Great White Shark’ Ciel, they’re regarded as a veteran amongst the current racers, yet he seemed as if he had eaten preservatives, those who’re unaware would assume that he would be the same age as Winston despite being 36 of age.

Furthermore, with this guy’s level of technique in driving, if one were to consider Hunter as a freshman in University, then Owen should be considered a senior professor.

“Well, I like to gang up with old antiques to bully old men.” Hunter grinned widely.

He clearly should’ve given more respect to the masters from the older generations, but instead, Owen made him feel relaxed.

“Sure. If you can surpass Donald in the main race, then I’ll invite you out to… bully old men after the race.”

Owen smilingly entered the restroom.

Donald looked at Hunter in astonishment with an expression that seemed to say ‘do you really want to die.

“What’s wrong? I’ll definitely overtake you in this stop.”

“Do you really think that Owen is a nice person?” Donald observed Hunter with a bitter look.

“So… he’s a bad person?”

Hunter scratched the back of his head, he didn’t feel so!

“No… He’s essentially a nice person. He knows how to enjoy life better than I do, wears the more expensive shirts, eats the most expensive steaks, and goes to the most expensive strip clubs…”

“Oh! Really?” Hunter showed an expression full of longing.

In that case, even if he lost to everyone, he definitely can’t lose to Donald!

“Together with him, it’d be a life full of luxury. However, don’t look at how pleasant he smiles at you, he’s got the same morals as Winston Vann.”

“What does that mean?”

“Owen has a smile on his face, but his heart is cold. Even though he’s very gentle with everyone, you’ll come to realize after some years that you’ll never understand what that fellow is thinking about. As for Winston, since his face is already cold, when he comes across people he doesn’t respect, his heart will just be cold.”

“Since they’re both cold anyways, I very much prefer Owen’s kind! Furthermore, he’s so pleasing to the eyes!”

Hunter smiled.

“You think that Owen is pleasing to the eyes?” Donald sighed. “Don’t say this in front of Winston.”

“Why?”

Don’t tell me that Winston can even be jealous of Owen’s good looks?

“I’m just saying it for your own good.” Donald patted Hunter’s shoulder and left.

After the practice round, the qualifying round started.

The qualifying round at this stop was exceptionally intense, the contender for pole position was constantly changing. Initially, Ciel was taking the lead but was overtaken by Owen in Q2 ¹A recap due to how slow I am:

There are three stages to qualifying – Q1, Q2 and Q3, in Q1 & 2, 5 cars would be eliminated per stage and be allocated P11 – P20 of the starting grid in accordance to the speed per lap.

Q3 would determine the remaining best 10 spots of the grid., followed by a comeback by Ciel. In Q3, Peni from Renault overtook Owen to take third on the grid.

However, Winston, who had always been a contestant to both Ciel and Owen had not made it to the top five, instead, he was starting sixth on the grid.

Hunter’s final position from this qualifying session was tenth. His team was nevertheless still satisfied with this.

Yet, McGrady was ranked twelfth, the expression on his face wasn’t good.

Hunter found a spot to squat on the ground. He took out a cigarette that was prepared a while back but he hesitated on lighting it.

Should he send a text to let Winston know where he was?

Why would he feel an inexplicable sense of guilt if he doesn’t smoke with him?

Hunter held the cigarette between his lips, however, he didn’t take his lighter out.

At this moment, someone had arrived by his side and sat down. The latter turned over, lighting Hunter’s cigarette.

“What have you been pondering on? I’ve been watching your back for the last three minutes, but you’ve still not lit your cigarette yet.” Winston’s voice sounded.

“I was waiting for you.” Hunter bit onto the cigarette filter, revealing a big grin as he faced over.

“Is that so.”

“It’s been circulating that your ranking from this qualifying session isn’t as good as the previous stops.”

“But I’ll still be able to win,” Winston replied.

“Fine, but the question is who’ll you win against? This time around, even Donald ranked above you.” Hunter revealed a gloating expression.

“What if I won against Ciel and Owen?”

“This isn’t something that’s impossible to happen… Haven’t you defeated them and attained first in the championship before?”

“What if I consistently prevail after three consecutive races, and even win the championship?” Winston propped his chin as he asked Hunter.

It’s obvious that F1 has always been a volatile sport, even the highest-scoring racer isn’t confident that he could win pole position in three consecutive stops.

“Then what do you want?” Hunter bit onto the cigarette filter, deliberately raising it upwards, letting the ash float down.

“Aren’t you good at hip-hop dancing?”

“Eh, how did you know? Do you want me to dance hip-hop for you to watch?”

“Not hip-hop.”

“If not then what?”

Winston gravitated towards him, yet turning his face to avoid Hunter’s cigarette butt to whisper, “A striptease.”

Choking on the smoke, Hunter’s choking tears were about to fall off his eyes.

“That… How would I know how to do that!”

“Oh, then that’s really such a pity,” Winston replied.

“Pity about what!?”

“If you’re able to rank in the top five for three consecutive races, then I can also do one for you to watch.” Winston smiled, he’s playing tricks on Hunter again, but Hunter knew very well that this guy will definitely do it as long as he’s said the word.

“I suddenly feel like I’ve got a grand goal in life!”

Is Winston doing a striptease? That’s so shocking!

Although he’s never seen this guy without clothes before, he could tell with just a look that Winston’s physique was really good.

“Are pictures allowed?” Hunter asked very seriously.

Recalling how this guy’s T-shirt could sell for over tens of thousands of dollars, let’s not mention how much more his striptease video could sell for!

“It’s ok. But if anyone else aside from you sees it…” The warmth in Winston’s eyes chilled, the corner of his lips curled forwards, as if he had already foreseen Hunter’s thoughts. Adding on to his evil nature, he had long placed a trap for him, “I’ll lock you in my garage and have you dance for me every day.”

“… My determination to fulfil my grand dreams has just been discounted.” Hunter sulkily said.

“Let’s go. It won’t be long before the main race starts.”

“Hey, I want to get closer to you on the track, but it’s really hard to.”

“What’s wrong?” Winston turned back again.

“But it seems to be a little closer this time around. I start in tenth, and you start at sixth. But I estimate that you’ll get further and further away from me after just a few rounds.”

Hunter shrugged.

Winston walked over, inching close to Hunter all of a sudden. With his forehead touching Hunter’s a little, he softly whispered ‘fool’ before leaving.

Hunter watched him leave, feeling melancholic.

When has it started that he was no longer just looking at Winston’s back?

When Hunter walked back to the team, as expectedly, Marcus scolded the shit out of Hunter.

“Kiddo! Look at the time! The main race’s about to begin, you didn’t even have a meeting together with the rest, then where did you wander off to?”

“I got nervous…” Hunter lowered his head, sheepishly murmured, “So I found someplace quiet to have a smoke…”

Marcus gazed at the top of Hunter’s head, sighing helplessly, “Pretending to be pitiful… If you actually knew the feeling of nervousness, then our team would’ve already won in Formula One a long time ago.”

Hunter sighed regretfully, Marcus saw through it.

After a series of preparations, Hunter was about to set off.

After the instrument engineer, Mark made the final checks, he lowered his head and noticed Hunter with a beaming smile.

“Did something happen that made you happy?” Mark curiously asked.

“Do you think that I can make it to the top five?” Hunter faced upwards, his eyes holding a child-like innocence.

“…Let me calculate it…”

Mark calculated very seriously.

“Never mind, Formula One has never been consistent. But this time round… I need to, at the very least, make it into the top five three consecutive times in the future.”

Hunter held the steering wheel in his hands, stretching his shoulders, his face was filled with eagerness to try.

Mark froze, then said, “You’ll definitely be able to make it to the top five! Maybe, you might even win the championship!”

“Hahaha, to win the championship or such might be too greedy right off the bat!” Hunter left with a smile.

“What did that kid say to you?” Marcus asked with curiosity.

“Nothing much… I have a feeling that Hunter might refresh his current best result this time around.”

“I’m already satisfied with his current results, it’ll be good as long as he doesn’t mess it up!”

The main race started in the midst of the crowd’s expectations.

From the first few laps onwards, the top five racers pitted and outdid one another.

On the other hand, Winston had only been following precisely behind Donald. This caused the one trailing behind him, Enzo from the Lotus team, to continue to follow, not daring to start any overtakes.

After trailing for more than four laps, Enzo couldn’t resist trying to overtake Winston, however, he was blocked by the latter’s superb defensive drive till the point of losing his temper.

According to this situation, Winston is actually keeping to the words he said previously and is actually blocking Enzo from Lotus?

–

The author has something to say:

When frying eggs:

Hunter: The grand goal in my life has upgraded from the bunny girl party to Winston’s striptease!

Winston: My goal in life has never ever changed.

Hunter: What’s your goal in life?

Winston: To have you in my hands.

Hunter: …

–

[1]: A recap due to how slow I am:

There are three stages to qualifying – Q1, Q2 and Q3, in Q1 & 2, 5 cars would be eliminated per stage and be allocated P11 – P20 of the starting grid in accordance to the speed per lap.

Q3 would determine the remaining best 10 spots of the grid.

Nura: Apologies that these chapters were delayed! Our schedules were mismatched for the month, so both chapters are still unedited as of now. I’ll update them once again when it’s done with the process!

Anyways, with so much celebrations going around, I hope that you guys are safe and doing well right now, if not, I hope that things would get better for you! Here’s to a better year (and also tl speed) ahead!✨💕 Thank you so much for being patient with my speed of release, and I truly appreciate every read and comment that you guys, and my editor and proofs have given me!

• 1
  A recap due to how slow I am:
  
  There are three stages to qualifying – Q1, Q2 and Q3, in Q1 & 2, 5 cars would be eliminated per stage and be allocated P11 – P20 of the starting grid in accordance to the speed per lap.
  
  Q3 would determine the remaining best 10 spots of the grid.