Chapter 23 – He isn’t nervous when talking to me

Editor: Sammy

Proofreader: Bubbles

Hunter nagged in his heart. It feels like by the time I reach the top rankings one day, the reporters will be using my bad performance from before as a typical case study to encourage other racers.

He looked in the direction of his publicity manager who smiled and answered faithfully, “This is Hunter’s first year in Formula One, how could we put pressure on him? Moreover, Hunter’s not only sensible, but also eager to improve himself. All the pressure motivates him! We’re all helping him adapt with our entire strength, have confidence in him, and are growing alongside him!”

In his heart, Hunter felt that the publicity manager’s ability to lie through his teeth was quite admirable. When had he ever been sensible and eager to improve himself? When did he use the pressure to motivate himself?

Alas, he wouldn’t continue to expose the groundless words uttered by the publicity manager anymore. It wasn’t easy for the publicist to face the media.

“Hunter, if most of the contestants experienced your situation during the main race, they would’ve chosen to give up in their hearts even if they’ve persevered and completed the whole distance. However, you chose to overtake, why’s that so?”

This question had proper depth, but Hunter knew he couldn’t tell the truth. 

Since the truth was that he believed Winston was waiting for him ahead, so he mustn’t hesitate nor give up, but who would believe such an answer?

Hunter glanced at his publicity manager once again, yet he frantically roasted Hunter in his heart. Brat, you just need to say a couple of uplifting and inspirational words, don’t throw your pot at me!

“Hunter, please directly answer my question, your thoughts aren’t something that your team can control.”

The media hinted their suspicions about the team not allowing their young rising star to express his thoughts, to the extent that his poor performance in the previous three competitions may have been related to the team.

The publicity manager rolled his eyes inwardly. This brat’s lazy to the point of flying up to the heavens to be shoulder to shoulder with the sun. He just wants to pretend to be bad at dealing with the media to throw the pot over!

The publicist’s smile was about to cramp. “It’s ok, Hunter. Express your thoughts, let everyone understand you.”

Hunter opened his mouth, seemingly as if pondering. After a long while, he spoke, “I… am bad at responding to the media, because when I get nervous… I can’t speak properly.”

Hunter didn’t care if the media started calling him an old stutterer like McGrady, the next time he had to respond to questions, he’d just pretend to stammer. Let them listen to death, then they wouldn’t ask ever again!

“I… I’ve always stuttered whenever I’m nervous ever since I was a child… The things my teammate McGrady said to the media… are all true… I chose to be a racer because I want to increase my self-confidence and… to exercise control over my own emotions… I feel that this time around… this time around I’ve surpassed my own limits and I’m very pleased.”

Hunter nodded, indicating that he was done speaking.

McGrady at the side felt like lightning had struck him. Currently, this Hunter brat was being ‘inspirational’, and while the reporters had a favourable impression of him, he ‘naturally’ brought up what McGrady had previously told the media about his stuttering; this act was entirely due to childish revenge and it was precisely McGrady who couldn’t say a thing.

He was angered to the point where he could only vomit blood!

He originally believed that the reporters would gaze at Hunter with sympathy, but who would’ve thought that they’d admire him instead, as if he’d become an inspirational success story.

Afterwards, someone from the media applauded with the rest also following.

“Hunter, say some more words! Don’t be nervous, we’ll wait for you to speak slowly!”

Hunter expressed a smile, but his heart was roaring. That’s not right! This isn’t the outcome I had in mind! I don’t want to talk rubbish!

The publicity manager glanced at Hunter with an astonished gaze. One couldn’t tell that this brat was quite careful— when he didn’t speak, it was ok, but when he did speak, he built a positive persona!

More and more reporters started asking questions, additionally each one of them showed an expression that seemed to say ‘I’ll respect you as long as you open your mouth to speak’.

Hunter badly wanted to hide in the bathroom and play Anipop.

At that moment, he saw Winston through the gaps between the rise and fall of the reporters’ silhouettes. 

The other held his arm while leaning against the door and observed him facing sideways. His eyes carried a thread of a small teasing smile.

Too little of his emotions were expressed and Hunter couldn’t help but observe the other, wanting to know if that hint of a smile was real or just an illusion.  

Why did Winston come here?

When did he arrive? Was it when Hunter deliberately exaggerated the fact that he stuttered when he got nervous?

Excitement bubbled forth from the bottom of Hunter’s heart, but it soon cooled when he recalled how he’d only gotten eighth place this round even though the other was expecting sixth.

Would Winston console him?

Although this guy treated others with indifference, who knew why, but Hunter felt that he’d always take care of his state of mind.

Hunter had gazed in that direction for far too long, to the extent where other reporters had already noticed and turned around in succession. 

When they saw Winston, everyone equally had a look of astonishment. 

Even one of the reporters was bold enough to ask, ”Mr Winston, why are you here?”

Just when everyone thought he’d faintly nod and leave, Winston asked, “I’ve booked tickets to the London Eye. Hunter, do you want to go with me tomorrow morning?”

Everyone looked at Hunter in shock, one must understand that Winston hardly got close to anyone, even if they were racers from the same team. What exactly did this youth, who just barely showed off, do to get a favour from a top racer?

Winston’s voice was clearly neither tense nor slow, yet Hunter felt as if he was hit with force.

He foolishly nodded.

“That’s good, see you tomorrow at 10 am at the London Eye.”

Just as Winston was about to turn around, as if remembering something, he faintly arched his waist and leaned towards the microphone of a young reporter. “He’s never nervous when speaking to me.”

Before the crowd could react, Winston had already straightened his back and left.

On the other hand, Hunter wanted to escape immediately. Hey! How could Winston tear down my stage?

It was said that several veteran reporters would still be nervous in front of Winston because of his formidable aura. If Hunter didn’t have issues speaking in front of Winston, then what sort of nervousness could there be with just the media?!

The present media started frantically grilling him again, many asked in regards to Winston, so much so that one questioned if Hunter was hinting about hopping over to Ferrari.

“I should just pretend that I’m about to faint because I’m not full from dinner yet…”

Before he could pass out, Marcus and the publicity manager supported him from his left and right.

Marcus whispered, “If you aren’t honest, we’ll really ensure that you won’t have any food to eat at night later!”

That night, Hunter unexpectedly ran into Donald as he returned to the hotel.

This guy was still holding beauties, furthermore there were two this time around. Hunter couldn’t help but start imagining unharmonious¹As in naughty, uncensored stuff. things in his head. 

“Hey! Little Hunter!” Donald greeted.

Hunter didn’t want to respond when he recalled that if it weren’t for his flat tire, he might’ve overtaken this guy already.

Furthermore, that ‘little Hunter’. Is yours so big? Take it out for a walk!

“You can’t be angry, right?” Donald smiled as he patted Hunter on the back.

“What is it!?”

“Thank you,” Donald suddenly spoke solemnly. 

“Thank me for what?”

“Thanks to your flat tire, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to rank fourth place.”

Hunter tilted his head. “Did you have too much sex to the point of stupidity? You’re using that to thank me? If you have the guts, then follow me back to my room. I’ll use the door to break your head!”

“Hey, calm down! Can’t you hear that I’m expressing my respect for you?” Donald shook his head and laughed. “Fine, fine, for the sake of comforting your wounded heart, there’s going to be a party in my room tomorrow night. I originally intended to just invite my teammates, but now I’m willing to invite you, want to come?”

Hunter’s head was once again filled with unharmonious thoughts. “A three person party? What are you planning to do?”

Donald instantly held his stomach in laughter. “What can the three of us do? Of course there’s going to be a bunch of bunny girls apart from us!”

Hunter’s eyes shined. “Really?”

“Of course it’s real!” Donald patted his stomach. “The next stop’s in Austria, when are you guys leaving the UK?”

“The day after tomorrow.” Hunter was looking forward to it. He knew that Donald was good at playing, but something like a bunny girls party was a fantasy of Hunter’s ever since puberty. He didn’t expect that it would turn out to be Donald who’d realise everything. 

As soon as Hunter had all sorts of ideas, he suddenly remembered that he had an appointment with Winston to visit the London Eye.

“That… what time are you guys partying till?”

“The whole night, until dawn.”

“Your team allows this kind of wild behaviour?”

“The crazier I go, the better my performance will be.” Donald waved his hand. “Hey, prepare condoms!”

This last reminder almost made little Hunter stand up.

Due to his good state of mind and roaming imaginations, he only fell asleep at midnight.

The next morning, as the phone alarm rang unceasingly, Hunter hugged his quilt as he turned his body. All of a sudden, he was reminded of something and immediately sat up.

He was going to the London Eye with Winston today!

Quick quick quick!

Hunter hurriedly rushed into the bathroom to brush his teeth, wash his face, and change his shirt. He rummaged through his luggage for a sports jacket, donned a pair of sunglasses, and looked left and right in the mirror only to think forget it… since Winston was too handsome, no matter what he wore, he still wouldn’t have any presence in front of him.

The weather today was great and there were many people queuing in front of the giant ferris wheel.

Yet Hunter noticed Winston with a glance.

He was wearing Hunter’s baseball cap from the charity dinner, and his outfit was a simple and elegant sweatshirt with sports pants. Despite such a low-key, casual way of dressing, he still exuded a presence which couldn’t be ignored among the crowd.

He tilted his head down with one hand holding a phone, seemingly editing a text message, while the other was stuffed in his pocket.

–

The author has something to say:

When frying eggs:

Hunter: Why did you step on my stage!?

Winston: In order for you to honestly answer the questions from the media. For instance, who’s your man.

Hunter: …What a mess! Why did you invite me to the London eye in front of the press!?

Winston: To let the media know who your man is.

Hunter: …There’s no point in living!

–

[1] As in naughty, uncensored stuff.

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  As in naughty, uncensored stuff.