Chapter 339 The Straight-Line Race

Tan Zheng's comeback race was a straight-line speed competition. It was the most direct and fastest way to ignite the passion of the audience. Using a fixed starting point method, participants accelerate and their performance is judged by the time taken from the starting line to the finish line, measured by electronic instruments. Two cars formed a group, with an elimination system in multiple rounds until a champion was decided. It looked simple, but it demanded extremely high levels of stamina, judgment, and professionalism from the racers. Li Wen initially wanted Tan Zheng's comeback race to be a rally, but Tan Zheng was reluctant. A rally meant Song Ni would only be able to watch him for a portion of the course. He wanted Song Ni to watch his first race completely. Straight-line speed was a type of competition Tan Zheng rarely participated in; he found rally races far more interesting. He had only competed in this type of race once, and he had won. However, that was a long time ago, even during his earliest professional career. No one knew why Tan Shen would choose straight-line speed for his return, nor what his condition would be after returning to this arena after so many years. Some people came out of curiosity, but the vast majority were Tan Zheng's former fans, excited that their long-awaited Tan Shen had finally returned. As for whether he would win the championship, they hadn't considered it. Some were simply happy that Tan Shen was back, while others unconditionally believed in Tan Shen's strength. He had already won championships galore. Heaven seemed to be watching this exciting race, as Tan Zheng was pitted against one of the top contenders in the first round. A surging new racer, who had already achieved one win and two second places in his short professional career. The atmosphere at the venue exploded as Tan Zheng, upon his return, faced such a formidable opponent in the very first round. The big screen zoomed in for close-ups of both men. After the handshake, the new racer exuded the fearlessness of a young bull, while Tan Zheng's expression remained calm. But anyone familiar with him knew that the slight curve of his lips indicated he was in control. Song Ni, in the stands, felt her initial tension ease as she saw that subtle curve on Tan Zheng's lips. Despite the vastness of the stadium, Tan Zheng's gaze landed precisely on Song Ni's direction. He could only see a tiny red figure. Knowing Song Ni was filming him, Tan Zheng gestured in her direction. This gesture was unlike any of Tan Zheng's previous ones. The race photographers, sharp and observant, focused their lenses on Tan Zheng. Tan Zheng first made a "bup" gesture in the air, then brought it to his left chest, switching to his left hand for the gesture. Even the commentators were captivated by Tan Zheng's gesture. The commentator, a veteran with ten years of experience, wouldn't typically cover a straight-line speed race. But he was a fan of Tan Zheng and knew all of his gestures. "It seems our Tan Shen has gifted us fans another iconic gesture today." Seeing the gesture, Song Ni stood up abruptly and returned it in the same way. This gesture was something they had conceived after watching a movie one evening. Song Ni had found Tan Zheng's previous gestures very interesting and asked him how he came up with such peculiar things. They then worked together to create a gesture unique to them. "Bup" represented attitude, and placing it over the left chest signified loyalty in love. Tan Zheng, wearing gloves, couldn't see the intricate detail within, but when he wasn't wearing gloves, their diamond rings would sparkle as he placed his hand over his heart. Soon, under the referee's instruction, they both entered their race cars. The wide track, vibrant flags, blinding sun, and the sweltering atmosphere. Song Ni stared intently at the car on the track, unwilling to blink. The flag dropped, the gun fired, and the race began. The cars shot forward like rockets. Screens on either side of the track displayed the times for both cars since crossing the starting line. The roaring of the engines and the screeching of tires against the asphalt filled the air. Only a few hundred meters, only a few seconds. The two cars were neck and neck, with no discernible gap to the naked eye. Even on the big screen, from the cameras at various angles, only a minuscule difference was visible. This was a race where speed reigned supreme. Upon reaching the finish line, both cars instantly deployed their drag chutes, rapidly decelerating on the track. The faces of the two competitors appeared on the screen. They were so close, without precise electronic timing, it was impossible to tell who had won purely by sight. As this was Tan Zheng's comeback race, the organizers, eager to build hype, played various clips, doing their best to delay the announcement of the results. The two stood side by side, the camera panning across their faces. The young and talented newcomer looked tense. Since becoming a professional racer, his performance had been consistent. Now, in the first round, he not only faced Tan Shen but also had an uncertain outcome, with both cars crossing the finish line at almost the same time. He himself wasn't sure who had won. In contrast, Tan Zheng stood tall and straight, hands clasped behind his back. Though his sunglasses obscured his eyes, his composed demeanor led everyone to believe he had won. Song Ni felt the same. Tan Zheng's mastery of speed, distance, and time was top-notch. Whatever they couldn't discern, Tan Zheng certainly could. Moreover, Song Ni couldn't help but smile. In the sunlight, her hair appeared golden, and her fair skin seemed to glow. She smiled happily, her eyes curving into crescents, her dimples adding a gentle charm to her lips. As Tan Zheng got out of the car, Song Ni clearly felt him glance in her direction. She knew then that he had won. The organizers finally succumbed to the fans' enthusiasm and released the race results. A collective gasp swept through the venue. The difference was a mere 0.02 seconds. An incredibly small margin, a win by just 0.02 seconds. No one had expected Tan Shen's comeback race to be so thrilling. Music blared, and the atmosphere erupted. Fulfilling her promise, Song Ni stood in the stands, hands cupped around her mouth, cheering loudly for Tan Zheng. Tan Zheng's marriage wasn't a secret in their circle, and with Li Wen present, some acquaintances knew Song Ni's identity to varying degrees. The photographer, capturing Song Ni's enthusiastic cheers for Tan Zheng, cut to the big screen.