200: Get a grip

Get a grip

"That is the line you can't cross. Don't overstep again."2

The man with a flashy orange mohawk turned his head to his side where Bear stood. His expression was a little pale, barely blinking out of shock. Even he couldn't believe a person could lift someone by the head like a toy. Not just him, but everyone in his group — even Axel — could only look at the old man with wide eyes.

Although Bear's physique was humongous, it was clear he was already past his prime. His build might appear better than anyone in his age, but it didn't change the fact his strength was amazing. 

Who was this man?

Heaven smirked in satisfaction, casting Bear a look. The latter simply looked back at her in silence, but then turned away.

"Oh, you guys are here!" Suddenly, Moose's energetic voice broke the prolonged silence. "And what is this tension in here? Goodness! Liven up, people! This is a good day — yes, a good one!" 

Everyone turned their heads to the organizer of the event, who was approaching them with such vigor. Moose had his arms wide open, grinning from ear to ear, and stopping a few steps from the two groups.

"Second Young Master, you came!" Moose grinned at Axel, but his eyes immediately veered to Heaven. "I'm glad to see you again, Miss. I see you had a change of clothes, but you still look divine, nonetheless!"

He then glanced at Bear, but had no word for this guy. It was not like he didn't know Bear's strength. It would be foolish to underestimate this man based on his age. If others go weaker as they aged, Bear was the opposite. It was obvious how he carried that man by the head without exerting effort, but that wasn't what was truly amazing but Bear's control. He could've easily crushed that man's skull, after all. 

"Anyway, the race is about to start!" Moose clapped, darting his face from Heaven's group and then at the other guys. "You guys better prepare your engines instead of fighting."

Moose then settled his attention on Heaven. "Miss, I brought the one you asked for. Do you want to check it?"

"Sure."

"Then, right this way, please."

Moose tipped his head in that direction, making Heaven nod. Heaven glanced at Axel, saying, "Close your mouth and let's go."

"Oh." Axel closed his mouth on instinct, clearing his throat. He jogged his way around the car, following Heaven. But before he could walk past the man with a mohawk, he scoffed at his face. 

The man with a mohawk laughed dryly, snapping out of his momentary trance. He turned his head, following Heaven, Axel, and Bear's back with his gaze as they followed Moose. 

"Those guys…" he scoffed in irritation, glaring daggers at Bear's back. 'How dare that old man humiliate me like that?'

He balled his hand into a tight fist, grinding his teeth. "That pretty boy brought that old man, thinking he could get back on me? Hah!" 

"Oy, oy! Just let it go, alright?!" another man who was around the group called the man with the mohawk. "Even if that pretty boy brings that old man, what else could he do? He's already old, and he simply caught you off guard."

"Haha…" another female laughed awkwardly. "That's right. That old fart can't do anything without hurting his back."

"He might swing a few punches, but against all of us, I bet he'll also beg on his knees just like what that pretty boy did," another man sneered, remembering how they humiliated Axel that night. "He probably came, thinking he can reclaim his dignity."

"Pfft—" the rest of the group laughed out loud, remembering that fun night with Axel.

The guy with a mohawk relaxed his tensed shoulders, smirking. "That's right." He nodded in satisfaction. 

"That old goner just caught me off-guard." A malicious glint flickered across his eyes. "He and that pretty boy, that woman as well. I'll have a lot of fun with her."

All of them smirked as they turned their heads to where the three (Heaven, Axel, and Bear) went to. They all had one thing in mind, and that was to have fun with those three, just like how they had fun with Axel. 

A story that Axel left out from his confession to Heaven out of pure shame. 

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"This is the best I can get in such a short time." Moose knocked on the modified vehicle's hood before opening it to show Heaven its engine. "Though the engine is perfect, I can say that the car you brought is ten times better than this one."

Heaven glossed her eyes over the engine before she walked around the car. 

"This is good," she remarked, lifting her eyes to Moose. 

Moose shrugged indifferently. "You're welcome. Anyway, aren't you going to use that one?" he asked, pointing his thumb over his shoulder. 

"That one you were riding is better, though," he repeated in a knowing tone. "If winning is what you aimed for, then you have a better chance of using that one. But then again, it looks expensive and I can tell fixing a scratch will cost a fortune."

"If you already got your answer, then stop asking."

"Hehe. Miss Zhu, I need to keep the conversation going, you know?" Moose chuckled while Heaven opened the door to check the inside. "It can only accommodate two people inside. So, someone among you three needs to use another car. I don't have an extra!"

Heaven looked around the interior before straightening her back. She ignored Moose completely, facing Bear's direction. 

"Can you just follow?" she asked, and Bear nodded. 

"Yes."

"Sweet." Heaven then looked at Axel. "Can you drive this one?"

"Uh…" Axel cleared his throat, snapping back to the current lapse. He glanced at the vehicle and then bent over to see the interior. "Well, yeah, I guess? Though I will probably need to adjust my grip since it's the first time I'm going to race with it."

Heaven smiled in satisfaction. "Good, then."

"Sis." Axel leaped a step until he was closer to her, whispering. "Won't you really change your mind? After offending those guys, I'm sure they wouldn't let it slide. They play dirty, you know?!"

"That's better."

"Huh?"

"The dirtier they were, the easier for me. Moreover, it's good if they don't let our brief exchange slide, because I will not." Her smile stretched broader, patting his shoulders reassuringly. "Go in and feel the wheel."

Her eyes squinted as she added. "Get a grip. We still have a race to win!" 

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