After being formatted as a cannonfodder, I became a heartthrob

Beauty is indeed a lethal weapon against men.uFEMZUEeCjmFuVyvbfzUrRcvaTsbFQ

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There’s no one in this world who isn’t drawn to physical allure.MXiDqJWsgUdmkSYhPwVZNTogBmZGfT

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There’s nothing wrong with being attracted to beauty—who doesn’t enjoy looking at something pleasing to the eye?lOXUMCEBFHDBZuHvfsdgsHKIjzVWNf

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But when that allure came from Song Yu, it made Xie Fengxing feel a bit sick.EHbXVnRGHnZnOuUFDntyDoHkByQWmw

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Xie Fengxing raised an eyebrow.cVhKiOBlyJIehuZFzMDYMxdkpVUHlP

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“What a surprise, truly an incredible surprise! The one who took first place in this race is actually Xie Fengxing, the least favored contestant before the match!” the commentator exclaimed excitedly. “Is that really Xie Fengxing? I almost didn’t recognize him!”BXjaBJAOVClzmFLPegMJHFNBfrnYKr

NihSlTXoZPiDOMK

Several rounds of the Speeding League had already taken place, and he had participated in every one. He was familiar with all the racers, and Xie Fengxing, with his signature yellow hair, had always stood out.dJEmTROrXdbPGBoSvymlpqddYZjPxP

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To be honest, Xie Fengxing wasn’t bad-looking, but just barely passable. His unkempt demeanor and slightly hunched posture made him appear timid and ordinary.qoHmJZdAoIXXleiHHDXDVRHnNCOjUX

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But the Xie Fengxing standing before them now was elegant, striking, and radiant—utterly mesmerizing.GtNJSuCDdsNjDhQZuAXVcUoihVQhRz

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It wasn’t just him. Many media outlets and spectators had also taken notice.sUIWqQUXqPaWoXTpcLtXInAdVQtONe

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Because of Chen Xi’s presence, today’s race had drawn more media attention than usual. Long lenses focused on Xie Fengxing, and even entertainment reporters, accustomed to seeing beautiful faces in the industry, were stunned by the dazzlingly handsome young man before them.vGLPQmGIBTggodBDthPNoUdMAgamfB

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Narrow shoulders, a broad chest, a slender waist, and long legs—his figure was lean but not scrawny, as if he had stepped straight out of a manga. Even without seeing his face, his presence alone was impossible to ignore.ozlfgZODntsbOpnpvQKAkyZHgUAGdW

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Had the racing world always had someone this good-looking?!joWCyBiBgOneXNkiZtYiIsaWVKhpdl

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Song Yu was even more dumbfounded.ZsOznXesMNOHdSQwqMdbpyvUPwUHxL

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He spotted a red birthmark on Xie Fengxing’s neck, just above his delicate Adam’s apple, faintly shifting as he moved.JKixrsNzmazsueCKGMwQOvkKTnWMox

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It was Xie Fengxing.KcrlhgWHUgvTODmOXFJdyZWaNOURgr

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But the Xie Fengxing before him seemed like a completely different person from the one he knew!UocSSjnyJeWGOyqibeExvSgFryBqvg

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Noticing the cameras trained on him, Song Yu pressed his lips together slightly and walked forward with a smile, extending his hand. “Feng Xing, what luck.”oTXYrECHDAFKxbtJwPaJKTyXclZSRu

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Xie Fengxing didn’t like that remark.njiHmwHAZtnUrqovxTgsFJRijGCFab

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He didn’t take Song Yu’s hand, simply saying, “There’s still the finals ahead. Whether it’s luck or not, we’ll see in the next race.”TfPaOCjCkQYmvWFhqDmvANxMwcVber

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Song Yu awkwardly withdrew his hand, momentarily at a loss for words.iJZHsJNdWzvChqyOWnBgMdPPLSvPkr

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Everything felt so unfamiliar.eIJhfqFgOAPMyLmKFWTyQGasMsnwap

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The look Xie Fengxing had just given him was sharp and indifferent—something he had never seen from him before. Yet those russet eyes were even more captivating.RGkthwFjBJWlhxHFSbOWSVBDwRHBeU

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But how had he never noticed before that Xie Fengxing had such striking features?LKZVEYZJSSicIuFUMSEIYfbWnlJZBU

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He was breathtakingly handsome.EJSxSTERxXvhomvbbIdzZEhbMQnIdS

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Song Yu’s heart pounded as he watched Xie Fengxing walk toward the exit, helmet in hand.qpCTsxqoJBLIhkXRXCzTJaGMlLvEON

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“Darling, the Love Value just skyrocketed to 85! This is a golden opportunity—strike while the iron’s hot! Why are you still being so cold to him?”DfWxCdSNaAHAxAFSPNoykWBcSuadVr

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It surged again?xgqgeRarYHfHWYBwdzAHIcodUBHGJB

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Was this really the Love Value or just the Lust Value?LgrdeFwCbaBcyHkWOLWgOkRhMJhGzJ

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“Lust is in men’s nature. Love and lust are inseparable. If a man claims he only cares about your soul, that’s the real hypocrisy,” Xiao Ai said.QrRVmDOrBsuMoEasilvpcqAmjvjTod

rqlmlcSSXrBkfiV

“In the past, I fawned over him so much that he got used to it. If I want to completely change his perception of me, I need a total transformation,” Xie Fengxing explained. “Besides, I can’t bring myself to flatter or cater to him—it’s too disgusting. Just wait and see. He’ll come crawling to me on his own… Weren’t you saying this world’s difficulty would increase? It doesn’t seem that hard now.”WQmeVfrehiOgXVbIfwIfoyodXRgSnz

GYYAMAXSrfgYVFZ

“Blame it on you being too damn impressive,” Xiao Ai gushed with praise. “Forget everything else—you’ve already regained the charisma you had in the interstellar novel.”TsVxikUwRzfguTTlQgbhcXTDDQWGzu

uovRCWrnvXTVbcI

It reminded him of Xie Fengxing’s madness in the world of interstellar warfare, machine guns and artillery shells sweeping through the vast starry expanse, exploding in brilliant bursts.JwpkWwTSREPCoYjhbDWUgvoTizCEdw

EZVlgcYWOKIXVCW

The cold and aloof Xie Fengxing, paired with cold, unfeeling machinery—utterly invincible.SUPFVUmbfMYQPNIsmVOmhCemNAjaTP

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“It’s a bit hot,” Xie Fengxing said.oBsEfDmXPfZzxJPqfnROHESEvOKRek

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“Would you like to exchange Love Value for a cooling system?” Xiao Ai asked.PmPvTTgAGLPgtZonqHOHbUQVFjlDIH

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“Forget it,” Xie Fengxing replied. “I want to see Song Yu crying his eyes out sooner. He deserves it. Anyway, when he’s bawling like a baby, my body temperature will return to normal by then.”psnbCjkUPFkdjTcvRbehhHnAgHvvvu

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His body temperature was lower than average, which also made him particularly sensitive to heat.dkELnBpOIJLcnxzDsqcFETojHmPpYg

pkBEwfidOLLFiiT

He hated that sticky, clammy feeling.tXagZBQKhpRqpFmeyWhxLymsehxHXb

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When he reached the restroom, he began peeling off his racing suit. He had only taken off half when someone barged in without knocking.EzgfBvJbsdyrddSdPKXzBuGNQkxCRV

joNpHqmECKrIhGu

Xie Fengxing glanced back, his eyes icy and sharp.vvxPcDYqQaCgaYsjbFrglHJqklRikC

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Gou Xiaochuan, brimming with excitement, froze under that piercing gaze.qTUqlZMftqNDIjfRvfQlpBAVgyRIgZ

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By the time he blinked, Xie Fengxing’s expression had already softened, as if it had all been his imagination.GECGUOLaeWxyLAlLguakkurZMukbBV

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“Oh, it’s you,” Xie Fengxing said.fRIJTZFdQjyHavjtvtrWMEKjxSQZeF

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Gou Xiaochuan quickly regained his enthusiasm and slung an arm around Xie Fengxing’s neck. “Dude, you were absolutely insane today! You actually beat Song Yu!!!”ApOmABtTSYkJBklqVmBIPONdvusRKn

BUbqrqKICNpxRuV

Xie Fengxing shrugged off his arm. “I’m changing.”gWAwvFRRCYnTxRwLpuiercdWAcWILs

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Gou Xiaochuan let go. “Listen, I screamed my throat raw for you. How did you suddenly become like this? It’s fucking unbelievable. You beat Song Yu… How are you not even excited?”mywrEjEkZCzGKFtdJcUrgAGWHcMuFR

rIcrOmxNpezpBXN

Xie Fengxing peeled off his sweat-drenched black tank top. As he raised his arms, his shoulder blades fluttered like butterfly wings, his spine forming a seductive groove. His skin gleamed like silk, flawless and pale.SCIrUCcmXaaTqEYMSKvrDbnJFkkRGq

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Gou Xiaochuan was momentarily dazzled.IUBZZLnKaYvFgbFtRwpFwnfzvIKTYs

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Xie Fengxing changed into another set of clothes—an identical racing suit. He pulled it up, covering the curve of his hips, snug in black shorts, before cinching it around his slender, toned waist. The line from waist to hips was smooth and graceful.xSpVUXLLLqBfjhcRRjxgNiUuLyuPLK

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Gou Xiaochuan felt as if his best friend had transformed overnight.ZnHQCFwHqUQQMLJlmQloSuWnmYzKVT

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As if he had suddenly become distant.SQKmbJvwiUCuVcwtaGiKhiWkrPjxqM

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Xiao Ai: “Friendly reminder—you’re being too cold. Your childhood friend is starting to suspect you.”XKzdKqPjVdcHJRROlmzdkbhbcVoqvE

lFLhhJYGGarGgHg

Xie Fengxing pressed his lips together, then looked at Gou Xiaochuan and said, “I just went through a breakup. Not in the mood to celebrate. Today’s win was just luck—channeling heartbreak into strength.”YGMMcPoHjmsvNWsmnrFGaRkykEqIkU

CcFcsBXUhpacQca

Gou Xiaochuan immediately brightened. “You totally showed them today! Everyone outside is talking about you—especially those gossipers before the race. Your first-place finish slapped them right in the face. What do you think Song Yu is feeling right now?”WAENfsRpFUVoCmCfjnyQJBkWXddIle

hyuDCrtPHJiqqBo

Xie Fengxing thought for a moment. “His skills speak for themselves. Losing this one race will just be a momentary surprise. People will forget soon enough—it won’t affect him.”JVrJRIOjWXVnodoytOsEfDSgfzzzsL

fhFzliwNyzVxVuX

Song Yu was one of the top racers in the country, excelling even in Formula 3. A domestic brand race like this meant nothing to him, and no one would seriously consider him a loser just because he lost this one match.hWfeCuWIzUbmKbALTtSytvauRFbDwj

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To truly break Song Yu, he’d have to crush him until he had no fight left.sdmgEbIplAeekbADlCOvMNxyxTPAIt

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“Darling, that’s a great idea,” Xiao Ai said.VyzgocruCIWeTCAnJUAErSkcNKsaDi

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“Scumbags like him—just hurting his feelings isn’t fun, is it?” Xie Fengxing replied.PAtIFcfQypLqAgIcaivNhzqQPkJJIC

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A scumbag’s emotions were worthless. What mattered was everything else about him.xNlFfHOYIEOKifYmyYuwdKTDFhBIXP

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As soon as he stepped out after changing, Xie Fengxing was swarmed by the media.vsgCIYzpZkvTUASDADOnQWcjVwFjEe

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Gou Xiaochuan played the role of temporary assistant, shielding him from the cameras. Xie Fengxing didn’t give any interviews, maintaining a low-key and humble demeanor, only bowing repeatedly to the reporters.GOaImzSjJeWyWfqjtyVvDvPIizUEvV

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The people around him had changed their perception of him, all looking at him as if he were a monster, likely stunned by his complete transformation.TFMGGoAeZhdHkyZBHqcspLGDKCSpsq

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Xie Fengxing wasn’t particularly interested in these random onlookers.NFKnLhBSUjSfoVjGdqqjoJLGRoHJmG

HCuwwAbXTAbaqCZ

“Want to make a bet with me?” he asked Xiao Ai.nrTiLWZzxESXXwhHROfitFFlLccQIL

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Xiao Ai replied, “Bet on what?”mPKFISKrrmuXLtalRNFwDOGoHnDjgI

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“Bet on whether Song Yu will come crawling to me on his own.”qFjfCGrWpgxAOlvugpZkFMVzSyyQaW

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Xiao Ai said, “I’m not betting with you—I never win.”XZbAMSqFXvugndTrjipAnUqouHqQsk

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Just as Xie Fengxing was about to respond, someone called out to him from behind.WMqkQjaqHWJrrPgztaEJuFhiCIvMTO

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He and Gou Xiaochuan turned to see Chen Xi.BXGDBPVKBdEOgmbKZoWhbpQEQJFYOH

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“Congratulations,” Chen Xi said.PZepKcnXKNiBcoFGpquXxDXmHZAXkz

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“Hope I didn’t scare you with those overtakes,” Xie Fengxing replied.ZefYoVQXXyqjGCzYneYwwJwCrPIlou

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Continuous overtaking was high-risk. While he was confident, to Chen Xi, it might have seemed like a heart-stopping ordeal.AaWUANOqncCnsVHimorPzkHjwoOFmp

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Chen Xi smiled and said, “When it comes to your overtaking skills, I only have two words: absolute awe.”HdHJEUcDfmtToMbiJQlqxSgYgGVvYs

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Xie Fengxing nodded slightly.aikbCSwteOlrXhTJZZimvEVDedKWVS

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Usually, such small talk would end with polite smiles from both sides, but Xie Fengxing remained serious, his expression unreadable. Chen Xi felt a little awkward, assuming the other man was just difficult to get along with, and didn’t press further. A staff member hurried over to call him away, and as Chen Xi walked off, he couldn’t help but glance back one more time.iAGjowKIwodCELNwYhpLidYfGarudY

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Xie Fengxing appeared incredibly low-key and languid, yet from a distance, there was an indescribable air of nobility about him. Despite his youth, his presence was commanding. Next to the pink-haired young man beside him, he seemed even more dazzlingly striking.itlnjArsjZxsFQefiTBqRjbCaXYZkO

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He had never seen such a figure in the racing world before.EYQxmjvkaLHCOYkeqEYAygTThqjwXQ

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Noticing Xie Fengxing watching Chen Xi, Gou Xiaochuan couldn’t resist saying, “By beating Song Yu today, you completely wrecked all his plans. I heard he was planning to confess to Chen Xi after winning first place. Making such a grand romantic gesture—doesn’t he fear Chen Xi’s fans tearing him apart?”txLQHroFqFqXuQJgctJuyhHfCMyXru

aqMEGoIdGAkCapa

Xie Fengxing continued walking forward. “Racing and the entertainment industry are different. No one cares about his sexual orientation here. You think he’s just lustful? The media exposure would only benefit him.”gawJMKKAZdemYWFToHeZwyBhWZSIka

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Gou Xiaochuan froze.AMgrmLYsJFQUhJXiUyJfCimVcvZYRh

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This was probably the first time he had heard such blatant mockery and coldness in Xie Fengxing’s tone.gXOmOJceBmQCBChQOKyagokwLjlyds

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And directed at Song Yu, no less.iWPmVMrqlpuQbCnCOcXVKtenOyUvVk

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Next came the awards ceremony.UDvwKBXosEqLQRfMQRYfEUtJPcessb

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Speeding League’s decision to invite Song Yu and Chen Xi was a double-edged sword. On one hand, it expanded the event’s influence, drawing more attention to the race. On the other, their presence had made the outcome seem like a foregone conclusion.ytvGhazJfLHBZCUlPyrurnJTxafeid

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So almost everyone had prepared their scripts in advance.lkNsHfkBpuCanVtGhEzHZSdupWLTSB

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Who could have predicted that Xie Fengxing would emerge out of nowhere?wNfAzcwzwjgImkRvrhNCAUNLSZENqq

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And be so ridiculously handsome!nbWXRxYiZwQwZXvecjmKhAaFanfTnl

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Even the straight male journalists had to admit—Xie Fengxing was a stunner who could rival any celebrity.KUoUisVCXgUpAZAUtYvSBDzBfFqeBy

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Forget his racing skills—just his face alone was enough to make him famous.xHyfEcNTQgrgMQyAUoikAyKfsauNnI

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And then he unexpectedly took first place!BzeqJBSogpXcpuDBDkqXxyIKGjvGBz

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Speedy Ascent had always leaned into entertainment. The widespread influence of their races relied on appealing to the masses.hXpoXSsvUchMVYzdBYirrGtgxTPvmR

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But this came at the cost of the sport’s professionalism.hjRpXWjvYzGaiEeHShxdYKkHwrBTiI

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Sure enough, discussions about the race online had little to do with racing itself.PfSkrlZKaGwMqnNCMDYuaCyaMhbJFT

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Chen Xi was a top-tier celebrity with plenty of haters, and soon, posts began popping up.DKVnFQLCCTDklLMlXhcPWxOuxcsHAg

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“Your beloved Chen got completely outshone by a random today.”BCkYstuyXHvZCrzfakHMKSEDfqGsJr

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Attached was a GIF of Xie Fengxing removing his helmet.NoLplQXqUyqynGCmAwLjjSmTnTbUfR

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“Holy shit, who is this?”ZNXZSFnBJTOXHypnbGDLAnHiKGaWMD

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“That physique, that waist-to-hip ratio—unreal.”aItZbjGkQJprVRyaJMRKdIoregdiLc

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“A newcomer?”ioQxqExirAvOpTxunthHuTSfLubKAq

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“He seems to be an amateur racer named Xie Fengxing.”baVyTjSjXyhUBYovpVzhcouPEDpiGH

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“An amateur? He’s way too handsome for that.”MyPxXpbuudOlblqymlhcSawPRRvzsI

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“His aura is so clean, yet his features are so striking. How can someone this good-looking just be a racer?”UqfOXvWVGDGCGYQeggWqiYLNcvjbRW

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“Truly, the most handsome men are found among the common folk. Chen Xi really pales in comparison.”QOYAKDORPFEAkleclDmeGpgzMMgiYJ

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In no time, Xie Fengxing’s photos spread like wildfire across fan circles.pAMJFCfFSPOyYIxshOyYuBvyfDsqQV

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Having completed missions in entertainment industry novels before, Xie Fengxing still retained the mindset of a celebrity. Through Xiao Ai, he retrieved his original Weibo account and prepared to post a photo.eqmhxPTgJbhTCYsNPnJRuDNzhaaqkl

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Upon logging in, he discovered over sixty posts, all from half a year ago.zXodnOdBfZQNQUSjmyZnShQJyjDDNw

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“Watching someone’s race today. So handsome it’s lethal.”LDoygCvbiMliTTDxmFGeVUprTDwBHn

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“Got a text back from someone today. Over the moon.”qqNpmbgciPCtMKcaLHAgOVmQnieeIC

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“Unrequited love—a one-person carnival.”wwhSlWXMuxCnNWoiIhxdXMdqAOLacx

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In four words: “A simp’s daily life.”lslkjgezIejSewelbtgJbPURcbPVYW

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Xie Fengxing deleted all his Weibo posts, changed his username to “A Different Xie Fengxing,” and uploaded the viral GIF along with a selfie of himself in the car.ixDrUBymvOuEduxEsIoskQLCHLhQLK

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Time to make an appearance.wipSezgHYrgIjkkMZHzkiEDETxmAcz

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Racing is an elite sport for the few. To climb higher, beyond wealth and talent, one crucial condition is needed: the ability to bring economic benefits to the team, such as attention—because attention translates to advertising revenue.RdKpmllcaaDeVOQMOiWDfpIwBwCnMb

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In fact, any sporting event needs star players. As the most financially demanding sport globally, racing places even greater importance on star power.gYpNagnTkOTEGQoHceWMMKqdgeSReK

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Though Song Yu would never admit it, Xie Fengxing always suspected Song Yu was drawn to Chen Xi not just for his looks but also for his celebrity status.iljPEOjkyplrYWyGhfHvgSPmizeKNg

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As a top-tier idol, Chen Xi’s every move could stir up storms in the entertainment industry. In the original novel, Song Yu, initially known only in racing circles, skyrocketed to national fame through his relationship with Chen Xi, becoming the most recognizable racer in domestic history.vXdHPmnDnYCMymRGfyzfmCHXKEiIjD

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By the same logic, Xie Fengxing needed fame too.lktYTpMUrKPtcVHyRlYfEETOTqAMHP

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The buzz online might just become the wings for his ascent—wings he’d use to slap the faces of those scumbag love interests.UDaeQfnwyQiYVvmXWTRYoKNwjHEeDs

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Outside, the sun blazed high, yet the flowers lining the administrative building of Beicheng International Raceway seemed to glow even brighter. A group of suited executives, flanked by staff, hurried out of the building.mDCeiBRUahlgZtrofvWmQXqJKeXkwg

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A young man whispered to his colleague, “I thought the young master wasn’t coming today.”PdjWrkwerTPxtSszJZmsERAZsXOXPB

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“Today’s the first major event at our raceway. There’s no way he’d miss it.”VGqZrKNzCPNFzeVWSxxMJvxLTFJYwX

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General Manager Chang Rui shot them a frown, and their direct superior immediately glared. “No whispering.”omlUmDHsdtAkLbyfIrKhPnKajvvKln

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The young man fell silent.AXTwKQoiApXEOrhurZhHxBvLLxubsM

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Even when the chairman of Speedy Ascent visited, the leadership hadn’t been this tense—as if they weren’t greeting a department head but a high-ranking official on an inspection tour.HSgMWgLPzMDNJcCeVlPihFoCxOWLsV

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The crowd lined up under the scorching sun as a stretch limousine rolled into view. The car was a flagship collaboration between Speedy Ascent and the luxury brand Kelly Ryan, its emblem unique—reserved exclusively for Speedy Ascent’s top brass.iUNagiBFZgFEkJROPiQXbwwgQOdlBm

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The car stopped before them. Chang Rui, at the front of the line, stepped forward with a smile, not quite deferential but exceedingly polite, and opened the door. “You’re here.”SQTqXwElINwDawJEeQYgWQeSmCSApF

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A young man in his twenties stepped out of the car, his first impression being his remarkably long legs. Once he stood firmly on the ground, it was clear he was exceptionally tall—lean yet muscular, with a narrow waist, broad shoulders, and a posture far more upright than the average person, exuding an imposing presence. His features were sharp and well-defined: deep-set eyes with single eyelids, thin lips, a high nose bridge, and a jawline so angular it looked chiseled. There was none of the aristocratic air of a wealthy young master about him; instead, he carried the unmistakable sharpness of a soldier—like…WoLNPXSmMQmybFnLzbUBYziYfJaNxm

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Like a gleaming, razor-edged military blade.GiBveCLdegauErWdNsFGjIzHwMQWce

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