Cinderella time?

Chen Xiangbei is not unfamiliar with underground racing. Every time the depth of night arrives, it's the time when street racers become active, much like Cinderella needing to take off her glass slipper promptly at midnight.

But the territory of Australia is just this small. Although the East Bay Circuit is located in Taipa and is considered a relatively remote section, this remoteness is only relative; the area is still filled with large casino hotels like Lisboa, MGM, and Mandarin.

Unlike Hong Kong Island, which has remote places like outlying islands and Yuanlang, underground racers at least have some space to showcase their skills.

"The size and road conditions of Australia, and it still has Cinderella-time underground racing?"

Upon hearing Chen Xiangbei's skepticism, Qin Lianjie knew what he was thinking.

So he smiled and explained, "Bustling cities and developed areas are more likely to foster a street racing atmosphere. Think about Hong Kong, once home to the most famous Princess Road races, weren't they held in the bustling Kowloon District?"

With this explanation from Qin Lianjie, Chen Xiangbei found it made some sense.

In the 90s, during the hottest era of Asian street racing, Hong Kong's most famous racing route was Princess Road. That's where movies like Cheng Long's "Thunderbolt" and Zheng Yijian's "Legend of Speed" drew their background inspiration, all from Kowloon District's Princess Road.

In contrast, the more well-known mountain pass racing scenes from later generations emerged as street control became stricter and the frenzy of the "Initial D" movie after 2000.

Otherwise, who would be willing to drive for an hour or two just to go to the desolate mountain tops to catch some cold wind?

"However, in recent years, with the completion of the Taipa Cotai Strip Circuit, street racers barely have a chance to race on tracks in Australia, and Cinderella time on the streets of East Bay has become rare. Generally, it happens in the mountain tops of Hong Kong's Yuanlang."

"Only on the eve of the annual Grand Prix, when the streets are cleared for the event, can street racers have a rare moment of revelry."

After hearing Qin Lianjie's explanation, Chen Xiangbei subconsciously nodded.

Indeed, for racers in the land-scarce Hong Kong and Macau, it's challenging to experience the ultimate thrill of racing, and even the once-popular street racing has gradually become history.

The Grand Prix held in Australia essentially gives them an opportunity and space to experience the dual sensation of professional and street at the East Bay Circuit. This temptation is hard for even professional racers to resist, let alone street racers.

"Xiangbei, what do you say, shall we still try a run?"

Seeing nearly twenty sports cars in the pit lane and an increasing number of spectators and street racers appearing from nowhere, it was obvious tonight would turn into a grand underground racing event.

Although the East Bay Circuit stretches 6.2 kilometers, street racers aren't as disciplined as Chen Xiangbei and lack his vehicle control and driving skills.

By then, the Volkswagen R36 would become a slow vehicle on the track, with a high risk of rear-end collisions.

Qin Lianjie thought that Monday would be the best opportunity to become familiar with the track, but he didn't expect street racers from both Hong Kong and Macau to have the same idea.

"Forget it."

Chen Xiangbei shook his head.

Driving the Volkswagen R36 at its current speed for a test run was already considered the lowest of low configurations, making it difficult to simulate race speed and driving feel, merely serving the purpose of familiarizing with road characteristics.

Now there was an extra crowd of underground racers adding to the hustle, which, accounting for occasional slowdowns and evasions, made it even harder to run, unnecessarily increasing risks. It would be better to return to the hotel and rest early.

"Alright, let's go back first."

Qin Lianjie also understood that continuing to run the track wouldn't be meaningful, so he agreed and intended to leave.

But just at this moment, a Porsche 997 GT3 Cup car didn't head to the pit lane of the racing building, instead stopping directly beside the passenger side of Chen Xiangbei's Volkswagen R36.

With the window slowly rolling down, a young face with a crew cut appeared in their view.

"Qin Lianjie, are you also planning to run the East Bay Circuit tonight?"

The crew-cut young driver asked with a casual tone.

Qin Lianjie is quite famous in the underground circles of the Pearl River Delta and has a wide network with a large modification shop in Hong Kong, so it's not unusual for street racers to know him.

"No, I'm just passing by."

Qin Lianjie flatly denied, having no time to participate in tonight's underground gala and avoiding exposing Chen Xiangbei's test run.

Hearing this answer, the crew-cut driver lost interest in continuing the conversation.

Just as he was about to hit the gas and head to the pit lane in front of the racing building, a passing sports car's headlights shone through the window onto Chen Xiangbei's face.

Upon seeing Chen Xiangbei's appearance clearly, the crew-cut driver instantly changed his mind, a hint of excitement appearing on his face. He floored the gas, blocking the GTR in front of the Volkswagen R36, then opened the door and walked toward the driver's side.

This action left Chen Xiangbei a bit puzzled and his first reaction was to glance at the passenger seat at Qin Lianjie.

Could these two have had some unresolved issues in the past?

But quickly, Chen Xiangbei understood that the "unresolved issue" wasn't with Qin Lianjie, but with himself…

Only to see the crew-cut driver leaning over at the Volkswagen R36 driver window, with a playful smile on his face, extending his hand, "Nice to meet you, I'm Zhang Zhendong, a former Huasi Sports trainee, now a professional driver for Japan's Taisan team."

Zhang Zhendong?

Hearing this name, Chen Xiangbei was stunned for a moment.

Though they had never met before, Chen Xiangbei had heard of him in another life, and in this life, they've somehow developed an inexplicable connection.

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