Starry Sky on the Wrist

The noise at the Tianma Circuit gradually subsided.

As the red lightning-like LaFerrari slowly parked into the pit garage, the engine's cooling fans were still buzzing, emitting a unique wave of heat typical of a mechanical beast after intense exercise.

Su Bai took off his helmet and casually placed it on the carbon fiber roof. His calm and breezy expression made it seem as if his 1 minute and 02 seconds lap, which had just shattered the track's production car record, was merely a casual drive to the grocery store.

Not far away, next to a McLaren 765LT, Sun Zhihao leaned against the car door like a defeated rooster, his expression complex.

As a seasoned veteran who had mingled in the top-tier circles of wealthy second-generation heirs in the Magic City for years, Sun Zhihao might usually be arrogant and domineering—a typical gearhead and show-off—but he was definitely not stupid.

On the contrary, he was very smart. You could even say he possessed an innate, keen intuition for seeking advantages and avoiding harm.

If yesterday's diving competition, where Su Bai's inhuman breath-holding time, could still be explained away as him being a naturally gifted freak; then today on the track, driving the notoriously difficult rear-wheel-drive god-tier car, the LaFerrari, and completely crushing Sun's proud McLaren on his very first attempt on this track—that was no longer just a matter of talent.

That was absolute strength.

It was an all-around crushing defeat in terms of guts, reaction speed, physical coordination, and mastery over machinery.

Add to that Xia Lin standing nearby, looking at him with utter adoration, looking as if she wanted to hang herself onto Su Bai's body...

How sharp were the eyes of the eldest young lady of the Xia family in the Magic City? Could a man who made her so dead-set on him, even willing to bring out her own father's prized hypercar to support him, have a simple background?

This is a freaking titanium alloy steel plate. I can't kick it, I really can't.

Sun Zhihao took a deep breath, his mind racing as he quickly calculated his options.

Continue to butt heads? That would be courting death. Not only would he fail to win back his pride, but he might also thoroughly offend Xia Lin, which would lead to him being secretly targeted in the Magic City circles in the future.

Admit defeat?

Although it was a bit embarrassing, in the face of absolute strength, yielding wasn't called being a coward; it was called being a wise man who submits to circumstances.

Having figured this out, the gloom on Sun Zhihao's face instantly vanished. He adjusted the collar of his racing suit, put on an unprecedentedly bright smile, and trotted toward Su Bai on legs that were still a bit weak.

Oh my! Young Master Su! God Su!

His voice arrived before he did. Sun Zhihao extended both hands from afar, lowering his posture to the extreme, as if the guy who had just clamored about making someone eat his exhaust wasn't him at all.

I submit! I truly submit! I am utterly convinced!

He ran up to Su Bai, grabbed his hand (though Su Bai only politely raised it a bit), and shook it vigorously. That corner overtaking just now was simply a stroke of genius! I've been driving for so many years and watched so many F1 races, but I've never seen such extreme corner-cutting! Compared to you, my little bit of skill is like driving a bumper car!

He spoke these words with genuine sincerity, without the slightest bit of affectation. After all, the fear of being dominated on the track just now was still vivid in his mind.

You're too polite, Young Master Sun.

Su Bai looked at the rich kid whose attitude had taken a 180-degree turn, a playful smile curving the corners of his mouth. Didn't you say I was a poor student with too much stationery? Didn't you say I was just relying on my gear?

Sigh! Please don't mention it!

Sun Zhihao slapped his own thigh hard, looking full of remorse. That was me failing to recognize Mount Tai! I was a snob looking down on people! You are no poor student; you are a true god of learning! Having a lot of gear is just the icing on the cake for you, and having less would be a return to your true, unadorned self! I'm the real poor student who only knows how to pile on the equipment!

Young Master Su, you are a magnanimous person. Please don't lower yourself to the level of an ignorant guy like me.

Saying that, he turned to look at Xia Lin, putting on an apologetic smile. Sister Xia, I was ignorant today and offended your man. To show my apologies, I'll be the host tonight. You must give me a chance to make amends! I've already booked the place, Ultraviolet. Let's go eat something good and help Young Master Su get over the shock!

Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet.

Or UV for short.

The most mysterious and hardest-to-book three-star Michelin restaurant in the Magic City, and even in all of Asia. It only hosts ten guests a day, with an average cost per person reaching thousands or even tens of thousands. Furthermore, the location is hidden, and guests must travel there together in a designated vehicle.

Being able to get a spot for tonight on such short notice meant that Sun Zhihao had really paid a hefty price and utilized a lot of connections this time.

Xia Lin didn't agree immediately but turned to look at Su Bai, inquiry in her eyes.

Outside, she gave Su Bai plenty of face. If Su Bai nodded, the matter would be settled; if Su Bai shook his head, Sun Zhihao's future days in the Magic City would be tough.

Su Bai looked at Sun Zhihao's anxious yet expectant appearance and smiled.

You don't slap a smiling face.

Besides, although this Sun Zhihao was a bit of a show-off, he was essentially just a rich kid who loved to play and hadn't done anything heinous. Now that he had surrendered on his knees so thoroughly, there was no need to drive him to a dead end.

Sure, Su Bai said lightly. Since Young Master Sun is so sincere, I'll eat this meal.

Oh! Thank you for the honor, Young Master Su! Thank you, Sister Xia!

Sun Zhihao was overjoyed, his back bending even lower. Then shall we set off now? I've arranged the cars; let's meet up at the Bund!

...

Night fell, and the prosperity of the Magic City was pushed to its peak at this moment.

At a hidden meeting point at No. 18 on the Bund, an all-black commercial vehicle had been waiting for a long time.

The dining experience at Ultraviolet began the moment they got into the car.

The car windows were obscured by black curtains, and relaxing psychedelic music played inside. No one knew the exact location of the restaurant; this sense of mystery was itself part of the expensive menu.

When the car door opened again, the group had arrived at what looked like an abandoned warehouse.

The heavy industrial door slowly opened, as if they were crossing into an alternate dimension.

A long dining table was surrounded by a 360-degree projection wall. Every dish was paired with different lighting, music, and even scents, creating an immersive sensory feast.

Young Master Su, Sister Xia, please take your seats.

Sun Zhihao attentively helped the two pull out their chairs, while he took the seat at the end, looking exactly like a little sidekick.

This meal was truly a bizarre and dazzling experience.

From the oyster caviar that carried the salty, wet scent of seawater, to the truffle roasted bread that made one feel as if they were deep in a forest, every dish was a work of art.

But the three people sitting there didn't entirely have their minds on the food.

Su Bai was knowledgeable and experienced (with the blessing of his system), so he appeared completely unbothered by it all; Xia Lin was a regular at such places and was already used to it; only Sun Zhihao kept observing Su Bai's expression, looking for a suitable opportunity.

After three rounds of drinks, when a dessert named "Starry Sky" was served, the surrounding projections instantly turned into a vast universe. Countless stars flowed across the walls, making the atmosphere ethereal and profound.

"Young Master Su."

Sun Zhihao put down his wine glass and took a deep breath, as if making a certain resolution.

From his briefcase, he carefully took out a dark brown solid wood box.

On the box was printed the logo that drove countless men crazy—the Calatrava Cross.

Patek Philippe.

"Today on the track, witnessing Young Master Su's elegance, I was truly won over."

Holding the box with both hands, Sun Zhihao offered it to Su Bai. "We wouldn't have become friends if we hadn't fought. This little token is a bit of an apology from me to Young Master Su, as well as a meeting gift. I hope you won't disdain it. In the future, here in the Magic City, if there's anywhere you need this brother's help, just say the word."

Su Bai raised an eyebrow and didn't immediately reach out to take it.

Seeing this, Sun Zhihao hurriedly opened the box.

Under the soft lighting, a breathtaking wristwatch lay quietly on the velvet cushion.

It wasn't an ordinary Nautilus or Aquanaut.

It was a platinum watch with a deep blue dial. On the dial, there weren't dull hour markers, but a precise celestial chart of the Northern Hemisphere. The deep sky, the twinkling stars, and the moon phases that changed with the passage of time...

The entire universe seemed to be condensed within this tiny square inch.

"Patek Philippe, 6102P, Celestial."

Xia Lin just glanced at it and stated the watch's model. "The platinum version. The retail price is about two million or so, but the premium in the secondary market is very high, and it's extremely hard to buy in stock. Sun Zhihao, you really spared no expense."

"Hehe, Sister Xia knows her stuff."

Sun Zhihao smiled apologetically. "I just acquired this watch from a collector a while ago. It's brand new, with all the certificates, and the name hasn't been filled in yet. I originally wanted to keep it for my own collection, but I'm a vulgar person and don't match this aura of the sea of stars. Seeing Young Master Su today, I felt this watch was simply tailor-made for you."

It was indeed tailor-made.

Su Bai's temperament was inherently mysterious and profound, and coupled with the halo of a divine tycoon, this watch, symbolizing "holding the stars," would absolutely complement him perfectly when worn on his wrist.

And the most crucial point was that this watch wasn't a second-hand item like the one Sun Zhihao wore on his wrist, but a brand-new collectible.

This sincerity was indeed sufficient.

Giving away a watch worth millions just like that, solely to apologize.

This was the survival rule in the circle of top-tier second-generation rich kids—as long as they could turn hostility into friendship, this amount of money was nothing. After all, someone who could be so highly regarded by Xia Lin would definitely be worth more than a few million in the future.

Su Bai looked at the watch with calm eyes.

To be honest, something worth a few million was nothing compared to his current net worth.

But this represented an attitude, a symbol of establishing his status in this circle.

"Su Bai, accept it."

Seeing that Su Bai didn't move, Xia Lin gently nudged his arm with a smile on her lips. "This is Zhihao's good intention. Plus, this watch really suits you. Wearing it from now on means you're a recognized friend in our Magic City circle."

There was a hidden meaning in Xia Lin's words.

Accepting the watch meant accepting Sun Zhihao's apology, and it also meant acknowledging him as a "little brother."

In this circle, sometimes accepting a gift makes people feel more at ease than rejecting it.

Sure enough, upon hearing Xia Lin's words, Sun Zhihao looked eagerly at Su Bai, his eyes full of expectation.

"Alright."

Su Bai smiled and reached out to take the heavy wooden box. "Since Young Master Sun is so polite, it would be disrespectful of me to decline. I do quite like this starry sky dial."

"Ah! As long as Young Master Su likes it! As long as you like it!"

Sun Zhihao instantly breathed a sigh of relief, his whole body feeling as if it had become a few pounds lighter.

He accepted it!

As long as the gift was accepted, this grudge was completely wiped away! If anyone asked in the future, he, Sun Zhihao, could also brag and say: "That God Su who broke the record driving a LaFerrari, that's my buddy!"

"Come, come, come! Young Master Su, let me toast you!"

Sun Zhihao raised his wine glass and downed it in one gulp.

By the end of the meal, the atmosphere had become quite harmonious.

Although Sun Zhihao was the one apologizing, once his overly familiar energy kicked in, he was quite good at livening up the mood. He told many interesting anecdotes from the Magic City circle and even took the initiative to spill some dirty secrets about a few so-called socialites, making Su Bai and Xia Lin unable to hold back their laughter.

...

At ten o'clock in the evening.

When the three of them came out of Ultraviolet, the night sky of the Magic City had rarely cleared up, with a few sparse stars twinkling through the gaps in the city lights.

"Young Master Su, Sister Xia, I won't see you to your car. Take care on your way back!"

Sun Zhihao stood by the roadside, waving goodbye respectfully, watching Xia Lin's Rolls-Royce Phantom slowly drive away.

It wasn't until the taillights disappeared around the street corner that he let out a long breath of stale air and rubbed his chest, feeling a bit of heartache.

That was a 6102P...

Millions...

"Forget it, nothing ventured, nothing gained."

Sun Zhihao comforted himself, "Being able to connect with this kind of god-like figure, this wave isn't a loss. At least I won't have to worry about being targeted by Eldest Miss Xia anymore."

...

In the backseat of the Rolls-Royce.

Su Bai played with the exquisite celestial watch, feeling the weighty texture of the platinum case in his hand.

"What? You like it?" Xia Lin leaned on his shoulder and asked lazily.

"It's alright, quite beautiful."

Su Bai casually put the watch on his wrist. The deep blue dial flowed with a charming luster under the reflection of the car's ambient lighting, perfectly matching his long, fair wrist.

"You certainly know how to handle people."

Xia Lin smiled. "Although that kid Sun Zhihao usually fools around a bit, he still has some power in this neck of the woods in the Magic City. Now that you've accepted his watch, if you need to get anything done in the Magic City in the future, just mentioning his name will make it a matter of a single phone call."

"Do I need to care about his power?" Su Bai asked in return.

"Of course you don't."

Xia Lin straightened up, cupped Su Bai's face with both hands, her eyes burning. "Because you are Su Bai. But having an extra lackey is always better than having an extra fly, isn't it?"

Su Bai smiled.

The words were crude, but the logic was sound.

Just then, the phone in his pocket vibrated.

Su Bai took it out and saw it was a WeChat message from Yan Gang.

[Yan Gang: Su Bai, your OW and AOW diving certificates have been expedited and are ready. The electronic versions have been sent to your email, and the physical cards will be mailed to the hotel tomorrow. Also, I've sent you the phone number of that national team coach. If you're interested, contact him anytime.]

Looking at this message, the smile on Su Bai's lips deepened.

This trip to the Magic City had just begun, and it was already full of rewards.

"What are you looking at that's making you so happy?" Xia Lin leaned in.

"Nothing."

Su Bai put his phone away and held her hand in return. "I was just thinking, since I've got my diving certificates, tomorrow... shouldn't we go experience the next stop of the 'glitz and glamour' you mentioned?"

"Naturally."

A sly gleam flashed in Xia Lin's eyes. "I'll take you somewhere even more fun tomorrow. But tonight... you have to take off this watch first."

"Why?"

"Because..."

Xia Lin leaned close to his ear, her voice incredibly seductive. "Because I don't want anything getting between us. Not even a Patek Philippe."

Oh wow, Xia really knows exactly what she is doing!