035 The Frozen Parking Lot Melts into Spring Waters

The next day, Bill arrived at our hotel bright and early to pick us up. When the phone rang, I was still fast asleep in the hotel's plush bed. I scrambled to get dressed, only to realize once I reached the lobby that I had forgotten my wallet. I was about to head back to get it when Lian Pian stopped me. "Bill is treating us today, so you don't need money, but let's not keep him waiting."

Bill, dressed in a sharp, professional outfit, opened the car door for Lian Pian. As she leaned in, he even placed a hand above her head—a gesture of thoughtful, gentlemanly care. His movements were practiced and precise, without a hint of hesitation. While he was certainly charming, I couldn't help but feel that his brand of chivalry was different from Musa’s.

Bill’s gallantry was a reflex born of endless experience, whereas Musa’s stemmed from a deep-seated sense of social etiquette. With the same actions, Bill leaned in with intentional pursuit, while Musa maintained a respectful distance. At their core, one was restless and vibrant, the other steady and composed; they were simply two entirely different styles. Lian Pian and I truly had worlds-apart tastes in men. But who could say for certain who was right and who was wrong?

"I really admire Chinese girls," Bill said while driving. "The food, the script, the Peking Opera, and the faces of the Chinese people—everything about it is so mysterious."

This line easily captivated Lian Pian. Being in a foreign land, hearing someone lavish praise upon one's homeland is always a delightful surprise. Moreover, the comment indirectly signaled Bill’s interest in her.

"Really?" Lian Pian asked, her tone bright and guileless. "I love England, and I love Dubai, too. I can’t explain why, but the moment I arrived here, it felt like I had reached the place of my dreams. The beaches, the sun, the atmospheric bars, and..." She gave Bill a shy smile, though her words were bold: "...and you."

Bill paused for a moment before returning the volley with a deep, smooth, "I feel the same."

I felt a shiver of goosebumps, acutely aware that I was nothing more than a third wheel. This feeling of being superfluous lasted until we got out of the car, as Lian Pian was completely monopolized by Bill thereafter. She gave me an apologetic smile, which I accepted with understanding. I collected my karting gear, got dressed, and stood there staring blankly at the go-kart in front of me.

Bill had completely forgotten to arrange an instructor for me! He didn't need one, of course, and although it was Lian Pian’s first time, she had Bill’s personal guidance. If I were to hire an instructor myself, it would be another hefty expense. The most awkward part was that I didn’t have my wallet, and I felt too embarrassed to interrupt the two of them, who were currently inseparable.

Although I had held a driver's license for a long time, I truly didn't know where to start with this little vehicle. In middle school, I used to play a game called "Crazyracing Kartrider," where the drifting techniques were incredibly cool, but reality wasn't a computer screen. I couldn't treat a real go-kart like a bumper car.

I sighed, ready to give up in silence, when a figure suddenly appeared beside me. An arm reached out to grip the steering wheel, blocking my view. Before I could even turn around, I heard an incredibly familiar voice say, with calm simplicity: "Let me teach you."

The dazzling light gradually dispersed, casting a glow over the sleek body of the kart, lending it a strange and gentle texture. The light and shadows dappled across the grass, uneven and scattered. My vision cleared, and beneath my lashes, my eyes brightened. Facing the scorching sun, I slowly turned around, a smile gradually blooming on my face as I finally saw him.

A tall, handsome figure, dressed in a red and black karting suit, wearing a professional black helmet. Though I couldn't see his face clearly, and I understood the reasons he had chosen to keep his helmet on, I could not express the sheer, unexpected joy of this moment.