In the Phoenix Hall of the Times Building's revolving restaurant, two young people sat facing one another, a city of glass and light spread out beyond the windows.
Heifeng Lu, handsome with clear-cut features and a steady gaze, was the first to speak. "I didn't expect my blind date to be you, Ms. Chen."
Across from him, Zhining Chen's long hair fell over her shoulders, her presence composed and almost weightless. In person, she matched the "gentle ballad queen" the public adored, yet the fame felt like a layer she wore rather than something that defined her.
"Take away the stage lights," Zhining said with a small smile, "and I'm just a woman." She tilted her head. "Don't we all hope to find someone worth trusting with the rest of our lives?"
Heifeng nodded. That wish belonged to men and women alike.
A beat later, he added, "What surprises me more is that you're not only a celebrity. You're also Black Widow, the street racer at the top of the Asia scene."
Though she had come in with a mask and a cap, he had recognized her immediately, the voice and build a perfect match to the driver who ran Panshan Highway that night. No one would imagine the same person could be both a household-name singer and a racer feared across Asia, yet here she was.
The mention of racing brightened her eyes. "I should be the one thanking you," she said. "If you hadn't stepped in that night, I would have regretted it for a long time. That was my last underground race." She laughed lightly at herself. "And you showed me what real driving looks like."
When her family first arranged a blind date, Zhining had bristled. Arranged meetings in this day and age. Then she learned, by accident, that the other side was Heifeng. She followed cars closely and knew exactly who he was, the man who had upended China's auto market and forced foreign brands to bring their prices back to earth.
When Audi's TT launched, its looks and balance had hooked her, and she began running an Audi TT whenever she competed. Anyone who truly drove that little coupe understood what it could do.
Until the night on Panshan Highway, she went out as Black Widow and met Heifeng, whom Ningyun Chen had brought as support. The moment she saw him, nerves she couldn't explain flickered under her ribs.
Mid-race, a sudden period hit, and just as she was about to lose because she couldn't keep going, Heifeng slid into the driver's seat. In that run, he showed her a level of car control that made her own hard-earned skills feel like child's play. She also noticed one more thing, he loved to drift, to the point he would rather spin than give it up.
"Small favors," Heifeng said, waving it off. "Honestly, I admire you. It's rare to see someone so committed to racing." He grinned. "Your sister, Ningyun, is even more of a character. The depth of her industry knowledge impresses me."
The two sisters were unusual, one obsessed with driving, the other with modification, each first-rate in her chosen lane.
Zhining laughed. "If Xiaoyun heard you call her a weirdo, she'd make trouble for you." Then she softened. "Our grandfather influenced us. He was an automotive engineer. We grew up in a shop, and cars got into our bones. I loved the wheel. Xiaoyun loved tuning like one of the boys."
"I see." Heifeng lifted his glass. "And thank you for your help the other day. I'm not sure the A8's launch would have spread so quickly without you. I owe you."
She blinked, feigning innocence. "You really want to thank me."
Heifeng nodded. He meant it, though he hadn't figured out what would feel right.
"That's easy," she said, deadpan. "Give me a sports car."
"No problem."
He agreed without a second thought. A sports car was simple enough. Audi's first one, the R8, was close to ready. He would give her the first off the line.
Once the formality cracked, their conversation found an easy rhythm. They set aside their titles and badging and talked like ordinary people, trading small stories, comparing the odd corners of their work.
It didn't last. The door opened, and in swept the professional spoiler of atmospheres, Ningyun Chen, who took one look at the two of them, raised a brow, and promptly claimed her sister.
"Lu," Ningyun said, eyes cool, "don't think I don't know what you've been saying about me behind my back. When you send my sister her sports car, remember to send one to me too, or I'll bad-mouth you to her every day." She tossed out a dismissive little huff and pivoted like a proud hen, shepherding Zhining toward the door.
Just before she disappeared into the corridor, Zhining lifted her phone in a small wave, the meaning clear. Call me.