"Hahaha, everyone, I'm back!" Golden Sixty sat at the head of the dining table, raising her glass of sparkling water.
After being fished out, Golden Sixty had been temporarily banned from alcohol by Uncle Francis, forcing her to substitute with bubbly water instead.
By the time Golden Sixty returned, it was nearly noon. And she hadn't come alone—she'd brought a whole crew of chefs in tow.
It seemed Golden Sixty hadn't planned to take everyone out to eat.
Thinking about it, that made sense—whether it was Urban Sea, Sham, or Agnes Digital, as Uma Musume who'd been famous for years, they definitely had fans who could recognize them.
Not to mention Golden Sixty herself, a champion who ruled over Hong Kong's racing scene—wherever she went, camera flashes followed.
Plates gradually piled up on the table: tantalizingly thin slices of Peking duck; crabs boiled a fiery red, their legs cracked open to reveal snow-white meat; tofu finely shredded thinner than thread, simmered with other ingredients, delicate white strands and vibrant green vegetables floating in a rich, savory broth...
The aromas relentlessly wafted up, making everyone's mouths water. Clearly, today, Golden Sixty was determined to play the hostess to the fullest.
Golden Sixty had changed clothes, swapping her earlier qipao for a fitted tank top, leaving her arms and neck bare. She looked positively steaming.
"Today, everyone, please make yourselves at home. I, Golden Sixty, thank you all for honoring me with your presence."
She drained her glass of sparkling water in one go, letting out a satisfied sigh.
"Everyone here today is a dear friend of mine. If you ever face any difficulties, I'll spare no effort to help."
Though Golden Sixty still had those striking azure locks, that same exquisite beauty, now there was an air of hearty boldness about her.
Urban Sea lightly raised her glass. She ate very little—after symbolically having a bowl of steamed egg custard, she set down her chopsticks, only sipping her drink now.
"Don't mention it. We've known each other since we were kids—hearing such formalities now feels too distant."
"Ah, don't say that," Golden Sixty grinned, stretching her lips. "When Sea the Stars runs in the Arc, I'll definitely be there in person. Don't go thinking I'm crashing the party, though."
"You're always welcome. Sea the Stars misses you too."
Sham also raised her glass, filled to the brim with draft beer.
"I was just passing by anyway."
Her face still wore that fierce, icy expression. Sham only uttered that brief line before downing her entire beer, then said nothing more.
Only Golden Sixty, who knew Sham well, understood what she really meant: "I just happened to be in Hong Kong; it's not like I came specifically for you. Don't overthink it, and don't feel grateful."
Such typical, awkward phrasing from Sham. Golden Sixty stood up, walked over to Sham, and slung an arm over her shoulders.
"You're still the same, never saying more than half of what you mean."
"Enough. I get you."
Sham's expression looked like she wanted to bite someone.
Agnes Digital glanced left and right, noticing everyone was looking at her, and finally realized it was her turn. Tentatively, she raised her glass too.
But she was still an underage high school student, so her cup held only pale, transparent apple cider vinegar.
"I... I just thought, since I had nothing better to do... I came along."
Golden Sixty refilled her glass with sparkling water, walked over to Agnes Digital, and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Digital and I have been pen pals all along. Before we met, I never expected we'd have so many common interests."
Agnes Digital shut her eyes, embarrassed.
By now, the way their friendship started—with Golden Sixty asking her on a forum for weird fanfiction featuring white-haired, red-eyed girls—was something she could never bring herself to say out loud.
"Faith," Golden Sixty looked toward the other end of the table, raising her glass in a distant toast.
"You came back. As your older sister, I'm touched. It seems you haven't forgotten your roots."
"I've saved a spot for you in the special race."
"I came back for Platinum, not for you. Don't flatter yourself, and don't act all lecturing," Leap of Faith glared coldly at her. "Besides, I don't want to run with you."
"Running alongside you feels like it tarnishes the very reason I run. It disgusts me."
Leap of Faith's words were incredibly dismissive, almost enough to freeze the atmosphere at the table.
But Golden Sixty didn't mind her sister's rudeness. She simply finished her sparkling water again, brushed her bangs aside, and met Leap of Faith's gaze with the same intensity.
"Really won't come?" Golden Sixty said softly. "This is your only chance."
"The only chance to stand on the same track as me—the only chance to surpass me."
"I won't force you. I've forced you too many times; it's lost all meaning. This time, I'll leave the choice to you. You decide."
"Hey, you—" Leap of Faith caught a somewhat ominous tone in Golden Sixty's words.
Finally, Golden Sixty turned her gaze to Platinum. Platinum was taking small sips of her orange juice, wrinkling her nose at the sourness.
"Symboli Rudolf's little sister—you're nothing like her at all," Golden Sixty chuckled, leaning in close and pressing herself against Platinum.
Suddenly, Platinum felt enveloped by a wave of intense, fragrant warmth.
It was an almost intoxicating scent. Golden Sixty had always carried herself with boldness, but that didn't mean she wasn't feminine.
Quite the opposite—she was intensely womanly. And right now, Platinum was acutely aware of it.
"W-what are you doing?" Platinum's face flushed bright red. Though her reason warned her that the person behind her was up to no good, her body felt limp and powerless.
As the saying goes, good things come in big packages—and Golden Sixty was very, very good.
Grinning broadly, even though she hadn't touched a drop of alcohol, Golden Sixty acted like a drunkard, coiling around Platinum like a snake.
Platinum could feel Golden Sixty's warm breath against the skin of her ear...
"Platinum, who do you think would make a better older sister—me, or Symboli Rudolf?"
In that intimate atmosphere, Golden Sixty's soft murmur brushed against Platinum's ear.
Agnes Digital covered her burning face, her mind already composing a 100,000-word fanfic; Urban Sea chuckled under her breath, clearly enjoying the drama; Sham looked on bewildered, wondering why they were sticking so close—were they cold?
Platinum snapped back to her senses. Damn it, why did everyone want to be her big sister lately?
And had she been getting too relaxed lately? Hadn't she decided to keep her distance from others?
Don't forget—you came to Hong Kong to win a race's reward, nothing else...
Nothing else...
A thunderclap seemed to explode in Platinum's mind, nearly splitting her in two.
Sensing Platinum's shift in mood, Golden Sixty tactfully straightened up, patting the wrinkles out of her clothes with a somewhat disappointed air.
"I think everyone has guessed it by now," Golden Sixty clapped her hands, drawing all eyes to her.
"I'm... probably going to call it quits." She scratched her head.
"I've decided to retire."
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.