Chapter 99: Post-Match
After finishing the interview, Wu Shi had just returned home and packed his luggage with Louise when his phone rang.
"Hello, Dad."
"Congratulations on winning the championship! I'll be in Europe before May Day—let's find a place to celebrate then!"
Wu Zhenlin had originally planned to visit his son during the May Day holiday, but he realized Wu Shi might have a race, so he adjusted his plans.
"Great! Louise took me to a restaurant last time—it was really good. Let's go there together." Wu Shi didn't have many hobbies, but besides racing, eating was one of them.
"Okay. By the way, do you remember Reporter Zhi?"
"Reporter Zhi?" Wu Shi paused. "Oh! I remember—she interviewed us when we were karting in China."
Seven years had passed since 2007. Some memories fade if they aren't revisited.
"She just contacted me—she's at Silverstone, but without press permission she can't access the track. She asked if you're free to meet."
"Of course, no problem. But Sid isn't here, so discussing business might be tricky."
"It's fine—we'll just chat first."
After finishing the call, father and son talked briefly before hanging up.
Wu Shi informed the team leader that he'd be away for about an hour. The team leader glanced at his watch and said, "It's alright. Alan and the others can stay behind. You can take the later flight."
"Thanks, team leader."
"Don't worry. You only have one day of vacation, so make sure to return the day after tomorrow."
"I won't be late."
After saying goodbye to the convoy, Wu Shi led Louise to the public area outside the pit building. There, they saw Zhi Shiwei and her team.
Among a crowd of foreigners, compatriots stood out immediately. They were surrounded by a group of international students, chatting animatedly.
Wu Shi walked over, Louise silently following, her arm linked with his.
"Hey! Reporter Zhi!" Wu Shi called.
"Whoa!! Wu Shi!"
"Finally, we see you without your helmet!"
"Can we take a picture together?!"
When Zhi Shiwei's response was lost in the crowd, the international students became lively.
"No problem," Wu Shi said modestly. He wasn't one to put on airs.
"Let's take a group photo, then!"
The group agreed. Someone lined everyone up and enlisted a foreign friend with a baseball cap to take the picture.
"Let's create a group chat and share the photos!" the organizer shouted.
Some weren't satisfied with just a group photo and insisted on selfies with Wu Shi.
Finally, Wu Shi had a chance to greet Zhi Shiwei, who smiled at him and Louise.
"Hello, Reporter Zhi."
"You're getting so distant now! You didn't call me that before," Zhi Shiwei teased, extending her hand.
"Hehe," Wu Shi laughed, shaking her hand. "Sister Shiwei."
"That's better!" Zhi Shiwei said happily. "Is it convenient to do the interview now?"
"Of course," Wu Shi nodded.
Actually, Zhi Shiwei hadn't come primarily for an interview. After a few simple questions, she asked the cameraman to stop filming and said:
"We'd like to do an exclusive interview with you, since we don't know your schedule lately."
"An exclusive interview?"
"Yes, domestic media coverage of you has increased."
"Oh, I'm not sure about that. I'm just a race car driver," Wu Shi said with a smile.
Racing culture in China was niche. Even when Zhou Guanyu won the F3 championship, it only briefly trended online—it didn't penetrate mainstream media.
"Haha, mainly within the racing circle~ But we want to help you break into the mainstream and discuss possible collaborations," Zhi Shiwei said.
"I don't need mainstream attention. I'm easily influenced and controlled by public opinion. I'm happy to collaborate, but my agent must be involved. I'm underage and can't make those decisions myself," Wu Shi explained.
Zhi Shiwei was surprised. Many young Chinese were chasing internet fame, but Wu Shi's rational view set him apart.
"It's negotiable; we can discuss details later! You'll be returning to Europe with your team soon, so we won't disturb you further," she said.
"You could've just called my dad, you know. I didn't expect you to make a special trip."
"Haha, it's a show of sincerity," Zhi Shiwei laughed, patting Wu Shi's head. "You've grown taller! When I interviewed you before, I had to squat down, or you'd have slipped away!"
"Hahaha~" Wu Shi laughed. At that time, Zeng Tianyi had been panicking, rushing to find him with Ling Kang.
Zhi Shiwei then turned to Louise. "Louise has grown so much—from a little doll to a big doll—and you two are still so close!"
Louise clung tightly to Wu Shi, blinked, and simply smiled.
"Haha, the little girl has become shy. She wasn't this demure when she was younger," Zhi Shiwei laughed.
After chatting, Wu Shi took Louise to the parking lot, where Alan was waiting.
"I didn't understand what she said next," Wu Shi said. After seven years, Louise's Chinese wasn't complete, but she understood enough to recognize compliments. Her steps lightened.
After Wu Shi left, Zhi Shiwei and her team prepared to return.
"Editor-in-Chief Zhi, why not conduct the exclusive interview now? The sooner we have the report, the better!" Chief Reporter Yuan Xuanyu asked.
"He doesn't have time. I came today to meet him, gauge his attitude, and rebuild our relationship," Zhi Shiwei said, her smile fading as she glanced at Yuan Xuanyu.
In China, many journalists are influenced by big media platforms, believing it's an honor to interview top figures. This mindset subtly affects reporting practices.
"The initial domestic sponsorship proposals have been released," the Business Assistant said.
"Let's book our tickets to the Netherlands first; we'll discuss that later," Zhi Shiwei said, leading the group away.