Ethan was growing at an astonishing pace, and even the stubborn old Elton couldn't help but feel a quiet sense of pride. Ethan's perception, reaction speed, and precision in controlling the steering wheel were qualities that would give him a significant advantage in future races. Elton thought about this as he watched his protégé progress.
The next morning, before the sun had even risen, Elton once again pulled Ethan up from the sofa. The previous day's 10-kilometer run had left Ethan with a sore back and aching muscles, and he dragged his heavy body out to the yard to pick up the two sandbags that Elton had made himself. "Elton sure is ruthless. These sandbags are so heavy, I bet you couldn't even find something like this on the market," Ethan muttered with resignation.
Elton walked over, still as strict as ever. "Stop dawdling and start running," he commanded.
Ethan retraced the same route as the day before, climbing up the mountain path once more. The sunlight glinted off the beads of sweat on his forehead, making them sparkle. As he struggled up the incline, Ethan grumbled to himself about Elton being a devil, pushing him so hard in training. By the time Ethan finally made it back to the yard, Aria had already prepared breakfast—sandwiches and eggs. Without even washing his hands, Ethan dropped the heavy sandbags and reached for the sandwich, his 20-kilometer run having drained all his energy. He devoured his meal with the appetite of a starving man.
Aria, sitting at the dining table, looked up in surprise. She was astonished to see Elton!
Elton had returned from the bathhouse, wearing the clothes Aria had bought for him. He looked like a completely different person, and no wonder Aria was so shocked. He was dressed in a loose black hoodie paired with sneakers, giving him a casual and comfortable appearance. His hair had been cut short, clean and neat, with no trace of the scruffy look he used to have. His hair was no longer a tangled mess but was now neatly combed, and his face was clean-shaven, revealing a well-defined jawline. Though Elton still had the appearance of an older man, his charm from years past was undeniable, and it was easy to imagine that he must have been quite a handsome fellow in his youth.
Ethan noticed the expression on Aria's face and followed her gaze to see Elton. He couldn't believe his eyes and stammered, as if forgetting that he had just been cursing Elton as a devil moments ago. "El-El-Elton?!"
Elton walked over and sat down. "What are you staring at? You think you can skip training now? I'm only giving you five minutes to eat, and then we're back to work." His serious expression and exaggerated performance created a stark contrast, pretending as if nothing had happened, making it hard not to laugh.
After breakfast, Ethan continued practicing with the steering wheel model Elton had set up. Elton, however, realized that relying solely on the model for practice wasn't enough. They needed to get a real car as soon as possible. He stopped Ethan's practice and brought up the issue of the car. After a brief discussion, they decided to head to Vanka's dealership to purchase a vehicle. Shortly thereafter, the two of them arrived at the dealership, where Vanka welcomed them warmly as always.
Elton, however, waved his hand, signaling Vanka to hold his tongue. The cars were lined up neatly, each one exuding its unique charm. There were sleek supercars, low to the ground, like beasts ready to pounce at any moment; classic old racers with their paint still gleaming, exuding a timeless allure; and those racing machines covered in sponsor logos, with wide, heavy tires that hinted at their dominance on the track.
Elton stopped in front of a car named the "Leifeng GT-12." This car was pitch black, with a body that looked both muscular and powerful. It had a perfect streamlined design that adhered to aerodynamics, promising incredible speed. Elton walked around the car, carefully examining every detail, a satisfied expression on his face. He gently opened the door and settled into the driver's seat, his hand caressing the steering wheel, feeling every detail of the machine. The dashboard displayed precise gauges, and the engine's rumble was ready to roar at the slightest touch.
At that moment, the showroom manager, Vanka, approached with a smile and said, "Sir, you have an excellent eye. This is our crown jewel—the 'Leifeng GT-12.' The design and performance of this car are top-notch in the racing world. Whether it's speed, handling, or power, it's an unparalleled choice. The best part is, you've already put down a $10,000 deposit, so we can offer you a 5% discount."
Ethan studied the car closely and asked Vanka, "What's the price of this car?"
Vanka smiled slightly, his tone carrying a mix of pride and caution. "Sir, you truly know your cars. The current market price for the 'Leifeng GT-12' is around $2 million." He paused here, as if giving Elton time to absorb the number.
Ethan checked the amount in the account that Sherry had provided. There was only $1 million left, and after purchasing the cochlear implant, they were far short of the $2 million needed. Ethan cautiously approached Elton, leaning in to whisper about the money issue. Vanka, noticing Ethan's discomfort, offered an alternative.
"In that case, we have another option," Vanka said, pointing to a nearby vehicle. The car bore the logo "Jifeng RS-8" on its body, painted in a sleek dark blue, with a design that looked both streamlined and dynamic, as if ready to sprint at any moment. "This car is more budget-friendly, priced at around $800,000."
He lightly patted the car's roof and continued, "The Jifeng RS-8 may not have the extreme performance of the 'Leifeng GT-12,' but it strikes an excellent balance between speed, handling, and comfort. For customers with a tighter budget, it's a very solid choice." Vanka's tone remained warm and professional, his eyes showing a hint of encouragement.
Elton looked at the RS-8 model, knowing it was an older model with a noticeable lag in acceleration compared to the Leifeng GT-12. He stood in front of the "Jifeng RS-8," gently running his hand over the body, a trace of resignation in his eyes. Elton understood their current situation and decided they'd have to find a way to solve the acceleration issue later on.
The two of them sat in the business negotiation area, where they signed the final purchase contract with Vanka. When the transaction was completed, Ethan was thrilled to have a new racing car. Elton took the driver's seat, skillfully pressing the clutch, looking exceptionally cool, much to Ethan's surprise.
"Master, what exactly did you do before? You still won't tell me, will you?" Ethan asked, a bit disappointed.
Elton remained silent on the matter, as usual. Before long, they reached another road on the mountain—a winding road specifically designed for free use by racers for training. Ethan was about to experience his first outdoor training session.