Chapter 1202: Chapter 1201: Beloved by All
Cool, distant, indifferent, an aura that keeps strangers at bay, a natural skill of the Nordic, taken to the extre in Raikkonen.
Without a word, Raikkonen turned and led Li Wei down the stairs, heading towards the repair bays and pit stations on the first floor.
The crowd behind them was restless but no one dared to easily step forward—
That area was special, requiring specific credentials to enter, and their steps had to be halted.
Raikkonen only rembered this when he saw the black-suited security at the entrance to the repair station, realizing that without credentials, Li Wei might also be barred from entry.
Raikkonen was considering whether to ask the security for a favor, maybe have Li Wei wait at the entrance for a while, or ask the Netflix filming crew to diate the situation on behalf of Li Wei, but he was utterly surprised when the security stood at attention, respectfully and politely nodding towards Li Wei.
“Professor.”
Raikkonen was slightly taken aback.
Li Wei flashed a broad smile, showing the credentials on his chest, “Is it this one? They told last night that I must wear this credential properly.”
The black-suited security scanned it with a machine, and the green light turned on, “Yes, this is the credential. Welco to the Formula One pit station, Professor.”
Li Wei rubbed his hands, “Thanks for the invitation.”
The expression on the black-suited security was slightly hesitant, as if wanting to say more.
Noticing this, Li Wei stopped and gave an inquiring look, “What’s wrong, do I need any other paperwork? I wouldn’t want to affect your work.”
The black-suited security waved his hands repeatedly, showing a restrained smile, “No. I just wanted to say, I’m a Crimson Tide Storm. Congrats on the London Bowl victory.”
Li Wei showed a set of neat teeth and bumped fists with the security, “Crimson Tide!”
Both said in unison, “Storm!”
Then, Li Wei pounded his chest with his fist, “The team faced so difficulties this year, but I believe we’ll still find a solution.”
The black-suited security’s expression showed so excitent, “I hope the Chieftain is the sa. Shh, please keep this a secret, here, I’m a Dallas fan.”
“Haha.” Li Wei laughed heartily, “If Dallas gets eliminated early in the playoffs, you’re welco to join us in continuing the challenge to the peak.”
After the brief exchange, Li Wei quickly caught up with Raikkonen, and it was obvious that Raikkonen was showing so confusion—
Without living on the North Arican continent, it’s hard to comprehend the passion for football here.
To be exact, the NCAA has a broader and deeper fanbase, and the fans are even more loyal.
Raikkonen, “I thought you were a Kansas player.”
Li Wei nodded, “Yes, but I was part of the Crimson Tide Storm in college. Can you believe it? Over the years traveling to different away gas, I’ve t far more Crimson Tide Storm fans than Chieftain fans; in their eyes, I’m always number twenty-three from the University of Alabama.”
Raikkonen nodded slightly as if understanding, “You seed at ease with them, but why were you in a predicant earlier?”
Li Wei spread his hands, “I don’t understand the language of the Spider Demons.”
Raikkonen: ???
With a slightly furrowed brow, Ice Man looked at Li Wei with a puzzled expression.
Li Wei added, “I honestly thought I was Tang Seng before.”
One second, two seconds—
Ha ha ha.
Without any warning, Raikkonen burst out laughing. Literally, laughing out loud, Raikkonen was quite embarrassed, frantically wiping the corner of his mouth.
The usually expressionless Raikkonen who always kept strangers away broke character completely.
Li Wei looked at Raikkonen with concern, “Kimi, are you okay?”
Raikkonen was amused by Li Wei’s calm expression and laughed even more brilliantly, choking on his own saliva and starting to cough.
It’s not that Li Wei hadn’t faced large crowds before, whether surrounded by reporters at a premiere or fans after training, he’s experienced even bigger scenes.
But just now, was definitely a first.
A complete surround of models, layers upon layers, the scene was overwhelming, with the high-pitched voices and enthusiastic laughs amidst engine roars causing a headache.
Raikkonen finally composed himself, “You should learn to get used to such scenes, they’ll beco more frequent in the future.”
Li Wei looked at Raikkonen in confusion.
Raikkonen shrugged slightly, “No one likes those unwritten rules, but the funniest thing about reality is, there’s always soone who likes shortcuts. If they can reach their goal quickly through those unwritten rules, there’s always soone willing to risk it. You’re now the target, everyone craves a piece of Li Wei.”
“A piece”, the phrase Raikkonen used, was quite vivid.
Li Wei realized, “Oh, so I really am Tang Seng.”
Raikkonen once again choked on his own saliva, his mouth curling up, “Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it.”
Li Wei took a deep breath, “I think this is more complicated than running the ball.”
Raikkonen shook his head, “No, that’s because you have boundaries and persistence, things get complicated. Otherwise, you’d just need to lie down, couldn’t be simpler.”
Quite straightforward, quite candid.
This ti, it was Li Wei’s turn to smile, laughing openly.
Just then, a handso blond boy in a red racing suit could be seen approaching—
Literally a boy, looking like he’s just about twenty.
The boy was walking towards them, preparing to wave and greet Li Wei, but seeing Raikkonen next, he hesitated, and his expression turned a bit awkward.
If Li Wei wasn’t mistaken, the boy in front was Charles Leclerc, a rookie driver in this year’s Formula One.
Equivalent to a freshman.
Leclerc joined Ferrari, replacing Raikkonen’s position.
Raikkonen aged, making way for newcors, eventually joining the Alfa Roo Racing Team.
In Formula One, without an outstanding car, no matter how personally skilled you are, you’re ultimately uncompetitive, so Raikkonen’s driver ranking plumted this year, a hero aging; anwhile, Leclerc was rising rapidly, their fates swapped.
Raikkonen also noticed Leclerc, Li Wei observed that Raikkonen was about to greet him, but finally closed his mouth, returning to his usual Ice Man deanor.
Although Li Wei just t Raikkonen, it’s obvious that Raikkonen is warm-hearted beneath a cold exterior, it’s just a façade.
Thinking a bit, Li Wei took the initiative to greet and break the silence, “Hey, Charles Leclerc? Please tell I didn’t get that wrong?”
Before Leclerc could speak, Raikkonen chid in, “Charles. He’s from Morocco, where they speak French, so the na should be Charles. You can tell you’re from the United States, knowing nothing but English.”
The second half of the sentence was clearly making fun of Aricans for lacking culture.
In Europe, on average everyone knows five or six languages; but in North Arica, they only know English and refuse to learn others, even those who must take a second language in school, mostly Spanish, their second language is still atrocious.
Unfortunately, Raikkonen t Li Wei.
Li Wei turned to look at Raikkonen, “You probably don’t know I also speak Chinese? And very fluently.”
Raikkonen: …
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