Chapter 138: Monza
The Italian Grand Prix was held at Monza, Ferrari's home circuit.
The grandstands were packed with Tifosi. Red shirts, red caps, and massive flags bearing the Prancing Horse surged and fell like a crimson ocean, rolling endlessly through the Temple of Speed.
Wu Shi wore nothing more than a plain T-shirt. Louise, on the other hand, had enthusiastically put on a bright red Ferrari cap, her excitement impossible to hide.
Italy had one of the highest proportions of Ferrari supporters in the world—and Louise was no exception.
Fortunately, she didn't know that Wu Shi had already declined Ferrari's offer. Otherwise, she might have been disappointed for quite some time. Gazing at the endless sea of red cars, she couldn't help saying to him:
"If you ever join Ferrari, all these people will cheer for you! This will be your home race!"
The little girl was clearly energized today, her eyes darting around the circuit as if she were witnessing the future of the sport itself.
"That's a shame," Wu Shi replied casually. "By the time I join Ferrari, Monza might not be their only home race anymore."
"Huh?" Louise froze. "Is Monza going to be dropped from the calendar?"
She sounded genuinely surprised. With her studies keeping her busy, she hadn't followed circuit politics as closely as before. And since Wu Shi was already an FIA F3 driver, she naturally assumed he had access to inside information.
"No," Wu Shi said. "Monza won't be removed. It's just that the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari might be added back to the Formula One calendar in the future."
"That's impossible! How can one country have two races?" Louise protested, her pale off-white hair fluttering in the wind.
"Why not?" Wu Shi said calmly. "It can be treated as a regional arrangement."
Once Imola returned to the calendar, it would effectively become Ferrari's true home race. The circuit was only eighty-five kilometers from Maranello, practically right at Ferrari's doorstep.
"Oh… you can do it like that?" Louise nodded without a hint of doubt.
She never questioned Wu Shi's words.
---
As the two chatted, Wu Shi's phone suddenly rang.
An unfamiliar number.
He answered anyway.
"Hello, is this Wu Shi?" a voice asked from the other end.
"Yes. May I ask who's calling?"
Wu Shi frowned slightly. His number wasn't public—how had it reached a stranger?
"Oh, I'm Antonio Vivaldi, operations staff for the Mercedes-AMG Formula One Team," the man said quickly. "We heard that you're at the circuit today. Our team principal would like to invite you to watch the race from the Mercedes garage."
"Oh," Wu Shi replied, pausing. "But I'm not alone."
He declined politely, explaining that the pit lane and garage area were restricted zones, normally accessible only to team personnel, VIP guests, or accredited media.
Back in 2007, he had only entered the pit lane thanks to Zhi Shiwei's connections. Under normal circumstances, minors weren't even allowed into such potentially dangerous areas.
"Alright, please hold for a moment."
Muted voices exchanged briefly on the other end.
After a pause, Antonio Vivaldi spoke again.
"The team principal says it's fine to bring one guest."
"But we're not even sixteen yet," Wu Shi replied.
As he spoke, Louise tugged at his sleeve and shook it eagerly. Her eyes sparkled—clearly, she wanted to see the garage more than anything.
Another short silence.
"We'll prepare temporary paddock passes," Antonio said. "Where are you seated?"
Wu Shi glanced down. Louise was staring at him with wide, pleading eyes. With that expression, refusal was impossible.
He gave them his seat number.
"Understood. We'll have someone escort you shortly."
The call ended.
Wu Shi stared at the phone for a moment, deep in thought.
Why was Mercedes so eager to bring him into the garage?
Louise, meanwhile, didn't bother thinking about any of that.
"I've never watched a race from the pit lane before! Yay!" she cheered, clutching his arm. "ヾ(▽)ノ"
For most racing fans, entering the pit lane was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
"If you're that excited, just ask Aunt Martina," Wu Shi teased, pinching her cheek lightly. "She could get you into Ferrari's hospitality suite easily."
"Hmph! I don't want to go alone," Louise puffed out her cheeks, looking like an indignant little pufferfish.
"Didn't Ophelia come with you today?"
"No. She doesn't like racing," Louise said. "I always had to drag her along before."
"You two are pretty close," Wu Shi noted.
"Hehe~ Of course!" Louise replied proudly.
---
While they waited for the Mercedes staff, a group of teenage boys and girls walked in from the concourse behind them.
The moment Louise saw them, she pulled her cap lower and turned her head toward Wu Shi's chest, trying to hide.
"Your classmates?" Wu Shi asked quietly.
"Mmm," Louise nodded. The tips of her hair brushed against his T-shirt, making him itch slightly.
Wu Shi didn't know whether she was embarrassed to be seen in this situation or trying to avoid something else. He didn't press the issue.
But her long, pale hair was far too distinctive.
"Louise?!" someone suddenly shouted.
Louise buried her face even deeper.
Wu Shi didn't look at the group. Instead, he raised his hand and gently shielded the side of her face.
"Hey! That's definitely Louise!" another voice laughed.
"Didn't you say you weren't coming today?"
"Ohhh—so you came on a date!"
"Wow! Aren't you going to introduce your boyfriend?"
Teenagers were naturally gossipy. The boys' teasing carried a hint of envy—Louise was beautiful, academically excellent, and extremely popular at school.
The girls, meanwhile, seemed less amused. Their gazes shifted toward Wu Shi, scrutinizing him openly.
"Hey, isn't it rude not to say hello?" one of them said.
"You've got the wrong people," Wu Shi replied coldly. "Please don't disturb us."
"Tch. What's with that attitude?" a boy snapped. "This is Italy. Go back to your slums!"
Wu Shi turned his head.
His eyes were sharp, calm—and terrifying.
Several students instantly covered their mouths, as if they'd seen something impossible.
Before Wu Shi could speak further, Louise suddenly stood up.
She pointed straight at them.
"Are you all always this rude and disgusting?" she said, her voice trembling with anger. "Your words make me sick! I want nothing to do with you—get out of here!"
Even in fury, she barely used any profanity.
Wu Shi rose as well and waved toward the aisle behind them.
The students at the front turned around, confused.
A tall man in Mercedes team uniform was forcing his way through the crowd, repeatedly saying, "Excuse me."
He stopped in front of Wu Shi, glanced at him carefully, and said:
"Hello. This is our first time meeting in person. These are your paddock passes."
"Thank you for coming," Wu Shi said calmly.
"We'll head down now," the man added.
Antonio Vivaldi glanced briefly at the students packed in the row. He might not know exactly what had happened—but he certainly understood enough.
"Excuse us."
His tone was firm.
The students fell silent. Whatever rebellious thoughts they had vanished instantly. Everyone attending Louise's school was smart enough to know when to stop.
---
After the three of them left, the remaining students erupted into whispers.
"That really was Wu Shi?!"
"It's really him!"
"How does Louise even know him? I'm so jealous…"
"I can't believe that just happened…"
One girl stared coldly at the boy who had spoken earlier, her gaze full of judgment.
The boys at the front were still stunned.
After all, not everyone who watched Formula One followed junior categories. Some of them weren't even racing fans—they were just there for a school outing.
And yet, in the span of a few minutes, reality had crashed down on them with brutal clarity.