Why race if you don’t have money?

Chapter 276 I Won't Indulge Him
Chen Xiangbei is now about 1.8 meters tall. In the 2010s, even if he wasn't considered "superior", he would at least be above average.

In addition to the high-intensity training in the past two years, especially the strengthening of the neck muscles, Chen Xiangbei has actually achieved the same physique and condition as a combat athlete. The force of this kick is enough to send a person flying!

When the man in the suit was kicked to the ground and groaned in pain, several burly men who looked like bodyguards realized what was happening. Naturally, they didn't take Chen Xiangbei seriously and rushed over without thinking, ready to attack.

However, Chen Xiangbei was not alone; Liang Chi, A Yong, and Lei Ge were standing next to him.

Leaving aside Liang Chi's age, A Yong and Lei Ge are both taller and heavier than Chen Xiangbei!

After all, being too tall and heavy isn't always a good thing for an F1 driver. Chen Xiangbei deliberately controls his weight and muscle mass to better fit the racing cockpit and reduce the impact of G-forces.

Ah Yong and Lei Ge didn't need to worry about this issue. They were already strong, and with long-term fitness training, they stood like two mountains in front of Chen Xiangbei, making his bodyguards no match for them.

Moreover, this is just the beginning. Briatore is an old man who came from the Italian mafia. He just used motorsports to squeeze into high society and clean up his act. He still has the nature of a thug. What kind of scene hasn't he seen?

After escaping danger, he immediately made a call to get more people. Fortunately, not much time had passed, and many people didn't have time to take off their pants, so they quickly gathered to help without delay.

Briatore is indeed a moral scumbag, ruthless and exploitative towards his drivers, but as a team manager he is perfectly competent, even excellent.

At least if spending money on fabrics makes money to eat meat, the team members below can also get some soup.

Since they've drunk the soup, they'll naturally put in the effort!

With the arrival of dozens of mechanics from the team, it's no longer a matter of "quality"; we've completely overwhelmed the competition in terms of "quantity."

Chen Xiangbei was initially the one who started the fight, but when he saw his team members arrive, he immediately switched to the side of mediating the conflict.

The reason is simple: the F1 mechanics team is made up of strong, muscular men; without exceptional physical abilities, they simply can't perform rapid pit stops for tire changes. Even a single punch from each of them would be enough to make Chen Xiangbei worry about killing someone!

While passion and fiery temper are inherent traits of racers, the addition of the word "professional" implies rules and constraints, which is one of the biggest differences between them and street racers.

Meanwhile, the street brawl involving multiple people attracted even more onlookers.

The matter has blown up, and regardless of who is right or wrong, it's a troublesome situation for both the HRT team and Chen Xiangbei himself.

Furthermore, Chen Xiangbei had a vague premonition that it was most likely caused by that old Italian rogue, Briatore!

Since Itaewon is a popular area, police sirens were heard not long after the crowd gathered. Briatore, who was used to this kind of scene, immediately patted Chen Xiangbei on the shoulder and said.

"Bei, you take the team and leave first. We'll come back and have a good time next time."

"how about you?"

Chen Xiangbei asked back.

"Of course, I'll stay and deal with the trouble."

"Can you handle it?"

If I can't, can you?

This time it was Briatore's turn to ask a question in return.

"No."

Chen Xiangbei didn't know if the old Italian rogue had that ability, but he knew he probably didn't.

Since that's the case, Chen Xiangbei didn't waste any more time and directly told the convoy members to leave through the side alley.

Once in the chartered car back to the hotel, A Yong and the others had calmed down from their excitement and asked Chen Xiangbei with some concern, "Brother Bei, can the manager really handle this trouble?"

"Putting aside the issue of the South Korean police, I saw many onlookers taking out their phones to film, which may have a significant impact."

Ah Yong came from a small town. Although he was tall and strong, he had never caused trouble outside, let alone abroad.

It's not that A Yong is afraid of trouble, but he's worried that it will affect Chen Xiangbei's F1 Korean Grand Prix.

"I think so."

Chen Xiangbei gave an ambiguous reply.

At least Briatore sounded confident, and he had previously mentioned Hanjin Shipping, South Korea's largest shipping company, which had been a sponsor of Benetton and Renault, and the two sides had a very close relationship.

The largest shipping company is, unsurprisingly, one of South Korea's top conglomerates. As long as Briatore isn't exaggerating, handling a street conflict shouldn't be a problem.

With a mix of worry and doubt, Chen Xiangbei and the others returned to their hotel.

Odette looked somewhat surprised to see everyone return so quickly.

He had actually known Briatore's intentions all along, which is why he didn't go with them to the so-called "victory celebration" for drinks.

Unexpectedly, Chen Xiangbei and the others returned.
Before Odeto could even ask, Chen Xiangbei took the initiative to tell him what had happened.

Compared to himself, Odette had been "competing" with Briatore in the paddock for many years, and they knew each other very well.

Odeto certainly knows whether he can solve the problem or not.

"Don't worry, it's no problem."

In response to Chen Xiangbei's question, Odeto simply replied with five words, then turned and left, leaving only his back view.

Seeing the old man so dashing, Chen Xiangbei realized that he might have underestimated the Italian old rogue's abilities.

If you don't have the ability to "settle things," what gives you the right to be a thug in the F1 paddock for decades?

And indeed, less than an hour later, Briatore returned to the hotel, casually giving Chen Xiangbei an OK sign, completely unconcerned about the fight that had just taken so seriously.

Seeing this, Chen Xiangbei stopped asking questions. Although the old Italian rogue looked a bit disheveled as he came out to call for reinforcements, he still looked quite handsome as he managed to handle things on his own.

……

Just as Chen Xiangbei thought the "jealousy" incident at the bar had subsided overnight, a large number of reporters gathered outside his hotel the next morning.

Briatore did manage to get things sorted out with the South Korean police and the brawlers through his connections, but times have changed. The speed of information dissemination online is far beyond imagination, and Chen Xiangbei's special identity only added fuel to the fire.

It should be noted that South Korea itself is filled with a sense of "hostility" towards its own people. Having been a vassal state for thousands of years, it has developed a deep sense of inferiority, and this extreme inferiority has led to ignorant arrogance.

Chen Xiangbei is now a public figure. His public beating of a South Korean and his use of the term "Korean bastard" deeply hurt their pride.

Now that the news has spread online, the hotel entrance is packed with reporters waiting to be interviewed.

"Head north, the crowd outside is in a state of high spirits. After being called the enemy of the racetrack, you may have another title: enemy of the state."

Standing by the window, Lu Xiaoman looked at the media reporters who were blocked outside and couldn't help but tease Chen Xiangbei.

"No, what does this have to do with me?"

After a good night's sleep, Chen Xiangbei's thoughts became much clearer. The root of the matter was Briatore's "woman-stealing" incident, and he had only intervened to prevent Briatore from getting beaten up.

Why do I feel like I'm the one taking the blame now?
"It doesn't matter?"

"Hmph, who told you to go drinking with Briatore?"

Lu Xiaoman snorted coldly.

"I didn't drink any!" Chen Xiangbei felt increasingly aggrieved as he spoke, since he had clearly gone to drink the celebratory wine!

“What’s the use of telling me? You need to convince the reporters outside.”

"Okay, I'll go do the interview."

Chen Xiangbei gritted his teeth. The hotel entrance was blocked by layers of people. If he didn't go for the interview, he probably wouldn't even be able to leave the hotel.

"Confirmed?"

"Of course, a true warrior dares to face the bleakness of life!"

After saying that, Chen Xiangbei turned and walked towards the gate.

However, before the interview, he also pulled Briatore aside, the Italian old rogue who was the "culprit".

The South Korean reporters waiting at the hotel entrance swarmed around Chen Xiangbei as soon as they saw him appear, as if they had been injected with adrenaline.

"Mr. Chen Xiangbei, was your fight in Itaewon involved in a illicit transaction, as rumored?"

"Mr. Chen Xiangbei, you assaulted someone and returned to your hotel. Do you know that you are now suspected of fleeing the scene?"

"Chen Xiangbei, multiple passersby at the scene testified that you used insulting language against Koreans. I believe you should publicly apologize!"

"That's right, issue a public apology, otherwise South Korea won't welcome a driver like you!"

Before Chen Xiangbei could answer, the South Korean media reporters present looked indignant, their words and expressions filled with anger and malice.

Chen Xiangbei wasn't an unreasonable person to begin with; he wanted to explain things properly.

Upon hearing the words "he must apologize publicly," a surge of inexplicable anger welled up within me.

He did curse the Koreans, but were the people there deaf? Didn't they hear him say "shopkeeper"?
Apologize? Apologize to hell with you!

“I did not engage in any fighting or brawls, nor was I involved in any illicit transactions. The reason I resorted to violence was more due to self-defense.”

【justifiable defense?】

Chen Xiangbei's words left the reporters at the scene stunned.

You led dozens of HRT drivers to gang up on someone, and you call that self-defense?
Are a group of people defending against a few people?

"Chen Xiangbei, you're just making excuses!"

Someone shouted something that immediately resonated with everyone present.

“I have no excuses. Before the conflict, my manager, Mr. Briatore, was being chased and was under serious personal threats!”

"A 60-year-old man was being chased and beaten in broad daylight. Wasn't it just self-defense if I intervened to stop him?"

"If we disregard the relationship within the team, I would consider this an act of heroism!"

Since the South Korean reporters are shameless, Chen Xiangbei is not to be trifled with either. He will simply distort the truth and see who can talk the most.

Having been exposed to the internet in later generations, Chen Xiangbei was not incapable of using this method; he simply hadn't bothered to use it before.

As expected, the South Korean reporters present were even more incredulous when these words were spoken.

The information they received clearly indicated that Briatore started the conflict by hitting someone on the head with a bottle, yet they still call that an act of heroism?

Before the reporters could react, Briatore coughed twice and then pretended to be dizzy as he helped Chen Xiangbei up by the shoulder.

When it comes to acting, the old Italian rogue is quite professional.

"As you can see, last night's incident has had a serious impact on our team manager. At the same time, I also have doubts about the security situation in South Korea. I believe the outside world will give a fair evaluation of this matter!"

Chen Xiangbei spoke with righteous indignation, as if he were truly the victim at that moment...

"But you used insulting words, how do you explain that?"

Feeling that the brawl was a complicated matter, the reporters at the scene simply changed the subject.

The word "Korean" is what really aroused their excitement and anger. Compared to that, the fight in the bar is nothing. It's just that Chen Xiangbei is a public figure that has attracted attention.

"Where's the evidence?"

Chen Xiangbei asked back.

If Chen Xiangbei remembers correctly, he started with "zero frames," and the people around him didn't even have time to react and take out their phones to record.

The images circulating online mostly show Briatore calling for reinforcements, followed by his team members ganging up on the other side.

As expected, when Chen Xiangbei asked this question, the reporter was speechless.

Just because everyone present heard it doesn't mean it should be recorded. Evidence is essential when doing things!

Upon seeing the reporter speechless, Chen Xiangbei adhered to the principle of "strike while the iron is hot."

He immediately took the moral high ground and loudly declared: "Using unfounded rumors to accuse me and subject me to cyberbullying demonstrates the unprofessionalism of South Korean journalists."

"I will protest through the embassy and the FIA!"

After saying this, Chen Xiangbei immediately helped Briatore back to the hotel and refused to speak to the group of South Korean reporters again.

As soon as we stepped through the glass door, A-Yong rushed over and asked, "Brother Bei, are we really going to protest to the embassy?"

As one of the parties involved, A Yong certainly knew how much nonsense Chen Xiangbei was spouting, and he was worried about causing any diplomatic incident.

"Protest my ass, that's just something you say off the cuff, like something out of a TV show."

Chen Xiangbei was just putting on an act and bluffing, but Ah Yong actually took it seriously.

When it comes to putting on an act, no one can beat Briatore. Without the cameras, the old rogue immediately became energetic and vigorous, saying to Chen Xiangbei with great admiration, "Bei, you performed very well just now. You will definitely be a master at playing the game of politics in the future!"

"Manager, please have some decency."

Chen Xiangbei replied irritably, "This old rogue's first reaction was to engage in hunting ground politics."

It was obvious that Briatore hadn't understood Chen Xiangbei's sarcasm. Just as he was enthusiastically preparing to continue promoting his theory, his cell phone rang in his pocket.

After pressing the call button and saying a few words, Briatore's expression immediately became serious.

"North, Bell has arrived at the airport with the racing simulator. Now it's time for us to take action."

"Come on, let's go!"

Briato clapped his hands forcefully to signal the crew to get ready. The brief period of relaxation was over, and it was time to get into racing mode!

While Chen Xiangbei was taking action, the reporters outside were not idle either. Although they had no chance in verbal sparring, these reporters made their living by writing, and the power to decide how to report the story was in their hands.

A fierce storm of public opinion is quietly brewing!

(End of this chapter)