Speed ​​God

Chapter 164 Business Value

Land! Of! Continent!
Land! Of! Continent!
The setting sun blazed like fire, and the wind howled fiercely. Although the race was over, the heatwave still raged and boiled under the sky above the track.

In recent years, F1's market share in mainland China has been steadily increasing, and the Shanghai Grand Prix has continued to grow in appeal. Major teams are brimming with confidence and vying to seize this opportunity. This year, the event has seen an unprecedented surge in growth.

During the Grand Prix, the Shanghai International Circuit attracted a total of 200,000 spectators, easily breaking the previous record and improving it by more than 30%. This demonstrated that the so-called market potential was not just an estimate but a reality that was unfolding, drawing attention from F1 and other major teams.

reason?

Needless to say, the facts before us do not lie.

A vast, red wave stretched out across the Shanghai International Circuit. The roar of engines had subsided, replaced by deafening, unrestrained singing. Faces flushed red were filled with joy and happiness as people danced and sang, expressing their inner fervor.

For years, racing enthusiasts in mainland China have been patiently waiting for a breakthrough for Chinese drivers in F1, waiting to witness their home drivers debut on the Shanghai International Circuit. The long wait is finally over, and suddenly they realize that their long-awaited dream is unfolding, far exceeding their expectations—

The driver, clad in Ferrari's red racing suit, stood on the podium in his first race at the Shanghai International Circuit. Everything was perfect, so perfect it felt unreal.

then.

The crowds chose to stay, not in a hurry to leave. If this is a dream, then let this dream last a little longer.

Even the busy repair area staff paused to quietly admire this spectacular scene.

Their footsteps have covered the globe, they have witnessed different home games and appreciated different fervors, but all of them pale in comparison to this dazzling red before them.

They couldn't help but murmur amongst themselves, no one had expected the 2018 season to start like this, with a baby car driver taking the lead.

Amidst whispers and murmurs, their blood couldn't help but boil, their hearts pounding with excitement and joy.

However, everything unfolding before our eyes pales in comparison to the traffic frenzy on social networks.

#Lu Zhizhou Second#, #Lu Zhizhou on the Podium for Three Consecutive Races#, #Witnessing History at the Shanghai International Circuit#, #F1 is So Exciting#, #Lu Zhizhou is High Energy#.

All sorts of things, all sorts of things, the topic and hashtags exploded, dominating the top 20 of the trending search list, and the popularity index was off the charts. It was even more intense and crazy than when Lu Zhizhou won the championship in Melbourne. After all, it is different when it is at home, not to mention that it was a wonderful competition.

Passersby who knew nothing about F1 showed incredible interest in the race, scrambling to ask what was going on.

The biggest challenge in popularizing F1 lies in the fact that there's a barrier to entry for spectators. It's not a mechanical barrier, but rather an understanding of the cars and strategies involved. If you don't understand the importance of tires, fuel levels, car setup, and team strategies, then watching an F1 race is just watching cars go around in circles on the track—boring enough to make you drowsy.

So, besides overtaking, what else can we see?
If you rush to watch F1 on TV just because you're excited or full of enthusiasm, your passion will probably fade away in no time.

That is why F1's market promotion and mass appeal require groundwork, preparation, and in-depth work; it is not an easy task.

An opportunity has presented itself once again. A group of onlookers have become interested, and the enthusiastic car enthusiasts will naturally not miss the chance. A rare and thriving scene has emerged on social networks. There are no insults, attacks, or sarcasm. Enthusiastic netizens are actively and proactively providing popular science and answering questions. It's as if we have returned to the time when the Internet had just entered people's lives in the early 2000s.

Because of Lu Zhizhou, all the car enthusiasts are firmly united.

Racing enthusiasts shared their opinions without reservation, trying their best to let people know that this second place was hard-won, invaluable, and even more precious than the championship, not only in terms of tactics, but also in terms of power struggles in the paddock and the competitive aspects of the track.

"Without a doubt, Lu Zhizhou gave it his all and burned until the very end."

Later, someone shared the video.

One was the moment when Lu Zhizhou fell into a bitter silence in front of the media, and the other was the moment when Lu Zhizhou buried his head in Jiang Mo's shoulder.

Lu Zhizhou's unwillingness and regret were evident without words. Even though he could barely stand and was exhausted, he was still filled with nostalgia and regret for the competition.

The two videos saw a surge in reposts, views, and comments, and the hashtag #IamProudOfLuZhizhou# rose to prominence, firmly topping the trending search list.

Overwhelming and ubiquitous, for the next few hours, it seemed everyone was talking about F1, and the whole world revolved around Lu Zhizhou.

Going viral across the board—

F1 has never been this popular.

Everything was seen, leaving a lasting impression. The sponsors became restless, unable to contain their excitement and impulse.

Overnight, Lu Zhizhou became a gold mine, and everyone wanted a piece of the pie.

In the age of social networks, traffic is king. No one can ignore the huge waves Lu Zhizhou has stirred up. His ability to break free from constraints and break out of the circle is remarkable.

However, things are not that simple. The root of the problem lies in F1, which is unlike any other sport. It is a sport that burns through money.

The target audience of Formula 1 is somewhat unique. Although it has a large base of racing enthusiasts, its core audience consists of high-end individuals, wealthy people who own sports cars, yachts, and luxury watches, including oil tycoons, tech moguls, and social celebrities.

Naturally, when brands choose to sponsor and invest in F1, they need to identify their target audience; targeting their efforts is the wise thing to do.

Furthermore, F1 sponsorship is quite unique, consisting of team sponsorship and individual sponsorship.

For top teams like Ferrari, the exposure is high, but the competition is fierce. A team sponsorship can cost tens of millions of dollars a year. Not only do you have to consider European tax issues, but you also have to consider the pickiness and strictness of the teams. It can truly be called a sport where you have to spend a lot of money.

Perhaps, sponsoring $20 million a year will only get you a spot in an inconspicuous corner of a Ferrari's body. You may be able to get it on the car, but it's not guaranteed that anyone will see it. You might even need a fanatical fan to look for it with a magnifying glass to notice the brand logo.

Therefore, marketing and business returns need to be considered even more.

Giving up team sponsorship and choosing personal sponsorship is relatively simpler, and the sponsorship amount is not so outrageous, but the decrease in exposure is also a fact.

Here, partnering with drivers from smaller teams might not be so troublesome, but for larger teams, for the sake of brand image, they have a veto right to choose the personal sponsorship brand of their drivers. Ferrari, in particular, would likely face many difficulties in securing personal sponsorship for a newcomer like Lu Zhizhou.

Even a legendary brand like Rolex faces many considerations when sponsoring F1.

In addition, Lu Zhizhou is a newcomer who has emerged from obscurity. Not only should the hunting grounds remain cautious, but the brands also need to carefully consider his potential.

Lu Zhizhou's momentum was overwhelming, but whether he could maintain it, and for how long, was all a question mark, because there were simply too few reference books available.

Moreover, Lu Zhizhou's surge in popularity was only overnight; he has yet to prove his market value, and how much sponsorship should be provided is entirely unknown.

F1 is not like other sports where brands can sponsor $500,000 to test the waters and decide on subsequent strategies. Here, a test could involve millions or even tens of millions of dollars.

Despite facing numerous difficulties and limitations, the brand's enthusiasm remained undiminished, and they surged forward headlong into the market.

……

fanaticism!

Yili, Huawei, Geely, Anta, Alipay, NIO, Anmuxi, and many others rushed in, keeping Nicholas Todd extremely busy.

In fact, this is just the tip of the iceberg.

F1 is a special case, often requiring a long-term and comprehensive approach. Brands that want to enter motorsport started planning years ago. They need to consider the entire market and their own brand positioning, and they won't let the emergence of a Chinese driver disrupt their plans. But without a doubt, Lu Zhizhou's appearance is a positive development, boosting their confidence.

However, Ferrari presents a formidable challenge.

It is obvious that they also have their own market plan, starting with the Chinese market and targeting the entire Asian market, with Lu Zhizhou as the cornerstone of the plan.

Brands that were not interested in F1 in the first place will not act rashly because of a short-term surge in traffic. Even though Lu Zhizhou's sudden emergence is indeed tempting, long-term planning is still necessary. Acting impulsively in a moment of enthusiasm often results in hitting a wall head-on and ending up in a sorry state.

However, this still did not stop the eager and excited brands from flocking in like a flood.

It was comparable to a volcanic eruption.

Unexpectedly, before even facing the formidable Ferrari, the brands themselves stumbled upon Nicolas Todt's formidable opponent.

Clearly, Nicolas understands what F1 is all about—it's a true battle of capital.

If greed consumes reason for short-term gains, it will be the beginning of destruction. Planning, strategizing, rationality, and patience are not out of cowardice or caution, but out of a desire for a comprehensive vision. This is the right way to realize a grand blueprint.

Back in Maranello, Nicolás chose to take a gamble, not for the sake of today. Because he believed that what he was seeing now was just the beginning.

Brembo. Richard Mill. Ray-Ban.

Nicholas chose to sponsor brands not only because of the contract amount, but also because he needed to consider the brand value and Lu Zhizhou's personal brand image.

Therefore, these brand meetings are crucial. Nicholas not only needs to conduct extensive research himself, but also needs to understand the brand's value and philosophy, as well as their reasons for wanting to cooperate with Lu Zhizhou, the future direction of cooperation, and the brand's value positioning. Everything needs to be done carefully and meticulously.

It's not about making things difficult; quite the opposite, it's a necessary means for long-term cooperation.

These past few days, Nicholas has been spinning like a top, barely getting any sleep and relying entirely on caffeine to keep going.

Pushing open the hotel room door, Nicholas moved with light steps, as if floating on clouds. Although he was walking on flat ground, he seemed to be drifting in the void.

Nicholas could see Lu Zhizhou sitting at the table, writing furiously. A smile crept onto his lips. "Your parents have already gone back?"

Lu Zhizhou didn't look up. "Yeah, they went back early this morning. They both have work to do. They've been keeping me company these past few days, and they've both missed a lot of work. My dad's phone hasn't stopped ringing since yesterday."

Nicholas sat down heavily across from Lu Zhizhou, looked at the pile of souvenirs in front of him, and chuckled, "Sylvia hasn't let you off the hook."

Lu Zhizhou shook his hand and exaggeratedly clenched his biceps. "Even more exaggerated than homework. You should know how serious our homework is, right?"

"Haha." Nicholas burst out laughing.

Instead of homework and exam papers, what lay before him were souvenirs—a pile of official FIA items and a pile of Ferrari items, all requiring Lu Zhizhou's autograph.

Frankie Penny was saying there were 1,500 promotional photos, 1,500 hats, and 500 T-shirts, but Lu Zhizhou couldn't count them all—

Just a little more.

"I understand Ferrari, but what's with the FIA? Why are they getting involved?" Lu Zhizhou shook his wrist, finding it more tiring than driving.

Nicolas wasn't surprised. "Do you know the sales figures for the official F1 merchandise store this year?"

After a pause, Nicholas didn't keep them in suspense any longer, "It's tripled compared to last year. Your sales alone exceed the total of everyone else, including Lewis."

“The FIA ​​needs you. These autographed gifts, distributed to sponsors, and other official events, will be gone in no time. If Sylvia hadn’t stopped you, the FIA ​​would have kept you here day and night to keep signing autographs.”

Lu Zhizhou tilted his head. "So, next time I overtake someone on the track and cause a collision, shouldn't they not give me a time penalty? Is that considered home-field advantage?"

Nicholas was taken aback, completely unprepared for Lu Zhizhou's wild idea, his eyes full of smiles. "Haha. I'll work on it behind the scenes."

Meeting Lu Zhizhou's gaze, Nicholas joked, "Shh. This needs to be kept a secret from my dad."

The atmosphere immediately became more relaxed.

Then, Nicolas changed the subject, "The negotiations are basically settled. What remains are the contract details, but we have reached a consensus, and Ferrari has also given its approval."

"Zhizhou, you are finally about to have your first major team sponsor."

Lu Zhizhou was still busy signing autographs, multitasking. "Wow, so smoothly? I thought it would be a back-and-forth struggle for a while."

Nicholas nodded. "That's what I predicted too, but your performance at the Shanghai International Circuit was so outstanding that it increased our chances. It's all because of you."

Right now, they are discussing Lenovo.

As mentioned earlier, all brands that want to enter the paddock start planning early and won't change their strategies based on whether or not Chinese drivers are present.

Lenovo is one of them.

After years of planning and preparation, Lenovo finally signed a cooperation agreement with Ferrari and officially became a partner by getting its car onto a Ferrari in the 2018 season.

All of this had been finalized before Lu Zhizhou signed with Ferrari. Then, Lu Zhizhou appeared, and Lenovo immediately became agitated.

With Ferrari and a Chinese driver involved, Lenovo has no reason to miss out. They can certainly seize the opportunity to add more possibilities to this collaboration.

Maximize profits.

Lenovo's contact with Nicholas began last October, but at that time, Lu Zhizhou had nothing but a possibility. For Lenovo, Lu Zhizhou was just icing on the cake. Regardless of Lu Zhizhou's presence, the cooperation between Lenovo and Ferrari had already been agreed upon.

Therefore, Lenovo also took a very tough stance.

Lenovo's sincerity in the cooperation is beyond doubt; however, they have not hidden their ambitions either.

The team sponsorship is $20 million, and the personal sponsorship is $2 million—the terms are very generous. The only requirement is that Lu Zhizhou signs an exclusive cooperation agreement. Simply put, Lu Zhizhou is not allowed to sign with other technology brands in the future; at least for the period stipulated in the contract, Lenovo must be the only technology brand on Lu Zhizhou's racing suit and hat.

Ambitious, Lenovo, relying on its partnership with Ferrari, is preparing to firmly control the situation and eliminate all its competitors in the technology industry in one fell swoop.

Nicholas refused; it was impossible for him to agree.

As a result, the cooperation negotiations stalled.

When faced with capital, everything is just numbers. Everyone has their own stance, striving to maximize their interests, and negotiations are full of variables.

Lenovo took a particularly hard line, firmly believing that they had the advantage and that their cooperation with Lu Zhizhou should benefit Lu Zhizhou, rather than Lu Zhizhou providing them with assistance.

At the same time, Nicholas was also persistent. On the surface, he seemed to be cooperating and working hard, but he never compromised and tried to persuade Lenovo.

By employing a strategy of "retreating to advance," Nicholas demonstrates the abilities of a top agent.

He calmly and methodically explained his point of view: exclusive cooperation would not bring any advantages. Not only would it not, but by completely binding Lu Zhizhou and Lenovo together, the brand image of both parties might be stuck in a stagnant predicament, which would be fatal for a technology brand.

After all, technology and innovation are closely related.

For brands in the food and fashion industries, exclusive partnerships are necessary; but for technology brands, this is tantamount to self-destruction. In the end, both Lu Zhizhou and Lenovo will suffer losses, and it will benefit no one.

More importantly, Lu Zhizhou should become a national idol and a public resource. The greater his influence, the more traffic Lenovo will receive in return.

Otherwise, both of them will be trapped within the boundaries of Lenovo, confined to their own little world.

In fact, if Lenovo hopes to gain a foothold in the Asian and even global markets through its cooperation with Ferrari and Luzhizhou, then it should help Ferrari and Luzhizhou reach new heights. By seizing the opportunity to play a leading role, and having all subsequent partner brands follow in Lenovo's footsteps, Lenovo will be the biggest beneficiary of the surge in traffic.

Exclusive cooperation may seem powerful, but in reality it's like tying Lu Zhizhou's hands and feet, making the pie smaller and smaller. Only by embracing competition can the pie grow bigger and bigger.

Of course, Nicholas fully understood Lenovo's strategy, but the approach was wrong. They shouldn't have restricted Lu Zhizhou, but rather increased their sponsorship of the team to take the initiative.

Without a doubt, Ferrari is the highest stage in the F1 paddock. Even though it has not won the championship for many years, it is still the king of traffic. Mercedes-Benz and Red Bull still cannot surpass it. Lenovo should promote Ferrari's success and improve Lu Zhizhou's status in the team by increasing Ferrari sponsorship.

The ultimate goal is to achieve Lu Zhizhou's success at Ferrari, using the success of the driver and the team to drive the brand's publicity and increase the brand's influence.

"You should explore the possibilities."

Nicholas demonstrated his resilience, maintaining a humble stance while adhering to his bottom line and principles, and persuading Lenovo throughout the negotiations.

The back-and-forth negotiations lasted for more than six months, but there was no significant progress. However, the two sides did not part ways and maintained contact.

Until the start of the new season, Lu Zhizhou won the championship in Melbourne, breaking the balance of the cooperation between Nicolas and Lenovo. Because Lu Zhizhou is no longer a rookie with "nothing", he has become the leader of young drivers overnight, breaking a series of records with his sudden emergence.

The negotiating position has undergone a subtle shift.

However, Nicholas's cleverness lies in the fact that he did not become arrogant or show off, nor did he suddenly change his tune and turn from defense to offense. He remained calm and stuck to his previous views, believing that cooperation was the right choice and that Lu Zhizhou and Lenovo could create something special.

Step by step, Nicholas, at his own pace, finally reached the finish line.

Less than 48 hours after the Shanghai Grand Prix, Nicholas finally secured Lu Zhizhou's fourth sponsor, a major collaboration.

In fact, despite only sleeping for forty-five minutes last night, Nicholas felt no fatigue at all, and his whole body felt as if he were gently boiling in a hot spring.

Watching Lu Zhizhou busily signing autographs, Nicholas's smile widened. "No one can deny your performance at the Shanghai International Circuit. And who could possibly deny it?"

“Maurizio Arrivabene? Sebastian Vettel?” Lu Zhizhou replied.

Nicholas knew everything that happened in the repair area. It wasn't Lu Zhizhou who complained, but Frankie Penny who told him—the agent needed to help clean up the mess.

Although Nicholas was slightly troubled, he fully supported Lu Zhizhou and believed that Lu Zhizhou had made the right choice, whether on the track or in the conference room.

Nicolas waved his hand, "Maurizio will realize it; you're doing this for the team's sake."

Lu Zhizhou gave Nicholas a meaningful look. "Oh, Nick, I'm sure you're the agent now, spouting nonsense with ease. I'm not that kind."

"Haha." Nicholas burst out laughing.

After making a joke, Lu Zhizhou didn't say anything more. "So, Lenovo?"

Nicholas gently raised his chin. "Yes, Lenovo."

"The team sponsorship has been increased to 30 million US dollars, and the personal sponsorship is 5 million US dollars. Zhizhou, from now on, you are also a driver with a team backing you."

Of course, Brembo, Richard Mille, and Ray-Ban are all official partners of Ferrari, and these sponsors will become Lu Zhizhou's backers.

Lu Zhizhou may still be Ferrari's number two driver, but he is no longer a lamb without a voice to be slaughtered.

After securing this cooperation, Nicholas breathed a long sigh of relief. In the capital game of F1, if Lu Zhizhou wanted to leverage his position, he needed sufficient capital support.

Lenovo is just the first step.

"Actually, the focus is not on Lenovo. This cooperation is equivalent to sending a signal to show our position and stance, as well as the market value of our brand image."

“Next, we will completely open up the market. Not only in your hometown, but also in the world’s top brands.”

Seeing Nicholas rubbing his hands together, eager to try, Lu Zhizhou smiled. "So you mean you already have a target?"

Nicholas gave a mysterious smile. “Of course. But we need to plan ahead. For some brands, we can take the initiative and lower our stance a bit; for others, we need to patiently wait for them to come to us; and for still others, we may need to lay the groundwork.”

In just a few words, one can glimpse a grand blueprint.

“But leave these things to me, you just focus on yourself on the track,” Nicholas said. “I believe in you, you’ve always done a great job.”

Lu Zhizhou: "You have your expertise, and I have mine. We'll work together, right?"

"Haha, division of labor, yes, that's it!" Nicholas laughed heartily.

Meanwhile, Frederick Arnault sat leisurely in the hotel lobby, crossed his legs, picked up a newspaper, and pretended to be reading.

However, his gaze remained fixed on the direction of the elevator, as if he were waiting for someone. Every time the elevator opened, he could be seen slightly straightening his body.

Arno paused when the figure appeared. Instead of standing up immediately, he calmed down and quietly watched the other person's every move out of the corner of his eye.

That was none other than Lu Zhizhou.

……

Frédéric Arnault, the third son of Bernard Arnault, president and CEO of the luxury goods group LVMH, is only 23 years old and has just graduated from university.

Clearly, this young master doesn't need to worry about employment. After running a mobile payment startup with his friends, he still joined the family business, TAG Heuer under LVMH, where he built a smartwatch team of sixty people, ready to join the wave of the times.

In fact, the smartwatch is just a trial, a stepping stone, to start managing and operating a small team. Once the time is right, he will take over the entire TAG Heuer.

Therefore, since joining TAG Heuer last year, Arnault has been observing and learning.

He noted that TAG Heuer has been trying to keep up with the times in recent years, with increasingly modern designs and significant changes. However, it has not gained an advantage in competitiveness with other watches and has instead lost its loyal and devoted customers, which has put the brand's image positioning in a predicament.

The 1960s and 70s were the peak years in TAG Heuer's history, when the sporty style established by TAG Heuer's racing chronographs was highly praised.

Racing, a sport closely related to watches, is, after all, a sport where the outcome is determined by timers.

Naturally, Arnault turned his attention to Formula 1.

In fact, it's not just the watch division; in the past two years, the LVMH Group has also been trying to break down barriers by sponsoring sports projects to combine its high-end, elegant luxury brand image with aristocratic sports, just like Rolex's strategy in recent years, to achieve a chemical reaction through cross-border cooperation.

The unique technological, fashionable, and cultural attributes of motorsports culture, along with its continuous global reach and ability to break down barriers, allow F1 to transcend pure sports competition. It possesses unique highlights that other global sports, such as football and basketball, lack, deeply capturing the consumption psychology and needs of high-net-worth individuals worldwide. At the same time, it provides high-end brands with global, cross-regional, and long-term exposure opportunities.

In 2013, Rolex and F1 signed an exclusive naming rights agreement, with Rolex banners hanging above all racetracks. After the contract expired this year, the two parties renewed it again.

Without a doubt, this is a win-win situation.

In fact, LVMH Group has always had a close cooperation with F1, but it has never been a focus of the group, and they have not invested a lot of energy in it.

Arnault, however, believes that not only TAG Heuer, but all of LVMH's group businesses can achieve breakthroughs in Formula 1.

If successful, this will be his resume, and a bargaining chip for future leadership of the group.

If you want to promote cooperation of this level, you must plan ahead and make overall arrangements. Arnault wasted no time and entered the paddock as a spectator.

Then, he noticed Lu Zhizhou.

To be honest, no one could ignore Lu Zhizhou in the 2018 paddock. Arnault originally came for Hamilton and Verstappen, but his eyes could not leave the No. 22 car. The charm he showed on and off the track was truly impressive.

Of course, Arnault didn't overlook the Richard Mille on Lu Zhizhou's wrist, but he didn't care at all; if needed, he could just throw money at it.

To be precise, Arnault became even more interested after learning that Richard Mille was Lu Zhizhou's first sponsor, which may mean that Lu Zhizhou is the breakthrough that TAG Heuer has been searching for.
However, precisely because of this, Arnault was somewhat curious: Lu Zhizhou, who was still playing in GP3 at the time, had an even blanker resume than he does now. How did Richard Mille manage to persuade him to make an exception and sign Lu Zhizhou?

Rumor has it that this signing didn't even go through Nicolas Todd.

Arno decided that he wanted to try to contact Lu Zhizhou privately; otherwise, he had a hundred ways to meet Lu Zhizhou in formal settings if he wanted to, but those social occasions with their clinking glasses and elegant attire were no fun, were they?
In a rare sight, the third son of the LVMH Group sat in the hotel lobby, learning spy techniques from movies, using a newspaper to conceal his whereabouts.

Two bodyguards stood nearby. While Arno could relax, they couldn't; they were on high alert, their muscles tense. One of them lowered his voice and advised, "We don't need to wait here. We can call Todd directly..."

"Shh." Arno gestured for the bodyguards to be quiet. "I don't know you, remember? Don't talk to me."

After saying that, Arnaud turned his head to look at the elevator again, a hint of excitement in his eyes, barely able to contain his joy.

"They're here! They're here!"

Arno noticed the figure immediately and exclaimed in surprise. But he calmed down and pretended to continue reading the newspaper, thinking about how to create a chance encounter naturally without being seen through. So, how did those women manage to pretend to bump into him?

"...Sir, we should leave immediately; a crowd is gathering." Despite his headache, the bodyguard remained dutiful and fulfilled his duties.

Arnaud was puzzled. A crowd? Where did this crowd come from?
Without bothering to hide, he turned his head and looked straight ahead. He could see two girls who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, their faces flushed and their eyes sparkling like spring water, as they approached. The two girls looked a little nervous, pulling and encouraging each other. Despite their hesitation, they still took a series of small steps toward Lu Zhizhou.

Bone, flesh, and skin?
"...the continent..."

A timid call came from behind him. Lu Zhizhou was slightly surprised and turned around reflexively. He then saw two girls dressed in long dresses standing in front of him, looking at him expectantly. Their cheeks were flushed, their expressions were stiff, and their hands were trembling. It was hard to tell whether they were excited or nervous.

Lu Zhizhou gave a polite smile. "Hello, how can I help you?"

A girl tried to speak, but after stammering for a long time, she couldn't say anything coherent. She just shakily handed over the number 22 Ferrari hat in her hand.

Another girl, who kept her face partially hidden by her hat, said in a tense voice, "Could you sign some autographs for us?"

Lu Zhizhou was taken aback. This was the second time, following the flight. It seemed that Frankie Penny's efforts to get him to sign so many souvenirs had not been in vain.

"Of course." Lu Zhizhou took the pen and hat, and quickly signed his name with his head down—still a little rusty.

“Number!” the girl said.

Lu Zhizhou was slightly surprised. Number 22? "No problem." He wrote "22" next to the number 22 on his hat.

As a result, the girl boldly said, "Your phone number."

Lu Zhizhou chuckled and shook his head gently, "Sorry, that won't work."

Seeing the two shy girls in front of him, who were so embarrassed that they could barely speak, yet so boldly asking for his phone number, Lu Zhizhou found the scene quite amusing.

In an instant, a smile bloomed on his face. "I almost fell for it, I almost did."

The girl who had been hiding her face with her hat could no longer contain herself. Her cheeks flushed instantly, but she still stared intently at Lu Zhizhou and mustered her courage to say loudly, "Lu Zhizhou, you are so handsome."

Lu Zhizhou's eyes widened. Had he just been teased?
However, before Lu Zhizhou could retaliate, his intuition immediately sensed danger and something was wrong. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see that there was a subtle turbulence around him.

What's going on? People are constantly emerging from every nook and cranny?

Something seems more than a little off!
(End of this chapter)