Chapter 73: Chapter 70: Embarking on the Japan Journey
Without a deliberate farewell, Chen Xiangbei carried his suitcase and got into the Subaru Impreza to head to East Sea International Airport.
While driving, Liang Chi asked, "Xiangbei, my visa hasn’t been processed, and Old Zhang needs to handle the company’s aftermath. You’ll be going alone this time; can you manage it?"
The invitation from Honda was only for Chen Xiangbei, allowing his visa to be processed quickly through official channels. Liang Chi’s regular visa naturally doesn’t have such privileges, so he can’t accompany him to the Suzuka Racing School.
"Uncle Liang, this is not much different from studying abroad; no problem."
"Hmm."
Liang Chi merely nodded indifferently, without saying much.
It’s quite common for a driver to compete alone, something he eventually needs to get used to.
After asking, Liang Chi took out a silver card from his pocket and handed it over.
Chen Xiangbei took a look at it and found it was the card he had originally given to Liang Chi to pay for car repairs and modifications.
"The money inside hasn’t been touched. You can use it first when you get to Japan. Let me know if you need more money."
Looking at the card in his hand, and then at Liang Chi’s expressionless side profile, Chen Xiangbei felt a surge of emotions.
Although Liang Chi often acts unscrupulously, messing around with cheap tricks, in a way, he’s been a career mentor in this world, providing a lot of help.
"Uncle Liang, I..."
Chen Xiangbei wanted to say something, but the words wouldn’t come out.
"Don’t be sentimental; this is your own money!"
Liang Chi quickly interrupted him, as the card itself belonged to Chen Xiangbei, and the money inside was indeed his.
[Truly an old roue]
Chen Xiangbei mumbled with a smile, knowing that some things are better understood without too many words.
After about an hour of driving, Chen Xiangbei arrived at East Sea International Airport, where Zhang Zhicong was already waiting.
Upon seeing them, Zhang Zhicong handed over a document envelope and said, "Xiangbei, inside are your ticket, map, and documents. The plane will land at the nearest airport to Suzuka, Nagoya Chubu International Airport, around five in the afternoon."
"You can choose to take a ferry across Ise Bay or take a taxi to Suzuka City. I’ve marked the route on the map in the envelope."
Zhang Zhicong was very thorough, having already planned out the timing, location, and routes for Chen Xiangbei to follow once he arrived in Japan.
"Thank you, Uncle Zhang, I’ll be fine."
"Alright, let’s get you checked in now."
Zhang Zhicong nodded and led Chen Xiangbei to check in.
Once everything was settled, he and Liang Chi stood at the security checkpoint, watching Chen Xiangbei as he went through, their expressions filled with complexity.
"Old Liang, am I rushing it, should I have given Xiangbei some buffer time?"
Zhang Zhicong asked.
Chen Xiangbei was only an eighteen-year-old, not yet accustomed to flying around the world like he was. Going abroad might be a significant event in his life.
From receiving the news last night to boarding the plane now, Chen Xiangbei could be said to have no mental preparation to face a completely unfamiliar country and challenges.
Was it asking too much of him!
"He has no time for slow buffering."
Liang Chi responded very "coldly."
Although Japanese racing can’t compare overall to Europe and America, it’s a leading force in the entire Asia-Pacific region.
Especially a renowned racing school like Honda Suzuka, which recruits not only local talents but also prodigies from other countries and regions in the Asia-Pacific.
What Chen Xiangbei got was merely an opportunity; he must adapt to the environment and race as quickly as possible, then defeat the peers within the academy to earn the Renault Winter Series entry ticket.
Going a day earlier gains him an extra day to adapt. He must race against the clock!
After speaking, Liang Chi directly turned and left, not wanting Zhang Zhicong to see his slightly reddened eyes.
...
At five in the afternoon, at Nagoya Chubu International Airport, the sky was very gloomy, with a light drizzle falling.
This weather wasn’t suitable for heading to the port, so Chen Xiangbei didn’t take a taxi to Suzuka City as Zhang Zhicong advised.
The reason was simple; Japanese taxis were too expensive!
Chen Xiangbei chose the cheapest way, taking the airport line according to the signs, and then transferring to the subway to reach Hakozaki Station in Suzuka City.
The apartment Qin Lianjie had purchased was only two hundred meters from this subway station, proving to be very convenient.
Originally, Chen Xiangbei didn’t want to trouble Qin Lianjie, but due to the long journey and cold rainy night, his clothes were already soaked.
Delaying further to find a hotel might lead to catching a cold, which would not be worth it.
Finding the apartment room number from the text message, Chen Xiangbei entered the password to get in. The room had a standard one-bedroom layout. Qin Lianjie must have tidied up before leaving, as everything was clean and organized.
The first thing he did was take a hot shower and change his clothes, then he went downstairs to the 7-11 convenience store to buy a bunch of food.
After eating and drinking his fill, he went to bed early. He had to quickly recover his energy to face the assessment at the Honda Suzuka Racing School the next day.
At eight the next morning, Chen Xiangbei was already on the shuttle bus heading to the Suzuka Circuit, a journey of about half an hour. Due to the continued drizzle, there weren’t many fans or tourists today, and the circuit was partially closed.
Chen Xiangbei easily found the main building of the Honda Suzuka Racing School, with its conspicuous logo.
Entering the lobby, the first thing that caught his eye was a wall of honor, showcasing Honda’s glorious racing history and the professional drivers they have trained, notably including F1 drivers Nakajima Goro and Sato Takuma.
Chen Xiangbei didn’t have time to browse in detail; he quickly went to the front desk and took out his Honda invitation to state his purpose.
After verifying, the receptionist politely bowed and said, "Mr. Chen, Director Sawano Hiroyuki is currently instructing students on the track. I will take you to the lounge to wait for a moment."
Instructing students?
Hearing this term piqued Chen Xiangbei’s interest. Thanks to the fame brought by Sato Takuma’s miraculous achievements, the Honda Suzuka Driver Academy of this era is known for gathering the strongest batch of young drivers in Asia. He was keen to see the true skills.
"Can I go directly to the track to meet Mr. Sawano?"
Rather than sitting idly in the lounge, it would be better to witness the track.
"Well..."
The receptionist hesitated, then nodded after thinking for a moment, "Alright, please come with me."
Behind the academy’s lobby is the Suzuka Circuit. Its convenience lies in having been built by Honda’s president in the sixties, originally used as Honda’s automobile testing ground.
Inside the maintenance area of the track stood seven or eight young drivers in racing suits, distinguished karting and entry-level formula racers from the entire Asia-Pacific region.
They were invited to the Suzuka Racing Academy for formula training and to compete for a place in the Renault Winter Series.
Standing before them was the academy director, Sawano Hiroyuki, around fifty years old and rather unremarkable in appearance.
In fact, he is the chief test driver of the Honda Group, holding dual championships in Japan’s eighties Super Formula and Super GT, and has competed alongside F1 Grand Prix winners and the King of Cars, Schumacher, on the Suzuka Circuit!
Just as Sawano Hiroyuki announced today’s training standards, Chen Xiangbei followed the receptionist to the front.
"Mr. Sawano, sorry to interrupt, the trial trainee from Chinese Huashan has arrived."
Chinese trial trainee?
Hearing this title, all eyes turned to Chen Xiangbei, and many students couldn’t help but show a hint of a playful smile.