Keep Going Crazy Chapter 17

[Let’s talk. How about tomorrow evening after? If you don’t have any other schedule]

Ryeoun was on his way back after finishing a strategy meeting with the team members at the motorhome. He was planning to go back to his room, soak in some hot water, and have an amazing Chinese meal.

He’d been looking up restaurants, thinking about who to eat with, when suddenly his phone buzzed.

The moment he checked the message that had flown in from an unknown number, Ryeoun stopped in his tracks and rubbed his eyes.

No matter how many times he looked, it seemed to be Aiden Carter. There was no one else who would contact him like this.

‘How did he get my number…?’

He was so dumbfounded that a laugh—a bitter one—escaped him.

There wasn’t even a single mention of who the sender was, which was ridiculous. How was he supposed to know who it was if it was sent like this? Well… he’d figured it out anyway, but that aside, he was flabbergasted.

He’d bet 2,000 dollars that no contact would come from the bastard, but he never thought it would actually come.

‘I should donate that money somewhere.’

Thinking that, Ryeoun sent a reply. And he roughly saved Aiden’s number in his contacts.

[Aiden Carter?]

[That’s right]

[Did you forget to write who the sender was?]

To his snarky reply, Aiden responded with something completely different.

[Do you have plans tomorrow evening?]

[ㅡㅡ; No]

The emoticon just slipped out, he was so flabbergasted.

[How about after 8? After you’ve had dinner]

[Got itㅇ.ㅇ But why?]

[What does ㅇ.ㅇ mean?]

[It’s opening your eyes wide.. it’s something used in Korea, no—just please don’t worry about it]

[I see]

[? I asked why you’re calling me???]

[Because I have something to say]

[What about?]

[Let’s talk in person]

[Do you always just announce appointments like that? Huh?]

[Didn’t you just agree?]

[….Well, I did]

[Then there’s no problem. Let’s finalize the place and time tomorrow afternoon]

Ryeoun let out several hollow laughs in the hotel lobby on the first floor. Even making plans, the bastard was completely self-centered.

He had no idea what he wanted to talk about. He also couldn’t figure out what wind had suddenly blown to make him find his contact information.

Regardless of where the bastard got his number, the fact that he’d had the will to contact him was already surprising enough.

‘He’s not planning to meet face-to-face and lecture me again about not having sex, is he…’

He didn’t want to think he was that crazy. The fistfight was more than enough.

Had he finally, commendably, decided to try maintaining a good relationship with his second driver?

‘Did he hit his head or something?’

Ryeoun seriously thought that. Otherwise, he couldn’t understand this sudden contact. He must have lost his mind for a moment, or been on drugs, or hit his head… something like that was all that came to mind.

[Okay]

After glaring at his phone in the lobby for five minutes, there was no reply from Aiden. Ryeoun finally took a deep breath and pressed the elevator button.

He had no idea what the bastard was thinking by contacting him. But from Ryeoun’s perspective, it wasn’t a bad proposal at all.

Honestly, Ryeoun had also wanted, at least once, to have a proper, truly open conversation with Aiden.

Without all that series of snide remarks, mockery, and messing with each other. And if he was contacting him like this first to talk, it didn’t seem like he’d deliberately bother him at Media Day tomorrow. Just that thought made him feel like a spoonful of stress had been lifted.

“Is this the right thing to do…”

Reading the texts with Aiden over and over, Ryeoun asked himself.

Naturally, no answer came back.

∞ ∞ ∞

He’d had quite a bit of energy drained from him at Media Day. In the car on the way back to the hotel, Ryeoun sighed and unzipped his uniform.

As soon as the interviews ended, he’d had to do sponsor promotions with that bastard Aiden. After lunch and a brief breather, there was the Park Walk.

Seeing the fans is always enjoyable, but it’s also true that there’s pressure. He spotted some familiar faces from his Horizon days and also greeted Helix’s new fans.

Seeing their expectant expressions, his determination to never fail at the Shanghai Grand Prix burned bright.

Of course, Aiden had far more fans, but Ryeoun’s weren’t few either. Whenever he went to Asian countries, Ryeoun always received more support. In fact, that made the pressure increase just a little more.

After all the schedules ended, he felt like his face was twitching. Because he’d been standing in front of cameras smiling so much.

“Tired?”

“Yeah.”

“Going to go rest?”

“I guess… Ugh, even going to a restaurant sounds like a hassle.”

“How about just room service?”

At Younghoo’s suggestion, Ryeoun nodded weakly.

“That’s actually a good idea.”

“Get some good rest and prepare for practice tomorrow.”

“…I do have plans, though.”

“What?!”

“I said I’m supposed to talk with Aiden.”

[W Hotel, 38th floor. How about 9 o’clock?]

As soon as he brought it up, a message arrived from Aiden.

“What?!”

Half-ignoring Younghoo, who was repeating “What?!” like a parrot, Ryeoun typed out a reply.

[Okay]

[Eat dinner before you come]

[??? Isn’t that obvious? I’m not planning to have dinner with you???]

No reply came back. So reading and ghosting is his hobby, huh? Thinking that, Ryeoun clicked his tongue inwardly. It was amazing how his lack of manners came through even in texts.

“Wait, you’re talking with Aiden all of a sudden? Why? Just the two of you? What are you going to talk about?”

“Ah, man, you’re making my head spin. He just said he has something to say.”

“…Are you sure it’s okay?”

“What do you mean? Is he going to call me out and suddenly punch me or something? What wouldn’t be okay?”

“Just… I heard you two don’t exactly get along.”

“I guess he doesn’t want to keep going like this either.”

Ryeoun replied lightly. He was tired of running through all kinds of assumptions in his head. Once they met, he’d find out what the bastard wanted anyway—why bother using his brain beforehand?

“Think so?”

With a slightly dazed expression, Younghoo tilted his head. Meanwhile, Ryeoun’s phone buzzed repeatedly.

Looking down at his phone, Ryeoun’s eyes went wide. Because a welcome name had appeared.

“Man, go up first. I need to make one call.”

They’d arrived at the hotel parking lot without realizing it. Younghoo nodded, handed Ryeoun the car keys, and left first.

In the dark car, Ryeoun happily pressed the call button.

“Li Hao!”

—How’ve you been, babe?

“Don’t say gross stuff.”

—Whoohah! You’re in Shanghai right now, right?

“Of course. It’s race week.”

—I figured. I’m in Shanghai right now.

“What?!”

Ryeoun practically jumped up like Younghoo and asked back.

—I have nothing to do—mind if I drop by for a bit to see your face?

It was a truly welcome proposal. Ryeoun glanced at the time.

“What time?”

—Around 8?

“…Hmm.”

—You have a schedule?

“No, well. I sort of have one, but sort of don’t…”

—What’s that supposed to mean?

“It means I’m thinking about it.”

Li Hao was a very old friend of Ryeoun’s. They’d been entangled in an unforgettable ill-fated relationship during his F3 days, but now they were close enough to share many things.

Li Hao doesn’t live in Shanghai. If he’d come all the way here, there was only one reason: to see Han Ryeoun.

He’d mentioned it as if he were just passing by so as not to burden him, but Ryeoun knew Li Hao all too well. Where he lives, it takes over 12 hours to get to Shanghai. That means it’s not exactly a place you just “drop by.”

He had plans with Aiden at 9, but… he didn’t want to refuse Li Hao’s proposal just like that.

Aiden Carter, who he had to deal with every single day, versus Li Hao, who he might see once a year if he was lucky. There was no need to even compare whose weight was heavier.

“I do have a prior schedule. Let me adjust that first and call you back.”

—What, am I interfering?

“Not at all. It’s something I can change. It’s a bit personal.”

—Wow… that might be a little touching?

Leaving Li Hao’s playful voice behind, Ryeoun hung up. Then he composed a message to Aiden, as politely and carefully as possible.

[I’m really sorry, but something urgent came up today. Could we change the plans? I don’t want to break our first appointment, but… this is really important to me. So I’d like to reschedule. I’m fine with any day—Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, doesn’t matter. Really. I’m so sorry for having to say this to you again. Let me know a good day and I’ll adjust]