Chapter Text
“We have two minutes left of qualifying here today. Gusu’s Lan Wangji is currently looking pretty safe in P1, but we’ve had a disappointing performance from his teammate, Su Minshan, who has taken the second Gusu seat after Lan Xichen’s retirement this season. Knocked out in Q1 this morning.
And speaking of disappointing, Jiang Wanyin also missed the cutoff for Q2 after going off track and having his lap time deleted. Now Wei Wuxian is Yunmeng’s last hope for pole tomorrow. He’s just pitted for a set of fresh tyres, ready to attempt to beat out Lan Wangji.
Meanwhile, Jin Zixuan has just completed his flying lap, but he’s still down in P3. The battle for pole is just between Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian now.
Wei Wuxian is coming up on turn 3, currently two-tenths of a second faster than Lan Wangji’s time. This is looking promising for Yunmeng.”
“Push, A-Xian. You can go faster on the straight,” comes Jiang Yanli’s voice over the radio.
“I’m trying, shijie,” Wei Wuxian grits out, biting his lip in concentration.
“You’re on track for the fastest lap. Just keep going.”
“Will do.” Wei Wuxian grips the steering tightly as he goes into the next turn. He knows the track well enough by now that he’s mostly operating on auto-pilot, but it’s still as exhilarating as ever. He flies past Jin Zixuan on the straight, speeding into the final turn, holding out as long as possible before breaking slightly, then flying through the finish.
“You did it, A-Xian!” says Jiang Yanli on the radio. “You’re on pole!”
“Qualifying has just finished. Wei Wuxian is on pole for tomorrow after a stunning final lap today. Lan Wangji P2, Jin Zixuan P3, and Wen Xu P4. Wen Ruohan does not look happy.”
Wei Wuxian takes off his helmet once he’s back at the paddock and out of his car, attempting to tame his messy hair before running over to where he knows he can find the Gusu team.
“Lan Zhan!” he calls out upon seeing the greatest threat to his championship.
Lan Wangji turns around with his face schooled into a neutral expression “Wei Ying,” he says, his voice flat.
Somehow, the way Lan Wangji calls him ‘Wei Ying’ never fails to make Wei Wuxian’s heart flutter.
“Congratulations on getting pole position for the race tomorrow,” Lan Wangji says, averting his gaze. He looks flushed, Wei Wuxian thinks, probably with anger about having his lap time beaten.
Wei Wuxian smiles at him. “You made it tough for me.” He’s not lying. Lan Wangji, despite his uptight stiffness and non-existent sense of humor, is a talented driver. Wei Wuxian would never deny that. “But seriously, Gusu is screwing you over,” he adds. “Giving you a teammate like Su She? What is Lan Xichen thinking?”
Lan Wangji’s expression stiffens. “Xiongzhang knows what he’s doing.”
“Well, having one of your drivers not even make Q2 is an interesting strategy--”
“Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji says harshly. “Go away.”
Wei Wuxian blinks. “Oh, come on. I’m just trying to be friendly, Lan-er-gege.” He flashes a mischievous smile that only seems to make Lan Wangji angrier.
“Go away,” he repeats.
Wei Wuxian is about to argue again before Jiang Cheng’s voice cuts through all the commotion of the paddock.
“Wei Wuxian! What are you doing over in Gusu’s area? Giving away all of our strategies?”
Wei Wuxian laughs. “Of course not, Jiang Cheng. I was just congratulating Lan Zhan on a good lap.”
“Congratulating him? You’re on pole, idiot,” Jiang Cheng reminds him, rolling his eyes.
Wei Wuxian scratches his neck awkwardly. “I guess I am.”
Jiang Cheng grabs him by the collar, dragging him back towards Yunmeng’s area of the paddock. “Give it up,” he says. “You’re making a fool of yourself.”
Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng have always had something of a rivalry despite being teammates. They grew up driving go-karts together, and even though Jiang Cheng’s mother tried her best to keep them apart, they were always in their own little world.
It’s hard for both of them, to drive the same car and know that a difference in results is the fault of the driver alone. Sometimes, Wei Wuxian sometimes gets the feeling that Jiang Cheng hates him for that, that every time Jiang Yanli tells him over the radio, ‘A-Xian is faster. Let him pass,’ it nurtures that seed of resentment inside Jiang Cheng. It hasn’t put a damper on their friendship though. They’re so close, they’re almost like brothers, and despite the small arguments that come naturally with forced proximity, it’s never escalated to the point of tears or a breakdown. At least, not yet. Wei Wuxian sometimes fears that day will come, but every time Jiang Cheng pats him on the back and congratulates him on a good race, praises his skills to the press, or teases him about his relentless pursuit to befriend Lan Wangi, Wei Wuxian feels reassured that he has the best teammate and honorary brother he could possibly ask for.
“When are you just going to finally ask him out?” Jiang Chengs asks once their back in Yunmeng’s designated area.
“Who?” Wei Wuxian asks. “Lan Zhan? Don’t be silly Jiang Cheng. I’m straight.”
“What do you call what you’re doing to him if not flirting?”
Wei Wuxian laughs. “It’s called teasing, Jiang Cheng. Not that you would know. You take everything so seriously.”
“I do not,” Jiang Cheng argues. “But what’s the point of teasing him then? Either you just want him to pay attention to you, in which case it's a crush, or you have a deathwish.”
“You wanna talk about crushes? Let’s talk about your crush on Nie Huaisang.” Wei Wuxian pokes Jiang Cheng in the side teasingly.
“I have no such thing,” Jiang Cheng protests. “I merely acknowledge his tactical genius. He’s carrying the Qinghe team and everyone knows it--”
“Aw, Jiang Cheng, you’re gushing.”
Jiang Cheng’s face flushes. “Shut up!”
“Boys!” comes the booming voice of Jiang Fengmian, Yunmeng’s team principal and Jiang Cheng’s father. He’s become something of a father figure to Wei Wuxian too, after the passing of his parents. “Good job today,” he says to both of them. “A-Xian, you had a great lap at the end there. A-Cheng, you were a bit rough today, but I believe you can make it up tomorrow.”
Jiang Cheng’s jaw tightens.
Wei Wuxian gives his teammate a comforting pat on the back. The stakes are high. Tomorrow will be a harsh battle.