Pegasus Episode 24 Recap
> Pegasus Recap
After watching the video message from his future self, Zhang Chi invited Lin Zhendong for a drink to express his gratitude and apologize for the team's focus on him, which may have overlooked Zhendong's feelings. Lin Zhendong also apologized, taking responsibility for the Hong Kuo incident and admitting he felt bad for not helping Hong Kuo resolve his issues, which ultimately caused Zhang Chi to lose points.
Zhang Chi reassured him that his intentions were good and that there are many races ahead. Still feeling a sense of debt to the team, Lin Zhendong asked how he could contribute. Zhang Chi suggested Zhendong take over his Tuesday cleaning duty as compensation and offered the option of doing others' duties as well, admitting he had been waiting for Zhendong to return to the team.
The next day, Lin Zhendong returned to the Speeding Racing Team and received a warm welcome from everyone, who eagerly embraced him and reaffirmed their shared goal of advancing to the Dakar Rally together. Meanwhile, Lin Jiaru was watching an old video of Yu Tai'ang's legendary race on the Yecheng Thunder Mountain track, particularly the infamous 'Death Five Turns' and the segment named 'Yu Tai'ang Bend'.
He marveled at Yu Tai'ang's record time of 2 minutes and 17 seconds on that difficult section and wondered if that record could be broken, possibly by Zhang Chi or Lin Zhendong. Lin Zhendong was then called downstairs by Weiyi and found his mother, Lin Jiazhen, and uncle had brought him a new car.
His mother explained she had extensively modified the car with upgraded engine parts, a new gearbox, and expensive adjustable suspension, stating she did this because he chose Speeding over Master and didn't want him to be held back.
Zhang Chi lightheartedly mentioned Lin Zhendong still owed him 18 yuan for meal money, but Lin Jiazhen, instructing Zhang Chi to call her by name instead of "Aunt," declared that she would cover all the team's future expenses to support her son and asked the team to look after him. Future Zhang Chi had also left a video message for Weiyi. Zhendong delivered it to her, and she watched it at home.
In the video, Zhang Chi formally introduced himself and stated he was truly leaving this time. He confessed that in the future, he had never heard any songs by or even the name of Yu Si. He apologized for withholding this information previously, explaining he didn't want to upset her. He acknowledged her as his best friend who knew his identity and expressed his deep gratitude for her help.
As a friend, he advised her to stop dwelling on past regrets and missed opportunities, comparing it to driving where one must look ahead for new scenery rather than focusing on what's already passed. Li Aoduo was practicing at the Master team's facility, attempting to break Yu Tai'ang's record, believing that small improvements would eventually lead to a breakthrough despite being consistently off the pace. Hong Kuo arrived looking for Wei Qianli, who was out warming up.
Li Aoduo advised Hong Kuo that the team's lineup for the upcoming final race was already decided and unlikely to change mid-season, especially given the team's performance and the board's strict process for personnel changes. Hong Kuo remained determined to secure a chance to race for a spot in the Dakar Rally. At the Speeding team, Ye Gong and the members analyzed the points standings.
They noted Master's significant lead and that winning the team championship was now only a theoretical possibility. Their main focus was qualifying for the Dakar Rally, which required a top-six finish in the driver standings. Ye Gong explained that Yu Tai'ang and Lin Zhendong were currently tied in points, but Yu Tai'ang held the tie-breaker, placing Lin Zhendong in a precarious position where he would likely be eliminated unless he secured a strong result in the final race.
Lin Zhendong stated unequivocally that he must win the upcoming race on the difficult Yecheng track, known for the 'Yu Tai'ang Bend', to ensure his qualification. He also expressed hope that Zhang Chi would win his own race, allowing both of them a chance at Dakar. The team then rallied together, affirming their commitment to reaching Dakar with everyone. Zhang Chi took Lin Zhendong to a skate park for an unconventional lesson in handling curves.
Using skateboarders as examples, Zhang Chi demonstrated how those who fought against the board and over-controlled it often failed, while experienced riders found balance and harmony by 'listening' to the board and following natural lines—a concept related to the 'principle of minimum energy'. Zhang Chi suggested that Lin Zhendong might be over-controlling his race car, limiting his speed, especially on challenging corners like 'Yu Tai'ang Bend'.
He explained that the highest level of driving involves finding balance within a state of near-loss-of-control, achieving a 'unity of man and car,' and that Lin Zhendong would find the 'feeling' for corners when he stopped struggling against his technique and the car. Later, Lin Zhendong interviewed potential co-drivers but found them unsuitable, lacking experience or understanding of the role. Xiaohe then led Lin Zhendong upstairs where they found Ye Gong engrossed in studying race pacenotes.
Xiaohe proposed Ye Gong as the ideal co-driver, citing his experience in the CCRC, official certification, and, most importantly, his familiarity with Lin Zhendong. Lin Zhendong was thrilled with the suggestion, stating he trusted Ye Gong completely. They announced the decision to the team, who playfully teased Ye Gong about donning a race suit. Ye Gong then dramatically declared his new identity as 'Revenger, God of Co-drivers,' vowing to conquer the CCRC and help the team reach Dakar.
The team cheered in support. Preparations for the final race were in full swing. Ye Gong was in the race car, practicing pacenotes with Lin Zhendong. Other team members worked on the cars, and Ai Fei was shown doing physical training. Meanwhile, at the Master team headquarters, Wei Qianli discussed strategy with his team. He noted that while the team championship was secured, another win by Yu Tai'ang would jeopardize their sponsor agreement and ensure Yu Tai'ang's qualification for Dakar.
Wei Qianli proposed a tactic: having Li Aoduo place a rock at Turn 37, a corner where Yu Tai'ang typically takes the inner line, assuring the team it wouldn't be life-threatening. He instructed Li Aoduo, as the second car, to follow the plan, stressing it was necessary for the team, and promised Master would support him even if his race result was cancelled.
Li Aoduo hesitated, preferring fair competition, but Wei Qianli pressured him, arguing that the livelihood of the hundreds of people in the team depended on this win and threatening his career if he refused. Separately, Wei Qianli reflected on his rivalry with Yu Tai'ang, describing him as an inescapable enemy and an insurmountable obstacle. The final race of the CCRC at Yecheng Thunder Mountain began.
Commentators highlighted Wei Qianli's lead in the overall standings but noted Master's failure to secure a circuit win, which had strained sponsor relationships and put pressure on them to win this race. Wei Qianli started first, using the radio to instruct Li Aoduo and his co-driver, emphasizing the importance of winning for Master and telling them to act as 'hunters.' Li Aoduo started second, appearing cautious in the initial turns.
Yu Tai'ang started and drove with apparent ease on the track where he had made history. Commentators drew attention to the battle for Dakar qualification spots, particularly the tied points between Lin Zhendong and Yu Tai'ang, noting Lin Zhendong's need for a strong finish, ideally a win, to qualify. Lin Zhendong had a strong start with Ye Gong providing composed and detailed pacenotes, quickly gaining positions and overtaking several competitors.
Ye Gong informed Lin Zhendong that he had passed Zhang Chi, and Lin Zhendong acknowledged the update over the radio. Watching the race, Zhang Chi commented on Lin Zhendong's rapid improvement. As the race progressed, Wei Qianli fell further behind the flawlessly driving Yu Tai'ang. Yu Tai'ang's lead continued to grow, seemingly reliving their long-standing rivalry, intensified by the controversial Dakar incident seventeen years prior.
Feeling increasingly desperate as his deficit mounted, Wei Qianli radioed Li Aoduo and ordered him to execute the team tactic immediately. Li Aoduo, on a straight section, appeared to stop his car and retrieve a rock from the roadside. Wei Qianli updated Li Aoduo, confirming Yu Tai'ang was nearing the designated turn within the next minute, and emphatically told him not to disappoint the team, whose fate rested on his actions. Li Aoduo held the rock, waiting as Yu Tai'ang's car rapidly approached the turn.
