After the three of them waited in position for a while, the post-race podium ceremony was about to begin.

Qin Miao, Leclerc, and Sainz walked up a white spiral staircase to the floor above, then, under the emcee's cue, stepped onto the podium.

The people in charge of presenting the trophies today were members of the Monaco royal family.

That included Monaco's head of state, Prince Albert II, the Princess, and their twin son and daughter.

Qin Miao had met them before; when Qin Miao settled down in Monaco, the couple had even come over to Qin Miao's place as guests.

They hadn't stayed long back then though, didn't even have a bite to eat.

But, to be fair, Princess Charlene of Monaco really is stunning.

However, when Qin Miao was messing around and chatting nonsense with Leclerc, Leclerc had gossiped with him about all the crap in that family.

Even Leclerc, a Monegasque himself, would privately roast his own Prince's private life like crazy, which goes to show Albert II really doesn't count as a good husband.

And apparently the Princess once ran away from home for a while, but back then Qin Miao was still studying in China and never paid attention to that kind of news.

No idea why she came back in the end.

Anyway, those royal-family internal affairs have nothing to do with Qin Miao; after all, Qin Miao is Chinese, and the main reasons he settled in Monaco are the tax-free status, the fact that most of his paddock friends live here, and the nice weather.

Gossip over for now.

As the emcee announced their names, Sainz, Leclerc, Qin Miao, and Toto came out one after another.

Yes, Toto probably also knew that today's race might be Mercedes' only Grand Prix win this season, so he came up to collect the constructors' trophy himself.

Walking past Albert II and the Minister of State Sézzi Tiel, Qin Miao stepped onto the top step of the podium.

During the following award segment, the organizers' trophy for the winner was still that gold-plated Monte Carlo circuit–shaped trophy. Worth mentioning, the box containing the trophy was made by LV; the first thought that popped into Qin Miao's head when he saw it was: Qimeng would probably really like this box.

Qin Miao's winner's trophy was presented to him by Albert II and Monaco's little Prince Jacques.

For some reason, though, Qin Miao kept feeling like this little guy hadn't slept well—his dark circles were pretty heavy.

Even worse than Qin Miao's back during Lunar New Year when he stayed up all night gaming.

After shaking hands with the Prince, Qin Miao crouched down so he could look straight at Prince Yak, whose hands were twisted together, looking a bit nervous and at a loss for what to do.

Then Qin Miao smiled and reached out to shake hands with Prince Yak.

Even though the little guy looked a bit dazed, you can't deny that human cubs really are quite adorable.

After taking the trophy, Qin Miao held it in his hands and examined it for a moment, then, amid the cheers of the Mercedes team down below, raised the trophy high above his head.

The applause from everyone below blended into one continuous roar.

After that, the Prince of Monaco specially went over to stand beside Leclerc, the two of them saying something in French. Being able to see Leclerc on the podium here clearly made the Prince quite happy as well.

Then it was the Princess and Princess Gabriela who presented Leclerc with his second-place trophy.

The Princess also went down the line, shaking hands one by one with Sainz, Qin Miao, and Leclerc.

Lastly, Sainz's trophy was presented by Monaco's Minister of State, Sézzi Tiel.

The final one was Toto's constructors' champion trophy.

After all four had received their respective trophies, the flags of the three drivers rose and fluttered above their heads.

Qin Miao also took off his winner's cap, his expression solemn, and all the commentators streaming the race back in China fell silent.

A song etched into the bones of every Chinese son and daughter rang out.

PS. Below is the Prince's affair partner.

Human XP may be free, but I'm still shook.