Chapter Nine: The Foolish Younger Brother
Linjiang City, Red Maple Residential Area.
Han Ying and Zhuang Qing, having removed their makeup, lounged together on the sofa in their cotton pajamas adorned with cartoon patterns.
“What do you think of Zhao Yuanqing? Is it necessary to get to know him better?” Han Ying asked, flipping through the TV channels with a distracted gaze.
“I don’t know much about him,” she replied. “Just that his family runs a business and he’s been divorced once.”
“What was the reason for the divorce?” Zhuang Qing inquired.
“He said his ex-wife had an affair with her first love,” Han Ying said lazily, resting against a cushion without paying attention to the soap opera on TV. “But I’m not sure if that’s true.”
“We can try to get in touch, but cautiously,” Zhuang Qing said thoughtfully, recalling how Zhao Yuanqing and Wei Lin cooperated so seamlessly. “Compared to that Wei Lin, Zhao Yuanqing might be a better choice.”
“Wei Lin is obviously no good; let’s not even mention him,” Han Ying said with a pursed smile.
“People like Wei Lin are definitely unsuitable as boyfriends, but maybe as ordinary friends, he’s okay,” Zhuang Qing suddenly noticed a couple kissing on the TV and sighed, “I’ve already forgotten what a kiss feels like.”
“Are you feeling lovesick?” Han Ying asked warily.
“Maybe. But don’t worry, even if I am, I’d never go for someone like Wei Lin,” Zhuang Qing said firmly.
“Heh, I hope so.”
Han Ying found it strange that despite her request not to mention Wei Lin, Zhuang Qing kept bringing him up.
…
The next day, 7:15 a.m.
Wei Lin woke up.
The first thing he did was check his progress bar and saw the number had increased from 7 to 10 overnight, an additional 3 points, bringing his affection level to 10/50.
“It’s still Lin Nanxi!”
Focusing closely, a scene flashed through his mind of Lin Nanxi tossing and turning late at night, unable to sleep.
“The key to whether I survive or not depends on this woman—my lucky star!”
Wei Lin resolved immediately to focus his efforts on Lin Nanxi.
In a good mood after seeing hope for survival, he got up to wash, noticing sharply that he neither coughed loudly nor spat phlegm repeatedly.
“Since yesterday, starting from the gym, I haven’t smoked a single cigarette.”
“Zhao Yuanqing doesn’t smoke; I used to smoke on my own. Yesterday at dinner and the second round at the bar, I didn’t light up once, and I didn’t even crave it!”
“Just a ten-point boost in affection value helped me quit smoking?”
“My tumor is in my lungs and is closely related to smoking habits. This affection value that boosts my vitality and helps me quit must be what helps me survive this crisis!”
Before leaving, Wei Lin, in an excited state, took two books on relationships from the table.
“Strong, with leadership qualities, aggressive, hard to tame, wild, rule-breaking, good-looking, humorous, well-dressed.”
“Males with these traits are known to possess extraordinary masculine charm and have superior mate selection rights!”
On the way to the company, Wei Lin reviewed last night’s reading material, comparing it to his own temperament.
“By this standard, I’m naturally endowed with these traits—a real woman-slaying weapon!”
Wei Lin’s brows lifted with pride.
…
After getting his car and eating a bowl of noodles, Wei Lin arrived at the company before nine.
…
Everything at the company proceeded as usual.
After a lengthy chat with An Yuntian, he wandered around the factory workshop for a while, then retreated to his office to carefully study the “seduction bible” from the books.
After a simple lunch and a nap, Wei Lin opened the female coach’s social media profile.
Her avatar was the logo for Lik Fitness, her WeChat name He Jingxuan, and her status read: “A little coach.”
Her posts were all company-mandated advertisements; there were no personal photos.
“Hah, a work account,” Wei Lin smiled, opened the chat, and proactively booked a class: “Are you free for a session at 4:30 this afternoon?”
A few minutes later, He Jingxuan replied briefly, “Can do.”
Putting down his phone, Wei Lin picked up a book titled “Humor,” crossed his legs at the desk, and read with great interest.
…
Afternoon, Lik Fitness.
He Jingxuan ate her light meal from a lunchbox, feeling a headache at the thought of Wei Lin’s upcoming session.
As a newcomer, she didn’t have many classes each day, all from former coaches’ private clients, mostly middle-aged women.
As for male members, she had only assisted one or two colleagues with classes, and Wei Lin was the first with such obvious ulterior motives.
Because of her caution and lack of experience, after Wei Lin purchased the session, she hadn’t taken the initiative to invite him to class.
Her base salary was low; her main income came from commissions on performance and hourly class fees.
Wei Lin’s 30,000 yuan purchase yesterday not only reached her target for the month but also brought substantial commission, solving her urgent financial needs.
“If only he were a decent client,” He Jingxuan sighed, preparing herself to deal with this obviously lecherous client.
“小 He, did you invite Mr. Wei to train yesterday?” Zhao Jie, having just finished a private session, sat down smiling brightly, waving to her clients and gently reminding one: “Fei Ge, do another half hour of cardio; I’ll come check later!”
The older male client, who could be her father’s age, gave her an encouraging thumbs-up and then waddled off to the upstairs cardio area with his big belly.
“He has a session with me at 4:30 this afternoon,” He Jingxuan said with a worried frown as she tidied her dishes. “Sis, I don’t think I can handle this client.”
She admired Zhao Jie a lot.
Though not strikingly beautiful, Zhao Jie was petite at 1.6 meters tall, lively and generous in personality, and got along well with all her clients, seemingly born for this work.
“What’s so hard to handle?” Zhao Jie, wearing heavier makeup, said enthusiastically, “If you don’t understand something, just ask me. Take good care of Mr. Wei first. If it’s too much trouble, just pass him to me; I’ll help.”
“After all, you made the sales, and the commission is yours.”
“Hey! Brother Wang, you’re really punctual today! I’m not used to it yet!” Before finishing her sentence, Zhao Jie swayed her hips to greet her next client, smiling charmingly: “How’s your back feeling after yesterday’s workout? Any soreness? Come on, let me loosen and stretch it for you!”
The two then walked intimately toward the activity room.
“If she helps with a few classes, then Mr. Wei will be hers from then on,” said Cao Jingrong, who was massaging his thigh with a fascia gun in preparation for leg training, speaking coldly.
“The Wang you just saw was my old client. When I was busy with sudden bookings, I asked her to help.”
“Heh, you’ve seen it for yourself—Wang has already become her client.”
“小 He, commissions are commissions, but our safest and most stable income comes from monthly class fees.”
“Pay more attention to that!”
With that, Cao Jingrong picked up his knee brace and waist belt and walked toward the squat rack, leaving He Jingxuan deep in thought.
…
Afternoon, 3:50 p.m.
“Bang!”
The door to Wei Lin’s office was pushed open forcefully.
An Xin, wearing camouflage shorts, a loose short-sleeve T-shirt, and crocs, entered with a mischievous grin.
Without any formality, he opened the small refrigerator to get a Coke, drinking half and burping noisily before shouting, “Bro, my dad told me to follow you to the gym and work out together!”
At 1.7 meters tall and weighing ninety kilos, his chubby cheeks trembled as he spoke.
An Xin was two years younger than Wei Lin; they had attended the same schools from elementary through high school. If not for Wei Lin watching over him, he would have been bullied to death during his student years.
After college, An Yuntian found him several jobs, none of which went well.
Eventually, the guy became a full-time online novelist, turning into a complete homebody.
“With your look? Finding a girlfriend is a miracle,” Wei Lin rolled his eyes and scolded, “How many times have I told you to pay attention to your style? When will you ever listen?”
“What’s wrong?” An Xin looked himself over, not seeing the problem. “Am I not dressed well?”
“You wear crocs to the gym? What, do you plan to use the machines or do cardio?” Wei Lin snapped.
“Both!” An Xin whined a bit. “I see lots of pros working out in slippers. If they can, why can’t I wear crocs?”
“Fine! If you say so! Did you get a gym card yet?” Wei Lin asked.
“No. Dad said I have to follow you all day today. As for the card… I’ll just get one later,” An Xin replied carelessly.
“Forget it. It’s too late to change now. Let’s go.” Wei Lin grabbed his car keys and left.
…
4:20 p.m., Lik Fitness.
“Mr. Wei.”
He Jingxuan stood gracefully at the gym entrance, yoga pants outlining her long, straight legs, her youthful face glowing with vitality.
“We agreed on 4:30; I’m not late,” Wei Lin smiled brightly.
He Jingxuan pursed her lips: “Mr. Wei is a punctual person. I hope it stays that way.”
“Of course.”
Carrying his gym bag, Wei Lin turned back as he walked inside and looked at An Xin: “Come on! What are you spacing out for?”
“Oh, okay, okay!” An Xin, looking like a pig brother, reluctantly tore his gaze away from He Jingxuan’s legs and muttered, “Bro, you should’ve brought me to the gym sooner. Honestly, I really love working out!”
…
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