Volume One, Chapter 18: You Can Cross Anyone—Just Never Cross Money!
Lu Yichen pondered for a moment and finally chose the breaststroke.
Fang Chuxia walked over to a nearby bench and leaned forward.
“I’ll demonstrate the breaststroke posture for you. I’m not a professional swimming coach, so it might not be perfect. I hope you don’t mind.”
“No problem, go ahead.”
With that, Fang Chuxia showed the breaststroke position and how to swim it while perched on the bench.
“Got it? If not, I can show you again.”
“I don’t quite get it. Please do it once more.”
Fang Chuxia lay back down on the bench and demonstrated the breaststroke again.
This time, Lu Yichen took careful notes and said, “I’ve got it. You can get down now.”
Fang Chuxia slowly stood up and asked, “So, are you going to practice on the bench or jump straight into the water?”
Practicing on the bench would be so awkward—like a moth flapping about.
Lu Yichen felt very reluctant. After all, a beautiful woman practicing on the bench is a pleasing sight, but a grown man doing it would be embarrassing.
“Let’s just get in the water. If it doesn’t work out, I can try freestyle. And if worse comes to worst, Coach Fang can come save me.”
“Don’t say that! You’ll be fine. Just get in and try.”
“Alright.”
Lu Yichen prepared briefly and then jumped into the pool, starting to swim using the moves Fang Chuxia had taught.
Suddenly, a mischievous thought crossed his mind—he wanted to tease Fang Chuxia.
After a while, he stopped in place and shouted, “Coach Fang! Coach Fang, save me! My leg’s cramping!”
Fang Chuxia, seeing Lu Yichen calling for help from the poolside, didn’t hesitate and immediately jumped in, swimming toward him.
“Lu Yichen! Hang on a bit longer.”
Soon, Fang Chuxia reached Lu Yichen and was about to help him when he smiled slyly.
“Coach Fang, I suddenly feel like my leg’s not cramping anymore.”
Fang Chuxia saw the mischievous grin on Lu Yichen’s face and instantly realized she had been tricked. Without saying a word, she quickly swam back to shore.
Seeing this, Lu Yichen knew he’d taken the joke too far and also swam back, chasing after her.
“Coach Fang, sorry. I shouldn’t have teased you on purpose.”
“Now you say sorry? Where were you at that moment?”
By now, Fang Chuxia was drenched, her sportswear clinging tightly, creating a wholly alluring wet look.
Lu Yichen grabbed a dry towel and draped it over her shoulders.
“Don’t be mad. After all, you’re my coach. I consider you a friend, so that’s why I joked like that.”
“That’s not funny at all.”
“Then how about I treat you to a meal to make up for it?”
“Who owes you a meal?”
Lu Yichen hadn’t expected that after spending so much on coaching with Fang Chuxia, he’d still have to coax her mood.
Indeed, a coquettish woman lives best.
But this wasn’t exactly coquettish!
“How about I sign you up for five hundred private coaching sessions? Will that do?”
“And throw in a set of designer sportswear.”
Fang Chuxia’s eyes lit up as she considered it carefully.
No matter who it was, no one could be stingy with money!
“Alright then, I’m not mad anymore. Let’s do it your way.”
“Great.”
After soothing Fang Chuxia, Lu Yichen headed into the changing room to put on his clothes, while Fang Chuxia changed into casual wear.
“That’s enough training for today. Just send me a message when you want to schedule the next session.”
“Okay.”
The two went to the front desk, where Lu Yichen took out his bank card and purchased another five hundred private coaching sessions for Fang Chuxia.
This purchase once again caused a stir among all the gym staff.
“Who is that handsome guy? He just bought a thousand of Xia Xia’s private lessons at once.”
“Is he really Xia Xia’s boyfriend? Otherwise, why would he spend so lavishly?”
“Could Fang Chuxia have some special arrangement with him? Who else would buy that many sessions?”
“No way. Xia Xia isn’t that kind of person.”
“Who knows? People can be different in public and behind closed doors.”
“...”
The gym crowd buzzed with speculation about the relationship between Fang Chuxia and Lu Yichen.
Some guessed Lu Yichen was Fang Chuxia’s boyfriend; others suspected they shared some secret; a few even rumored Fang Chuxia was Lu Yichen’s kept lover.
The rumors grew wilder, but Fang Chuxia paid no mind. After all, she hadn’t done anything to prove otherwise.
She saw Lu Yichen off outside the gym.
“I’ll have my best friend design a personalized meal plan for you later. That’s it for today.”
“Okay.”
[System Notification: The host has successfully completed a spending transaction. Reward: 1,000,000.]
[System Notification: The host engaged in healthy exercise. Health increased by 1%.]
Lu Yichen hailed a cab and returned to his apartment.
He opened his health attribute panel to check his stats.
[Weight: 73 KG]
[Strength: 22]
[Stamina: 28]
[Mental: 40]
[Health: 37%]
“Only 37% health, still 33% short of reaching 70%. Too slow.”
“But fitness can’t be rushed; pushing too hard might cause injury. Better to take it slow.”
Closing the health panel, Lu Yichen collapsed onto his bed and scrolled through short videos.
Suddenly, a WeChat message popped up from Fang Chuxia.
“I had my best friend finish your meal plan. Follow it carefully.”
“OK.”
Lu Yichen replied with an “OK,” and Fang Chuxia soon sent the full diet.
“Breakfast should be finished between 7 and 8 a.m.: two slices of whole wheat toast, two boiled eggs, half an avocado, plus a serving of fruit—you can have apple, banana, or orange—and low-fat milk or soy milk.”
“For a morning snack around 10 a.m., have a small handful of nuts—almonds, walnuts, or cashews—paired with a cup of low-fat or sugar-free yogurt.”
“...”
Fang Chuxia sent detailed instructions covering breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and timing.
One must admit, professional nutritionists are remarkable; they tailor the right foods and portions to one’s metrics, even scheduling meal times precisely.
“Pass my thanks to her. If possible, I don’t want to keep freeloading off your best friend. Put her in touch with me—I’ll pay to hire her as my private nutritionist.”
Lu Yichen sent the message but received no immediate reply.
Five minutes later, Fang Chuxia forwarded a WeChat contact card.
“This is my best friend’s WeChat. I just asked her, and she wants to discuss salary details with you.”
“Alright, thank you.”
Lu Yichen added Fang Chuxia’s best friend, who promptly accepted his request.
“Hello, I’m Lu Yichen.”
“Hello, I’m Xiao Xinran.”
They exchanged introductions, and then Xiao Xinran began discussing the salary arrangements with Lu Yichen.