Chapter 29 Chapter 29 Something happened
After work, Pan Xianchen invited Ning Kai to the gym. Bench presses, deadlifts, crunches... Two hours later, Ning Kai, exhausted like a dog, lay on the floor, panting. Pan Xianchen sat on the Smith machine, drinking water, sweat pouring down his forehead, soaking a large area of his black T-shirt.
Ning Kai asked speechlessly: "Why am I the one who suffers when you break up?"
Pan Xianchen said, "How long has it been since you last went to the gym? Look at that belly of yours. You're planning on using it as a soft pillow for Hu Jingjing, right?"
Ning Kai: “…”
Ning Kai leaped up from the ground in anger, pointed at Pan Xianchen's nose, and swore, "I'm just being nice and you're attacking me, aren't you?" He lifted his short-sleeved shirt, revealing his belly, and argued, "Look! Look! It doesn't look like a soft pillow at all! I haven't been exercising much lately, but isn't that because I'm busy with the new store opening? When I'm done with this, I'll fight you to the bitter end in the gym! Besides, even if I don't work out, my fitness level is still pretty good, right?"
Pan Xianchen snorted coldly and challenged him, "Don't wait until I'm done. Come now."
Ning Kai couldn't stand the provocation, so he rolled up his sleeves and started to act.
…
Half an hour later, Ning Kai once again lay on the ground like a dog, sticking out his tongue and begging for mercy: "I give in. You are my father, okay?"
Pan Xianchen wiped the sweat off his face with the hem of his shirt, panting, and said nothing.
Ning Kai secretly observed the lines outlined by his wet clothes, feeling admiration. A man without a woman is as energetic as a bull. Ning Kai was nearly exhausted from tending to Hu Jingjing every day, yet Pan Xianchen was still so energetic even after working overtime. It was hard to tell where his excess energy came from.
Look at his arms, those thighs, that chest, that shoulder, that back… Women would love them. Ning Kai couldn't understand why Wen Yu looked down on him. Pan Xianchen stood up, and beads of sweat fell, pattering on the floor. The overhead light cast a damp, glistening light on his skin.
Ning Kai couldn't help but ask him, "What's wrong with you? Why did you and Wen Yu break up?"
Pan Xianchen laughed at himself: "I'm stupid."
"ah?"
"She has a fiancé." Pan Xianchen explained.
"ah???"
Ning Kai's eyes widened in shock: "What do you mean? She's two-timing?"
I can't tell. Wen Yu's face is very deceptive. Ning Kai felt that Wen Yu had the kind of appearance that could arouse men's desire to protect her. If you said she was a bad woman who played around, he would not believe it at all. But Pan Xianchen looked like he had been badly cheated by a bad woman. How could that work? Ning Kai said indignantly: "Divide! Good division! Let's find the next one! Wait, I'll arrange it for you!"
Two days later, Ning Kai invited Pan Xianchen to his new branch. Unlike the one in Zhuliba, this one embraced an ultra-modern style. Clean lines, cool metallic accents, minimalist design—everything evoked a fast-paced, cool urban vibe. Most of the diners were young people, with a few influencers joining in the fun.
Ning Kai reserved the best seat for Pan Xianchen in the hall, ordered the top-ranked dish on Dianping for him, and placed ornaments and flowers on his table.
Pan Xianchen watched him busying around and said, "Hurry up, I have to go to the gym soon."
Ning Kai was speechless: "Gym, gym, there are no women to look at and touch, why are you going to a gym? Just wait, my friend will be here soon."
After five or six minutes, Cheng Lin walked in. Hu Jingjing had met Cheng Lin while practicing yoga. They shared similar interests, and besides yoga, they'd also dined and gone shopping together. While they were shopping, Ning Kai would carry their bags and act as their driver. Over time, Cheng Lin and Ning Kai became familiar with each other.
Cheng Lin was a very straightforward person. When Ning Kai offered to introduce her to a boyfriend, she readily agreed, not needing Hu Jingjing to accompany her. She just came on her own, carrying a small bag. It didn't matter if it worked out or not, it was just like making another friend.
Sitting down at the table, Cheng Lin looked at Pan Xianchen openly. Ning Kai joked, "How's he? Handsome, right?"
Cheng Lin was not shy at all, and said with a hearty smile: "It's quite handsome, it's my favorite style."
Pan Xianchen looked up at her, smiled, and said nothing. Then he looked at Ning Kai again, and asked him with his eyes: What are you doing?
Ning Kai answered him with his eyes: Help you transfer your love.
Cheng Lin didn't understand what they were talking about, so she interrupted, "Hello, your name is Pan Xianchen, right? Hu Jingjing and Ning Kai both introduced you to me. My name is Cheng Lin."
Pan Xianchen looked away and nodded politely, "Hello, Chenglin."
"What's your favorite dish? Let's take a look at the menu together?"
Cheng Lin was talking while looking through the menu on the table. Ning Kai interrupted and said, "It's my boss's treat today. I've already ordered the dishes for you. They'll be served right away. Please wait a moment. I won't disturb you."
Ning Kai walked to the door and his cell phone rang, so he stood outside the store to answer the call.
A few minutes after hanging up the phone, someone arrived. Ning Kai went up to them and said, "You're here, welcome! We've reserved a seat for you. Come on in!"
Wen Yu and Ye Yinuo walked into the store.
The night before, a familiar but unfamiliar number called Wen Yu. Wen Yu picked up the phone and heard Ning Kai's voice: "Wen Yu, are you not keeping your word? Didn't you say you would bring your friends to my shop? When are you coming?"
Wen Yu didn't expect Ning Kai to call him again, so he had to explain: "I've been busy with work recently and forgot for a moment."
Ning Kai said, "Is it okay to have dinner after get off work?"
Wen Yu couldn't stand Ning Kai's enthusiasm, so he brought Ye Yinuo to dinner tonight.
They didn't expect to see someone they knew right away. Wen Yu and Ye Yinuo were both stunned. Ning Kai came up from behind them and led them to the table next to Pan Xianchen and Cheng Lin, saying, "Please take a seat. The menu is on the table, or you can scan the QR code to order."
Wen Yu and Pan Xianchen looked at each other. Pan Xianchen looked away first, and Cheng Lin said to him, "You seem to have muscles. Do you have a fitness routine?"
"Um."
"Are you going to the gym after dinner?"
"I have this plan."
Cheng Lin smiled and asked directly, "I've never been to a gym. I'm curious. Can you take me there later?"
“…”
Pan Xianchen didn't agree immediately. His right hand rested on the table, playing the piano. Cheng Lin's intentions were too obvious. If he agreed, it would be a signal to a woman as proactive as Cheng Lin that she could take the next step.
He suddenly wanted to know Wen Yu's reaction at the moment, so he glanced to the side casually. Wen Yu and Ye Yinuo were concentrating on placing orders and didn't seem to notice what was happening on his side.
Pan Xianchen looked at Cheng Lin and said, "Okay."
The food arrived. Pan Xianchen ate while Cheng Lin chatted with him. Cheng Lin was a great conversation starter, and Pan Xianchen's responses weren't enthusiastic, but there was never a dull moment at their table. Cheng Lin peppered Pan Xianchen with questions about his tastes in food, his hobbies, his style of clothing, his work, and so on.
Ye Yinuo took out his cell phone and couldn't help but send a WeChat message to Wen Yu: With the help of this woman, I fully understand my leader.
Wen Xiaoyu: Stop touching your phone and eat.
The two of them ate quietly at their table, a stark contrast to Pan Xianchen and Cheng Lin sitting next to them. They'd arrived later, and their food had been served slower, but they'd still finished before the other table. Wen Yu and Ye Yinuo went to the cashier to pay. Wen Yu had agreed to treat, so Ye Yinuo grabbed a handful of mints and waited.
After paying, Ye Yinuo went to the restroom and went back into the store. Wen Yu took the handful of mints from her hand and held them. Neither of them had pockets. Wen Yu stood against the wall, holding the mints in her hands. She felt like a tourist attraction, and everyone passing by had to look at her and her hands.
After a while, there was another person beside him.
Pan Xianchen also stood against the wall, about fifteen centimeters away from her. Cheng Lin had also gone to the bathroom, and he waited outside the store. They hadn't said hello during dinner just now, but now that they were alone, Wen Yu had to say, "Mr. Pan."
Pan Xianchen said, "No need to say hello. Just pretend you don't know me like you did just now."
Wen Yu: “…”
Then Wen Yu said awkwardly, "Wasn't Mr. Pan busy with something just now? We didn't dare to disturb him..."
"Um."
Pan Xianchen said nothing more and turned his face to the other side.
Wen Yu didn't know what to say, and the atmosphere suddenly became cold. She looked down at the mints in her hand and began to feel anxious. Ye Yinuo had to go to the bathroom at this time, not earlier or later. One or two would have been fine, but Ye Yinuo insisted on taking a whole handful. Now she couldn't leave, and she was holding the candy in such a ridiculous manner. Wen Yu wanted to crawl into the ground.
Two or three minutes later, thankfully, Ye Yinuo emerged, arms waving. Wen Yu rushed over and dragged Ye Yinuo away. Before they left, they spoke to Pan Xianchen, who remained expressionless and silent.
Suddenly, Pan Xianchen felt that everything was boring.
It's so boring.
Eating is boring, working out is boring, waiting is boring, and Cheng Lin is even more boring.
What is he doing?
Pan Xianchen called Ning Kai and said, "Where are you? Come out."
A few seconds later, Ning Kai came out from the kitchen and asked, "Why are you alone? Where's Cheng Lin?"
"What's the matter with Chenglin or not? Stop trying to match me up with someone in the future. She's in the bathroom. I won't wait for her anymore. Tell her."
Ning Kai was puzzled: "What do you mean by not waiting? Didn't you guys agree to go to the gym together?"
"No," Pan Xianchen said expressionlessly, "I'm not interested in her."
"What's the matter? Is she not pretty enough? Or is she not to your liking? I think she seems to have some feelings for you. Why don't you give it a try?"
"I don't want to try."
Ning Kai understood and said, "You just want the original one?"
Pan Xianchen was silent for a moment, thinking of Wen Yu's impassive face. They were so close at the table, yet they didn't say a word, as if they were so far away. Cheng Lin talked to him purposefully, but he didn't listen at all, only feeling irritated.
His eyes were fixed on Cheng Lin, but they seemed completely unfocused. To this day, he couldn't quite remember what Cheng Lin looked like. He didn't care at all whether Cheng Lin was pretty or not. What did it have to do with him? The whole time, his peripheral vision was focused on the surroundings.
What is Wenyu eating? What is she drinking? What is she talking about with the colleague across from her?
But they ate in silence. Pan Xianchen couldn't even hear Wen Yu's voice. Sitting there, he just wanted time to pass quickly. What was the point of such a scene? The more Wen Yu sat there motionless, the more unbearable it became for him.
She doesn't ask? She doesn't get jealous?
Pan Xianchen smiled weakly and asked Ning Kai, "Why did you call Wen Yu and the others over for dinner?"
Ning Kai answered as a matter of course: "Of course I want her to see that you can still live well without her!"
Pan Xianchen smiled wryly and said to Ning Kai, "Look at me, do you think I'm living a good life?"
“…”
Ning Kai opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything against his will.
Pan Xianchen said, "Thank you for your kindness, but that's all. Don't make any more trouble."
Pan Xianchen drove back and his plan to go to the gym was ruined. At this moment, he didn't want to do anything. He just wanted to bury himself, not think or move, and fall asleep like a piece of wood.
He returned to his house downtown. The bathroom was spacious, with a huge bathtub by the window. But he didn't usually use it much, opting for a quicker shower. Today was no different. He turned on the shower, and a cascade of water poured down, covering him.
His mind was a mess, and the comfortable water temperature couldn't completely relax his body. His spirits remained tense. He remembered how Wen Yu had stood there obediently, her hands cupped, like a mascot, while waiting for someone to go to the bathroom. He had wanted to laugh at her then. But her expression was serious, earnest. Her face was flushed from the heat of dinner, her eyes watery, and the night breeze blew the alopecia on her head.
Pan Xianchen wanted to stroke her hair and cheeks with his hands, but he held back, deliberately turning his face away, not looking or thinking.
Warm water poured down from the top of his head, sliding across every inch of his skin with a tingling sensation. He suddenly stiffened, feeling that spot.
Can't I even think about it?
Pan Xianchen sighed, turned down the water temperature, forced himself to clear all distractions, and quickly calm down.
At that moment, his phone rang. He didn't answer it. Then it rang a second time, a third time... and then the ding-dong, ding-dong sound of WeChat notifications.
Pan Xianchen flipped the switch, pulled out a towel, and casually wiped the water away. He then tossed the towel over the edge of the empty bathtub. He walked out barefoot and turned on his phone. There were several calls and WeChat messages.
[Something happened.]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
