Chapter 44
Li Chi'an turned around in surprise and saw Yu Shi wearing sportswear, with a towel around his neck, covered in sweat, and his vest was soaked, obviously having just finished exercising.
"Yu Shi? What are you doing here?"
“This is my usual gym,” he said with a smile as he approached. “I saw you from a distance and thought I had mistaken you for someone else, but when I got closer, I realized it really was you.”
At this point, Yu Shi burst into laughter, "Your execution is too strong! You said you were going to work out and you came today."
"Otherwise what?" Because of Yu Shi's overly joyful smile, Li Chi'an was not so embarrassed when he suddenly realized that he was covered in sweat, wearing sportswear, and his face was probably already red. "I came to prepare for the skydive, but it seems that I can't do many of the movements correctly."
Yu Shi didn't pay attention to her improper technique and professionally pointed out the problem: "Your core strength is insufficient, so you tend to lean forward when squatting. I suggest you start by strengthening your core training with planks."
He demonstrated several movements, patiently explained the key points, and even personally helped her adjust her posture.
Li Chi'an discovered that Yu Shi, who had transformed into a fitness instructor, was different from his usual gentle self; he was strict and meticulous.
The other person was teaching so diligently that she also paid close attention and studied hard.
“Sports injuries often stem from incorrect posture,” he said seriously. “Muscle memory is terrible; once you remember a wrong movement, it’s hard to correct it.”
After an hour of training, Li Chian was sore all over, but also felt an unprecedented sense of comfort.
What surprised her even more was that, with Yu Shi's guidance, the movements that were originally difficult to complete became much easier.
"Thank you," she said, wiping her sweat. "I didn't expect you to be so professional about fitness."
“I’ve been doing this for years. I started working out in college, and it’s become the best way to release stress.” Yu Shi handed her a bottle of electrolyte water. “Get some hydration.”
"Thank you." Li Chi'an took the bottle, unscrewed it, and drank about half of it. "Are you a member of this gym?"
“This gym is owned by my friend, and I joined it as soon as it opened,” Yu Shi said with a smile. “It’s close to my workplace and home, so it’s very convenient to come here.”
Li Chi'an listened attentively, then suddenly realized that he had never asked Yu Shi where she lived. "I'm sorry, we've known each other for so long, but I still don't know where you live."
"I live in Yinhai Garden." Yu Shi was wearing a sports vest and shorts, and fine beads of sweat were still dripping from his muscles. After drinking water, he sweated even more.
"That's very close."
Yinhai Garden, the community where Li Chi'an is currently renting, and her former residence are all on the same road, all by the sea, not far from each other, and all in places with beautiful scenery and convenient living.
Li Chi'an thought to himself, "Yu Shi really knows how to live and enjoy life."
It's really interesting to be around him.
The two walked side by side towards the locker room when she suddenly remembered something. "Oh, by the way, a new barbecue restaurant opened nearby. Their congee and grilled oysters are especially delicious. I'd like to treat you to a meal to express my gratitude. Would you do me the honor?"
She was always busy with her guesthouse, and Li Chian had been wanting to thank her, but hadn't found a suitable opportunity.
This is perfect timing, since he just recently took on a part-time job as her personal fitness trainer.
Yu Shi's eyes lit up. "I'm actually hungry."
“Well…” Li Chi’an hesitated for a moment, “Can I bring my son with me? He’s attending an English training class nearby, and we can pick him up now to go together.”
"Of course you're welcome." Yu Shi's smile brightened even more. "Wait a moment, I'll go take a shower and change my clothes."
This answer relieved Li Chian, but also surprised him.
Most single men would show some disappointment at the thought of bringing children to dinner, but Yu Shi seemed to genuinely welcome the arrangement.
“Sure, I’m going to take a shower too,” Li Chi’an said with a smile. “Shall we meet in twenty minutes?”
Twenty minutes later, Li Chi'an, with her hair about 80% dry and wearing a green dress, came out of the bathroom. Soon after, she saw Yu Shi, dressed in clean sportswear, sitting on the sofa in the reception area waiting for her.
He wasn't on his phone. When he saw her appear, he immediately got up to greet her. "I've driven. What about you?"
“I walked here.”
The gym is only 700 or 800 meters away from where Li Chian lives. After dropping his son off at his English training class, Li Chian turned around, grabbed his bag, and came to the gym. It was very convenient.
She had scouted the place beforehand and came today with the intention of becoming a member. So when she met the friendly-looking coach, after he explained the courses and fees, she readily paid and became a member.
On my very first day working out here, I ran into Yu Shi and learned that he was a regular here, which was a pleasant surprise.
Soon, Li Chi'an's gaze fell on a gift box wrapped in colored paper that Yu Shi was carrying. Since the other party hadn't mentioned it, even if she had some guesses in her mind, she didn't say anything more.
"My car is on the basement level."
Li Chi'an followed Yu Shi into his car, fastened his seatbelt, and said, "My son is on the third floor of the Xingzi Building up ahead."
"Okay." The Xingzi Building and the building where the gym is located are only two hundred meters apart, so there's no need to use navigation. Shi drove directly to the bottom of the Xingzi Building.
"Parking is difficult here, you'll have to wait a bit," Li Chi'an gently instructed as he opened the car door.
"It's alright." Yu Shi raised his hand and pointed ahead. "I'll wait for you there."
Li Chian turned around and went into Xingzi Building to pick up his son.
...
At 6:30 p.m., Li Chian, Yu Shi, and Chen, the youngest friend, sat in the outdoor area of the newly opened barbecue restaurant she mentioned.
In the late autumn evening in Xianghai City, a gentle sea breeze blows and the temperature is pleasant.
Many people were walking along the beach, including tourists and nearby residents. Most of them were wearing short sleeves and flip-flops, looking relaxed and carefree, which made people feel very comfortable.
Yu Shi and Li Chi'an shared the same preference: they both wanted to choose a spot facing the sea, where the setting sun cast a warm glow on the table.
As soon as the three of them sat down, a waiter came over to set out the tableware. Li Chi'an used his phone to scan a QR code to order, while the youngest child, Chen, excitedly approached Yu Shi, his round eyes wide open, and asked, "Uncle, do you know Zimbabwe?"
"You know Zimbabwe?" Throughout the journey, Yu Shi was amazed by the amount of knowledge Chen had.
"I know, Uncle, do you know?"
"I know about Zimbabwe, but I don't know what you mean by asking me."
"Uncle, do you know how to become an unexpected millionaire in Zimbabwe?"
"I know, buy a chicken."
"Wow!"
When Chen, the youngest child, met Yu, he showed no shyness whatsoever, unlike a stranger.
Six-year-old human cubs, unless they are exceptionally introverted and timid, all have the potential to become human cattle.
Moreover, Chen, the youngest child, has received a great sense of security and principled yet unconditional love from his mother since childhood, and has always been an energetic and confident child.
Yu Shi listened to Chen Zui chattering away the whole way and knew that the boy really liked mechanics and science information, so he quickly found a way to communicate with him.
Then, he noticed that Chen Zui had a popular game character keychain hanging on his backpack, and naturally started talking about that game.
"You play Genshin Impact too?"
Chen Zui's eyes lit up immediately.
“Of course, I’m already level 55.” Yu Shi blinked. “I like Zhongli the most. His shield is especially useful.”
“I’ve never played it, but I know Genshin Impact.” Chen Zui was so excited he almost jumped up. “My mom says I’m too young to play it, but I can play it when I’m older.”
“You are still too young, you have to listen to your mother.”
After responding to Chen's youngest friend, Yu Shi turned to Li Chi'an and said, "Games can actually improve reaction speed and strategic thinking. Playing them in moderation is a good thing. I loved playing games when I was a child, which led me to teach myself programming. The inspiration for some of the homestay management systems I design now comes from game interfaces."
These words affirmed Chen Zui's hobby and cleverly persuaded Li Chi'an, who nodded in agreement, "If he really likes it, I won't interfere too much."
Chen Zui didn't quite understand what the two of them were saying, and her attention turned to the food order in Li Chi'an's hand. "Mom, what delicious food did you order?"
"I ordered grilled oysters, grilled abalone, grilled prawns, a vegetable dish, and a pot of porridge. Is that alright?"
"Yes!" Chen was so happy he almost cheered. "Mom, can I have lamb skewers? I want to eat grilled lamb skewers and roasted potatoes."
Yu Shi asked Li Chi'an in surprise, "Do you have roasted lamb skewers and roasted potatoes here?"
“We’ll go buy it next door.” The latter smiled and handed his phone to Yu Shi. “I’ll take him next door to buy lamb skewers. Take a look and see what else you want to eat before ordering.”
“Oysters are cooling in nature, so you can’t eat too many. You can have a small amount, but I’m fine with everything else.” Yu Shi didn’t take the phone from Li Chi’an’s hand, but got up instead. “I’ll take Zui Zui next door to buy some lamb skewers.”
He then realized that there was an XJ barbecue restaurant next door.
Li Chi'an was surprised that Yu Shi still remembered the stomach and spleen problem he had casually mentioned, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart.
Just as he was about to say that he would take his son to buy kebabs and not trouble the other party, Chen's youngest son had already grabbed Yu Shi's hand, "Uncle, let's hurry up and buy a lamb kebab for Mom too."
The three of them got along very well after that.
Yu Shi's conversations with Chen Zui were relaxed and enjoyable, ranging from games and cartoons to school anecdotes and travel experiences; he always managed to find topics that interested the child. What's even more remarkable is that he didn't try to ingratiate himself, but rather communicated with Chen Zui as an equal, listening attentively to every word he said.
Li Chian watched this scene quietly and suddenly realized that this was the first time Chen Zui had interacted so happily with a male adult other than her brother since the divorce.
Her ex-husband, Chen Li, was always busy with work and rarely communicated with his son, let alone had an equal dialogue with him, even when he was at home.
Because I had to drive and there were children with me, I didn't order any alcohol, but instead drank Sprite with Chen Zui.
The two even played a childish game of "who can blow the most bubbles," laughing so hard they were doubled over.
Li Chi'an, as was his habit, ordered a cup of warm barley tea.
Yu Shi noticed this detail and whispered something to the waiter.
Shortly after, the waiter brought over a pot of special barley tea. "This was specially prepared for you by the gentleman. It has red dates and ginger slices added, which is better for your stomach."
This small gesture made Li Chian feel cherished and warm.
During the meal, Yu Shi not only paid attention to Li Chi'an, but also cleverly steered the conversation toward Chen Zui, so that he would not feel neglected.
When the two talked about Li Chi'an's new book, Chen, the youngest child, proudly shared with Yu Shi the books her mother was reading and writing, her fair, chubby face radiating pure affection.
Yu Shi couldn't help but reach out and pinch the little guy's face. His skin was as tender as tofu. He was so cute.
After Chen Zui finished eating, he started to get restless.
Yu Shi took out paper and pen from his bag and taught him to play a simple sketching game. The child was immediately attracted and sat quietly to draw.
"You actually play children's games?" Li Chi'an was extremely surprised. "I rarely see a young person as patient with children as you."
Yu smiled and said, “My older brother and sister-in-law are abroad. Since my nephew was three years old, they have often left him with my mother. I often take him to play. Later, when I was running a bed and breakfast, I often encountered families with children. Gradually, I learned to communicate with children of different ages.”
When the seafood porridge was served, Yu Shi naturally served Li Chi'an a bowl first, saying, "Eat more, this is good for your stomach."
Then he served Chen a small bowl, saying, "Be careful, it's hot."
This barbecue restaurant is known for its delicious food, but the environment is actually quite average. It attracts all sorts of customers.
Li Chi'an even overheard two heavily pregnant men next door talking animatedly about the international situation, spitting as they spoke, and occasionally smoking a cigarette.
To be honest, she herself couldn't stand these people, but after the meal, this young nobleman showed no impatience whatsoever.
Looking at the handsome man in front of him, who seemed to belong on the cover of a romance novel, Li Chi'an suddenly felt a sense of panic and confusion.
After her divorce, she had already decided not to get involved in relationships again so easily.
But Yu Shi's appearance stirred a slight ripple in her heart.
Gao Yinxi is right, he really is a very, very good person.
If you miss it, you may never have the chance again.
...
Dinner ended as night fell.
Yu Shi insisted on taking the mother and son home, even though the distance was not far.
Chen was so excited from playing that he had a lot of physical activity that he started complaining of being tired halfway through the day, and he could barely keep his eyes open.
Just as Li Chi'an was about to squat down and pick up his son, he handed her the gift he had given to Chen Zui when they first met, squatted down himself, and easily carried Chen Zui on his back. "I'll carry him."
The child nestled on his broad back and quickly fell asleep peacefully.
The streetlights cast long shadows of the three people, and the sea breeze brought a cool feeling.
Li Chi'an walked beside Yu Shi, watching him steadily carry his son on his back, and a complex emotion welled up in his heart.
"Thank you so much for today," she said softly. "Zuizui said the gift you gave him was exactly what he wanted recently."
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