Chapter 55 After the test match ended, Gao...
Following the test event, the high-intensity acclimatization training preceding the high-altitude training has temporarily come to an end. Training has shifted to a more moderate pace to prepare for the high-altitude deployment two weeks later.
The training content and intensity are also being adjusted, with a gradual reduction in intensity. This is primarily because athletes should gradually decrease their training intensity in the period leading up to high-altitude training to avoid excessive fatigue and cumulative injuries. This helps athletes adapt to the environment better in the early stages of high-altitude training and reduces the occurrence of altitude sickness.
On the other hand, daily training may include more acclimatization exercises. Before high-altitude training, some acclimatization exercises simulating the high-altitude environment may be added, such as endurance training in a low-oxygen environment. These all help athletes adapt to the hypoxic environment of high altitude in advance, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of high-altitude training.
So, overall, Ren Xiyao's training hasn't been as intense as before these past few days.
Training on the ice rink continued as scheduled, but the coaching staff noticeably reduced the number of extreme sprints and high-intensity competition drills, focusing instead on refining technical details and relaxing skating exercises. The afternoon physical training sessions were no longer the grueling, exhausting workouts, but instead incorporated more stretching and recovery exercises.
This meant that when Ren Xiyao returned to her dorm each night, she was no longer in a state of exhaustion where she just wanted to collapse into bed; she even... had some free time. But that's how people are when they're used to being busy. They can make do with anything, but once they have a little free time, they start to want to satisfy their cravings.
Having been in South Korea for almost two months, Ren Xiyao has mostly eaten at the team's cafeteria, except for the occasional meal with Lee Eun-jung and the others. Whether South Korean food is good or not is a matter of personal opinion, but for Ren Xiyao, who grew up eating her hometown cuisine, prefers strong flavors and loves noodles and stir-fries, eating kimchi and soybean paste soup every day is indeed a bit unbearable. She's even started to miss the perpetually oily pork stew with glass noodles at the base cafeteria. Even Lin Shan has lost weight lately, sighing and groaning every mealtime.
Right now, Lin Shan is in the cafeteria, shoveling food into her mouth that she has no appetite for, sighing, "I've eaten at every decent restaurant I could find. I can't keep giving money to those two every day. I want some sweet and sour pork!"
Seeing that Ren Xiyao didn't seem to have much of an appetite, Lin Shan leaned over and nudged her shoulder: "Going out again tonight?"
"Hmm." Ren Xiyao bent down to untie her ice skates, her voice low: "He's free tonight."
Lin Shan raised an eyebrow: "How many times has this happened? This is the third time this week, isn't it?"
Ren Xiyao didn't reply, but continued to shovel rice into her bowl. Although she didn't actually eat more than two bites.
Lin Shan stared at her for two seconds, then suddenly laughed: "Wow, Ren Xiyao, how come I never noticed you were so clingy before?"
"Who's being clingy?" Ren Xiyao's ears burned slightly as she grabbed a towel to wipe her sweat. "It's just... having a meal."
"Eat?" Lin Shan drawled, "These days, whenever you go out, you never come back until just before curfew."
Ren Xiyao: "..."
Just as she was about to retort, a soft cough came from behind her. The two turned around at the same time. Wang Lu stood a few steps away, holding a water bottle in her hand, her eyes sweeping over them: "Xi Yao, remember to go find the coach after you finish eating."
Ren Xiyao nodded: "I understand."
After Wang Lu had walked away, Lin Shan lowered her voice and asked, "Is she targeting you?"
Ren Xiyao frowned: "It might just be a coincidence."
"Coincidence my foot." Lin Shan rolled her eyes: "The people at Lanhai Club are just waiting to find fault with you. You've been going out too often lately."
Ren Xiyao was silent for a while, and finally said only, "I will be careful."
In the evening, in an inconspicuous corner of Hanjiang Park where there were no streetlights, Kwon Ji-yong, wearing a baseball cap and a mask, was carrying two cups of hot lemon water. When he saw Ren Xiyao walking over from afar, he immediately waved to her.
Ren Xiyao quickly walked over and sat down next to him, taking the hot lemon water: "You weren't followed today?"
"I went around in circles before I got here." Kwon Ji-yong pulled down his mask, smiling at her. "Missed me?"
Ren Xiyao took a sip of lemonade and didn't deny it: "Mm."
Kwon Ji-yong's eyes lit up, and he was about to lean closer when she suddenly said, "We might have to see each other less often lately."
Kwon Ji-yong's heart tightened, and he asked in a slightly hoarse voice, "Why?"
"Someone in the team noticed."
Kwon Ji-yong frowned: "Who?"
“Wang Lu, from Lanhai Club,” Ren Xiyao paused, “She’s not from my club, we’re from different places… there’s competition. Last year their team leader made some comments. But the team leader is far away after all. She’s very perceptive because we train together every day.”
Actually, the national team is much more lenient with its management now. Relationships aren't strictly prohibited. In principle, Ren Xiyao could date anyone, even someone from the South Korean short track speed skating team, as long as it doesn't affect her training. But she's the kind of person who can cause such a huge uproar because of a relationship. This is far removed from the team's usual attitude. The higher-ups definitely don't approve of such blatant behavior.
Kwon Ji-yong was silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "Let's go to my house."
Ren Xiyao was taken aback: "What?" This suggestion was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples in her heart. It meant entering his completely private domain, a place that might be filled with traces of his life. This undoubtedly pushed their relationship a step further in a more intimate and deeper direction.
She hesitated. Was this too fast? Wouldn't it... be a bad idea?
Ren Xiyao raised an eyebrow: "How did you know I wanted to cook?"
“You’ve complained about it so many times already. And your weight loss is quite noticeable.” Kwon Ji-yong smiled smugly: “I found out about the supply point from Lee Eun-jung… all kinds of meat.”
Ren Xiyao stared at him for two seconds, then suddenly reached out and pinched his cheek: "...You're quite the strategist."
Kwon Ji-yong grasped her fingers: "Are you coming or not?" Despite his seemingly effortless push and pull, he was genuinely nervous. This girl had very clear boundaries and principles. She wasn't the type to be easily swayed by sweet words. He tentatively extended the invitation, unsure of himself. But the idea of taking her home had been swirling in his mind for a long time. It wasn't just for safety and convenience, but also a...desire to include her in his private space. His home was where he felt most relaxed after shedding all his glamour, and he wanted to share that tranquility with her.
Ren Xiyao thought for a moment and nodded, "Okay." Quan Zhilong's eyes lit up and he grabbed her, "There's still time, let's go now." Ren Xiyao almost stumbled from the pull, but she didn't let go and let him hold her hand.
Kwon Ji-yong appeared very excited throughout the journey.
When the apartment door opened, the room was decorated in a typical modern minimalist style, adorned with some brightly colored artworks and trendy decorative items, much like Kwon Ji-yong's own style. The living room's floor-to-ceiling windows offered a superb view, overlooking most of Seoul's nightscape.
Surprisingly, the house was very clean, even spotless, completely different from the mess she had imagined a male celebrity living alone might have.
Ren Xiyao stood in the kitchen, looking around. The refrigerator was half full, and there were a bunch of brand-new spice bottles on the counter, as well as a bag of noodles that she often ate.
She turned to look at Kwon Ji-yong: "When did you prepare this?"
"Last week," Kwon Ji-yong leaned against the doorframe, "I originally wanted to try making it myself and then surprise you."
Ren Xiyao opened the refrigerator and took out a few ingredients: "Do you know how to chop vegetables?"
"Probably...?"
What does '吧' mean?
Kwon Ji-yong touched his nose: "Exactly, theoretically yes."
Ren Xiyao sighed and handed him a knife and a potato: "Peel it and shred it."
Kwon Ji-yong took the knife, staring at the potato as if facing a formidable enemy: "This is much harder than writing a song..."
Ren Xiyao ignored him and turned to prepare the vegetables.
Twenty minutes later, Kwon Ji-yong held up a plate of potato fries of varying thicknesses, boasting, "How was it?"
Ren Xiyao glanced at it and said, "...You should go set the table."
The oil in the pan was hot, and the fermented soybean paste was added and stir-fried until the oil turned red, instantly filling the entire kitchen with its aroma. Kwon Ji-yong suddenly hugged her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder: "It smells so good."
Ren Xiyao's hand trembled, and she poured in half a spoonful of extra chili: "...Let go."
"I won't let go." Instead, he tightened his arms around me: "This is fine."
She nudged him with her elbow: "The food's going to burn."
Kwon Ji-yong reluctantly let go, but still stood close to her back, watching her stir-fry the beef. In the steam, her cheeks turned slightly red from the heat.
He suddenly felt that the lively atmosphere of the moment was more moving than the moment when thousands of people screamed on stage.
When the four dishes and soup were served, Kwon Ji-yong was somewhat surprised. He picked up a piece of shredded green peppers and potatoes with his chopsticks, and his eyes instantly lit up: "Delicious!"
Ren Xiyao smiled slightly: "Eat slowly, no one will take it from you."
When did you learn to cook?
“From a young age.” Ren Xiyao ladled herself a bowl of soup: “When I was training abroad, I would cook for myself if I didn’t like the food.”
Kwon Ji-yong paused for a moment, then suddenly said, "Then I'll come over for a free meal every day from now on."
Ren Xiyao raised an eyebrow: "Can you wash dishes?"
"……Won't."
"No way."
Kwon Ji-yong pouted: "No way, I can learn. What's so difficult about it? Besides, I'm very good at washing vegetables and wiping tables. Before I debuted, I did all those jobs."
The meal was quiet and cozy. Just the two of us, a table of home-cooked dishes, and the city night view gradually fading into silence outside the window.
She returned just in time for the curfew. Lin Shan sat cross-legged on the bed, watching Ren Xiyao take out several lunchboxes from her bag, her eyes widening: "You really went to his house to cook?"
"Hmm." Ren Xiyao pushed the lunchbox towards her: "It's leftovers, just eat it."
Lin Shan opened the lid, and a fragrant aroma instantly wafted out: "Wow, braised pork?!"
"Keep your voice down." Ren Xiyao glanced at the door. "Don't let anyone hear."
Lin Shan picked up a piece of meat and stuffed it into her mouth, her eyes squinting with happiness: "Amazing... Was he moved to tears?"
"Almost." Ren Xiyao couldn't help but laugh when she thought of Kwon Ji-yong wolfing down that plate of shredded potatoes. "He doesn't even know how to peel them."
Lin Shan shook his head: "It's over, Ren Xiyao, you've fallen for her."
"What?"
"You smiled so sweetly just now."
Ren Xiyao: "..."
She grabbed a pillow and threw it at him: "Eat your food."
The next morning during morning training, Wang Lu stopped Ren Xiyao, who had just returned from her morning run: "Did you go out again last night?"
Ren Xiyao said calmly, "Yes, I'll buy some things."
"What do you need to buy in three hours?"
"shop."
Wang Lu squinted: "When did you start liking shopping?"
Ren Xiyao looked directly at her: "Is it wrong to suddenly become interested?"
After a few seconds of eye contact, Wang Lu suddenly smiled and said, "Okay, of course."
She turned and left, but Ren Xiyao knew this wasn't over.
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The author notes: In our country, athletes usually buy meat and vegetables from designated supply points; otherwise, they are generally given them directly. I once read a post saying that athletes would carry dozens of kilograms of meat back home during their holidays. I couldn't find any information about South Korea, so I'll refer to our country's experience.
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