Familiar
Sunday afternoon at 3:45.
Zhu Shiyi touched her face, looking at herself in the mirror with a conflicted expression.
If you want to exercise and swim, do you still need to wear makeup?
Although cosmetics are quite waterproof these days, they still can't withstand being soaked like this, right? Wouldn't wearing makeup look too deliberate? But wouldn't I look too ugly without makeup...?
Zhu Shiyi carefully selected a lipstick and drew her eyebrows. She checked her phone; it was 3:55.
She slapped herself hard, grabbed her bag, and ran out.
Deadlines are the best treatment for procrastinators.
This was also the first time they had met as friends. Zhu Shiyi didn't want to leave the other person with the impression of being disrespectful. Fortunately, Pan Yue didn't rush him.
Despite rushing, I was still a few minutes late.
Zhu Shiyi, panting heavily, looked towards the school gate.
A black Mercedes SUV was parked in front of Pan Yue.
Zhu Shiyi jogged over: "Have you been waiting long?"
"No, I just arrived." Pan Yue opened the passenger door behind him, and Zhu Shiyi took off her backpack, preparing to hug it to her chest.
Pan Yue reached out and took the bag: "Put it in the back."
He got into the car. Pan Yue turned to the side, put his bag on the back seat, then opened the center console, took out a bottle of electrolyte water, unscrewed it, and handed it to the side.
"It's good to drink this while exercising."
Zhu Shiyi thanked him and accepted it.
Pan Yue reached out and tapped the car's screen, and then silence fell again.
A familiar sense of awkwardness arose spontaneously.
Zhu Shiyi sipped her drink, pondering how to talk to her elders.
Pan Yue, an elder, is into fitness and cares about health.
...
"How have you been feeling lately?" Zhu Shiyi asked without hesitation.
Pan Yue's eyes twitched, and his gaze drifted over.
A gust of air followed, and a mischievous smile played on his lips. He lowered his eyes and nodded, speaking softly, "Thank you for your concern, I'm fine."
I burned the back of my ear.
Zhu Shiyi really wanted to slap himself. What kind of nonsense was that?
"How are you feeling?" Pan Yue asked back, "What specific advice did the doctor give regarding exercise?"
No wonder they're elderly.
It seems he's genuinely interested in this topic.
"They told me to exercise several times a week," Zhu Shiyi recalled. "If it's still not regular, I should have my blood sugar and other hormones checked?"
"insulin."
"Yes, yes."
Pan Yue moved his fingers, and suddenly a song started playing in the car.
A familiar, favorite song. Zhu Shiyi couldn't help but hum along.
"Do you like this song too?" she started the conversation.
Pan Yue gave a soft "hmm," then remained silent.
A few seconds later, he added, "I don't usually listen to music."
Zhu Shiyi followed up, "Then let me recommend a few to you?"
"good."
Zhu Shiyi found something to do and excitedly flipped through the playlist.
They chatted casually.
One song after another was played.
"Isn't this the setlist for my performance that night?" Zhu Shiyi exclaimed in surprise.
Pan Yue gave a slight nod, his expression unchanged: "I don't have any other playlists."
Zhu Shiyi nodded, completely convinced.
The playlist at the time was indeed sent to Pan Yue by her.
Before parking.
Pan Yue suddenly reminded him, "I told the shop owner that you are an employee of my company."
Zhu Shiyi: "Huh?"
“No charge,” Pan Yue explained.
Such a good thing!
Zhu Shiyi quietly cancelled the trial card she bought on the group-buying app.
......
Having received good news, Zhu Shiyi followed the receptionist's guidance, registered a phone number without any confusion, and then had free access.
The receptionist was even incredibly welcoming and attentive: "Would you like a personal trainer to show you around the equipment?"
Zhu Shiyi stared in disbelief.
Is this also free?
“No need,” Pan Yue answered for her, “Thank you.”
Zhu Shiyi followed Pan Yue inside, looking around curiously.
The gym is large, the floor is spotless, there aren't many customers, and the equipment is spaced far apart.
Walking here, I inexplicably feel a sense of sophistication, like I've transformed into a sophisticated urban woman.
"Store your bags here, and bring your phone and water," Pan Yue pointed to the left.
After saying that, he walked to the right.
Zhu Shiyi agreed and walked into the women's changing area.
She wore her sportswear directly, without needing to change, and could go out after storing her bag.
Not seeing Pan Yue outside, Zhu Shiyi waited where he was.
A moment later, Pan Yue's figure came into view.
He changed into a pair of athletic shorts and a black short-sleeved shirt. The clothes looked like they were made of a slightly stretchy, tight-fitting fabric, which showed off his well-defined chest muscles, large and firm.
The raglan sleeve design further accentuates his broad shoulders; the short sleeves highlight the lean and well-defined muscles of his upper arms, while the veins on his forearms are prominent and crisscrossing.
Zhu Shiyi quickly looked away.
My heart fluttered.
A million nonsensical thoughts flashed through my mind.
"Let's familiarize ourselves with the machine first." Pan Yue took a step forward.
Zhu Shiyi felt like she had signed up for a private customized tour group, listening to tour guide Pan Yue patiently explain: "The gym is divided into three areas: the aerobic area, the anaerobic area, and the stretching room."
She followed them to one instrument after another. Elliptical trainer, stair climber, digital speed settings, and so on...
Feeling dazed and confused.
Zhu Shiyi scratched his head in frustration.
Pan Yue paused, stared at her for two seconds, then tilted his head slightly, a half-smile on his face: "How about I just introduce you to one set of procedures?"
Zhu Shiyi's eyes lit up, and he nodded vigorously.
Pan Yue led her to a row of machines.
......
"A treadmill?" Zhu Shiyi's face tightened, showing extreme disgust.
It's a promise! Exercise isn't just about running.
“Hmm,” Pan Yue glanced at her, gesturing for her to get on the machine, “It has another name.”
Zhu Shiyi, head hanging low, climbed onto the machine with a look of utter despair.
Whatever the name, it's all about running, why all the secrecy?
Pan Yue smiled, reached onto the machine, and pressed a few buttons.
Zhu Shiyi immediately clenched his fists and placed them on his waist, ready to run.
......
Suddenly, the machine on her feet lifted up, forming a ramp. The belt moved at a moderate speed, and she took a big step.
There's no need to run; walking is enough.
“Incline machine,” Pan Yue tilted his head, his eyes slightly curved, “the best aerobic exercise to stick to.”
He walked to the machine next to him: "Incline 13, speed 4, remember these parameters, slowly increase them."
Zhu Shiyi was relieved.
There's such a kind sport.
He stretched out his fists at his sides and placed his hands on the machine's armrests.
A sudden, sharp electric shock emanated from her palm. Startled, she flung her hand away, as if pricked by a needle.
"Don't hold onto the handrails," Pan Yue reminded, "The equipment detects heart rate and has static electricity."
Zhu Shiyi looked down and saw the metal plate on the handrail.
She moved aside from the metal sheets and placed them in a safe area.
"Don't use your hands for leverage, use your thighs and hips to generate power," Pan Yue instructed, acting like a coach. "Since we're here to exercise, we need to maximize efficiency."
Zhu Shiyi listened to the advice and let go, immediately realizing the difficulty: "Didn't they say climbing a hill was easy to persevere with!"
A low chuckle spread: "You can play on your phone."
Zhu Shiyi was taken aback and glanced sideways.
Pan Yue raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile in his eyes, looked at her, picked up his phone, and moved his head.
Zhu Shiyi couldn't wait to grab his phone.
Roll it up and play at the same time – kill two birds with one stone!
Five minutes later.
Zhu Shiyi hunched over, hands on his hips, dragging his heavy steps and panting heavily.
She had already tossed her phone onto the shelf.
"Take a deep breath," Pan Yue said without changing his expression, "Aren't cell phones fun?"
"I can't concentrate at all." Zhu Shiyi took a deep breath to stay awake.
"It's low-intensity aerobic exercise, which improves cardiovascular function and helps burn fat," Pan Yue said without panting.
"This is considered low intensity?" Zhu Shiyi waved his hand. "No matter what you consume, it won't work."
In her opinion, this is wasting one's lifespan.
She clicked the stop button, ignoring everything else: "I need to rest for a while."
As Zhu Shiyi stepped off the machine, the world spun around him, his feet felt like they were on skateboards, and he felt like he was in outer space.
She steadied herself, sat down on the chair next to her, and glanced at Pan Yue.
He kept his eyes straight ahead, with an iPad propped up in front of him.
"What are you looking at that's so interesting?" Zhu Shiyi asked curiously. You're so tired, what could you possibly be watching?
"Project proposal".
Zhu Shiyi shut up in a second.
Pain upon pain, utterly terrifying.
As time passed, my breathing gradually became steady.
Zhu Shiyi raised one knee, stared blankly into space, and propped his face up with his hand, lost in thought.
Pan Yue was right in front of his eyes.
The man was concentrating intently, and his breathing remained steady and normal.
Sweat beads slid down his forehead, down his sharp jawline, and dripped sharply at the corner of his neck, disappearing there.
Zhu Shiyi touched his cheek; it was burning hot.
I guess it's because I exercised for five minutes.
It's too curly.
She took a sip of water, stepped back onto the machine, and adjusted the parameters herself.
Pan Yue glanced at them and encouraged them, "Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth."
Zhu Shiyi nodded, shut his mouth, took a deep breath, and randomly opened a few videos to browse.
It must have been more than ten minutes, she glanced at the timer.
...three minutes.
“That’s enough,” Pan Yue said desperately, “You’ve warmed up with some aerobics, now come down.”
Zhu Shiyi followed closely behind Pan Yue.
“Anaerobic exercise, also known as strength training, is high-intensity,” Pan Yue said, squatting down directly. “Strength training exercises muscles and bones, which is very beneficial for body shaping and health.”
He adjusted the equipment settings: "As your doctor said, the blood sugar and insulin issues need to be improved through strength training."
"Why?"
“Muscle is the largest glycogen storage tissue in the human body,” Pan Yue patted the machine seat and stood up. “With high muscle mass, the body’s glycogen and insulin can be fully utilized, thus stabilizing blood sugar.”
Zhu Shiyi sat on the machine: "Do I really have a problem with my blood sugar?"
So young, and he really has diabetes?
“Not necessarily,” Pan Yue added, “It’s most likely not.”
"Really?" Zhu Shiyi trusted him instantly.
People tend to believe more positive things.
“There are no outward symptoms,” Pan Yue said, then changed the subject, “but I suggest you take it seriously. Lack of exercise and staying up late, combined with the dietary structure of Chinese people, can easily lead to insulin resistance.”
Zhu Shiyi frowned in confusion.
Pan Yue automatically explained: "Insulin sensitivity is low, and the unit mass is poor. In order to fully consume glycogen, the secretion volume can only be increased, which will cause problems in the long run."
Zhu Shiyi was forced to confront his health issues.
Pan Yue directed: "Sit forward a bit, sit up straight."
"Hip abduction, 4 sets of 12 repetitions each."
Zhu Shiyi mustered all his strength and opened his legs.
......
"So easy?" This feels much better than aerobic exercise.
Is this what you call high intensity?
Pan Yue gave a barely perceptible smile: "Impressive."
"No wonder he can take on ten of them."
"Absolutely," her inner athletic talent must have awakened, "A powerful woman!"
Zhu Shiyi put in even more effort.
Five, six, seven.
My legs gradually felt like they were filled with lead.
Zhu Shiyi slowed his leg movements and secretly glanced at Pan Yue.
He nodded and said slowly, "Keep it up."
......
Having just made a bold promise, there's no way I'd complain about being tired.
Zhu Shiyi held his breath and used all his skills.
Unable to hold back, he grinned.
Pan Yue silently turned his back to the side.
His expression was unclear, but his shoulders trembled slightly.
"Are you mocking me?" Zhu Shiyi felt ashamed.
“No,” Pan Yue turned around, his expression unreadable, “come down and rest for a while.”
Zhu Shiyi stood up, and Pan Yue immediately sat down, suddenly increasing the weight and starting to abduct his hips.
Zhu Shiyi stared intently at him, hoping that Pan Yue would also make an embarrassing expression.
The result was disappointing.
The opponent's legs moved at lightning speed without stopping, and he didn't even flinch, showing no signs of strain.
Pan Yue wiped the equipment with a wet wipe and then adjusted the weight back: "Your turn."
"I can't do it." Zhu Shiyi said, setting the table.
Pan Yue tilted his head: "Not a strong woman?"
Zhu Shiyi: ......
She sat on the machine and remained still: "Rest for two more minutes."
Pan Yue hummed in agreement: "What did you have for lunch?"
"No classes, didn't want to move, so I just ate a piece of bread."
Pan Yue frowned: "Eat more, you can't gain weight like this."
“That’s perfect, I’ll lower it.” Zhu Shiyi’s eyes lit up.
Pan Yue squatted down and adjusted the parameters: "Muscle of the same weight can burn three to five times more calories than fat at rest."
"Huh?" Zhu Shiyi didn't understand.
“People with high muscle mass are less likely to gain weight,” Pan Yue looked up. “Do you like good food?”
His eyes shone brightly, like ripples on autumn water.
Zhu Shiyi bit her lip, revealing two dimples as she smiled: "Who doesn't like it?"
Pan Yue stood up: "So, eat more, and next time, increase your weight."
Pan Yue always spoke with reason and evidence, and his words always resonated with the needs of others.
Zhu Shiyi was completely convinced once again and genuinely wanted to become a strong woman.
She continued to spread her legs out, and couldn't help but want to grimace again.
"Turn around." Zhu Shiyi suddenly chuckled, stopped what he was doing, and ordered Pan Yue.
"Hmm?" Pan Yue asked in a raised tone, arms crossed, eyes fixed, posture relaxed, a slight smile playing on his lips.
...Pretending not to understand, huh!
Then she will!
"Please." Zhu Shiyi clasped her hands together and inexplicably laughed out loud.
Then she's shameless.
A muffled laugh escaped his chest, and the distance between his eyes widened instantly. Pan Yue lowered his gaze, his hand pressed against his lips, his chest trembling slightly with laughter.
"Okay." He shook his head and turned his back.
......
Pan Yue's last group.
His legs slowed down, and his brow twitched slightly.
He pursed his lips tightly, his ears were red from straining, as if he had used all his strength, and the veins on his neck were bulging.
Zhu Shiyi glanced at its weight; it was still a huge stack.
Her weight, in any case, decreased with each set.
The man suddenly exhaled heavily: "You turn around too."
Zhu Shiyi mischievously said, "Then you should beg me too."
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