Military training
The next day was the weekend.
Zhu Shiyi woke up around 11 a.m. and left his room.
The living room curtains were half-drawn, and a sliver of light slanted out from the gaps and corners.
Zhu Shiyi stepped forward, drew back the curtains, and was greeted by a warm, gentle light. Her pupils were misty, and she squinted slightly.
When I opened my eyes again, the blue sky was no longer blurry, and the white clouds were rippling, shining with light.
In autumn and winter, Jinrong is often shrouded in fog, and it rarely enjoys such bright sunshine as it does today.
Zhu Shiyi took a deep breath and stretched.
She nestled on the sofa, looking out the window, her bare feet warm from the sun.
The interior design of Yu Fan's home features a warm color scheme, with alternating shades of pale yellow and milky white, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
This is quite different from her usual mature and sophisticated image.
There is an electronic keyboard in the living room.
Beside it, the guitar sat peacefully on its shelf.
It's very well-behaved; Yu Fan moved it out of the guest room last night.
Zhu Shiyi got up and touched it.
My stomach growled a few times.
Zhu Shiyi went back to her room, put on her coat, and planned to go downstairs to buy food.
The apartment complex has a chain supermarket downstairs.
Zhu Shiyi wanted to add something to Yu Fan's refrigerator as a token of her gratitude.
She bought some desserts and snacks, and packed two meals before going home.
I went back inside.
Yu Fan woke up too; she was sitting on the sofa basking in the sun: "You're back!"
“Yes,” Zhu Shiyi put down her things, and the cat sat down by the coffee table. “Let’s have some noodles.”
Yu Fan slid off the sofa and crouched by the coffee table: "What else do you want to buy to eat?"
Zhu Shiyi then pulled a box out of the bag: "Swiss rolls, and potato chips... See what you like to eat?"
"I love them all!" Yu Fan excitedly opened the Swiss roll. "Thank you, Xiao Shiyi!"
"Don't be shy," Zhu Shiyi said with a smile, "I'll take care of your fridge and snack shelf while I'm staying!"
“Then I won’t stand on ceremony,” Yu Fan smiled brightly as sunlight shone on her profile. “You can use whatever you want in my room. The only valuable things I have are these musical instruments.”
Okay.
The weather was nice, and they were in good spirits, so the two decided to go out and have some fun.
Yu Fan suggested going to an art exhibition, and Zhu Shiyi readily agreed.
Using Yu Fan's cosmetics, Zhu Shiyi got a beautiful makeover, and the two took the subway to the art museum together.
Upon entering the exhibition area, one is greeted by a dazzling array of oriental landscape paintings.
She found it novel and started snapping photos with her phone.
But after a while, even a few ink strokes can become a bit boring.
Zhu Shiyi has not seen many art exhibitions.
The main problem is... she doesn't understand painting.
Zhu Shiyi obediently became Yu Fan's follower.
Yu Fan stood tall and straight in front of a work of art, motionless and silent for a long time.
Zhu Shiyi fell silent, not wanting to disturb Yu Fan.
My eyes followed the painting, hmm... mountains and forests, waterfalls.
It was a Chinese painting, but she didn't understand it.
Gradually, Zhu Shiyi's eyes began to wander, his thoughts racing.
Yu Fan finally moved again.
Zhu Shiyi was overjoyed and immediately changed locations.
After taking only two steps, Yu Fan stopped again.
Zhu Shiyi's nose is wrinkled.
Perhaps noticing her little expression, Yu Fan tilted his head and put his hand on Zhu Shiyi's shoulder: "Doesn't it look good?"
"No, no," Zhu Shiyi waved his hand, "maybe I don't have much artistic talent, um... I don't know much about painting."
“I’m sorry,” Yu Fan’s eyebrows twitched slightly, “I thought you would like it.”
"It's okay, anywhere is fine." Zhu Shiyi also felt apologetic, realizing that she was being rather disappointing.
Yu Fan crossed his arms and smiled, "Do you know Xu Xiake?"
“Of course,” Zhu Shiyi said, propping his head up with his hand and rubbing his chin with his thumb and forefinger. “It’s the Xu Xiake from ‘The Travels of Xu Xiake,’ right?”
After visiting the Five Sacred Mountains, one need not see any other mountains; after visiting Huangshan, one need not see any other of the Five Sacred Mountains.
No one will support my lofty ambitions; I will brave the snow to reach the mountain peak myself.
Zhu Shiyi didn't know this person, but he liked his poems.
Freedom, frankness, unrestrainedness, and high spirits.
“Yes,” Yu Fan began to introduce, “He is a writer, but also a traveler.”
Zhu Shiyi became slightly interested.
"The artist behind the paintings in this exhibition is Mr. Wu Yifeng. He spent half his life following Xu Xiake's aspirations, traveling through mountains and rivers, and using his paintings to realistically depict the landscapes described in ancient texts," Yu Fan said, turning his gaze back to the paintings. "When he puts knowledge into practice, he can see the subtle details of things."
Zhu Shiyi looked at the painting on the exhibition wall again. It was extremely long, estimated to be more than ten meters long. It had little color, only a few brushstrokes, and only dark ink.
Upon closer inspection, the brushstrokes depict mountains, forests, birds, and flowing water, unlike traditional landscape paintings. There are also trucks, tunnels, highways, and towns.
“Art can be abstract, but it must contain reality and keep pace with the times,” Yu Fan pointed to another exhibition wall. “In the early 20th century, Chinese and Western ideas collided and merged, and Chinese painting also underwent a combination of Chinese and Western styles, as well as a transformation towards realism.”
Zhu Shiyi then looked at the painting and was surprised to find that it was so modern. She guessed that the towering black buildings in the painting were chimneys.
She looked at the caption; the painting depicted a salt field.
Yu Fan suddenly turned back, with Zhu Shiyi following behind. The two of them stood together in front of a familiar painting.
“Actually, art is interconnected,” Yu Fan said, his gaze falling to his side. “Music, fine arts, calligraphy, and poetry are all based on common human emotional experiences, emphasizing rhythm and tonality, stimulating multiple senses, and bringing aesthetic pleasure to people.”
“I don’t have any artistic talent either,” Yu Fan turned his head and looked up at the painting, “but I can feel it.”
“For example, this waterfall,” she pointed, “try listening to it.”
Zhu Shiyi paused slightly, then turned his gaze back to the painting.
The area is grayish-white and lightly inked.
The mountains and forests soar into the clouds, light and shadow intertwine with the mist, streams and waterfalls cascade down, and in the shallow, flat rocky areas, there are houses hidden deep in the white clouds.
The painting contains both outlines and washes.
Like a cascading waterfall, the water murmurs softly.
Zhu Shiyi paused for a moment, put on her headphones, and played a light and cheerful guzheng piece.
She unconsciously leaned closer to take a look.
Beneath the pavilions and towers, two figures, one in yellow and one in blue, were standing. Their faces were obscured, but judging from their slightly hunched bodies, she guessed they must be two elderly people.
He might even be a Taoist priest.
She guessed to herself and smiled inexplicably.
This painting, titled "Flying Waterfall at Dongtianmu," is said to depict the Milky Way falling from the heavens.
The title of this exhibition comes to mind: "Ten Thousand Points of Straw Sandals".
With a bamboo staff and straw sandals, I travel lighter than a horse; a straw raincoat and misty rain are all I need for a lifetime.
She also immersed herself in this world of art.
A stroll can easily take up an entire afternoon.
Yu Fan is right.
It turns out that she, Zhu Shiyi, really does love art exhibitions.
She loves art.
She enjoyed the feeling.
--
on Monday.
Another day at work.
It was rare for Zhu Shiyi to wake up without feeling sleepy.
Because on this day, she and Pan Yue had made an appointment to work out together.
She went back to school last night to collect some things, then came to Yu Fan's place. After washing up, she went to bed early on purpose.
I just drift through the day until it's time to leave work.
Zhu Shiyi sent a message to Pan Yue right at the time he was about to leave work.
Zhu Shiyi: [Where shall we meet?]
Pan Yue: [Basement level, parking lot.]
Zhu Shiyi went down to the basement level, hiding from his acquaintances, and quietly crept to a corner before daring to peek out.
But they couldn't find Pan Yue's car.
She squinted and looked around for more than a minute, but still couldn't find it.
Zhu Shiyi leaned against a pillar and texted Pan Yue: "Where am I? I can't see you."
A muffled thud suddenly sounded behind my ear.
Zhu Shiyi trembled with fright, turned around abruptly, and almost screamed.
Pan Yue leaned against the wall with the back of his hand, tapping with his bent knuckles.
"You scared me!" Zhu Shiyi patted her chest; she had thought it was a colleague.
Pan Yue chuckled, shook his head, and pointed behind him: "Look at you, circling around here twice already."
Zhu Shiyi, suppressing her embarrassment, said, "Then why didn't you call me?"
Pan Yue turned and walked towards the car.
Zhu Shiyi picked up her bag, covered her face, and followed Pan Yue's steps, glancing around from time to time, afraid of being seen by anyone.
...
Why make it look like an affair?
On the bus.
Pan Yue took a bag of toast from beside the door and handed it to Zhu Shiyi: "Have some carbs so you can work up the intensity when you lift weights later."
Zhu Shiyi: "..."
"If I don't want to eat, how can I not go?"
“If you don’t go today, you’ll have to go the day after tomorrow,” Pan Yue said ruthlessly. “If you don’t eat enough carbohydrates, you’re more likely to get injured.”
Is this what a fitness enthusiast looks like?
Zhu Shiyi silently took a slice of toast: "How many carbs would I need to eat to get enough?"
Pan Yue started the car and glanced to the side: "It depends on your fitness needs. Different needs require different nutritional ratios."
He looked away and stared straight ahead: "For example, to build muscle, the demand for carbohydrates is high. At my weight, I need to consume about 400 grams of carbohydrates a day. And this slice of low-fat toast contains about 13 grams of carbohydrates..."
Zhu Shiyi, with a piece of toast in his mouth, let it go in one ear and out the other, not remembering a word and forgetting it as soon as he heard it.
After Pan Yue finished his speech, Zhu Shiyi sincerely admired him: "So when you eat every day, do you just spend all your time calculating the grams of nutrients in your head?"
"More or less." Pan Yue nodded.
"Aren't you tired?" Zhu Shiyi asked in surprise.
"Once you get used to it, you'll be able to calculate very quickly."
Zhu Shiyi took a deep breath and nodded.
No wonder he developed eight-pack abs, he's incredibly disciplined.
If she were to do all this, her brain would explode.
The gym wasn't far from here. In no time, the two arrived at the gym.
Zhu Shiyi didn't bring a swimsuit, so today she can only do weight training.
After warming up, it's time for strength training, which means lifting weights again.
Pan Yue explained the planned week-long training schedule: "Today, focus on shoulders and back; the day after tomorrow... waist and abdomen; Friday..."
He paused halfway through his sentence.
"Friday what?" Zhu Shiyi looked at Pan Yue, she didn't understand.
Pan Yue looked away, his lips pressed tightly together.
He coughed lightly, making a fist: "Friday, buttocks and legs."
Zhu Shiyi hadn't reacted yet.
"Wednesday, chest and waist."
...
Zhu Shiyi finally realized what was going on.
What's the big deal?
Without hesitation, she wouldn't even think of anything inappropriate!
Zhu Shiyi simply can't do strength training.
She pulled on two pieces of iron from a high position, exerting tremendous strength, and even had to grit her teeth.
Fortunately, Pan Yue and she were on the same wavelength.
This time, without anyone asking anyone else, Pan Yue had already turned his back on them on his own, which was very considerate.
Zhu Shiyi pushed hard, making that ugly expression.
By the time she reached the eighth rep in the third set, she was almost exhausted, and her chest and shoulders slumped.
“No,” Zhu Shiyi said, slackening his efforts. “I really can’t do it anymore.”
"Just one more," Pan Yue said, turning slightly to look at Zhu Shiyi and offering encouragement.
Zhu Shiyi gave him face and insisted on keeping one.
"One more," Pan Yue continued.
Zhu Shiyi used all his strength to pull another one.
“Pull one more.” Pan Yue raised his voice slightly.
Zhu Shiyi: ...
What about military training?
She laughed so hard her stomach cramped: "I can't poop even a little bit!"
Zhu Shiyi retorted, "I need to take a break."
Pan Yue turned around to face Zhu Shiyi and pointed at her hand: "You're holding it in the wrong place."
Zhu Shiyi shifted her paw: "How about this?"
"On the other side."
Zhu Shiyi moved his hand in the opposite direction again: "Is it right now?"
"Pull your thumb out."
"Huh?" Zhu Shiyi didn't understand.
"..."
Pan Yue moved closer, grasped the handle, and gestured: "Like this."
The temperature slowly approaches, seemingly close yet distant.
Zhu Shiyi slightly raised her breath, staring at his hand, trying to find the differences.
"Is there any difference?" Zhu Shiyi didn't understand.
"..."
Pan Yue pursed his lips, released his hand, and moved away.
A cool, warm touch on my knuckles.
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