Chapter 12

When they got home, Guan Su was preparing dinner in the kitchen. Xie Mingqiu, surprised to see them together, asked: “Did you meet downstairs?”
“No, I just finished boxing and ran into him.” Shen Youwei explained and walked toward her room. “I’ll take a shower first.”
Guan Shanyan watched her back, lips slightly pressed.
Xie Mingqiu noticed his sulky expression and asked, “What’s wrong? Did you quarrel with Youwei again? You indulged her as a kid, so why are you so picky now?”
“That depends on what kind of thing it is,” Guan Shanyan said to Xie Mingqiu. “I saw that Coach Lu today, he’s clearly using being a coach as an excuse to chase Youwei.”
Xie Mingqiu’s mouth curved into a mischievous smile. “Isn’t that great?”
Guan Shanyan: “…”
“I did some digging. Little Lu lives nearby, and his family is pretty well-off!” Xie Mingqiu excitedly shared her findings from the past couple of days. “And his body, tsk tsk tsk, who wouldn’t want to touch it?”
She glanced up and down at Guan Shanyan. “You’ve been so busy with work lately, haven’t had time to exercise, right? All your muscles from before must be gone.”
“…” Hmph.
Guan Shanyan silently went to his room. When changing, he deliberately checked himself in the full-length mirror. His muscles were still there!
Though they weren’t quite as defined as before.
He stared at his reflection for a while. Indeed, he had neglected training lately. Maybe he should start morning runs again from tomorrow.
The next day, Guan Shanyan got up an hour early to run in the park.
The breakfast hadn’t been made yet. Guan Su saw him in his sportswear and asked in surprise, “Are you going to exercise?”
“Mm.” Guan Shanyan crouched at the door to change his shoes.
Guan Su asked, “Why the sudden idea to run in the morning?”
“To stay fit.”
“Alright then.”
On the balcony, Xie Mingqiu, watering flowers, chuckled: “I think he’s just worried about his body.”
Guan Shanyan: “…” Hmph, what’s there to worry about?
“This is good. A man should compete with his physique,” she said, glancing at Guan Su. “Why don’t you join your son? Looks like you need some exercise too.”
“I still have to make breakfast,” Guan Su mumbled, slipping back into the kitchen.
Guan Shanyan laced up his running shoes and headed out. Lize Park had a dedicated lake loop, perfect for running. The park’s facilities had been renovated over the years and were far better than when Guan Shanyan studied there.
By the lakeside, many people were exercising. As Guan Shanyan ran, someone caught up from behind. “Brother Guan, is that really you?”
“…” Guan Shanyan turned his head, and sure enough, it was Lu Zhaoye’s face.
“What a coincidence, Brother Guan! You’re running too!” Lu Zhaoye ran cheerfully beside him. “I run here every day, how come I never saw you before?”
Guan Shanyan withdrew his gaze and quickened his pace. “I just got back to the country.”
“Oh!” Lu Zhaoye responded and also sped up. “I looked you up yesterday, you’re really that fashion designer! No wonder you look familiar.”
Guan Shanyan didn’t answer. Lu Zhaoye continued chatting warmly. “Why don’t you share the same surname as Shen Youwei? One takes your father’s name, one takes your mother’s?”
Guan Shanyan glanced at him sharply. “Why are you asking about my family?”
“I’m not. I just want to know more about Shen Youwei,” Lu Zhaoye rubbed the back of his head awkwardly.
“…” Hmph. Guan Shanyan’s eyes sharpened. “Are you trying to chase my sister?”
Lu Zhaoye blushed, not denying it. “I do have that thought.”
Guan Shanyan asked coldly, “Is it allowed for coaches to date their students?”
“I don’t think there’s a rule,” Lu Zhaoye considered. “If not allowed, I can just resign.”
“Do you expect my sister to support you if you quit?”
“Of course not!” Lu Zhaoye hurried to explain. “My family runs a small business; my parents want me to help out at the company anyway.”
Though he had been reluctant, if considering love and marriage seriously, going back to work would be more secure.
“My family lives in Helanglan, so we’re basically neighbors,” Lu Zhaoye tried to get closer to Guan Shanyan. “We could hang out more. How about a barbecue at Lize Park next time?”
Guan Shanyan glanced at him. Helanglan was indeed a nearby villa area. But anyone who could afford property there clearly did more than a small business.
When Shen Youwei got up, the house was empty. It was a workday; everyone else had left for work. She leisurely ate the breakfast left just for her.
Estimating the time, He Man called: “Remember that buffet I mentioned? Let’s go for lunch today?”
“Sure.” Shen Youwei took a sip of milk and put the cup down. “You have time now?”
“Mm. The business deal I had planned was hijacked by Jiang Peipei, so I’m free.”
Shen Youwei: “…”
“Alright, lunch is on me.”
“Let’s save it for next time,” He Man declined politely. “I already bought the vouchers. Next time, you can treat me to something else.”
“Okay.” Shen Youwei finished breakfast, tidied up, and continued editing videos. Later, she changed into a BunnyFY New Year dress, put on oversized sunglasses, and left.
At the buffet, she realized He Man had invited not only her but also Xu Qairan.
She removed her sunglasses, smiled, and sat on the sofa. “Quite a full house today.”
Xu Qairan, unaware He Man had invited them both, said nothing upon seeing Shen Youwei. He Man, wanting to avoid conflict, energetically lightened the mood: “Haha, buying three vouchers gave a discount. Let’s grab some food first?”
Xu Qairan stayed seated. She looked at He Man. “If you called us here, just say it straight.”
He Man cleared her throat, then smiled. “I just hope you two can reconcile. You’ve worked well together all these years and were planning to set up a studio.”
“I know.” Xu Qairan cut her off. “Shen Youwei wants to open the studio. There aren’t enough hands, so you want me to go back and be her laborer?”
“Don’t put it that way. You helping her is better than anywhere else, right?”
“This isn’t a worry for you. Chen Qing said he’d arrange for me at his company.”
Shen Youwei laughed. “Chen Qing barely does anything at his company. What job could he give you?”
“Doesn’t matter, idle work still pays,” Xu Qairan snapped, annoyed. “You’ve always looked down on him.”
Shen Youwei retorted: “What’s worth my respect? Oh, in the debt department, he’s indeed talented.”
“Alright, alright. I have poor judgment, but what about you liking your brother?”
Shen Youwei frowned. “He’s just my godbrother. Liking him isn’t illegal. Besides, Guan Shanyan neither gambles nor owes debts, won’t leave me alone at night, and certainly wouldn’t lay a hand on me.”
Xu Qairan leaned back, laughing: “See? I didn’t even say anything bad about Guan Shanyan, and you got worked up. When you scold Chen Qing in front of me, have you considered my feelings?”
“Hahaha, I give up.” Shen Youwei laughed angrily. “I shouldn’t have just scolded Chen Qing, I should have scolded you too. That might have taught you a lesson.”
Xu Qairan grabbed her bag and left. He Man stayed silent a moment, then said to Shen Youwei: “The three vouchers I bought are a set, you must use them together.”
Shen Youwei: “…”
She thought the three-voucher discount was just an excuse. Turns out, it was real.
She sent her location to Guan Shanyan via phone: “I’m treating you to buffet. Coming?”