Huang Jinghe wasn't far from her at all. He was right next door, and since the rooms were divided by glass walls, even while Lan Jin was practicing basic movements with Ling Jiang, she could still see how things were going on his side.
She had to admit, Lao Gao's teaching style was… pretty harsh. That was the only word that seemed to fit. Even though they were just going over basic movements, Huang Jinghe was yelping and groaning nonstop.
The thing was, those basic movements looked almost exactly the same as the ones she was doing. Lan Jin frowned and asked, "Is he just being really strict, or are you going easy on me? It feels like I'm doing the same stuff, but our reactions couldn't be more different."
Ling Jiang glanced across the glass and said, "You two are learning the exact same basics. I think it's because you're used to exercising. Your body can handle it. But Xiao Huang barely moves around normally, so this hits him harder. We're just getting started. I really don't recommend increasing your load too soon. These basics are important. If you don't get them right, even self-training could lead to injury."
"No need to ramp it up. I'm fine sticking with the regular pace."
Since they were just doing foundational movements, and with the help of her spiritual spring water lately, Lan Jin's body wasn't under any strain at all. In fact, she was enjoying it. Seeing that, Qiao Qiao stopped playing with toys and started mimicking her mother's moves.
Her little poses were clumsy and adorable. Anyone watching would find it entertaining. But then you looked over at Huang Jinghe, and, well... he was a grown man, and yet clearly had less stamina than a toddler. Qiao Qiao had been copying Lan Jin for quite a while now, and she wasn't even breathing hard.
Still, class was class. No one tried to joke around with the kid or distract Huang Jinghe next door.
Once the basic techniques were finished, they moved on to live practice. Ling Jiang pulled out some boxing tools and started demonstrating while teaching. Before Lan Jin even realized it, the two-hour lesson was over.
Ling Jiang had a newfound impression of her stamina. "You've got a strong constitution. If you're serious about learning, I can speed up your training progress."
Lan Jin genuinely found the whole thing pretty fun, but she still wanted to check in on how Huang Jinghe felt.
Only... things next door were not looking good.
Huang Jinghe was sprawled flat on the floor, limbs aching all over. He was gasping like a fish out of water, totally drained. He couldn't even sit up.
When she and Ling Jiang walked over, Lao Gao looked at Huang Jinghe, completely speechless. "This is ridiculous. I haven't even started the real stuff yet and he's already collapsed."
Huang Jinghe glanced over at Lan Jin, who looked perfectly fine, and nearly burst into tears. "Sister Lan, why do you look totally fine? Even if there's a gap between us, it shouldn't be this big!"
"Uh, well…"
Ling Jiang quickly stepped in. "Hey, I didn't go easy on her, alright? Your Sister Lan is just naturally fit. Honestly, I didn't want to say this, but even Qiao Qiao has been following along, and she didn't end up like you. How about this? If you're still planning to continue, let's switch it up next class. Lao Gao can take Lan Jin, and I'll handle you."
Huang Jinghe was still panting hard. He wanted to keep going, though it was painfully obvious that his stamina was his biggest weakness right now. The problem wasn't that he didn't want to get up—it was that he couldn't.
"I want to keep learning," Huang Jinghe said. "But I need a day off tomorrow. I really can't move. I don't think I'll even be able to lift my arms."
"No problem. Our classes are already set up to alternate days anyway."
Even though class was over, Ling Jiang wasn't about to let them leave just yet. "Let Xiao Huang rest here for a while. You and I can talk. I want to hear what's been going on in this building lately."
"This building?" Lao Gao blinked. "You mean during the poisonous fog period? Wasn't it pretty much the same everywhere?"
"Sort of, yeah," Ling Jiang said, "but every building has its own stuff. The more we know about this place, the better."
Both of them looked at Lan Jin. She had already promised Ling Jiang yesterday, so she didn't hesitate. After a quick moment to organize her thoughts, she began recounting everything that had happened in their building since the poisonous fog began.
Of course, everything she shared was from her own perspective—what she had seen and heard. There was no need to hide any of it. After all, the former residents were still around. Anyone could ask and get the same answers. Lan Jin didn't embellish anything. She just told it straight.
After she finished, the two men were quiet for a moment. Yes, a lot had happened. But honestly, compared to the building they used to live in, this one sounded much better.
Lan Jin was puzzled. "Two people died. The killer still hasn't been caught. How is that better?"
Ling Jiang gave a bitter laugh. "Where we lived before… breaking locks was the mild stuff. Some people just smashed in doors and robbed others outright. Yes, someone died here too, but most days were relatively peaceful. If I'd known this building was so stable, I would've moved here a long time ago. Back then, it didn't matter if it was day or night—I was always afraid someone might break in."
"You put it like that… makes sense," Lao Gao agreed.
Lan Jin nodded slowly. "No wonder Old Shi never told me anything. He rarely shares details about the case."
She and Huang Jinghe weren't directly involved, at least not enough to be considered key witnesses, so she hadn't told Ling Jiang either.
But watching the two of them calmly chatting like this made it feel like someone dying had become just another ordinary event. That eerie calm gave Lan Jin a strange sense of unease.
Huang Jinghe had finally recovered enough to sit up. Once they finished transferring their contribution points for today's class, they all said their goodbyes and left the gym.
On the way back, Huang Jinghe suddenly asked, "That's weird. We didn't see Meng Ying this morning, and we still haven't seen her now."
She was dead, of course they hadn't seen her. But Lan Jin couldn't say that. "Isn't it better not to see her? Someone like her wouldn't give up so easily. She probably just found another place to stay."
"Yeah, that's true," Huang Jinghe nodded.
…
That day's boxing lesson had been unexpectedly enjoyable. Lan Jin wasn't sure yet if it was really making a difference, but looking at the state Huang Jinghe was in, it clearly had some kind of effect. So she figured she might as well keep going.
From that point on, she and Huang Jinghe showed up at the gym every other day without fail.
As the four of them got more familiar, Ling Jiang and Lao Gao stopped waiting for them at the gym. They'd all just head over together from the residential building. Their "business" arrangement was pretty casual, to say the least.
Half a month passed in this peaceful routine.
Then, one morning, Lan Jin picked up her phone and saw a new message in the group chat:
"The J City base has been completed. We warmly invite all residents to relocate."
The news of the J City base being finished excited not just Lan Jin, but also Huang Jinghe. If the J City base was complete, didn't that mean the Central base might also be close?