"Profit Gym," Li Hao told the cab driver as he and Yuhan slid into the backseat.
The ride was quiet, only the hum of the engine between them. Soon, the cab pulled up in front of a sleek glass building.
"We're here," Li Hao announced, stepping out.
They both stood by the side of the cab while the driver leaned out of his window, expectant.
Li Hao looked at Yuhan. Yuhan looked back. Both smiled stiffly.
"You sleep in my room every day. You pay," Li Hao said, voice sweet, smile sweeter.
Yuhan mirrored him, smile fixed. Neither moved, until Li Hao suddenly shoved his hand into Yuhan's pocket, pulled out a wad of bills, and thrust them at the driver.
"Here's your money, sir!" Li Hao chirped, darting away before Yuhan could pounce.
"You bastard!" Yuhan shouted, limping after him into the building.
Inside, they froze. The place buzzed with activity, weights clanging, treadmills humming, bodies glistening under bright lights.
"Wow," Yuhan breathed. "These people must have life easy. Working out on a Monday afternoon."
"They're different," Li Hao shot back, smirking. "Unlike you, who got bulky from hauling sacks and labor jobs." He laughed.
"Welcome," a smiling receptionist walked over. "First time here?"
Li Hao nodded, explaining they wanted memberships.
"10,000 yen," she said cheerfully.
"Per person?" Yuhan yelped, his jaw dropping. He spun toward Li Hao in disbelief. "Ten. Thousand. Yen."
Li Hao raised an eyebrow.
"I can't do this. No way. Impossible. Absolutely, " Yuhan muttered, shaking his head,then froze at Li Hao's expression. He straightened, puffed his chest. "...Definitely possible. I'm not giving up."
He dug into his pocket and pulled out the bills. When the receptionist reached for them, he tightened his grip and forced a grin.
She tugged. He held on.
Li Hao rolled his eyes, pried Yuhan's fingers open, and shoved the money across the counter.
"Fill this form," the receptionist said, sliding two sheets and a pen toward them.
Yuhan sighed, taking the pen like it was a death sentence. Li Hao smirked, already scribbling his details.
Li Hao leaned across the counter, explaining to the receptionist, "We'll start fully tomorrow."
"Alright then. We can talk more then, especially if you need a personal trainer," the receptionist said bowing to then as they left.
When they stepped back outside, li hao stretched his arms dramatically and wrinkled his nose. "Ahh…the smell of sweat and pheromones. Disgusting."
Yuhan unwrapped a lollipop from his pocket and popped it into his mouth. "Then why did you sign up too?"
"You'll see," Li Hao said, grinning mischievously.
He snapped his fingers. "Next stop...the orphanage. You need to go early so they'll get used to you. The kids will probably like you more. According to research, Chen Zixuan is popular there."
Li Hao raised his arm to flag down a taxi, but Yuhan grabbed his trouser leg, tugging like a spoiled child.
"Who's paying?" Yuhan asked, cheeks puffed out from the lollipop bulging on one side.
Li Hao smiled sweetly. "Don't worry, I'll pay thi.." His tone shifted mid-sentence. "Is that what you think I'd say?"
Yuhan's face fell.
"If you're not paying, that's fine. I'm not the one obsessed with revenge," Li Hao said smugly, pulling his trousers free. "I could take a taxi on my own. Or even trek back to the store, cardio, free of charge."
Yuhan groaned, taking the lollipop out. "Be honest. You hate me, don't you?"
Li Hao only patted his backside and smirked. "Cute."
Another taxi slowed to the curb. "Let's go."