After a refreshing nap that lasted well into the afternoon, Li Wei prepared a light lunch and spent the next hour immersed in a new book he had purchased that morning.
The quiet hum of his small apartment was soothing, interrupted only by the faint rustle of pages and the occasional clink of glass as he sipped his drink.
When the clock approached four o'clock, he stood and stretched, the stiffness in his shoulders reminding him that he hadn't exercised in months.
He had promised Yunfei that he would stop by the gym that evening to register. He realized he was looking forward to keeping the promise.
He took a taxi across the city to the gym's district, a sprawling commercial hub brimming with activity.
Motion and noise engulfed him the moment he stepped outside.
Neon lights reflected off spotless glass storefronts; music spilled from snack bars and cafés; crowds' chatter blended with the rhythmic bass of nearby nightclubs. Compared to the quiet residential neighborhood surrounding his building, this place felt alive—electric.
Massive LED screens adorned the high-rises, flashing images of sculpted models and radiant celebrities whose confidence seemed to command the atmosphere.
For a fleeting moment, Li Wei felt the familiar twinge of envy rise in his chest—that unattainable charisma, the effortless magnetism that opened doors and earned them wealth, attention, and admiration.
But then he remembered Yunfei—her quiet strength, her unwavering discipline, and her refusal to take shortcuts.
The realization helped to ground him.
Looks weren't everything; there was an art to maintaining them, a level of dedication that most people underestimated.
He saw his reflection in the glass of a boutique window: ordinary features, unstyled hair, and an average build. Nothing noteworthy.
He considered it average, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Yet, beneath that thought, something new emerged: determination.
He was no longer content with being average.
Not in this world that had abruptly transformed into something out of a game, where strength, charisma, and will could be shaped and leveled.
"I guess it's time to grind some stats," he said, half amused and half determined.
He passed through the glass doors of the gym that Yunfei had mentioned. The air inside was cool and had hints of citrus and metal.
The rhythmic clank of weights echoed in the distance, accompanied by a low hum of popular music.
A woman with long hair and a sculpted figure approached him from behind the counter, smiling brightly and professionally. Her voice was warm and confident, practiced yet pleasant.
"Hello! Is this your first time at our gym? She inquired, tilting her head slightly.
Li Wei blinked, surprised by her energy. "Um... yeah."
His hesitation must have been visible because the woman's expression faltered, embarrassment flashing in her eyes. "Ah, I apologize! "I didn't mean to startle you," she said quickly, her tone softening.
Li Wei straightened and scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"No, that's fine."
"I was just spacing out." He gave a small, apologetic smile. "I was actually told to come here by a trainer named Yunfei. She said she'd help me sign up and get started."
The woman's eyes lit up. "Oh, Yunfei!" You must be Brother Li; she mentioned that someone would be dropping by today. Her smile returned, this time more genuine, and the earlier tension dissipated.
"She's finishing up a session right now, but I can let her know you're here."
Li Wei nodded, slightly relieved. "Thanks. "I appreciate it."
As he waited, his gaze shifted to the mirrored walls that surrounded the training area.
Dozens of people filled the space, some pushing through reps with focused grunts, others chatting between sets, the air thick with effort and determination.
The rhythmic sounds of exertion seemed almost hypnotic.
"Brother Li, so you came."
The familiar, cheerful voice broke the mild tension in the air. Li Wei turned to find Yunfei walking toward him from the far corridor, her ponytail swaying lightly as she approached. A hint of warmth spread through him—relief, mostly—that she'd arrived before things grew any more awkward with the receptionist.
He smiled faintly. "Couldn't skip out on my promise, could I?"
Yunfei chuckled, the kind of laugh that seemed to lighten the mood of the entire room. "Good. I was starting to think you'd run away again."
Before Li Wei could respond, the door to the private training area slid open, and another woman stepped out beside Yunfei.
She was older—mid- to late twenties, perhaps early thirties—and carried herself with an easy, poised confidence that immediately drew attention. Her dark-brown hair, streaked faintly with chestnut tones, was tied into a loose, elegant bun. Her figure was toned, the kind that spoke of years of disciplined training, and yet there was a softness in her smile that balanced the sharpness of her gaze.
"Ah, so this must be Mr. Li Wei?" she said with a gentle curve of her lips. Her voice was low and clear—the kind that carried authority without ever needing to raise in volume.
Li Wei straightened instinctively. "Yes, that's me. Please, just call me Li Wei."
He made sure to keep his composure this time, maintaining a polite expression instead of letting his gaze linger too long. The woman's mature beauty was undeniable—not the youthful radiance of Yunfei, but something subtler, refined. The kind of allure that didn't need to be announced.
She noticed his restraint, her smile deepening slightly. "Then I'll call you Brother Li," she said warmly. "I'm Lin Rou, head trainer here. Yunfei mentioned you might be joining us."
Lin Rou, he repeated mentally—the name suited her: graceful, steady, with a quiet strength beneath the surface.
"Yunfei speaks highly of you," she continued, crossing her arms loosely as she looked him over with a professional eye. "Said you've been meaning to get back into shape. You've got a decent frame—you just need the right guidance."
Yunfei grinned beside her. "He's a bit rusty, but I think he'll catch on fast."
Li Wei rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "That's… generous of you to say."
Lin Rou's laughter was soft but genuine. "Don't worry. Everyone starts somewhere. The key is consistency—and maybe a bit of pain tolerance."
Her gaze held his for a moment longer, sharp yet encouraging, before she turned to Yunfei. "He's all yours for the assessment. I'll check in after the session."
"Got it," Yunfei replied, a touch of respect in her tone that suggested Lin Rou was not just her colleague but also her mentor.
As Lin Rou walked past, the faint scent of sandalwood trailed behind her—clean, composed, and oddly calming. Li Wei exhaled slowly, watching her retreat to the office before glancing at Yunfei.
"So, your boss, huh?"
Yunfei smiled knowingly. "More like my big sister. Just… don't make the mistake of underestimating her."
Li Wei raised an eyebrow, amused. "Wasn't planning to."
"Good," Yunfei said, motioning him toward the training area. "Let's get you registered and see what kind of shape you're really in."
Li Wei filled out the registration form carefully, jotting down his weight, height, and a few other details that made him wince in mild embarrassment. When he stepped off the scale, Yunfei glanced at the numbers on her tablet and arched an eyebrow.
"Brother Wei," she said, her lips curving into a teasing smile. "This is actually not bad. With a little effort, I think you'll be back in great shape in no time."
Her tone was professional, but the playful glint in her eyes betrayed her amusement. It was the kind of light teasing that carried no malice—just familiarity.
Li Wei chuckled, scratching his cheek. "You mean I'm still salvageable, huh?"
"Barely," she replied with mock seriousness. "But don't worry—I've saved worse."
They both laughed, the tension easing naturally. For Li Wei, her easygoing manner made the process feel less like a chore and more like… the start of something he could actually enjoy.
When she handed him the pamphlet with the membership options, he skimmed through it briefly before making up his mind. "I'll take the three-month pack," he said. "Private sessions."
Yunfei blinked, caught off guard. "Private?"
"Yeah," he said simply, his tone firm. "If I'm going to do this, I want to do it right. No skipping, no half-hearted effort."
The truth was—he had already noticed that Yunfei's free window between 3:30 and 5:00 p.m. was perfect for him. And beyond that, something in him wanted to spend that time with her—not just as a trainer, but as the first person in this strange new world who made him feel grounded again.
As Yunfei disappeared into the back room to fetch some materials, Li Wei turned to Lin Rou, who was organizing forms at the front desk.
"Miss Lin," he said politely, "I'll go with the three-month one-on-one package. The premium one."
Her eyes lifted, mild surprise flashing in them before softening into approval. "That's one of our top-tier plans," she said. "It includes personal training, diet planning, and access to the private studio."
"That's fine." He slid his card across the counter without hesitation.
Lin Rou smiled, elegant and faintly amused. "You're quite decisive, Brother Li. Yunfei will be pleased—and so will I."
"It's an investment," he replied lightly. "In myself."
The payment went through smoothly. Lin Rou stamped the form, her expression one of quiet satisfaction. It wasn't just a good sale—she could tell he was serious.
By the time Yunfei returned, Li Wei had already completed the registration and was reviewing the schedule.
"Brother Li, I—" She stopped mid-sentence, blinking at the receipt in his hand. "Wait, you… already paid?"
He nodded. "Three months. One-on-one."
Her brows furrowed as she crossed her arms, feigning exasperation. "You're such a spendthrift! You could've just started with a basic plan. See if you even like the training first."
Li Wei smiled, meeting her eyes with quiet confidence. "I'm serious about this, Yunfei. I want to lose the weight properly—get back in shape. No half-measures."
The sincerity in his voice made her pause. The teasing expression on her face softened into something more earnest.
"…Alright," she said finally, exhaling a small sigh. "If that's how you feel, then I'll hold you to it. But I'm warning you—I don't go easy on my private students. You'll be cursing my name by the end of the first week."
Li Wei laughed. "That's fine. As long as it works."
Her grin turned slightly mischievous. "Oh, it'll work. I'll make sure to grind every bit of that belly down—without breaking you, of course."
"Appreciated," he said dryly.
"Also," she added, wagging a finger, "you're going to have to watch your diet. No late-night snacks, no oily food, and definitely no skipping breakfast. I'll check your progress every week."
Li Wei raised a hand in mock surrender. "Yes, ma'am."
Satisfied, Yunfei gave him a nod—the kind a coach gives before battle. "Good. Then your new life begins tomorrow at 3:30 sharp. Don't be late, or I'll double the warm-up."
As she walked off, her ponytail bouncing lightly behind her, Li Wei couldn't help but smile. There was something strangely motivating about her energy—sharp, teasing, but sincere.