If you're not busy, then get out of here.
Zhou Qishen said nonchalantly, "Not busy, nothing's happening at the company today."
Standing in front of the horizontal bar, Ye Tao casually asked, "Do you exercise regularly?"
Zhou Qishen turned to face him, a faint smile on his face. "Training? I'm used to it. I served in the army for a few years, and we trained every day back then."
Ye Tao moved a little to the right, making room for him. "Shall we practice together?"
In Zhao Wenchun's eyes, Ye Tao was simply a well-educated and warm-hearted person. But in Zhou Qishen's view, they were both cunning and shrewd, playing games like ghost stories. This kind of rival was the most dangerous, clever without anyone noticing, and cunning with hidden malice.
Zhou Qishen took off his coat; despite the freezing weather, he was only wearing a black shirt underneath. Zhao Wenchun was about to say something, but then realized what he meant and swallowed his concern. Zhou Qishen easily leaped onto the bar; pull-ups were child's play for him. He had trained; the foundation he built in the military would benefit him for life.
Ye Tao watched a few and realized they were experts, so he didn't waste any words and followed along. They took turns going up and down, silently competing, and after dozens of rounds, neither of them was out of breath.
Zhao Wenchun gradually realized something was wrong. This wasn't morning exercise; it was a competition.
Ye Tao strained with all his might, and beads of sweat gradually appeared on his forehead.
On the other hand, Zhou Qishen wasn't having an easy time either. His injuries from the fight with Meng Weixi hadn't fully healed, and he'd only recovered to a level that didn't interfere with his daily life. This sudden, intense training had him completely tense. That's how men are; they'd rather lose face than substance. Ye Tao refused to admit defeat, and Zhou Qishen was putting on a brave face as well.
There were probably two hundred or so. Zhao Wenchun was terrified. Just as he was about to advise Zhou Qishen to stop, Zhou Qishen's face turned pale, and he suddenly stumbled and fell off the bar. He clutched his stomach and squatted there for a long time without moving.
Zhao Wenchun asked in a panic, "What's wrong? What happened?"
Zhou Qishen shook his head, without looking up, his hand tightly pressed against his abdomen.
Zhao Wenchun stomped his foot in frustration, threw away all the vegetables, and forcefully pried Zhou Qishen's head off. Zhou Qishen's forehead was covered in sweat, all from the pain.
Fighting your rival in love until your abs cramp up is probably a glorious defeat.
When Zhao Xiyin returned home in the evening and heard what had happened, she found it utterly absurd. Zhao Wenchun was almost afraid to look at her daughter, and Zhou Qishen had also suffered some injuries; ultimately, it was still her fault.
Zhao Wenchun felt very guilty and said in a low voice, "Later, his secretary came and took him to the hospital."
Zhao Xiyin was completely confused. "No, Dad, why did you let him go to the hoisting pole when he came to see you?"
Zhao Wenchun dared not speak and concealed Ye Tao's existence.
"He was only discharged from the hospital not long ago, after staying there for quite a long time. He suffered a mild concussion, and it seems he also injured his leg. Doing such strenuous exercise would be unbearable even for a god," Zhao Xiyin lamented, feeling that Teacher Zhao had gone too far this time.
Zhao Wenchun nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, yes."
Zhao Xiyin couldn't bear it. "Did you ask him later if he was alright?"
Zhao Wenchun shook his head. He had done something wrong, he had been cowardly, and he was too ashamed and didn't dare to do it. After a few seconds of silence, Teacher Zhao raised her head and said softly, "Why don't you go and see him for your father?"
Zhao Xiyin instinctively resisted, "You caused this mess."
Zhao Wenchun immediately became displeased and adopted a parental authority, "Zhao Xiyin! Are you trying to settle scores with me now? When you were a child, you wet the bed, who washed it for you? I'm the one who cleans up the messes you make. Now you're asking me for a favor, and you're drawing a line between us."
"Alright, alright." Zhao Xiyin was afraid that Teacher Zhao would nag her, "Is it alright if the daughter has to pay for the father's debts?"
Around 7 PM, Zhao Xiyin was already waiting at the entrance of Fanyue. She had called Secretary Xu earlier to confirm that Zhou Qishen was indeed resting at home. Secretary Xu, always quick to respond, said, "Xiao Xi, you're coming over? That's perfect. Bring some food for me. I reckon President Zhou hasn't had dinner yet."
Zhao Xiyin bought him dumplings, three hot boxes tied together in a bag, and rang the doorbell.
Zhou Qishen opened the door slowly, still sleepy-eyed, his upper body bare, wearing only a loose pair of silk pajamas. He held a T-shirt in his hand, seemingly unsure whether to put it on or not. Zhao Xiyin's gaze fell on his chest; his muscles were well-proportioned, with broad shoulders and narrow hips, not an ounce of excess. This man took good care of himself, maintaining a physique even better than a woman's.
The only imperfection was that he had five pain relief patches on his abs.
Zhou Qishen was a bit grumpy when he woke up, probably still sleepy, so he wasn't very enthusiastic and even dared to ask, "What are you doing here?"
Zhao Xiyin didn't mind; the Zhao family had wronged him, and those five rheumatism plasters represented their deepest remorse. She went inside, changed her shoes, and asked, "Have you eaten?"
Zhou Qishen lay down on the sofa, face down, completely hiding his abs, and hummed in agreement.
"I bought you dumplings, have some. Also, please apologize on my father's behalf, I'm sorry."
Zhou Qishen buried his face in the cushion and didn't say a word.
Zhao Xiyin went to the kitchen to get a bowl and chopsticks, carefully put the dumplings in, then came over, squatted down and said, "I didn't put vinegar or scallions in the dumplings."
Zhou Qishen suddenly turned his head. He had just woken up, and his phoenix eyes were clear and moist. He looked at people indifferently and said, "You should add some vinegar."
Zhao Xiyin was confused, but her intuition told her it was another load of nonsense. She turned her head away, "Eat it or don't, it's up to you."
Zhou Qishen asked, "Is Ye Tao a math teacher?"
Zhao Xiyin turned her head back, suspicious, "How do you know him?"
"Your dad practically treats him like a son-in-law, how could I not know? How could I not know?" Zhou Qishen said in a nonchalant, irreverent tone, "You didn't go on your blind date?"
Zhao Xiyin raised her eyebrows. "It'll be soon. The troupe's assessment is over, and we'll have a five-day holiday. I'll go on blind dates every day. My schedule is completely full. I won't slack off."
Zhou Qishen rolled over, revealing his firm chest completely. His eyes were deep and complex. After a long while, he squeezed out a line of words, "Zhao Xiyin, you are a liar."
Zhao Xiyin was displeased. "What did I lie to you about? Zhou Qishen, you're acting like an unreasonable child right now."
"Children?" Having walked right into his trap, Zhou Qishen said coldly, "You dare mention children to me?"
Zhao Xiyin was taken aback and subconsciously looked away, but quickly looked up again, frowning as she asked, "You don't think I gave birth to your child, do you?"
Zhou Qishen's lips trembled slightly, his heart pounding. Judging from her reaction, she definitely wouldn't admit it. Zhao Xiyin stood up. "I've delivered Teacher Zhao's apology, and I've bought you dumplings. I'm leaving now."
What is this?
Feeling guilty, I fled in panic!