Under fitness expert Guo Yun’s guidance, Xia Yuan and Mei Fang gradually mastered their workout routines.
Lin Youxi not only prepared nutritious meals daily but also supervised their training progress. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novᴇl(ꜰ)ire.ɴet
Motivated by Lin Youxi’s rewards and wanting to set an example for Xia Yuan, Mei Fang trained diligently. Xia Yuan, though struggling, managed to meet her goals.
Their fitness regimen continued until the May Labor Day holiday. However, Xia Yuan’s weight hadn’t dropped, frustrating her.
Guo Yun explained that muscle gain and fat loss would improve her physique, but Xia Yuan fixated on shedding those five pounds. She even reduced her food intake, leaving her stomach growling at night.
“Yuan can’t keep this up,” Lin Youxi told Mei Fang. “She’s being stubborn again.”
Mei Fang agreed. “It’s like her old physics problem obsession. Let’s give her a break. Tomorrow, we’ll prepare a hearty meal. I’m tired of diet food too.”
Lin Youxi poked his cheek. “Tired of my cooking, huh?”
Mei Fang quickly clarified, “No! I just want to try more of your dishes! I love everything you make!”
“Nooo! Youxi-jie— Don’t make me eat alone—”
Mei Fang hugged her, nuzzling her cheek and whining playfully until Lin Youxi finally laughed. She patted his head affectionately.
“Alright, alright, I was joking. You’ve worked hard—you both deserve a treat. I’ve been researching new recipes.”
“Yay! You’re the best! Mwah!”
As they kissed, Lin Youxi deepened it, pinning Mei Fang against the wall. One hand rested on his chest while the other traced his jawline.
“Let’s see your progress.”
Before he finished, Lin Youxi wrapped her arms around his neck and leaped up. Mei Fang instinctively caught her, one arm supporting her while the other steadied her waist.
He let her enjoy the moment.
“By the way… you’ve gotten really good at acting cute since we started dating,” Lin Youxi mused. “When did you start wanting to do this? As kids, you always preferred playing dad over baby.”
Mei Fang smiled. “I don’t dislike either. Back then, I didn’t like being the baby because you two didn’t know how to take care of one. But since you and Yuan respond better to softness than demands, acting cute works wonders.”
At lunch, Xia Yuan eyed the lavish spread—stir-fried beef, braised chicken, and steamed pork belly (a nostalgic favorite from Bai Mei County)—and gulped.
“What’s the occasion?”
Lin Youxi explained, “Dieting this hard takes a toll. Guo Yun said cheat meals are fine occasionally.”
Xia Yuan frowned, hesitating over the meal. Suddenly, Mei Fang scooped her up from behind.
“One cheat meal won’t hurt~”
He playfully swung her side to side like a pendulum—a move popular in the 2020s—making her giggle.
“See? You’re so light now. Doesn’t this deserve a reward? Hmm?”
He nibbled her ear, turning her face scarlet.
“Eek! Stop—we’re all sweaty! Gross!”
“Who cares? We’ll shower together later~ Mwah~”
Xia Yuan could never resist Mei Fang’s affection. After years of “Super A-Fang Energy” research, he knew exactly how to melt her.
“Okay, okay! That tickles! Where’d you learn this?! Put me down!”
Flustered, she wriggled free and straightened her clothes. “You’re just stronger now! But I’m still 5 pounds heavier! The diet continues!”
Instead of indulging, she boiled an egg and corn, only nibbling a bit of beef and chicken.
Even Lin Youxi was stunned. While washing dishes, she voiced her concern:
“Could Yuan have an eating disorder? We should take her to the hospital.”
Mei Fang laughed. “Relax. She’s just determined. Once she hits her goal, she’ll stop.”
By month’s end, as Mei Fang and Lin Youxi slept tangled together, Xia Yuan tiptoed to the scale in her underwear.
The numbers finally aligned. She jumped in triumph.
Her cheers woke the pair. Mei Fang blinked away Lin Youxi’s stray hairs as they rubbed their eyes in sync.
“None! I lost 10 pounds!”
Xia Yuan grinned. “I lied earlier. It was 10. But now—” She struck a pose. “Do I rival Yunyun’s figure now?”
Lin Youxi nodded. “No flab left.”
Mei Fang pouted. “But I liked you softer! Your squishy—everything—was perfect!”
Then he noticed something.
“Yuan… your…” He gestured awkwardly. “Did your… chest shrink too?”