That light—she’d blow away in the wind

Chapter 15

It was a rare overcast Saturday, and Lin Zhengmo spent the entire morning at home with her kitten in her arms.

In the afternoon, she arrived ten minutes early as promised, only to find Director Jian already waiting at the school gate.

When their eyes met, the aloof Director Jian flashed a smile that wasn't quite so cold, her brows and eyes curving as she spoke. Lin Zhengmo unexpectedly found her quite good-looking.

"Good afternoon, Ms. Lin."

"Good afternoon." Lin Zhengmo took a quick glance at Jian Yue, then shifted her gaze away, feeling a twinge of guilt.

She recalled last night's fantasy again—Director Jian's face...

I'm sorry, Director Jian.

I'm sorry, Ah Ah Ah.

She thought she was a complete jerk!!

"It's two kilometers away. Shall we ride shared bikes?"

"Okay, Director Jian." Lin Zhengmo quietly scanned the QR code and followed Jian Yue toward the gym on their bikes.

She wondered: if they were going to the gym, why not just meet there directly?

The road wasn't crowded, and the aroma of coffee beans wafted from the roadside café. This street near the school was only this quiet on Saturdays.

Lin Zhengmo looked at Jian Yue's figure ahead, listening to the "ding-ding-ding" of her bike bell as she pedaled.

"Little Lin, hurry up."

"Coming, Director Jian."

"Little Lin, are you tired? You can slow down if you are."

Lin Zhengmo smiled. "I'm not tired."

Little Lin?

Since when had she started calling her that?

Hmph.

Old Jian.

At the gym building, Jian Yue hit the brakes, and Lin Zhengmo stopped beside her. They parked their bikes and walked unhurriedly up to the second floor.

This gym indeed had a good deal—signing up for classes as a pair got a discount down to a quarter of the price, saving a lot for long-term fitness.

As they stepped onto the stairs and pushed open the door, a woman stood at the counter. She had medium-length hair, a thin face, and thin lips, with smooth facial features. Though she had single eyelids, her eyes were large, and there was a determined air about her. In short, she must work out often—she had a vibrant complexion.

Her name was Xu Su, a long-time friend of Jian Yue's who had introduced her to fitness.

"Here so early?" Xu Su smiled at Jian Yue, then glanced at Lin Zhengmo, her smile growing wider.

"Yeah, came early to sign up for classes." Jian Yue placed her sports bag on the front desk and pointed to Lin Zhengmo. "Me and her."

"Alright, Ms. Jian." Xu Su unhurriedly opened the membership form on the computer and said formally, "Could both of you please scan the QR code to register as members?"

Jian Yue was already a member, but she had to pretend she wasn't.

In reality, bringing Lin Zhengmo here was something Jian Yue had discussed with Xu Su in advance. As an old friend, even though Jian Yue hadn't said it explicitly, Xu Su knew what was going on.

The computer records showed: Lin Zhengmo.

Just like her name, she was elegant, slender, and quiet, exuding a subtle scholarly aura.

Xu Su said, "We offer one-on-one personal training here. There are only two coaches available today. Is it okay to assign them to you randomly?"

Lin Zhengmo nodded. "That's fine."

"Great, registration is done. The membership card can be transferred but not shared." Xu Su handed them the cards. "The changing room is straight ahead and to the right. I'll go arrange your coaches."

The gym was quite busy but clean. Lin Zhengmo had heard her friend complain that one reason she disliked working out was the many sleazy men, but here it was mostly women, avoiding a lot of unwanted trouble.

Jian Yue led her to the changing room, which had a simple layout: a large mirror, lockers, changing cubicles, and a shower area.

Jian Yue scanned the QR code for a large locker. "Ms. Lin, should we put our bags together?"

"Okay." Lin Zhengmo took out her workout clothes, stuffed her bag into the locker, and followed suit.

They had planned to change, but since there were people in the changing cubicles, they had to wait outside.

After about two minutes, when no one came out, Xu Su's voice suddenly came from outside:

"Coaches are arranged. They're waiting for you outside."

"Got it."

The two exchanged a glance, not thinking much of it. But after a few more minutes, with still no sign of the people inside, they grew antsy.

Jian Yue made up her mind and said straightforwardly, "Ms. Lin, I'll change here."

She only needed to change her top—she was already wearing a sports bra underneath, so it was just a matter of taking off her T-shirt.

"Go ahead." Lin Zhengmo turned her back immediately, determined not to peek.

Seeing how she was, Jian Yue's lips curved into an unconscious smile.

Behind her, there was the rustling of clothes. Lin Zhengmo stared into space, completely forgetting there was a mirror in front of her.

Which meant that with just a slight lift of her eyes, she could see Director Jian changing behind her.

At the sound of Director Jian's clothes rustling—maybe the clinking of a belt buckle—Lin Zhengmo lost patience. She lifted her eyelids slightly, and her gaze froze.

What did she see...

Look away!

But why couldn't she?

She felt like her eyes were a runaway camera, involuntarily recording the scene before her.

Director Jian was wearing a black sports bra, wrapping around a full yet perfectly proportioned chest, with an alluring little cleavage peeking out between the white skin. Her waist was slender, almost without a trace of fat. Her skin was fair, but not flawless—perhaps because of the half-covered bra, Lin Zhengmo noticed some scars in the middle of her chest.

The scars were distinctive: two small dots with a straight line running between them. Faded by time, they were almost the color of her skin, but still discernible.

Were those surgical scars?

Had Director Jian had heart surgery?

Heart surgery?

Ah Ah Ah had said she'd had heart surgery.

Certain thoughts sparked in Lin Zhengmo's mind, like a candle suddenly lit in the dark, burning passionately and recklessly through impractical ideas.

Before she could snap out of it, Jian Yue's head emerged from the neckline of her new top.

Lin Zhengmo quickly looked down, pretending nothing had happened.

"I'm done changing."

"Mn." Lin Zhengmo turned around just as the changing room door finally opened. She hurried inside. "I'll change too. You go ahead first."

Lin Zhengmo kept telling herself: Don't overthink.

In the afternoon, women in the gym were doing strength training. Beautiful lines and kettle bells made the perfect match. Without the stench of sweat, Lin Zhengmo silently gave the place full marks.

In the first class, the coach did an assessment of Lin Zhengmo and taught her some basic moves.

As a fitness newbie, Lin Zhengmo had been a bit nervous at first, but the coach was a gentle and patient woman.

Sometimes, Lin Zhengmo was worried about being seen by Director Jian, since her novice moves weren't very standard. But she didn't catch a glimpse of Director Jian at all, so she completely relaxed.

Half an hour later, a light rain started falling outside. Lin Zhengmo was slightly sweaty, crystal-clear sweat beads seeping through her skin like dewdrops on leaves at dawn.

"Little Lin, you're amazing!" the coach exclaimed. "Your strength isn't great yet, but you seem to have a good understanding."

For example, even if her form wasn't standard, she could basically remember it after watching a demonstration once.

"Thank you." Lin Zhengmo rarely showed a smile, a hint of joy welling up in her heart. "I want to get some water."

"Go ahead."

Lin Zhengmo went to get a drink and took the opportunity to look around, but still didn't see Director Jian.

Hm.

Where was she?

Jian Yue and Xu Su were in the staff office, sitting on the sofa chatting.

"Wow, your girlfriend is 165 cm tall, 19% body fat, and only 44kg?" Xu Su exclaimed. "That light—she'd blow away in the wind."

Jian Yue nodded. "That's why I dragged her here to work out."

Xu Su set the membership form aside and muttered, "So when are you going to come clean with her?"

"Next month."

"You're her superior at work. Will she accept that?"

The light rain outside continued, the sky overcast. Water lines slid down the glass in ripples, and Jian Yue's heart felt adrift, without an answer.

"I'm working on it. Anyway, now isn't a good time to confess."

"True. If you told her now, she'd probably run away." Xu Su changed the subject. "But it might not be better later. There's always a day to face it."

"I'm sending her signals."

Like intentionally showing her the scar on her chest when changing earlier.

Like occasionally not lowering her voice when they talked on the phone.

She was testing the waters step by step, approaching Lin Zhengmo with the utmost caution. Every cautious move held a bold little spirit. In this love game, she had to be both timid and bold, expending all her thought and energy for one result—trust.

"Go for it! You can do it!" Xu Su stood up. "Hey, it's raining harder."

Jian Yue turned to look out the glass window and said, "Lend me your scooter."