Extra 01

Shortly after Li Qingji and Jiang Nai’s wedding, the weather in the country gradually cooled down. Winter was approaching, and the ski season was about to begin.

Last snow season, Jiang Nai got into skiing. With the new season approaching, she was eagerly preparing to go to the ski resort again during the New Year holiday to hone her skills with Li Qingji. Unfortunately, on the day she brought it up, she caught a cold. Feeling dizzy and congested, she lay on his lap, surrounded by tissues.

“Skiing is fine, but you need to improve your physical fitness during this period,” Li Qingji said.

Jiang Nai weakly replied, “My physical fitness is pretty good…”

Li Qingji looked down at her red nose from wiping it so much. “Do you believe that yourself?”

“This cold is just a coincidence, not because of my physical fitness…” Jiang Nai grabbed his thigh. “Do you not want to go skiing with me? I knew it… Men change after getting married.”

Li Qingji laughed silently. “Weren’t we already married from the start?”

Jiang Nai paused. “I mean, after the wedding ceremony, you changed.”

Li Qingji handed her a tissue. “It’s not that I don’t want to go skiing with you; I’m worried you won’t keep up physically. So, for the next month, you need to work out with me at home a few days a week.”

Jiang Nai loved skiing as a sport, but strangely, she didn’t like any other exercise. Their home gym was getting more and more equipped thanks to Li Qingji, but she had never used it, not even knowing how to turn on the treadmill.

“Ah…”

“Ah what? You have to go.”

Jiang Nai cleared her throat. “But I’m very busy.”

Li Qingji just looked at her without speaking. Jiang Nai gave in.

Alright.

No matter how busy she was, he was busier.

Li Qingji said, “If you meet the exercise standards recently, I’ll teach you some new tricks in skiing.”

Jiang Nai got excited at the mention of new tricks. “Really?”

“Yes.”

“Alright, I’ll go with you.” Jiang Nai sat up, seemingly convincing herself. “It’s just running and lifting weights, simple.”

Li Qingji smiled faintly. “You better really think that way.”

Her cold was completely gone in two days. It was the weekend, and Jiang Nai went out to eat with Xue Lin. After the meal, they went shopping at the mall. This time, Jiang Nai was serious about exercising, so she planned to buy some new workout clothes. The only set she had at home was from a previous team-building hiking trip.

“So, you’re planning to ski domestically this time?”

“Yes, isn’t it more convenient?”

“How many people are going?”

Jiang Nai said, “A few of his friends are coming too. Do you want to join us?”

“I was thinking about it. After the holiday, I want to go skiing with my brother. It would be more fun with more people.”

“That’s great.”

The two of them chatted as they entered a professional women’s sportswear store. This store originally focused on continuously improving the functionality of yoga wear. The clothes were very figure-flattering and extremely comfortable. Jiang Nai didn’t know about this store initially but was recommended by Xue Lin and chose two sets to try on.

“You in these clothes… Honestly, I don’t know if Li Qingji will be able to seriously teach you how to work out,” Xue Lin whispered after Jiang Nai tried on a set.

Jiang Nai didn’t catch it. “Hmm? What?”

“Nothing, nothing.” Xue Lin walked around her. “You look great. Your figure in these clothes is amazing.”

Jiang Nai said, “Is looking good the point? I’m wearing them to exercise.”

“They are for exercising! Feel them, these yoga pants are very comfortable, right?”

Jiang Nai lifted her foot. “Yes, comfortable, soft and cozy.”

Xue Lin said, “Exactly. I bought a set before too. Other than being expensive, there’s no downside to this workout gear.”

Jiang Nai said, “Alright, I’ll take them. Hopefully, the next time you see me, I’ll be a strong woman lifting weights.”

Xue Lin laughed. “In a month, you think your skinny arms and legs will become strong? If you can stick with it, that’s already great.”

“I’ll definitely stick with it. This is training in advance for skiing,” Jiang Nai said confidently.

On the first day she planned to work out with Li Qingji, she still thought so. It was Friday after work. Jiang Nai didn’t have any overtime and got home early. Li Qingji hadn’t returned yet, so she changed into her workout clothes and went to the gym.

Standing on the treadmill, she tapped the screen and sent a message to Li Qingji: [Should I start running first?]

Li Qingji replied: [Do you know how to use it?]

Jiang Nai was speechless; he really knew her well.

After a while, Li Qingji replied again: [I’ll be home in five minutes. Warm up first and wait for me. Jiang Nai had to step aside and do some joint exercises. Soon, she heard the door open and footsteps approaching. Jiang Nai was enthusiastically warming up.

As Li Qingji walked to the door, he saw someone stretching in the gym, her hair tied in a high ponytail, wearing workout clothes. Her figure was excellent, and the fitted workout clothes highlighted her curves, showing off her body perfectly.

“You’re back? What should I do first?” she asked, standing up.

Li Qingji walked in. “New clothes?”

“Hmm?”

“The clothes.”

“Yeah, I bought them with Xue Lin a couple of days ago. I’m serious about working out this time,” Jiang Nai said. “So, what should I do now, coach?”

Li Qingji looked away. “I’ll teach you how to use the treadmill. First, run for fifteen minutes to warm up, then do a full-body stretch, and finally some strength training.”

“Oh, okay.”

Jiang Nai stood by the treadmill, watching Li Qingji turn it on and adjust the speed and incline. It was actually simple, and Jiang Nai understood it after watching once.

Li Qingji said, “I’ll go change clothes first. You start running.”

“Okay.”

Jiang Nai adjusted the speed and started running. A few minutes later, Li Qingji came over, also in workout clothes. Unlike her all-black outfit, he wore a white set. The sense of masculinity was back.

Jiang Nai glanced at him a couple of times and ran with more enthusiasm. While Jiang Nai was running, Li Qingji casually used some equipment nearby. She was facing away from him, directly in front of him. After watching her for a few moments, Li Qingji paused, got up, and moved to another spot to work on his arms.

He realized it wasn’t appropriate to watch her while working out. Jiang Nai finished her run after fifteen minutes.

She got off the treadmill. “I’m done!”

Li Qingji turned to see her still enthusiastic and felt relieved. “Come over and stretch.”

“Okay.”

Next, he guided her through stretching and then supervised her using some equipment. He set the weights low, suitable for Jiang Nai, so she didn’t find it particularly difficult. She ended up enjoying the workout. However, she didn’t expect to wake up the next day feeling sore all over. So, she wanted to skip today’s workout, but it happened to be Saturday, and both of them were at home, so she couldn’t escape. Li Qingji caught her and took her to the wardrobe to change clothes.

“I’m sore, my whole body hurts…”

“I know, you did strength training yesterday, so muscle soreness is normal. Today, we won’t do that. Just some light jogging and cardio.”

Jiang Nai pitifully asked, “Do I have to?”

Li Qingji was firm. “Giving up after just one day?”

Jiang Nai replied, “Not really…”

“Then change your clothes. I’ll give you a massage after you finish running.”

Seeing that acting pitiful didn’t work, Jiang Nai reluctantly changed her clothes. After a while, she walked weakly to the gym.

Li Qingji was sitting on the butterfly machine, watching her. “Go ahead.”

Jiang Nai said, “Just me working out? You’re just sitting there?”

Li Qingji smiled. “I’ll work out too. What’s wrong, afraid of being lonely?”

Jiang Nai replied, “It’s called sharing the hardship…”

“Alright, sharing the hardship. I’ll accompany you.”

Satisfied, Jiang Nai got on the treadmill and started running. Li Qingji set her running time to forty minutes, but after thirty minutes, she felt she had reached her limit. Glancing back, she saw Li Qingji doing push-ups on a mat. Taking advantage of him not looking, she quietly stepped to the side.

The next second, she heard him say, “Slacking off.”

Jiang Nai was shocked. “Aren’t you wearing headphones?!”

Li Qingji replied, “I’m only wearing one.”

Jiang Nai’s embarrassment was fleeting. She walked over, squatted next to him, and changed the subject. “How many have you done? I’ll count for you.”

Li Qingji laughed silently. “Just started. Besides, I can count.”

“Then I’ll help you with something else… How about adding some weight?”

Li Qingji asked, “How?”

“Sit on your back?”

Li Qingji knew she was trying to avoid running, thinking half an hour was enough.

So, he didn’t force her and said, “Alright, get on.”

“Okay.”

Jiang Nai had seen couples doing this kind of workout online but had never tried it herself. She didn’t expect Li Qingji to agree.

She carefully straddled his back and sat on his waist. “Is this okay?”

Li Qingji said, “Sit tight.”

“Yes, I’m steady.”

Once Li Qingji was sure, he lowered himself. Jiang Nai wobbled slightly and quickly placed her hands on his back for support. He was wearing a loose white T-shirt, thin enough that she could feel his muscles moving beneath it. Li Qingji wasn’t overly muscular; he was just right. He looked slim in clothes but had a well-defined physique without being too bulky, which Jiang Nai liked very much.

As she supported herself, she got tired and lay down on his back, wrapping her arms around him and moving with his motions.

“This is comfortable.”

Li Qingji chuckled at her lazy tone. “Miss Jiang, are you here to work out or to take a vacation?”

Jiang Nai replied, “I just worked out. I’m tired…”

Li Qingji asked, “Thirty minutes of running?”

“Thirty minutes is impressive! Let’s just do thirty minutes today. I can’t run anymore.”

“Remember to run the full time next time.”

“Yes, yes, I will next time.” Jiang Nai was very happy and enthusiastically raised her hand. “Let me wipe your sweat.”

Li Qingji said, “Stay steady and don’t move around.”

“Okay!”

Jiang Nai didn’t lift her hands again but kept them on his chest and abdomen. As she held on, she enjoyed the feel of his muscles and started gently stroking them up and down.

Li Qingji noticed and paused slightly. “What are you doing?”

Jiang Nai instinctively replied, “Enjoying myself.”

“Hmm?”

Realizing what she said, Jiang Nai’s ears turned slightly red.

But her hands remained on his abs as she softly said, “Li Qingji, don’t stop. Keep doing your push-ups.”

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