Chapter 28: Calm

The morning run for the system task was completed for the first day today, continue 5 kilometers tomorrow morning, and persist for 7 days to increase height by 2CM.

This was no difficulty for him, just needing to get up half an hour earlier.

He had already planned: run, shower, eat breakfast, then arrange the day's itinerary—either meet friends or handle some trivial matters, neither would be delayed.

Continuing this for a week, he would exercise his body and achieve the reward, why not do it?

Thinking of this, he felt deeply satisfied.

Putting down these distracting thoughts, he went to bed to rest.

The night was peaceful, and car lights flashed in the distance outside the window.

Li Yan closed his eyes, and the story of the day replayed in his mind: morning run, passing Subject Two easily, treating Wang Zhen to lunch, going to Gangan's workshop to shoot in the afternoon, and dining with Gangan in the evening.

Although it seemed like he was drifting in various social and material enjoyments, he always maintained rational self-control, not getting lost in any relationship.

This lifestyle was probably the freedom and calmness Li Yan pursued.

In the university years to come, he had the confidence to live even more richly.

As for feelings, he wasn't in a hurry, didn't panic, didn't make promises, just enjoyed the pleasure of the moment.

Once he arrived in Shudu, perhaps he would meet more interesting people and stories, and that would be the beginning of another chapter.

The morning wind was gentle, and the sky was slightly bright.

Li Yan's alarm clock rang on time at five-thirty in the bedroom; he turned it off skillfully and sat up.

Yesterday's morning run had already been completed for the first day, and today was the second day; he didn't have the slightest slack.

This persistence wasn't because he loved exercise so much, but out of a recognition of self-challenge.

Completing a 5-kilometer run every day for 7 consecutive days to grow 2 centimeters taller was a small reward for him, and also a test of his self-discipline.

He sat up from the bed, pressed his back neck lightly, and took out the sports equipment bought yesterday from the closet.

It was the newly bought Nike quick-dry T-shirt, sports shorts, and light running shoes, plus a pair of Nike full-palm air cushion socks; the price was expensive, but wearing them was comfortable and fit well.

He wasn't a running expert, but having high-end equipment made people feel physically and mentally happy.

Problems that could be solved with money didn't count as problems for him, because he had enough savings and ability.

After dressing neatly, Li Yan walked out of the bedroom lightly; his parents were still asleep.

His home was an ordinary middle-class family, but he had accumulated enough funds through three years of financial management and system tasks, making him worry-free in consumption.

Now that the college entrance exam was over, he didn't need to get up early to rush to the desk, but the morning run was a self-requirement.

Walking to the living room, turning on a small light, drinking a cup of warm water to moisten his throat, and doing simple stretching movements, he went out.

The air in the community in the early morning was refreshing, and there were a few scattered people downstairs walking dogs or exercising.

Li Yan fixed his phone on his arm with an armband, turned on the running software to time it, and then started running along the tree-lined path outside the community.

The soles of his shoes were light, his steps were brisk, he didn't sprint, just breathed evenly and accelerated slowly.

This was still Li Yan's first active exercise; not on the big bed in the hotel, Li Yan felt, not bad~ ===== CHAPTER 29 =====

Wang Zhen replied quickly: "I'm also getting ready to head out. I have my Subject Three driving test tomorrow, and I want to practice one more time."

Li Yan smiled, thinking to himself that Wang Zhen was still a bit nervous.

To him, Subject Three focused more on road sense and details than Subject Two, but he wasn't panicked; he had practiced one-on-one in a car before and had a good grasp of it.

Besides, he was only practicing on a whim; he could pass tomorrow regardless of how he performed.

He went out, took a taxi to the driving school, and saw Wang Zhen, who seemed relatively calm: "Brother Yan, I had a meal with Liu Yuting yesterday, and it felt pretty good."

Li Yan asked while walking toward the training ground: "Oh? How did it go?"

Wang Zhen smiled, slightly excited: "We saw a movie and even held hands. Although I haven't made my feelings clear to her yet, the atmosphere was great."

Li Yan nodded: "Very good. Just be natural and let things develop slowly. Don't rush to confess; see how you feel."

The two of them found their respective instructors at the driving school, briefly explained why they were there, and the instructors let them get into the cars to familiarize themselves with the route.

The items for the Subject Three test were nothing more than driving in a straight line, shifting gears, overtaking, and pulling over to the side of the road; Li Yan had long since mastered these by heart.

He sat in the car and performed the movements skillfully. The instructor glanced at him sideways: "You kid are alright. You haven't been here for several days, yet your technique is still this steady."

Li Yan smiled: "I have it clear in my mind. I recall it twice every day, so there's no problem with the muscle memory."

On the other side of the training ground, the instructor also gave Wang Zhen encouragement: "Don't be afraid. Your foundation isn't bad; just don't panic."

There is no need to describe the practice in detail. Two hours later, they got out of the car. The sun was rising higher, just in time to go home for a nap.

On the way back, Wang Zhen asked Li Yan: "Brother Yan, how do you plan to celebrate once you get your driver's license tomorrow?"

Li Yan thought for a moment: "Let's get the license in hand first, then we'll see. I have a dinner date with Shen Qingyue the day after tomorrow. It's a way to give her some closure. After all, she invested some feelings in me before, and I don't want to burn bridges, but I don't intend to develop things further either."

Wang Zhen was a bit surprised: "You're planning to wrap things up with Shen Qingyue so quickly?"

Li Yan nodded.

"Pretty much. I no longer have any deeper interest, and I have other things to do these next few days.

People are just chasing a sense of novelty. I'll ask Shen Qingyue out in two or three days, have a meal together, and consider it a farewell."

Wang Zhen gave an awkward laugh: "You really are... as steady as a veteran."

Li Yan was noncommittal.

He had always remained calm, not wasting any effort on emotions, controlling the situation only with moderate gentleness and resources.

He didn't need Wang Zhen to understand; he only needed to feel that it was appropriate himself.

In the afternoon, Li Yan took a nap at home. His parents were both at work, so he had plenty of private space.

After waking up, he sent a message to Gangan: "Are you free tonight? I'm not going out for a meal, I just want to ask how that Liuli video editing is coming along."

Gangan replied: "I was originally planning to work overtime tonight to edit, but since you asked, let's meet up. Do you want to come to my workshop, or should we grab a coffee outside?"

Li Yan thought for a moment. He had been meeting at the workshop for the past few days, so it might be better to change the venue to make the atmosphere more casual.

"Let's go to the cafe on the top floor of the Colorful Plaza mall in the city center; the environment is nice. See you at 7?"

Gangan agreed: "Okay."

Putting away his phone, Li Yan chuckled softly.

It was already obvious that Gangan had a crush on him, and the atmosphere between them had become more natural after their meal the night before.

Li Yan wasn't in a rush; he liked this hazy and relaxed stage.

After all, the two of them had been in an ambiguous relationship for a long time, and the wrap-up work for this period couldn't be too rough either.

There was nothing to do in the afternoon, so Li Yan browsed rental information on his phone, imagining going to Shudu to adapt in advance.

When the sky began to darken, he changed into a more casual polo shirt and khaki shorts and took a taxi to Colorful Plaza.

The cafe on the top floor of Colorful Plaza had soft lighting and simple decor, and sitting by the window allowed one to overlook the city's night view.

Gangan had arrived a few minutes early and was sitting on a sofa by the window. Her long hair was draped over her shoulders, and she was wearing a light-colored off-the-shoulder top and a denim miniskirt, which was both cool and showed off her good figure.

Seeing Li Yan arrive, she waved slightly to greet him.

"Li Yan! Over here~"