Chapter 97 Gym Room Fun

Chapter 97: Gym Joys

Deserts, lakes, grasslands, forests, the Gobi, ancient cities, small towns, road trips with rented cars, experiencing the thousand-mile ancient herding routes during summer migrations with nomadic families, horseback riding, bonfire parties… and countless delicacies, from grilled meat, spicy lamb trotters, ox bone soup, Dapanji, and Jiaoma chicken to liangpi, lung stew, rice blood sausage, yogurt shaved ice, and flavored kvass. With so many sights and so much to eat and drink, Shi Zai was excited every single day, eating until he was stuffed… until one day, after a bout of vomiting and diarrhea, Shu Yangkuo strictly controlled his diet.

He accepted the dietary restrictions; Shi Zai had learned his lesson from that illness and vaguely realized he’d gained some weight. The thin layer of muscle on his abdomen had vanished, and if it weren’t for Shu Yangkuo’s vasectomy, he would have thought he was pregnant again. Tsk, entering middle age was no joke. He used to eat anything without gaining weight, but now… if he didn’t control it, a little belly would slowly appear.

Shi Zai decided—to continue enjoying food, he would exercise with Shu Yangkuo!

Whether at home or traveling, Shu Yangkuo never missed his morning jog and daily cardio. Shi Zai used to scoff at it, unwilling to spend time on fitness when other activities could burn calories just as well. But after a full physical check-up due to gastroenteritis, he realized that while "bed sports" burned energy, it was actual exercise that truly strengthened the body.

Without replenishing energy and only expending it, as the doctor said, "the body becomes depleted," and over time, the doctor just gave a knowing chuckle.

Tsk, no wonder he couldn’t last all night anymore, losing energy after three hours… no wonder the older man seemed like he’d taken virility drugs, full of vigor, sometimes even getting excited during daytime hugs like he was young again…

To enjoy food and exercise with Shu Yangkuo—this "food" expanded in scope after Shi Zai’s check-up, naturally including that "stinky man." This way, he wouldn’t always be the one devoured while the other seemed perpetually unsatisfied.

But since he started working out with Shu Yangkuo, the man was visibly happier and more clingy. Whether during morning jogs or using gym equipment at home… he was eager to hold his hand or hug him without letting go. During jogs, he’d occasionally turn to kiss him, and at home, under the guise of "correcting his form," his hands would soon wander. Shi Zai didn’t mind the affection; it brought them closer, and he loved feeling needed. It also eased the man’s underlying anxiety—a win-win.

Loved and needed like this, Shi Zai often felt sweetly content. Even in middle age, the man’s gaze remained as adoring as when they first fell in love—sometimes shyly avoiding eye contact with reddened ears. No one could resist such intense affection.

One quiet and profound, the other passionate and straightforward—their love was truly beautiful and sweet.

On this day, the hottest of the summer, even the afternoon breeze was scorching. The two skipped work and, after a nap, headed to the first-floor gym—exercising with the air conditioning on to reignite their lazy spirits, then showering and cuddling while eating watermelon and watching shows. Sheer bliss. The villa remained the same: the first floor for them, the second for Shi Yiwang, and the third for Shi Mingzhao. Adjacent to them was the home of Yang Yun, Qin Xihan, and their child, though there were always rooms reserved for them here, especially during holidays.

The kids, on summer break, were either catching up on classes, interning, or working on artistic fieldwork.

When did the group chat say they’d be back? Today, tomorrow, or the day after? As Shi Zai gripped the squat rack, legs trembling, arms shaking, his voice barely coherent, he focused entirely on his workout, with no mind for anything else. Whether they returned today or tomorrow, the kids were grown—it was time for the two of them to enjoy some happiness.

It wasn’t a real squat rack.

But he was required to squat with strict form—not just parallel to the "ground," but another thirty centimeters lower, then rising using thigh strength. Soon, Shi Zai plopped down hard on the "floor," landing solidly, his buttocks splitting apart as his belly bulged abruptly, his face flushed and trembling.

After recovering, he tried to rise again, but deliberately, very slowly.

*Pop.*

Instantly, the mischievous personal trainer who’d been adding extra drills couldn’t stay composed. He quickly pressed him down, hands-on teaching him how to squat properly. With strong arms supporting him, Shi Zai relaxed, lifted and guided, focusing only on the movement.

As for training, tomorrow was another day—there would be plenty of time.

After squats, the more energetic and demanding man was still unsatisfied. At Shi Zai’s request, they moved on to dual push-ups. Shi Zai lay on his back while Shu Yangkuo pushed up and down… then switched to a plank, the man’s upper body steady while his lower half performed Shi Zai’s requested "extra drills"… Next, dual pull-ups: Shi Zai, lacking arm strength, could only rise by clinging tightly to the man, soaring upward with each of the man’s lifts, crying out with each rise.

Dazed, he wondered if they were using the gym equipment or if he was the equipment.

Just as they were about to finish, sitting on bamboo chairs, Shi Zai nestled in the man’s arms as he wiped sweat away. Glancing up, even Shi Zai blushed, lightly pushing him, only to have his fingers caught and kissed. The man’s gaze, sweet enough to drip honey and hot enough to burn, enveloped him. Bubbles of joy gurgled in Shi Zai’s heart before he could speak, and the man nibbled his ear, whispering, "Wife, can we go again?" Of course, they could. Shi Zai lifted his face to meet the scorching kiss.

Tsk, he had to admit, working out had its benefits—it really got the hormones flowing.

The former was Shi Yiwang, lively since childhood; the latter was Yang Yun, nearly forty and still playful.

"What time is it?" Shi Zai asked hoarsely, glancing outside—his vision darkened. They’d really gone at it, six or seven hours passing unnoticed. "Wait, wife? No way… When did Qin Xihan arrive? Hopefully, he hadn’t come near the hallway."

Shi Zai covered his face, about to get up, but was pressed down again. Well… couldn’t stop just like that. Fully enveloped by Shu Yangkuo’s robust frame, the stimulation was intense. One clung to his neck, cooperating eagerly; the other held back amidst his wife’s tight contractions… With these two energetic ones around, the living room soon buzzed with activity—and it sounded like more than just Qin Xihan was there.

After playing happily and showering comfortably, Shi Zai led the man—who’d been lost in passion moments earlier but was now shy and awkward—out to the living room, only to darken his vision again… The whole family, big and small, had returned home together. The kitchen smelled of delicious food; everyone was waiting, hungry, munching on sunflower seeds. Checking the time, dinner had turned into a late-night snack.

So they were really back tonight? No doubt, Qin Xihan had picked up his son Qin Yuteng and their second son Shi Mingzhao first, followed by Yang Yun bringing Shi Yiwang. Without the latter two, the first three might have waited quietly.

No need for embarrassment now. Seeing the whole family together, aside from feeling the concrete passage of time, there was an indescribable warmth and satisfaction. From one person to seven now, lively and loving—this was what Shi Zai had always wanted.

In the blink of an eye, Shi Yiwang was twenty-three. After finishing graduate school out of province, he returned to Shen'an City without a job—though usually laid-back and flashy in dress, he had a knack for academics and business. He’d opened a personal art studio in college, a ceramic art gallery after graduation, and after grad school, expanded boldly into a ceramic art company, developing new underglaze techniques and creative designs. Nearly a year in, he was thriving, recently away for research. Outside, at 184 cm, he exuded both boss-like maturity and youthful vigor; at home, he became a noisy, colorful sweetbean.

He could occasionally call the eldest "Wang Wang," but the eldest refused to be called "Zhaozhao," insisting on "Shi Mingzhao"—as he teasingly put it, "that’s just how cool guys are." Shi Mingzhao, just past nineteen, stood 189 cm, only eight cm shorter than his father. Similarly calm and reserved, but at nineteen, not yet fully mature, he came off as cool—indeed a "cool guy," sitting boldly on the sofa, ignoring his brother’s provocations while watching obscure videos with large headphones. Shi Mingzhao was pursuing a Ph.D. in aerospace, busy in his advisor’s lab, home for just a half-month break. He’d already signed with a top research institute, advancing toward a career as a high-end scientific talent.

The brothers had swapped interests: as kids, Wang Wang loved planes, Zhaozhao loved art—but after exploring each other’s hobbies, their passions and dreams reversed entirely. Whatever path they chose, Shi Zai and Shu Yangkuo supported them fully, and both brothers were achieving success in their passions, their lives quietly shining.

The youngest at home was naturally Yang Yun and Qin Xihan’s child. Qin Yuteng, fifteen, balanced his dad’s quietness and his father’s playfulness—gentle yet assertive. Already set on becoming an actor, he balanced academics with physical and performance training, resilient and unshy, often singing and dancing during holidays.

Looking around, Shi Zai felt increasingly heartened and warm, with so much to talk about—but everyone seemed starving. Even Yang Yun and Shi Yiwang were slumped on the sofa, only their eyes still teasing… They’d talk after eating.

But as soon as they put down their chopsticks, Yang Yun asked Shi Yiwang:

"Yiwang, why don’t you imitate your dad’s way of talking?"

"…Imitate what?"