Chapter Five: Expert Assistance

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"Xiao He, in our line of work, you encounter all kinds of clients."

"As for Mr. Wei, you need to keep things within proper bounds and help him get familiar with the equipment quickly."

"Don’t overthink it. Just train as usual. But behind the scenes... minimize contact with him!"

He Feng had also noticed how effortlessly Wei Lin handled his second bench press, so he called He Jingxuan into the office for a serious talk.

Like He Jingxuan, he was convinced that Wei Lin was a notorious womanizer. The fact that he bought a package was clearly to flirt with the new, innocent female coach.

"Why don’t we have another coach handle him?" He Jingxuan said reluctantly, not wanting trouble, adding weakly, "You can count the sales towards me."

"That won’t do!"

He Feng, mixing his protein shake, rejected firmly without room for discussion: "You’re new to the industry. You’ll always meet clients like this. If you run away every time, you’ll never succeed."

"Look at Yu Xiaorou and Zhao Jie. They both handle plenty of clients like this and do just fine."

"Xiao He, don’t be afraid. Just focus on your work and avoid private interactions with him."

He Feng knew full well that for someone like Wei Lin, who had already set his sights, switching coaches would only make him demand a refund.

As the coaching manager, he had a monthly sales target to meet. Thirty thousand yuan wasn’t a small sum; naturally, he intended to hold on tight.

"Alright... I guess I’ll do it," He Jingxuan agreed reluctantly.

She took He Feng’s advice to heart and vowed never to engage with Wei Lin privately or accept any of his invitations.

...

6:30 p.m.

Wei Lin had just parked when his best friend Zhao Yuanqing messaged: "Where are you? We’ve been here ages. Where the hell have you been?"

"Just parking."

"Linzi, you’re in luck! That girl brought her friend, and she’s even prettier!"

"On my way!"

Wei Lin’s spirits lifted.

He was all too familiar with this kind of setup—Zhao Yuanqing calling him along as a wingman.

The friend was there to vet Zhao Yuanqing and see if he was worth getting involved with.

...

Green Bamboo Japanese Restaurant, VIP Room V3.

The moment Wei Lin pushed open the door and glanced at the two girls sitting opposite Zhao Yuanqing, his eyes lit up, and he had a good idea.

Even seating arrangements of four carry meaning.

If Zhao Yuanqing and the girl were close, they would sit together, not with the two girls sitting side by side.

Judging by their seats, Zhao Yuanqing and the girl hadn’t reached that level yet.

"Sorry for the wait. Traffic was bad, and I had trouble finding a parking spot. Sorry to keep you two lovely ladies waiting," Wei Lin greeted with a smile, casually assessing the two women.

Both appeared about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, one tall, one short.

The taller woman wore a plaid shirt, her long hair cascading down her shoulders. Her sharp features and thick eyebrows gave off a bold and confident air.

Even sitting upright, she was at least ten centimeters taller than the shorter one.

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The shorter woman wore a white T-shirt. By experience, Wei Lin guessed her height was about 1.62 meters.

Her name was Han Ying, Zhao Yuanqing’s recent romantic interest. She currently taught English at Linjiang City Art College.

She had a baby face and wore light makeup, exuding a gentle and sweet vibe—definitely Zhao Yuanqing’s type.

Though Zhao Yuanqing had mentioned her several times, this was Wei Lin’s first time meeting her. Once seated, he smiled and introduced himself:

"I’m Wei Lin, Yuanqing’s good brother, working in finance."

"Finance? Zhao Yuanqing said you were in foreign trade," Han Ying’s big eyes blinked with suspicion.

"I do some foreign trade, but finance is my main business. To be blunt, I deal with stock trading."

Wei Lin rubbed his nose and under the table kicked Zhao Yuanqing, explaining with a grin, "Since it sounds bad and like I’m slacking off, he said I’m in foreign trade."

"I’m just worried he’ll scam you both, convincing you to hand over your spare cash for him to manage," Zhao Yuanqing joked.

The tall woman, Zhuang Qing, frowned slightly, grabbed her phone, and quickly typed a message to Han Ying: "Nothing truthful here. I feel both are jerks. Watch out!"

Han Ying glanced at the lit screen and nodded subtly.

Zhao Yuanqing pressed the call bell and instructed the waiter, "Everyone’s here. Start bringing the dishes and get a bottle of the sake I saved—1.8 liters, the big bottle."

"Sorry, I’m on my period, can’t drink," Han Ying quickly declared.

"Uh..." Zhao Yuanqing laughed awkwardly, looking to Wei Lin for help.

"Sake is low alcohol. A little should be okay," Wei Lin coaxed, smiling: "It’s our first meeting; a little drink sets the mood, right?"

"I’ll pass. I’ll keep you two company," Zhuang Qing cut in with an icy smile.

"Han Ying, you really won’t drink?" Zhao Yuanqing looked disappointed.

"Not today. Maybe next time."

"Alright then."

Zhao Yuanqing gave up persuading and busied himself serving Han Ying with sashimi and sushi.

Wei Lin poured drinks for the three others.

Halfway through dinner, their conversation hovered around horoscopes and celebrity gossip.

Wei Lin threw himself into backing Zhao Yuanqing, subtly highlighting his brotherly loyalty, lack of romantic history, and solid family background, but the two women remained guarded.

Tall Zhuang Qing sipped lightly, staying alert, while Han Ying politely listened without touching her drink.

Seeing this, Wei Lin realized this dinner alone wouldn’t break the ice.

After an hour and a half, tired of wasting breath, he focused on the wagyu fried rice, pondering where to take them for round two.

"I’m going to the restroom."

Zhuang Qing stood gracefully, slipped on her slippers barefoot, and left.

Minutes later, muffled arguing came from the restroom area.

"Zhuang Qing!"

The three in the VIP room frowned.

Concerned, Han Ying was about to check, but Zhuang Qing returned with a sullen expression.

She plopped down, poured herself a full glass of sake, and downed it in one gulp.

Setting the glass down, she annoyedly explained to Han Ying’s questioning look, "I ran into Wang Hongyu."

"He’s bothering you again?" Han Ying snorted disdainfully. "He flirted with three girls at once. How does he have the nerve to keep chasing you after you found out?"

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"I don’t get it either."

Zhuang Qing, who had been sipping carefully, poured herself a second full glass, fuming with meaning: "Some men just like to cast wide nets and keep multiple fish. I’m definitely not going to be one of their catch."

She glanced at Zhao Yuanqing and Wei Lin.

Zhao Yuanqing chuckled awkwardly, then protested earnestly, "Don’t look at me like that. I’m not like that!"

Wei Lin, having weathered many storms, was straightforward and smiled: "Yuanqing really isn’t. I’m different—I..."

"You what?" Zhuang Qing stared.

"Well, I’ve never been in a relationship. Basically, a rookie at love."

Raising his glass to her, Wei Lin shamelessly said, "I’m not young anymore, and my family’s pushing me hard. If you know anyone suitable, I’d be grateful for an introduction."

"You’ve never dated? To me, you seem to have more experience than Zhao," Zhuang Qing sneered.

"Nah, you’re wrong," Wei Lin denied, eyes full of longing: "If secret crushes count as dating, then I’ve had a few. I’ve just been busy with unrequited love my whole life."

"Just when I finally muster the courage to start my first romance, my crushes always start theirs."

"Unfortunately, I’m never the one they choose."

Before Zhuang Qing could drink, Wei Lin gloomily downed his glass.

"I don’t believe you," she said coldly.

"Whatever," Wei Lin shrugged, thinking, "You’re not my target anyway. Zhao’s not after you either. Believe it if you want."

*Click!*

The sliding door was suddenly forced open.

A sharply dressed man in a white shirt and dress pants, wearing a gold watch on his left wrist, stepped into view.

"Zhuang Qing, you really can’t be serious!"

The man scanned the two men and two women in the room. Seeing Zhuang Qing still holding her glass and blushing faintly, he sneered, "I invited you to dinner, and you wouldn’t even drink a drop. Now you’re drinking?"

"What are you pretending to be in front of me? Weren’t you having fun with them?"

"Zhuang Qing! You’re shameless!"

The man, clearly drunk, started a tirade.

"Wang Hongyu! Who do you think you are? What right do you have to tell me who I can drink with? Who the hell do you think you are?!" Zhuang Qing splashed her drink onto his face and shouted, "Get lost!"

"Wang Hongyu! You damn—"

The man tried to push inside and grab her.

"Brother, that’s not how you pick up girls."

Wei Lin sprang up, grinning mischievously, stepping between Zhuang Qing and the man. Before he could get too close, Wei Lin shoved him forcefully out: "Also, weren’t your parents teaching you manners? Didn’t they tell you not to barge into other people’s territory?"

"Zhao Yuanqing, put down that glass! Don’t smash it!"

"You’re gonna break it on me!"

...