Ji Qingqing instinctively glanced over at Lu Lixing. Seeing that his attention wasnât on her, she inhaled deeply and pushed forward as much as she could. But still, the weights remained stubborn and didnât move at all.
When Lu Lixingâs gaze swept over her, Ji Qingqing immediately flashed a smile and continued to nonchalantly push the weights.
Just how is Lu Lixing able to push it so easily? For her, it felt like pushing a mountain that would never budge.
Even if she wasnât all that strong, at the very least it should move a little, right?
Ji Qingqing gritted her teeth in determination. She will push those weights no matter what!
Lu Lixing watched her for a while. Noticing that her face had turned bright red from exertion, he struggled to hide the grin that formed on the corners of his mouth. He let go of the equipment handlebars and got up. Then he made his way over to Ji Qingqingâs side and released the locking mechanism. Suddenly, she was able to push the weights by a bit.
She finally made some progress after all that hard work. Lifting her head, she excitedly looked up at Lu Lixing.
âThe locking mechanism wasnât released, so how could you even push it?â
Hearing that, Ji Qingqingâs excitement died down quickly. Lu Lixing noticed her dejected expression and asked, âWhat do you want to train first?â
Ji Qingqing pondered for a bit. âMy abdominal muscles.â
âOkay, get up.â
Ji Qingqing got up and followed Lu Lixing to the yoga mat.
âLie face down on the surface.â
Ji Qingqing went to lie down on the mat.
âStart with a planking position. Raise your body off the floor by using your forearms and legs to support your weight. Maintain this position for a minute.â
The movements were simple, but it was super hard to maintain this position. In the beginning, it was rather easy. However, as time passed, her tensed muscles started to feel heavier, especially at the abdominal area. During this intense moment, beads of warm sweat formed on her forehead. The elbows that were supporting her weight started to shake and she was on the verge of giving up.
She asked in a shaky voice, âOne minute is over, right?â
âNot yet.â
Ji Qingqing was trembling a lot. She shook her head repeatedly. âNo, I canât. I canât hold it any longer.â
As her voice fell, she collapsed onto the mat with a thud.
Lu Lixing squatted down and looked at her in exasperation. âYour physique is very good as you donât have any excess fats. If you want to tone those abdominal muscles, you need to be able to manage these basic exercises. Doing continuous sit-ups would help as well. Besides, using the gym equipment would be way more tiring as compared to exercising without them. Even so, do you still want to try them?â
Ji Qingqing shook her head.
âThen letâs resume the exercise again. Try maintaining the position for a minute.â
Ji Qingqing mused deeply. âEarlier you told me that my physique was good and I also agree with you too. How about Iâ¦â
âYou only have to maintain this position for a minute and you want to give up already?â
Ji Qingqing felt as if he was mocking her. She gritted her teeth and took back her words. âIâll hold it for a little longer.â
Saying that she clenched her jaw and tried to maintain the position.
Ji Qingqing lifted her head and looked at Lu Lixing who was squatting beside her. âDonât you have to exercise? You donât need to watch over me.â
âItâs fine. Just continue.â
Heâs clearly implying that he intends to monitor her.
Ji Qingqing looked down at her yoga mat. Beads of sweat started to accumulate on her forehead and she felt like crying.
To be honest, her figure was pretty good, and she strongly felt that way too. Her legs were straight and slender, her waist was petite and had no excess fat, and lastly, her tummy was flat. The only thing she lacked was toned abdominal muscles.
Life wasnât always perfect. Just why did she have to aim to get those abdominal muscles? Isnât everything still blissful even if there are some regrets?
Ji Qingqing raised her head. Her eyes were filled with pleading. âIâ¦â
âOne minute is up. Go rest for ten seconds and continue again for another minute.â Saying that he added another line. âDonât worry, since you want to tone those abdominal muscles, Iâll supervise you. Even if we donât have time to visit the gym, we can still do these exercises at home in the future.â
Ji Qingqing lay face flat on the yoga mat. Her heart was filled with despair.
âI donât want to train anymore.â
Lu Lixing narrowed his eyes slightly. His gaze seemingly warned her: âGo on, I dare you to try and give up.â
âWhat did you just say?â
At that moment, Ji Qingqing remembered the promise she made when she entered the gym. She tearfully took back her words, â⦠What I meant is that I donât want to continue with the planking exercise. Are there any other exercises that I can try? Planking makes my elbows hurt.â
âYou can do sit-ups instead.â
Ji Qingqing got up and turned over to lay flat on her back.
How comfortable.
âBend your knees.â
Ji Qingqing bent her knees and Lu Lixing went to sit before her feet. He held down her ankles.
âDo 30 sit-ups first.â
ââ¦â
Ji Qingqing cupped the back of her head with her hands and began to do sit-ups.