Baihe Fan

Chapter 18: Morning Exercise

Ji Fengxue suffered from severe insomnia, a condition that had persisted for almost a year. She couldn’t sleep at night; closing her eyes felt like falling into an abyss, and the darkness filled her with panic, even making her breathing irregular.

At its worst, she had to rely on medication to sleep, but taking too much was bad for her health. After a period of experiencing dizziness and nausea, she decided to wean herself off the medication, enduring sleepless nights until she could fall asleep naturally.

This was why she outright refused Xia Linxia’s suggestion of sleeping on the floor. The two of them engaged in a verbal sparring match in bed. Xia Linxia even resorted to yanking Ji Fengxue’s hair in a threatening manner. In retaliation, Ji Fengxue threatened to take a bare-faced photo of her using the phone’s camera. Only then did Xia Linxia grudgingly let go.

Having been pampered since childhood, Xia Linxia was not about to sleep on the floor. Moreover, the cameras would start rolling at six in the morning, and neither of them was going to get up early to clean up a makeshift bed.

So, Xia Linxia turned on the bedside lamp, took out a large stuffed toy, and placed it between them as a barrier, drawing an imaginary line. She declared that whoever crossed the line would be labeled a fool.

Ji Fengxue didn’t object, as she didn’t need much space. As long as Xia Linxia stopped fidgeting, she was content. Initially, Ji Fengxue worried that her insomnia might disturb Xia Linxia’s sleep, but it was soon clear she had nothing to worry about.

Not long after the lights went out, she heard the rhythmic sound of breathing beside her, a steady in-and-out that was unmistakable in the quiet room.

She lay there motionless, starting to envy Xia Linxia’s quality of sleep.

After a long while, she glanced at her phone; only a little over an hour had passed since they turned off the lights…

At that moment, the person next to her moved. Ji Fengxue quietly put down her phone and slowly slid her hand under the covers, only to find it warmly held by another hand.

She tried to pull back, but the other person wrapped both hands around her arm, snuggling against her and pushing the stuffed toy aside. One leg kicked the blanket away and rested on her leg.

After a while, she called softly, “Xia Linxia.”

Xia Linxia smacked her lips, apparently finding the cool temperature comfortable, and snuggled even closer, but did not wake up.

“…”

Ji Fengxue dared not move. Any slight movement made Xia Linxia hold on tighter, leaving her no choice but to stay still.

As the temperature under the covers increased, she cautiously lowered the air conditioning temperature. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and began to meditate.

Whether it was the meditation or not, she soon fell asleep. The extra weight on her leg added a comforting pressure, and in her dream, she no longer felt like she was falling into an abyss.

She slept for a long time, her internal clock that usually woke her at dawn seemed to have malfunctioned.

Sunlight filtered through a gap in the curtains, casting a beam on the floor, but did not disturb the sleepers.

The cameras turned on right on schedule, capturing early risers on their way to work who tuned into the live stream. They were greeted by the sight of the two sleeping together, Xia Linxia’s fair, long leg draped over Ji Fengxue, hugging her tightly, both deep in slumber.

The adjacent rooms were still asleep, but this duo had the most unconventional sleeping position, with a stuffed toy lying on the floor beside the bed.

[Good morning!]

[First blow of the morning, single dogs take a lemon!]

[I also want a girlfriend to hug while I sleep!]

[Teacher Ji’s sleeping posture is so standard, what kind of burial posture is this? (just kidding)]

Half an hour later, Ji Fengxue was awakened by an unfamiliar alarm clock sound.

“The eighth set of radio gymnastics, now begins! March in place, go! One, two, three, four…”

Ji Fengxue: “?”

Just as Ji Fengxue was wondering, the weight on her lightened. Xia Linxia reflexively started bicycling her legs in the air, eyes still closed, muttering, “Two, two, three, four, three, two, three, four, one more time…”

Ji Fengxue: “…”

[Hahaha, I’m cracking up! This alarm is brilliant!]

[Is this the legendary professional dedication of female celebrities? Start exercising the moment they wake up!]

[Teacher Ji’s bewildered expression is killing me with laughter!]

[Help, I’m sneaking a break at work, trying so hard not to laugh out loud!]

After completing the first two exercises, Xia Linxia groaned, opened her eyes, yawned, and then suddenly froze. She turned to look at the pillow beside her, eyes wide open.

Ji Fengxue watched her calmly, then joined in with the alarm, “Jumping exercises, one, two…”

Xia Linxia immediately sprang out of bed, jumped on the bed twice, then continued her exercises on the floor. This was the most effective part of the routine, so she had to finish it.

With a tearful face, she cursed Xia Yangxuan internally. From a young age, Xia Yangxuan forced her to do radio gymnastics with their parents every day. The entire family had to do it together, and the household staff witnessed this daily spectacle.

When Xia Yangxuan took over the family business, he stopped doing the exercises, but the responsibility still rested on her slender shoulders.

[Hahaha! Friends, please type “standard” on the public screen]

[Turns out that doing radio gymnastics properly can look this good!]

[You got it wrong, the good-looking part is the person, not the exercise]

[She looks so good even when doing exercises, I suddenly want to see her dance]

[Teacher Ji looks so bewildered, it’s hilarious]

A minute later, the alarm finally stopped. Xia Linxia didn’t look back and went straight to the bathroom, feeling too embarrassed to face anyone.

It wasn’t until breakfast that she looked up, took a couple of bites of noodles, and showered the morning chef, Fang Qiushuang, with praise, “This is so good! Tastes just like my mom’s cooking! Teacher Fang, you’re amazing!”

“Haha, then have some more, there’s plenty in the kitchen,” Fang Qiushuang laughed heartily. Before coming, she had heard that Xia Linxia was a major celebrity with a bad temper and that it was best not to interact with her to avoid trouble. But in reality, she was just a young girl, not as scary as the rumors.

Thinking this, her expression softened, “Xia, could you help Ji with the soup? She’s sitting too far.”

“Sure, here you go,” Xia Linxia scooped a big ladle of soup and moved it over. Ji Fengxue quickly brought her bowl to catch it, but the soup didn’t pour in.

“Oops, not for you!” Xia Linxia turned the ladle back and gave it to Song Wanyi instead, “Here, it’s bone broth, very nutritious!”

Song Wanyi, who had just finished eating: “…” Are you making things difficult for me, QAQ?

Fang Qiushuang was momentarily stunned, then burst out laughing. She suddenly felt that Xia Linxia’s bad reputation might indeed be self-inflicted. Given the opportunity to show affection, she not only refrained but also involved the neighboring couple. If Song Wanyi were more scheming, she might use this small matter to make a big deal out of it.

In the end, it was Xue Hui who finished Song Wanyi’s soup, leaving the bullet screen filled with comments about drinking lemon juice.

After the meal, everyone went their separate ways. Fang Qiushuang and Tang Yuande went for a walk and greeted the neighbors. Song Wanyi and Xue Hui, full of energy, went hiking.

Xia Linxia and Ji Fengxue sat in the living room, staring at each other awkwardly. One played on her phone, the other watched TV, creating a strange atmosphere.

Remembering their contractual relationship, Ji Fengxue thought they couldn’t let the audience watch them play on their phones all day. She looked at the scenery outside and suggested, “How about we go hiking too?”

“Sure,” Xia Linxia immediately stood up and went to her room, “Wait a moment, I’ll get a camera to take pictures of you.”

Ji Fengxue: “…” That’s really not necessary.