26: Chapter 26: This swimming lesson was really worthwhile.

"It's all topped up, Xiao Shuai."

Although Meng Yawen was immersed in the thrill of spending money like crazy, she still had a sense of proportion; 150 payments of 648, not too many, not too few.

"Thank you for your hard work."

After completing all his exercises today, Zhao Xiaoshuai felt he still had energy to spare for the first time, so he decided to book the long-awaited swimming lesson immediately.

"There's still time, and I'm in good shape. Let's see if we can book the VIP pool; you still owe me a swimming lesson."

"I'll check right now... It's quite empty today. I've already booked it, we can go right now."

As soon as the two of them stepped out, Lin Yongbo, who had been doing lat pulldowns in a distracted manner, walked over with his eyes lighting up.

"Coach Meng, are you done? Let me treat you to a drink on the second floor. Would you do me the honor?"

"Ah, Mr. Lin, I'm sorry, I'm still busy here. Maybe next time!"

Having been rebuffed twice, Lin Yongbo couldn't help but feel a bit choked up inside.

"Going to the basement? Meng Yawen can teach swimming too? Her figure will look amazing in a swimsuit. Damn it, this short, chubby guy really knows how to play!"

The VIP pool had its own changing room, and at this moment, Zhao Xiaoshuai was staring at that door full of anticipation.

As Meng Yawen stepped out, her jade-like feet pattering against the floor, he immediately sat down on the steps inside the pool.

This must be the standard-issue swimsuit for iSport; it even had the logo on it, and the overall design was basically that type of "school swimsuit."

A pair of fair, smooth, long legs were exposed, forming a stark contrast with the blue swimsuit.

Although the top was slightly conservative, the extremely tight fit made her two best assets very prominent.

In her past life, she must have been a deity who controlled lightning.

"What's wrong, Brother Zhao? Is something not worn correctly? You're making me feel shy with your staring."

This was also Meng Yawen's first time wearing this swimsuit. It was a bit tight and seemed to be riding up, so she pulled at the edge of the swimsuit with her hand, making a slight "snap" sound.

"We're so close now, yet you keep calling me Brother Zhao. It feels a bit distant."

"Then... should I call you Xiao Shuai? Hehehe, oh my, you're so shameless."

Zhao Xiaoshuai laughed along, "I was just looking at how slim your waist is. Could this be the legendary 60cm waist?"

"Not quite, even on an empty stomach, it's only 62."

A slender branch bearing such substantial fruit—terrifyingly impressive.

The two arrived at the shallow end to officially begin the lesson.

"Squat down slowly, try to let the water cover your neck, keep breathing, and first adapt to the tension of the water pressure."

"Very good, take a deep breath, try to let the water cover your head, and aim to hold it for five to ten seconds."

Zhao Xiaoshuai submerged as instructed. The water quality of the VIP pool was very good and well-maintained; wearing his goggles, he could see very clearly.

The first thing that came into view was a pair of perfect, fair legs, which looked even more breathtaking against the backdrop of the clear pool water.

He held his breath until he was almost suffocating before suddenly surfacing.

Splashed by the water, Meng Yawen wiped her face and laughed:

"Xiao Shuai still likes to push himself! For the first time in the water, focus on adapting; there's no need to hold it for that long."

Next was repetitive practice until that feeling of tension was gone. Zhao Xiaoshuai submerged to his limit every time before resurfacing; he was really giving it his all.

"Okay, give me your hands. After you submerge this time, try to lift your feet and float your whole body. You must hold onto me tightly; no matter what happens, don't let go. Trust me."

Floating in the water for the first time, he felt an inexplicable fear, and his hands instinctively wanted to struggle and flail.

However, the firmness transmitted from Meng Yawen's hands in his palms suppressed the unease in his heart.

He gripped her hands tightly and soon floated quietly on the water's surface. After repeating this a few times, he became proficient.

"Very good, not bad at all. You learn really quickly. Let's move on to the next step."

Meng Yawen let go of his hands and moved to Zhao Xiaoshuai's left side.

"Next, bury your head in the water, hug your legs with both hands, curl into a ball, hold for five to ten seconds, and then slowly stand up."

The previous success had made Zhao Xiaoshuai lower his guard, thinking he had forgotten the fear left behind by choking on water when he was a child.

However, the moment he lost that reassurance and sank into the water alone, experiencing weightlessness, the memories from his childhood suddenly flooded back.

In a panic, he instantly lost his balance, his arms flailing about uneasily.

In his confusion, he seemed to have grabbed onto something—soft and elastic, too large to be held in one hand.

The very next moment, a pair of hands steadily held his arms and pushed him out of the water.

"Cough, cough..."

Zhao Xiaoshuai, having slightly choked on water, was still a bit shaken.

"Don't be afraid, I'm right by your side, I've always been here."

Meng Yawen didn't seem displeased, though her cheeks appeared slightly flushed.

"When I was a kid, I choked on water. Just now, it felt like I was suddenly back in that pool from my childhood."

Hearing this, she quickly apologized, "It was my negligence. I should have asked about such things beforehand. I'm sorry..."

"It's okay. I want to try again; otherwise, it will stay stuck there forever. If I lose control again, I'll have to trouble you."

"I also believe you can definitely do it. Come on!"

Zhao Xiaoshuai submerged into the water again, tried countless times, and finally succeeded!

"You did it, Xiao Shuai! I knew you could!"

Meng Yawen was beaming with genuine joy, looking even happier than Zhao Xiaoshuai.

"It's all because the coach taught me well."

Thanks to the coach guarding him by his side, and having a substantial point of support on her body, he felt very at ease, gradually overcoming his childhood fear.

"Let's practice a few more basic movements. Haste makes waste, after all. We'll start formal swimming next time."

"I'll listen to you."

[You interacted with Meng Yawen and luckily obtained a multiplier silver card.]

The two came out of the pool; it was already 11:30.

The massive energy expenditure made Zhao Xiaoshuai feel significantly hungry.

"Xiao Shuai, today I'll treat you to a place that specializes in light meals; it's very delicious. It's just a bit further away on another commercial street."

"Send me the location. You don't mind riding an e-bike, do you?"

"How could I mind! Even if you took me on a bicycle, it would be fine, hehehe."

Zhao Xiaoshuai looked at the innocent-looking Meng Yawen and couldn't help but feel a multitude of emotions.

It's so good to be a college girl who hasn't yet seen the flashy world; that's an age where one would rather smile on the back of a bicycle than cry in a BMW.

Just as they left iSport, a silver-white BMW 330i pulled a flashy drift and stopped not far in front of Meng Yawen.

The splashed snow happened to cover Zhao Xiaoshuai's e-bike.

"..."

The BMW's window slid down, and Lin Yongbo revealed a smile he considered perfect, "Beautiful lady, would you do me the honor of having lunch? At Juxingju nearby."

Juxingju was a high-end private kitchen restaurant where the minimum spend was several thousand.

Seeing Zhao Xiaoshuai silently cleaning the snow off his e-bike, Meng Yawen felt a bit annoyed.

"Do you know how annoying you are! Please stop harassing me, okay?"

After saying this, she quickly ran over to help Zhao Xiaoshuai clear the snow, then happily sat on the back seat of the e-bike and slowly rode away.

Before leaving, Zhao Xiaoshuai took a deep look at the license plate number and the man's appearance.

Lin Yongbo looked at that ordinary e-bike, then looked at his own BMW; he was stunned.

"Wait, buddy, what's going on here? Have the tastes of girls nowadays changed?"

The place wasn't actually far; it only took ten minutes or so by e-bike.

"You're wearing so little, your legs must be freezing, right?"

"It's fine, Xiao Shuai, my health is great; I'm not afraid of the cold at all."

Zhao Xiaoshuai once again desperately wanted a car.

But in his plan, as a destined tycoon, buying a car for 100,000 or 200,000 as his first one obviously didn't feel quite right.

He was prepared to extravagantly use the silver card to buy a car worth several million directly, doing it all in one go, and for this, he was also working hard to save money.

But now he was a bit shaken.

How about I just buy a one-million-yuan car to make do for now?