Tycoon: From Rags to Riches

Chapter 85: Chapter 85: Resignation

Time has a way of rushing past, especially when you’re single.

In the blink of an eye, over ten days had passed since Xinghuo Fitness Studio’s elite training team arrived in Beichun, and everything had fallen into place.

Losing weight is about more cardio and less anaerobic exercise.

Lowering body fat percentage, however, is about more anaerobic exercise and less cardio.

In his training plan, the ratio of strength training to cardio was about seven to three.

Once he was past the adaptation phase and into the intensification and sprint phases, the proportion of strength training would increase even more.

Three hours in the morning, three hours in the afternoon, and two hours in the evening, interspersed with various physical therapy and recovery sessions—this was Gu Heng’s daily routine.

The process, of course, was grueling.

Not only was the training tough, but the physical therapy and recovery sessions were a form of torture.

Especially the fascia release. That "hurts so good" sensation was simply beyond words.

But as grueling as it was, the results were also remarkable.

Aided by his [Eternal Day Engine] buff, Gu Heng lowered his body fat percentage from 22% to 19% in just over ten days. And with the drop in body fat, the changes in him were obvious.

The most obvious change was that he looked much more energetic and sharp.

During this time, Gu Heng managed to meet with Xu Mo twice.

But because Gu Heng had to control his diet, their meetings were mostly just casual strolls. Afterward, Gu Heng would drive Xu Mo home, giving her a thorough, wet kiss before letting her go upstairs.

He saw Luo Xiwen often, but they almost always met during the day.

This was mainly because he was afraid he wouldn’t be able to resist temptation if they met at night.

Women—

’They only slow down my gains!’

...

The National Day holiday was always a packed affair, no matter the time or place.

Gu Heng was on a treadmill doing a cool-down walk, watching a video call on his phone. On the screen was a tan-skinned boy with a buzz cut.

"Boohoohoo—"

"Old Gu, my youth is over!"

"Sun Yanyan broke up with me! My heart is broken!"

The boy sobbing his heart out to Gu Heng, a mess of snot and tears, was Wan Jiakai, Gu Heng’s best friend since childhood.

They weren’t blood brothers, but they were closer than most.

Three years ago, when Gu Heng was going through his toughest time, Wan Jiakai had taken all the New Year’s money he’d saved for over a decade and shoved it all into Gu Heng’s hands, which was just enough for Gu Heng to finish junior high.

Later, after Gu Heng moved to Beichun, his friend would often visit him during school breaks.

Although Gu Heng had long since paid him back with money he’d earned from part-time jobs in the last couple of years, he would forever treasure this precious friendship in his heart.

"It’s only been a month since school started, a month of being long-distance, and you two already broke up?"

Gu Heng looked at him oddly. "What happened? Weren’t you and Sun Yanyan having a great time in Yangcheng just the other day?"

Hearing Gu Heng ask for the reason, Wan Jiakai, who had seemed utterly heartbroken just a moment ago, suddenly froze. A hint of embarrassment flashed across his face.

Gu Heng and Wan Jiakai had known each other since they were in diapers; they knew each other inside and out. The moment Gu Heng saw that look on his friend’s face, he knew there was more to the story.

Gu Heng eyed him suspiciously. "You weren’t flirting with other girls online and got caught by Sun Yanyan, were you?"

"How did you know?"

Wan Jiakai asked reflexively, then immediately backpedaled. "Pah, pah, pah! What flirting? That senior from my Public University, the girl from Yanshi University, and the one from the Central Academy of Fine Arts... we’re all just friends! Purely platonic!"

"Wan Jiakai, are you seriously still trying to act in front of me?"

"As if I don’t know what you’re really like."

Gu Heng gave him a sidelong glance. "You’re such a player. If you didn’t say a single flirty thing to those three girls, I’ll eat my hat."

"That’s slander!"

"You’re slandering me, I tell you!"

Wan Jiakai continued to protest dramatically. "My game might be dirty, but my love is pure, I’ll have you know!"

"Blegh!"

Gu Heng rolled his eyes and pretended to gag.

"So are you and Sun Yanyan really calling it quits just like that?"

Gu Heng followed up, "You didn’t try playing the victim to get her to stay?"

"Hmph!"

"Only the weak cry their eyes out and beg them not to leave during a breakup!"

Wan Jiakai lifted his chin, striking the most badass pose to say the most cowardly thing: "We strong people get on our knees and cling to their leg so they can’t take a single step!"

"And what happened?"

Gu Heng was struggling to hold back his laughter.

"She nearly kicked me to death."

Wan Jiakai replied, his face expressionless.

"Hahahaha..."

Hearing this, Gu Heng almost died laughing.

That girlfriend of Wan Jiakai’s, Sun Yanyan.

After they finished their college entrance exams, she had come to visit Beichun with Wan Jiakai, so Gu Heng had met her once.

She was a classic girl from the Northeast—a total spitfire with a temper like a hot chili pepper.

The fact that she hadn’t slapped Wan Jiakai’s face swollen for daring to flirt with other girls behind her back was, frankly, an act of mercy.

"Wait a minute."

"Isn’t the military training at your Public University supposed to be notoriously strict and exhausting?"

A thought belatedly struck Gu Heng. "And didn’t you say they confiscate phones during military training at your school?"

"Ahem..."

Wan Jiakai cleared his throat. "I did my research over the summer. I made sure to bring two phones to school."

"Hold on."

"So you had a phone, you could contact the outside world, and you didn’t think to call your bro for a whole month? You’re telling me all your free time was spent hitting on girls?"

Gu Heng suddenly felt that all the worry he’d just felt for his friend had been a complete waste.

"Huh?"

"What was that?"

"I think my signal’s a little weak."

Feeling guilty, Wan Jiakai immediately started putting on an act.

"Alright, alright."

"Stop the act."

Gu Heng said, annoyed, "There are still two days left of the holiday. Are you coming back or not?"

"Nah, I’m not coming back."

Wan Jiakai shook his head. "The round-trip flight from Yanjing to Yangcheng for the holiday, plus wining and dining Sun Yanyan here for the past two days, has pretty much drained my private stash. I’m heading straight back to school to live on instant noodles."

"Do you need me to send you some money?"

Gu Heng asked. "I’ve got plenty of cash on hand right now."

"Not for now."

"When I need it, you know I won’t hesitate to ask."

Wan Jiakai replied nonchalantly, not feeling the slightest bit awkward about money with Gu Heng.

"So when are you coming back?"

Gu Heng knew Wan Jiakai’s character. If he said he didn’t need money, it meant he still had some left in his stash.

"Dunno."

Wan Jiakai shrugged. "If nothing special comes up, I probably won’t be back until winter break."

Gu Heng was about to shoot the breeze with Wan Jiakai a little longer, but a sudden WhatsApp notification popped up, and his expression tensed.

"Alright."

"Something just came up. I have to go. Talk later."

Gu Heng reached out and pressed the stop button on the treadmill as he spoke.

"You got it!"

Wan Jiakai gave Gu Heng an "OK" sign and hung up the video call at lightning speed. Gu Heng, in turn, closed their WhatsApp chat window.

The WhatsApp message that had just popped up was from Huang Yufan. The message read:

"Chairman Gu!"

"This is bad!"

"Ruan Ruan officially got the flight attendant job with Xiamen Airlines!"

"She’s planning to resign today. She might be leaving Beichun in the next day or two!"

Gu Heng stared at the string of messages from Huang Yufan. He stood there silently for more than ten seconds, then turned and walked toward the locker room...

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