Chapter 14: Song Wang’s Open Declaration of Love?

Unlike the other guests, who were keenly perceptive, Su Nian, always a step behind when it came to emotions, hadn’t made any connection between Song Wang’s warning to Yi Linglin and his subsequent conversation with her.

“You’re welcome. Just try to exercise more regularly, you’re far too weak.”

After receiving his thanks, Su Nian responded with these words before heading straight upstairs to her room, leaving the rest of the guests downstairs exchanging glances, each lost in their own thoughts.

Rather than being offended by being called too weak, Song Wang, in fact, lifted the corners of his lips in delight.

“Wait, is Brother Wang being completely obvious now?”
“That’s it! Song Wang’s emotional defenses have been welded shut!”
“What a waste—such a beautiful man falling for someone like Su Nian.”
“My poor Linglin. Sincerity can’t win sincerity—Mom can’t approve of this match anymore.”
“Everyone’s blaming Su Nian, but honestly, I don’t think she’s interested in Song Wang at all.”
“She’s just pretending. With her love-addled mind, how could she not notice Song Wang’s feelings? She just wants to act like she’s so desirable. I’m speechless.”

The storm raging online over Song Wang’s affection didn’t touch Su Nian in the slightest. After reviewing what she’d learned that day, she climbed into bed and fell asleep right on schedule.

The next morning, at five o’clock, while the other guests were still deep in sleep, a figure slipped out from the second floor.

“Who’s up even earlier than this struggling high school senior?”
“Hey, your dad’s coming to catch you—watching romance reality shows instead of studying at the crack of dawn.”
“Our Mengya is a famous fitness buff, champion of last season’s ‘Supernova Games’ women’s division. She’s known for waking up at five every day to work out—this must be our Mengya.”

As the online audience speculated about which guest could be up earlier than the rooster, Su Nian, clad in a form-fitting athletic outfit that accentuated her curves, turned to face the camera.

“Wow, it’s the ex-girlfriend! Who knew she had such a killer figure?”
“It was all hidden by yesterday’s office attire—what a waste!”
“Damn, her figure is seriously something else.”
“I never heard Su Nian was into working out. Last time, when Li Ming’en was asked on ‘Supernova’ why he didn’t bring her as a couple, he said she didn’t like sports.”
“Maybe Li Ming’en was making things up, or Su Nian is trying to build a fitness persona?”

With curiosity piqued, viewers began to look forward to Su Nian’s performance—either an impressive workout or a public embarrassment.

Oblivious, Su Nian soon dragged from her room a massive duffel bag almost as tall as herself.

“A duffel bag? My grandma uses one like that to collect recyclables. Is Su Nian going out to scavenge at dawn?”
“Let’s not be ridiculous—the bag looks heavy, definitely not for picking up trash.”

Amidst the speculation, Su Nian hefted the bag downstairs, only to run into the film emperor, Chu Tianhe, at the door, also out for early exercise.

“Morning, Su Nian—”

Chu Tianhe, the epitome of a refined gentleman, paid no mind to the swirling rumors about Su Nian. He greeted her amicably, even inviting her to join him for a morning run.

“No, thank you, Mr. Chu. I’m not running today—I have other things planned.”

After politely declining, Chu Tianhe didn’t press further, simply nodded, put on his Bluetooth headset and fitness tracker, and headed out.

Su Nian waited until Chu Tianhe left before carrying her duffel bag outside. She found an empty patch of ground and set it down.

The answer was about to be revealed.

When Su Nian dragged two massive sandbags out of the duffel, the online audience was stunned.

“Sandbags? Two gigantic sandbags? What’s the ex-girlfriend up to?”
“She’s not about to pave roads for the people, is she?”
“Haha, I think she’s actually going to train with them.”

One viewer’s offhand joke turned out to be right on the mark—Su Nian really was using the sandbags for training. But rather than hoisting them, she began boxing and walking with them for resistance.

As she unleashed swift, professional punches and strode confidently under the added weight, viewers who had doubted her intentions were left speechless.

“Wait, she actually knows what she’s doing! Didn’t Li Ming’en say she had no athletic ability?”
“Confirmed—her ex-boyfriend’s a jerk. He hogged resources, smeared her as lazy, but with skills like this? If she’s not athletic, I’ll walk on my hands from now on.”
“Suddenly remembering how Su Nian introduced Li Ming’en to numerous contacts and even took on terrible roles for love, reportedly without pay.”
“First act after getting free: cut down the man she once loved. Aside from being blinded by romance, Su Nian doesn’t seem to have any major flaws.”
“Has the internet forgotten? The cheating woman is getting a redemption arc? It was Su Nian who cheated on Li Ming’en first.”
“Setting aside who cheated on whom, her military-style boxing is seriously cool. I have to wonder—was she ever in the army?”

In reality, Su Nian had indeed served in the military. Born in a remote village to parents who favored sons over daughters, they planned to pull her out of school to work and save up for her brother’s dowry. But Su Nian refused to accept her fate. She ran away from home, supporting herself entirely, and was accepted into a military recruitment program in her village.

Among the new recruits, she achieved the top overall score and was admitted to a military academy. There, her artistic talents blossomed; a military calisthenics promotional video featuring her went viral, catching the eye of a prominent director who was planning a military-themed film and wanted her as the female lead.

Su Nian, prioritizing her studies, declined the offer, but the seed of artistic aspiration had been sown. After graduation, she gave up a promising future and threw herself into the entertainment industry. With her keen instincts and relentless self-discipline, she quickly rose to a management position, becoming the youngest vice president of the entertainment group.

Though she had left her military days behind, some habits—etched deep into her bones—never faded. Early morning workouts were not just routine, but a guarantee of good health.

Su Nian never cared for building a public persona, nor did she bother to fake one. Yet, unbeknownst to her, her morning training had ignited the enthusiasm of many viewers online. Those who had doubted her motives were forced to reconsider after witnessing her true athletic prowess.

“Watching Su Nian exercise is strangely addictive.”
“While everyone else is doing yoga or Pilates, her sweat-drenched workouts seem way more effective.”
“I can’t resist anymore—I’m buying sandbags tomorrow.”
“There’s no way Su Nian can keep up such intense training every day. I refuse to believe it.”

Amid the chorus of online voices, Su Nian finished her workout just as the sun rose. She neatly packed away the sandbags and returned to the house.

By the time she got back, someone was already up preparing breakfast. Even before she opened the door, an odd smell wafted out.

When she stepped inside, she saw Li Ming’en boiling what was supposed to be a nutritious porridge.

Once, in front of Su Nian, Li Ming’en had never so much as dipped a finger in soapy water, always waiting for her to feed him hand and foot. Now, he looked every inch the devoted, domestic husband.

Su Nian arched an amused eyebrow at him just as Li Ming’en glanced up from the kitchen. His expression shifted slightly.

Before he could react further, Su Nian spoke. “Li Ming’en, what are you doing making foot-washing water this early in the morning?”