Chapter Sixty-Six: That Man (Second Bonus Chapter from Upstairs Spectator’s Ten Thousand Reward)

Because Chen Zhe’s phone was set to Do Not Disturb mode from midnight until six in the morning, he didn’t see the messages sent by the older brothers and sisters he had met in Korea. Upon waking up, he resumed his morning exercise routine, leaving the apartment and jogging along the paths within the residential complex.

“Control your breathing frequency, or you’ll wear yourself out. Follow my rhythm: one-two, one-two, inhale, exhale!” Since this body hadn’t exercised much recently, Chen Zhe subconsciously used the training method from his future military days during his first long run, but his relatively weak physique couldn’t handle such high-intensity sprinting.

After running only a short distance, his breathing grew rapid and his pace fell apart. Just as he was about to slow down and adjust, a deep male voice sounded behind him. A few breaths later, a man with exaggerated muscles and bronze skin caught up, running alongside Chen Zhe.

Perhaps to make it easier for Chen Zhe to follow, the man slowed his breathing. With the guidance of this muscular stranger, Chen Zhe quickly found his rhythm. The two of them jogged a lap around the complex, then stopped to rest at a small pavilion not far from Chen Zhe’s apartment.

“How do you feel? Doesn’t the sweat after a run make you feel much better?” The man took two bottles of mineral water from a sports bag placed in the pavilion, handed one to Chen Zhe, and after drinking a few mouthfuls himself, smiled at Chen Zhe, who was still sipping his water.

“Yes, I feel much better now. Thank you so much for earlier!” Chen Zhe screwed the cap back onto his bottle and smiled, nodding at the man. Although he could have adjusted his breathing on his own, the man had offered his help so generously that a word of thanks seemed only right.

“But young people like you, willing to get up early and run, are really becoming rare!” The man spoke with a touch of nostalgia, eyeing Chen Zhe’s sweat-soaked clothing.

“Haha, I’ve only just started these morning runs myself. Otherwise, my breathing wouldn’t have broken down like that!” Embarrassed, Chen Zhe scratched the back of his head, explaining why his run had gone awry.

Truthfully, it had been his own fault—had he run at a normal pace, he wouldn’t have ended up in such a state. But since he was no different from a novice runner this morning, he couldn’t admit he actually had some experience, especially given how mortifying his performance had been.

“Chen! Get ready, we need to head to the company!” Just as the man was about to say something, Lin Soo-ho’s voice rang out from afar. Looking toward the sound, Chen Zhe spotted Lin Soo-ho standing at the apartment entrance, waving energetically. Chen Zhe grinned and waved back.

“Sorry, my manager’s calling me. I need to go!” With a polite nod and an apologetic smile, Chen Zhe turned and jogged toward the apartment entrance.

“Manager? Could this kid be one of my juniors? He does look a little familiar, but I just can’t recall where I’ve seen him.” The man touched his chin, murmuring to himself.

“Shall we run together again tomorrow morning?” Intrigued by the boy, the man called out loudly in Chen Zhe’s direction.

“Sure, see you tomorrow!” Chen Zhe’s equally loud reply echoed back, and the man saw him wave farewell, as though bidding a proper goodbye.

“Interesting! Tomorrow I should find out who you are.” Watching Chen Zhe disappear into the distance, the man squinted, making his already small eyes seem even smaller.

———End of morning routine———

After washing up and changing, Chen Zhe left a note at his bedroom door for his still-sleeping sister and Choi Soo-young, explaining his whereabouts, then followed Lin Soo-ho by car to LOEN.

“Soo-ho, why are you here so early today?” With time to spare in the car, Chen Zhe finally checked his phone. He was surprised to see it was only a little after seven, not even eight yet.

Lin Soo-ho had agreed last night to pick him up at eight, but he’d arrived just as Chen Zhe finished his run, barely seven o’clock—far earlier than planned.

“I was worried you wouldn’t wake up, so I thought I’d come early and help you get up if needed.” Lin Soo-ho smiled warmly, though his words struck directly at Chen Zhe’s heart.

“Come on, Soo-ho, do you really see me as the type who’d sleep in?” Embarrassed that his fondness for sleeping late had been seen through so easily, Chen Zhe protested indignantly.

“To be honest, that was my first impression. But your morning run today made me question it a bit. However, your current tone confirms my suspicion.” Unaffected by Chen Zhe’s protests, Lin Soo-ho calmly explained the basis for his judgment.

“That was the old me. Now I’m a brand new person, exercising every day to build a better body, so I can handle the demanding schedule of an artist and present my best self to fans!” Realizing he couldn’t argue his way out, Chen Zhe hastily offered another reason to shift Lin Soo-ho’s attention.

“Is that so? You’re right, that’s a good mindset, and I’m glad to hear it. As an artist, managing your physique is especially important. In a moment, I’ll go to the president and help you sign up for the gym!” Lin Soo-ho seemed to accept Chen Zhe’s explanation without doubt, but just as Chen Zhe was quietly pleased, he switched topics abruptly.

He said he’d go to Kim Jung-min and arrange a gym membership for Chen Zhe, showing his support.

Hearing this, Chen Zhe was stunned, his expression blank. He hadn’t expected to dig his own grave so quickly.

When a talent agency provides a gym membership, they usually add a personal trainer as well. It wouldn’t be as relaxed as Chen Zhe’s previous gym visits, just jogging and some light strength training. There would surely be a standard training program to follow step by step.