"The experience is really good," he put down his water bottle, his gaze falling on Jasmine, who was carefully tidying up her equipment. "How long have you been doing this — the personal health consultant thing?"
Jasmine precisely placed a small dumbbell back in place. Hearing this, she turned around, wearing a professional smile, but a barely noticeable trace of helplessness flashed in her eyes: "Only about a month. Before that, I worked as a personal trainer at a regular chain gym."
She paused, her voice a bit softer.
"Oh? Just moved into The Hudson Residences building." Ethan caught the subtle emotion in her tone and asked, "How's business been?"
His gaze swept over the brand-new, spotless studio, and the answer was already clear.
Jasmine's smile clearly faltered for a moment, with a hint of self-mockery as she sighed softly, "Not great, honestly... You're actually the first client willing to come in and try it out."
She lowered her head slightly, tidying the clean towel in her hand, as if trying to hide the fleeting embarrassment.
Ethan: "..."
That answer, combined with the studio's almost undetectable smell of actual exercise, aside from cedar and bergamot aromatherapy, and those brand-new, shiny towels and equipment, made the whole thing pretty believable.
Seemed like those trainers' gossip earlier wasn't baseless after all.
He looked at the girl in front of him, struggling to hold onto her professional composure but unable to fully hide her disappointment, a playful smile curling at the corner of his mouth: "Well, congrats on getting your first client, then."
His tone was light, tinged with teasing, yet seemed to carry another meaning underneath.
Jasmine was taken aback, then said, "Ethan, you mean..."
Ethan smiled slightly and directly gave her the answer she most wanted to hear: "I'll book your one-month package."
"Ah! Great! Thank you so much for trusting me, Ethan!" Jasmine's joy instantly overflowed, her earlier gloom vanished, and her voice grew lighter. "Which package are you thinking?"
Ethan deliberately dragged out his words, looking at her with a mischievous smile: "I want Package C! Too bad..." he shrugged, "seems like your Package C hasn't been unlocked yet?"
His gaze carried a hint of understanding and teasing.
Jasmine blushed and whispered, "Then how about Package B for now."
"Alright, Package B it is." Ethan nodded readily, then suddenly remembered something, "But I'm still in college. I just bought a place at The Hudson Residences, so I haven't had a chance to set up a private gym there yet. For this month, I'll train here with you. That work?"
"Of course, no problem! I can also come to your place, and some things can be done in open spaces too. Whatever works best for you." Jasmine quickly replied, "Package B includes exclusive fitness meals five days a week. I'll prepare them ahead of time based on your training plan and taste preferences."
She didn't doubt Ethan's identity for a second. Only residents of The Hudson Residences could swipe in to access the exclusive owners' gym area on the basement level of this building.
Ethan thought for a moment and added, "But I won't be coming every day, and I don't stay here that often. Most of the time I'm still living at the dorm. When I do come, I'll let you know ahead of time by phone or text. If you haven't heard from me, don't bother prepping meals — no point wasting the food."
"Huh? You won't come every day?" The excitement on Jasmine's face instantly froze, replaced by a clear mix of inner conflict and worry.
That meant her income wasn't guaranteed... Ethan saw right through her little concern.
Ethan reassured her firmly, "Don't worry, you won't be shorted on the money. I'm booking a full month, so it's a full month's payment, paid as normal. You just need to be ready to show up and provide service whenever I do come. If I don't show, well, you save yourself the trouble of cooking, right?"
He said it half-jokingly.
Hearing this, Jasmine finally relaxed completely, her smile bright and radiant again: "Alright! Ethan! Whenever you're free, just call or text me — I'll be on standby 24/7!"
Ethan asked for her bank card number, entered the information, and immediately transferred $16,000 to her.
Not having mobile payment set up was just inconvenient. Even though Venmo had started catching on the year before, plenty of people still didn't trust it.
For now, transfers still needed a bank card, otherwise it was just cash, which was a hassle.
"Transfer's done, sixteen thousand. Take a look." After finishing, Ethan turned his phone screen toward her to show it.
"Alright, alright, thank you, Ethan!" Jasmine quickly thanked him, finally feeling a huge weight lift off her chest.
"Alright, I'm heading out. I'll reach out next time in advance." Ethan stood up and stretched his still slightly sore shoulders and back.
Jasmine walked him to the studio entrance, her face beaming with genuine joy: "Ethan, take care! Looking forward to seeing you next time!"
...
Back in the room upstairs, it was almost nine at night.
Maddie seemed to have been thoroughly worn out, still lost in a deep sleep, breathing steadily.
Ethan quietly took a shower, lying on the bed still fresh from the steam. He naturally reached out and pulled her soft form into his embrace, soon drifting off to sleep.
The next morning, Maddie woke up first.
She groggily opened her eyes, feeling Ethan's steady breathing beside her, then glanced at the alarm clock on the nightstand, and instantly snapped mostly awake.
She gently nudged Ethan: "Get up quickly, babe! Don't you have no class this morning? I've got morning classes!"
Ethan checked the time — it was only seven — he turned over and said, "You go ahead! I don't have class today, I'll sleep a bit longer."
"Okay, babe, I'm heading back to school now!" Maddie replied obediently, her voice still soft and sleepy.
"Don't forget to take the stuff you bought with you. Or you can leave some of it here — up to you." Ethan reminded her.
"Mm-hmm, got it, babe." After saying this, Maddie tiptoed out of bed and quietly walked into the bathroom to get ready.
Her movements were as light as a kitten's, so much so that by the time Ethan was completely overwhelmed by sleepiness again, he didn't even notice when she'd finished getting ready and gently closed the door on her way out.
He slept especially deeply, and it wasn't until around ten in the morning that the crisp ringtone of his phone finally woke Ethan up.
It was Mia calling.
"Ethan, all the company registration is done." Mia's voice came through the receiver, clear and capable.
After a quick wash, Ethan felt much more refreshed and took the elevator straight down to the underground garage.
Just as he stepped out of the elevator, he saw Mia quietly standing next to the McLaren.
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