Chapter 621: Come, I'll Teach You to Exercise

‘I don’t even smoke, do I? And Yunzhong City isn’t the Capital City. The mountains are green and the water is clear, so there isn’t much smog. How could there be so much gunk in my phlegm? This doesn’t make any sense, does it?’ Shen Yibin was a bit confused, but then it hit him. While it was true that he didn’t smoke and Yunzhong City didn’t suffer from serious air pollution, he still drove everywhere. He was bound to encounter some car exhaust, and over time, it was inevitable that some filth would build up in his lungs.

He had just learned a breathing technique from the Turtle Immortal. By inhaling fresh air and using the movements of his chest and lungs, he had expelled some of the harmful particles from inside them. That was why the phlegm he’d coughed up contained those impurities, and why his chest and lungs felt so much clearer afterward.

‘What a fantastic technique!’ Shen Yibin was overjoyed. This meant that as long as he kept practicing, the impurities in his lungs would surely be cleansed completely. His body would become healthier and healthier. Combined with his regular exercise and medicinal porridge, living a long and healthy life was no longer just a dream!

‘From now on, I’ll add this breathing exercise to my daily routine. I’ll practice it diligently every day and strive to live into the 22nd century, until the day the Future Pet Shop opens!’ Shen Yibin set a new goal for himself. He squatted down and lovingly stroked the Turtle Immortal’s shell. ‘You really are amazing. Truly worthy of a powerful being that can live for hundreds of years. From now on, just show me whatever other skills you have. I promise I’ll learn them well.’

In that moment, he completely forgot the embarrassment he’d felt climbing onto the big rock earlier. ‘So what if the movements are a little awkward? Living a long life is what really matters. As long as it extends my life, I’ll learn even uglier moves in the future.’

Just as he was reveling in his joy, he faintly heard the sound of an approaching car. He stood up to look and saw it was Xu Ye’s Mercedes. ‘That guy’s finally awake.’

“Yo, what are you up to?” The estate’s security guards already knew Xu Ye, so they let him through after a glance. He parked his car and walked straight over to Shen Yibin.

“Just finished my workout and was about to head back,” Shen Yibin said. “Come on, I just got some good tea. I’ll brew a couple of cups for you to try.” With that, he picked up the Turtle Immortal, placed it on Hah’Er’s skateboard, and led the group back toward the villa. As he walked past Xu Ye, he sniffed. His sense of smell seemed to have gotten much sharper; he could faintly detect a light fragrance wafting from Xu Ye—and it smelled like women’s perfume.

“Well, well. Looks like you were out painting the town red again last night?” ‘A life like that… I’m actually a little envious!’

“Huh?” Xu Ye quickly pulled up his collar to inspect it, then patted his cheeks a few times. He didn’t find the lipstick mark he was expecting and couldn’t help but ask in surprise, “How did you know?”

“The perfume,” Shen Yibin said proudly. “Even though you’re wearing cologne, I can still smell a faint trace of women’s perfume.” Before, he definitely wouldn’t have noticed. But thanks to his workout with the Turtle Immortal, which had cleansed the impurities from his lungs, his sense of smell had sharpened considerably.

“What the hell? Have you had a dog for so long you’ve gone and stuck Carmen’s nose on your face?” Xu Ye lifted his shirt to his nose and sniffed hard for a good while before he could finally detect the faint scent. He was astonished. ‘When did Bin’s nose get so sharp? It’s practically on par with Carmen’s.’

“Screw you! I spend every day by the Yunshui River, breathing in this amazing air. My nose would have to be bad not to get better!” Shen Yibin flipped him the bird. ‘I really did learn this from a pet, but it sure wasn’t from Carmen.’

“Oh? You knew I was coming, so you got a turtle all ready to be made into soup? A turtle this big, just for the two of us? Aren’t you afraid it’ll be so ‘nourishing’ we’ll get nosebleeds?” Xu Ye finally noticed the Turtle Immortal.

“Hmph!” Hearing this, Hah’Er was the first to show its displeasure. ‘I’m counting on the Turtle Immortal to help me lose weight, and you want to eat him?’ The Turtle Immortal also stuck its head out, its beady little eyes staring at Xu Ye with a distinctly unfriendly expression.

“See this? This is a turtle that was released into Dongting Lake in the 12th year of Qianlong. I specifically invited it back to guard my home. How could I possibly let you eat it? But if you need something nourishing, I do have just the thing. I’ll make you some porridge in a bit.” The last time Shen Yibin had made the porridge at his shop, Xu Ye was busy with business and hadn’t had time to come over and try it. This time, he would let him have his fill. Recalling Wen Yuan’s reaction after eating it, Shen Yibin was sure Xu Ye would be more than satisfied.

“Whoa, you really did bring back a living ancestor!” Xu Ye couldn’t help but click his tongue in amazement. ‘A turtle from the 12th year of Qianlong? Just how old is it now?’ “Hm? You just went to Dongting Lake? Does that mean the good tea you mentioned is Junshan Silver Needle Tea?”

“That’s right. I bought some while I was there. I’ll brew it for you in a minute. And for lunch, I’ll make a few specialty dishes from the Dongting Lake region.” By the time they finished talking, the group had entered the courtyard. Shen Yibin led Xu Ye to a seat in the middle of the gazebo. The game wasn’t starting for a while, so there was no rush to go to the media room. It was much nicer to drink tea out here.

Shen Yibin then went into the house to fetch the tea leaves and tea set, leaving Xu Ye and Hah’Er behind. Xu Ye pulled a cigar from his pocket, glanced around, and then put on an obsequious smile for Hah’Er. “Heheh, Hah’Er, mind grabbing an ashtray for me? I don’t know where you guys keep them.”

He really made himself at home, ordering Hah’Er around like that. Fortunately, Hah’Er had long since gotten used to him, and Xu Ye’s request was sincere enough. So, without protest, it waddled toward the villa and reemerged a moment later, hugging a massive crystal ashtray.

When Shen Yibin came out with the tea set and tea leaves, Xu Ye was already in the gazebo with his legs crossed, puffing out clouds of smoke. “COUGH, COUGH. Bin, what are you planting over there?” As soon as he saw Shen Yibin, he quickly pointed to the empty plot of land where the Junshan Silver Needle Tea seeds were planted.

“Jeez, you’re coughing like that and you’re still smoking?” Shen Yibin didn’t answer his question. He couldn’t help but think about the thick phlegm he himself had coughed up earlier. ‘I don’t smoke or breathe in smog, and my lungs still had that many impurities. Xu Ye smokes cigars every day. His problem must be way more serious, right?’

“Sigh, I can’t help it. I have to go out for business and social events every day. Even if I don’t light up myself, I’m always breathing in secondhand smoke. It’s not like I can be as carefree as you,” Xu Ye said, shaking his head helplessly.

“Your lungs won’t be able to take it if you keep this up! How about this? I’ll teach you a method that can cleanse the impurities from your lungs.” ‘Getting Xu Ye to lie flat on that big rock with me… that would be pretty funny, wouldn’t it?’