It's just that they have money.

Fang Chen did not answer, but simply looked at Luo Shanshan quietly.

Luo Shanshan bit her lip, lowering her voice even further: "Last month's salary was delayed by ten days, the manager said it was because the bank's system was being upgraded. But this month's commission still hasn't been calculated. I asked the finance department, and they said the system data doesn't match."

She paused, glanced around to make sure no one else was nearby, and then continued, "A couple of days ago, a long-time member came to cancel his membership. The receptionist said the process would take a month, and the member immediately started yelling at them, saying, 'Are you trying to run away?' The manager came out and persuaded him to leave, but I don't know what happened after that."

Fang Chen recalled what Xu Wen had said earlier, and now it seemed that the store was not just possibly having problems, but was already in trouble.

"What do you think?" Fang Chen asked, "Will your store go out of business?"

Luo Shanshan raised her head, her eyes filled with complex emotions. She wanted to say no, but the words stuck in her throat.

As a front-line coach, she knows the true situation in the store better than anyone else.

Fewer and fewer new members are joining, and older members are less willing to renew their memberships. The equipment is being repaired more and more slowly, and even the cleaning lady has gone from coming every day to every other day.

If Fang Chen hadn't come up with a big boost because of a system task, she wouldn't know how long she would have had to wait to attract the next member.

She had previously thought that the poor external economic situation meant there were fewer and fewer wealthy people, which naturally led to fewer people buying classes at such high-end gyms.

However, after Fang Chen's reminder, coupled with the recent changes in the store, Luo Shanshan suddenly felt a sense of crisis.

"I don't know." She finally told the truth, her voice tinged with weariness. "I'm just a teacher; these things aren't my responsibility."

Fang Chen nodded and did not ask any further questions.

"It's time to rest. Let's do one more set." Luo Shanshan took a deep breath and resumed her coach's tone, but the unease in her eyes was no longer hidden.

Fang Chen didn't expose it, but gripped the handle again and continued to complete the remaining actions.

After finishing one set, he released the equipment, turned around, and asked, "If—and I mean if—this store really does run into trouble, what are you going to do?"

Luo Shanshan gave a wry smile: "What can I do? I'll just switch gyms and continue teaching. After working as a fitness instructor for over two years, going back to my university major and taking the civil service exam is just not my thing."

"Be careful, so you don't get caught off guard," Fang Chen patted her reassuringly and gave her a verbal reminder.

Luo Shanshan glanced at him, hesitated, and finally just nodded: "I understand, I'll make plans."

After training, Fang Chen headed to the rest area. Xu Wen had already packed his things, closed his laptop, and looked calm.

On the way, Fang Chen asked Xu Wen, "How long do you think that shop can last?"

Xu Wen thought for a moment and replied, "I did some research on this before I graduated. The average lifespan of a gym in China is about 16 months, and about 84% of gyms don't last more than 12 months after opening. Of those, 30% will close down within 6 months. According to the information I found, this store has been open for more than three years, but both branches were opened within the last year. I guess the initial costs of the new stores have taken up most of the cash flow. I estimate that this store will go bankrupt within three months, and at most it won't last more than six months."

Fang Chen smacked his lips twice: "Then my courses costing over 100,000 yuan are most likely a waste of money."

It wasn't that I felt sorry for her, but rather a feeling that I couldn't quite put my finger on.

I thought I had escaped the troubles of ordinary people, but it turns out that no matter how much money you have, it can't stop people from digging pits for you to fall into.

"Including my card," Xu Wen added.

"Yes, that's right." Fang Chen nodded approvingly. "Including your card, it's all gone."

"Okay, where to now?" Xu Wen asked.

The car kept moving forward, but Fang Chen didn't say where the destination was.

"Let's go to the farmers' market and clear our heads."

"The farmers' market? A place to relax?"

From childhood to adulthood, Xu Wen had always been the kind of girl who never lifted a finger, and had hardly ever even held a kitchen knife. She couldn't understand Fang Chen's way of relaxing.

A short while later, the two got out of the car at the entrance of a large farmers' market.

The market was bustling with noise, and the air was filled with the pungent smell of fresh food, the spicy aroma of spices, and the scent of earth.

Xu Wen covered his mouth and nose, feeling somewhat uncomfortable.

The smells of raw meat, fish, spices, and other indescribable odors, along with the noise of people, machines, and chickens and ducks, overwhelmed her senses.

Fang Chen seemed to have returned to his own territory, his steps light and his eyes sweeping over the various stalls.

He stopped in front of a fish stall, squatted down, and looked at the crucian carp in the basin.

"How much is this fish?"

"Twelve yuan a pound, just arrived this morning, still lively and jumping around!" The stall owner scooped up a crucian carp, flicking its tail and splashing water everywhere.

Fang Chen looked at the color of the fish's gills, pressed down on the fish's body, and nodded: "Not bad. Give me two, no need to kill them."

"Okay!"

Xu Wen stood to the side, unsure of what to do with his hands, so he crossed them over his chest and carefully watched the water stains on the ground, afraid of getting his trouser legs dirty.

Fang Chen was so focused on checking if the vegetables were fresh that he didn't notice Xu Wen's obvious discomfort.

After a while, Xu Wen finally got used to the pungent smell and noise of the vegetable market.

Only then did she realize why her boss was personally going to the market to buy groceries.

She occasionally makes some pastries, but she always orders the ingredients directly online.

I've never been to a farmers' market before.

The two walked around for a while and then stopped in front of a stall selling bamboo shoots.

Fang Chen picked up a bamboo shoot, pinched the root, and smelled it under his nose.

The stall owner, a woman in her fifties, smiled as she watched him work: "Young man, you're an expert! You know how to pick the right bamboo shoots. These bamboo shoots were just picked this morning; they're very tender."

"Give me three." Fang Chen didn't haggle and handed over the bamboo shoots he had chosen.

The older woman quickly weighed and bagged the items, muttering, "Your girlfriend is really pretty, but she's too clean, unlike us rough guys."

Before Xu Wen could explain, Fang Chen had already taken the bag and left.

"She's not..." Xu Wen hurriedly caught up, "Why don't you explain?"

"Explain what?" Fang Chen asked without turning his head. "We don't even know each other. Who would I explain to?"

Xu Wen was speechless.

The two strolled around the market again. Fang Chen bought half a pound of pork belly, a bunch of garlic sprouts, two pieces of tofu, a bunch of bok choy, along with fish and bamboo shoots, carrying five or six bags in his hands.

"That's enough, let's go."

Back in the car, Xu Wen fastened his seatbelt and looked at the pile of groceries in the back seat: "Am I going to have to cook dinner tonight?"

"Okay." Fang Chen started the car. "I'll treat you to something."

"Huh?" Xu Wen was taken aback. "Me?"

"You'll be following me around for the next couple of days, so why don't you stay at my place?" Fang Chen said calmly. "Besides, didn't you want to document my life? Cooking is one of my few hobbies."

Xu Wen opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end he just nodded: "Okay."