After running two laps around North Lake, Xu Ze was only slightly sweaty and hadn’t taken a single break. He couldn’t help but marvel at his improved physical condition. It seemed that yesterday’s so-called “optimization” had really boosted his fitness to F-rank, and the difference was astounding.
By the time he returned to the dorm, it was already 7:30 AM. Luozi was already up, while Pangzi and Gangzi were still sound asleep, likely having stayed up late the night before.
Seeing Xu Ze return, Luozi pointed at the bedsheet and quilt cover drying outside the window and teased, “Dude, I didn’t know you were so wild. You even soaked the bedsheet and quilt cover. Did you sleep naked last night?”
“Uh… no, that’s not it. Last night… last night…” Xu Ze stammered, unable to come up with a plausible explanation for why the bedsheet and quilt cover were dirty.
Luozi smirked, patting Xu Ze’s shoulder and winking. “No need to explain. Explaining is just covering up. It’s normal for a guy, you know!”
Xu Ze sighed, unable to think of a better excuse, and reluctantly accepted the teasing.
“Huh? Xu Ze, your complexion looks great today. And your skin seems fairer too. Does the ‘five-finger exercise’ have that effect?” Luozi suddenly noticed something and exclaimed in surprise. “Wait… have you grown taller? You used to only come up to my ear, but now you’re past it.”
“Huh? Really?” Xu Ze glanced at Luozi and realized he might have indeed grown a bit taller. No wonder his clothes felt tighter today. Could it be that yesterday’s genetic optimization also helped him grow taller?
The thought excited Xu Ze, but he played it off casually. “Maybe I’ve grown recently. You just didn’t notice.”
“Where’d you run off to?” Thankfully, Luozi didn’t press the issue. He looked at Xu Ze’s sportswear and slightly damp hair and chuckled. “You went for a run? No wonder you look so refreshed. It’s like the sun rose from the west today! I haven’t seen you exercise in ages.”
Xu Ze laughed awkwardly. “Yeah, I was in the mood today, so I went for a run… heh… just a run!”
“I’ve been telling you to exercise. You should join our basketball team. It’s not restrictive, and it’s way more fun than running!” Luozi seized the opportunity, having long wanted to recruit Xu Ze into the team.
Xu Ze hadn’t played basketball in years and didn’t have much free time. He was about to decline when Xiao Dao’s voice suddenly chimed in his mind, “Agree. Your reflexes are average, and this kind of competitive activity is great for your physical training.”
“But I don’t have much time!” Xu Ze blurted out.
Luozi, unaware that Xu Ze wasn’t talking to him, quickly added, “It won’t take much time. Just an hour or two a day is enough. It won’t interfere with your work!”
Xiao Dao’s voice turned sly. “One to two hours of high-intensity competitive exercise daily is beneficial. Agree, or you’ll be considered disobeying orders and will face an electric shock as punishment.”
“Disobeying orders? Electric shock?” Xu Ze suddenly remembered his so-called “Level 1 Authorization.” He had no doubt Xiao Dao had the ability to punish him, and he was sure an electric shock wouldn’t be pleasant.
Wisely, Xu Ze quickly agreed, “Alright, alright, I’ll join the basketball team. Of course, I’ll join!”
Luozi was both delighted and surprised by Xu Ze’s quick agreement. He had expected to need a lot of convincing but hadn’t anticipated such an easy victory. He asked incredulously, “You’re really joining our department’s basketball team?”
“Of course, I’m joining,” Xu Ze nodded repeatedly, thinking to himself, “With someone threatening me from above, how could I refuse?”
“Great! We don’t have classes this afternoon. Meet at the gym at 3 PM sharp, and I’ll introduce you to the team. Haha!” Luozi was thrilled. Finally, someone from their dorm was joining the team.