That evening, Qin Chuan called Li Ya, asking her to drive over to the residential complex and stay there, refraining from going to their "little nest" for the time being.
Although Li Ya didn't understand the full reason, she obediently didn't ask further questions. For her, it didn't matter where she lived, as long as that man was by her side.
The next day, Qin Chuan, embracing the warm, soft body of the woman in his arms, was sleeping soundly when he was awakened by a knock on the door. It was time for morning exercises.
Qin Chuan yawned and sat up, glancing at his watch. It was just past five in the morning, and the sky was not yet light outside.
When he stumbled downstairs, his steps still a bit unsteady, and arrived at the training ground behind the building, everyone had already gathered.
His elder brother, Qin Yang, Zheng Chengdao, Bai Xiaoguang, and Yao Dong were all there.
All four were wearing identical black tank tops, camouflage pants, and canvas shoes with layered soles.
Even in the dim light, one could sense the explosive power contained within their bulging muscles.
Seeing this, Qin Chuan's spirits lifted considerably. What man wouldn't desire a strong physique?
Although Boss Qin, at this moment, also had a six-pack, stood at a height of 1.85 meters, and was naturally well-built and imposing, memories from his previous life reminded him that even the best physical condition needed to be maintained.
Otherwise, once a person passed forty, their physical decline would be irreversible: a beer belly would become more pronounced, body fat would increase, and even their prowess in certain aspects, which men cared about most, would gradually diminish.
Perhaps, it was indeed time to start exercising.
In this life, he absolutely could not repeat the path of his previous life, becoming a bloated, greasy, and disgusting middle-aged man by his forties.
"I'm here. How do we train?"
Qin Chuan walked up to everyone, asking with enthusiasm.
Seeing their boss so full of energy, Qin Yang and the other three couldn't help but smile.
"Boss, let's not rush into learning skills just yet. Let's warm up first!"
"Just follow what we do," Zheng Chengdao said.
Qin Chuan nodded, indicating he was fine with that.
Soon, Zheng Chengdao led the group in a lap around the training ground. The field wasn't large; one lap was about four hundred meters.
Qin Chuan had no trouble on the first lap, and the second and third laps also felt relatively easy.
However, as they began the third lap, Zheng Chengdao, who was leading, gradually increased his speed. Qin Chuan started to feel the pressure, but he could still manage.
After five laps, meaning he had run four li, Qin Chuan felt as if his lungs were about to explode, his breathing becoming increasingly heavy.
Dense beads of sweat broke out on his forehead. In contrast, everyone around him, whether it was his elder brother, Zheng Chengdao, Bai Xiaoguang, or Yao Dong, showed no sweat, and their breathing was remarkably steady.
At this moment, Qin Chuan finally understood the vast difference.
"Xiao Chuan, that's not how you run. Have you forgotten the techniques our senior taught us when we were kids?"
"Your breathing should match the rhythm of your steps. Try to keep it steady and deep!"
Qin Yang, sensing his younger brother's distress, began to instruct him.
Qin Chuan regulated his breathing and started running again.
Over the years, he had almost completely forgotten the skills he had learned in his childhood. Especially in the last two years, as his business grew, with constant entertainment and being chauffeured everywhere, the only place he exerted himself was likely in bed.
Although he could still feel energetic and didn't notice any changes in his physical condition due to his youth, comparison was inevitable.
In business, Qin Chuan was undoubtedly the most professional. But when it came to physical fitness, the gap between him and the others was extremely apparent.
Even as Qin Chuan tried to follow the correct method and adjust his breathing, after running two more laps, he felt like a stranded fish, gasping for air. He plopped down on the ground, unable to run any further.
His legs felt as if they were cast in lead, too heavy to lift.
Meanwhile, Qin Yang and the other three had already completed seven or eight laps, all of them appearing unfazed, with only slightly heavier breathing.
"Boss, do you see the difference between us now?"
The group gathered around Qin Chuan, teasing him with smiles.
"Everyone here is older than you. Especially Brother Dao, he's forty-two this year. Men his age should be past their prime, but Brother Dao is more capable than all of us younger guys!"
Qin Chuan's eyes widened as he looked at Zheng Chengdao. "Brother Dao, could it be that you've really cultivated some inner energy, like in novels?"
Zheng Chengdao chuckled, "Where in the world is there such a thing as inner energy? That's just people's imagination!"
"However, I have been consistently practicing an internal cultivation method, and it's effective. Not just me, but your elder brother too!"
Qin Chuan turned his gaze to his elder brother, looking astonished. He truly didn't know about this.
At this moment, he finally understood why his elder brother had such high combat power; this was likely the real reason.
Qin Chuan would be lying if he said he didn't regret it. If he had known this earlier, he should have diligently learned from that old hunter when he was a child. Then he would definitely be a top expert now, capable of fighting ten people single-handedly without any pressure.
"Xiao Chuan, it's too late for you to learn internal cultivation methods now!"
As if sensing Qin Chuan's thoughts, Qin Yang, in a rare display of schadenfreude, mockingly looked at his younger brother.
"That stuff requires accumulation over time. You have to start practicing from a young age!"
Qin Chuan sighed and grumbled, rolling on the ground in frustration.
Seeing Qin Chuan so disheartened, agitated, and regretful, the surrounding men burst into hearty laughter, relishing his misfortune.
After a long while, Qin Chuan finally regained his composure. Zheng Chengdao said seriously, "Boss, although it's definitely too late for you to learn internal cultivation methods now, as I told you last night, there are some quick-completion techniques you can learn."
Qin Chuan's motivation was reignited, and with a face full of longing, he urged Zheng Chengdao to teach him immediately.
However, Zheng Chengdao's face showed a hint of hesitation. He looked at Qin Yang beside him, his gaze asking for permission, seemingly unsure whether to actually impart the knowledge.
Qin Yang nodded slightly. Zheng Chengdao breathed a sigh of relief and then turned back to Qin Chuan, saying, "Boss, do you know why I hesitated just now?"
Qin Chuan shook his head. He wasn't a god; how could he guess what others were thinking?
"Because the so-called quick-completion techniques I'm about to teach you have another name—killing techniques!"
"Killing techniques?!"
Upon hearing the name, Qin Chuan subconsciously murmured it under his breath. Then, he finally fully registered what was said. A shiver ran through him, and he sprang to his feet. His eyes widened.
"What did you just say? Killing techniques? Are you going to teach me something meant for killing?"
Zheng Chengdao extended his arm and gently restrained Qin Chuan's excited body, explaining, "Boss, please don't get agitated!"
"These 'killing techniques' are just a professional term among us. For people like us, they are a highly lethal skill!"
"For ordinary people like you, they are at most a form of self-defense. They are meant to create an opportunity for you to escape when you encounter danger, or to subdue an opponent so you are not put in peril."
"Of course, unless absolutely necessary, Boss, it's best not to use them. Because if you make a mistake, it could genuinely result in death or serious injury!"
Qin Chuan finally relaxed and then eagerly urged Zheng Chengdao to teach him, wanting to learn immediately.