C3 There Is a Type of Footwork Device Called the Fool

Moo Xiaoxiao had just returned from abroad and originally wanted to meet up with Ruan Shiyu to give her a gift. Ever since hearing about Ruan Shiyu's breakup with Zhan Ann, she hadn't been able to calm down. Now, hearing more, she felt even more indignant on Ruan Shiyu's behalf. "Why did he break up with you? I even heard he went to the movies with Chu Li yesterday."

Ruan Shiyu recalled the breakup scene, her expression dimming as she mumbled to Moo Xiaoxiao, "Zhan Ann... he said I'm too much of a homebody."

Moo Xiaoxiao's eyes widened. "What does he mean by saying you're too much of a homebody?"

Ruan Shiyu slumped over the table, feeling a bit defeated. "He means I rarely go out, spend all my time on the computer, and don't have a wide social circle. I never want to join him at events."

"For that?!" Moo Xiaoxiao couldn't believe it. "After all these years, he broke up with you over that?"

Her voice had risen, drawing frowns from people around them. Ruan Shiyu quickly waved her hand, anxious. "I broke up with him, okay? He didn't dump me... I would never get dumped..."

Moo Xiaoxiao brushed it off and continued, "What's going on with him and Chu Li? Doesn't he know you and Chu Li are arch-enemies?"

Hearing this, Ruan Shiyu felt even more frustrated. "How would I know what's up with him?" She ruffled her hair, a bit embarrassed. "I broke up with him, so he's dead to me. Why should I care about the affairs of someone who's dead to me?"

Moo Xiaoxiao listened as Ruan Shiyu explained everything, falling silent. After a while, she cautiously spoke up, "Yu, to be honest, you are kind of a homebody..."

Ruan Shiyu shot her a look. "Are you still my friend?" Though she sounded angry, it was more of a bluff.

Having known her for years, Moo Xiaoxiao understood her well. Hearing this, she didn't stop; instead, she seemed determined to use this opportunity to voice what she'd been holding back. "Don't you think something's off with you lately?"

Ruan Shiyu kept her head down, knowing her own situation best, but she still insisted, "I'm doing just fine, thank you very much. There's nothing wrong with me."

Moo Xiaoxiao was getting anxious. Although she found Zhan Ann annoying, she couldn't deny that some of what he said was true. "Take a look in the mirror. It's only been a few years since graduation, and look at you! Someone who doesn't know better might think you're pushing thirty!"

"That's nonsense. I'm forever eighteen, okay?" Ruan Shiyu retorted, lifting her head, but when she saw Xiaoxiao glaring at her, she quietly shrank back, mumbling, "It's all because of work..."

Xiaoxiao scoffed, uninterested in her excuses. "Starting tomorrow, you're moving in with me. I'll make sure you get some exercise."

Ruan Shiyu immediately refused, "I just rented a place, and besides, I have to work."

Ignoring her protests, Xiaoxiao made the decision for her, "It's settled then. Let's go pack your things right now." She started to get up, but Shiyu held her back.

"What are you doing?" Xiaoxiao shot a sideways glance at Shiyu.

Shiyu smiled at her, trying to be charming, "Xiaoxiao, do we really have to?"

Xiaoxiao turned fully to face Shiyu, sitting up straight with a calm demeanor, "You don't have to move in with me, but if you don't, you'll have to use that fitness app I told you about. I'll be checking your step count every day. If you don't hit ten thousand steps, you're moving in with me."

Because of work, Shiyu often communicated with editors online, and the fitness app was something Xiaoxiao had convinced her to download, though she rarely used it. So when Xiaoxiao mentioned it, Shiyu was completely clueless about what it was.

Xiaoxiao, knowing Shiyu's lazy nature, wasn't upset by her confusion. She simply took out her phone to explain, "Look, it's this app. It automatically tracks how many steps you take."

Shiyu took the phone, intrigued by the app, and was surprised to see that Xiaoxiao had already walked over ten thousand steps today.

Moo Xiaoxiao proudly lifted her chin. "As long as you walk, this app will track your steps. I'll be able to see exactly how much you've exercised today."

She gestured to Ruan Shiyu, who looked at her, puzzled. "What?"

Xiaoxiao clicked her tongue, as if it were obvious. "Give me your phone. I'll set up the app for you."

Ruan Shiyu instinctively patted his pockets, a bit embarrassed. "I didn't bring it."

"What do you mean?" Xiaoxiao frowned. "You left the house without your phone?"

Ruan Shiyu glanced at Xiaoxiao's eyebrows, which seemed ready to take flight, and tried to smile. "Well... I was behind on a deadline, and my editor's been hounding me..."

"That doesn't mean you can go without your phone. Besides, don't think I don't know—you only have to submit once a month, plenty of time to finish." Xiaoxiao looked at him with a mix of disbelief and frustration.

Ruan Shiyu's voice dropped even lower. "It's just that... I broke up with my girlfriend a few days ago, and I needed a couple of days to unwind..."

"Enough with the excuses." Xiaoxiao waved her hand dismissively. "Come home with me now, and then we're hitting the gym."

"What?" Ruan Shiyu groaned. "Why the gym?"

Xiaoxiao's eyebrows shot up, and she pointed a finger at him. "To get you a membership and a personal trainer, so you don't just sit at home and grow mushrooms!"

Since Ruan Shiyu moved in, Xiaoxiao hadn't visited his place in a while. She had cleaned it thoroughly that day, thinking it would stay tidy for at least a couple of weeks. But she underestimated Ruan Shiyu's ability to create chaos.

The whole apartment looked like a disaster zone—not dirty, but so cluttered there was barely any room to step. The living room was somewhat better, though the sofa was piled high with magazines and comics, and the coffee table was littered with snack wrappers.

Moo Xiaoxiao stood at the doorway, staring at the chaotic living room, her face twisted with frustration. She took a few deep breaths, reminding herself that Ruan Shiyu had just gone through a breakup and she shouldn't be too harsh. Forcing a strained smile, she turned to the woman cowering behind her. "Did a tornado hit your place?"

Ruan Shiyu looked up blankly, glancing over Moo Xiaoxiao's shoulder at her apartment. "Nope."

Moo Xiaoxiao couldn't hold back any longer. She raised her trembling hand, pointing at the mess. "Then explain to me how you turned a perfectly fine apartment into this disaster!"

Instinctively, Ruan Shiyu hugged her head, bowing apologetically. "Xiaoxiao, I'm sorry! I promise I won't do it again!"

Moo Xiaoxiao almost reached out to give her a light smack, but seeing Ruan Shiyu's greasy hair, she hesitated, deciding to let it slide this time.

Ruan Shiyu waited, not feeling the expected tap on her head, and peeked open one eye to see Moo Xiaoxiao standing there, looking at her with disdain.

"Alright, enough with the act." Moo Xiaoxiao crossed her arms and walked into the living room, addressing Ruan Shiyu behind her. "I'll clean up this place. You go get some exercise and take a good shower."

She suddenly snapped back to attention, glaring at Ruan Shiyu with a fierce look that made her jump. "If you're not out by the time I'm done..."

Catching the threat in Moo Xiaoxiao's tone, Ruan Shiyu nodded vigorously like a bobblehead.

Seeing her compliance, Moo Xiaoxiao's expression softened a bit, and she waved her off. "Go on."

Finally released from Moo Xiaoxiao's grip, Ruan Shiyu breathed a sigh of relief and dashed into her room.

Ruan Shiyu knew she couldn't ignore Moo Xiaoxiao's words, and she was also quite curious about this peculiar app. So, the first thing she did when she got back to her room was pick up her phone, which had run out of battery.

Once her phone was finally charging, she noticed over thirty messages waiting for her. Feeling a bit guilty, she pretended not to see them, coughed twice, and opened the app.

Following the steps Moo Xiaoxiao had mentioned, Ruan Shiyu was about to start the app when a user agreement suddenly popped up. She found it odd but remembered that similar agreements often appeared when using software on her computer. So, she frowned slightly, scrolled to the bottom without reading it, and clicked "I Agree."

After doing all this, Ruan Shiyu tossed her phone aside and headed to the bathroom. She didn't notice that her phone, which had already locked, suddenly lit up with a bright blue glow and emitted a strange mechanical voice: "Welcome to Fool Sports version 3075."

When Ruan Shiyu came out of the bathroom, towel-drying her hair, Moo Xiaoxiao had already tidied up the entire living room. Seeing the spotless room, Ruan Shiyu's eyes lit up, and she leaped onto Moo Xiaoxiao, who was sitting on the couch drinking water. "Xiaoxiao, you're my fairy godmother!"

Moo Xiaoxiao, caught off guard, spat out her water and turned to swat at her. But looking into Ruan Shiyu's sparkling eyes, she couldn't bring herself to do it. Instead, she feigned annoyance, "Ruan Shiyu, are you trying to get yourself killed?"

Ruan Shiyu sat next to her, chuckling sheepishly, and cozied up to Moo Xiaoxiao. "What are we having for dinner?"

Moo Xiaoxiao tapped her on the head lightly, feigning exasperation. "All you think about is food! There's a new Cantonese restaurant on Huaihai Road that's supposed to be good. Want to go?"

"Cantonese, huh..." Ruan Shiyu hesitated. She'd been living on takeout for the past few days and was craving something with a bit more kick. The mild flavors of Cantonese cuisine weren't quite what she was in the mood for.

Moo Xiaoxiao guessed what was on her mind and smirked, "Don't even think about hot pot or skewers. Stick to a vegetarian diet for the next few days. Once those pimples on your face clear up, then we can talk about it!"

Ruan Shiyu wanted to argue back, but after touching her face, she finally gave in, reluctantly agreeing like a wilted cabbage.