The Human Weight

Peng Biao’s face was flushed crimson, his gaze darting around shiftily as he stammered out the question: “Can you… temporarily take the place of the weighted training equipment?”

This proposal was something Peng Biao had considered deeply before bringing it up.

When he first discovered the equipment in the gym was “broken,” he had been genuinely anxious. He felt this setback would hinder his muscle-building progress and keep him from catching his crush’s eye. However, once he reported this to the “Relationship Expert,” the expert told him to look at the problem from a different angle.

Peng Biao was a total novice in love. No matter how much he tried to shift his perspective, he couldn’t come up with anything useful. After struggling for ages and failing to produce a single thought, he simply sent over a red packet and asked the expert to speak plainly.

Relationship Expert: [There’s an old saying—a blessing in disguise. The equipment being broken isn’t just luck; it’s a sign from the heavens helping you.]

Peng Biao didn’t understand how broken gear constituted heavenly help. He certainly didn’t think it was a good thing. Then, he saw the expert send back a very calculating message.

Relationship Expert: [Think about it. The equipment is broken, but the person you like isn’t. Tell him about it and take the chance to suggest he act as your weight. That way, won’t you have the perfect excuse for physical intimacy? Plus, he’ll get to see exactly how solid and powerful your muscles are. It’s killing multiple birds with one stone.]

Peng Biao felt a bit embarrassed. He hesitantly typed back: [Is that… really okay? Would it be bad?]

Relationship Expert: [Then tell me, what else can you do? Is there a better way?]

Peng Biao: “…”

Apparently, there really wasn’t. Whether it was from the perspective of not delaying his workout or getting closer to his sweetheart, this was the ultimate solution.

Relationship Expert: [See? Can’t find an alternative, can you? Just do as I say. When the time comes, use your brain—have him sit on your shoulders while you run, or have him sit on your back while you do push-ups.]

Though it was just text, the corresponding scenes already played out in Peng Biao’s mind. The beautiful youth sitting on his shoulders while he ran, or sitting on his back during push-ups… it was almost too much to handle.

Surely, the youth would see him in a whole new light.

The more he thought about it, the hotter Peng Biao’s face became. He felt it was a brilliant plan and immediately messaged the expert to thank him.

Peng Biao: [You’re right. Thank you.]

After sending that, Peng Biao felt a mix of curiosity and envy. He couldn’t help but type: [A person with high emotional intelligence like you must be very popular. You must be so at ease when spending time with your sweetheart. Unlike me—I don’t know how to make him happy, I don’t know how to pursue him, and I always end up annoying him.]

Relationship Expert: […]

At the other end of the internet, the “expert” felt a surge of professional pride at the first half of the message. But as he read the rest, the smile froze on his face. He felt like he had inadvertently taken several arrows to the chest.

Because he wasn’t doing much better. He knew all the romantic tricks in the book, but whenever he faced his own delicate, timid sweetheart, he turned into the same kind of “more money than brains” fool who gets scammed online for furniture repair money. He constantly made stupid mistakes and had even managed to scare the person away.

But the expert couldn’t let his “cash cow” know that he had been tricked. He quickly changed the subject.

Relationship Expert: [By the way, if things are going well on your end, remember to send the installment payment as soon as possible.]

Peng Biao was quick on the uptake. Instead of just replying, he sent all the remaining installments at once: [I’ll be relying on you from now on.]

The other side accepted the money instantly, and the avatar went dark. Peng Biao didn’t think much of it, assuming the expert was busy. Besides, he had to find the beautiful youth to propose the “human weight” idea. He pocketed his phone and left the gym.

Which led to the current scene.

Ye Shengge hesitated after hearing the request. He didn’t know exactly how one “acted” as weighted equipment, and privately, he didn’t want to get involved in anything troublesome.

But the big dummy had done so much for him—laundry, cooking, and even promising to handle the Puppet Boss. He felt too guilty to refuse outright.

“If you want me to help, I at least need to know what a ‘human weight’ does,” Ye Shengge asked tentatively.

Seeing the big guy’s eyes suddenly light up, Ye Shengge quickly added: “Don’t misunderstand! I haven’t said yes yet. If being a weight is too troublesome or tiring, I won’t do it.”

Peng Biao shook his head rapidly. “It’s not troublesome. And it’s not tiring at all.”

If it would tire out the youth, he wouldn’t have suggested it in the first place, let alone given him the chance to say no. After shaking his head, Peng Biao took the expert’s words, polished them slightly, and explained the plan.

Ye Shengge was still a bit skeptical. According to the big guy, being the weight really wasn’t tiring. The one doing the hard work would be the one carrying the “weight.” He just had to sit obediently on the man’s shoulders or back.

It sounded… like the man was telling the truth.

Ye Shengge couldn’t understand why anyone in the world would intentionally make things harder for themselves. It wasn’t that he looked down on the big guy, but even though he looked thin, he was still a grown youth over 1.7 meters tall. Sitting on someone’s shoulders would be quite a load, especially if the man planned to run while carrying him.

No matter how much strength or energy the big guy had, wouldn’t he be crushed? If he actually broke the big guy, there would be no one left to deal with the Puppet Boss. He’d be trapped in this dungeon forever, with no one to help him.

Terrified by his own imagination, Ye Shengge’s face went a bit pale. Seeing the big guy nod seriously, he turned even paler and refused: “That’s not right, is it? Why don’t you think about it more? Or wait until new equipment arrives. If I crush you, it’ll be bad.”

Hearing the words “not right” and “crush,” the smile on Peng Biao’s face froze. At that moment, his heart took a massive hit. His head throbbed, and his eyes grew a bit red and watery.

There was no blow greater than having one’s sweetheart doubt one’s capability and strength.

Peng Biao was entirely caught up in the shock of being doubted. To prove himself, his brain short-circuited. Without a word of warning or letting the youth prepare himself, he reached out with one arm and scooped up the boy—who was curled up on the sofa with a pillow like a cat—and sat him right on his bicep.

Suddenly lifted into the air, Ye Shengge let out a startled cry. He instinctively dropped his pillow and wrapped his arms tightly around Peng Biao’s neck, terrified he would slip and fall from the man’s arm.

But he soon realized his fear was unnecessary. The arm muscle beneath him was incredibly solid and powerful, holding him as steady as a rock. There was no wobbling, no sense of strain. It was like a carousel horse—elevated, but completely safe.

Confirming he wasn’t in danger, Ye Shengge finally opened his eyes. He looked down curiously and experimentally kicked his dangling legs. The arm holding him didn’t budge.

It had been a long time since Ye Shengge had been to an amusement park. Finding a “ride” as interesting as this, he immediately forgot he was sitting on someone’s arm. He swung his legs happily and leaned into Peng Biao’s ear, his voice soft and waxy: “Can you walk? Just a few steps, okay?”

Having proved his strength and capability, Peng Biao’s mood soared. Seeing the youth so happy made it even better. He twitched his ear where the warm breath had hit; it was undoubtedly bright red.

“Sit still then. Hold onto my neck tight so you don’t fall,” Peng Biao instructed, his voice carrying a tenderness he didn’t even realize. He watched the youth swinging his legs with affection.

Ye Shengge nodded vigorously, his eyes sparkling. His arms wound around the big guy’s neck like vines as he urged: “I’m steady! Hurry up and walk.”

Peng Biao, being used as a free carousel, wasn’t annoyed at all. He good-naturedly held the youth close to his chest, supporting him easily, and then took two large strides forward.

Feeling the movement, Ye Shengge’s eyes grew even brighter. Initially, he just thought sitting on the arm felt like a ride, but the actual sensation of the big guy walking was many times more fun than a carousel.

Ye Shengge didn’t want to come down. He said with a dignified air: “Since you’re so strong and I won’t crush you, I suppose I can reluctantly agree to your request to be a weight.”

Looking at the youth—who clearly loved it like a child but was trying hard to act indifferent—Peng Biao’s heart melted. He let out a silly laugh and replied with utmost sincerity: “Mhm. Thank you so much for being willing to help me with this.”

Hearing the sincere thanks, the play-focused Ye Shengge suddenly felt a bit guilty. He looked away, his face heating up, but he still blustered: “As long as you know! Didn’t you say we were going running? Hurry up.”

“Alright.” Peng Biao’s smile widened. His other hand, which wasn’t supporting the youth, suddenly gripped Ye Shengge’s waist. He forced the youth’s legs apart and settled him firmly and steadily onto his own neck. “Hold on tight. We’re going for a run.”