Financial Independence through Cracked Apps-Chapter 131 - 123: Running

「In the afternoon.」

Lin Shen put on a mask and gloves, dressed in old clothes he was ready to throw out, and gave every room a thorough, top-to-bottom cleaning.

He cleaned the floors and windows, dusted the furniture, and checked if any food in the fridge had gone bad.

Although Lin Shen mockingly called his place a "pigsty," basic hygiene was still a must.

This wasn’t about being a neat freak; it was an attitude toward life.

Passion!

Cleanliness!

After being away for five days, some corners of his home had already collected a layer of dust, which would only get thicker if not cleaned.

From 3 PM to 6 PM.

For his small, sixty-square-meter apartment, Lin Shen had spent a full three hours cleaning!

Fortunately, with the system’s boosts to his Constitution and Spirit, he had far surpassed ordinary people.

As a result, he didn’t feel overly exhausted, though he was still a bit tired.

PHEW—!

Lin Shen took off his gloves, pulled off his mask, wiped the sweat from his forehead with his arm, and let out a long sigh of relief.

Looking at the sparkling clean room, a faint sense of joy and accomplishment washed over him.

’Still, I should just hire a professional cleaner next time.’

Lin Shen grumbled to himself, glancing at the clock on the wall.

After finishing the housework, he rested for a bit, then gathered his things, planning to go out.

He would grab dinner and, at the same time, complete the challenge task for Sports Health.

Once he got busier, GoGo Maps, Camera and Album, and Shuaiyang could all be completed anytime.

But Sports Health was different; it required setting aside a specific block of time for proper preparation.

Therefore, Lin Shen planned to find a professional track for a night run to see what his limits truly were.

So he searched online for the nearest stadium, went downstairs, and drove over.

Mountain and River Stadium.

A high-quality, comprehensive sports complex converted from old factory buildings, it included various courts for sports like tennis, basketball, and badminton.

And it was even open to the international public for free all year round; you just had to make a reservation to get in.

Lin Shen was only going for a run, so there were plenty of slots available.

If it had been for the other courts, they would have been completely packed.

Lin Shen got his gear on, then did a short warm-up on the nearby grass to wake up his muscles. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Stretching his muscles and joints like this would also help prevent injuries during exercise.

After finishing his preparations, Lin Shen stepped onto the track and took a deep breath.

To be honest, he had no idea how long it would take him to run five kilometers.

’But keeping it under twenty minutes should still be easy... right?’

"Workout started!"

Hearing the voice from his watch, Lin Shen pushed off with his calves, setting his whole body in motion.

He straightened his torso, his shoulders naturally sinking down.

He leaned forward slightly from the ankles, using his body’s gravity to propel himself, striding out with his legs rather than just pushing off the ground with his feet.

This hip-driven form was easier on the knees than a normal running posture and was also a bit faster.

Of course, it also burned through stamina rapidly.

But Lin Shen didn’t feel it at all; in fact, he felt like the run was getting easier.

♪~I am just a fool for you~♪

♪~I am just a fool~♪

With the dynamic music mixing with the night breeze on his face, Lin Shen suddenly felt the burning in his chest and the ache in his calves slowly disappear. Even his breathing seemed to enter a subtle, new state.

Perfect rhythm, steady inhales and exhales.

His mind went blank. All his worries, good and bad, were left behind.

Lin Shen had only one thought at that moment: keep going!

Faster!

He suddenly understood a phrase he had read as a student.

The wind in a young man’s hair is more precious than gold!

Though most people don’t realize this until they’re no longer young, as long as you’re on the track, anyone can get a voucher for the experience of being 18 again!

"You have completed five kilometers in 16 minutes and 32 seconds."

9:20 PM.

Hearing the mechanical voice from his watch, Lin Shen, who was now walking slowly on the track to regulate his breathing and rest, no longer felt tired. Instead, he was overjoyed.

A 3:18 pace!

That was a full five-minute improvement over his last five-kilometer run!

A one-minute improvement per kilometer—that was almost unimaginable!

"The system’s help is really something else!"

Lin Shen didn’t get too arrogant; he attributed most of the credit to the cracked Sports Health app.

After all, without it, he wouldn’t be who he was today.

Lin Shen was very clear on this point.

He stopped walking, left the track to do some stretches, and checked his task completion status.

[Challenge Task: Run five kilometers in under twenty minutes (Exceeded)]

[Reward: Sports Health Lv. 10 → Lv. 11]

[Exercise Effectiveness Increased: 150% → 160%]

[Reward Item: Body-Shaping Body Milk x1]

[New Challenge Task: Complete one bench press rep with your own body weight.]

’Huh?’

This new challenge task made Lin Shen fall into deep thought.

He wasn’t sure what his current bench press weight was, but it definitely wasn’t over 80kg.

’This is a bit much, isn’t it?!’

Lin Shen sighed softly and casually tapped on the description for the Body-Shaping Body Milk.

[Body-Shaping Body Milk: After applying to any part of the body, you can slowly improve your physique according to your own desires and satisfaction. This process can be accelerated through exercise.]

’Oh?’

Lin Shen’s eyes instantly lit up.

’It can slowly improve my physique?’

’This is great!’

’Apply it wherever you’re not satisfied. Mom will never have to worry about my figure getting out of shape again.’

’Not bad!’

Lin Shen was quite satisfied with the new item he’d obtained.

At least, just as the update log had said, as the difficulty of the challenge tasks increased, the richness of the rewards was also genuinely improving.

"Hello!"

Just as Lin Shen was sitting on the grass, looking at his phone while stretching, a loud call made him look up.

A woman was walking slowly toward him.

A small white athletic tank top, black high-waisted compression shorts, and white running shoes.

Her posture was upright and her eyes were bright.

Her long hair was tied back in a ponytail, and her skin was a light, sun-kissed tan.

Combined with her defined abs and a pair of long, voluptuous yet powerful legs, her overall impression was that of an athlete who had just retired from the Olympics.

Sunny, healthy, and brimming with vitality.

And, of course, she didn’t lack sex appeal.

The fullness barely contained by her halter top was on generous display, as if she were in the comfort of her own home.

However, that wasn’t what surprised Lin Shen. What truly stunned him was the woman’s hair and facial features.

Full, deep red lips, deep-set eye sockets, light blonde hair, and sky-blue eyes.

Lin Shen had only ever seen these features in movies, except in those, the person usually wasn’t wearing any clothes.

’A foreigner?’

Lin Shen was curious. The woman, meanwhile, boldly bent down and handed him her phone.

The screen displayed a Chinese-English translation.

’My name is Aria Schmidt. I saw your running form is very professional, and I estimate your time is around fifteen minutes. Are you an elite runner?’

’Oh?’

Lin Shen’s expression faltered for a moment. After it registered, he felt a secret thrill.

’No way!’

’I get to use my new English skill this quickly?’

Lin Shen cleared his throat twice, stood up, and spoke to her in fluent English.

"I’m no elite runner. I think the standard for a male international elite athlete is around 13 minutes, right? I’m still a long way from that."

"Your English is so good?"

Aria’s eyes suddenly lit up.

"Have you lived abroad? Your accent feels so familiar."

"I was an exchange student in Europe for a while."

Lin Shen now told the lie without batting an eye, his expression calm and composed, as if he were telling the truth.

’Identities are what you make of them anyway, and he wasn’t worried about being exposed.’

After all, his B2 Level English Mastery made his spoken English extremely fluent. It even included some unique verbal tics that made his conversational tone relaxed and natural, not at all stiff.

It was truly as if he had lived abroad.

"Which country are you from?"

"Germany."

Aria was a bit excited. After all, it was rare to find someone in a foreign country you could communicate with so effortlessly, let alone someone who might share the same hobbies.

"I’m a coach who teaches extreme sports. I was invited here for a rock-climbing event, and I’m taking the opportunity to look around Modu."

"So what do you think of the city?"

"It’s really great!"

Aria praised it from the heart.

"It’s so lively and beautiful, and everyone follows the rules. You don’t have to worry about getting robbed at night at all. The public safety is excellent; it’s very safe."

"Well, Germany is a pretty great country too..."

After exchanging some pleasantries with Aria, Lin Shen steered the conversation toward a topic she was more interested in: extreme sports.

Sure enough, when the topic came up, her sky-blue eyes instantly sparkled with life.

Her features brightened, and her radiant smile was extremely infectious.

Of course, this was also thanks to Lin Shen’s masterful conversation skills.

He was witty and humorous, knowing how to find a topic a girl was passionate about and focus on it, then taking on a subordinate role to ask her for her expertise.

This way, he could show they shared a common interest while also letting her show off, which kept the mood of the conversation high.

This conversational style created an excellent atmosphere between them, and there was no risk of saying the wrong thing.

Because she would take the initiative to teach you and would think you were a humble person.

"Oh, so that’s how it is."

When the discussion turned to snowboarding, Lin Shen feigned a moment of realization and smiled.

"I’m quite interested in snowboarding. I was wondering if I could get your contact information? If I get the chance, I’d like you to teach me. I can pay you for it."

"Of course, no problem!"

Aria readily took out her phone, but she didn’t have WeChat installed.

Seeing this, Lin Shen had originally planned to add her on Facebook.

But that was too much trouble within the country. After thinking it over, he realized it would be simpler to just have her download and register for WeChat.

Especially since the process itself allowed for more interaction.

The two of them sat cross-legged on the grass.

Lin Shen took Aria’s phone and started fiddling with it, while she boldly leaned in with a curious look on her face.

She placed her hands on Lin Shen’s shoulders, pressing her full upper body tightly against him without the slightest hesitation.

’Are all foreign girls this open?’

Glancing at the extremely beautiful Aria beside him, with her bright, expressive eyes, a thought stirred in Lin Shen’s mind.

’Maybe I can win some glory for the nation?’