Chapter 103 - 101: Ma’am, Care to Get a Card?

Chapter 103: Chapter 101: Ma’am, Care to Get a Card?

「A moment later.」

Xiao Xiao slowly walked into the living room, holding a small bottle in her hand.

She handed the bottle directly to Gao Yuan, then lay down on the sofa, resting her forehead on her arms. Gao Yuan couldn’t see her expression at all.

In the dim light, Gao Yuan couldn’t make out the writing on the bottle.

He brought it to his nose and sniffed. A rich fragrance of rose filled his nostrils.

Thanks to the Traditional Chinese Medicine Massage Technique (Essential Oil) bestowed by the system, he quickly identified the contents of the bottle as rose essential oil.

Although it wasn’t specifically for massages, it wouldn’t affect its use.

’With essential oil in hand, the world is mine.’

Xiao Xiao had already tacitly agreed to let him perform an essential oil massage. What was there for him to hesitate about?

A few drops of essential oil landed on Xiao Xiao’s neck. Gao Yuan quickly pressed his palm against her skin, spreading the oil evenly.

He began to knead her neck, following the cervical-soothing technique in his mind.

Under this extremely traditional technique, Xiao Xiao didn’t cry out in pain. Instead, she occasionally couldn’t help but let out a few soft moans.

Gao Yuan detected a hint of shyness in her voice; it was clear she only made the sounds because she truly couldn’t hold them back.

「Half an hour later.」

Gao Yuan had massaged Xiao Xiao’s neck three times back and forth using the TCM technique. He let out a long breath and stopped.

Massages were truly physical labor. After just this short time, he could feel a bit of soreness in his wrists.

And on top of that, he had to endure the temptation of Xiao Xiao’s occasional whimpers.

’This is a real test for an upstanding guy!’

Just now, there were several times when Gao Yuan wanted to ask if she’d like a full-body massage.

Ultimately, desire hadn’t fried his brain; reason triumphed over temptation.

"Sister Xiao, how does it feel?"

As Gao Yuan pulled out a wet wipe to clean his hands, Xiao Xiao had already turned her head to look at him.

But she didn’t get up. Instead, she just watched him silently in the dim light.

She wasn’t sure why she had let this tenant give her a massage today.

When Gao Yuan’s large hand touched her neck, a shiver ran through her, right down to her soul.

’Those hands were so broad, so warm.’

’She could feel the lines of his palm rubbing against her skin.’

Later, she couldn’t even stop herself from making those embarrassing sounds.

At that thought, Xiao Xiao felt her face burn.

"I’ll turn on the light!"

Gao Yuan, trying to calm the strange feeling in his own body, was about to get up and turn on the light.

"Don’t!"

Xiao Xiao immediately stopped him.

After speaking, she felt that didn’t sound right, so she quickly added in a low voice, "It’s too bright. Let my eyes adjust for a bit."

The two of them chatted for a while in the dimly lit living room.

Gao Yuan glanced at the time on his phone—it was almost ten o’clock. He stood up and said, "Sister Xiao, I should get back and rest."

"Ah!"

"Right, it is getting late."

Only then did Xiao Xiao realize how late it was, and she slowly sat up from the sofa.

This time, she once again walked Gao Yuan to the elevator, and the Sheltie followed them out.

"Thank you for the massage today!"

Xiao Xiao tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and said to Gao Yuan, a little shyly.

By now, Gao Yuan had already composed himself. He smiled slightly. "It’s a good thing I know how. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to help."

"Next time..."

Xiao Xiao wanted to say that she’d call him again next time she felt unwell, but before she could finish, Gao Yuan said, "Next time you’re not feeling well, call me!"

"Okay."

Xiao Xiao immediately agreed.

"Will it be a bother for you?"

After a moment of silence, Xiao Xiao took the initiative to ask.

Although she was verbally asking if it would trouble him, her almond-shaped eyes revealed a glimmer of hope.

"It’s fine."

"If you’re really worried, you can buy a membership card. I can make this a side gig."

Gao Yuan naturally noticed the expression on Xiao Xiao’s face.

He gave a casual "It’s fine," not just agreeing like a simp the moment a beautiful woman asked.

Then he turned around and gave her a perfect excuse.

Sure enough,

a charming smile appeared on Xiao Xiao’s face, and she nodded at Gao Yuan.

Looking at Xiao Xiao at this moment, Gao Yuan felt that familiar stirring again.

She was so feminine right now.

Elegant, intelligent, graceful, gentle, noble...

These words of praise popped into Gao Yuan’s mind, but none of them felt like they could fully describe Xiao Xiao.

’Perhaps,’

’only action could express the feeling in his heart right now!’

DING!

The elevator doors slowly opened.

Gao Yuan snapped back to his senses. He smiled at Xiao Xiao one more time and stepped into the elevator.

The elevator doors slowly closed, and Gao Yuan disappeared from Xiao Xiao’s sight.

「Back home.」

Tonight, Lin Wanyu was staying home to be with her mom, so only Li Mengqing was in the living room watching TV.

"Did you take the dog back to your friend?"

Hearing the door open, Li Mengqing immediately turned around.

Seeing Gao Yuan was back, she flopped onto the sofa and asked.

"Mhm."

Gao Yuan changed his shoes and went to the bathroom to wash his hands.

’A wet wipe won’t get rid of the rose essential oil scent on my hands. I need to wash them a few more times.’

After washing, he took a quick sniff. There was still a faint scent of essential oil, so he picked up the bottle of Liushen Florida Water from the bathroom and sprayed it a few times.

As he sprayed it, he made an excuse for himself, "The bathroom smells a little today."

After masking the scent on him, Gao Yuan sat down next to Li Mengqing.

Li Mengqing obediently poured him a glass of warm water.

"You have to work tomorrow, right?"

As Gao Yuan drank his water, he naturally placed a hand on Li Mengqing’s leg.

Li Mengqing didn’t resist at all. Ever since their relationship became clear, her former coldness had completely vanished.

When facing Gao Yuan, she was mostly gentle and docile.

"Yeah, I’ve already taken two days off this week."

Gao Yuan put down the glass of water, scooped Li Mengqing up in his arms, and walked toward the master bedroom.

Lying on the large bed in the master bedroom, the two of them didn’t "exercise" again tonight.

Gao Yuan had driven for several hours, and on top of that, he’d spent a good while massaging Xiao Xiao. He was tired too.

Besides, Li Mengqing was still walking a little awkwardly, and he couldn’t bear to put her through any more trouble.

However,

Gao Yuan once again marveled at the power of the system. His enhanced body felt no discomfort at all, even after such indulgence.

「In the darkness.」

Gao Yuan didn’t fall asleep right away, and neither did Li Mengqing.

She hugged Gao Yuan’s arm, pressing her forehead against it, like a kitten snuggling up to its owner.

"You don’t have to work so hard. I have a plan for starting the business."

"Also, don’t worry about your family’s situation. I’m here for you, no matter what."

The moment Gao Yuan finished speaking, Li Mengqing’s eyes snapped open.

She could understand him knowing that she was secretly helping him, but how did he know about her family’s situation?

She was sure Lin Wanyu hadn’t told him.

Gao Yuan felt her sudden movement. Without opening his eyes, he pulled her closer into his embrace and gently patted her shoulder a few times.

"Don’t overthink it. If I didn’t have some skills up my sleeve, how could I be your man!"

"You also don’t have to change so drastically. Just be yourself."

"As long as you don’t leave, I won’t let go."

This was Gao Yuan’s promise to Li Mengqing.

Ever since they had made their relationship clear in Xudu City, Li Mengqing had completely changed.

Every trace of her cold demeanor was gone. She was like a doting young wife, always mindful of Gao Yuan’s feelings.

Gao Yuan had been a simp before, so he actually understood this state of mind very well.

It was all about insecurity, the fear of loss.

He didn’t want Li Mengqing to be in such a state. He wanted her to be however she wanted to be; living as her true self was the most comfortable way.

But,

what Gao Yuan didn’t realize was that this version of Li Mengqing was, in fact, the most authentic her.

Everything before was just a protective shell.

Holding Li Mengqing, Gao Yuan gradually drifted off to sleep.

As for Li Mengqing, she quietly moved the arm from under her neck, hugged it to her chest again, and pressed her forehead against it.

"I won’t leave."