บท 17: Chapter 17: The First Button
Hearing Li Zhiyan suddenly offer to help, Gu Wanzhou was momentarily taken aback.
This kind of thing—could he really help? It wasn't computer programming or talking about financial crises.
"How would you help Auntie?" she asked, a bit skeptical. "This pain has been with me for years, and even doctors can't prescribe anything for it."
Li Zhiyan replied with earnestness, "Auntie Gu, I've studied traditional Chinese massage before. I've got some pretty solid skills in relieving muscle pain. If you'd like, I can give you a massage to help ease the discomfort."
Her surprise deepened—this young man knew traditional Chinese massage?
How could that be? Massage techniques were usually mastered by people well into their forties, if not fifties or older. And relieving pain? That sounded even less likely.
Perhaps… could he be looking to take advantage of her? After all, massaging her shoulders would give him a pretty clear view of everything below.
But remembering her past misunderstandings with him at the hotel, she pushed her doubts aside and nodded. "Alright, after lunch, you can give it a try."
...
As lunch was served, Li Zhiyan's eyes lit up with anticipation.
Women from the seventies and eighties really knew their way around a kitchen, but that skill was nearly lost on his generation, replaced by all kinds of sensationalized advice online about how to "tame" men. It was one of the things that turned him off from dating younger women.
Well, except for Su Mengchen.
"Auntie Gu, your cooking is amazing!" he said, savoring the taste.
Her laughter was as gentle as the spring breeze. "How does it compare to your mom's cooking?"
"It's about the same, I guess."
In Li Zhiyan's mind, though, his mom's cooking would always be the best. After all, there was something special about eating food made with a mother's love.
"Little one, when did you learn Chinese massage?" Gu Wanzhou asked, still harboring some doubts.
"It was a while ago, back in middle school, when I was still in the countryside," he said with confidence.
Gu Wanzhou raised her brows, doubtful, but remembering her past suspicions, she decided not to second-guess him this time. He was straightforward and sincere, after all.
"Here, eat up," she said, a warm smile lighting her face.
...
After lunch, as she was washing the dishes, Wanzhou felt a twinge of nervousness creeping up. The young man was about to massage her—what was going through his mind right now? Could he be hoping to catch a glimpse of her neckline?
Around one o'clock, she finally sat down in the living room.
"Auntie Gu, may I start?" Li Zhiyan asked, his eagerness evident.
Of course he was excited; he'd receive a 20,000 yuan reward just for this massage! It would bring him that much closer to his goal of becoming a millionaire.
"Go ahead," she replied, trying not to show her own hesitation. His enthusiasm only made her more certain that his motives might not be entirely pure.
After all, he was a young man, and if she allowed it, he might even…
"Uh, Auntie Gu, it might be better to move to your room," he suggested, looking around the living room.
After a pause, she agreed. Well, if he crossed any lines, she'd simply stop him. She doubted he'd have the courage to try anything truly improper.
In her room, Li Zhiyan's eyes roamed the neat, airy space. There was no sign of a man's presence, and he thought, She must've lived alone for a long time.
But not for long—he'd be filling that empty space in her life soon enough.
"Auntie Gu, why don't you sit on the edge of the bed? That should be more comfortable."
"Alright." Once seated, she watched him carefully as he activated his system and checked his massage skills. If this could truly ease her pain, she'd be grateful.
"Auntie Gu, you might want to unbutton the first button on your blouse. It'll make the massage easier," he suggested.
Her expression cooled a bit. So he is trying to sneak a peek, she thought. Men, regardless of age, are all the same.
"If it's okay with you, I'd prefer to keep it buttoned," she said, trying to sound casual.
"Understood." He placed his hands on her shoulders and began the massage.
As he inhaled her delicate fragrance, he felt a rush of emotion, almost like he was lost in a dream.
His fingers brushed her soft, supple skin, and he couldn't help but savor the sensation. This was no ordinary massage. His hands glided over her neck and shoulders, finding the pressure points and coaxing her tense muscles to relax.
To her own astonishment, she felt her suspicions melt away. He wasn't lying—he truly knew what he was doing. His technique was impressive, and the throbbing pain she'd been enduring began to ease.
"Wow, Zhiyan, your skills really are remarkable."
Feeling more at ease, she undid the first button of her blouse and closed her eyes, allowing him to extend the massage down to her collarbone.
Under his expert touch, she felt the tension in her neck and shoulders melt away, a luxury she hadn't experienced in ages. His massage was as therapeutic as it was gentle, and she couldn't deny how effective it was.
Her doubts faded; maybe she'd misjudged him. The pain in her neck had finally subsided, and she was left feeling truly relaxed.
"Auntie Gu, do you still feel any pain?"
"It's so much better now. You're amazing, Zhiyan."
But the question of their relationship lingered in her heart. She liked him—she could no longer deny that, but it was the affection of a mother for her son. Yet here he was, pouring his heart out to her, determined to be more.
Were it anyone else, she'd have cut ties by now. But with Zhiyan, she felt more and more reluctant to distance herself. His touch, his sincerity, the warmth he brought into her life—these things were slowly becoming a part of her world.
"Auntie Gu," he said, breaking her reverie, "you wear high heels a lot. Does it ever make your legs sore?"
Most young women avoided heels, but women like Gu Wanzhou wore them often, their confidence reflected in each step.
"Oh, I'm used to it by now. I've been wearing heels for over twenty years… long before you were born," she added with a faint smile, trying to remind him of their age difference.
But to him, that only added to her appeal.
"Well, I could give your legs a massage, too," he offered, glancing down at her flawless, snow-white legs, his pulse quickening.
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