87: Chapter 87 Aren't you afraid Lin Qiaoyou will hear?

After coming out of the bathhouse, Su Bai put on a bathrobe and headed to the massage area.

The massage area consisted of a row of independent rooms with dim lighting, and the air was filled with the scent of essential oils.

He was led into a room by a young woman in professional attire; inside, there was only a massage bed and a small coffee table.

The therapist soon entered.

She was a beautiful woman around thirty, wearing a uniform, with her hair tied up, regular features, and a pleasant demeanor.

She stood at the doorway and bowed slightly, saying, "Hello, Mr. Su, I am Therapist Number 9."

Su Bai nodded, lay down on the massage bed, and gestured for her to begin.

The therapist began the massage with professional technique. Starting from his shoulders, she worked her way down along his spine, using her fingertips to press and the heel of her palms to knead, with just the right amount of pressure.

When she reached his lower back, she used her elbows to apply pressure. Su Bai felt a wave of soreness and couldn't help but let out a muffled groan.

"This area is very tight," the therapist said. "Do you often sit for long periods?"

"Yeah."

The therapist massaged for a while longer, then switched to essential oil and began to work on his back.

The essential oil was warm and carried the scent of lavender. Her palms glided across his back, from his shoulder blades to his waist, from his spine to his sides, attending to every inch of his muscles.

Su Bai closed his eyes, his body gradually relaxing.

Number 9 spoke again, "Mr. Su, please turn over for the front."

Su Bai turned over, facing up.

The therapist glanced at his body and couldn't help but raise her hand to cover her mouth, her eyes widening. Her movements paused. This...!!

After the shock, she continued the massage, starting from his arms, along his shoulders, and slowly downward.

When she reached his lower body, her fingers paused for a moment.

"Mr. Su," she said softly, "do you... need... any service?"

Su Bai opened his eyes and looked at her.

She was kneeling there, her expression calm, but her ears were slightly red.

Those who could work as therapists here were all trained and knew what should and shouldn't be said.

However, some guests could not be satisfied by ordinary massage alone.

"Since when does Shuiyunjian offer this kind of service?" Su Bai said indifferently.

Number 9 was stunned for a moment, then lowered her head and said, "No, no, it was just me..."

Su Bai closed his eyes again. "I'll add two more hours for you. Just massage properly and don't think about anything else."

"Oh..."

Number 9 nodded, looking a bit disappointed, and continued to massage diligently.

After the massage, Su Bai went to the lobby to get something to eat.

The lobby was large, with dozens of sofa beds, each equipped with a small tablet.

Su Bai found a sofa bed in the corner, lay down, and ordered a bowl of beef noodles and a few side dishes.

The noodles arrived quickly; the broth was rich, the beef was stewed until tender, and the noodles were chewy.

He ate quickly, finished, drank a cup of tea, then lay back on the sofa bed and closed his eyes.

It was very quiet around him, and the lights were dimmed to a warm yellow, casting a cozy glow on him.

Su Bai turned over, pulled the blanket up to his shoulders, and buried his face in the pillow. Time to sleep!

Perhaps the massage had worked; he fell asleep before long.

When he woke up again, it was already dark outside.

Su Bai picked up his phone and checked the time: 5:40 PM.

He sat up and rubbed his face.

His body felt much lighter, and that fire within him had finally dissipated.

He changed his clothes and went to the front desk to settle the bill.

"Mr. Su, the bill has already been signed for," the young girl at the front desk said with a smile. "Manager Zhou instructed that everything is on the house when you come here."

Su Bai nodded without saying anything and walked out of the bath center.

The air outside was very cold, and the wind blowing from the river brought a damp chill.

He took a deep breath and felt completely refreshed.

He opened the car door, got in, and started the engine.

The car drove into the night.

When he returned home, it was already past six o'clock.

Su Bai pushed the door open. The lights in the entryway were on, and from the kitchen came the sound of a spatula clinking against a pan, the rushing of water from the faucet, and the voices of two women.

"Sister Qian, should we add more salt to this?"

"Let me taste... Hmm, it's a little bland, add some more."

"Alright!"

Su Bai walked over and stood at the kitchen doorway.

Lin Qiaoyou had her back to him, wearing a floral apron, and was pouring something into the pot.

Song Qian was standing next to her, chopping vegetables; her knife skills had improved quite a bit compared to before.

"Lin Qiaoyou, use less vinegar for that—"

Song Qian looked up and saw Su Bai standing at the doorway.

Her movements paused for a moment, then she continued chopping, but the corners of her mouth curled up slightly.

Lin Qiaoyou didn't notice and was still focused on stir-frying.

"Sister Qian, do you think Su Bai will come back for dinner tonight?"

Song Qian glanced at Su Bai.

"He probably will."

Lin Qiaoyou nodded, scooped the food out of the pot, and turned around with the plate—then she saw Su Bai.

The plate almost slipped from her hands!

She steadied the plate, her face flushing bright red.

"Y-you're back..." she said softly, her gaze lingering on him for a split second before quickly looking away, pretending she hadn't seen anything.

Su Bai leaned against the doorframe, looking at her, and said, "Yeah. What are you making?"

"B-braised fish, and tomato scrambled eggs..." Lin Qiaoyou placed the plate on the stove, not knowing where to put her hands, and finally grabbed the strings of her apron, keeping her head low.

Song Qian walked over, took the apron strings from her hands, and helped her untie it. "Go set the table."

Lin Qiaoyou seemed relieved, turned, and ran to the dining room.

Song Qian watched her back, the corners of her mouth slightly raised.

She turned her head to look at Su Bai. "Master... where did you go today?"

Su Bai walked into the kitchen and looked at the dishes on the stove. "Just went out for a stroll."

Song Qian didn't ask further.

She scooped out the last dish and carried it to the dining room.

Lin Qiaoyou was setting the table, placing three sets of bowls and chopsticks neatly on the table.

After setting the chopsticks, she turned to get a soup ladle and almost bumped into Su Bai again.

"Sorry!" She jumped back, her face blushing again.

Su Bai placed the dish on the table and watched Song Qian walk back to the kitchen, so he walked over and put his arm around Lin Qiaoyou's waist, leaned close to her ear, and whispered, "Sister Qiaoyou, are you very afraid of me?"

Lin Qiaoyou paused for a moment, then shook her head. "N-no, I'm not."

"Then why do you run away every time you see me?"

Lin Qiaoyou's face grew even redder.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but nothing came out.

Finally, she lowered her head and whispered, "I-I'm going to get the soup ladle."

Then she turned and ran off.

Su Bai watched her retreating figure, the corners of his mouth slightly raised.

Song Qian walked out with the soup, placed it on the table, and sat down opposite Su Bai.

The three of them sat at the dining table.

Braised fish, tomato scrambled eggs, stir-fried vegetables, and a bowl of seaweed and egg drop soup.

There weren't many dishes, but they all tasted like home-cooked meals.

Lin Qiaoyou ate quickly, keeping her head down the whole time, not daring to look at Su Bai.

After finishing a bowl of rice, she stood up. "I-I'm full, you guys take your time eating."

Then she ran back to her room and closed the door.

Song Qian looked at the closed door, then looked at Su Bai. Her expression became somewhat subtle.

She came over to Su Bai's side, sat on his lap, wrapped her arms around his neck, and exhaled softly, "Master." She spoke gently.

Su Bai looked at her, his eyes full of inquiry.

Song Qian hesitated for a moment, bit her lip, and said, "If... in the future, you want to find other women, could you tell me in advance?"

Su Bai raised an eyebrow.

Song Qian lowered her head, looking at her hands. "I'm not trying to be jealous, I just... want to be mentally prepared."

Su Bai reached out, patted her head, and said in a flat tone, "If I want to say it, I will naturally tell you. If I don't say it, don't ask, understand?"

"Y-yes, I understand."

Song Qian's eyes were a bit red, her throat dry, and she looked up and asked, "Then tonight... do you want me to come to your room?"

Su Bai hooked her chin and smiled wickedly. "Aren't you afraid Sister Qiaoyou will hear?"

Song Qian's face turned pink, and she said softly and sweetly, "I, I will try my best to hold it in, and be quiet..."