84: I've booked all of technician number 86's time today.

"Hello, I am Technician No. 86, Nannan. It is a pleasure to serve you."

Liu Nansheng's voice was as calm as if she were reciting lines, and upon finishing, she began the facial cleansing process.

Chen Li closed his eyes. Setting aside the quality of her technique, her hands were truly impeccable and made for a very enjoyable experience—her palms were exceptionally soft and smooth.

As she applied the massage, that soft, cool touch caused his tense nerves to relax involuntarily.

Who could understand Chen Li's current state of mind? He was in the middle of a facial, so he had to keep his eyes closed, yet inside, it felt as if a cat were constantly scratching at his heart.

Countless questions churned in his mind: How should he bring it up? Where should he start?

He knew that with Liu Nansheng's exquisite appearance, she must have encountered many customers who offered to keep her as a mistress, but clearly, none had succeeded.

If he were to make such a suggestion, he would likely be blacklisted by her.

He had to think of a unique approach, one that would strike directly at her heart and leave a lasting impression instantly.

No matter what, he had to get her out of this place—even if he had to throw money at the problem to get her out.

Judging by her choice to abandon her studies, her family was likely not very well-off, or they had encountered some misfortune.

A girl like this must be more sensitive than most and in greater need of respect.

Thinking of this, Chen Li finally spoke:

"Liu Nansheng?"

This long-lost name was like an electric current, causing the movement of her hands to pause instantly.

She looked down at this unfamiliar face, trying hard to search her memory, but found nothing.

"Who are you? How do you know my name?" Her voice held a note of caution.

"We were in the same year at Lincheng Experimental High School."

Chen Li still had his eyes closed. "Back then, there weren't many people who didn't know the famous Liu Nansheng."

Upon learning that Chen Li was a former classmate from High School, Liu Nansheng's heart tightened suddenly.

Being recognized in a place like this would make anyone feel subconsciously embarrassed.

But she quickly regained her composure—if he knew, so be it; she was already used to all kinds of gazes anyway.

Out of professional habit, she replied softly, "Yes, I am Liu Nansheng."

"Back then... why didn't you continue your studies?"

This question was like a key, instantly unlocking her long-buried troubles.

Liu Nansheng's eyes uncontrollably turned red, and the movements of her hands slowed down.

"There were some reasons at home." She brushed it off softly, unwilling to talk more about it.

Chen Li didn't say anything more either; he could hear the restraint in her tone.

It wouldn't be good to say too much now anyway. Since he was going to book all of Liu Nansheng's time today, there would be plenty of opportunities to chat later.

Who wouldn't want to go to university? But fate is never a matter of choice.

Being born into a family that favored boys over girls was the greatest misfortune of her life.

Growing up, the words her parents always had on their lips were: "Why do girls need to study so much? Sooner or later, you'll belong to someone else's family."

Being able to reach High School was, in her parents' eyes, a massive act of charity.

As soon as she graduated from High School, her parents couldn't wait to kick her out of the house:

"Hurry up and find a job to earn money. Your younger brother's future happy life depends on you."

Even her name, 'Nansheng', carried her parents' ridiculous obsession—read backward, it meant 'give birth to a boy'.

She didn't know if the Bodhisattva had truly manifested, but her younger brother was indeed born.

From then on, the meaning of her existence in the family was reduced to nothing but 'serving her younger brother'.

It wasn't that her family couldn't afford to send her to university; it was just that her parents felt that spending money on a daughter was a complete waste.

All resources had to be reserved for her younger brother, while she just needed to obediently work and earn money.

These past two years, she had truly grown tired.

She didn't want to be that puppet ATM anymore, didn't want to keep paying into that bottomless pit that could never be filled.

Three months ago, she finally hardened her heart and stopped sending money home, wanting only to rely on her own hands to earn a future that belonged to her.

Her biggest dream was to save enough money to buy a small house, live a peaceful life of her own, and never return to that suffocating home again.

Time passed quickly...

"Ding—"

The bell signaling the end of the one-hour service rang, interrupting her thoughts.

"Hello, your service time is up. Please rest well."

She felt a bit panicked, wanting only to quickly leave this person who had recognized her, to the point that she didn't even bother to ask the routine 'would you like to extend your session'.

But Chen Li clearly didn't intend to let her go just like that.

"I'm extending my session."

He said calmly, "Please call the attendant over to handle it."

Although Liu Nansheng was a bit reluctant, she still replied softly, "Okay..." and immediately pressed the service bell.

Before long, an attendant quickly pushed the door open and entered: "Sir, how can I help you?"

"I'm booking Technician No. 86 for the whole day today," Chen Li said straightforwardly.

These words left both the attendant and Liu Nansheng stunned.

In the club, 'buying out' a technician's entire day was an extremely rare and extravagant gesture.

"Sir, the buyout fee will be around 30,000 yuan. Would you..." the attendant cautioned carefully.

"No problem, go ahead and handle it." Chen Li waved his hand without even waiting for her to finish.

Thirty thousand yuan meant nothing to him; even if it were three hundred thousand, he was determined to keep Liu Nansheng today.

He would just consider it a moment of indulgence.

Whether it was for the campus belle who had stunned his entire youth in his memories, or to fulfill a wish from back then, Chen Li didn't want to think about anything else right now.

Consequences? What consequences could there be? At worst, he'd just spend a little money.

"Very well, I will go handle that right away." The attendant tactfully exited the room.

Liu Nansheng stood there, somewhat at a loss.

She had encountered many customers who extended their sessions, but this was the first time she had seen someone 'buy out' her time like Chen Li.

"Why are you still standing there?"

Chen Li pointed to his side, "Come over and massage my back."

"I'm sorry, I only do facial care."

She explained softly, "If you need massage services, I can help you call a professional masseur."

"Then just kneading my hands casually will do, right?" Chen Li compromised.

Liu Nansheng hesitated for a moment, worried that he might take the opportunity to get handsy; this was her bottom line, which she absolutely could not accept.

"Rest assured, I won't do anything inappropriate." Chen Li seemed to know her concerns.

Looking at Chen Li's sincere gaze, Liu Nansheng relaxed her guard slightly.

She placed her toolbox aside, moved a stool, and sat by the edge of the bed,

gently took Chen Li's hand, and began to awkwardly massage his arm.