A True Man Must Know When to Stand Tall and When to Yield

"I came here to apologize, didn't I..."

Normally, if he started teasing her a little, this succubus sister would calm down before long.

But Li Xunsheng couldn't afford to wait even a moment when it came to the hidden-class quest, so he had no choice but to brave her anger and walk straight into the danger zone.

"Ugh... I've been busy all day, and my shoulders are a little sore. I don't even feel like moving..."

Mo Rui, who had been perfectly normal just moments ago, suddenly drooped her brows and slumped into the chair, looking utterly limp and unable to move.

"I'll massage your shoulders... Is that better, Boss...?"

When one was beneath another's roof, one had to bow one's head. Though this was nothing more than ordinary horseplay, Mo Rui had made the request, so Li Xunsheng could only obey and honestly take on the role of masseur.

As he kneaded Mo Rui's tender shoulders, Xuan Sheng wore an awkward smile. He had no idea how much force to use and could only deal with his boss's unreasonable demands.

After all, he knew perfectly well that this older sister was merely acting on a whim, wanting to overpower him in terms of attitude. Whether he massaged her well or not was completely irrelevant. As long as he put on a proper show, he could make this "Big" Sister calm down.

"Hmm, not bad."

"Then..."

"Ugh, my legs are a little sore too."

Mo Rui twisted her slender neck and raised her jade-like leg slightly.

"This... doesn't seem appropriate..."

"Do you get to decide, or do I? Hmm~"

The beautiful woman narrowed her eyes, resembling a fox that could ensnare one's soul. A sly glint danced within them.

"All right..."

Knowing that she merely wanted him to state his position, Xuan Sheng didn't dare get handsy. Instead, he obediently bent down and squatted, showing that he was willing to lower himself beneath this woman.

A chill on her foot made Mo Rui pause, and she couldn't help feeling puzzled.

She had only asked this guy to massage her legs. How had he started kneading her feet too?

Was there really any need to go this far? She had only wanted to tease him a little...

Her soul was already in this guy's hands. There was no need for him to go to such lengths...

Just as the little succubus's thoughts ran wild, the kneading at the soles of her feet made her instinctively straighten her back.

"Ah... Ahem, my throat's a little itchy. It's nothing. Keep going."

Mo Rui forcibly suppressed the blush that was almost spilling across her face, secretly fuming:

Why does this guy always massage the soles of my feet?!

Damn it, did he know she had never experienced anything like this and want her to admit defeat?

She refused to say anything first! Let him do as he pleased!

Forcibly calming her mind and ignoring the numb, ticklish sensations coming from her legs and feet, Mo Rui clenched her teeth and began fighting against her own senses as though competing with them...

Wait... It's been this long. Why hasn't this sister had enough yet...?

Having transformed into a foot-massage master and repeatedly massaged his boss from her knees to her toes, Xuan Sheng's hands had gone numb. He had already gone this far. Was it still not enough?

Could even this not do? Had he still not lowered his posture enough?

That's enough already! Seriously...

Somewhat dispirited, Li Xunsheng released her foot and looked up at Mo Rui.

This was the first time Xuan Sheng had looked up since squatting down, and only then did he discover that Mo Rui had unknowingly slumped over the table. Her face was flushed like the rosy clouds, her eyes rippling like autumn waves, and her entire face resembled an apple in late autumn, radiating a mature, sweet, and alluring beauty.

"Um... Boss?"

The soft voice jolted the succubus awake. In almost an instant, the haze and mist in Mo Rui's eyes vanished, replaced by the embarrassment and anger of someone whose secret had been exposed.

"Hmph!"

Grabbing Li Xunsheng by the collar, Mo Rui practically forced him against the wall and said angrily:

"Don't laugh! I only slipped up for a moment... I've been used to this sort of thing for ages! It's nothing!"

"Ah... Of course, you..."

Watching Mo Rui inexplicably panic, Xuan Sheng, who needed her help, naturally couldn't pour oil on the fire. He had just been about to praise the beautiful woman before him when Mo Rui interrupted him again:

"Don't say I'm cute!"

"No, no, I won't. You're very charming... Um... extremely... alluring... and..."

At some point, the furious Mo Rui had drawn extremely close to him. Xuan Sheng could even clearly feel the heat rising from her cheeks. A faint, elegant fragrance drifted from her purple hair, while her bright eyes were like a clear spring deep in the mountains, so pure they made one's heart tremble.

Daring not to meet the eyes of such a stunning beauty, the young man turned his head aside and flusteredly showered the beautiful woman before him with every compliment he could think of.

"Hmm?"

Noticing that he was even more flustered than she was, Mo Rui blinked and revealed an amused, playful smile.

"Are you falling for me?"

To be honest, as a succubus, Mo Rui was rather afraid of this man.

After all, every mental spell she excelled at was completely countered by him. Whenever she used one, it was either turned back against her or had no effect at all. On top of that, she wasn't skilled in close combat and only knew mental attacks, leaving her completely helpless against this man.

It had even made her doubt her own charm for a time.

But now, it seemed that dealing with this guy only required her to move a little closer?

Her warm breath brushed against the young man's face, and Mo Rui's eyes curved almost into a pair of crescent moons.

"Who's the pure little cutie now? Hmm?"

This big-talking guy should know by now that she's a mature Big Sister, right~

"You..."

"What?"

As though issuing a threat, the succubus who had completely taken control of the situation moved even closer and crooked the corner of her mouth.

"Who is?"

Damn it, she's gone too far!

A true man should stand tall and proud!

Li Xunsheng was just about to put on a show of backbone when a jade-like hand pinched the soft flesh at his waist.

Hiss...

A true man must know when to stand tall and when to yield! Enduring when necessary is wisdom! It's not that I'm cowering! She's the one being unreasonable!

"I am."

"Good boy~"

Withdrawing her mischievous hand, Mo Rui's previous displeasure and anger completely vanished. Pleased with herself, she returned to her seat and took out a Gold Coin.

"Here."

"What for?"

Confused by this sudden turn of events, the young man was still immersed in the warmth from before and failed to react for a moment.

"You came here to beg me. Wasn't it because you wanted to get an advance on your wages again?"

This time, Mo Rui was the one who became puzzled.

Who would humble themselves over such a small amount of money...?

It's not as if I really planned to become a kept man...

Though that was what he thought, Xuan Sheng, who needed her help, still put on a smiling face.

"No, it's for something else."

"Hmm? Not money?"

Though she didn't quite understand, Mo Rui still straightened up and prepared to hear his request.

"It's just... I have something like a letter to give you."

Li Xunsheng took out the sheet of paper made from an unknown material and handed it to Mo Rui. Before he could say a word, he received a trembling question:

"Where did you get this?"

"Why is it you?!"