Ma Xiaotao: Could You Be a Little Gentler...

"Xiaotao, let me give you a massage. You must be tired after doing so much."

Lin Fan sprang up from the sofa and looked at Ma Xiaotao. In a cheerful voice, he suggested:

"Lin Fan, you know how to give massages? That's wonderful! Come massage my shoulders. They're so tired."

Ma Xiaotao's pale pink eyes settled on Lin Fan, lighting up with delight as she said:

"Sure, no problem. I'll massage them right now."

Lin Fan nodded and gestured toward the sofa beside him, inviting her to sit.

"Sit on the sofa, Xiaotao. I'll massage your shoulders from behind. Just relax."

"Okay..."

Ma Xiaotao nodded slightly.

She walked slowly to the sofa and sat down sideways, her back to Lin Fan.

Lin Fan watched Ma Xiaotao sit with her back to him.

He stepped behind her and gently placed both hands on her shoulders.

Pressing his thumbs against his fingers, he slowly kneaded both shoulders. He used a little too much force.

His fingertips brushed the skin of Ma Xiaotao's shoulders. It felt soft as snow, smooth and delicate.

He thought to himself:

Ma Xiaotao really is a stunning beauty. Even her skin is exceptionally lovely.

Beneath his fingers, her skin felt like snow—so soft, delicate, and smooth.

Pain crossed Ma Xiaotao's face. Aches rippled through her shoulders, as though little creatures were crawling back and forth over them. She thought:

That hurts! Why is Lin Fan's massage so painful? I'm starting to get angry, but I don't want to...

She had to act gentle in front of Lin Fan, or all her earlier efforts would go to waste.

Lin Fan paused and leaned forward to look at her. Smiling, he asked:

"How does it feel, Xiaotao? What do you think of my massage? Is it comfortable?"

Ma Xiaotao rolled her eyes at him and said sharply:

"You have the nerve to ask? Your massage hurts. Be gentler next time."

Lin Fan looked embarrassed.

"Sorry. I'll use less force."

Ma Xiaotao nodded.

"Mm..."

Then Lin Fan drew back.

He looked at Ma Xiaotao's shoulders and began kneading them again.

This time, he followed her request and eased up, lessening the pressure of his hands.

Ma Xiaotao relaxed at once. The pain faded from her face, though a dull ache still pulsed through her shoulders.

It felt much better than before. Lin Fan had finally found the right amount of pressure.

"How is it now, Xiaotao?"

Standing behind Ma Xiaotao, Lin Fan asked:

"It aches a little, but it's much better than before. You finally got the pressure right. Keep going."

Ma Xiaotao smiled.

"Okay, I'll keep massaging."

Lin Fan replied:

"Mm..."

Ma Xiaotao gave a slight nod.

Half an hour later.

Lin Fan stopped massaging and loosened his hands to rest them. Ma Xiaotao felt much more relaxed.

He had kept the pressure steady the whole time, and now his hands were too tired to move. Surely Ma Xiaotao felt good after that.

"How was it this time, Xiaotao?"

Lin Fan leaned forward and asked:

"It felt quite comfortable. Lin Fan, your massage skills are impressive."

Ma Xiaotao slowly opened her pale pink eyes, savoring the lingering sensation. She smiled and said:

"My shoulders feel so much lighter after that massage."

The soreness in her body had vanished. She had spent the last while enjoying his massage, feeling as though she were lying on soft wool.

Lin Fan smiled back.

"Thanks for the compliment."

Ma Xiaotao grew curious.

"By the way, Lin Fan, where did you learn to massage like that? It felt so good."

She really wanted to know. Since Lin Fan was so good at it, she wanted to learn too.

Lin Fan answered:

"I learned at home. My family studies medicine and pharmaceuticals, and we know about massage too."

Ma Xiaotao smiled.

"So you learned it at home. Do you know any other massage techniques?"

So Lin Fan had learned from his family. In that case, she would let the idea of learning it herself go.

Lin Fan sat down on the sofa to rest.

"Of course. My family had books on massage techniques, so I learned from them."

He came from a family that studied medicine and pharmaceuticals. With books on massage at home, how could he not have learned?

Ma Xiaotao chuckled.

"Next time, try another massage technique on me."

Lin Fan agreed with a smile.

"Sure, but you'll have to come find me. I can't go to Sea God Island to look for you."

"Mm..."

Ma Xiaotao nodded slightly.

After that, the two rested for a while.

Then Ma Xiaotao took Lin Fan back. Within minutes, they had flown to the shore of Sea God Lake.

Ma Xiaotao brought Lin Fan to the Dormitory Building. They said goodbye, and Lin Fan went inside.

Carrying a packed meal, Lin Fan headed back to his room.

He had asked Xiaotao to cook it, and he wanted Wang Dong to taste it.

He hurried to the door and opened it. Wang Dong was asleep inside; she probably had not eaten lunch either.

"Wang Dong, look what I brought back!"

Lin Fan held up the meal.

"What did you bring, Lin Fan?"

Wang Dong sounded sleepy. She looked at Lin Fan, then caught a scent, and her gaze shifted to the box of food.

"Wow, that smells amazing! Lin Fan, where did you get such good food? I want some!"

Lin Fan grinned.

"I asked a senior to cook it. Have you eaten yet, Wang Dong?"

Wang Dong looked puzzled and shook her head.

"No. You managed to get a senior to cook for you?"

"Of course! She's really nice, and her cooking tastes much better than food from outside."

Lin Fan smiled warmly.

"Besides, I just ate my fill at her place. Do you want this meal?"

Wang Dong looked at Lin Fan, certain there had to be a catch.

After a moment's hesitation, she pursed her lips.

"Yes. So what do you want in exchange?"

Lin Fan looked astonished.

"You figured it out? You're getting smarter, Wang Dong!"

Wang Dong huffed and said proudly:

"Of course. I'm not stupid. You're always playing tricks on me or picking on me."

Lin Fan said:

"How about you clean for me for three days?"

Surprise flashed across Wang Dong's face, followed by disgust.

"Three days? That's too long! Three days of cleaning for one meal? Do you think I'm an idiot?"

Lin Fan promptly lowered his offer.

"Then just one day."

"One day?" Wang Dong snatched the meal box from his hand before he could change his mind. "Fine, one day. I agree. No taking it back!"

Lin Fan was a little surprised to find the box suddenly gone from his hand. He said quietly:

"I won't. Just remember to do my cleaning for a day."

Wang Dong turned away and opened the box.

"I know! This smells so good!"

She set the box on the table, sat down, and took a few bites with her chopsticks. Her eyes lit up.

"Delicious, delicious, delicious!"

Just as Lin Fan had said, this food was every bit as good as the food outside the Academy.

Wang Dong kept eating, then turned to look at Lin Fan.

"Lin Fan, who was that senior? Her cooking is so good. It really tastes as good as anything from a restaurant."

She wanted to know too.