He lowered his head, cupped the fair, tender foot, and took a deep sniff at its sole. "Smells so good..."
Creamy ice cream tinged with faintly sour foot sweat, freshly taken from its food container, carried a mildly intoxicating air.
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes widened in shock at Lin En's sudden change. Was this really the same person as before?
"Pervert!"
Zhu Zhuqing's expression instantly took a complete turn, the gratitude on her face replaced by utter disgust.
Her foot was covered in sweat, yet this fellow not only wasn't repulsed, he had even leaned in to sniff it.
Lin En's actions raised Zhu Zhuqing's estimation of his shamelessness another notch.
Lin En chuckled softly, abruptly increasing the pressure of his hands.
"Ah..."
"Be gentler! Why are you using so much force?" Zhu Zhuqing shot him a reproachful glare.
"I'm not even disgusted, and you're turning your nose up at me? Believe me, I could leave you unable to walk tomorrow!"
Lin En gave a wicked smile, lifted her foot to his chest, and admired it as he massaged it.
Zhu Zhuqing's chest heaved with anger, but there was little she could do about him. She could only sulk alone.
Seeing her look so aggrieved, Lin En couldn't help laughing aloud.
"Sulking makes your buns hurt. I'd advise you to do less of it, or else... heh, heh..."
Lin En casually lowered his hand, no longer continuing to embarrass Zhu Zhuqing.
"None of your business. All you do is bully me..."
Zhu Zhuqing angrily bared her teeth, looking at Lin En with shame and indignation.
"Come on, you came knocking on my door yourself. I didn't force you to follow me. You have to lose something along the road to growth..."
Lin En grinned, then concentrated on loosening Zhu Zhuqing's muscles.
Only when she saw that focused look return to Lin En's face did the anger in Zhu Zhuqing's heart gradually subside.
"Lin En, can't you stay like this all the time? Why do you have to act so frivolous? It makes me think you're... vulgar!"
Zhu Zhuqing hesitated over her words.
"Why?"
"Why what?" Zhu Zhuqing asked in confusion.
"Why should I change who I am based on whether you people like me?"
"You can see my focus, and you can see my frivolity. That's the real me. I only ever act as myself!"
A profound smile appeared on Lin En's face.
His words were neither forceful nor soft, but they let Zhu Zhuqing feel that this was his truest self.
The Lin En who made no attempt to conceal himself!
Zhu Zhuqing's breath abruptly caught. His words struck like a heavy hammer, smashing into her heart.
She began to wonder whether she had spent her entire past living through other people's eyes.
Had she never been herself, not even once?
Perhaps the answer she arrived at was yes.
She never had!
Zhu Zhuqing drew a deep breath. For some reason, she felt a knot of gloom within her, like a huge boulder weighing on the bottom of her heart.
Why?
Why can't I have thoughts of my own? Why can't I have what I want? Why can't I pursue freedom?
Those three questions in succession hammered her soul fully awake.
At that moment, Zhu Zhuqing's beautiful eyes grew deep and blazing, as clear and transparent as a pool of pristine lake water, their depths brimming with light.
No more losing myself in the past. I'll become a new me.
"Lin En, thank you!"
Those words were Zhu Zhuqing's heartfelt thanks.
"Stop thanking me all the time. How about something tangible? Anyone can say nice things!"
Lin En rolled his eyes at her in exasperation and lowered her delicate foot. "Don't move. I'll loosen your calf muscles!"
As his words fell, his hands followed her ankle upward, pressing along the way until they reached the bend above her calf.
Her calf muscles weren't as soft and yielding as the flesh of her sole. They carried a touch of tautness and delicacy, and because she had just trained, they were quite springy.
Lin En's hands gently pressed along the edges of her calf. With the movement of his fingertips, the taut muscles gradually relaxed.
If only I had some essential oil. I could put some on Zhu Zhuqing...
Lin En suddenly felt a little regretful. Why hadn't he prepared some back then? What an oversight!
Watching his focused gaze, with its hint of lust, Zhu Zhuqing inwardly spat, Rogue!
For some reason, she didn't dislike this feeling.
Being able to make someone fall in love at first sight was also a reflection of her own charm.
Zhu Zhuqing lay back on the ground, closed her eyes, and comfortably enjoyed Lin En's massage.
Seeing her comfortable expression, Lin En grew displeased.
What's this supposed to mean? Have I become your servant?
The more he thought about it, the angrier he grew. He reached out, turned her rounded bottom upward, and gave it a hard slap.
"I'm giving you a massage, and you're really putting on airs?"
Lin En spoke irritably. Then his hand fell again, and the sounds of slaps against her bottom immediately rang out.
"Ah..."
Zhu Zhuqing covered her bottom with her hands, her eyes full of embarrassment. In all her life, no man had ever dared to spank her.
As he kept spanking her...
Lin En felt himself getting a little addicted!
Round and pert, like two ripe honey peaches. Would he end up spanking juice out of them?
As everyone knew.
Honey peaches were always tender and juicy, yielding juice with a single squeeze.
"Stop spanking me! I was wrong!"
Zhu Zhuqing covered her bottom, her voice deeply aggrieved.
It had felt so comfortable just now that she had accidentally fallen asleep. Could she really be blamed for that?
At that thought, Zhu Zhuqing immediately sat up.
She took the shoe and sock off her other foot as well, then lifted both legs and gently slipped them into Lin En's lap.
"What are you doing?"
Lin En turned his head, looking at her speechlessly.
Zhu Zhuqing blinked, her smile suddenly blooming like a flower:
"Giving you a reward!"
"After all, this counts as a reward for you, doesn't it? Don't you like my feet?"
"What kind of damn reward is this... no, wait, who likes them? Don't think you can spew slander just because you're pretty!"
Lin En shook his head repeatedly. I'm not. I don't...
"Ohhh~~"
Zhu Zhuqing drew out an "oh," a hint of amusement in her eyes as she looked at him with an almost-smile.
"Then let me leave them there for a while. My shoes and socks are damp, so they're uncomfortable to wear, and the ground is too dirty..."
Zhu Zhuqing blushed, yet her legs remained perfectly still. Her toes lifted slightly and wiggled playfully.
The corners of Lin En's mouth twitched. A pair of warm feet had suddenly appeared in his lap. They were very pretty, but...
In that case, I won't stand on ceremony!
Lin En took only a tenth of a second to accept it and happily enjoyed himself, his hands constantly toying with her little feet.
Zhu Zhuqing didn't resist. An alluring blush rose on her face as she lowered her eyes slightly and twisted her slender, fair fingers together.
The two faced each other in silence.
In the blink of an eye, night arrived.
Lin En stretched and said with a trace of sleepiness on his face:
"Go to sleep early. I've dried your shoes and socks for you. Tomorrow, we'll leave Star Dou."
"Mm!"
Zhu Zhuqing curled up her legs and nodded slightly.
Only after watching Lin En close his eyes did Zhu Zhuqing slowly put her shoes and socks back on. Then she lay down beside him and gradually inched closer.
She stopped only once she was pressed against his chest. Resting her head at his side, she slowly fell asleep.
Darkness spread beneath a spotless, starry night.
Sageross landed on a branch, his dark red eyes reflecting the cold, clear moonlight.
Before you continue