Lessons Cut Short by Breakfast
However, Duan Lin's lessons didn't last much longer—breakfast time had arrived. Staring at the pure hand-ground soy milk, the freshly steamed coarse-grain buns, and the exquisite yet nutritious side dishes before him, Chu Fei couldn't help but admire this woman's refined approach to life. Her world revered all things natural, untouched by the flashy luxuries of modern excess. Even her meals were simple, no different from an ordinary person's—nothing like those nouveau riche types who felt the need to swish abalone and shark fin around their mouths at every sitting.
This was the moment Chu Fei finally saw Duan Lin in her true light. During breakfast, he even made a point of picking up some food with his chopsticks and offering it to her—the dish was right in front of him, after all, and she'd have had to stand up to reach it herself.
The gesture wasn't some calculated attempt to butter her up. Chu Fei didn't go out of his way for just anyone. Only those he truly respected—like his mom, or... back in the day, Li Ran?
But after he'd done it, he regretted it a little. With Duan Lin's personality, she'd probably refuse, and any sharp words that followed might sour things between them all over again. Strangely, though, she just glanced up at him before opening her mouth and eating the bite he'd offered.
After breakfast, guests started arriving right on schedule—mostly solo appointments. Because of what had happened that morning, however, Duan Lin didn't have Chu Fei lay a hand on anyone. She simply had him observe from the sidelines while she demonstrated other massage techniques. At the same time, she began teaching him about the body's acupoints and meridians, explaining their connections to various functions throughout the human form.
These women were all high-society types, far beyond the circles Chu Fei usually moved in. Yet once they learned he was Duan Lin's apprentice, not one complained about a man watching their naked bodies. If anything, they seemed thrilled to serve as living "teaching aids," positively buzzing with excitement.
Two clients in the morning, three in the afternoon. By the time evening rolled around and the last one had been seen off, Duan Lin finally stepped into the living room. She brewed a cup of tea for Chu Fei, who was slumped bonelessly on the sofa, then sat down across from him.
"How much of today's lesson do you remember?"
"A ton... but it's all jumbled up. Those acupoints and all that—my head's killing me."
Chu Fei wasn't exaggerating. He'd never studied anything like this before, and suddenly Duan Lin was pointing out function after function, cramming his brain full all day long. No wonder it felt like a tangled mess.
"Mm. It's not easy to memorize it all at once, so don't push yourself. No more clients tonight—you should get some exercise. It might help things settle."
Duan Lin rose gracefully and wandered over to start "arranging flowers" once more.
"Oh..."
Dinner was entirely vegetarian, leaving Chu Fei utterly drained. He forced down a few bites, claimed he was full, set his chopsticks aside, and told Duan Lin he was heading out for a stroll.
He'd planned to drive over and meet up with the Li Xin and Li Bing sisters for a proper feast. And while he was at it, he could indulge in a little double-fun, vent some pent-up urges, and harvest a bit more energy. That way, he wouldn't have to keep getting pushed around by those female security guards outside.
Speak of the devil. The moment Chu Fei opened the garage, there stood the female security captain, flipping him off from the driveway—clearly paying him back for his rudeness the day before.
Chu Fei had no intention of engaging, but the damn woman was planted right in the middle of the road. His car couldn't get past.
"Yesterday's lesson not enough for you? Face already healed up?"
"Hmph. If you're man enough, get out and fight me again!"
"You wanna know if I'm man enough? Didn't get your fill groping me yesterday? Here, I'll be generous—feel free to cop another squeeze." Chu Fei let out a mocking snort.
"Having a dick makes you a man? Thai ladyboys have those too!"
Su Rui snorted right back. "Cut the crap and get out here. If you win, do whatever the hell you want—no one's stopping you. Lose, though... heh."
"Bullshit. I don't have time to squabble with some chick. Move it!"
Chu Fei revved the engine, but Su Rui didn't budge an inch. She just stood there, eyeing him with utter contempt.
Su Rui hadn't taken yesterday's loss well. She knew her skills were solid—that's why they'd transferred her here, put her in charge of this pack of unruly "ladies." But a punk kid had slapped her down. Slapped her face, no less. And the worst part? She'd had his junk in her grip first, yet he'd still sent her sprawling with one smack. Her team hadn't said a word when she got back, but she'd caught the odd looks in their eyes. Hell, no one had voluntarily spoken to her all day.
The reason was simple: strength ruled everywhere.
When Chu Fei first showed up, he'd gawked at the sight of a real gun like some wide-eyed rookie. His walk, his mannerisms, those soft, pampered arms—it all screamed "greenhouse flower," delicate young master type. And yet this guy had laid out their captain, the strongest among them. Wasn't that a slap in the face to all of them?