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Chapter 18: Fleeting Beauty
"You?" The masseuse whipped her head around, startled.
She had been trying so hard to convince herself not to engage with Lin Tian again—this guy who might very well be a lunatic. But when those words slipped out of her mouth, she couldn’t help herself.
High school cosplay wasn't enough for him?
Now he wanted to teach her how to give foot massages too?
"You’re not a masseuse. How are you going to give foot massages?" the masseuse shot back immediately, her tone sharp and defensive as if protecting the last shred of dignity in her profession.
When he said she didn’t look like a student, she could take it. But implying that she didn’t know how to give foot massages? That was unacceptable.
Did this boy have any idea just how many men’s feet she’d touched over the years?
"Foot massage isn’t as simple as you think," the masseuse declared, her voice brimming with indignation as she stared at Lin Tian.
"Are you really going to do it?" Even Gan Yanyu turned to Lin Tian with an expression of disbelief, her eyes wide open.
"That’s not what I meant," Lin Tian quickly clarified, waving his hands dismissively. "I’m saying—I’ll hold your ankle steady so you don’t move around."
At that, the masseuse finally exhaled in relief. For a moment, she had actually thought Lin Tian intended to massage someone else’s feet himself. What kind of person pays to visit a foot spa only to scrub their own feet? Was he there because he believed the water was cleaner here or something?
"I don’t mind," the masseuse said, glancing toward Gan Yanyu.
"Huh?" Gan Yanyu blinked, realizing the masseuse was asking for her approval.
Her gaze drifted back to Lin Tian, and without warning, her heart began to race. Letting Lin Tian hold her foot felt... strange. No, more than strange—it felt utterly mortifying. She’d never allowed a stranger to touch her feet before, let alone a boy. A boy whose relationship with her was ambiguous at best—a neighbor? A passing acquaintance from one night? Or perhaps… a friend?
Earlier, when they first entered, Lin Tian had introduced himself as “a friend.” But what worried Gan Yanyu most wasn’t the awkwardness—it was the possibility that she might accidentally kick him in the face. Wouldn’t that embarrass him?
No, no, absolutely not. If she did something like that, she’d owe him yet another favor. And repaying favors was the last thing she needed right now.
As Gan Yanyu wrestled with her thoughts, Lin Tian seemed to interpret her silence as consent.
"Alright, here I go," he announced casually, rinsing his hands under the water before reaching forward.
"Eh?" Gan Yanyu stiffened, unprepared. Before she could react, Lin Tian’s hand slid gently around her right foot while the other cradled her ankle. His grip was light, almost delicate—as though he were holding two fragile figurines.
For a brief second, Gan Yanyu’s feet twitched involuntarily. The masseuse tensed, ready to intervene—but then, astonishingly, the movement ceased. There was no violent kick, no outburst. Instead, Gan Yanyu froze, her pupils dilating in shock.
"How does it feel? Any discomfort?" Lin Tian asked calmly.
"Not really," Gan Yanyu murmured.
"Tickle?"
"A little, but it’s fine."
"Anything else bothering you?"
"My chest feels tight."
"Your chest?" Lin Tian frowned. "How can touching your foot affect your chest?"
"It’s nothing," Gan Yanyu whispered softly, her heartbeat pounding like a drum against her ribs.
But deep down, she knew why. Somehow, Lin Tian’s touch had calmed her restless nerves. The tension she’d felt earlier melted away, replaced by an inexplicable sense of security. It was bizarre, surreal even. Maybe, just maybe, her subconscious didn’t want to disappoint Lin Tian anymore. After all, she’d already repaid him once. She couldn’t afford another misstep now. This time, she vowed to leave cleanly, without owing him anything further.
"Your ankles are tiny," Lin Tian remarked offhandedly. "They’re almost the same size as my wrists."
"Won’t that make it easier for you to hold on tighter if I try to resist later?" Gan Yanyu retorted, regaining her composure.
Seeing that the situation was under control, Lin Tian signaled for the masseuse to step back in.
"Don’t worry. If she moves, I’ll keep her firmly in place," he assured her confidently. He knew exactly how much pressure to apply; escape would be impossible.
With Lin Tian’s assistance, the masseuse resumed her work. Miraculously, Gan Yanyu’s feet remained still, cooperating perfectly with the masseuse’s motions. The room fell into a tranquil rhythm, bathed in the soft glow of dim yellow lighting. The masseuse moved with practiced ease, her skilled hands kneading and soothing, while Lin Tian continued to stabilize Gan Yanyu’s ankles. His touch was gentle, almost symbolic—a reassurance rather than a restraint.
Gan Yanyu’s feet were softer than Lin Tian had anticipated. Simply resting them in his palms brought a surprising sensation of smoothness. Despite standing tall at 5’5”, her feet were dainty, almost ethereal. They reminded him of something out of a fairy tale—a princess’s feet, perhaps.
It made him wonder: Were precious things always destined to be fleeting, like walking on thin ice? Like Gan Yanyu’s life itself?
Gradually, Gan Yanyu relaxed completely, surrendering to the experience. The masseuse worked with precision, intuitively adjusting the pressure to suit Gan Yanyu’s sensitivity. It was blissful. Gan Yanyu understood now why so many people enjoyed foot massages—it wasn’t just about physical pleasure. More importantly, it offered a rare moment of mental peace, a sanctuary where worries faded into the background.
Time passed quietly, harmoniously. All traces of anxiety vanished, leaving behind only calm.
[SAN Value: 43↑]
An hour later, Gan Yanyu finished her session and changed back into her clothes. As she emerged from the dressing room, Lin Tian greeted her with a grin.
"How was it? Satisfied?"
She nodded shyly, recalling how Lin Tian had held her feet steadily throughout the entire hour. Her cheeks flushed, and she instinctively avoided his gaze.
"Thank you," she said softly.
"For what?"
"For helping me earlier."
"No problem," Lin Tian replied nonchalantly. "Next time I get a foot massage, you can return the favor."
"I think I’ll pass," Gan Yanyu muttered, certain there wouldn’t be a next time. The massage had lifted her spirits considerably. Reflecting on her initial impulse to kick the masseuse, she found it almost amusing now.
"But seriously," she asked curiously, "how did you manage to restrain my feet so easily?"
Lin Tian shrugged. "Massaging feet is something I learned a long time ago."
"What?"
"Yeah. When I was younger, my dad was a gambler. I figured I’d better learn a trade, just in case things went south. So I picked up foot massage."
"Really?"
"Nope." Lin Tian smirked, clearly amused by his own terrible joke.
Gan Yanyu stared blankly for a moment before shaking her head and following him out the door.
By the time they exited the spa, it was past eleven o’clock. Gan Yanyu tilted her head upward, gazing at the clear night sky. A profound sense of loneliness washed over her, enveloping her like a heavy blanket.
"Gan Yanyu."
She turned at the sound of Lin Tian’s voice.
"Yes?"
"Are you leaving?"
"I suppose so."
"Where to? Up there?" Lin Tian raised a hand, pointing dramatically at the heavens above.
Gan Yanyu’s eyes widened in surprise as she looked at him, unsure whether to laugh or cry at his absurdity.
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