Chapter 7, The Army at the Gates (Part 2)
"Are you learning from Lei Feng? It's not March anymore." Ning Beibei's eyes were almost popping out of their sockets
After finally waiting for the massage to end, without taking a break, Chi Xiaoying quickly got dressed and rushed out the door
The smile on the service attendant's face was like the gentle spring breeze of March, softly inquiring about Chi Xiaoying's needs. She then led her inside, where the interior, in contrast to the bright hall in front, revealed a different world.
"I am not," Chi Xiaoying thought he was mistaking her for that woman called | bed, and hurriedly denied it, adding, "Actually, this is not humorous; this is a public setting, so please be mindful of the impact."
Ning Beibei is a freelance writer who exclusively contributes a fashion column to a women's magazine. She spends her days wandering outside, resembling an unemployed drifter. She is also a proponent of anti-marriage, having several decent lovers.
Chi Xiaoying is ticklish and is not accustomed to strangers touching her all over, making her body tense. The masseuse, having encountered this type often, casually engages in conversation to help her gradually relax
The design institute has its own cafeteria, and the chef's skills are quite good. The organization also provides monthly subsidies, making the employees very fond of this free lunch
"Do you need comfort?" Ning Beibei shrugged, "A woman of the new century wants to maintain a marriage, can manage both the parlor and the kitchen, can write code, can identify anomalies, can eliminate malware, can scale walls, can afford a good car, can buy a new house, can compete with a mistress, and can fight off thugs. How many of these can you achieve when you compare yourself? I am not trying to discourage you, but if Xuan Xiao truly develops a change of heart, you might as well save your energy and shift your emotions towards financial matters, lest you end up losing both love and wealth. A woman with money has connections with anyone."
Chi Xiaoying blushed deeply, turning her eyes away, unable to look at the man from before. Her chest rose and fell, feeling stuck in place, at a loss for what to do.
I find it strange that your perfect husband belongs to the type of being dashing and elegant, a master at paying the bill, down-to-earth, and living a refined life, which is the most favored type among urban women. Moreover, he is in his prime, and there should be plenty of admirers flocking to him. How could he remain unscathed until now
Chi Xiaoying unconsciously became the mediator between the two. It can be said that one thing overcomes another; Ning Beibei does not heed others' words, yet she listens to Chi Xiaoying's advice, even though she is two years older than Chi Xiaoying
"Miss, do you often work at your desk? This muscle is quite stiff." After a few touches, the masseur had a general understanding of Chi Xiaoying's body, adjusting the pressure of their hands accordingly.
"I apologize for troubling Dr. Qin." The service attendant respectfully presented the card with both hands. The man took it, glanced at the pinyin abbreviation on the card, frowned, and wondered why it was Ning Beibei. Wasn't she called Chi Xiaoying?
I just want to leave in a clear and straightforward manner, I do not want anything else. Chi Xiaoying had already thought about this; since she wanted to be liberated, she could not be entangled in any relationships. However, she still needed to wait for Xuan Xiao to speak first, as a sign of respect for Xuan Xiao and also considering her mother
She ordered a mixed fried rice, staring at the greasy grains in the bowl, feeling her stomach churning again. Afraid of affecting others' appetites, she found a seat in the corner
He was taken aback when he saw Chi Xiaoying
It was confirmed that Chi Xiaoying had no further requests, and the others left, leaving only the masseur and Chi Xiaoying in the room
Ning Beibei is also a perceptive person, wisely refraining from prying into others' privacy, even that of good friends. "Go get a massage, take a sauna, it clears the body and calms the mind, it's quite nice."
At that moment, a sudden sound of moaning, alternating between high and low, came from the next room, also from a female guest. Perhaps she was enjoying the benefits of the massage therapist's skills, completely oblivious as she cried out. The sound was indeed very much like that of a call from the bed, and this type of massage room, while described as a single room, is merely separated by two layers of wooden boards, allowing the sounds from several rooms to be heard clearly.
Chi Xiaoying picked up the card and examined it repeatedly several times
The sturdy man felt embarrassed, glancing at another tightly closed massage room, "I... had a dream." He turned to Chi Xiaoying with a burning gaze, sighing inwardly, why wasn't it her
Chi Xiaoying did not dare to go out with them, fearing that the sturdy man would have wild imaginations, so she could only stand face to face with the previous man.
The dean felt troubled and sometimes shared his thoughts with Chi Xiaoying
The man smiled, yet had not spoken. The door to the adjacent room opened, and a robust man walked in, patting his belly. Upon seeing Chi Xiaoying, his eyes emitted a green light akin to that of a hungry wolf
Chi Xiaoying was eager to refute, but she had to admit that Ning Beibei's words were quite harsh yet incisive
Chi Xiaoying smiled noncommittally
A robust man turned a corner, and she, in a fluster, glanced back at the man from earlier, essentially fleeing in panic. "Miss, your card..." the service attendant called out as she chased after her from the massage room.
However, I remind you to be extremely cautious and not to act rashly. If you speak first, you will have already lost a significant portion of the advantage, and it will be difficult to explain to your mother. Wait for Xuan Xiao to bring it up first, and then you can slowly negotiate your terms with him. Otherwise, you must have solid evidence.
Chi Xiaoying said no more, for even if she spoke, Ning Beibei would not understand. Ning Beibei is a trendy girl, spoiled by the dean and her father, coming from a well-off family, and is completely unfamiliar with the hardships of life
Ning Beibei's almond-shaped eyes widened, and her large earrings trembled as she exclaimed, "Xuan Xiao has finally cheated?"
Before long, she began to experience the comfort of the massage; however, it was somewhat painful, yet the pain was just right.
Walking outside while sighing and lamenting, glancing back as one walks
Chi Xiaoying was left speechless, while Ning Beibei was determined to speak in a way that would astonish. She lost the desire to continue the discussion with her, remaining silent as gold
"Ning Beibei, do you have any compassion at all? Hearing that a friend is going through this, you could at least comfort me with a few words." Chi Xiaoying could no longer bear it
Ning Beibei, the beloved only daughter of the dean
While others in the engineering field are thriving, either becoming department heads or directors, or even taking on contracts themselves and making a substantial profit, she, on the other hand, has switched careers to a demanding and thankless administrative position
"You pig-headed fool, are you thinking crookedly?" Ning Beibei frowned in exasperation, pulled out a magnetic card from a large bag of marijuana, and threw it to her, "This place has aromatherapy, sweat steaming, sauna, and massage, with materials imported from Hokkaido, Japan. The massages are performed by professional blind masseurs, and it is the highest-end spa in Binjiang City. I guarantee that after one visit, you will be hooked. I have an appointment today, so I can't accompany you. This card is for you."
Groups of men and women walk together in pairs
The dean is attending a conference in Tianjin for three days, and as the dean's secretary, Chi Xiaoying has little to do. With a stuffy nose and aching body, she could easily take a leave of absence to lie at home, but she does not wish to stay in that empty room, so she decided to come to work instead
"Damn, today is just exhilarating, even more thrilling than the real thing, it almost made me burst out." The robust man spoke loudly, staring intently at Chi Xiaoying.
In the image of the massage industry, only men go for massages, and the purpose of going to a sauna is not merely to wash, but to engage in various activities afterward. Those places are essentially transformed into venues for sexual services.
The two engaged in conversation again, and Ning Beibei floated away like a gust of wind
"Another argument?" Chi Xiaoying propped her chin up and scrutinized her.
Compared to Chi Xiaoying, Mother treats Xuan Xiao as if she were a savior, praising her to everyone she meets for having such a successful son-in-law and for his filial piety towards her
Ning Beibei rolled her eyes dramatically and said, "Hmph, my mom is not home, who am I supposed to argue with! I just passed by to come and play with you. What's wrong? It rained last night, not frost. You look like a withered eggplant."
After several encounters, these two individuals, who have nothing in common, became friends
"Beibei, I said I want a divorce, are you surprised?" Chi Xiaoying asked in a slightly joking tone.
Chi Xiaoying was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, "Are you hoping that something happens to our family?"
Leaning in front of the computer, I watched the news for a while, flipped through a few newspapers, and after finishing two large cups of tea, the lunch break finally arrived
Chi Xiaoying returned to the office. Today is Friday, and no one is in the mood to work; everyone is sitting around chatting, waiting for the end of the workday. The feeling of soreness in her body is becoming more intense. After an hour of restlessness, she packed her bag and left first
"Miss, if you can't help it, feel free to call out, don't hold it in," the masseur said with a smile
The lighting is dim, yet not oppressive, as my feet tread softly on the plush carpet, with not a sound to be heard. The tasteful oil paintings and the antique wall lamps create an atmosphere as if one has stepped into a time tunnel, suddenly transported to a distant era
Chi Xiaoying has no children to boast about, her mother-in-law performs perfectly, she is thin and frail, unable to join the conversation, usually just sitting beside and listening
Give it to me! The man smiled gently, "We know each other."
The SPA establishment named "Qingyou Hall" is located opposite the central park. Upon entering, Chi Xiaoying was indeed taken aback; the hall was bright, elegantly arranged, and filled with a gentle fragrance, instantly bringing a sense of tranquility and peace to the mind.
Married women tend to gather in groups, and the topics of conversation usually revolve around praising their children, criticizing their mothers-in-law, or discussing various weight loss methods. They chat while eating, with great enthusiasm, and the conversation never seems to end
What did the gentleman say? We just arrived, the man asked with a smile, moving a bit closer to the pool, creating a sense of connection.
"I don't know what's wrong with me. I've taken several pills, yet I still don't have a fever. My whole body feels like it's falling apart, sore and painful." Chi Xiaoying quickly changed the subject.
Chi Xiaoying bit her lips, her face flushed
Chi Xiaoying gasped, as if Xuan Xiao's infidelity were a matter of course, "So do you have a special affection for him as well"
As if in response to the woman's cries, a man in another room also began to make soft sounds, though not loud, yet his reckless demeanor could truly rival that of the woman next door
Ning Beibei resolutely shook her head, "I am twenty-nine this year, very self-aware, and I will not compete with a group of novices who have just graduated from school in terms of looks or figure. Moreover, Xuan Xiao is only three years older than me, so I do not have any advantage. After working hard to win him over, I cannot guarantee that he won't be taken away by someone else in the next moment, which would be a great waste of effort. Men in their thirties begin to mature; they know what they want and understand how to accommodate women. However, they still cannot compare to men in their forties, who possess wisdom, depth, and respect for their commitments. When they fall in love with a woman, they are deeply invested, unlike men in their twenties who only think about getting into bed. Therefore, what I prefer are elegant gentlemen around forty years old."
Ning Beibei became interested, blinking her eyes in a gossiping manner, "Quick, tell me, what kind of person is the one who can tame a moral gentleman like Xuan Xiao? They must be quite skilled."
Chi Xiaoying has long since disappeared
The masseur chuckled softly, and Chi Xiaoying, who was positioned right between the two, felt as if she were watching an adult film, which was quite uncomfortable
The dean is a woman with a strong sense of ambition. For reasons unknown, she divorced her businessman husband, and their daughter was awarded to her. However, the relationship between mother and daughter is not harmonious; Ning Beibei is quite rebellious and often leaves home after a few words of disagreement. The dean has shed many tears for her.
However, her head is that of an intellectual woman, not difficult to serve
A man stands in the corridor, wearing a gray shirt, with a gentle smile on his face. He is tall and possesses the characteristic confidence and restraint of a man in his forties, appearing clean and strong
Before I had even settled down, a magnified smile appeared before me
A buzz cut, large round earrings, a small face adorned with exquisite makeup, a neat denim outfit, long boots, and carrying a bag that resembles a burlap sack.
The temperature in the massage room was quite high, and the light from the aromatherapy lamp was just right. The service attendant helped Chi Xiaoying take off her clothes, leaving her in only her underwear as she lay on the bed. A woman wearing sunglasses entered, supported by others, and politely greeted Chi Xiaoying.
After starting work, Ning Beibei became somewhat more restrained, but the two still often clashed. Once a conflict arose, Ning Beibei could go an entire month without speaking a word to the director
What’s the matter? Divorce is not the end of the world. You are even younger than I am. With your charm, even a criminal would have to behave like a gentleman in your presence. Are you still worried about not being loved? The next one to appear will be even better