My System Forces Me to Live off Women-Chapter 58 - 56: Life Is Like a Play

Li Peifeng has always been knowledgeable about therapeutic massage.

He has been working out with Wu Wenyue for a long time, learning various massage techniques from her as she is both an athlete and a sports researcher. Among these techniques are skills for rehabilitating a sprained ankle.

There are nuances in how to rub and press.

One must use strength to knead along the muscle fibers and joint movement, ensuring the muscles and joints feel pain. Without pain, there’s no effect, but you can’t overdo it either, as it could worsen the injury and lead to more severe consequences.

Large hands envelop the bare foot, and nimble fingers massage, press, pinch, hold, touch, knead, tap, and caress the injured area...

The force must penetrate the skin to reach the injured area, accelerating blood circulation in that region, thereby promoting faster recovery of the injury.

But sometimes, not only does the blood circulation speed up in the massaged area of the one being massaged, but also inexplicably speeds up in an unmassaged area of the masseuse.

The operation of "Steel Kidney" proceeds incessantly, day and night.

The activation of the "Prosthetic Implant" never considers who the subject is, without any regard for age or honor.

Teacher? What kind of old teacher? Let me investigate thoroughly!

It has to be said that this can lead to a bit of an awkward situation, especially when the masseuse and the one being massaged share a teacher-student relationship.

But overall, this little awkwardness is insignificant.

...

Evening, ten past seven, in a corner of the parking lot in front of the West Lake State Guesthouse.

"You’re pretty good at this." Huang Tianxuan sat on the step, looking at Li Peifeng with a smile in her eyes.

"Not that good, just a little bit, hm, not as good as you."

Li Peifeng sat beside her, with her straight legs in black silk resting in his lap, his hands massaging her ankle... or rather, massaging it.

Besides the enchanting emotions, Mr. Li was also filled with self-doubt.

What’s going on? Has this author abandoned writing to become a foot masseur?

After getting off the plane at the hotel to massage Zhao Qingge, now just before going to the hotel for dinner, I’m massaging Huang Tianxuan?

It seems you women without a third leg really do sprain your ankles easily when walking!

"I owe you an apology."

Huang Tianxuan rested her chin on her hand, her eyes sparkling: "I stood you up at noon because there was a small breakthrough in the research at the lab, and I had to go back to check and do some work, so the dinner was postponed until now..."

"It’s okay, good food’s worth the wait."

Li Peifeng replied with a smile, and he also felt a bit relieved. Fortunately, after he turned back to his room to massage Zhao Qingge, Huang Tianxuan called and said she had to leave for a while due to work, otherwise, he would have to find an excuse to decline.

Little Wind is really understanding and considerate. He was stood up, yet he wasn’t angry at all!

Huang Tianxuan felt delighted yet guilty. After thinking for a moment, her expression turned somewhat subtle, hesitating to speak: "There’s something, and I don’t know if I should tell you. Actually..."

"Come on, we’re friends, there’s nothing we can’t talk about."

Li Peifeng glanced down at his female friend’s ankle, seemingly trying to discern something in the dim streetlight, and as his hands continued their massage, he couldn’t help but speculate about the brand of this sturdy black silk that resisted being snagged by his callused hands.

It’s quite durable; even with the rough treatment from my calluses, there are no snags. The price must not be cheap.

"On the steps at the airport pickup area, after you left, your advisor’s behavior..."

"What happened?" Li Peifeng asked puzzled, lifting his head.

Upon seeing this stunning face, those clear and innocent big eyes,

Huang Tianxuan’s heart trembled, filled with compassion.

She must reveal the true despicable face of that dramatic female advisor, or else he might remain unaware while being taken advantage of!

A just fire ignited within Huang Tianxuan, burning fiercely as she solemnly stated: "I tell you, after you left, she acted as if she hadn’t sprained her ankle, so I suspect she may have been acting in front of you. Of course, that’s just a suspicion."

Huang Tianxuan raised an eyebrow, though she said ’suspicion’, her tone and gaze clearly conveyed to Li Peifeng that Zhao Qingge’s so-called sprained ankle was absolutely an act.

"Ah, is that so?"

Li Peifeng was utterly shocked, almost unable to believe... unable to believe Huang Tianxuan’s thick skin!

How could you have the nerve to point fingers at others? It’s as if your fall just now wasn’t an act!

But what can I do? Can I expose you all? Can I just ignore you?

With just a look, I know what trick Zhao Qingge is up to, your fake fall just now, I also willingly played along!

Why?

Life is but a play!

Whether in relationships or the workplace, the rules are just like this; this time you set a trap, and I willingly step into it.

Next time, I cast the bait, and you all must obediently bite.

We see through it but don’t speak of it, and it’s rare and valuable to hold on to this pretense.

Also, the mentor-student relationship between Zhao Qingge and I is deep and spotless, as pure as the heavens can attest. How could it be as sordid as you imagine?! Whom are you slandering? Are you slandering Old Zhao from my family, or are you slandering me, who’s as pure as jade?

"Ouch, that hurts~"

Maybe Li Peifeng applied a bit too much pressure without realizing, and Huang Tianxuan let out a delicate cry: "That’s enough, stop pressing!"

"Sorry."

Li Peifeng considerately picked up the spicy girl high heels on the floor, holding the shoe in one hand and her foot in the other, helping her put it on, then smiled and said: "See if you can walk now, if you can’t..."

Huang Tianxuan demurely stood up with a smile: "It’s okay, I can walk, I don’t need you to carry me."

"What are you thinking?"

Li Peifeng said strangely: "Men and women shouldn’t have physical contact, to avoid misunderstandings, at the most I can just help you walk."

Huang Tianxuan was speechless: "You know men and women shouldn’t have physical contact, so how did you carry your mentor?"

"Your injury isn’t that serious... Look, you can walk."

Though Huang Tianxuan wasn’t very steady on her feet, it was obvious to Li Peifeng that she was still pretending, so he just walked slowly beside her without any intention to reach out.

"Mm, your massage technique is pretty good, I feel much better."

"That’s good."

Maybe Huang Tianxuan also thought continuing the act was pointless, so she cheerfully said a few words, then quickened her pace, even faster than normal.

But when Huang Tianxuan reached the steps at the hotel entrance, she didn’t step firmly on her high heel...

"Ah~"

Huang Tianxuan’s whole body instantly lost balance and she fell backward, instinctively reaching out towards Li Peifeng...

"Whoa~"

Li Peifeng quickly reached out, wrapped an arm around her waist, looked down at her face, and said helplessly, "Tianxuan, what are you up to now?"

"This trick works only once, there’s no need for a second time, using it too much makes it ineffective!"

"..."

The way they were holding each other now was just like a scene in movies or TV shows, or similar to the moves in a couple’s dance.

The female lead leaned back completely, as if she were about to fall on her back, her expression flustered, her left hand naturally hanging down, her right hand around the male lead’s neck. Meanwhile, the male lead’s hands were holding the female lead’s waist... freeze-frame!!

Useless trivia: this pose generally symbolizes love in film and TV works.

"..."

Huang Tianxuan stared blankly at Li Peifeng’s face for three or four seconds, and after coming to, she was extremely embarrassed and annoyed: "This time it’s real!! Help me up!"

"Walk properly, don’t fall."

"Got it, just support me a bit!"

Perhaps a little frightened, Huang Tianxuan straightforwardly reached out to hold Li Peifeng’s arm while climbing the remaining steps.

But her mind hadn’t moved on from that idol-drama-like embrace.

Huang Tianxuan’s thoughts lingered for quite some time, so long that she held onto Li Peifeng’s arm and entered the West Lake State Guesthouse with him, long enough that after Li Peifeng ordered the dishes and the dishes were served, she took the first bite... then blushed and said she wanted to drink alcohol.

"Drink alcohol?"

Li Peifeng was surprised: "I have a driver’s license, you can drink a bit without issue."

"Let’s get a designated driver, you don’t need to drive, let’s drink together."

Huang Tianxuan instructed the waiter: "Two bottles of yellow wine, please."

"Alright."

As the waiter left, Li Peifeng was a bit nervous, isn’t this a bit urgent?

It’s only the first day we’ve met, foot massage, arm support, dining, drinking yellow wine, is the next step taking advantage of the effects of the yellow wine for some adult activities?

Too fast!

If it happens too quickly, you won’t cherish it!

"Zhejiang cuisine goes best with yellow wine."

Huang Tianxuan provocatively smiled: "For tomorrow’s book club, you should have a firsthand experience. Each of us one bottle, and then we’ll leave."

"Let me state upfront."

Li Peifeng said earnestly: "Drinking is fine, but if you get drunk and can’t walk, I’ll only be able to carry you then, don’t blame me for being forward, I’m not that kind of man!"

How about we keep it simple, no drinking, and you just start acting forward with me directly!

Huang Tianxuan said with a cheerful smile: "Don’t worry, I can handle my liquor. Just don’t embarrass yourself by getting drunk!"

"..."