Chapter 19: The Underworld Queen's Secret

As Chen Ye’s hands touched Jin Anni’s skin, she frowned. “Don’t you use essential oils?”

“No. The massage I learned never uses them.”

“Will it hurt?”

“A little. But that’s part of the treatment.”

“All right.”

He began, pressing the Taichong point on the top of her right foot with his thumb, gradually increasing the pressure for about three minutes.

“My calf aches and feels swollen,” she said.

“That’s right. The liver meridian governs the free flow of qi. That aching, swollen feeling is a normal sign of stagnation being released. Bear with it, Anni-jie.”

She gritted her teeth. The ache was difficult to endure, yet there was a strange, pleasant quality to it. After more than ten minutes, Chen Ye said, “I’m going to move farther up.”

She agreed. He rubbed his hands until his palms were warm, then used the heels of his palms to work upward from her calf past her knee toward her groin. Where he felt knots, he used his fingertips to circle clockwise and loosen them. Her muscles gradually softened, and she relaxed.

“There are many blockages along the meridian,” he said. “No wonder your liver qi is stagnant.”

Talking during a massage helped ease awkwardness and build rapport, so he continued the conversation.

“Is it because I often stay up late?” Her tone was much gentler now.

“That’s one reason. You must also have a bad temper and get angry often, which has caused your liver qi to stagnate. The stagnation then makes you more irritable, creating a vicious cycle.”

“Sometimes, when I see stupid people and stupid things, I can’t hold my temper.”

“I understand.” He continued working.

“Ah!” she cried suddenly.

“Does it hurt?”

“A little.”

“I’ll be gentler.” He thought she had considerable endurance. Bai Xueyan, more sensitive, might not have borne it as well.

“May I ask you something personal? Please don’t take offense. How is your intimate life?”

Jin Anni was embarrassed. “What does that have to do with my condition?”

“Sexual frustration stirs up liver fire, which worsens the temper. Emotions trigger symptoms, and it becomes another vicious cycle. That’s why, when a man can’t satisfy a woman, her temper keeps getting worse.”

She didn’t know how to answer. The question wasn’t whether her intimate life was satisfactory; it was whether she had one at all.

He gently vibrated his palms on either side of her lower abdomen near the Qimen points, intending to promote the flow of qi and blood where the liver meridian connects with the organs. He asked her to breathe deeply. She complied. Fine sweat appeared at her temples, and color returned to her face.

She felt warmth rise from her feet toward her ribs, like a long-blocked channel opening. To her surprise, her headache had disappeared. Feeling refreshed, she was increasingly pleased with him.

“You actually dared ask about my intimate life. Other people wouldn’t.”

“I’m sorry. I spoke out of turn.”

“It’s all right. Since you asked, I’ll tell you, but you must keep it confidential.” Feeling better, she was more willing to talk.

“Thank you for trusting me.”

“I have a boyfriend, but he’s older, and we don’t have that kind of relationship. From what you’ve said, perhaps it has something to do with my temper.”

Chen Ye moved to the head of the bed and began working around her head. “Yes, there’s a connection.”

Up close, he noticed her striking features, straight nose, and long dark lashes. Her usual severity concealed some of her beauty. Suddenly, she opened her eyes and caught him looking. Flustered, he looked away and pretended to concentrate on the massage.

“You’re very masculine,” she said, studying him.

“Uh…” The remark caught him off guard.

“There are lots of handsome men at my club, all fair and delicate. None are like you. They’re like flowers in a greenhouse, but you remind me of a wild animal in the forest.”

No woman had ever described him so poetically. The compliment filled him with confidence. “Thank you, Anni-jie.”

“You’re welcome.” Her expression softened. “My headache’s gone, and I feel warmth throughout my body. I’ve never felt this way after a treatment. It’s very comfortable.”

“I’m glad.”

He finished by tapping lightly along the liver meridian with cupped palms, covered her with a thin blanket, and pressed the call button. “A cup of warm ginger tea, please.”

An assistant brought it shortly afterward. Therapists normally had assistants, often trainees; Chen Ye himself was assisting Li Bo. This assistant was Kong Fei, who had treated Jin Anni the previous night.

Kong Fei looked to be over 170 centimeters tall. Pretty and wearing little makeup, she had a fresh, natural beauty. She was also quiet and reserved. She lowered her head, set down the tea, and turned to leave.

“Wait.” Recognizing her, Jin Anni beckoned. “Come here.”

Kong Fei approached with a cold expression. “What is it, Anni-jie?”

“What is it?” Jin Anni’s gaze hardened. She rose suddenly and slapped Kong Fei across the face.