Chapter 51: Torrential Rain

Shen Baoying gave Jiang Linhai a subtle glance, and the two quietly exited the room, leaving behind a suddenly awkward atmosphere.

Especially with Jiang Si closing her eyes, she became painfully aware of Qin Shen’s rhythmic, precise pressure as his joints flexed and fingers moved skillfully across her body.

Her body felt incredibly relaxed—almost like he was unlocking her body’s meridians. But mentally, she was a mess. The internal turmoil made her blurt something out to ease the tension.

“Would it be just as effective if I massaged myself?”

Qin Shen paused for a moment, then replied calmly,

“You can try.”

“Oh…”

Obediently, Jiang Si sat up, only to turn and come face-to-face with Qin Shen—far closer than she had expected.

He didn’t even try to move away. Embarrassed, Jiang Si looked aside, gave a dry cough, and began mimicking his earlier movements on her still-aching arm.

Qin Shen corrected her technique, and the moment he put his hands on her again, her body reacted instinctively. It felt amazing—like every pore on her body was breathing.

No matter how hard she tried to imitate his technique, it was useless—just like when her mom, Shen Baoying, had tried. It didn’t help at all.

The pain didn’t go away. The moment Qin Shen stopped, it started worsening again.

It got to the point where Jiang Si started to wonder if she was addicted to his touch.

But Qin Shen’s expression was steady as a mountain—calm and professional. His controlled, efficient hands made her feel like she was overthinking things. Maybe it was just that her own technique wasn’t quite right yet.

Jiang Si turned her back to him while Qin Shen continued massaging her patiently.

She couldn’t help but sneak a glance at him. He looked so focused, without even a hint of flirtation or intention in his eyes.

Jiang Si truly felt that her mother had made the right call by letting Qin Shen stay. Without him, she didn’t know how she would’ve gotten through the pain this time.

Maybe the energy stone was affecting her again. But she couldn’t remove it from her body, and if she tried, it might collapse the space tied to it.

As her thoughts drifted and drowsiness crept in, Qin Shen rotated his wrist, probably from fatigue after so long.

Jiang Si felt a pang of guilt. She silently promised herself: Once we settle somewhere safe, I’ll give him more food and supplies in return.

Feeling a bit more at ease, Jiang Si asked softly,

“Qin Shen, can this condition of mine be cured completely?”

She had been given a second life—every minute of it was precious. Of course, she wanted to live it peacefully. But if this condition kept worsening, she’d need to plan ahead and make arrangements for her family—just in case.

Qin Shen went silent.

Jiang Si assumed that meant there was no hope. Her heart sank slightly.

But then, unexpectedly, he said,

“It’ll get better over time. Don’t worry.”

It was probably just reassurance, but his rare gentle tone made it oddly comforting.

Jiang Si glanced at him and let a small smile slip out.

“Then I might have to trouble you again in the future.”

“It’s fine.”

His tone was light and cool—like the air after rain.

Jiang Si felt a twinge of disappointment. In that moment, even she didn’t realize—her feelings toward Qin Shen were starting to change.

Feeling that she and Qin Shen were on more familiar terms, she asked curiously,

“Massage is part of traditional Chinese medicine, right? When did you start learning it?”

Qin Shen’s hands suddenly applied just a bit more pressure, making Jiang Si almost roll her eyes in bliss from how good it felt. His vague attitude made it clear he didn’t really want to answer, so she dropped it.

Eventually, Jiang Si fell asleep. Qin Shen quietly watched her for a moment, then gently pulled the blanket over her and left the room.

As the door clicked shut, Jiang Si suddenly opened her eyes.

Recalling his gentle movements from moments ago, her face grew warm. She couldn’t help thinking:

If Qin Shen keeps this up, I might actually fall for him.

She stayed in her room for another two hours before her mom, Shen Baoying, quietly came in.

Seeing Jiang Si awake, she immediately rushed over, worried.

“Sisi, are you feeling better?”

Jiang Si nodded.

“Much better. It doesn’t hurt anymore.”

Shen Baoying let out a breath of relief, but then said guiltily,

“Your dad and I tried for so long, but it didn’t help at all. We had to trouble poor Qin Shen again—he massaged you for over two hours this time.”

Jiang Si’s face froze.

Something felt… off.

Even if they weren’t professionals, basic acupressure shouldn’t be completely ineffective.

But her body only responded to Qin Shen’s touch.

That was way too strange.

Jiang Si narrowed her eyes, feeling like she was overlooking something crucial.

Wait… did he deliberately teach everyone the wrong technique just to get close to me?!

Shen Baoying, seeing her daughter zoning out, grabbed her face and said,

“Muscle strain like this will turn into rheumatoid arthritis when you’re older. You should give him a few patches of medicated plasters to say thank you, okay?”

Jiang Si gave her a long look. She knew exactly what was going on in her mom’s head.

Here she was, suspecting Qin Shen of being shady, and her mom was already trying to play matchmaker.

But maybe… giving him plasters would be a good excuse to test him?

Jiang Si agreed right away,

“Okay.”

Shen Baoying beamed, acting like Qin Shen was already her future son-in-law. She’d been suspicious of him not long ago, and now she seemed ready to ship her daughter off.

Jiang Si grabbed a few plasters and knocked on Qin Shen’s door.

“Are you there?”

No response.

From the top deck of the yacht, she heard the sound of cleaning. She climbed the stairs and found Qin Shen in the rain, scrubbing leaves and debris out of the swimming pool.

The leaves were something Jiang Si had deliberately thrown in to make the yacht look “naturally” found. There weren’t too many—but enough to make it believable.

Now, Qin Shen was soaked from head to toe. His wet shirt clung to his tall, lean frame. His damp hair and rough stubble made him look raw, rugged—like something straight out of a survival drama.

When he looked up at Jiang Si with those deep, dark eyes—wild and intense—she was momentarily stunned.

She stared longer than she meant to.

It was Qin Shen who walked over and calmly said,

“The rain’s too heavy. Go back inside.”

Jiang Si’s chest warmed at his tone. She followed him back inside and quickly fetched a towel for him.

“Were you planning to use the pool to collect rainwater?”

Qin Shen nodded.

“That was the idea.”

Jiang Si said,

“You could’ve told us. We’d help.”

“It doesn’t take many people. The pool’s not that big,” he said casually, then added,
“Did you need something?”

Such a capable, responsible, and calm man… Jiang Si thought to herself: even if he had ulterior motives, as long as they weren’t harmful, it wouldn’t be so bad.

She pulled the plaster patches out of her pocket and said,

“My mom figured your hands must be sore from massaging me so long, so she asked me to bring you these as thanks.”

Qin Shen accepted them.

“Thank you.”

Jiang Si shook her head.

“No, I should be the one thanking you.”

“Mm.”

Qin Shen looked at her for a moment, as if waiting for her to leave so he could go change out of his wet clothes. He showed no emotion—so calm that Jiang Si felt like all her earlier thoughts had been embarrassingly one-sided.

Back in her room, Jiang Si let out a long sigh.

No more overthinking. That was way too awkward.