By the time Lu Chen, limping slightly, arrived at school, it was already past 10 a.m. He checked the office, but as expected, there was no sign of Liu Jie.
Determined, Lu Chen headed to Liu Jie's residence on campus. However, every step reminded him of the pain caused by Xue Luan's brutal stomp earlier. Gritting his teeth, he cursed Xue Luan under his breath with every painful step.
As he made his way, several classmates who recognized him greeted him. Lu Chen forced a smile and responded to each one, enduring the journey as if it were a grueling Long March of 25,000 miles. At long last, he found himself standing in front of Liu Jie's apartment door.
He rang the doorbell and waited for a while. Finally, he heard the click of the door being unlocked. The door opened to reveal an elegant face, fresh and pure. Liu Jie stood there, her damp hair clinging to her delicate features, with glistening droplets of water on her smooth shoulders. Her snow-white bath towel barely covered her enchanting figure. A glimpse of her slender white leg was visible, her exquisite feet resting on the soft carpet. The faint fragrance of her freshly bathed body wafted toward him.
Lu Chen stood dazed, staring at Liu Jie, who had just stepped out of the shower. Almost instinctively, he murmured, "As the lotus emerges from clear waters, naturally beautiful without embellishment."
Liu Jie's eyes flickered with a trace of delight, but she quickly composed herself. Her expression turned stern as she parted her red lips, "Don't think that flattery will get you out of trouble. Explain yourself—why did you stand me up today?"
Lu Chen quickly responded, "Jie, please listen to me, I have a reason!"
Liu Jie was slightly pleased that Lu Chen addressed her by her name, but she still rebuked him, "I'm your mentor. Show some respect!"
Noticing that she wasn't genuinely angry, Lu Chen smiled and said, "Jie, surely you're not planning to have this conversation with me at the door, are you? Imagine the rumors that would start if someone saw us like this."
Hearing this, Liu Jie stepped aside, allowing him space to enter. She said coolly, "Well, are you coming in or not?"
Lu Chen chuckled and walked in, but as he passed Liu Jie, his arm brushed lightly against her chest, which was still wrapped in the bath towel. Liu Jie hadn't expected Lu Chen to be so bold and couldn't help but blush. She glared at him, "Sit here. I'll go change."
Lu Chen sat on the sofa and watched as Liu Jie's graceful figure disappeared into her bedroom. Though the door to her bedroom wasn't fully closed, he had no intention of peeking. He simply sat quietly, feeling a sense of calm wash over him.
The soft sounds of Liu Jie changing clothes drifted out, a temptation that would have been overwhelming for most, yet Lu Chen remained still, his mind serene.
After a short while, Liu Jie emerged, now dressed in casual home attire. She wore a white turtleneck sweater that clung to her curves, her chest's gentle rise and fall contrasted sharply with her slim waist. Tight jeans hugged her long legs, and her round hips accentuated the outfit. Her black high heels, adorned with sapphires, completed the ensemble. With her silky black hair cascading over her shoulders, she looked every bit the ethereal beauty who had just descended to the mortal world.
Lu Chen stared at Liu Jie in a daze. Although Xue Luan was equally beautiful, he had never been so captivated by her. The saying goes, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder," and in Lu Chen's eyes, Liu Jie was more radiant than even Four Beauties themsleves. How could he not be enchanted?
Seeing Lu Chen's dumbfounded expression, a flash of joy crossed Liu Jie's eyes. She felt that her careful selection of attire had not been in vain. However, remembering how he had left her waiting all morning, she sat beside him and stomped on his foot with her high heel.
"Ow!" Lu Chen yelped, leaping off the sofa, pain etched across his face. His reaction startled Liu Jie—she hadn't stomped that hard. Could he be faking it? But the cold sweat on his face wasn't something that could be faked.
Feeling a pang of guilt, she quickly pulled him back to the sofa, removed his slipper, and gently placed his foot on her slender legs. Even through her clothes, she could feel the heat radiating from his foot.
Liu Jie's face flushed, but she continued, blushing, "How did this happen, Chen? I didn't mean to hurt you, really."
Lu Chen looked at her, kneeling before him, her delicate hands tenderly massaging his bruised foot. A warm, peaceful feeling spread through him, and the pain in his foot seemed to diminish.
Seeing the concern and remorse in Liu Jie's eyes, Lu Chen reassured her, "Jie, this isn't your fault. I got injured before I came here."
Liu Jie didn't believe him, thinking he was trying to comfort her. She felt deeply touched, and her eyes brimmed with emotion. Her gentle hands continued to stroke his foot as she trembled slightly, "Lu Chen, wait here. I'll get some medicine to help with the bruising."
Watching Liu Jie rush off to fetch medicine, a strange feeling arose in Lu Chen's heart—a feeling of being at home.
Lost in thought, Lu Chen didn't notice that Liu Jie had already returned with some medicinal cotton and bruise ointment. She knelt before him again, saying, "It's a good thing I still have some medicine here. Otherwise, we'd have to go to the school clinic."
As she spoke, Liu Jie placed Lu Chen's foot back on her legs and began to apply the ointment with practiced ease, her movements natural and unpretentious.
Watching Liu Jie carefully tend to his injury, Lu Chen couldn't help but think of her as a goddess.
Noticing his gaze, Liu Jie looked up with a gentle smile, "What are you staring at?"
Lu Chen blushed slightly, "N-nothing. I was just thinking... if the teachers and students at school saw their goddess massaging the foot of a fool like me, I wonder if they'd all come after me."
A faint blush colored Liu Jie's cheeks, but she forced herself to remain calm, "I'll do what I want for whom I want. Do I need anyone's approval?"
A few strands of hair fell over her face, slightly obstructing her view. With a smooth motion, Liu Jie tucked her hair behind her ear, exuding a subtle femininity that captivated Lu Chen even more.