Just as his mind was in turmoil, a soft body pressed gently against his back, and a delicate voice whispered in his ear.
"Sir, is this your first time in a hot spring?"
Ethan wanted to blurt out, First time? This is my first time for everything... But instead of speaking his mind, he simply nodded with a quiet "Mhm."
"Open your eyes, I'm dressed," the woman said, her voice trembling slightly as if she was holding back laughter.
"Uh..." Ethan opened his eyes and turned around, his face flushing immediately. In front of him stood a stunning woman clad in a creamy white, form-fitting outfit that resembled a bikini but was far more modest. It hugged her curves in all the right places, accentuating her graceful figure. Especially eye-catching were her proud, towering chest, with a small glass name tag pinned to her right side that simply read, "Number Nine."
"You're... Number Nine?" Ethan asked, a bit dumbfounded.
"Yes, all the staff here at the sauna use numbers. Would you like to try the Turkish fish spa next door? I can give you a massage." She smiled professionally. "Your friend has already booked five hours of service. I can offer you the full experience."
Ethan gave a half-hearted "Oh" and walked to the edge of the pool, grabbing his white towel. Behind him, he heard splashing water. When he turned his head, he was startled to see that Number Nine had followed him closely. This service really is comprehensive, he thought with an awkward smile.
Raising the towel in his hand, Ethan said, "Could you, um, turn around for a second? Thanks." Number Nine seemed a bit surprised but then chuckled softly and turned around, guessing the source of Ethan's embarrassment.
Ethan draped the towel over his shoulder and quickly hopped into the pool. Wrapping the towel tightly around his waist, he even tied a secure knot, paranoid that it might slip off and expose him. Only after making sure everything was in place did he call out, "All set."
Number Nine turned back toward him, and when her eyes landed on Ethan's well-toned upper body, she couldn't help but blink in surprise.
His tanned skin, broad shoulders, and the natural definition of his arm muscles, especially his sculpted chest and perfectly aligned abs, radiated masculine strength and beauty. This physical form could easily stir a primal attraction in any woman. The harmony of such a powerful physique on a slightly youthful face created a unique contrast. Even Number Nine, who had seen all kinds of men, was momentarily entranced. When her eyes caught the prominent bulge in the center of his towel, her face flushed a delicate pink.
Ethan noticed her gaze and quickly turned away, mentally chanting, Come on, just calm down... This is not the time for this...
But his mind trick didn't seem to work; in fact, it made things worse. Feeling increasingly flustered, he wished he could disappear into the ground. Just when he was at a complete loss, Number Nine's voice came from behind, accompanied by the faint sound of plastic rustling.
"Sir, here's a pair of complimentary swim trunks from the center. Try them on."
"Swim trunks?" Ethan whipped around, and little Ethan stood at attention, practically saluting. He hurriedly grabbed the plastic bag, tore it open, and inside was a pair of red-and-white striped shorts. Ethan was overwhelmed with gratitude; these came just in time!
Number Nine, tactfully, turned her back again. Ethan quickly slipped into the swim trunks but still chose to keep the towel wrapped around him—because little Ethan was still not cooperating.
Led by Number Nine, Ethan entered the adjacent room. It was a pool with clearer water, unlike the hot springs from before. There wasn't any steam rising, but tiny fish swam about in the water, darting around.
"Do we bathe here?" Ethan was puzzled by the Turkish fish spa concept. Are we supposed to catch live fish for fun or something?
"Of course. These little doctor fish can nibble away at the dead skin and dirt on your body, offering a natural massage and beautifying effect. Try it, it's quite relaxing," Number Nine said softly.
"Well, I've always heard about fish biting people. Time to try what it feels like being bitten by fish." Ethan untied his towel and stepped into the pool. He was surprised to find that the water was warm. He marveled at the thought—I've heard of boiling frogs, but I didn't know fish could survive in hot water!
Number Nine approached him and began massaging his exposed shoulders. Since Ethan's muscles were quite firm, she applied a bit more pressure with her fingers. The intensity of the massage was something Ethan had never experienced, and he loudly praised it, saying he'd definitely come back for more in the future.
The little fish in the pool weren't shy. As soon as Ethan settled into the water, they swarmed over to nibble on his submerged skin, their tiny mouths pecking at him with a gentle force. The sensation was ticklish, an unusual but not unpleasant experience.
"The luxuries of the wealthy really are different... I should bring my sister-in-law here next time," Ethan muttered, feeling a wave of nostalgia as he thought about his journey from having nothing to now possessing millions. It all felt like a dream.
Behind him, Number Nine giggled. "Aren't you one of the wealthy yourself?"
Ethan shook his head. "No, I'm just a broke high school senior, so poor I can't even pay my rent."
Number Nine pressed her fingers a bit harder and teased, "A broke student who spends thousands on saunas, huh? Don't worry, I'm not asking you to lend me money."
Ethan knew she wouldn't believe him, so he didn't bother explaining. He closed his eyes, enjoying both the massage and the nibbling fish. Too many strange things had happened to him recently—things that an average person couldn't comprehend. Fate was a mysterious force, after all.
"I'm actually a student too, at River City University. Maybe one day I'll be your senior!" Number Nine said, starting to warm up to this shy young man.
"Really? By this time next year, I'll be a River City University student too," Ethan replied, flashing her a confident, sunny smile. Number Nine's fingers hesitated for a moment, caught off guard by his charm.
"Ha, rich kids can just throw a few million at it and get in. Not like us, burning the midnight oil, practically staying up 24 hours to study."
She was convinced that Ethan was just another rich kid, probably breezing through university with girls, grades, and parties.
Ethan didn't argue and instead shifted the conversation. "What's your real name? Next time I come back, I'll ask for you."
Number Nine smiled sweetly. "Harper. But even if you ask for my name, it's easier if you just call me Number Nine."
"Harper? Like the harp?" Ethan chuckled, bantering with his future senior.
"Haha, you're the harp! You're not secretly named Faik, are you?" Harper teased, her usual formal tone replaced by playful mockery.
"Why Faik?" Ethan asked, puzzled.
"Fake poor kid, obviously," Harper said, wrinkling her nose in a playful gesture.
"Haha! My name's Ethan, but everyone calls me Ean." Ethan laughed heartily, nearly adding Seventeen, single, and ready to mingle. To his surprise, Harper grinned and said, "Let me guess, you're also single?"
Ethan burst into a loud laugh, "Sure am. What, Senior, you wanna give it a try?"
They exchanged amused glances, the air around them filled with light-hearted joy.