Zhao Churan's boldness, coupled with her stunning figure, definitely earned Long Chen's "appreciation," but it was strictly limited to that.
"I'm already married, if I weren't, I might actually make a mistake," Long Chen said with a smile.
"You're married?"
Zhao Churan tried to turn over in shock but pulled at her neck, wincing in pain.
Yet, her moan sounded somewhat off.
Long Chen took a deep breath and then said, "Stay put, I'll start treating you now."
"Okay." Zhao Churan settled back down and mumbled, "I thought I had met my Prince Charming, turns out he's someone else's prince."
"Your prince will show up sooner or later."
Long Chen extended his hand and began treating Zhao Churan.
Even if her cervical spine condition was severe, in Long Chen's hands, it was nothing serious; it did not even require using the advanced medical techniques from the legacy of the Medical Immortal.
His hands moved over Zhao Churan's back, the mysterious energy within his body enhancing his palms and fingers, as he precisely injected it into some key acupoints.
Zhao Churan squinted her eyes, feeling a comfort she had never experienced before.
This comfort was so wonderfully mysterious that it was indescribable.
Ten minutes later, when Long Chen's hands left her back, she felt reluctant to let go.
"Is it over?"
Zhao Churan asked.
"Yeah, it's over. Assuming there are no surprises, your neck problem shouldn't bother you again. However, you should rest more and not spend all day in front of the computer. Make sure to move around properly,"
Long Chen reminded.
"Got it." Zhao Churan sat up, stretched lazily, and truly didn't feel any pain anymore.
She was somewhat astonished; Long Chen's technique was amazing.
"Long Chen, let's negotiate."
Zhao Churan stared at Long Chen.
"What?" asked Long Chen.
"From now on, you come give me a massage once a week, about four times a month, and then I'll pay you forty thousand a month. How about that?"
Zhao Churan looked at him with hopeful eyes.
On closer inspection, she noticed that Long Chen was quite handsome, and he was the type that seemed to get better looking the more she looked at him; waves of ripples began to stir in her heart.
Long Chen, however, rejected the offer without even thinking because Zhao Churan's home was too close to the Li Family's. If he visited too often and was seen, even jumping into the Yellow River wouldn't wash him clean.
"Why won't you agree? Is it too little money? If so, just tell me your expected price,"
Zhao Churan wasn't willing to give up.
"It's not about the money; it's just not appropriate. Plus, your neck problem is already fixed; there's no need for more massages," Long Chen explained.
Hearing this, Zhao Churan bit her lip lightly, "But I really like the way you do it, it's so comfortable that I just want you to massage me."
"There's no need to discuss this further; I have to go."
Long Chen stood up, planning to leave.
"Don't be in such a rush to leave; I haven't given you your consultation fee yet."
"That was just a joke; forget the consultation fee," Long Chen said with a smile.
"But you can't go; you've cured my illness, and I need to thank you properly. Look, I've just bought some groceries. Sit for a while, and I'll cook you a meal as a token of my gratitude."
Zhao Churan watched Long Chen eagerly, fearing he would insist on leaving.
Long Chen thought for a moment and then agreed to stay.
Because at that time, Li Yuechan was probably still signing contracts at the Wang Family's place, and there wasn't much point in going back to that home that wasn't his.
"Hehe, then wait a moment; I'll go cook."
Zhao Churan hurriedly put on her shoes and, while getting up, twisted her foot slightly, causing her to lose her balance and fall into Long Chen's arms.
Long Chen instinctively caught Zhao Churan, his arms filled with her fragrance.
Their eyes met, and the temperature between them seemed to rise sharply.
Zhao Churan, looking at Long Chen's handsome face, felt her heartbeat quicken uncontrollably, her cheeks blooming with blushes of red.
"Are you okay?"
Long Chen straightened Zhao Churan up.
"It's okay, I declare it wasn't on purpose, you... you just wait, I'll go cook."
Zhao Churan ran into the kitchen.
Watching Zhao Churan's somewhat disheveled retreat, Long Chen smiled slightly. This girl was rather cute.
Before long, Long Chen was eating the meal Zhao Churan had carefully prepared. It tasted quite good.
Zhao Churan sat beside Long Chen, constantly serving him food and chatting.
The two of them talked a lot and got to know a little about each other, though only superficially, of course.
"So you're the female CEO of Chenxing Culture Company. I've heard of it, no, to be accurate, I've read books on your platform," Long Chen said with a smile.
"No way, you read web novels too? You must be kidding to make me happy, right?"
Zhao Churan was skeptical.
"I really have read them," Long Chen said. "I used to read when I was bored. I even topped up with a lot of Book Coins. Now that I've met you, the big CEO, should I consider letting me read for free for a hundred years?"
"Hehe, a thousand years is fine. If you don't mind, I can even be yours."
Zhao Churan started to be frivolous again.
Most men would definitely find it hard to resist Zhao Churan's charm.
She possessed the intellectual beauty of a mature woman, as well as the youthful vitality of a young girl—a perfect, albeit contradictory, blend.
"I wouldn't dare to find a woman outside, I'd be kicked out of the house," Long Chen chuckled.
"No way, a live-in son-in-law?"
"Indeed, a live-in son-in-law."
"Then you must really love your wife," Zhao Churan said.
"Perhaps."
Long Chen himself wasn't sure whether it was love he felt for Li Yuechan, but he was certain he liked her very much.
Zhao Churan carefully pondered Long Chen's words, and within the brief exchanges, the clever girl sensed something.
"If you ever have anything troubling you or feel bored, you can always come to me. I have a strong hunch that we can become close friends with whom we can talk about anything."
Zhao Churan's smile was radiant, nearly as if a fairy had descended to earth.
"The honor is mine; I should be going now. Rest well and call me if anything comes up,"
Long Chen said with a smile.
"Sure, go ahead, and remember to add me on WeChat. My phone number is also my WeChat ID."
"What a coincidence, mine is the same."
Long Chen waved and walked out the front door.
"I'll add you, and if you dare to reject it, I'm going to bombard you with calls,"
Zhao Churan called out loudly from behind.
...
After leaving Zhao Churan's house, Long Chen made a detour and returned to the Li Family's home.
Upon entering the house, Long Chen saw Li Yuexin, who had returned in a defeated state.
As soon as Li Yuexin saw Long Chen, she sprang up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on and began to curse, "Long Chen, you waste of space, did you sabotage me so that the Wang Family would refuse to sign with me and instead specifically request my sister?"
Long Chen shrugged and said indifferently, "You've called me a waste; what divine skills would a waste have?"
"Don't get smug, remember this: I will not let you off."
Li Yuexin gritted her teeth.
"It's fine if you target me, but if you dare to harm your sister, you'll have to face the consequences," Long Chen warned seriously.
"Long Chen, what are you talking about?" Han Min couldn't help frowning and said, "Don't think you can do whatever you want just because you secured a project. You're just opportunistic. People need to know their place; one project doesn't mean anything."
"Oh, from mom's perspective, does that mean this project is of little value to the Li Family? Should I call Wang Wanli and cancel the contract?"
Long Chen said, unfazed and calm.
"No, no, no," Li Shiqi hurriedly spoke up. "Don't listen to your mom's nonsense. Securing this project is definitely a commendable achievement, and its merit cannot be denied."
"Li Shiqi, don't forget, if he hadn't conveniently saved Wang Wanli, what credentials would he have to secure this project? He's just..."
"Shut your mouth! If you can't speak properly, don't speak at all. Go back to your room," Li Shiqi cut off Han Min's words.