Chapter 16: Sorry… My Chopsticks Fell
"Haha, Sister Xiao Tao, your room smells wonderful~" Ye Chen chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.
He gently placed Ma Xiaotao onto her soft bed and pulled the blanket over her shoulders with care.
Then, he carefully lifted her long, shapely legs onto the mattress.
His fingers moved deftly as he untied her boots and slipped them off one by one.
"Nn…"
Ma Xiaotao instinctively curled her toes, shrinking slightly and burying her face under the covers, clearly embarrassed.
After walking all day in those boots, her feet must've felt a little stuffy.
But Ye Chen didn't mind at all.
She had no odor—after all, soul power purified the body—it was only a faint mixture of warmth, leather, and a trace of her own scent…
A delicate, enticing fragrance.
Before he realized it, he had the sudden urge to lean closer.
But imagining being kicked straight into the infirmary, he held back the impulse.
She wore short, soft cotton socks.
Ye Chen instinctively slid them off too, revealing a pair of jade-white, tender feet.
Despite Ma Xiaotao's tall, powerful frame, her feet were surprisingly small. Warm and smooth, perfectly shaped, slightly squishy to the touch—it felt… dangerously good.
"Such a shame they're not silk stockings…" he thought regretfully.
Black for elegance, white for purity, nude for refinement—all would have suited her perfectly.
But soul masters couldn't really wear regular stockings; ordinary fabric couldn't withstand the pressure of their energy—it would be destroyed instantly.
Even socks or clothing had to be made from specially woven materials to last.
Still, as these thoughts ran through his mind, Ye Chen absentmindedly lifted her foot into his hands, playing with it delicately.
"Nn… Junior Brother, I'm trying to sleep. Go out now…"
Ma Xiaotao's voice trembled as she lightly kicked him, quickly retracting her foot under the blanket.
"Ah, s-sorry, Sister Xiao Tao. Rest well, I'll head out." Ye Chen scratched his nose and left, closing the door softly behind him.
…
Inside the room.
Ma Xiaotao waited until he was gone before popping out from under the blanket, her face flushed red.
She rolled around her bed furiously.
"Ahhhh, that guy! Unbelievable! How could he touch a woman's feet—and for that long too!"
Her cheeks burned like fire, made worse by the wine still lingering in her system.
But as she calmed down, a mischievous glint flashed in her eyes.
So… he had a thing for feet, huh?
"Hehe, this little brat… I'll test that next time," she whispered, feeling oddly pleased.
It was like she had discovered Ye Chen's secret.
If she used that against him—forced him into "repaying" her somehow…
Kyahaha~
Her imagination spiraled into ridiculous thoughts, but before long, she drifted into deep sleep.
…
Meanwhile, Ye Chen was in the bathroom.
He swallowed another large piece of the whale glue he'd been using.
Being ten-thousand-year-grade and freshly refined by the system, it was immensely potent.
Each dose strengthened his body and spirit—but diminishing returns meant he could only absorb so much.
By the end of the entire 20-jin portion, his physique alone would be terrifying.
…
The next morning.
Ye Chen woke up early, stretching lazily.
Ever since gaining his system, he'd stopped bothering with manual cultivation.
Why would anyone grind experience when they had a cheat code?
Training was for suckers. Enjoying life was the true path.
And right now, he could hear the sound of breakfast being prepared outside—by none other than Ma Xiaotao.
A caring, beautiful senior sister cooking for him?
Who could focus on cultivation under such conditions?
When he looked down… well, the lingering effects of last night's meal and the medicine were still active.
He sneaked his way to the bathroom.
But as he passed by the kitchen and glanced sideways, he froze.
Today, Ma Xiaotao wore the same nightgown and apron as yesterday—
but on her legs… she wore sheer white silk stockings.
"Wha—what the hell? Don't tell me she can read minds! How does she know I like that?!"
He couldn't help but stare, dumbfounded, then quickly ducked into the bathroom.
…
Ma Xiaotao, still cooking, caught his stunned look from the corner of her eye.
Her lips curved mischievously.
"As I thought… little pervert does like it," she mused silently.
She had worn them intentionally, just to confirm her suspicion.
And the way he froze solid? Proof enough.
…
A few minutes later, Ye Chen came out from the washroom.
Breakfast was ready.
"Xiao Chen, eat up before you're late for class~" Ma Xiaotao said sweetly, brushing her skirt aside as she sat elegantly before him.
"Ah, thank you, Sister Xiao Tao~ I'll dig in then!" Ye Chen licked his lips eagerly.
The food smelled wonderful. He wasted no time getting started.
"Mhm~"
Ma Xiaotao leaned on her elbow, chin resting on her hand, smiling as she watched him—a tender, playful look in her eyes.
Everything he did was unintentionally seductive to her. Even his innocent eating somehow made her heart race.
Still, the boy was far too polite.
Such a perfect opportunity last night—and he'd retreated like a scared kitten.
Sure, she had told him to leave, but still!
If he'd just been a bit more assertive, she wouldn't have refused…
"What an adorable fool," she thought fondly.
Then—
Clink!
A metallic sound snapped her from her thoughts.
"Oh—sorry, my fork fell…" Ye Chen scratched the back of his head and bent down to pick it up.
Ma Xiaotao glanced down just in time to realize it had landed right beside her foot.
Ye Chen reached for it—
On impulse, she pressed her toe firmly down on the fork.
"Uh…"
Ye Chen froze. Those smooth white-silk-covered toes were right in front of his face.
He didn't dare move an inch.
"What's wrong? Can't find it?" Ma Xiaotao said lightly, pretending nothing was amiss.
"If it's too much trouble, just grab another one."
"S-sister Xiao Tao… um… could you lift your foot, please? You're… stepping on it."
"Oh? Really?" she tilted her head, acting confused, and lifted her other foot slightly.
Still not the one pressing the fork.
Ye Chen sighed inwardly—there was no mistaking it. She was definitely doing this on purpose.
Left with no choice, Ye Chen reached out and gently grasped her ankle, lifting it enough to retrieve the utensil.
Whether the fork or the moment was more dangerous… was hard to say.
(END CHAPTER)
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