Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 240 Massage

Lin Xue gestured for Wu Zhiyuan to sit down in a chair.

She herself sat on the bed, smiling.

The neckline of the silk robe was slightly open, revealing her beautifully shaped collarbone and a patch of fair skin.

The soft fabric of the robe clung to her curvaceous figure, her breasts were full, and although her waist was not as slender as a young girl's, it had a rounded curve. Her hips and buttocks were outlined under the robe, showing the voluptuous and charming curves of a mature woman.

Normally, Lam Suet is stern and has a murderous expression; she is the "Black Widow" who strikes fear into the hearts of corrupt officials.

She almost never smiled, not even in front of her superiors.

Some people privately say that Lin Xue doesn't have ordinary human emotions.

Or perhaps, they were hurt so deeply that they can no longer smile.

Only Wu Zhiyuan knew that Lin Xue could also laugh.

Moreover, she does not wear black in private.

However, how many people can truly delve into Lin Xue's private life?

Wu Zhiyuan's ability to have private contact with Lin Xue, and Lin Xue's high regard for him, was not solely due to his handsome and masculine appearance.

There are plenty of handsome and masculine men out there, he's not the only one.

The main reason is that Wu Zhiyuan looks very much like her first boyfriend.

Normally, Lin Xue either ties her hair up or puts it in a bun.

But tonight, with her hair loose, she lacked the seriousness of the "Black Widow" and temporarily toned down the intimidating aura she exuded in officialdom, displaying more of the gentleness of a mature woman.

"Zhiyuan, have you booked a room?" Lin Xue asked softly.

"Lang Wenping asked me to go to his place. He was an exchange cadre, and the county arranged temporary housing for him."

His wife and children are in Longcheng and Qingshan; he's no different from a bachelor.

"Oh." Lin Xue paused, then asked, "Did he say when we'd be going to his place?"

I said I'd go later.

"How is Reporter Ye doing?"

"Her thoughts were fluctuating a lot, and she became somewhat self-destructive. I have been trying to persuade her to change her mindset."

After all that talk, it did have some effect. She's going to Xindian Town tomorrow morning to see Qingshan Gorge and try to figure things out from a reporter's perspective.

Work is a great healing medicine, or rather, an anesthetic.

"She's suffered a huge blow this time. Betrayal by her lover is hard for anyone. You need to comfort her." Lin Xue then changed the subject, "Zhiyuan, you and she weren't just ordinary friends before, were you?"

Wu Zhiyuan chuckled awkwardly: "She was my college classmate, a prominent figure on campus, and the dream girl of many men."

Lin Xue laughed: "Including you?"

Wu Zhiyuan smiled, neither admitting nor denying.

"And then?"

"Perhaps it wasn't meant to be, and she married someone else."

"Is she divorced now?"

"Yes, they got divorced. She divorced him the day after she discovered her husband's infidelity."

Xiaoman said her husband is a scumbag; not only did he not apologize, but he also thought she was making a mountain out of a molehill and was narrow-minded.

"Zhiyuan, so you two are now both free."

We had similar experiences, were old acquaintances, and had even had some past feelings for each other.

She met you when she was at her most vulnerable, and you saved her and comforted her. That's quite an interesting coincidence.

Zhiyuan, you're not young anymore, you need to take care of your personal life.

"Reporter Ye is a nice person, talented, and good-looking. She's also single now. Have you considered taking things further?"

Lin Xue's words sounded on the surface like a leader's concern and matchmaking, which seemed reasonable.

But he knew that Lin Xue was not an ordinary female leader; she had a special relationship with him that went beyond that of a typical superior and subordinate.

This statement is less of a matchmaking attempt and more of a test.

He smiled and said, "Secretary Lin, please don't joke with me."

Xiaoman has just gone through a divorce and is still emotionally depressed. If I were to have any ideas at this time, wouldn't that be taking advantage of her?

Besides, my feelings for her now are more of a concern from an old friend; I hope she can get over it quickly.

"Zhiyuan, let's just call me Sister Lin in private, like before."

"Okay, Sister Lin," Wu Zhiyuan said boldly. "You're always so busy all by yourself. Sometimes, you should have someone by your side to take care of you and talk to you."

"Me?" Lin Xue shook her head gently, her tone resolute and without the slightest hesitation, "I have no plans to get married again in this lifetime."

Wu Zhiyuan was taken aback, not expecting Lin Xue to be so direct and thorough.

Lin Xue seemed to have seen through Wu Zhiyuan's thoughts.

Why do women have to get married? To find someone to rely on? I am my own reliance.

For companionship? Work, books, music, or even solitude itself can sometimes be more comfortable than a bad partner.

For the sake of continuing the family line? I have absolutely no interest in whether my genes will be passed down.

She paused, then continued, "I was married before, following the path everyone thought was right. But what did I get in return?"

Sometimes, the piece of paper that signifies marriage isn't a guarantee, but rather a shackle. It drags two people who perhaps shouldn't have been bound together into a deeper quagmire, wearing away the last shred of dignity and affection.

"However," Lin Xue changed the subject, "my not getting married doesn't mean I'm against other people getting married."

On the contrary, for two people who truly love each other, know how to nurture their relationship, and can support each other, marriage is a good thing, even a great blessing in life.

She frowned, as if talking to herself: "What kind of marriage do I hope for? It's one where there's a light on for you when you come home late at night."

It means knowing that when you encounter difficulties, there is an unwavering embrace behind you.

She is the first person you want to share your joy when you see spring flowers and autumn moon, and all the beauty in the world.

It is about two people creating a happy life together; it is about responsibility, companionship, and, more importantly, the deepest level of understanding and acceptance.

If I were to get together with my first love, I believe it would be the wonderful married life I've always imagined…

Lin Xue seemed to be lost in memories of the past and her deceased boyfriend.

Wu Zhiyuan listened quietly to Lin Xue's story without interrupting her.

He knew in his heart that Lin Xue had been holding back some things for too long and rarely had the opportunity to say them.

He understood even more clearly that even if Lin Xue and her first love really did get married, it might not be as perfect as she wished.

In this world, there are no eternal and unchanging promises in relationships.

Just like the passionate vows made by newlyweds when exchanging rings in the wedding hall, every word comes from the bottom of their hearts.

But when the day comes that they part ways, how many people can still remember those vows they made to each other?

"Zhiyuan, I can't sleep tonight, I just wanted to talk to you. By the way, these past two years, I've still been reminiscing about the massages you used to give me. Are you tired today?"

"I'm not tired. Giving Sister Lin a massage is a very enjoyable experience, as long as she doesn't mind my technique. Where does it hurt?"

My neck, shoulders, and back are all very stiff. I walked a lot today.

As Lin Xue spoke, she naturally turned around, sat on the edge of the bed with her back to Wu Zhiyuan, lowered her head slightly, revealing her slender neck and rounded shoulder line.

The neckline of the silk robe opened wider because of this posture.

Wu Zhiyuan pressed his thumb precisely on the Fengchi acupoint and began to slowly and forcefully massage it.

He changed his techniques, sometimes pressing deeply with his thumb, sometimes pushing and kneading with the heel of his palm, and sometimes scraping with his knuckles.

Lin Xue closed her eyes, feeling like a piece of ice being slowly warmed up.

Since she came of age, Wu Zhiyuan has been the third man to be close to her, besides her first love and ex-husband.