Ni Jingqiu looked at Su Tao with her eyes flashing. Whenever Su Tao mentioned TCM, he would give off a charm.

It was said that men were charming when they were focused. Su Tao had sincere feelings for TCM. He was glowing when he talked about TCM, which was lethal to women of Ni Jingqiu’s age.

Even Su Tao didn’t realize that his dedication to TCM had reached this state.

Everything went in a flow. He initially wanted to protect the Three Flavour Hall, but he met Di Shiyuan, Tang Nanzheng. And after that, he met Song Sichen and Dou Fanggang. He now carried a heavy burden, holding everyone’s expectations.

Although his life was his own, he had to stand up and become the flag bearer of TCM. He was now responsible for many people.

“I will discuss this with my dad. He’s very interested in the future of TCM because of you. Since you’re an expert in this field and think that there’s a future in TCM’s education, I believe he will think about it carefully.” Ni Jingqiu smiled, easing the atmosphere.

Su Tao nodded his head, “Believe me.”

Ni Jingqiu started to brew tea with Su Tao by the side. He was admiring how she made tea. After the water boiled, Ni Jingqiu suddenly exclaimed, which Su Tao asked, “Are you scotched?”

Ni Jingqiu subconsciously covered the back of her hand. She was burned by the steam when the water started boiling. Taking Ni Jingqiu’s hand, Su Tao looked at it and replied, “Not a big problem. I’ll give you some ointment for it. It will be fine tomorrow.” Su Tao then took out a medicine bottle and started spreading it evenly on the back of Ni Jingqiu’s hand.

Ni Jingqiu sighed and replied, “It’s really unlucky of me to get scalded making tea.”

Shaking his head, Su Tao smiled, “This is life. If you don’t focus enough, you will encounter problems.”

Ni Jingqiu’s heart tightened up and wondered if Su Tao noticed that she was distracted. Ni Jingqiu smiled bitterly, “I’m feeling so much pain and you’re still gloating.”

With a smile, Su Tao continued to apply medicine for Ni Jingqiu and asked, “Does it feel better?”

“Sure enough, you do have some skills. It feels so much better now.” Ni Jingqiu smiled, feeling the chilling sensation on the back of her hand.

Seeing that Ni Jingqiu was going to carry on making tea, Su Tao got up on his feet and smiled, “Let me do it for you.”

Su Tao was skillful at making tea. Not only did he have a sense of rhythm, but there was also a carefree atmosphere around him. Staring at Su Tao’s back for a long time, Ni Jingqiu couldn’t help asking out, “Where did you come from?”

“I’m from Hanzhou City!” Su Tao knew that Ni Jingqiu wanted to ask.

“Don’t bullshit. I’m asking about your life before Hanzhou City.” Ni Jingqiu glanced at Su Tao. When she saw that he was no longer angry, she continued to ask, “Your life before Hanzhou City is all blank. It’s just like you come out of nowhere. I’m not the only one but other people are also curious about your past.”

“Do you read those novels on the internet?” Su Tao smiled.

“What novels?” Ni Jingqiu asked.

“How those protagonists came out from deep in the mountains with a powerful master. The master taught his apprentices martial arts. Since the protagonists went down the mountain, he began protecting the beautiful chairman or school Bella.” Su Tao concluded.

“That’s too unbelievable. Is it so easy to find a master deep in the mountains?” Ni Jingqiu smiled, shaking her head.

Seeing that it wasn’t easy to trick Ni Jingqiu, Su Tao smiled, “My past is actually a blank piece of paper. I spent most of my tie studying medicine because I did not participate in exam-orientated education like others. My father set up something like a private school with several like-minded people. So he begins teaching them according to their aptitude. Because I was good at TCM, he forced it onto me at a young age.”

“Then your father must be an extraordinary person.” Ni Jingqiu smiled.

“No. He’s in fact, a selfish person.” Su Tao smiled bitterly. He had no good comments about his father.

His enthusiasm for TCM was actually inherited by his father, who wanted to build an institution independent from the world. Everyone only saw how good Su Tao was with TCM, but in reality, he was only his father’s experiment.

When Ni Jingqiu heard the deep resentments Su Tao had for his father, she did not continue on the topic and smiled, “The tea is ready. Pour me a cup and see if the tea made by a genius physician is different.”

Taking a sip, her eyes bounced wide open, “Sure enough, you didn’t disappoint me. It’s sweet and full of tea fragrance.”

Su Tao smiled and recovered from his previous emotions. “Tea is a very peculiar drink. With different processes and temperature, it can create a different taste.”

He took a sip after he finished speaking. When the tea fragrance overflowed, he commented, “It feels fulfilling having some tea after alcohol.”

Twisting her neck, Ni Jingqiu smiled, “It feels a little sour. Why don’t you massage for me?”

“What’s with that all of a sudden?” Su Tao was surprised by her sudden request.

“Because I don’t think you have the guts to do something else.” Ni Jingqiu smiled and placed her phone on the table. “I have everything audio recorded. If you dare to do anything to me, I’ll send it to Rushan.”

“Aren’t you a little too mean?” Su Tao snapped. “If you keep threatening me, be careful that I flip the table.”

“Go ahead then.” Ni Jingqiu stared at Su Tao with a triumphant smile on her face.

Su Tao was speechless. He stood up and headed to the door.

“Admitting defeat so easily?” Ni Jingqiu laughed.

“What else? Continue to stay here without knowing embarrassment?” Su Tao squinted at Ni Jingqiu.

“I was just teasing you. My neck feels really sore. Can you give me a massage?” Ni Jingqiu persuaded, stretching out her hands. I’ll pay you for it.”

“Pay me first then!” Su Tao replied.

Ni Jingqiu never expected that Su Tao would be so childish and replied, “Alright then. I’ll transfer the money to you.”

When Su Tao heard his phone ringing, he took a look at it. Ni Jingqiu had really transferred him the money. He then walked over to Ni Jingqiu unhappily and started his massage.

“Ouch! Why is it so painful!” Ni Jingqiu exclaimed out and knitted her brows, “Are you taking revenge on me on purpose?”

“If it hurts, that means that there’s a problem with your body.” Su Tao smiled sourly. “Furthermore, I have already controlled my strength. I never expected that you’re so sensitive.”

“Alright then.” Ni Jingqiu pondered over it and it wasn’t that painful.

Su Tao sighed out in relief and continued his massage. It wasn’t because he didn’t want to take advantage of her. But they were too familiar with each other, so he wasn’t in the position to do that.

It wasn’t easy to break through that layer between acquaintances. Sometimes even when you know that you have feelings for each other, it was embarrassing to talk about it. You might even be worried that your feelings were one-sided. If that was the case, then it would be inappropriate to make a move at an acquaintance.

After massaging the shoulders, Su Tao asked, “You want a full-body massage?”

“Do I have to add more money for that?” Ni Jingqiu asked.

“No need!” Su Tao rolled his eyes. Did she really treat him as someone greedy for money?

“No thanks. I don’t trust you enough.” Ni Jingqiu said as she stood up and stretched her waist. She had to admit that Su Tao’s massage technique was extraordinary.

Ni Jingqiu would occasionally find some time out to visit high-end beauty salons, but their skills weren’t on the same level as Su Tao. Su Tao’s understanding of the muscles and acupoints was something that no beautician could be compared to.

“Alright, the massage is done. I'm leaving.” Su Tao started packing his stuff.

“Don’t! Chat with me a little more.” Ni Jingqiu smiled.

“If I continue to stay behind, we’ll be having dinner then.” Su Tao smiled bitterly, looking at the time.

“There are still many ingredients at home. We can cook noodles for dinner.” Ni Jingqiu continued to add, “Then again, you can leave if you’re not willing.”

Looking at Ni Jingqiu for a long time, Su Tao sighed, “Alright then. I’ll accompany you today. I can’t help it since I’m your best friend. If I don’t stay overnight, we’ll not be close enough. Why don’t I stay the night then.”

“Don’t! You better leave at a later time!” Ni Jingqiu rolled her eyes at Su Tao. A long while later, she took out a few clothes from her room and gave it over, “They’re all new. I prepared them for Huo Kun. You can deal with it if you don’t mind.”

Su Tao was a little surprised. Judging from Ni Jingqiu’s current behavior, it seems that she was really intending to keep him for the night. He hesitated for a long time before he ultimately stayed behind. Regardless if it was out of friendship or respect for a woman, he had no reason to deny such a tempting thought.

The two sat at the balcony and continued chatting about the prospects of TCM’s education before Su Tao entered the kitchen and made two bowls of noodles. After they ate their dinner, Ni Jingqiu was in charge of washing the dishes while Su Tao had a shower before watching the TV on the couch.

Ni Jingqiu then had her turn in the showers. Not long later, she came out in a bathrobe with her hair wrapped in a pink towel. Walking over gracefully, she sat beside him. The fragrance that was coming from him made Su Tao felt intoxicated.

Ni Jingqiu opened another bottle of wine and the two continued chatting before Ni Jingqiu was drunk. Seeing her collapsed on the ground, Su Tao sighed inwardly and carried her into the bedroom...