Chapter 331 - 184: You Just Want to Touch My Feet, Don’t You?
"You just want to touch my feet, don’t you?"
BOOM!
Shen Yuan felt a rush of blood to his head, his face burning hot.
All his earlier self-justifications and mental preparations crumbled to dust in the face of this simple, direct "accusation," suddenly seeming feeble and ridiculous.
"I... I..."
Shen Yuan opened his mouth, but his usually nimble tongue was tied. His mind went blank, filled only with the overwhelming embarrassment of being exposed.
The mischievous glint in Li Zhi’s eyes deepened, as if she could see right through the amorous thoughts in his heart and the turmoil raging within him.
The silent pressure made Shen Yuan’s face hot enough to fry an egg on. As another rush of blood shot to the crown of his head, the tightly wound string in his mind finally snapped.
He snapped his head up, heedless of his crimson face, and with the air of someone throwing caution to the wind, he spoke in a rush, his voice a few notches higher than before:
"...Fine! I did! So what?! Go ahead, call me a pervert for all I care."
The moment the words left his mouth, Shen Yuan himself froze, then looked away in even greater frustration.
He had the look of someone who had given up all hope, yet was still nervous as hell, as if awaiting his final judgment.
The air seemed to freeze in that moment.
Li Zhi was taken aback by his sudden bluntness, a look of shocked amusement flashing in her eyes.
Seeing Shen Yuan’s expression—so embarrassed he looked like he wanted to crawl into a hole, yet still trying to put on a brave front—the young woman smiled faintly.
"Not happening." Li Zhi uttered the two words clearly. Her voice wasn’t loud, but it carried an undeniable finality.
Shen Yuan’s heart sank to the floor. His lips moved, but he couldn’t force out a single word.
Watching his instantly crestfallen expression, a subtle glint flickered in Li Zhi’s bright eyes.
The room fell silent for a few seconds.
The young woman’s voice rang out again, a little softer than when she’d refused him, now carrying an almost imperceptible hint of slyness and concession.
"...However,"
Li Zhi paused deliberately. In her line of sight, Shen Yuan’s head snapped up, a faint glimmer of hope instantly rekindling in his eyes.
Only under Shen Yuan’s intense gaze did the beautiful young woman continue in a slightly languid tone, "...If it’s a ’foot massage’... hmm... I guess it’s not... completely out of the question."
Her voice grew softer and softer, the last few words barely more than a mumble.
With that, her gaze drifted back to the cage, as if she were talking to the cat.
But her meaning was clear, and like a tiny flint, it instantly reignited the light that had gone out in Shen Yuan’s eyes.
But before Shen Yuan could even celebrate, he heard Li Zhi continue.
"However," Li Zhi cleared her throat, her voice low but every word distinct, "we have to lay down some ground rules first."
Shen Yuan immediately sat up straight. "Tell me!"
"First," Li Zhi said, raising a slender finger and glancing at her feet, which were wrapped snugly in the light quilt.
"The socks stay on. You can only do it through the socks."
Shen Yuan nodded without the slightest hesitation. "Deal!"
’Just being able to touch them at all is an unexpected gift. Through the socks is no problem whatsoever.’
"Second," Li Zhi said, raising a second finger, her expression turning scrutinizing.
"Soles of the feet only. Don’t even think about anywhere else!"
A suspicious flush flashed across Shen Yuan’s face as he immediately promised, "Absolutely, soles only! I won’t touch anywhere else, not even for a second!"
Li Zhi seemed satisfied enough with his reaction. She pursed her lips and raised a third finger.
"Third."
This time, her gaze was laced with a warning. "...No tickling. If you dare use this as an excuse to tickle me, it’s over immediately. And you can forget about ever trying again!"
"I promise! Absolutely no tickling! Purely a massage! The kind that will help you relax!"
Shen Yuan nodded rapidly, terrified that if he was even a second too slow, Li Zhi would change her mind.
Watching him make his solemn vow as if signing a military pledge, Li Zhi could no longer maintain her feigned-serious expression.
Then, as if slightly embarrassed, the young woman turned her head away and mumbled, "...Well... do what you want, then."
Li Zhi relaxed, sinking back into the chair and closing her eyes.
Having received her final permission, Shen Yuan felt his heart suddenly race.
He took a deep breath and, with extreme care, reached out and gently lifted the corner of the light quilt covering her feet.
Through the soft fabric of her socks, the shape of her small foot was revealed.
Gingerly, Shen Yuan pressed his fingertips against the soft arch of her foot.
Li Zhi’s body gave an almost imperceptible shudder, but she didn’t stop him.