Chapter 38: Yifei Dominated by Passive-Aggressive Remarks

"Sisi!"

Before Zhang Li could even speak, Liu Xiaoli wore a look of disapproval. "How old are you now? Why do you still constantly ask A-Li to massage you and knead your legs?"

"If you really want to relax that badly, go to a traditional Chinese medicine clinic and find someone to give you a massage or moxibustion."

Liu Yifei: ?

On the surface, there was nothing wrong with what Liu Xiaoli said. However, not long after Zhang Li celebrated his eighteenth birthday at home this year, he had massaged her then as well. At the time, Liu Xiaoli hadn't said a word after seeing it; she had simply looked accustomed to the sight. It had only been half a year—what was the difference now?

Liu Xiaoli was clearly taking Zhang Li's side!

"Mom, I’m the one you gave birth to!" Liu Yifei felt a bit indignant, though she couldn't tell if it was because Liu Xiaoli was being too good to Zhang Li, or because Zhang Li was making Liu Xiaoli "biased."

"Exactly because you are my own flesh and blood, I can’t spoil you," Liu Xiaoli said earnestly. "A-Li has been through ten days of grueling military training, while you’ve been rusting away at home all day. You should be the one massaging him instead."

Liu Yifei was speechless. "Mom, look at him—his skin is even fairer than mine. How tired could he possibly be?"

"A-Li just has good genes," Liu Xiaoli said with a look of disdain. "Unlike you, who didn't fully inherit your mother’s best traits. Out of the entire Liu family, you’re the ugliest."

"I..." Liu Yifei opened her mouth to argue, but Zhang Li spoke up before her. "Mom, please don't argue with Sister Yifei because of me. It's not worth it."

"Ever since I started living with you both, I’ve never seen you two argue. I don't want to be the reason for a first time; it would make me feel too awkward to stay here."

"Sister Yifei asks me to massage her because she trusts me and feels close to me. It’s actually quite nice."

Liu Xiaoli reached out to pat Zhang Li's shoulder, glancing sideways at Liu Yifei. "I spoiled you too much in the past, letting you get used to bossing A-Li around. You’re truly not as sensible as he is."

"Don't bully him from now on, do you hear me?"

Liu Yifei was so angry she almost laughed. She truly hadn't expected that the younger brother she had raised herself had turned into such a manipulative man. He hadn't seen her for half a year, and he already knew how to "sow discord" between her and Liu Xiaoli.

"Suit yourself."

Liu Yifei didn't argue with her mother; she glared at Zhang Li and stormed off.

"Sisi..." Liu Xiaoli’s expression turned displeased. She had finally gotten her "dear son," whom she had raised for eight years, to start calling her "Mom" recently, and she was in a good mood. Seeing Liu Yifei being "insensible" at such a moment, she couldn't help but feel a bit hurt and annoyed.

"Mom, Sister Sisi’s behavior is actually just a sign of how close she is to me. It’s really quite fine..." Zhang Li interrupted what Liu Xiaoli was about to say, offering comforting words with a smile.

The more Liu Xiaoli looked at him, the more she liked him. She began chatting with him about the family situation and asking how his life was on set and whether the other actors were easy to get along with.

"Mom, you forgot, I saved Old Hu's life, and I also helped Tangren by buying the *Legend of the Condor Heroes* rights from Master Jin early on. That’s why Cai Yinong and the others treat me very well."

Zhang Li naturally only reported the good news and omitted the bad—not that there was any bad to report. While filming *Chinese Paladin 3*, he had even managed to win over Tangren's top actress, and his life was going quite well.

***

"Mom, it’s getting late. You’re used to sleeping early, so don't stay up." Zhang Li checked the time and reminded her.

"Alright, you’re tired from ten days of training too. Go get some sleep," Liu Xiaoli said with a smile. "I’ll make your favorite steamed dumplings tomorrow morning."

Zhang Li agreed readily and politely. Once Liu Xiaoli went upstairs, he slowly returned to his room, took a shower, and changed into his pajamas.

*Click.*

Zhang Li walked up to Liu Yifei’s bedroom door and pushed it open without hesitation. He walked into the small living room, passed through the inner corridor leading to the walk-in closet and bedroom, and passed the yoga room. He reached the bedroom and, too lazy to knock, pushed the door open.

"!"

A vision of "holy light" met his eyes.

*Bang!*

Zhang Li shut the door again immediately.

"Hmm?"

Liu Yifei, who was facing away from the door and had just taken off her bra to change into her pajamas, turned her head. She thought she heard the door close—could it be that Zhang Li had arrived?

[Your body curves have given Zhang Li a feast for the eyes and made his heart race; Three-Size Optimization +1]

Liu Yifei: ?

Body curves... stunning...

*Whoosh!*

Liu Yifei’s entire body began to heat up. That jerk hadn't just entered her suite; he had walked right into her bedroom!

[You have feasted your eyes... Body Optimization +1]

A voice echoed in Zhang Li's mind as well.

"I'm dead."

Zhang Li turned to leave, but the door in front of him suddenly opened, and he came face-to-face with Liu Yifei.

"Hi, Sister Sisi, what a coincidence," Zhang Li said with a smile. "I was just about to knock, and you opened the door for me. Would you call this a meeting of minds?"

"You were just about to knock?" Liu Yifei looked at him, unconvinced.

"That's right," Zhang Li said, looking composed. "I wouldn't just barge into your bedroom, would I?"

"You haven't exactly been shy about barging in before," Liu Yifei said, her eyes filled with scrutiny. "At this hour, I thought you weren't coming today." Otherwise, she wouldn't have taken off her bra to get ready for bed.

"How could that be?" Zhang Li smiled "flatteringly." "You gave an order; I had to come."

***

*You want to use me for your experiments, but don't you think I feel the same?*

"I suppose you're sensible; otherwise, you'd be in for a world of trouble." Liu Yifei turned back to her bed and lay down. "Start then, give me a massage."

Zhang Li entered the room and pulled a stool over to the bedside. He skillfully placed his hands on her, gently pressing on the points where she felt tension. Before long, Liu Yifei let out a sound of comfort, which made Zhang Li’s mind wander, forcing him to close his eyes.

Liu Yifei glanced at him sideways, the corners of her mouth curling into a triumphant arc. *Stinky brother, daring to get her "scolded" and taking advantage of her—she was going to "give him a hard time" in return.*

A few minutes later, Liu Yifei suddenly spoke: "A-Li, I haven't seen you in half a year, and your massage techniques are even more precise and better. You haven't been practicing on other women, have you?"

"No," Zhang Li replied calmly. "Not everyone is the Liu Yifei who raised me."

There were indeed women who had let him massage them, which had helped him improve his technique significantly. He reckoned that before long, he would reach a level comparable to a professional with years of experience and formal training.

"I like hearing that," Liu Yifei said, looking satisfied. "How is it on the *Chinese Paladin 3* set?"

The two chatted back and forth. Despite not seeing each other for over half a year, there was no sense of distance between them. Liu Yifei yawned, and seeing that she still hadn't heard what she wanted to hear, her eyes darted around. "A-Li, lie down. I’ll give you a massage."

"You're going to massage me?" Zhang Li looked at her in disbelief, appearing flattered.

"What’s with that look?" Liu Yifei felt her face heat up, and she gave a light cough. "Mom is right; you worked hard for ten days of military training. As your sister, I shouldn't really bully you."

"After you finish massaging me, I’ll massage you to help you relax."

"Then I won't stand on ceremony." Zhang Li lay down on the bed.

Liu Yifei stretched her fingers and began to press gently on Zhang Li's back. After ten minutes, she suddenly felt a bit moved. She hadn't realized that massage was so tiring; she had always thought that since professional masseurs did it all day, it couldn't be that exhausting. She had always enjoyed Zhang Li's massages with peace of mind, though she would also take him to therapy clinics to relax and enjoy himself.

Five minutes later, a voice appeared in her mind.

[You have provided a full session of effective massage to Zhang Li; Hand Strength +1 / Massage Technique +1]

"It really works!" Liu Yifei’s eyes lit up.

Zhang Li's expression changed as well.

"It seems my guess was correct."