Mysyery

Chapter 7: The Siege (Part Two)

With the director attending a conference in Tianjin for three days, Chi Xiaoying, as the director’s secretary, found herself with little to do. Though she had a stuffy nose and felt achy all over, she could have taken sick leave to rest at home. However, not wanting to stay alone in the empty house, she decided to come to work instead.

While others with an engineering background thrived, becoming department heads or directors, or even taking on contracts and making a fortune, she, on the other hand, ended up in a thankless administrative job.

However, her boss was an intellectual woman and not difficult to please. After spending some time at the computer, reading news and flipping through a few newspapers, and finishing two large cups of tea, lunchtime finally arrived.

The design institute had its own cafeteria, and the chef's skills were quite good. The institute also provided a monthly subsidy, so employees greatly appreciated the free lunch.

Men and women walked in groups of two or three. Married women tended to cluster together, discussing topics such as praising their children, criticizing their mothers-in-law, or sharing tips on weight loss. They chatted and ate with enthusiasm, their conversations seemingly endless.

Chi Xiaoying had no children to boast about, and her mother-in-law's performance was impeccable—thin and unobtrusive. She usually just sat on the side and listened.

She bought a serving of mixed fried rice and stared at the greasy grains in the bowl, feeling her stomach starting to churn again. Afraid of affecting others' appetites, she found a seat in a corner. Before she could even settle down, a wide smile appeared in front of her.

With a buzz cut, round earrings, a delicately made-up face, a sharp denim outfit, and long boots, carrying a bag that resembled a sack, was Ning Beibei, the director’s precious only daughter.

The director, a woman with strong career ambitions, divorced her businessman husband for reasons unknown, and her daughter was given to her. However, their relationship was strained; Ning Beibei was quite rebellious and would often run away from home after a few words of disagreement. The director had shed many tears over her daughter.

After starting work, Ning Beibei mellowed a bit, but the conflicts between them continued. When they fought, Ning Beibei could go an entire month without speaking to her mother. The director, feeling distressed, would sometimes confide in Chi Xiaoying.

Chi Xiaoying unconsciously became a mediator between the two. It seemed that opposites attract; while Ning Beibei didn’t listen to anyone else, she did heed Chi Xiaoying’s words, even though Chi Xiaoying was two years older. After a few instances, these two people, who had no apparent similarities, actually became friends.

“Another argument?” Chi Xiaoying propped her chin on her hand, studying her.

Ning Beibei rolled her eyes dramatically and said, “Pfft, my mom’s not at home, so who would I argue with? I just happened to pass by and came to hang out with you. You look like a withered eggplant! It rained last night, not frost.”

Ning Beibei is a freelance writer specializing in fashion columns for a women's magazine. She spends her days wandering around like an idle drifter and is an advocate of anti-marriage, having a few notable lovers.

“Beibei, are you surprised that I’m saying I want a divorce?” Chi Xiaoying asked, her tone carrying a hint of playfulness.

Ning Beibei’s almond-shaped eyes widened in surprise, and her large earrings trembled as she asked, “Xuan Xiao finally cheated?”

Chi Xiaoying was both amused and exasperated, “Do you actually wish something were going on with my family?”

“I just find it odd. Your perfect husband fits the type of a refined, well-dressed gentleman—someone urban women highly admire. He’s charming, a high spender, grounded, and lives a sophisticated life. With his qualities and youthful vigor, he should have been swarmed by admirers. How come he’s managed to stay unscathed until now?”

Chi Xiaoying gasped, as if Xuan Xiao’s infidelity was a matter of course. “So, do you have a soft spot for him too?”

Ning Beibei shook her head firmly. “I’m twenty-nine this year and well aware of myself. I’m not going to compete with a bunch of fresh graduates over looks or figure. Besides, Xuan Xiao is only three years older than me, so I don’t have much of an advantage. Even if I worked hard to win him over, there’s no guarantee he won’t be snatched away by someone else in the next moment—such effort would be wasted. A man in his thirties begins to mature, knows what he wants, and understands how to accommodate a woman. But he’s still not as good as a man in his forties—someone with wisdom, depth, and a respect for his commitments. When he loves a woman, it’s deep and sincere, unlike a man in his twenties who’s just focused on s*x. So, I prefer elegant men around forty.”

Chi Xiaoying was left speechless. Ning Beibei always had to make a dramatic statement, and she no longer felt like continuing the discussion. The silence between them was golden.

Ning Beibei, now intrigued, blinked eagerly, “Come on, tell me about the other person. Anyone who can tame someone like Xuan Xiao, who’s such a moral gentleman, must be quite skilled.”

“Ning Beibei, do you have any sympathy at all? When you hear a friend is going through this, at least offer me a few words of comfort,” Chi Xiaoying couldn’t take it anymore.

“Do you need comfort?” Ning Beibei shrugged. “In the new century, if a woman wants to hold onto a marriage, she has to be able to handle everything: manage the household, write code, detect anomalies, fight off malware, scale walls, drive a nice car, buy a new house, compete with mistresses, and stand up to thugs. Look at yourself—how many of these can you achieve? I’m not trying to discourage you, but if Xuan Xiao truly has lost interest, it’s better to shift your focus from emotions to finances. Don’t end up empty-handed both emotionally and financially. With money, a woman can have ties with anyone.”

Chi Xiaoying wanted to argue, but she had to admit that while Ning Beibei’s words were harsh, they were also pointedly accurate.

“What’s the big deal? Divorce isn’t the end of the world. You’re younger than me, and with your charm, even criminals would turn into gentlemen in your presence. Are you afraid no one will love you? The next one will be even better.”

Chi Xiaoying responded with a noncommittal smile.

“However, I’ll give you a piece of advice: don’t act impulsively. If you speak up first, you’ve already lost half the battle, and it’ll be hard to explain things to your mother. Wait for Xuan Xiao to bring it up first, then you can slowly discuss terms with him. Otherwise, you’ll need solid evidence.” For once, Ning Beibei showed a bit of kindness.

“I just want to leave with a clean slate; I don’t want anything else,” Chi Xiaoying said. She had already considered this—if she wanted to free herself, she couldn’t be entangled in any more connections. But she still needed to wait for Xuan Xiao to speak first, both out of respect for him and for her mother’s sake.

Compared to Chi Xiaoying, her mother treated Xuan Xiao like a savior, praising him to everyone she met for being such a successful son-in-law and for his filial piety.

“Are you channeling Lei Feng? It’s not March anymore,” Ning Beibei said, her eyes nearly popping out of their sockets.

Chi Xiaoying said no more; Ning Beibei wouldn’t understand anyway. Ning Beibei was a fashionable woman, pampered by both the dean and her father, with a privileged background and no sense of the struggles of everyday life.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’ve taken several pills, but I’m not running a fever. My whole body feels like it’s falling apart—so sore and achy,” Chi Xiaoying quickly changed the topic.

Ning Beibei, being perceptive herself, tactfully dropped the topic and refrained from probing into her friend’s privacy. “Why don’t you get a massage or take a sauna? It’s great for relieving tension and calming the mind.”

“Massage?” In Chi Xiaoying’s impression, massages were something only men went for, and saunas were originally intended for washing but had turned into places with various services afterward. Such places often ended up being disguised as venues for illicit activities.

“You’ve got a pig’s brain or something, thinking like that!” Ning Beibei frowned in exasperation, pulling out a magnetic card from her large bag and tossing it to her. “This place offers aromatherapy, sweat steaming, saunas, and massages, with materials imported from Hokkaido, Japan. They have professional blind massage therapists and it’s the highest-end spa in Binjiang City. I’m sure you’ll love it after just one visit. I have an appointment today, so I can’t stay with you. This card is for you.”

Chi Xiaoying took the card and examined it carefully, turning it over several times.

After exchanging a few more words, Ning Beibei fluttered away like a gust of wind.

Chi Xiaoying returned to the office. It was Friday, and no one was focused on work; everyone was chatting idly, waiting for the end of the day. The aching in her body grew more intense, and after an hour of restless sitting and lying down, she packed up her bag and left early.

The spa, called "Qing You Tang," was located across from the city park. As soon as Chi Xiaoying walked in, she was genuinely surprised. The main hall was bright, elegantly decorated, and filled with a soothing fragrance, instantly calming her mind and spirit.

The service attendant’s smile was as gentle as the spring breeze in March, and she softly inquired about Chi Xiaoying’s needs. Then she guided her further inside, where the ambiance was a world apart from the bright main hall—providing a unique and serene experience.

The lighting was dim but not oppressive, and Chi Xiaoying’s footsteps were silent on the soft carpet. Tasteful oil paintings and antique-style wall lamps created an atmosphere that felt like stepping into a time tunnel, transporting her instantly to an era from the distant past.

The massage room was pleasantly warm, with the aromatherapy lamp’s light set just right. The service attendant helped Chi Xiaoying remove her clothes, leaving her in just her underwear as she lay on the bed. A woman wearing sunglasses entered with assistance and politely greeted Chi Xiaoying.

Once it was confirmed that Chi Xiaoying had no further requests, everyone else left the room, leaving only the massage therapist and Chi Xiaoying alone in the room.

“Miss, do you often work at a desk? This muscle is quite stiff,” the massage therapist said. After a few touches, she had a general sense of Chi Xiaoying’s body and adjusted her pressure accordingly, varying between light and firm.

Chi Xiaoying was ticklish and uncomfortable with a stranger touching her, making her body tense up. The massage therapist, accustomed to this type of situation, chatted casually to help her gradually relax.

Before long, she began to appreciate the comfort of the massage. Though it was a bit painful, the pain was just right, adding to the overall soothing experience.

“Miss, if you can’t handle it, feel free to speak up. Don’t hold back,” the massage therapist said with a smile.

Chi Xiaoying bit her lip, her face flushing red.

At that moment, moans of varying pitches suddenly came from the adjacent room, also occupied by a female guest. She seemed to be reacting intensely to the massage, completely unreserved in her vocal expressions. The sounds were quite evocative, and since the rooms were single units separated by only thin wooden partitions, the noise from adjacent rooms was easily audible.

As if to echo the woman's cries, a man in another room also began to make moaning sounds. Though not loud, his noises were equally suggestive, matching the intensity of the woman’s from the adjacent room.

The massage therapist chuckled softly. With Chi Xiaoying’s room positioned perfectly between the two, it felt almost like being in the middle of an adult film, making the situation quite uncomfortable for her.

As soon as the massage ended, Chi Xiaoying quickly got dressed and dashed out the door without taking any time to rest.

In the corridor stood a man in a gray shirt, exuding a gentle smile. He was tall, with the calm and reserved demeanor typical of a man in his forties, looking clean and robust. “You?” he said, slightly taken aback as he noticed Chi Xiaoying.

“I’m not,” Chi Xiaoying said, thinking he mistook her for the moaning woman, and quickly added, “Actually, this isn’t humor. This is a public place—please be mindful of your impact.”

The man smiled but hadn’t replied yet when the door to the adjacent room opened. A burly man walked out, patting his belly. Upon seeing Chi Xiaoying, his eyes glinted with a predatory gleam.

“D*mn, today was incredibly good, even better than the real thing. I almost lost it,” the burly man said loudly, staring directly at Chi Xiaoying.

Chi Xiaoying’s face turned bright red, and she quickly averted her eyes, unable to look at the man from earlier. Her chest rose and fell with each breath, and she stood there, feeling embarrassed and unsure of what to do.

“What are you saying, sir? We just arrived,” the man said with a smile, moving a bit closer to Chi Xiaoying, making it seem as though he was drawing nearer with purpose.

The burly man looked awkwardly at the closed massage room and stammered, “I, uh, had a dream.” He turned to Chi Xiaoying with a sigh, lamenting inwardly that it wasn’t her. With a mix of regret and lingering curiosity, he walked toward the exit, frequently glancing back.

Chi Xiaoying didn’t dare to follow the burly man out, fearing that he might jump to conclusions. She remained standing face-to-face with the earlier man.

As soon as the burly man turned a corner, Chi Xiaoying quickly glanced at the earlier man and essentially fled in a panic.

“Miss, your card!” the service attendant called out, running after her from the massage room.

Chi Xiaoying had already disappeared from sight.

“Give it to me,” the man said with a warm smile. “We know each other.”

“Thank you, Dr. Qin,” the service attendant said respectfully, handing over the card with both hands. The man took the card, glanced at the initials, and furrowed his brow. The card was under the name Ning Beibei, but the guest was supposed to be Chi Xiaoying.