The Heroic Master Is Tough-Talking but Soft-Hearted: The Aloof Major General Has Fallen - Chapter 20

Cen Li’s suggestive words seemed to still echo in his ears.

After work, Asher walked out of the military headquarters, temporarily pushing the matter of the whip to the back of his mind. The Master had not strictly demanded to see a new whip today, so it would be the same if he gave it to him later. Ideally, Cen Li would simply forget about the matter entirely.

However, Asher did not dare to be too obvious with his small schemes in front of his Master. Fortunately, throughout dinner, the Master focused on his meal, not sparing him a single glance or mentioning the whip at all. Asher breathed a small sigh of relief.

Lately, whenever he commanded the robot to cook, Xi Ya would always hover nearby. In the past, Asher might not have thought much of it. But since being summoned to the Duke’s estate and threatened, he had become inevitably more attentive to the Master’s daily meals, never letting them leave his sight. The Master could not have an accident, at least, not one that could be linked to him.

Luckily, Xi Ya did nothing, appearing as though he were just wandering around out of boredom. Asher could not say much and simply let him be.

“What are you doing at the door of the Master’s room?”

Xi Ya suddenly appeared by Asher’s side, staring at him with a scrutinizing look. Asher’s motion to knock on the door froze, his hand suspended in mid-air.

“I have business with the Master.”

“What business could you have that could not be said during dinner?” Xi Ya’s gaze remained wary as he looked Asher up and down.

Three days ago, he had discovered Asher sneaking into the Master’s room late at night, which immediately piqued his interest. What could a female attendant be doing in a male’s room in the middle of the night? Xi Ya had become paranoid, fearing Asher might have gained the male’s favor and beaten him to the punch. He had hidden in the corner until he saw Asher exit shortly after, only then letting his guard down. But now, what did it mean for Asher to come looking for the Master again?

Blocked by Xi Ya and seeing that he would not give up without an explanation, Asher was forced to tell the truth.

“What?!” Xi Ya’s eyes widened, his entire being struck with disbelief as if by lightning. “You said the Master asked you to help him with a massage?!”

Why would the Master not ask him for a massage? Why go to a clumsy military female? Xi Ya stared at Asher, unable to figure it out no matter how hard he tried. But since Asher had put it that way, he could no longer continue to block him and reluctantly took a step aside. He watched as the insect he despised most entered the Master’s room.

Cen Li had just stepped out from his shower when he heard the knock. When the visitor entered, he found it was Asher. With just a single glance, Cen Li knew exactly what Asher was there for.

Asher closed the door behind him and approached without looking sideways. “Master, I am here to massage you.” He looked solemn, like a soldier performing a meticulous task. “I have been practicing massage techniques at the hospital for the past few days. I am already very proficient, and the doctors have approved. Nothing will go wrong, please rest assured.”

Cen Li felt a bit helpless after hearing this. Asher had come looking for him two days ago, but he had brushed him off, saying, “Did the Major General really learn massage techniques that quickly? Do not end up killing me.”

Asher had turned and left silently then. He had not expected him to return today. Although Cen Li had anticipated this result, he still felt a bit reluctant to face it.

After a moment of deadlock, Cen Li felt as though he were being roasted over a fire. Recalling Admiral Derek’s instructions, he finally nodded in agreement. But in the next second, he let out a sharp “Hey!”

“A massage is a massage, what are you doing?!”

Interrupted, Asher straightened his back and withdrew his hand. He looked up at his Master and stated, “The doctor said that skin to skin contact during a massage yields better results.” His eyes clearly suggested that clothing was a hindrance.

Cen Li gripped his waistband and gritted his teeth. “Turn around.”

Asher paused, then obediently turned his back. Cen Li stared at his back for two seconds, suddenly feeling annoyed with himself. Why was he agonizing over whether to take off his pants? Is there anything wrong with mutual assistance and solidarity between men? No, there is nothing wrong!

Thus, with a gloomy expression, Cen Li spoke again. “Turn back around. Help me.”

This is very normal, he told himself silently. The original owner would not hide away like a coward! And neither would he! Is it not just a massage? Bring it on!

Cen Li changed his mind in less than a minute, his thoughts as unpredictable as the weather. Although Asher was a bit surprised, he did not show it. The moment he had turned around, he thought Cen Li was shy. It seemed he had overthought it; how could a male have such an emotion?

Asher keenly sensed the Master’s heavy gaze fixed on him. Wary that Cen Li might look for trouble at any moment, he became even more cautious, afraid of stepping on one of the Master’s short fused emotional triggers.

The process was unexpectedly smooth; Cen Li even cooperated by lifting his waist slightly. Asher did not dare look too much. After neatly folding the Master’s clothes and placing them aside, he knelt by his right leg.

“Master, I am beginning the massage.”

Cen Li gave a faint “Mm.” Asher did not look up, so he did not notice the momentary flicker of awkwardness on Cen Li’s face or the slight turn of his head to the left.

Cen Li’s legs showed no signs of atrophy; they were sleek, firm, long, and straight. They did not have the heavy musculature of a military female but were well proportioned and attractive. Compared to a few days ago, Cen Li’s overall condition had improved significantly, and his legs even felt sore from time to time. He had once felt he was already better and could walk, but unfortunately, during a confident attempt yesterday, his legs had suddenly given out after a few steps, and he had fallen flat, making intimate contact with the cold floor. The System had then mocked him mercilessly.

Asher’s hands were warm and strong, his nails neatly trimmed. He gently held Cen Li’s calf, slowly pressing the leg muscles with just the right amount of force. It was clear he had put effort into learning these techniques. Asher’s palms were pressed tight against the skin, his thumb and forefinger pushing up the calf muscle. The warmth of another insect was transmitted directly to Cen Li’s every nerve.

His gaze shifted, unable to put into words why it felt strange. Asher likely did not know that his legs were mostly recovered and his perception was sharp; every touch felt exceptionally foreign and brought an unignorable sense of itchiness.

Perhaps sensing something unusual, Asher looked up and met Cen Li’s eyes.

Cen Li’s tone was stiff. “What are you looking at?”

Asher lowered his gaze. “I wanted to ask the Master how the pressure is. Is it uncomfortable?”

Hearing this, Cen Li actually took a moment to feel it. To be honest, it was quite comfortable. But he could not possibly praise Asher, so he brushed it off.

“It is average. A bit itchy.”

Asher was surprised. He had not expected Cen Li’s legs to truly have sensation. Could there really be a chance for him to stand up completely in the future? He felt a spark of hope. It was not for any other reason than the thought that if the Master recovered physically, his personality might become much better than it was now. He would also suffer less.

Speaking of which, the spots covering Cen Li’s face were gradually fading, revealing a glimpse of his originally exquisite and pale features. Perhaps because the original owner rarely saw the sun, every inch of Cen Li’s skin was so white it was almost transparent.

Asher massaged Cen Li’s calf, feeling as though he could easily snap it with just a little force. The massage was indeed comfortable, but Cen Li still felt unaccustomed to such intimate contact with his wife in name only. Before long, Cen Li finished the session for appearances and sent Asher away.

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