Chapter 232: Chen Yan's Hobby

Chen Yan said, "I also quite like it," and it made Gao Yang's brain freeze.

After regaining her senses, she looked carefully and found that Chen Yan was indeed pressing her feet earnestly, and nothing seemed off.

Gao Yang was instantly puzzled.

Chen Yan's hobby is quite unusual.

He even likes massaging other people's feet?

But she didn't think much and asked casually, "How much longer do you need to press? I still feel a bit dizzy in my head."

"It's not that quick. Just lie down. If I weren't seeing you sick, I wouldn't be serving you." Chen Yan said lightly, but his hands never stopped moving.

"Tsk~"

Gao Yang let out a soft, humming "tsk", propping her fragrant cheek with one hand, her eyes clear and bright as she watched Chen Yan's focused demeanor, feeling deeply moved inside.

In any case, Chen Yan is willing to look after the sick her, even lowering himself to press her feet; one can only wonder how far that exceeds other men.

A man massaging a woman's feet—Gao Yang has never heard of such a thing growing up.

It's not just about whether a man is willing to humble himself; in this era, a woman's feet are as private as the most intimate parts, even her own husband would feel embarrassed to look, let alone have them held and massaged.

But Gao Yang is bold and doesn't care about that.

Outside, the north wind howls; inside, the lamp shadows flicker.

The world gradually quiets, and the occasional splash in the water basin becomes the only sound in this tranquil night.

Gao Yang quietly maintains her pose, staring at Chen Yan's eyes without blinking; slowly, she unwittingly becomes entranced, even her breathing lightens, not wanting to break this rare tenderness.

Suddenly, Gao Yang furrows her brow, feeling a bit itchy.

But she doesn't think further, assuming Chen Yan accidentally touched a sensitive spot.

However, Gao Yang gradually notices something amiss.

The pressing continues, yet it feels increasingly off.

Feels like a game.

Gao Yang subtly lowers her gaze and finds Chen Yan's eyes fixed straight on her toes, as if he intends to bite them.

Her stare instantly turns strange.

"You… what are you doing?"

Chen Yan snaps back to attention, clears his throat twice, and continues pressing Gao Yang earnestly, "Nothing, just thinking about something, got distracted."

"Is that so?" Gao Yang has already sensed something wrong.

Because this damn thing's eyes never left her foot.

Gao Yang wants to laugh now, but she holds back; as if she's uncovered a huge secret, her eyes curve into two crescents, and she's overjoyed.

"Chen Yan, Chen Yan, didn't expect you finally gave this Princess a foothold, huh?"

"I didn't expect you to look so proper, yet behind the scenes you don't follow the usual path."

"Likes playing with feet!"

Gao Yang's mouth lifts, and without exposing Chen Yan, she watches him with keen interest.

To prevent Gao Yang from catching on, Chen Yan says to himself, "You've been unconscious all day, your stomach must be starving. I asked Zhang Yi to set aside some food earlier; I'll fetch it for you in a moment."

"Let's rest early today, no more fussing. In the next two days, don't wander, wear an extra layer so you don't catch a chill."

"Did you hear that?"

"Mmm!" Gao Yang says nothing, gently scratching Chen Yan's palm with her five small, round, pinkish toes.

"Husband, it's been so long, is the pressing done?" Gao Yang says softly, half‑smiling.

Chen Yan's heart trembles, realizing he cannot continue; if he does, his lifelong reputation might be lost.

"Alright, alright."

He reluctantly picks up the nearby towel, gently drying the droplets from Gao Yang, then withdraws his hand.

"I'll fetch water and bring the food over; wait a moment."

Having said that, he lifts the water basin and leaves.

Gao Yang glances at her own feet, then at Chen Yan's departing back, her smile blooming like a flower.

"......"

"Husband~"

"Hm?"

In the evening, after serving the sick Gao Yang her meal and letting her rest a while, the two prepare to sleep.

Just as the lights go out, Gao Yang leans in.

"Give me a kiss."

The warm breath spreads over Chen Yan's neck, making his heart itch; he reaches out to push Gao Yang's head back, feigning impatience, "You're sick, don't mess around."

"Sleep tonight, we'll talk about when you get better."

"I didn't do anything!" Gao Yang shakes her head, breaking free from Chen Yan's hand; her straight thigh skillfully wraps around his waist, leaning in, muttering:

"I just wanted you to kiss me, didn't say anything about doing other things."

Chen Yan's head fills with frustration, he leans sideways and kisses Gao Yang's forehead.

"Is that okay now? Hurry and sleep."

"No, I don't want the forehead; you have to kiss my face!" Gao Yang refuses, sounding oddly coquettish.

"Alright, alright, I'm really impressed by you." Chen Yan clears his throat and kisses Gao Yang's cheek.

"Okay, okay, go to sleep now~"

"Good~"

Gao Yang's eyebrows knit, huffing dissatisfied, "Are you coaxing a child?"

"No, this time doesn't count; you have to kiss me again."

Chen Yan: "......"

This abnormal attitude immediately put Chen Yan on guard.

To be honest, although night is the only time the couple can talk calmly during the day, that is limited to ordinary conversation.

Given Gao Yang's temperament, how could she say such clingy words?

Damn, even thinking with my nose hair tells me something's off.

Chen Yan immediately shifted aside, putting some distance from Gao Yang, and warned, "Zhao Tang, did your illness fry your brain?"

"Or did you come up with some nasty scheme, trying to pull some lewd stunt?"

Gao Yang: "......"

"Am I really that worthless in your heart…?"

"Are we no longer husband and wife? Between spouses, isn't a little nighttime intimacy allowed?"

Chen Yan gave a clueless stare and said, "Aren't you aware of how you are yourself?"

"A little intimacy is fine, but your attitude is off."

"And you still say this time doesn't count; you have to kiss me again."

"Really, you're an old granny burrowing into the quilt, making me burst out laughing."

"Don't put on that dead act; just say whatever it is, then go to sleep. I've been serving you all day; if you're not tired, I'm the one who's exhausted."

Gao Yang was startled by the words, automatically ignoring the earlier harsh remarks, only remembering the latter sentence, "I've been serving you all day."

So that means Chen Yan was looking after me all day?

Gao Yang recalled that when her head was dizzy today, she indeed felt someone constantly by her side wiping her sweat, giving medicine, and humming a little tune to lull her to sleep.

Until now Gao Yang always thought it was Xiang Lan, but it turned out to be Chen Yan.

However, thinking about it, given Xiang Lan's temperament, she'd probably just whine when sick, not hum a tune to lull her to sleep.

At that thought, her nose twitched, and she suddenly stretched out her hand, seized Chen Yan's sleeve, pressed her whole body against him, and clung to him tightly.

"I didn't mean to tease you…" Her voice was muffled, with a nasal tone, "I just want to hear… the little tune you hummed while coaxing me today."

"......"