NOVEL WEB Chapter 195: Chapter 195
After finishing her bath, Shenhe walked into the back room.
"Boss."
"Lie down."
"Okay."
Shenhe sat on the small bed and lay down.
This was her first time getting a massage.
Originally, she wasn't very interested in such things, but after experiencing the dream world, her perspective had changed.
She found herself becoming greedy.
Perhaps it was because her emotions had been suppressed for too long, and now they were rebounding fiercely.
The more emotionally detached she was in reality, the more intense her emotions became in the dream world, where she was free from those restraints.
She was someone who had lacked love for so long.
Now that she had finally grasped even a tiny bit of it—even if it was just simple care—she clung to it tightly, unwilling to let go, and wanted more and more…
Xia Zhi extended his hands and began massaging her body carefully.
However, he soon noticed that Shenhe had many hidden injuries.
"Did you get injured here?"
"Yes."
"How did it happen?"
"Practicing with my spear."
"What about here?"
"A fall."
"And here?"
"Frostbite."
"Why didn't your master help you treat these properly?"
"I didn't tell my master."
Shenhe's tone was calm and indifferent, as if she didn't care about these injuries at all.
Or perhaps, back then, she simply didn't want to worry her master.
Xia Zhi sighed softly, his expression tinged with helplessness.
She really was stubborn.
Then, a soft white light glowed in his hands.
A fourth-tier light-based spell, [Divine Healing].
Shenhe's eyes flickered slightly as she saw the light. Xia Zhi's hands moved over the areas where her hidden injuries were, and the light merged into her body. Shenhe felt a familiar warmth and sense of security.
It was so comfortable.
She couldn't help but let out a soft, strange sound: "Mmm~"
---
In the front room, Diona, who had been eavesdropping intently with her cat ears perked up, immediately caught that faint sound. Her face turned red.
Senior Shenhe… I never expected you to… Ugh, this is so embarrassing…
---
Hearing her make that sound, Xia Zhi leaned down and asked softly, "Does it hurt?"
"No, it feels good."
"I'm helping you sort out your body and heal those hidden injuries."
"Okay."
Shenhe's body was covered in large and small hidden injuries.
Xia Zhi massaged her from head to toe.
It was hard to imagine how many injuries she had suffered over the years.
To have reached her current level of strength, aside from her natural talent, she must have endured hardships that ordinary people couldn't even imagine.
Xia Zhi felt even more heartache for her.
"I've finished healing you. How do you feel now?"
"Great."
"If you get injured in the future, remember to come to me. Don't hide it anymore."
"Okay, thank you, boss."
"You're welcome."
After all four employees had received their massages, Xia Zhi tidied up the back room and went to take a shower.
Shenhe and Zhu Zi stood outside the bathroom, waiting as usual.
Once Xia Zhi finished his shower, the two of them followed their usual routine, splitting the task of washing the boss's clothes.
Xia Zhi felt it was a bit strange, but since they were willing, he didn't say anything.
In his original world, where could he find such thoughtful employees?
---
Late at night, Xia Zhi went to bed and entered the dream world.
First, he checked Shenhe's dream bubble.
It was still cyan, but the color had faded significantly.
It seemed that the psychological counseling he had given her over the past two nights had taken effect.
Feeling somewhat relieved, Xia Zhi decided to check on her again.
He reached out and touched the dream bubble.
The scenery blurred, and he found himself in that cold, dark cave again.
Little Shenhe stood in front of him, smiling just like yesterday. As for the wild monster, it was gone again.
"Big Brother!"
Little Shenhe pounced on him.
"Shenhe."
"Let's go play!"
"Okay, close your eyes."
"Okay!"
Xia Zhi discreetly cast another [Advanced Dispelling Technique], first checking Little Shenhe's composition to confirm she was indeed Shenhe. Then, he activated [Visualization] and brought her into his meditation space.
"Alright, we're here."
Little Shenhe opened her eyes, ran over to pick up the game controller, and patted the chair eagerly. "Big Brother, come here! Sit here!"
Xia Zhi felt a bit helpless but walked over. As soon as he sat down, Little Shenhe climbed onto his lap, leaning her head against his chest.
It seemed the little girl was becoming more and more dependent on him.
The two were sitting very close, and Xia Zhi could smell a faint fragrance on her.
It was the same scent he had noticed while massaging Shenhe earlier that night.
It must be Shenhe's natural scent.
Xia Zhi picked up the other game controller and played with Little Shenhe for a while.
Then, he lifted her off his lap and said, "Big Brother has some things to take care of. Can you stay home and watch cartoons by yourself?"
"How long will Big Brother be busy?"
"It might take a while."
"An hour?"
"A day or two."
"!"
Little Shenhe's eyes widened cutely as she looked at him.
"That long!"
"Big Brother needs to earn money. With money, I can buy you new games."
"Then I don't want new games!"
"Cartoon DVDs cost money too."
"Then I don't want new cartoons!"
"…"
Xia Zhi was both amused and exasperated.
He reached out and pinched her soft, chubby cheek.
"You don't want games or cartoons? Then what do you want?"
"I want Big Brother to stay with me!"
"Big Brother has things to do…"
"Big Brother can take me with you!"
"Take you with me…"
Xia Zhi pondered for a moment.
Since he was just flying around various dream bubbles searching for supernatural materials, and the little girl wasn't heavy, carrying her along wouldn't be a problem.
Dream wandering could be lonely. Having someone accompany him would be nice.
Seeing the anticipation in her eyes, Xia Zhi nodded and smiled. "Alright, I'll take you with me. But I'll warn you, it might be boring."
"Being alone is boring!"
"Being alone is boring… You're right. Then let's go."
Xia Zhi took Little Shenhe out of the meditation space, spread his massive light wings, and flew upward with her in his arms, quickly leaving her original dream bubble.
Before them was a magnificent and beautiful world, with countless dream bubbles floating in the void.
Little Shenhe's eyes sparkled as she looked at them. "So pretty!"
Xia Zhi smiled, randomly selected a dream bubble, and flew into it with her.
Inside this dream was a lush forest.
"Big Brother, what are we going to do?"
"Treasure hunting."
"Treasure hunting?"
"Yes, take this compass. See where the needle points, then guide me, and I'll fly us there."
"Okay! It's over there!"
"Alright, hold on tight."
Laughter filled the sky as they flew.
Tonight's dream journey was unexpectedly joyful.
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