Chapter 7: The Massage

After finishing lunch, Lin Shaowen greeted everyone briefly and returned to the clinic. His decision to give Li Chunhua a massage was not on a whim. Having just learned a new technique, he naturally had to find someone to practice on.

Around three in the afternoon, Li Chunhua arrived at the clinic. Before she even sat down, Lin Shaowen spoke up.

“Sister Li, it’s not appropriate for you to come alone for a massage.”

“Why not?” Li Chunhua frowned.

“I’m a male doctor. When treating or massaging a woman, a third person should be present. It’s also for your reputation,” Lin Shaowen said earnestly.

Though not exactly a saint, he understood well the power of gossip and how damaging it could be. In this era, there was even a crime called “hooliganism” that could carry severe penalties. If there were truly any improprieties, it might not matter, but to be falsely accused would be a grave injustice.

“It’s fine, I’m not afraid,” Li Chunhua said boldly.

“No, it can’t be,” Lin Shaowen shook his head. “You should call a colleague from your department, preferably a female.”

Li Chunhua studied Lin Shaowen for a moment, then smiled and nodded before going back.

Not long after, she returned, followed by four or five women.

“Not afraid with so many around, huh?” Li Chunhua laughed.

“I never am,” Lin Shaowen smiled. “But as a healer, one must always consider the patient’s wellbeing in every way.”

Applause broke out, led by Li Chunhua, filling the clinic with claps.

“Sister Li, take off your jacket and lie down on the bed,” Lin Shaowen said calmly, putting on gloves.

Li Chunhua was no stranger to such situations and didn’t feel embarrassed. She removed her outerwear and lay down. The others gathered around to watch Lin Shaowen’s technique.

His hands were steady and his pressure just right.

“Ah…” Li Chunhua let out a moan, prompting a few women nearby to scoff.

“How shameless.”

“Chunhua, stop making noise.”

“That’s unpleasant.”

Li Chunhua blushed but shot back playfully, “The massage feels really good. If you don’t believe me, try it yourselves, and I bet you’ll be louder.”

“Quiet,” Lin Shaowen lightly chided.

Li Chunhua immediately fell silent.

After pressing and massaging her waist several times with increasing pressure, a crisp crack echoed through the clinic, startling many.

Lin Shaowen’s expression remained calm as he continued.

Ten minutes later, he wiped the sweat from his brow with a towel.

Massage was exhausting work, and without the vitality pills he’d taken, he might not have lasted.

Li Chunhua sat up, stretched, and looked overjoyed.

“Oh, my waist really doesn’t hurt anymore, and my arm feels unblocked. Dr. Lin, your skill is amazing…”

Others looked on with interest but said nothing.

“I’ll give you all massages too, but please, sisters, don’t tell anyone about this,” Lin Shaowen whispered.

With tens of thousands of workers in the steel plant, if everyone came running to him for massages, he’d be overwhelmed.

Though officials wielded authority, if they angered the workers, even the factory director could be ousted.

“Don’t worry, Dr. Lin. Everyone in the plant knows we keep secrets,” Li Chunhua promptly assured him.

“Yeah, we won’t say a word,” others agreed.

That entire afternoon, the women were treated with care and left the clinic glowing, looking ten years younger.

They kept their promise, and no one spread word of Lin Shaowen’s massage skills.

Yet a saying quickly circulated in the factory: “The honorable gentleman Lin Shaowen.”

Lin Shaowen remained unaware of this. He was tired but satisfied, having learned much about these women’s capabilities.

In this era, except for workers, other departments required some education. In other words, they were all literate and qualified.

Take Li Chunhua for example: a proper graduate from a technical secondary school, daughter and daughter-in-law of cadres, and married to the director of a subsidiary steel plant—a genuine family of officials.

The others were similarly well-connected.

After a short rest, the whistle signaled the end of the shift. Lin Shaowen tidied up and left work.

On the way home, he saw many people rushing about on bicycles, which made him think he should get one too.

He recalled that Yang Weiguo’s receipt included a bicycle voucher.

As for money, he wasn’t lacking at the moment.

Resolved, he decided to buy a bike the next day.

Back at the courtyard, Yan Buguai was polishing his bicycle. Seeing Lin Shaowen, he greeted him with a broad smile.

“Xiao Lin, off work already?”

“Yes, Third Uncle. Cleaning your bike?”

“That’s right. Let me tell you, a bike depends entirely on maintenance. If you don’t clean it daily, it rusts easily…” Yan Buguai rambled on about upkeep, then suddenly slapped his forehead. “Oh, I forgot—you haven’t bought your bike yet, right?”

“Not yet. Planning to check the supply and marketing cooperative tomorrow,” Lin Shaowen replied casually.

“Good, good. Young people should have goals. Next time you need a ride, come to Third Uncle. Won’t charge you much—thirty cents per use, just a maintenance fee.”

“Thanks a lot,” Lin Shaowen smiled and nodded, then headed toward his yard.

Passing by Jia Dongxu’s house, he caught a fierce glare fixed on him, accompanied by muttered curses.

“Keep acting wild, and sooner or later someone will get rid of you. Then the house will be mine.”

Lin Shaowen turned to meet those sharp eyes and silently mouthed, “Son of a bitch.”

He grinned and prepared to leave.

“You little bastard, what did you say?” Jia Zhangshi suddenly stormed out.

“What?” Lin Shaowen feigned innocence. “Aunt Jia, you can’t block my way at your own door, can you?”

Yan Buguai and the elder aunt soon gathered around.

“You called me a son of a bitch!” Jia Zhangshi roared.

“You’re looking for trouble,” Lin Shaowen said calmly. “Auntie, you were less than a meter away just now. Did you hear me swear at you?”

“No,” the elder aunt quickly replied.

“If even Auntie didn’t hear me, are you picking on me?” Lin Shaowen said, feigning grievance.

“Aunt Jia, don’t always bully Xiao Lin,” Yan Buguai sighed.

“Yeah, the house issue is over. No use making a fuss now,” the elder aunt advised.

“You all must be deaf! He clearly insulted me! That damn little bastard, bullying an old woman—he won’t get away with it…”

Jia Zhangshi ranted on.

“Don’t those who do wicked things all meet a bad end?” Lin Shaowen quietly said, his gaze flicking toward a photo hanging inside Jia Zhangshi’s home.

“Ugh!”

Yan Buguai and the elder aunt gasped, stepping back.

Everyone knew Jia Zhangshi had been widowed young, and Lin Shaowen didn’t need to say more. That single glance struck at her very core.

“You little bastard, I’ll fight you!”

Jia Zhangshi’s eyes reddened, and like a wild boar, she charged at Lin Shaowen.