Chapter 56: Let Me Help You

As Yu Yunfei's foot made contact, an inexplicable sense of satisfaction washed over him.

His ex-wife's feet—even in plain sneakers—seemed to carry an irresistible charm. For a brief moment, he closed his eyes, indulging in his imagination.

But Li Zhiyan's voice cut through his reverie like a cold splash of water.

"Uncle Yu, why are you touching my shoe?"

The words stunned Yu Yunfei. His eyes shot open, and an overwhelming realization struck him. The "foot" he had been caressing belonged to the young man across the table.

Gu Wanzhou, who had been quietly observing the scene, couldn't hold back her laughter. She covered her mouth, her eyes gleaming with mirth.

So this was what her ex-husband had come back for—to make clumsy, laughable attempts at rekindling their past.

But Li Zhiyan wasn't going to make it easy for him. The boy's antics, his unabashed protectiveness, were like an impenetrable wall.

If Yu Yunfei had hoped to reclaim her, today was shaping up to be a bitterly futile endeavor.

---

Retracting his foot in embarrassment, Yu Yunfei clenched his jaw. This kid wasn't just an obstacle; he was a downright nuisance.

Still, he had to maintain his composure.

"Little guy, how about joining your uncle for a drink?" Yu Yunfei suggested, forcing a smile to mask his annoyance.

"I don't like alcohol, Uncle," Zhiyan replied casually.

While it wasn't entirely true—Zhiyan had no issues with drinking—it wasn't something he indulged in often. Still, he saw through Yu Yunfei's intentions. The man wanted to get him drunk.

Fine, Zhiyan thought with a sly grin. Let's see who ends up under the table.

"Come on now," Yu Yunfei persisted. "Drinking is a rite of passage for men. You've got to learn—it's part of life."

Heading to the liquor cabinet, Yu Yunfei retrieved a bottle of Wuliangye and poured two full glasses.

"You don't need to do this," Gu Wanzhou interjected, her brows furrowing. "Zhiyan is just a kid."

But she hesitated, recalling the stories Li Meifeng had shared about Zhiyan's seemingly bottomless capacity for alcohol.

"Don't worry about it," Yu Yunfei insisted. "It's good practice for the boy. He'll thank me later."

He raised his glass. "Here, cheers to you, kid."

Zhiyan smirked. Without hesitation, he drained the entire glass in one go.

Yu Yunfei blinked, momentarily taken aback. "Well, you've got guts," he muttered before following suit.

When Zhiyan refilled their glasses and raised his own, Yu Yunfei's confidence began to waver.

"Uncle, it's only polite for me to return the toast," Zhiyan said with a smile.

Down went Zhiyan's glass in another smooth motion.

For Yu Yunfei, however, the second drink hit differently. His head began to spin, and his confidence waned further.

After three rounds, he couldn't keep up. Slumping forward, he passed out on the dining table, snoring softly.

Gu Wanzhou, observing from the sidelines, couldn't suppress her amusement.

"So much for teaching him a lesson," she chuckled. "This little guy turned the tables."

She turned to Zhiyan, her expression both impressed and exasperated. "Your tolerance is absurd. You didn't even break a sweat."

Zhiyan flashed a playful grin. "He wanted to train me, didn't he? I thought I'd help him out."

---

Standing up, Gu Wanzhou glanced at the unconscious Yu Yunfei.

"I'll move him to the sofa," she said, moving toward the table.

But Zhiyan quickly stopped her. "Gu Auntie, you shouldn't. It's not proper for a woman to handle a man like that."

His tone was so serious that Wanzhou couldn't help but laugh.

"Not proper? Then what about when you're massaging me? Where's your sense of propriety then?"

Zhiyan's face turned a faint shade of red. "But I'm just a kid!" he argued, clearly flustered.

"And yet you're very good at switching between being a 'kid' and a grown-up when it suits you," Wanzhou teased, her laughter growing.

"Alright, fine. Leave him there. He's not worth the effort," she concluded with a dismissive wave.

---

After finishing dinner and cleaning up together, Wanzhou finally allowed Zhiyan to address the task he had been most eager to tackle.

"Gu Auntie, is your neck still bothering you?"

She paused, then nodded. "Yes, it's been stiff all week. Too much desk work, I suppose."

"Let me take care of it," Zhiyan said, already moving to position himself behind her on the sofa.

As his hands began to work their magic, a soft sigh escaped Wanzhou's lips. His touch was firm yet gentle, and within moments, she felt the tension melting away.

"Your hands are incredible," she murmured, almost to herself.

Zhiyan couldn't help but notice her loosening the top button of her blouse. From his vantage point, he caught a glimpse of her delicate collarbone and the curve of her neckline.

He quickly averted his gaze, trying to focus on the task at hand.

Meanwhile, Yu Yunfei stirred slightly on the dining table, half-awake and disoriented. Hearing faint murmurs, he thought he recognized Wanzhou's voice.

Is she... calling for me? he wondered hazily.

But before he could process further, he drifted back into unconsciousness.

---

Half an hour later, Wanzhou leaned back, her neck and shoulders completely relaxed.

"Zhiyan, I don't know what I'd do without you," she said sincerely.

He smiled, his hands still resting lightly on her shoulders. "You don't have to worry, Gu Auntie. I'll always be here for you."

She glanced down at her legs, which were still in her heels. "You're too kind. My legs have been sore too, but I can't trouble you anymore."

"That's nonsense. Let me help," Zhiyan replied without hesitation.

Without waiting for her to argue, he gently lifted her leg and rested it on his lap.

"You're wearing heels all the time, Auntie. It's not good for your health."

He hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "I'll need to take off your stockings, though. Otherwise, the massage won't be effective."

Wanzhou's breath hitched slightly. She hesitated but eventually nodded. "Alright, I'll leave it to you."

Her cheeks flushed as she watched him carefully roll down the fabric, his hands steady and respectful.

---

In the corner of the room, Yu Yunfei snored softly, blissfully unaware of the scene unfolding just a few steps away.

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