Recuperation is Still the Top Priority

On a winter afternoon, sunlight filtered through the thin clouds, spilling onto the Qintai Grand Theatre along the Hanyang riverbank. This building, full of flowing, water-like curves, stood quietly by the shores of Moon Lake, exuding an innate artistic aura.

As the highest-tier cultural palace in the River City, the venue rental fees here had always been exorbitant.

But for Su Bai, who had just become the new boss of the Star River Dance Troupe, money was never an issue.

At this moment, inside Rehearsal Hall No. 1 on the third floor of the grand theatre, the air was filled with a faint scent of sweat and the heat of sheer hard work.

"One, two, three, four! Turn! Watch your center of gravity!"

"Legs higher! Backs straight! You are dancing, not taking a stroll!"

In front of the spacious and bright floor-to-ceiling mirrors, Lin Qingyu, wearing a tight black leotard, held a teaching pointer in her hand, correcting the girls' movements.

Though her voice was strict, a hint of anxiety shone through her eyes.

Ever since they moved into this dreamily luxurious rehearsal space yesterday, enjoying five-star hotel standards for food and lodging, and even having dedicated cars for their commutes, the atmosphere of the entire dance troupe had completely changed.

If everyone used to dance to survive, now, they were dancing to repay a debt of gratitude.

No one wanted to be an ingrate.

That handsome young Boss Su had not only helped them pay off their debts but had also given them a level of dignity and treatment they had never experienced before. This favor was simply too heavy for this group of pure-hearted dancers.

So heavy that they could only find peace of mind by training desperately to deliver the most perfect performance.

As the principal dancer and temporary leader, Lin Qingyu led by example. From seven o'clock in the morning until now, apart from drinking water, she had hardly stopped at all.

"Stop! Little Ya, you're not flexible enough, drop your waist a bit lower!"

Lin Qingyu walked behind a young girl, wanting to help press her leg down.

However, in the split second she bent down and exerted force...

"Hiss—"

A barely perceptible gasp escaped through her teeth.

Her face instantly paled, her originally straight back stiffened for a microsecond, and her right hand subconsciously reached for her lower back.

It was an old injury.

For professional dancers, lumbar muscle strain and herniated discs were practically standard. And as a principal dancer who demanded the utmost of herself, Lin Qingyu's injuries were much more severe than those of ordinary members.

Especially recently, to deal with creditors and maintain the troupe's livelihood, she had been so anxious that she couldn't sleep all night. Her physical condition had long been overdrawn.

That movement just now had clearly triggered that fragile nerve.

"Sister Qingyu, what's wrong?"

The girl named Little Ya noticed something was wrong and quickly turned around. "Is your waist injury acting up again?"

"I'm fine."

Lin Qingyu gritted her teeth, forcing herself to straighten up, and her face returned to its usual aloof expression. "It's an old problem, it's nothing. Keep practicing! We have to nail this set of movements today; the boss could come to check on us at any time!"

"But..."

"No buts! Continue!"

Lin Qingyu raised her voice slightly, carrying an unquestionable authority.

Just then.

"Clap, clap, clap."

A lazy round of applause suddenly came from the entrance of the rehearsal hall.

"Principal Lin truly is a strict teacher producing outstanding students. I could hear this fighting spirit all the way from the hallway."

Everyone abruptly turned their heads.

They saw the doors of the rehearsal hall pushed open. Su Bai was wearing a dark gray cashmere overcoat over a high-quality white turtleneck sweater. Instead of holding boss-like props such as a cigar or documents, he was carrying two exquisite takeout boxes.

Behind him followed several hotel waiters in uniform, pushing two dining carts filled with delicate desserts and beverages.

"Boss?!"

The girls' eyes instantly lit up when they saw Su Bai, as if they were looking at an idol.

"Alright, everyone stop."

Su Bai smiled and waved his hand. "I came to see how everyone is adjusting. Also, I bought some afternoon tea. Take a break, everyone; don't break yourselves from practicing."

"Wow! Thank you, Boss!"

"Long live the Boss!"

The group of young women instantly cheered, and the tense atmosphere from earlier was swept away.

Looking at the exquisite pastries on the dining carts bearing the Mandarin Oriental logo, along with freshly made bird's nest stew, everyone was beyond touched. This wasn't a boss's inspection at all; it was practically a boyfriend visiting the set!

"Boss, what brings you here?"

Lin Qingyu tidied up her slightly messy hair and walked up to Su Bai.

Because of the high-intensity exercise just now, her cheeks bore a natural flush, her forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat, and a few strands of wet hair clung to her slender neck. That appearance was both aloof and indescribably sexy.

"I came to see if my investment went down the drain."

Su Bai looked at her, his gaze not lingering too long on those pulse-racing curves, but rather sharply falling on her waist.

He had already taken in that scene from outside the door earlier.

Although Lin Qingyu was trying her best to hide it, her standing posture clearly shifted her center of gravity to her left leg to reduce the strain on the right side of her waist. Moreover, her right hand was faintly hovering over her lower back.

"It seems everyone is practicing very hard."

Su Bai placed the takeout boxes in his hands on a nearby table. "However, some people's hard work seems to have gone a bit overboard."

Lin Qingyu's heart skipped a beat, and she subconsciously straightened her back. "Boss, we are professional dancers. This level of intensity is nothing. Only by sweating during practice can we..."

"Alright, don't recite chicken soup quotes to me."

Su Bai interrupted her, his tone suddenly turning cold.

He took a step forward, his powerful aura instantly enveloping Lin Qingyu.

"Come out with me."

After speaking, Su Bai turned and walked toward the VIP lounge on one side of the rehearsal hall.

"Huh?"

Lin Qingyu froze for a moment, somewhat at a loss for what to do.

The girls around them who were eating cake also stopped what they were doing and watched the scene curiously.

"What are you still standing there for?"

Su Bai looked back, his brows slightly furrowed. "Do you want me to carry you over?"

"N-no need!"

Lin Qingyu was startled, her face instantly turning beet red. Being carried into the lounge by the boss in front of so many team members—how could she lead the team as the principal dancer in the future?

She could only bite the bullet and, under the gossiping gazes of the crowd, follow behind Su Bai into the VIP room that hung a Staff Only sign.

...

The door of the VIP lounge closed, shutting out the noise from outside.

The environment here was extremely private, paved with thick carpets, furnished with two sets of leather sofas, and the air was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood.

"Boss, what do you need me for? Are... are you dissatisfied with the rehearsal just now?"

Lin Qingyu stood in the center of the room, her hands wringing together, looking somewhat anxious and uneasy.

In front of this man, her proud aloofness and strength seemed to cease to exist.

"I am very satisfied with the rehearsal."

Su Bai took off his overcoat and hung it to the side, then unbuttoned his cuffs, revealing a section of his sturdy forearms. "But I am very dissatisfied with you as a person."

"Me?" Lin Qingyu was stunned.

"How long have you had this back injury?"

Su Bai didn't beat around the bush, asking directly and hitting the nail on the head.

"No... it's not injured, just a little..." Lin Qingyu subconsciously tried to deny it.

"Don't be stubborn. During that leg stretch just now, you were in so much pain that you broke out in a cold sweat."

"Lie down on your stomach, let me take a look."

Su Bai pointed to the spacious leather sofa in front of him. Although his tone was as approachable as ever, it carried a faint, unquestionable authority.

"B-Boss?!"

Lin Qingyu's eyes widened, her face full of shock and shame.

Lie down?

A man and a woman alone in a room, and the boss is asking her to lie face down on the sofa?

Is... is this the casting couch?

Although she had already prepared herself mentally to "dance only for him" and even harbored a vague affection for Su Bai deep in her heart. But... isn't this progressing too fast? And during a rehearsal break, with so many team members right outside...

"What are you thinking about?"

Seeing her expression that looked as if she were about to bravely face execution, Su Bai found it somewhat amusing and flicked her on the forehead. "I'm going to treat your injury. Stop having so much garbage in your head."

"T-Treat my injury?"

Lin Qingyu covered her forehead, feeling a bit dazed.

"I know a bit of traditional Chinese massage."

Not caring whether she believed him or not, Su Bai grabbed her shoulders and half-forced her onto the sofa. "Don't move around."

Lin Qingyu's body was as stiff as a rock.

She lay flat on the sofa, her face buried in a cushion. Her tight leotard outlined her perfect waist-to-hip ratio in a breathtaking manner.

"Relax."

Su Bai's voice came from above. "How can I massage you if you're so tense?"

"I... I'll try..."

Lin Qingyu's voice was trembling.

The next second.

A large, warm hand pressed against her lower back.

Even through the thin layer of Lycra fabric, the heat from his palm felt like an electric current, instantly piercing the clothing and reaching her skin.

Lin Qingyu shuddered all over and almost cried out.

However, the expected pain or harassment did not happen.

Instead, there was an indescribable, warm current.

That was the [Master-Level Causality Physiotherapy] skill activating.

Under Su Bai's palm, a gentle yet overbearing "qi" slowly permeated through Lin Qingyu's congested and stiff lower back muscles. The lactic acid accumulated over the years, the adhered fascia, and the damaged soft tissues began to melt and repair rapidly in the face of this power, like ice meeting the scorching sun.

"Mmm..."

Lin Qingyu finally released her tightly bitten lip, letting out an uncontrollable muffled groan.

But this sound wasn't out of pain.

It was because... it was too comfortable.

The feeling was like having heavy shackles carried for years suddenly removed, replaced by a light, tingling sensation of floating on the clouds.

That warm current spread along her spine and flowed through her entire body, causing her originally cold hands and feet to warm up.

"Does it hurt here?"

Su Bai's fingers pressed precisely on an old injury on her lumbar spine, applying a little pressure.

"Ah... it hurts... no, it's sore..."

Lin Qingyu's voice had changed pitch, carrying a delicate and soft sweetness that would absolutely never appear on normal days. "There... it's so sore there..."

"Soreness means it's working."

Su Bai said calmly, but the movements of his hands did not stop. "This is a chronic injury, and the bruised blood is all blocked inside. Bear with it, I'm going to apply more pressure."

He told her to bear with it, but as Su Bai's technique intensified, that sore and refreshing sensation not only didn't weaken but multiplied exponentially.

Lin Qingyu felt her very soul trembling.

Her aloof exterior as the principal dancer was peeled away layer by layer under this man's palms, leaving only her most instinctive reactions.

Sweat dampened her temples, and her cheeks were as red as ripe peaches.

She never knew that treating a back injury... could actually be such a shameful yet irresistible experience.

This was simply more... more blush-inducing and heart-pounding than that kind of thing.

Moreover, Su Bai's technique was extremely professional. He didn't make any inappropriate moves; every inch of his pressure was exactly on the acupoints and the origins and insertions of the muscles.

But this only made Lin Qingyu feel even more ashamed.

So the boss is really treating my injury...

And just now I actually thought he wanted to...

Lin Qingyu, you are so dirty-minded!

But... it really feels so good...

Time passed minute by minute.

About twenty minutes later.

When Su Bai's hands finally left her lower back, Lin Qingyu felt as if she had just experienced a rebirth.

The dull pain that had accompanied her all year round had completely vanished, replaced by an unprecedented sense of relaxation and vitality. She even felt that her lower back strength was stronger than before the injury.

"Get up."

Su Bai walked to the side, pulled out a wet wipe, and wiped his hands. His expression was as calm as if he had just finished a trivial matter.

Lin Qingyu struggled to climb up from the sofa.

At this moment, her hair was messy, her eyes were hazy, and her leotard was soaked with sweat, clinging tightly to her body. That appearance looked exactly as if she had just been...

"Boss..."

Lin Qingyu lowered her head, not daring to look into Su Bai's eyes at all. "Th-Thank you."

She was truly won over.

It wasn't just gratitude, but a deep submission and attachment.

This man had not only given her dignity and a stage, but he could even personally cure the stubborn illness that had troubled her for years.

Was there anything in this world that he couldn't do?

"No need to thank me."

Su Bai turned around and looked at her, his eyes a bit serious.

"Lin Qingyu, we signed a contract."

"According to the contract's provisions, training with an injury is not allowed."

"If I find out again that you're overdrawing your body just to rush the schedule... then I will lock you in this lounge and personally 'treat' you for an hour every day until you learn to behave."

"Do you understand?"

Boom—

It was as if fireworks exploded in Lin Qingyu's mind.

If someone else had made such a declaration, she might have felt disgusted.

But coming from Su Bai's mouth, coupled with that extreme experience just now, it felt like a heavy hammer smashing fiercely into the softest part of her heart.

Lock her up... personally treat her every day...

Lin Qingyu's face was so hot it was about to burn up.

Although reason told her this was a warning, why... was there a faint trace of anticipation deep in her heart?

"U-Understood."

Lin Qingyu replied with a trembling voice, "Boss, I... I will definitely behave from now on."

"That's more like it."

Su Bai nodded with satisfaction and casually helped her adjust her messy collar.

"Alright, head out. Don't keep the people outside waiting."

"Also, I'm giving you half a day off today. Go back and get a good rest. For tomorrow's rehearsal, I don't want to see a listless principal dancer."

"Yes!"

Lin Qingyu felt as if she had been granted amnesty and fled out of the lounge.

Watching her slightly flustered back, the corners of Su Bai's mouth curled up.