Is This Differential Treatment

Qintai Grand Theatre, Rehearsal Hall No. 1.

Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, the waves of Moon Lake shimmered under the warm winter sun. Inside the rehearsal hall, the air was filled with the faint scent of rosin and sweat, the most familiar atmosphere for professional dancers.

Da, da, da—

Following the rapid final notes of the piano accompaniment, a black figure traced a perfect parabola in the air.

Leap, fold, stretch, land.

The highly difficult Purple Gold Crown jump landed as lightly as a feather, not even making a heavy thud against the floor.

Beautiful!

Oh my god, Sister Qingyu, your form lately has been absolutely divine!

As the music stopped, genuine gasps of admiration echoed through the rehearsal hall.

Lin Qingyu stood in the center of the stage, her chest heaving slightly. Fine beads of sweat dotted her forehead, and a few strands of hair clung to her fair, slender neck. She turned to look at herself in the mirror, a flash of disbelief in her own eyes.

This was already the fifth full run-through of the morning.

In the past, let alone five times, even after just two, her lower back would have started aching, forcing her to stop and apply ice. But now, that annoying chronic back injury seemed to have completely vanished. No matter how much she exerted herself, there was always a warm, comforting strength supporting her waist.

Everyone, take a fifteen-minute break!

Lin Qingyu clapped her hands and announced.

Phew—I am exhausted!

Finally, I can get a drink of water!

The group of young women instantly deflated like popped balloons, collapsing onto the dance floor without any regard for their image.

Hey, Sister Qingyu.

The most gossipy of the bunch, Little Ya, leaned over holding a bottle of electrolyte water. Her eyes scanned Lin Qingyu like searchlights. Have you... been taking some kind of magic elixir lately?

What magic elixir? Lin Qingyu wiped her sweat and unscrewed her thermos.

Do not play dumb!

Little Ya pointed at her waist. Which of us dancers does not have some injuries? Especially your herniated disc; it used to hurt whenever the weather changed. But these past few days, you have been doing flying leaps and Purple Gold Crowns, working harder than any of us, and yet you are completely fine. Your complexion is even getting rosier... It is just not scientific!

Exactly, exactly!

Another lead dancer named Ah Lan also came over with a wicked grin. And Sister Qingyu, your skin has been glowing lately. That cold, slightly bitter aura you used to have is gone. Now... how should I put it? You look like a perfectly nourished, juicy peach.

Shoo, shoo! What kind of nonsense description is that!

Lin Qingyu's cheeks burned at their words, but she could not hide the radiant, spring-like joy in her eyes and brows.

Sister Qingyu, just confess.

Ah Lan lowered her voice and said mysteriously, Did the boss find some miracle doctor for you? Or did he use some high-tech treatment we do not know about?

Lin Qingyu pursed her lips. Looking at the curious eyes surrounding her, she knew she could not hide it anymore.

Besides, as her attachment to Su Bai grew deeper, the secret of being specially treated made her feel sweet inside, along with a faint urge to show it off.

Actually... there is no miracle doctor.

Lin Qingyu lowered her head, her fingers rubbing the lid of her thermos, her voice soft. It is just... the boss knows a bit of traditional Chinese massage. He took some time to massage me a few times these past couple of days.

Who?! The boss?!

Little Ya's eyes widened. Boss Su knows how to massage? And he did it for you personally?!

Mhm...

Lin Qingyu's face turned as red as a ripe apple. The boss's technique is very special. Every time he finishes, it feels warm and really comfortable, and the injury just heals.

Wow—

The rehearsal hall instantly exploded with chatter.

Although everyone had long been guessing about the relationship between Lin Qingyu and the boss, hearing concrete proof like the boss personally gave a massage—something so private and intimate—still made the girls red-eyed with envy.

The boss personally giving a massage... and treating your waist...

Little Ya covered her face, sporting a knowing, auntie-like smile. The picture is too beautiful, I do not even dare to imagine it.

No wonder Sister Qingyu recovered so quickly. That was not a massage; that was an injection of the power of love!

Amidst the teasing, a girl sitting in the corner had a complicated look in her eyes.

Zhao Feifei.

She was the number two in the troupe. In terms of looks and figure, she was not actually much inferior to Lin Qingyu. It was just that Lin Qingyu's temperament was colder and more elegant—what they called the main wife vibe—which always kept her a step above.

Watching Lin Qingyu being surrounded like the moon among stars, a wave of sour jealousy surged in Zhao Feifei's heart.

Why should she...

She thought indignantly, In terms of looks, I also have that pure-yet-alluring style; in terms of figure, I am even a bit curvier than Lin Qingyu. Why is she the only one in the boss's eyes?

Massage to treat an injury? Hmph, sounds nice.

Zhao Feifei curled her lips, thinking to herself, Is it not just flirting under the guise of treating an injury? A lone man and a lone woman... what else could happen while massaging? Any adult knows.

If Lin Qingyu can do it, why can I not?

Zhao Feifei looked down at her full curves under her practice clothes, then touched her own shoulders and knees, which, though not seriously injured, often ached.

A bold idea formed in her mind.

A mega-rich boss like him definitely would not have just one woman around him. If a plain Jane like Lin Qingyu could climb the ranks, there was no reason someone like her—who was more tactful and open—could not get a piece of the action.

As long as she could get the boss to give her a massage too...

...

Just then, the doors to the rehearsal hall were pushed open.

The boss is here!

Someone shouted, and the girls who had been paralyzed on the floor instantly sprang up as if injected with adrenaline. They quickly got to their feet, some fixing their hair, others straightening their clothes.

Su Bai walked in wearing a long black trench coat over a well-tailored casual suit. He did not carry any gifts; his hands were casually stuffed in his pockets as he strode in with his long legs.

His innate noble aura and oppressive presence instantly made the air in the rehearsal hall freeze a little.

Hello, Boss!

The girls called out in unison, their voices sickeningly sweet.

Mm, good work, everyone.

Su Bai nodded slightly. His gaze swept through the crowd before finally landing on Lin Qingyu, his eyes softening a bit. It seems you are recovering well?

Thanks to you.

Lin Qingyu smiled shyly. Her hesitant, alluring demeanor made Zhao Feifei, who was standing nearby, grit her teeth in irritation.

Boss~

Right at that moment, a delicate, coquettish voice rang out abruptly.

Zhao Feifei squeezed out from the crowd.

She had deliberately pulled down the neckline of her practice clothes a bit, revealing a patch of snow-white skin. As she walked, her hips swayed, carrying a deliberately crafted seductive charm.

She walked up to Su Bai, getting so close she was almost pressed against him. Then, her legs suddenly gave way. With an Ouch, she reached out to grab Su Bai's arm for support.

Boss... I think I twisted my waist when I was practicing that grand leap just now~

Zhao Feifei raised her head, her large, exquisitely made-up eyes brimming with tears, looking pitifully at Su Bai. "It hurts so much... I heard your massage skills are miraculous, boss. Could you... take a look at me too?"

This combination of "driving to the basket" and "acting cute while playing the victim" had been her infallible trump card in the high-society circles she used to navigate.

The air around them instantly grew still.

Lin Qingyu's expression changed slightly, looking at Zhao Feifei with some astonishment.

The other girls also exchanged glances, thinking to themselves, 'Is Zhao Feifei really this bold? Starting to make a move this openly already?'

However.

The anticipated scene of Su Bai showing tender care for a delicate beauty did not materialize.

The moment Zhao Feifei's hand was about to touch Su Bai's sleeve, he sidestepped with extreme naturalness, his movements fluid and swift, almost like an instinctual reaction.

Zhao Feifei grabbed at empty air, nearly taking a real nosedive. She stumbled several steps before barely regaining her balance, her posture quite awkward.

"Twisted your waist?"

Su Bai stood two steps away, looking down at her from his height. His face showed no particular expression, even carrying a trace of imperceptible coolness.

"Y... yes..."

Zhao Feifei straightened up awkwardly, forcing a smile, still unwilling to give up as she tried to lean closer. "It really hurts, feels just like Sister Qingyu's symptoms before. Boss, please help me~"

Su Bai narrowed his eyes.

A system panel instantly unfolded before his eyes, a scanning beam silently falling upon Zhao Feifei.

[Name: Zhao Feifei] [Age: 23] [Appearance: 79 (with makeup)] [Figure: 85 (curvy, but thanks to some technological 'enhancements')] [Special History:] [1. Dated a rich second-generation for three months in freshman year, received a BMW as a gift.] [2. Worked part-time in the 'atmosphere group' at a high-end nightclub during sophomore summer break, complex social connections.] [3. Once dated three boyfriends simultaneously, known as a 'Time Management Master.'] [Number of Relationships: 14 (including but not limited to short-term flings, long-term meal tickets, backups, etc.)] [Current Status: Attempting to advance through physical means, harbors strong utilitarian intentions towards the host.]

Looking at that series of startling numbers and history, Su Bai inwardly drew a sharp breath.

Good grief.

So this is the legendary "track record is verifiable."

Fourteen? Nightclub part-timer? Time Management Master?

Although Su Bai considered himself a man of broad affections, he had his standards.

Whether it was Li Xingya, Zhou Jialu, Xia Lin, Xu Xinran, or even Lin Qingyu, each was a good girl, pure in body and mind.

For an "old hand" like Zhao Feifei, who had been steeped in the mire, he really... couldn't bring himself to touch her.

Forget giving her a massage, even touching her felt dirty.

"Tsk..."

Su Bai frowned slightly, a flash of distaste crossing his face. Although he quickly masked it, the icy aloofness that kept others at arm's length became even more pronounced.

"If you've twisted your waist, you should go to the hospital."

Su Bai's voice was flat, devoid of any warmth. "I'm the boss, not a massage therapist. Not just anyone's waist is qualified for me to massage."

As these words fell, Zhao Feifei's face instantly turned as pale as paper.

The words were too harsh.

It was practically a public slap in the face, stripping her little schemes bare and then stomping on them for good measure.

"I... I didn't mean it like that..." Zhao Feifei flusteredly tried to explain.

"Enough."

Su Bai interrupted her somewhat impatiently. His gaze swept across the room, finally settling on Lin Qingyu, who looked somewhat at a loss.

"Actually, what just happened with Zhao Feifei reminded me of something."

Su Bai shifted his tone, his voice softening a few degrees, returning to that image of the extravagant, free-spending tycoon.

"You're a professional dance troupe, injuries are inevitable. I can't just focus on... one particular person every time."

As he spoke, he glanced meaningfully at Lin Qingyu, causing her ears to turn red.

"So, I asked friends in Shanghai to connect me with the expert team from the Sports Medicine Department of Shanghai Huashan Hospital."

"I've already signed a long-term medical consultancy contract with them."

"Starting tomorrow, two professional sports rehabilitation physiotherapists will be permanently stationed with our dance troupe, providing on-site services. Additionally, every month, expert professors will fly here to give you all comprehensive physical check-ups and injury assessments."

"All expenses will be borne by the company."

Su Bai waved his hand grandly, that domineering aura once again stunning everyone present.

"The Sports Medicine Department of Huashan Hospital?!"

Some of the more knowledgeable girls exclaimed, "That's the best sports medicine department in the country! So many Olympic champions get treated there!"

"Oh my god! Permanent physiotherapists? That's treatment on par with the national team!"

"Long live the boss! Boss, you're the best!"

The awkward atmosphere created by Zhao Feifei's rejection was instantly swept away by this sudden, massive benefit.

Everyone cheered and jumped for joy, their eyes filled with admiration as they looked at Su Bai.

Only Zhao Feifei, standing on the edge of the crowd, her face alternating between green and white.

She felt like a clown.

Originally intending to seduce the boss, she was not only publicly rebuffed but also became the "stepping stone" the boss used to announce this perk.

And...

Watching Lin Qingyu being pulled aside by Su Bai for a quiet word, the jealousy in her heart almost consumed her.

What "hired an expert team"?

To put it bluntly, it's all because you, Lin Qingyu, are special!

The boss would rather spend hundreds of thousands, even millions, to hire a team to take care of us "ordinary people" than let his precious hands touch me even once!

This is preferential treatment.

This is the double standard of a tycoon.

"Qingyu, are you satisfied with this arrangement?"

Su Bai paid no attention to the woman humiliating herself in the corner, instead looking down at Lin Qingyu beside him.

"Satisfied... extremely satisfied."

Lin Qingyu looked up, her eyes full of emotion. "Boss, won't this be too extravagant? Actually..."

"As long as it helps you all maintain your best condition, this amount of money is nothing."

Su Bai reached out and gently straightened a few stray strands of hair on her forehead, his movements natural and intimate. "However, your physiotherapy sessions will still be under my care from now on."

Su Bai's voice was very soft, only audible to Lin Qingyu.

Lin Qingyu's heart skipped a beat.

Looking into Su Bai's deep eyes, she instantly understood the real reason behind Zhao Feifei's rejection earlier.

It wasn't because the boss was aloof.

It was because... the boss had standards.

Both physically and mentally.

And she was the one he had chosen, the one he recognized as "pure."

This secret sense of superiority and the happiness of being exclusively claimed made Lin Qingyu completely fall for him.

"Mmm... I understand."

Lin Qingyu nodded, her face flushed, her voice soft as water. "My waist... only for you to touch."

Su Bai smiled with satisfaction.

He turned around, looked at the girls who were still excitedly discussing the "national team treatment," and clapped his hands.

Alright, since the expert team only arrives tomorrow, I'll give you all another perk today.

"Dinner tonight is on me."

"Let's go find a fancy buffet for a proper meal. Zhao Feifei... since you've sprained your back, you should head back to the dorm and rest properly. Don't force yourself to join us."

This final, cutting remark was the last straw that broke Zhao Feifei.

She clenched her lips tightly, tears welling up in her eyes, yet she couldn't muster a single word of retort.

In this harsh adult world,

the favor of the ultra-wealthy is simply that unreasonable.

You are either that irreplaceable pearl, or... you're just a speck of dust that can't even catch a glimmer of its light.