Chapter 1940: 1940: Heart-to-Heart

Chapter 1940: Chapter 1940: Heart-to-Heart

After Luo Ziling prepared some necessary items, he instructed Phoenix, “Lie down. I’ll help you massage your joints. While I do that, let’s talk about something else.”

Phoenix glanced at Luo Ziling and, without refusing, obediently lay down.

“Just now Lin Lan said you have something to tell me. It shouldn’t just be what you mentioned earlier, right?” Luo Ziling lowered his voice to inquire after Phoenix lay down, “I hope you won’t be so long-winded.”

“We used the medicine you gave us and successfully completed the assassination mission,” Phoenix indeed shared a very confidential matter with Luo Ziling, “This time, none of our team members were sacrificed or injured. It was a very successful operation.”

“Haha, looks like you owe me a thank you. Why not treat me to a meal someday!” Luo Ziling didn’t make a big deal out of it.

“The boss asked me to see if you want some credit for your assistance.”

“No need,” Luo Ziling briefly thought and then declined Phoenix’s kindness. “I’d rather continue being an outsider team member!”

“Suit yourself,” Phoenix had long anticipated that Luo Ziling would respond this way, so she wasn’t surprised.

“Your body really needs some good conditioning,” Luo Ziling seriously suggested after checking Phoenix’s pulse and assessing her blood flow, “Otherwise, there might be a chance of premature aging, or worse, end up like Li Haiyang. I believe there’s no conflict between carrying out missions and maintaining your health. Often, you can have it both ways.”

“Thank you,” Phoenix expressed her gratitude, “If I find the time, I’ll come to you for treatment and conditioning.”

“If you keep being so cold towards me, I won’t help you,” Luo Ziling, feeling a bit sulky, voiced his dissatisfaction, “I’ve reminded you several times not to keep a straight face all the time, and you’re not taking my words seriously.”

Phoenix remained silent and closed her eyes.

Luo Ziling got a bit irritated and intentionally stimulated a point on Phoenix’s waist.

Phoenix let out a low exclamation and immediately rolled off the bed.

“What are you doing?”

“Teasing you, is that not allowed?”

“Do you believe I won’t kill you?”

“I don’t believe it, women’s words are hardly reliable,” Luo Ziling didn’t take it to heart and sternly ordered Phoenix, “Lie down quickly; if you don’t cooperate, I won’t help you!”

Phoenix had no choice but to lie down again with a huff.

Luo Ziling asked her to loosen her pants so he could massage her abdomen points.

Phoenix hesitated for a moment but eventually didn’t refuse.

Luo Ziling initially wanted to tease Phoenix a bit but ended up not provoking her.

After massaging her abdomen and waist for a while, he moved on to other areas and then taught her how to do it herself.

“I can’t learn it,” Phoenix straightforwardly replied, “I’ll ask you next time.”

“After acupuncture treatment, you’ll feel even more comfortable. Wait until I regain my strength.”

“Alright! Not massaging here?”

“Aren’t you afraid of me taking advantage of you?”

“You’ve already taken advantage of me more than once,” Phoenix seemed indifferent, “Considering the possibility of cancer, being taken advantage of by you is nothing.”

Luo Ziling couldn’t resist joking, “Don’t blame me then!”

Phoenix gave him a fierce glare.

Luo Ziling didn’t care and said with a laugh, “You can massage yourself regularly. I’ll teach you a few moves. Press with some force on these points, and the feeling of swelling pain will quickly disappear. Certainly, a professional like me will give better results, but you can massage every day, and the accumulated effect will definitely be better than me helping you. Besides, if I help, it’s bound to be awkward, so it’s better if you do it yourself!”

Luo Ziling’s words left Phoenix with mixed feelings, but in the end, she accepted his suggestion.

After listening to Luo Ziling’s explanation of the distribution of acupuncture points and the effects of massaging different points, Phoenix expressed her satisfaction.

“Let me tell you something else,” after Luo Ziling explained the massage methods, Phoenix quietly said, “Because of Li Haiyang’s health issues over the past few years, many matters of Dragon Rise couldn’t proceed. I don’t have that authority, so reformation in Dragon Rise hasn’t really taken place these past years. If your father comes, he can start working from this point. I’ll summarize the specifics and write a report for you to pass on to him. Of course, make sure no one knows about this.”

“Alright!” Luo Ziling readily accepted without any refusal.

Phoenix added, “There are unavoidable power struggles within Dragon Rise, and I hope that when your father comes, he can resolve these issues. I’ll let you know the specifics. If you think I’m just targeting others, just ignore what I said.”

“You’re a responsible captain, I trust what you’re saying,” Luo Ziling promptly expressed his trust in Phoenix.

Phoenix didn’t say anything immediately, seemingly hesitating.

“Is there anything else you want to tell me?” Luo Ziling was a bit puzzled.

“Someone filed a complaint against me,” Phoenix finally revealed after hesitating for at least a minute about whether to disclose this matter, “If supported by someone influential, I might have to leave Dragon Rise.”

“I’ll talk to my grandfather about it, I’m sure he’ll say something,” Luo Ziling understood Phoenix’s meaning and promised immediately before she could ask, “If you’re not in Dragon Rise, its capability will significantly decline.”

“Thank you in advance,” Phoenix accepted Luo Ziling’s offer readily.

After a moment of silence, she added, “Around May, a few warriors from Dragon Rise will retire. Would you like to recruit them under your name?”

“How many people? What’s their situation?” Luo Ziling suddenly became interested, “I’m lacking capable people around me. If suitable, I’d be willing to make contact.”

“I’ll have Lin Lan pass you the information. She should also give you her opinions. I think they’re all good. If they leave Dragon Rise, they’ll be scooped up quickly, so you need to make a move soon.”

“Thanks, I got it!”

Phoenix said nothing more and turned to walk out without even saying goodbye.

Luo Ziling had no choice but to follow her out.

Unexpectedly, Phoenix suddenly stopped, and Luo Ziling couldn’t halt in time, bumping straight into her.

Both of them were agile, but the entryway space was cramped, so they collided with each other.

Just then, Ling Ruonan appeared on the stairs, witnessing the scene.