Su Ming gave Qiu Tong a massage for nearly twenty minutes.

He had learned massage techniques but hadn't practiced much, only watching his grandfather treat a neighbor's sprained ankle back home. Mimicking his grandfather's movements, he gently rubbed the red and swollen area of Qiu Tong's ankle with his palm, applying just the right amount of pressure, trying to be as even as possible.

Qiu Tong leaned back on the sofa, eyes closed, occasionally hissing in a sharp intake of breath, but she didn't cry out in pain.

The living room was very quiet. The fan on the coffee table creaked as it turned, blowing warm air. Occasionally, the calls of street vendors and the roar of passing cars could be heard from outside the window.