Chapter Text
It began that morning.
After sword practice, that intoxicating aroma, the one that left her heart racing.
If only I could bottle it… sell it on the market…
Whatever unnatural sex appeal this ethereal beauty was giving off… what if she could turn that into some sort of perfume? A pheromone perfume.
She’d taken a sample under the pretext of a checkup. But he knew her better.
She’s experimenting again…
Weeks passed, and the memory had faded.
____________
Testing it on anyone else seemed… like the wrong move, it had to be him.
There was no telling how the pheromone would interact with a different test subject.
And of course, informing the subject was out of the question, placebo effect and all.
She entered the office without a fuss, Would you like a massage, Master Jinshi? Her words far too casual.
Jinshi looked up, a faint flush coloring his cheeks.
Well, that came out of nowhere. He smiled.
Yes… I’ve been quite sore lately. I’d really like that, if you don’t mind.
She approached with a calm, collected expression, squeezing the laced liquid, an oil infusion, into her palm.
She wasn’t sure if it would affect her through this kind of contact, but she suspected it wouldn’t.
The heat and pressure points were the trigger, particularly the neck. She would monitor for any adverse reactions, but for now, there was no reason to worry.
Maomao worked the oil into his skin with careful, clinical hands, starting at the base of his neck.
She gave him a moment to relax beneath her touch, heat rising from his skin, before applying real pressure.
Her thumbs pressed in slow, soothing circles along the tight muscles on either side of his spine.
Mmm… he groaned as long-ignored soreness finally surfaced.
She was firm but patient, easing upward as she searched for knots.
The change was subtle at first; her arms grew heavy, her pulse quickening.
Nothing to report yet. This is an intimate exchange, and his voice… I can’t confirm anything is working here.
At least not yet.
Once she found a knot, she worked it gradually, pressing, circling, and releasing until the muscle began to soften.
Nghh—! he reeled, her heart skipping a beat.
R-right there, I’m sorry it’s been… bothering me so much lately.
Y-yes, sir. Her fingers curled, squeezing and releasing in a slow rhythm while her thumbs focused on the spot.
She paid close attention to every reaction, his breathing, the way his shoulders lowered, the way he melted under her touch.
Moving to his neck, her fingers sliding up toward the base of his skull with just enough pressure, then back down over his broad shoulders, kneading with steady, deliberate strokes.
Maomao’s fingers began to tire, aching, trembling, and for a brief moment, she slowed.
Ughnn… F-fuck, don’t stop. His plea came as the tensest muscles convulsed beneath her hands.
She froze, a spike of alarm shooting through her as her hands moved on their own, thumbs pressing harder into the stubborn knot.
W-what is this? It’s like I can’t refuse…
Fear coiled tight in her chest as the scent grew overpowering.
Mmm, to the left… lower…
Her hands obeyed instantly. Y-yes, right there…
She circled the spot with steady pressure, easing off and returning again and again until the knot finally softened and unraveled.
A-Ah—! He jumped at the sudden relief.
This is bad… I’m not able to…
She opened her mouth to speak, but he beat her to it.
M-Maomao… This feels so good. Could you please keep going just a little while longer?
And so she did, careful, warm, and unhurried, drawing out the remaining tension.
No matter how her arms burned, how sweat stung her eyes, how her muscles screamed for mercy, she could not stop.
An hour had passed.
Thank you… that felt amazing, he sighed with deep satisfaction.
I can’t believe you kept that up so long.
Maomao was wrecked. Her arms trembled violently, her breath came in ragged gasps, and sweat plastered strands of hair to her face. Not even the bathhouse had prepared her for this.
Jinshi turned, genuine concern flickering across his face.
M-Maomao? What’s wrong?
Don’t come closer! She screamed internally.
You didn’t have to push yourself like that. He stood and reached out, resting a gentle hand on her shoulder.
She flinched hard, stumbling back on shaky legs.
Her whole body trembled.
I need to get out… now! Before he says anything else!
But what if someone else came in? Who was safe?
Who could she even ask for help without putting them in danger?
Maomao, don’t go quiet on me like that.
Fuck,
The words poured out of her in a frantic, unstoppable flood: her morning, what she’d eaten for breakfast, how poorly she’d slept, everything.
Jinshi stared, taken aback. If she’s trying to hide something from me… she’s doing an absolutely terrible job of it.
H-hey, you seem stressed. Why don’t we have some tea?
Yes, sir, right away! Her body moved before she could stop it. She scurried across the room on unsteady legs, hands shaking as she prepared the tray.
She knelt to serve him, pulse thundering. I need to leave… I need to,
Maomao, I hate to see you so… nervous. Try to calm down for me, just a bit.
A heavy, unnatural serenity washed over her. The frantic tension fell from her shoulders.
She lifted the teacup with suddenly steady hands and took a slow sip. For the first time since the massage began, she felt a sliver of control return.
T-thank you, Master Jinshi, she murmured weakly.
They drank in relative silence.
Finally, she dared, J-Jinshi… could I return to the medical office soon?
He glanced at her, she didn’t usually ask permission for something so ordinary.
Yes, of course.
Maomao had never risen so fast in her life. W-well then! If you’ll excuse me,
Hold it.
Her body locked mid-step, hand inches from the sliding door. Her heart hammered against her ribs.
You can go, he said mildly, sipping his tea,
But please check in with me later.
You seem… unwell. Maybe in an hour or so?
An hour… I have one hour to fix this… to find help…
She wondered desperately whether the command would hold once she put distance between them, once she escaped that maddening scent.
Y-yes, sir.
You may go.
The moment the words left his lips, she bolted. The door slammed behind her. Jinshi listened to her frantic footsteps clattering down the hallway like an animal set free.
What is with her today? he groaned, rolling his shoulders with a sigh, and a satisfied grin.