A new foot massage parlor had recently opened downstairs in the Jinxiu residential complex. The neon sign flickered with a suggestive yellow glow, and the pink light seeped through the half-drawn curtains, creating a hazy, dreamlike atmosphere. Inside, a few massage beds were neatly arranged, and every day, two or three young, attractive girls waited for customers.

The girls were mostly dressed in revealing outfits, their black stockings and shapely legs inviting all sorts of imaginations. They lounged around, either sitting or lying down, lazily scrolling through their phones, their alluring curves on full display. Whenever a male customer walked in, they would immediately stand up, flashing sweet smiles to greet them. Whether you were a regular or a new face, the girls would gently bring over a basin of warm water, as if to wash away all the worldly worries. Their delicate demeanor and attentive service could melt anyone's heart.

However, when Meng Xun walked out of the shop today, his face was filled with disappointment. He squatted by the entrance, smoking a cigarette, his eyes empty, as if he had been completely drained. Technician No. 8 wasn't on duty today. The other girls in the shop said she had gone back to her hometown to get married. Meng Xun's heart was shattered. He had finally mustered the courage to try and make her happy, but she had already left. The blow was too much to bear.

Who could resist the charm of Technician Number 8? She didn’t crave luxury cars or mansions, nor did she demand an exorbitant dowry. All she needed was a mere hour to provide you with meticulous care. A shoulder massage, a soothing back rub, and a warm, attentive demeanor—what more could one ask for? The chime of the clock signaled the arrival of love. But alas, time was up, and the lingering affection was hard to let go.

Technician Number 8 was strikingly beautiful, bearing a resemblance to the girls he used to fancy. Recently, he had inquired about the price—only 298 yuan. The thought of it made his heart itch. Why not seize the moment and enjoy life? Earn and spend, not saving a single penny. After all, he had no plans to marry or buy a house, so why live a life of hardship?

His father had passed away early, and his mother had remarried. No one was there to control him; he was free to live as he pleased. By the time he realized this, he was already 26. Previously, he had been utterly infatuated with a manipulative woman, foolishly dreaming of giving her happiness. By day, he worked as a security guard, chasing away delivery drivers, and by night, he delivered food, engaging in a battle of wits with security guards. It was as if he was tormenting himself.

Just a few nights ago, while delivering takeout, Meng Xun caught a glimpse of his crush cozied up with a balding middle-aged man in a car. The sight shattered him.

He fired off a furious message on WeChat, but she ignored him completely. It wasn’t until the next day that he received a half-hearted reply from her, claiming she had been too busy with work to notice his message. Meng Xun had stayed up all night, his eyes bloodshot like a rabbit’s.

He wanted to lash out at her, to hurl insults, but the words caught in his throat. After all, she wasn’t his girlfriend. She was free to be with whoever she pleased.

So, in a fit of reckless abandon, Meng Xun decided to throw caution to the wind. He thought about heading to a foot massage parlor to experience what it felt like to be a "bad boy." But even the masseuse, known as "Number 8," turned him down, leaving him utterly heartbroken.

After finishing a cigarette, Meng Xun felt like a hollow shell, adrift and uncertain about the future. Just then, he heard the sound of a door opening behind him.

A decent-looking girl stepped out and crouched beside him. She waved her cigarette in the air, giving him a flirtatious look. "Hey, handsome, got a light?" she purred.

Her smile was alluring, her figure striking, and it stirred something in him. In that moment, Meng Xun felt like he had come back to life, his mind flooded with thoughts that were anything but innocent.

He pulled out a lighter and leaned in to light the cigarette for the girl. The flickering flame illuminated her cleavage, and her snow-white shoulders were mesmerizing.

The girl took a drag from her cigarette and, noticing the flame was still burning, glanced at Meng Xun with a smirk. Seeing his dazed expression, she couldn't help but laugh. "What's the matter? Weren't you just all about Number 8?" she teased.

Meng Xun stammered, "I... I just wanted to put an end to it."

The girl, amused by the delivery boy's awkwardness, took another puff and blew the smoke in his face, grinning. "Oh, come on, look at you, trying to act all serious. You're here already, no need to be shy. What's with the excuses?"

In her line of work, the girl was used to sweet-talking and had no trouble striking up a conversation with anyone. Seeing Meng Xun's bashful demeanor, she continued to coax him, mixing soft persuasion with a hint of teasing.

"Every time I see you delivering food, your eyes are like a cat sneaking a treat. The girls here even made bets on when you'd finally show up. Who would've thought I'd be the lucky one tonight?" she said with a wink.

"How about coming inside with me? I'll give you a full-body SPA, on discount, guaranteed to satisfy!" she offered.

"Forget about Number 8. Let me tell you, she's got some serious issues. Customers have come here to complain. Our manager kicked her out, told everyone she got married, but the truth is, she went for treatment..."

As the woman spilled the beans, Meng Xun's eyes widened in disbelief. He never imagined that the Number 8 he had been pining for was actually a "defective product."

Just then, the girl beside him pressed her "assets" tightly against his arm.

"Hey handsome, I'm new in this business, and I promise I'm clean. Want to give it a try?" The woman's sultry voice was laced with a hint of innocence, her eyes locking onto Meng Xun with a playful yet inviting gaze.

Meng Xun felt a sudden rush of temptation, his heart racing as he hesitated. The thought of finding out if she was truly as "clean" as she claimed flickered in his mind, stirring a mix of curiosity and desire.

Just as he was about to give in to the impulse, a sharp "ding" echoed in his head, like the sound of a notification on a high-tech device. In an instant, streams of code flashed before his eyes, a digital cascade that lasted only a few seconds. Then, a small line of text materialized in his mind:

"System-assisted scanning function activated!"