The Self-Cultivation of a Reborn Massage Therapist

Chapter 85 Foot Massage Festival and the Reappearance of the Intellectual Academic Superstar
It was lunchtime, and Da Qiao's work clothes were stained with sweat after a morning's work.

Zhao Xiaochui placed his hands on the guest, feeling the warmth flow in, and carefully felt Da Qiao's technique.

You can also take the opportunity to learn the old massage therapist's skillful techniques.

"How about the little hammer?"

Upon learning that it was Zhao Xiaochui, the customer's surprised voice came from the massage bed.

Zhao Xiaochui withdrew the heat and patted the customer on the back:

"Uncle Ma, if you fly kites during the day and look at the stars at night every day, and keep doing this every day, then you won't need to come anymore."

The customer replied sullenly, "Then I'll have to come back."

Suddenly, a soft female voice came from under the massage bed: "Thank you for the gift, handsome!"

Zhao Xiaochui: "..."

That's the downside of high-end massage beds: customers can always use various functions to look at their phones while getting a massage.

Ignoring the old man who was frantically liking the young lady's posts, Zhao Xiaochui pointed out a minor mistake by Da Qiao that was too forceful, and continued his inspection.

He taught several techniques that can be considered as a tradition, and each of the eight massage therapists had their own focus on them.

Da Qiao specializes in cervical spondylosis, Lao Gu has lumbar disc herniation, and the others also have their own areas of expertise.

These are eight intelligent people. Mastering one skill, learning it thoroughly, and studying it deeply will be enough to benefit them for a lifetime.

As long as they are willing to learn, Zhao Xiaochui will certainly teach them everything he knows.

He'll start taking customers tomorrow, and he plans to spend the rest of today teaching both new and experienced technicians.

In this way, he taught each colleague step by step, first the senior technicians in the new store, and then the new technicians in the old store.

However, when he returned to the old store, the chubby receptionist stopped him, took out a file folder and explained, "I have investigated the new technicians thoroughly during this period. They are all reliable and honest, with clean backgrounds, so I signed the labor contracts."

"Oh."

Zhao Xiaochui didn't feel anything, because he had also signed the agreement. He was not only a shareholder, but also a high-paid executive. From then on, he would also have his employer pay social security.

Seeing that he didn't take it seriously, the chubby receptionist said irritably:
"It comes with a non-compete agreement."

Zhao Xiaochui quickly took out a contract to check, and was then stunned by the astronomical figure on it.

"Is this thing... legal?"

“I asked someone to check with the labor inspection team,” the chubby receptionist said, rubbing his head vigorously. “Don’t you think about how much a lifetime of knowledge they’re taught is worth?”

"But I don't have a license!"

This is what Zhao Xiaochui is most conflicted about.

"It will be here soon." The chubby receptionist released his head and said calmly, "My old company will find a way to send it to you, through legal, special channels."

"..." Zhao Xiaochui cautiously approached the chubby receptionist, "Sister Pang, could you tell me your order details..."

"No, go do something."

"Got it."

So, before evening, the entire Jinchan West Road suddenly became bustling with excitement.

Upon receiving the police report, Chief Qiao led all the officers in uniform and rushed out of the alley. There they saw many elderly people carrying stools and large basins, hurrying towards the massage parlor.

They lined up in order from the entrance of the massage parlor to soak their feet.

Judging by the length and speed of the queue, it will soon stretch all the way to the alley entrance.

At the very front of the line, Zhao Xiaochui was holding the young female technician's right hand and pressing it against the old woman's foot.

For the first time, Qiao and his colleagues truly realized what hands-on teaching meant.

The old lady first yelled, then looked completely satisfied, and then quickly dried her feet, picked up the basin, and ran away—the little hammer didn't stop, and she could even carry the old lady out of the house.

Free! Zhao Xiaochui's first time trying foot massage!
After taking care of the whole family all day and being exhausted, the old lady disappeared in just a couple of moments!

Reaching the alley entrance, the woman glanced at the ever-growing queue, shoved the large basin into Qiao's arms, and sped up her run once more.

Qiao Suo: "..."

"What are you looking at me for? Get to work and maintain order." "By the way, if you have elderly people at home, call them right away."

"Okay, thank you, Director Qiao."

On the evening of July 4th, the first Foot Massage Festival of Fatou Street opened without warning.

This is also a celebration for businesses near Jinchan West Road.

They actively served various meals to the elderly who were soaking their feet while waiting.

The elderly people at the front of the line all had a great appetite after their foot massages and went straight to a restaurant with their children.

…………

Zhao Xiaochui has cheated.

He sat on a small stool, the girl beside him with her eyes covered by a dark blue silk cloth. She had an oval face, delicate features, and a slender figure. If she had healthy, bright eyes, she would surely have many suitors.

Unfortunately, life doesn't offer "what ifs." Her slender, fair hands will, in the years to come, be accompanied by all sorts of feet.

This is the price to pay for a life free from worries about food and clothing.

Zhao Xiaochui held her hand; it felt wonderful, delicate and smooth, clearly showing that her parents had taken good care of her.

He guided her fingers, starting from the brain/pituitary reflex zone on the sole of her foot and ending at the lymphatic reflex zone, using heat to assist, and personally demonstrating and explaining the techniques, pressure, frequency, and location.

After just one practical lesson, with the aid of the heat, a deep impression was formed in the blind girl's mind.

Moreover, it wasn't just once.

"This is the complete massage technique for chronic fatigue syndrome. Think about the techniques I'm demonstrating today; they're different from what you practiced before. Once you master this, all these elderly folks will become your regular customers!"

Without realizing it, Zhao Xiaochui also learned how to get excited.

The next older woman gets a different technician, and Zhao Xiaochui continues teaching.

While I'm at it, I'll say hello to Director Qiao and inform him that we won't be accepting any more people in line.

Even if Zhao Xiaochui has to work overtime, he will still lead ten young technicians to serve all the elderly men and women.

…………

At night, all the shops on Jinchan West Road turn on all their lights.

On both sides of the road, elderly men and women of all ages were queuing up to soak their feet.

The younger generation is busy taking care of their elders.

Or get hot water, or buy food.

This isn't about queuing up for eggs; nor is it about retiring to collect scraps. Every elderly person who gets up from the massage therapist's hands becomes radiant under their own eyes.

During the service, the young massage therapists pointed out any age-related or chronic illnesses that the patient might have been aware of, and provided clear solutions, such as which department to consult, what tests to do, and how to receive physical therapy after diagnosis.

Massage hospitals and physiotherapy departments in community hospitals in Beijing were the terms he mentioned most frequently.

There are no business tricks, no membership card sales pitches, and no mystical claims about "replenishing qi and blood"—only the simplest conditioning advice.

This silent pragmatism is rarely seen in their children's respective workplaces.

Moreover, the elders are the biggest beneficiaries when they have good health.

…………

Zhou Xuan, the bespectacled female academic genius, was also among the crowd.

She had just finished a gentle, slow massage, the start of her second session.

Now her neck and back pain has significantly decreased, and her dizziness and tinnitus have disappeared. At least she will no longer be misdiagnosed with Meniere's syndrome.

The man suggested she go for the standard treatment—if she didn't exercise her back muscles, this problem would stay with her for life, and every time she went to him, her family's money would be depleted sooner or later.

Actually, she really wanted to tell him that her family was rich.

However, I felt at the time that these were words that men should say to women, so I didn't say them.

Now, she regrets it.

(End of this chapter)