"You're so... delicate, Ryuu," she murmured, almost to herself. "It feels like if I squeeze too hard, you'll break. But I saw what you did in that alley… how cruel your hands can be."
She stopped the sponge just above my waistline, where the sheet covered the rest. Her eyes lifted to meet mine, and I saw the same conflict as before: the desire to possess me battling against the guilt over the blood we "shared."
"Are you afraid of me, Xue?" I asked, my voice thin and fragile, as if I feared the answer.
"I'm afraid of losing you," she replied, and before I could respond, she dropped the sponge and used her bare hands to wipe the excess water from my chest.
Her palms were soft, but her touch was possessive. She slid her hands over my ribs, tracing the defined muscles the system had given me, and stopped exactly where my heart was pounding frantically.
"Your heart is beating so fast…" she smiled—a small smile, but one filled with triumph.
I stayed silent.
She withdrew her hands and, with barely any hesitation, pulled the sheet down, exposing my legs and the thin cotton hospital underwear.
The "Cute Mode" of my special attribute was being pushed to its limits now. With the heat of her body so close and the tension almost tangible, keeping that bulge hidden required more willpower than I had.
[Warning: Host's heart rate rising to 120 bpm. "Cute" mode may fail if arousal reaches level 8/10.]
"Shut up, system!" I shouted internally.
Xue dipped the sponge again and began washing my thighs. Her touch was firmer here. She moved higher and higher, the sponge brushing dangerously close to the edge of the fabric. I could see sweat forming on her forehead.
"I'll… I'll need to clean underneath too," she said, unable to meet my eyes.
She slid her hand beneath the underwear, and the contact of her warm skin against my sensitive flesh made me bite my lip to stop a moan that would shatter my "innocent little brother" image.
Xue froze for a moment, her hand going still as she felt the heat of my cock in her palm.
She didn't pull away.
On the contrary, her fingers moved slightly—an exploratory touch that lasted only a second, but felt like an eternity.
"Ryuu… you…"
Before she could finish, a loud noise came from the hallway, followed by muffled voices.
Unfortunately, her trance was broken.
Bai Xue quickly withdrew her hand, her face burning scarlet. She grabbed the towel and began drying me with frantic movements, trying to hide the fact that her hands were trembling violently.
"I… I'm done," she said, her voice completely failing.
I watched her place the used sponge into a plastic bag, wondering what the hell she was planning to do with it.
"Thank you… for taking care of me…"
I played the vulnerable role, and I think she believed it, because her expression melted into affection.
"Anything for you… Ryuu."
[+5 Affection.]
I smiled at her and summoned the system in my thoughts.
____
Bai Xue Affection: 70 (Emotional Attachment)
Bai Xue Corruption: 23 (Curiosity)
____
Only three points of corruption?
She literally grabbed my dick!
Why is that so low?
Does corruption always increase this slowly, or is there some reason I'm unaware of?
Well… it doesn't matter. If her corruption increases by three points with every bath, eventually it'll surpass even Bai Yue's corruption.
...
*Gu Sheng POV*
I have a lot of work to do today.
Since my coma, my father had been managing the company, and his terrible administration left me with countless problems to deal with now.
I'm sorry, Bai Yue. I won't be able to fulfill your wish.
It filled me with anger and frustration.
She was the only light I had in those three years of darkness.
She saved me when my own body had imprisoned me. When I was forced to live in darkness, only hearing what happened around me.
I don't clearly remember what happened. My mind was adrift; the memories from that time are hazy.
But I remember her warm, gentle touch.
Her hopeful voice as she told me about her dreams.
Her constant presence, the only anchor to my sanity.
For days I asked myself:
God! What did I do to deserve such a good wife?
I never truly valued her, considering her nothing more than a good actress pretending to love me in an arranged marriage.
Only after becoming a useless vegetable did I discover it was all real—that her love was real.
Anger and guilt tormented me for days.
Since waking up, I swore I would be good to her.
That I would help her achieve all her dreams and desires.
But in the end, I can't do anything!
"Mr. Gu! I bring news from Sheng-li Hospital."
My secretary's voice interrupted my thoughts.
"How many times have I told you to knock before entering?" I reprimanded her without taking my eyes off the papers. "Just say what you want. I'm busy."
"Miss Bai has been staying at the hospital for a day."
I stood up immediately, pushing the chair back and scattering papers across the desk.
"Is she hurt?!"
"No, sir!"
She hurriedly raised her hands in a calming gesture.
"She arrived at the hospital last night carrying her injured brother. She said he was stabbed while trying to protect her."
Knowing my dear wasn't hurt, I calmed down and asked coldly:
"Why wasn't I informed sooner?!"
"There seems to have been a communication error, and the news was delayed."
A communication error?
How could something like that happen after all the investments I made in technology?
This is strange.
"Mei Ling, I'm going to the hospital. Fire whoever is responsible for this mistake immediately."
"Understood."
Mei Ling left at once to carry out my order.
Without wasting time, I put on my jacket and left the office.
Just thinking about her being alone with Bai Ryuu irritates me.
I shouldn't feel this way, but I can't stop it.
Ever since I saw him, my instincts warned me not to let Bai Yue stay near him if I didn't want to lose her.
I don't understand why.
They're siblings, and besides, he's not Bai Yue's type with that feminine appearance.
But my instincts have never failed me. They guided me through countless difficult negotiations, always toward the best choice.
I can't be wrong now.
Bai Ryuu definitely has bad intentions and might try to take advantage of Bai Yue's purity.
*End of POV*
...
*Bai Yue POV*
BZZZZ! BZZZZ!
The insistent ringing of the phone woke me up.
I picked it up and answered without thinking.
"Did you inform Gu Sheng like I told you?"
Mei Ling quickly replied from the other side:
"Yes, and he's heading to the hospital immediately. Do you have any further orders, ma'am?"
"No…" I answered lazily, then added, "Actually, I do. Get access to that room's cameras. I want to see everything that happens inside."
"Immediately, ma'am."
When the call ended, I tossed the phone aside.
Mei Ling is one of my many spies scattered throughout the city.
Before becoming a secretary, she was just a drug addict sleeping on the streets and doing humiliating things to survive.
But there was something that set her apart—her talent for business and investments. She was the perfect example of how addiction can destroy someone's life.
I could have saved her from that life, but what would be the benefit?
Instead, I nurtured her talent and used her addiction to control her.
Now I have an obedient little puppy who won't betray me.
Look how brilliant I am!
BZZZZ! BZZZZ—!
The call connected again.
"Ma'am, your phone has been linked to the hospital's storage drive. You can access any footage using the executive account."
"Good job, little Lin-Lin," I praised casually. "You deserve a sweet treat for your good work."
"M-ma'am… I want a reward," the voice on the other side stammered and pleaded.
I laughed out loud and mocked her:
"Yes, yes, you'll get your reward soon."
I ended the call without waiting for a reply.
I can't wait to see how Bai Xue handles Gu Sheng's sudden arrival.
*End of POV.*
...
"Bai Yue! Are you in there?!"
It was Gu Sheng's voice!
What the hell is he doing here?
Even Bai Xue looked surprised—and horrified—by the unexpected visitor. But she forced herself to calm down and opened the door with a sigh.
"Hello…"
Xue's voice was tiny.
Gu Sheng simply stood in the doorway, confusion clearly written on his face.
"You're not Bai Yue." His confusion gave way to chilling coldness. "Why do you insist on this charade?"
Bai Xue's lips trembled, and she shrank back, clenching her fists until her knuckles turned white.
"What are you doing here? Where is Bai Yue?"
"She's not here… And I'm taking care of my brother," Bai Xue said, avoiding his gaze.
"Why should I believe you?"
Bai Xue opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out.
"..."
Watching this interaction, I realize Xue still has feelings for him. It's normal, after all—she loved him in silence for three years…
Things like that don't die so easily.
But what would happen if I defended her here?
Would her affection skyrocket?
"Can't you see you're making her uncomfortable?"
Gu Sheng froze. Slowly, he shifted his icy gaze from Bai Xue to me.
He looked at me with a cold expression, but I could see the vein in his temple pulsing.
For an "Alpha" like him, being questioned by a "feminine little brat" bedridden must be the height of audacity.
"Ryuu… don't strain yourself," Xue whispered, rushing to my side, though her eyes still carried the pain of Gu Sheng's rejection.
"I'm fine, Xue," I said, firmly holding her hand in front of Gu Sheng. "But I can't stay silent while you're treated like a criminal."
Gu Sheng stepped forward.
He ignored my injury, focusing only on the fact that Xue was holding my hand.
"Let him go," Gu Sheng ordered, his voice low and authoritative. "You've caused enough drama pretending to be Yue. Don't use this boy to try to get closer to my family."
Xue trembled, her hand wavering in mine. Shame and lingering love must have been fighting inside her.
"I'm not… I'm just taking care of him, Gu Sheng," she whispered, tears returning.
I tightened my grip on her hand, forcing a small gasp of pain to draw her eyes to me.
When she looked at me, I gave her a sad, heroic smile.
"It's okay, Xue. If his presence hurts you, he should leave," I said, turning my head to look at Gu Sheng with a cold stare.
"Mr. Gu seems to have forgotten this is a hospital room, not your meeting room. If you didn't come as family to support Xue, then you're just a noisy stranger."
"You…" Gu Sheng advanced, but Xue stepped between us, arms spread wide.
Yes!
Finally reacting, girl!
"Enough!" Bai Xue shouted, her voice firm for the first time. "Leave, Gu Sheng. Ryuu is right. You have no right to come in here and insult me while my brother is suffering. Go look for Yue if she's the one you want!"
Gu Sheng fell silent, his expression unreadable as he watched us.
"Fine."
With a nod, he turned and left—but not before casting one last warning glance at me.
Alone.
Xue collapsed onto my chest, sobbing.
"I'm sorry… I'm sorry he's like this…"
I gently stroked her hair.
"Why are you apologizing? It's not your fault Gu Sheng is like that. You're just a victim."
She didn't respond, and I thought it was because she was still recovering from the shock.
But when I looked down, I saw she was asleep.
She had stayed awake this whole time, and confronting Gu Sheng must have drained her last bit of strength.
"Sleep well, my little Xue." And don't worry—I'll make sure to erase Gu Sheng from your heart completely.
I promise.