I was hearing everything.
From the start, my senses were on high alert, and when the nurse moved my body, I became slightly lucid...
But what really woke me were the whispers that followed.
What kind of lunatic talks to someone who's unconscious?
And then Bai Yue came.
My body trembled when I realized my life was in her hands.
My luck — or misfortune — is that she wants to use me to hurt Xue.
That woman is truly a demon; she wants to break her sister simply for the pleasure of it.
I also want to break Bai Xue, but I do it to survive.
[Ding!]
[New Mission Detected: Sisterly Problems.]
____
Objective: Manage the conflict between the Bai sisters without losing the affection of either of them, until they resolve their conflict.
Success Reward: 15 Free Attribute Points + Early Shop Unlock.
Failure Penalty: Permanent hatred from Bai Xue or loss of interest from Bai Yue.
____
"System… are you messing with me?"
I said in my mind, feeling a metaphysical headache.
"I'm in a hospital bed with a punctured lung, and you want me to play diplomat between a yandere-in-training and a psychopath?"
[The host wanted things to be simple. But where would the fun be in that?]
"..." I'm speechless.
I felt Bai Yue's touch on my chest. It was different from Xue's touch.
Xue's touch was warm, almost maternal, yet at the same time possessive. It was as if she were marking her territory.
Yue's touch, on the other hand, was electric. Her fingers left a trail of fire wherever they passed. It almost felt like she knew exactly where to touch to make my skin sensitive.
"Hah..."
I let out a weak sigh, forcing my eyelids to tremble.
I needed to wake up.
If I left them alone for five more minutes, the hospital would turn into a battlefield where neither woman would accept defeat.
"Ryuu?"
Both voices called out in unison.
I opened my eyes slowly.
The white ceiling light was blinding, but the silhouettes of the two women framed my vision.
If I didn't know they were twins, I'd think I'd gone to heaven to see two identical beauties staring at me.
"Xue… Yue…"
My voice, weak and hoarse, was like a spell breaking the deadly tension between them.
"Ryuu!"
Bai Xue reacted first.
The murderous hostility she'd been directing at her sister vanished in the blink of an eye, replaced by protective desperation.
She pushed Bai Yue's hand away from my chest and leaned over me, holding my face with both hands.
It hurt a little to have her on top of me, but the softness of her body made up for it.
"You woke up again… How are you feeling? Does it hurt a lot? I'll call the doctor!"
The words tumbled out in a rush, her eyes already misty again. Her sweet scent enveloped me, as if trying to block out her sister's presence.
But Bai Yue wasn't shaken.
Instead of retreating or getting irritated by Xue's shove, she simply let out a low, velvety laugh. The sound made the hairs on my arms stand on end.
She walked around the bed with slow, deliberate steps, stopping on my right side, opposite Xue.
"Well, look at you, little brother…"
Yue murmured, resting her elbows on the bed rail and leaning closer. Her neckline dipped dangerously low, revealing milky skin in the valley between her breasts.
And from the thin smile on her face, I knew she'd done it on purpose.
"So fragile. So broken. You don't even look like someone who fought bravely to protect his sister."
Xue's body stiffened instantly.
"Shut up, Yue!" Xue hissed, her fingers tightening around the sheets near me. "He almost died! He doesn't need to hear your sick provocations right now. Leave!"
"Leave?" Bai Yue tilted her head, lips curling into a cruel, amused smile. "But I'm the main sponsor of his recovery, little sister. If it weren't for me… who knows what would've happened on the operating table? Isn't it rude to kick out the savior of our dear Ryuu?"
Bai Xue froze. Her eyes widened in panic and helpless rage, remembering the veiled threat Yue had made earlier.
I knew I had to intervene. If I let Yue crush Xue's pride now, she might lose control.
I have to balance the scales.
I let out a low, forced groan and coughed dryly to draw both of their attention.
"Please… don't fight…" I whispered, putting on my best expression of pain and innocence.
"Ryuu, I'm sorry!" Xue immediately softened, stroking my hair. "I won't fight. I'm here with you."
I slowly moved my left hand, with the strength of a sick kitten, and held Xue's fingers.
"Thank you, Xue…" I looked at her with pure gratitude. "I feel safe… when you're near. You're so good to me."
[Ding!]
[+5 Affection (Bai Xue).]
Xue's face flushed, and for a second she seemed to forget Yue even existed, immersed in the validation I'd just given her.
But I wasn't done.
I slowly turned my face to the right, meeting Bai Yue's dark, amused eyes, and gave her a cold look.
I didn't know what kind of darkness she'd seen in me, but I think my attempt at a warning was understood.
"And thank you, Sister Yue…" my voice returned to its weak, innocent tone, but the words carried an obvious double meaning for the two of us. "…for making sure I kept breathing. I'll definitely… repay that favor."
Bai Yue's eyes gleamed intensely. Her breath faltered for a split second.
That glimpse of my "true nature," hidden right under innocent, protective Xue's nose, was the perfect trigger for her twisted mind.
[+5 Corruption (Bai Yue)]
She slowly licked her lips, her cruel smile turning into something hungry.
"Ah, Ryuu…" she purred, reaching out to lightly touch the tip of my nose. "I can't wait to see how you'll… repay me. Are you sure you'll have the energy for that?"
"Stay away from him!" Xue finally snapped, slapping Yue's hand away. "He needs to sleep! If you don't leave right now, I'll call security!"
"So fierce," Yue laughed, straightening up. She seemed to have gotten what she wanted and had no more interest in arguing. "Fine, little bird. I'll let you play nurse for today. But remember…"
Yue looked directly at me, though she spoke to Xue.
"…what's mine always comes back to me."
With an elegant turn of her heels, Bai Yue walked to the door. The sound of her heels echoed through the silent room until the door closed with a soft click.
As soon as we were alone, Xue collapsed. She pressed her forehead against my uninjured shoulder, her body trembling as she tried to hold back sobs of rage and fear.
"I won't let her hurt you," Xue whispered fiercely against my skin, her fingers digging lightly into my arm. "I don't care what I have to do, Ryuu. I'll protect you from her."
I stared at the hospital ceiling as I stroked Xue's hair, breathing in her sweet perfume.
Bai Yue really is crazy, but I've come to understand her a little. It seems like she wants a worthy opponent — and I think I'm that opponent.
But none of that matters right now.
I did it.
I completed the mission.
All without even getting out of bed.
"System! Give me my rewards!" I ordered eagerly in my thoughts.
[Complete the mission first.]
"But I already did. They stopped fighting, and I didn't lose any affection."
[No, Host. The Bai sisters have not resolved their conflict. They merely paused it.]
[Or do you think Heroine Bai Yue will accept losing to Heroine Bai Xue?]
Am I seeing things?
Isn't Bai Yue a villain?
Why is she a heroine?
"I think you made a mistake here, System. Bai Yue is clearly a villain."
[Bai Yue is a heroine in another novel. She is the famous Queen of Shanghai's underworld, a powerhouse who hides in the shadows.]
Queen of the underworld?...
Other novels?...
Why does my life get more complicated every time I talk to this system?
Let's not think about the possibility of other protagonists besides Gu Sheng wandering around. That's a problem for the future.
Let's focus on the immediate problems.
Bai Yue is a heroine, and that alone makes her special. But she's also an underworld Queen, which exponentially increases her level of danger.
Meanwhile, aside from being a heroine, Bai Xue doesn't have anything particularly extraordinary. Compared to Yue, she's more predictable — while Yue's thoughts are unfathomable.
Even with eleven intelligence, I can only scratch the surface.
"…"
It'll be worth it, Ryuu. It'll be worth it.
All for survival — and for a pair of breasts.
Survival is the most important thing, but the breasts are indispensable too.
"Show me Bai Yue's affection and corruption."
____
Bai Yue Affection: 20 (Psychological Mirroring)
Bai Yue Corruption: 45 (Psychological Mirroring)
____
Psychological mirroring?
Does that mean she thinks I'm like her?
That information could be useful. From what I already know, she wants an opponent. So she wants someone like her to stand against her?
Well… if she wants to play, that's exactly what she'll get!
The silence in the room was broken when a nurse holding a bucket of water entered without warning.
Bai Xue jumped to her feet, wiping the tears from her eyes and putting on a miserable yet saintly expression.
?
A question mark formed in my mind.
"Miss Bai Yue? I thought you had left?"
"I had to come back when I heard my brother was awake," Bai Xue replied naturally, lying without even blinking, a smile on her face.
I watched everything in silence, incredulous at the absurdity.
"I came to wash Mr. Bai Ryuu's body."
Bai Xue's body stiffened at those words, her perfect smile cracking for a moment. But the nurse didn't notice and continued:
"You may stay if you don't mind. I promise I'll be quick."
Bai Xue shook her head, giving the nurse a gentle smile.
"Thank you very much, but that won't be necessary. I'll take care of my brother myself. I already have experience caring for bedridden loved ones… It's the least I can do for him."
The nurse looked a little awkward when Bai Xue took the bucket and sponge. But seeing Xue's insistence, she decided to give in.
"Alright, but I'll come back for that bucket in thirty minutes. Finish before then."
"Understood."
After saying goodbye, the nurse left.
Bai Xue then turned to me.
"I guess I'll have to give you a bath. But don't worry, I'll make you nice and clean."
I didn't understand a damn thing that just happened, but this is an opportunity, so I'm not going to complain.
Bai Xue walked to the door and, with a slow movement, turned the lock. The metallic click echoed like a sign that, at that moment, the outside world no longer existed.
She returned to the bedside, her eyes fixed on me with an intensity that made me wonder whether my 4 Agility points would be enough to escape if she decided to devour me right there.
"Ryuu… I'm going to take off your clothes now. Try not to move too much."
My back hurt, but the anticipation of Xue's hands on my body was a powerful painkiller.
She started by unbuttoning the top of the hospital gown. Each button that gave way revealed more of my pale, sensitive skin, now adorned with white bandages contrasting against the faint traces of dried blood around them.
When the gown was opened, I felt the cool air of the room hit my chest, but the warmth radiating from Xue made up for it. She dipped the sponge into the warm water, wringing it carefully.
When the sponge touched my shoulder, I let out an involuntary gasp.
"Is it too hot?" she asked, her voice rougher than usual.
"N-no… it's perfect," I whispered, maintaining the role of a vulnerable patient.
Xue began to run the sponge along my neck, slowly descending over my collarbone.
Her movements were deliberate — I could clearly tell.
She wasn't just cleaning me; she was exploring. Her fingers, hidden behind the sponge, occasionally brushed my skin, sending electric shocks straight down my spine.
She leaned closer, and I could feel the heat radiating from her.
Her eyes followed the path of the water trailing down my abdomen, and I saw her throat move as she swallowed.
I'm enjoying this — and I'm sure she is too.
....
From this chapter onward, things will start to get more… perverted. There won't be sex right away, it will be a gradual corruption.