In the middle of a slowdown

The sky darkened as summer rain hammered down in torrents.

Wind and thunder clashed outside while lightning cleaved the sky.

“Auntie, the bathroom’s free.
Do you want to take a bath first? It’s got a tub.”

“All right.”

“You can use my clothes for pajamas?”

“No need.

Your size doesn’t fit me.

I’ll wear this another day and buy new ones tomorrow.”

Close relatives always spoke with such hidden daggers masked in casual tones.

‘Fine, laugh while you can.

Once I’ve fully fused with Divinity Particles, I’m going to use this body to crush you smug people who mocked me!’ Luo You grit her teeth inwardly.

“I’ll head in then.”

Ji Yue stepped into the bathroom, slipped off her clothes, and pulled open the shower curtain.

Her eyes froze immediately.

Her own reflection stared back at her.

For a moment, she faltered.

Why was there a massive floor-length mirror inside the shower stall itself?

Wouldn’t it make more sense near the sink?

Though, perhaps the sink was too small to fit something this large.

This mirror could reflect her entire frame from head to toe—a clarity almost indecent.

Having such a mirror in the bath stall seemed unnatural.

“This can’t be some kind of one-way mirror, right?” Ji Yue muttered.

But no, that was absurd.

Who would install one in their own house?

She’d taken stock of Luo You’s apartment; behind this wall there was no space for anything.

Water sounds soon filled the air.

Only two minutes had passed when Luo Zining’s phone rang.

The caller was Zhao Xin.

“What? Lord Xingyue wants to see me?!”

“Yes, since you’re going to merge with Divinity Particles, this will be a formal assessment.

Do your best.

You might make Ten Seat by next year!”

Zhao Xin’s voice brimmed with joy, as if her own efforts were vindicated.

“Mhm! I’ll go right now!”

But Luo Zining was nervous instead.

Her first impulse was to ask Aunt Ji Yue along.

No—if she depended on her during an assessment, what would Lord Xingyue think?

Better to face it alone.

“Auntie, I have to head out!”

“Go ahead.

I’ll just bathe and sleep.”

And out the door she rushed.

Bang—

The sound of the front door closing echoed.

A door cracked open upstairs.

A bright-eyed imp peeked curiously into the hallway.

Now—with Big Sister bathing—it was the perfect cue for certain mischief-makers to enter.

“Well, well.

What timing.

That silly niece went and gave her dad the perfect chance without me lifting a finger.

Such a thoughtful little girl.”

Luo You chuckled, shaking her head.

All her elaborate preparation, wasted.

She’d even hired two muscleheads from the gym’s upper floor to stage a little romantic drama outside, just to distract Zining from the house.

Who knew Zining would just walk herself out instead?

She raised her phone.

“Hello? A-Jie? You and A-Bin can stop acting.”

“Got it, sis-in-law! Tell Luo bro when he’s back—we’ll be ready!”

“He’s never coming back, you idiots,” muttered Luo You, hanging up.

At leisure, she collected fresh clothes from her own room.

Pretending ignorance, she stripped swiftly, tossed garments onto her arm, and walked right through the bathroom door.

“Ah.”

“Uh.”

The brazen imp and the voluptuous elder sister froze, staring at each other.

Awkward silence.

Ji Yue, washing her hair, was stunned.

She’d expected Zining, but instead… it was her.

This Luo You’s body—though not statuesque—radiated a sensual allure, a raw purity that beckoned desire from both men and women.

‘Wait, what am I thinking?!’

Startled, Ji Yue fumbled, knocking over the shampoo bottle.

The clatter shattered the silence.

Luo You instantly flailed.

“Ahh! I didn’t know you were in here! I’ll leave right now!”

“Wait—” Ji Yue blurted.

“Hm?”

“…If you don’t mind, you can stay.

It’s troublesome to put your clothes back on after stripping.”

She instantly regretted saying it.

Maybe it was guilt—trying to make up for her blunt rudeness earlier.

“Well… if you say so…”

Luo You cautiously stepped under the shower, back turned, and let the water cascade.

What a beautiful back…

The graceful lines made Ji Yue’s chest tighten.

By all odds, someone of her height should have been slender to fragility, bones too sharp and frame lacking curves.

But stripped bare, Luo You surprised: soft, delicate flesh, springy and supple.

Her waist especially—a flexible arc promising fluid bends beyond imagining.

Her every motion while bathing bore the elegance of a noble lady—each gesture artful, hypnotic.

As if this was a private performance worth fortunes, handed to Ji Yue instead.

‘No! What’s wrong with me?!’

A chill ran through her as she scrubbed faster.

Suddenly suds bit her eyes.

“Urgh…”

“What happened?” Luo You’s voice pealed with false concern, though if Ji Yue could see, she would notice the wicked curve of her lips.

“Nothing! Spray me with water, quick—it got in my eyes!”

“No problem.”

Eyes clenched, face tilted back… Warm water splashed across her.

It felt… oddly strange…

She blinked suds away, tried to leave in haste—then slipped.

“Eh? A soap bar? I didn’t—”

She lunged forward, adjusting instinctively to roll and land safely.

But fate intervened.

“Careful!”

Luo You dashed forward at just that instant, deliberately stepping on the soap—and toppled into Ji Yue’s adjusted arc.

Crash—

“?!”

All oxygen left Ji Yue’s chest.

The imp lay trapped beneath her, arms raised pitifully overhead, face smothered beneath generous curves.

A glance at the huge mirror confirmed the humiliating tableau.

She looked like some perverse woman pressing a helpless little sister down to death with her chest.

“Are you okay?!” Ji Yue scrambled to lift her.

Her own body had been cushioned, but Luo You had borne both their weights.

“Oww… my butt…” Luo You groaned, staggering up.

“You landed on your rear? That must’ve hurt!”

“Mm…”

Inside, Luo You grinned.

In truth, all force had been absorbed by her plush backside.

It hadn’t hurt a bit.

She’d endured far worse from Xingyue’s wolfish assaults.

But she feigned pain, hand on her waist.

“Are you sure you’re fine?” Ji Yue asked.

“Eh… I’m sore.

Hand hurts too.”

Her flawless acting earned Ji Yue’s sympathy.

“Then… would you let me help wash you?”

The words escaped shockingly easy.

Perhaps part of her even wanted this.

“Then I’ll trouble you.” Luo You’s voice was calm, her back turned once more.

“Just scrub my back.

Earlier, your stimulation was a bit too… intense.”

That remark twisted like a thorn.

Stimulation?

As if she were a coquettish girl, playing roles?

Fuming, Ji Yue’s lips thinned.

“Fine.

I’ll wash everywhere. Don’t worry.”

While Ji Yue’s hands worked her back, Luo You’s lips curled secretly.

Ah, so easy.

A domineering woman like Ji Yue only needed one careful push, and she’d bite the hook.

‘Big sister, once you form feelings for me and let go of your grudge against Herrera… I’ll cut you down mercilessly.

Just when you can’t live without me, I’ll reveal myself as Herrera and break you all over again.

Your fall will be exquisite.’

A shiver crawled over Ji Yue’s spine.

What… was that feeling?

Then Luo You spoke:

“Ji Yue, let me ask you something.”

“…What?”

“That time at the hot springs, you said—”

“Forget it! I misunderstood back then. Sorry.”

“No, I mean when you said there was some female pervert who assaulted you.”

“…Yeah? What about it?”

“She humiliated you, violated your body, left tokens while you were broken?”

“…Do you have to describe it so vividly?”

Uncannily accurate.

“Why ask?”

“I just wonder—why did you suspect me of being her?”

“We’ve cleared that misunderstanding already, haven’t we?”

“I don’t want apologies.

I just want to know—what makes me like that pervert?”

Ji Yue avoided her gaze.

“…It’s your aura. Satisfied?”

“Not enough! What kind of aura?”

“…A kind that’s… begging for it.”

Her voice dropped to a growl.

“Yes, that’s it. You’ve got a quality that makes people want to take you and tear into you.”

“…I see.”

Luo You smiled.

The silence stretched—until she struck with her killing blow:

“So Ji Yue, you think I’m begging for it? Interesting word choice~ Is that how you secretly think about me?”

“Wh—?!” Ji Yue gaped.

Why had she suddenly become like another person entirely?

“I-it’s not like that! I don’t—”

“Then prove it.” Luo You abruptly turned, raising her arms.

“Wash me from the front.”

“…Fine, then I will!”

But when Luo You faced her, Ji Yue froze.

The suggestion, the context, twisted her thoughts.

She couldn’t stop imagining—Herrera.

“If you prefer, pretend I’m her.

Imagine you’re bathing that pervert again.”

Ji Yue’s body jolted.

If this was Herrera… then she should kneel as a s*ave, sponge her like a servant.

Or—no.

If it was Herrera, she should tie her down and scour her with steel wool until her skin burned!

Her hands trembled.

“I…” she began.

She leaned forward unconsciously—

“Auntie! I have great news!”

Bam!

The bathroom door burst open.

Luo Zining’s voice chirped—and she froze.

“….”
“….”
“….”

The frozen tableau said everything.

Night fell.

Luo Zining sat in a chair, grim, while Luo You rolled on her bed idly.

“Dad, you know what I’m about to say, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Well? Do you have anything to explain?”

“I haven’t done anything wrong.

What’s there to explain?”

“That mindset is the problem!”

Zining hurled a pillow at her.

Luo You didn’t flinch; the blow was weak.

She even yawned.

“Enough already.

I’ve said it.

Your aunt has said it.

I slipped, she helped me wash.

She didn’t mind, so why are you losing it?”

“That’s because she doesn’t know the real you!” Zining shouted, clutching her collar.

“Mess with other women, fine—I mean, not fine—but with her, with my aunt, I’ll kill you if you try anything!”

“Don’t put it like that,” Luo You narrowed her eyes, voice firm, fatherly.

“I didn’t even know she was in there.

She insisted I bathe with her.

You can ask her yourself.

And don’t forget, our relationship isn’t nearly good enough for me to have… those intentions.

Between us, I know plenty of pretty older sisters, you think I’d choose your aunt out of all of them?”

“…Fair point,” Zining admitted begrudgingly.

“Exactly! You see?” Luo You puffed herself up, perfectly righteous.

As if she wasn’t lying through her teeth.

It’s not me chasing her. She won’t leave me alone.

“…Wait. Did you just say you know lots of older ladies? When?”

Zining narrowed her eyes.

“Didn’t I tell you, stop using your female looks to flirt?! ”

“Heh. Narrow-minded.

Your dad was super popular, you know?

I had tons of relationships years ago.”

“Wha?” Zining almost dropped her pillow.

This gay little gremlin was somehow popular before? No way.

And yet… Luo You’s pride was unshaken.

“Ehhh… well, I don’t care what you did before.

But now, you’re off limits.

If it isn’t marriage material, don’t lay a hand on anyone.

And if it is, it still has to pass by me first!”

“Pfft.”

Luo You just hummed some whistle, waved her off.

“All right already.

Go sleep.

Tomorrow I’ve got students to train.

You still want to crowd my bed?”

Booting her daughter out of the room, Luo You fell onto the mattress, out like a stone.

As though the bathroom’s scene never even grazed her.

But in Zining’s room, Ji Yue’s sleep was restless, her dreams unsettled.

She saw herself again in that bath.

Only this time, not bending as s*ave, but scrubbing Herrera mercilessly raw with steel wool—her vengeance dream.

She forced herself to linger in dreams two hours later, unwilling to wake until it was gone.

By the next morning, Zining was at school, Luo You at work.

Ji Yue alone.

Her cheeks warmed remembering last night’s chaos.

After some hesitation, she stepped into the bathroom again.

One hour later, she emerged, refreshed, clear.

“That damn girl scrambled me yesterday,” she muttered.

Now calmer, she realized—Luo You’s antics had clearly been deliberate.

Richly deliberate.

And perhaps, barely revenge.

The truth was undeniable: she and Luo You did not mesh.

“She’s similar to Herrera, yes, but only in echoes.

She is not Herrera.”

A sigh escaped her lips.

Yet her resolve only grew sharper.

Her hatred rekindled, her obsession with defeating Herrera—the Aurora Witch, the woman who had shattered her life.

‘How to fight her…

With her white form unchallenged, no one can match her.’

Perhaps Xingyue could.

But Ji Yue wanted the triumph herself.

Her mind replayed Herrera’s past battles—against herself, against Xingyu and Yunyun, against Wangchuan, and that shadowed Retreat fight with Xingyue.

Then—lightning struck her thoughts.

Her eyes widened.

“What if… that white form isn’t under her control?

What if it triggers at random?”

Thinking back: why hadn’t she used it against Xingyu and Yunyun?

Why not in Wangchuan?

Why only against her?

Could it truly be impulse?

No—she had been weaker than Ten Seat, no threat at all.

Logically, no need.

A greater suspicion loomed.

“What if all of her powers aren’t under her control…?”

Her pulse quickened.

The more she thought, the more sense it made.

Herrera’s strange behaviors, scattered through her past, finally aligned.

It could be true.

“I need tests.

Over and over.

I must confirm this.”

And now—the world against Herrera provided countless battles to observe.

It was the perfect chance.

Her lips curved.

Even if truth proved out, she could not fight Herrera alone.

But with others—yes.

And her pride mattered little.

She would swarm her.

Ten Seat demanded solo dignity, but Ji Yue embraced her weakness.

“Weakness means alliances.

So be it.”

Her fingertips hovered her phone.

Perhaps… it was time to reach out to her group.

At the gym’s second floor, Luo You lounged, watching a video sent by Yue.

In it, Lady Aula hung chained, whip lashes raining upon her, screams piercing air.

The scene mirrored a criminal interrogation—merciless but measured, the whip wielder holding back just shy of unconsciousness.

It warmed Luo You’s mood.

After putting Forget River in order, she’d threatened Yue—deal with Aula, record it, and send proof—or else.

With Aurora Witch, who would dare disobey?

The video ended with an extra note: Yue invited her to an elite banquet hosted by an inhuman faction, with politicians and leaders attending.

Likely they wished to flaunt that Herrera still belonged to them.

Luo You dismissed it out of hand.

Not worth her trouble.

The only thing worth savoring was Aula’s ample figure quivering beneath lashes.

“Coach! I’m here!”

An Jiu’er burst up the stairs, bubbly.

“What are you watching?

I could’ve sworn I heard a girl screaming…”

“Hm? Ah, nothing.

Just a drama scene.

Heroine getting tortured by villains.”

Sliding her phone away, Luo You straightened, grinning.

At last—real training work!

“Come, then.

Which part are you training today?

I asked on the phone, but you wouldn’t say—kept it all mysterious.”

“Coach,” An Jiu’er looked dead serious, “I want… to practice something special with you.”