Chapter 52: Unpleasant to hear

Liu Huang always liked to say unpleasant things.

Liu Qiu knew it was mockery, but compared to Liu Feng, even if Liu Huang’s words sounded harsh, she felt more at ease when staying with her.

Liu Qiu glanced at Liu Huang’s tall, straight back and slowly began removing her thin white clothes.

A faint rustling sound filled the air.

Liu Huang’s fingers curled slightly.

This sickly girl really took forever to undress.

After waiting a while, there came a soft splash—she must have gotten into the wooden tub.

The water was somewhat hot.

The moment Liu Qiu sat down, the dark medicinal liquid rose to cover everything below her shoulders.

“All right,” Liu Qiu said.

The murky water concealed her body completely, so she didn’t have to worry about feeling embarrassed under Liu Huang’s gaze.

Liu Huang turned around.

Her eyes fell on Liu Qiu, seeing only a slender neck and rounded shoulders, snow-white skin tinged faintly pink.

The steam blurred Liu Qiu’s pale cheeks, and under the candlelight, she appeared inexplicably vivid and alluring.

It wasn’t that Liu Huang had never seen a woman’s body before.

Yet every time she saw the skin hidden beneath Liu Qiu’s clothes, an inexplicable restlessness stirred in her heart.

She stepped closer to the tub and reached into the water, stirring it.

The dark liquid rippled outward in widening circles.

“Sister Qiu, what did my sister say to you earlier?”

The food couldn’t have fallen to the floor for no reason.

Liu Qiu pressed her lips together and shifted farther away, putting distance between them.

“Nothing.”

The two sisters were on the same side; even if she spoke, it would change nothing.

Besides, she didn’t know what to say.

From beginning to end, Liu Feng hadn’t actually done anything to her.

She had been the one overreacting.

Liu Huang let out a soft laugh and stood up, beginning to undress right in front of her.

Liu Qiu’s eyes widened in shock.

“Y-You—what are you doing?!”

Why was Liu Huang suddenly taking off her clothes without warning?

Liu Huang narrowed her eyes, her tone carrying a teasing undertone.

“Bathing together, of course. What’s wrong with sisters soaking together?”

“This medicinal bath was bought with my money and Sister’s. Don’t tell me you won’t even let me enjoy it?”

Having spent years on the battlefield, Liu Huang’s skin had long been tanned to a wheat color.

A thin layer of muscle covered her body, her lines clean and firm.

Lowering her gaze to Liu Qiu, she removed the last piece of cloth, her entire body exposed without concealment.

Liu Qiu’s cheeks were already flushed from the steam.

Seeing this, she made one final protest.

“This tub is too small. You’ll crowd me.”

But Liu Huang ignored her and stepped straight into the tub.

Liu Qiu could only hug her shoulders and shrink into a corner.

It felt strange, bathing with someone else.

The tub wasn’t particularly big, nor was it small.

If it were two people with Liu Qiu’s slender frame, it would have been more than enough.

But Liu Huang’s body was much sturdier.

The moment she entered, the space became instantly cramped.

Liu Qiu turned her head away, refusing to look at her.

Liu Huang, however, kept her gaze fixed on Liu Qiu.

Bathing was supposed to be comfortable.

But only if no one was staring at you so intently.

Unable to endure it, Liu Qiu looked at her, frowning slightly, her tone displeased.

“Liu Huang, what exactly are you trying to do?”

Her lips and cheeks had gained color from the heat, and her annoyed expression made her look unexpectedly lively and beautiful.

Liu Huang scooped up a handful of medicinal water and splashed it over Liu Qiu’s shoulder.

“What am I doing? Isn’t it obvious? Soaking.”

“I may just be a lowly soldier with no talents like a top scholar, but it’s normal for Sister Qiu not to pay attention to me.”

Liu Qiu pressed her lips together and turned her back to Liu Huang, slowly standing up.

She wasn’t bathing anymore.

Water cascaded down her body with a splash.

The rippling surface revealed her smooth, snow-white back.

“I’m not bathing anymore. You soak by yourself,” she muttered.

Liu Huang laughed and suddenly grabbed Liu Qiu’s arm, pulling her back toward herself.

Caught off guard, Liu Qiu fell back into the tub without preparation.

Water splashed everywhere, and this time she landed directly in Liu Huang’s lap.

Her backside throbbed.

Even with the water cushioning the fall, hitting the hard bottom of the wooden tub hurt.

Liu Qiu’s eyes reddened instantly.

That chafed spot wouldn’t heal so easily.

From behind her came Liu Huang’s voice.

“Sister Qiu, you haven’t soaked for even half an incense stick. Mother repeatedly instructed me to watch you bathe long enough.”

They were pressed close together.

Such close contact allowed Liu Huang to clearly feel the smooth softness of Liu Qiu’s skin.

Her gaze fell on the damp skin before her, and her heartbeat quickened inexplicably.

She thought of that dream—of Liu Qiu personally opening that place.

Whether it was the heat or something else, Liu Huang felt her body grow scorching hot, as though it might melt.

“S-Stop that…” Liu Qiu protested, her voice trembling.

Liu Huang’s hands pressed down on Liu Qiu’s shoulders.

“Don’t move.”

Liu Qiu blinked and stilled.

It seemed Liu Huang truly only wanted her to bathe.

She placed her hands against the bottom of the tub, trying to shift away from Liu Huang’s embrace—the coarse hair prickled against her skin.

But the moment she moved, the grip on her shoulders tightened, pinning her in place.

“Sister Qiu, I said don’t move.”

Liu Huang’s voice carried restrained emotion, as if she were holding something back.

Flustered, Liu Qiu stammered, “Y-Your hair keeps poking me.”

Liu Huang’s breathing grew heavier.

“I forgot. Sister Qiu’s skin is tender.”

“Not just tender—quite sensitive too.”

“My coarse hair must have rubbed your skin red. How sinful of me.”

Despite her words, she showed no intention of letting go.

Liu Qiu fell silent.

From the moment Liu Huang returned, she had targeted her relentlessly—even bathing wasn’t spared.

[System, next time can I get some CEO-type female lead to deal with?]

The system chuckled.

[Each world isn’t something I can decide. But if we’re lucky, maybe in the next one you’ll be the boss.]

Time passed slowly.

Liu Qiu drifted into a daze, staring blankly at the dark medicinal water.

Behind her, Liu Huang’s gaze roamed along her shoulders and neck.

She couldn’t understand why she had that kind of dream.

After an unknown amount of time, the water gradually cooled.

A gentle knock sounded outside.

“I’ve brought the clothes.”

It was Liu Feng’s clear voice.

Liu Qiu wanted to say to leave them outside, but Liu Huang spoke first.

“Sister, come in.”

The wooden door opened with a click.

Liu Feng’s slender figure entered, carrying a faint trace of night wind.

The door closed again, but the small room now held one more person.

Liu Feng carried a set of clothes.

Seeing their position, her expression remained unchanged.

She placed the clothes on a small stool, stepped closer, and tested the water temperature with her hand.

“It’s cooled.”

Her gaze fell on Liu Qiu, her lips curving gently.

“Sister Qiu, time to get up.”

Avoiding her eyes, Liu Qiu murmured, “You can both go out first.”

She had no habit of dressing in front of others.

Liu Feng chuckled softly.

“Is Sister Qiu shy?”

“Huang’er, carry Sister Qiu out. If she stays longer, she’ll catch a chill.”

Liu Qiu gasped as Liu Huang’s rough fingers touched her waist.

She gripped the edge of the tub and stood abruptly.

“I—I’ll come out myself.”

Better to move on her own than be carried.

Water droplets slid down her body continuously.

Her usually pale skin was now flushed white and pink from the heat, glowing softly under the candlelight, tender and radiant.

Her brows carried faint annoyance, yet she didn’t dare truly be angry, her eyes reddened with unshed tears.

Liu Feng lowered her lashes and unfolded a dry cloth.

“Sister Qiu, come.”

Liu Qiu stepped out of the tub, standing naked before Liu Feng, wrapped in damp warmth.

“I’ll wipe myself,” she said hesitantly.

Liu Feng gently draped the cloth over her.

“It’s been so many years. As your younger sister, I’d like to help. Will you refuse even this?”

“Yes, Sister Qiu. Don’t chill Sister’s heart,” Liu Huang added while dressing.

“We’ve grown up,” Liu Qiu said, her lashes trembling.

“It’s not appropriate anymore.”

“All the more reason to continue,” Liu Huang replied coolly.

“Otherwise how would we repay Sister Qiu’s past teachings?”

“I still vividly remember kneeling to serve you.”

Liu Feng’s pleasant laughter rang out.

“Huang’er, don’t say that. You’ll scare Sister Qiu.”

Their voices overlapped in her ears.

Liu Qiu’s limbs grew weak.

She looked at Liu Feng—at those smiling eyes—and that dizzying sensation returned.

She shook her head lightly and glanced at the ground.

It seemed to twist and warp before her eyes.

Her heart jolted.

She retreated uncontrollably until she backed into a solid chest.

“Sister Qiu, be careful,” Liu Huang’s voice sounded behind her.

Her body stiffened.

This time she didn’t scream.

She looked at Liu Feng and nodded stiffly.

“You—you wipe me.”

Was her illness worsening, or was something else happening?

Why did she keep seeing hallucinations?

Liu Feng nodded and gently wiped the water from her body.

When she reached her thigh, she said softly, “Sister Qiu, this spot seems chafed. Shall I apply medicine?”

“Yes,” Liu Qiu whispered.

Now even the walls seemed to warp.

She just wanted to leave, to lie down and rest.

If applying medicine meant she could return to bed sooner, she hoped Liu Feng would hurry.

But reality differed greatly from her imagination.

Liu Huang sat on the stool, holding her in a position like a child being helped to relieve herself.

Liu Qiu’s mind went blank.

The dizziness vanished, replaced entirely by overwhelming embarrassment.

What kind of terrifying position was this?!

She tried to cover herself.

“No!”

Liu Feng bent slightly, her voice low and amused.

“Sister Qiu, that place is truly beautiful.”

Liu Huang leaned near her ear.

“Sister Qiu, do you like this? Sister and I are both serving you.”

Liu Qiu was certain now.

They were teasing her—retaliating for the original owner’s past wrongs.

Tears spilled freely down her cheeks as she sobbed softly.

“Don’t bully me. I know I was wrong.”

“I—I shouldn’t have treated you that way before.”

Her crystal tears soaked her small face, her timidity laid bare.

Liu Feng dipped her finger into the ointment and applied it gently, her tone soft.

“Don’t cry, Sister Qiu. You’ve misunderstood us. We only want to help you.”

From behind, Liu Huang watched as Liu Feng’s hand slowly spread the ointment between her thighs.

The bitter scent of medicine mingled with Liu Qiu’s quiet sobs, creating a strange, heated atmosphere.

True to her words, Liu Feng finished applying the medicine and helped Liu Qiu dress.

Liu Huang did not restrain her further.

With tears clinging to her lashes, Liu Qiu’s thin body trembled slightly, as if she had suffered a great grievance.

She pulled free from Liu Huang’s hand and refused to look at either of them.

“I—I’ll walk myself.”

No one responded.

After Liu Qiu’s figure disappeared, Liu Feng lowered her gaze to her fingertips.

The slick sensation seemed to linger—soft, warm, faintly trembling.

Her fingers slowly curled.

The corner of her lips lifted.

Stronger than she had expected.

At least she hadn’t screamed.