"Bend over? Bend what over? Could it be... my own bruised backside from the fall just now?"

Jianglai ignored the throbbing pain, clutching the small blanket tighter as she slowly shrank into the sofa corner. The thought of anyone seeing her backside filled her with instinctive dread.

"Brother-in-law, don’t hide," Yingyu Chi coaxed with a soft laugh, pinning Jianglai down as she squirmed. "Just one peek. Since you can’t see it yourself, I need to check before calling 120."

Jianglai’s heart hammered as Yingyu Chi closed in. She retreated until trapped in the corner, trembling slightly. Yingyu Chi gently pinched her cheek, her voice tender. "Be good. One look. Then I’ll blow-dry your hair—it’s so long, it’ll take ages to dry properly."

"But..." A flush spread across Jianglai’s face. Being scolded like a child by her sister-in-law shattered her dignity as an elder. "I... I just can’t accept this," she gritted out, shame burning her throat. *First she saw me naked in the bathroom... now I have to bend over for her?*

"No. Absolutely not. No way!"

Yet Yingyu Chi wouldn’t relent. Without knowing the injury’s severity, a hospital trip was inevitable. "Wouldn’t you rather I check than some stranger? We’re built the same—I’ve got nothing you don’t. If it feels unfair, you can look back at me." She leaned closer, whispering playfully, "After all, we’re both girls, right? My dear sister-in-law."

Jianglai gave up. She covered her eyes, unable to face reality. *She’s right. Same body. Lesser of two evils.* There was no escape. *If only I hadn’t slipped in the bathroom...*

Yingyu Chi gently pulled Jianglai’s hands away. "Can’t see like this," she murmured, flipping Jianglai onto her stomach before she could react.

Eyes squeezed shut, Jianglai felt her body no longer her own. Yingyu Chi’s hand pressed her down, blocking her view. Every breath, every gaze felt magnified. A shiver ran through her. "Just... tell me when you’re done," she whispered, voice thick with humiliation. "I can’t bear this..."

From Yingyu Chi’s view, Jianglai arched beautifully over the sofa—neck lifted, body curved like a bow. *So lovely. I wonder how it feels?* Yingyu Chi’s gaze lingered, mesmerized, before spotting the angry bruise on the pale curve. What should’ve taken seconds stretched into half a minute. Jianglai, blind to the inspection, felt every heartbeat under that gaze. Her skin tingled; even Yingyu Chi’s breath sent sparks through her.

*Wait—why can I feel her breath?! What is she doing?!*

"Done yet? Cover me up..."

When the blanket finally settled over her, Jianglai turned over, eyes red-rimmed and trembling. "How... how bad is it?"

"Badly bruised. I’ll grab Honghua oil from the convenience store downstairs. A little rub should help."

Jianglai looked up, jewel-bright eyes shimmering. "No... just tell me where it hurts. I’ll do it myself." She couldn’t endure another moment—the strange heat coiling inside her terrified her.

Yingyu Chi smiled, hiding her reluctance. *Worth it.* "Fine. Let me blow-dry your hair first. Then I’ll run out for the oil."

She headed to the bathroom but froze at Jianglai’s phone buzzing violently on the counter. The screen flashed: *Deputy General Manager*. Work.

Yingyu Chi snatched the phone without grabbing the hairdryer. "It’s urgent!"

Jianglai stared at the vibrating device, silent. Her current voice would give her away—and her secret couldn’t risk exposure. Trapped between survival and secrecy, she took a shaky breath, turning away to hide her despair. "Yingyu... I’ll dry my hair alone. Could you buy the oil now? I need... some time by myself."