"...No, that wall needs to be reinforced again. If a Tier 1 transformation user slams into it, it shouldnât crack that easily."
"Move those materials to the west sideâweâll need them for the storage unit."
"And please, keep the wiring structured. Weâre not building a slum."
Ariaâs voice carried authority that no one in the surroundings questioned.
West watched for a moment before smirking faintly.
"...Sheâs really in her element."
As if sensing his gaze, Aria turned and their eyes met.
She smiled immediately and walked over.
"Youâre just going to stand there and look pretty?"
West chuckled.
"I thought about helping."
She shook her head.
"Nope."
She placed a hand lightly on his chest and pushed him back a step.
"Youâve done enough."
West raised a brow.
"Oh?"
She nodded.
"Iâll handle this."
Her tone softened slightly.
"Youâve got bigger things to focus on, gang leader."
West studied her for a second before nodding.
"...Alright."
Aria smiled before leaning in and planting a kiss on his left cheek. "Good."
"Leave this to me. Iâll make sure the Shadow Reapers have a base worthy of you."
West gave a small nod.
"I know you will."
With that he turned around and left the site behind before heading for Renzhiâs house again.
He arrived once again at the private fitness room with every piece of equipment here.
And at the center of it was, Lianhua Kuro, dressed in blue fitted athletic wear similar to the prior day, that highlighted her toned physique. Her long dark hair was tied back, and her expression carried its disciplined focus.
When she saw West, she smiled softly.
"Youâre late this time."
West smirked.
"By two minutes."
She chuckled.
"Alright, alright."
"So whatâs on the menu today?"
West stepped forward, walking past her and motioning toward the equipment.
"Form correction."
"Core strengthening."
Lianhua stretched lightly.
"Sounds fun."
â
Training began and just like the previous day, always, West made sure he put her through the wringler and complimented her when she got through a drill.
"Your stance is off."
She adjusted.
"Lower."
She did so but West still wasnât satisfied so he stepped closer.
"Iâll show you."
[ Touch Sensitivity Amplifier Activated ]
His hand reached out, adjusting her arm, shoulder and waist.
The moment his hand brushed against her waist as he corrected her stance, her body reacted.
Her breathing suddenly turned hurried as a pleasurable feeling spread through her body.
â...why does his touch feel so...â she quickly stopped herself and forced her mind to focus.
West noticed of course and adjusted before brushing his fingers against her wrist, her side and her back.
Every contact was guided under the pretense of training.
But every touch, sent electrifying tingles through Lianhuaâs body, affecting her focus and stirring thoughts that a married woman should never have.
âWhy... does that feel...â
She stepped back slightly, trying to gather her thoughts.
But the proximity remained and the touches continued.
West would always find reason to make very small contacts, that had very big effects...
Her mind started racing.
âThis is just training... nothing else... focus...â she told herself but her body wasnât cooperating as easily.
Every time he adjusted her form... every time their hands brushed... something stirred.
Even without checking, she could feel that a faint wetness was gathering somewhere...
She grinned her teeth slightly. âIâm married.â
The thought echoed in her mind and she went on to repeat it like a mantra.
âI am a married woman.â
West leaned slightly closer as he adjusted her arm again.
"Relax your shoulder."
He voiced with a low and calm tone.
Her breath hitched again.
"...I am relaxed."
"Youâre tense."
"Iâm not."
"...You are."
She suddenly stepped back abruptly.
"...Break."
West raised a brow.
"Are you tired?"
She turned away slightly.
"I need water."
Her heart was beating faster than it should and her thoughts were essier than they had any right to be... she hated it.
âGet a grip on yourself Lianhua... he is over ten years younger than you... and youâre married.â
But even as she tried to steady herself, her mind betrayed her again with univited images and thoughts of West, especially when he took off his top during training.
She clenched her fist slightly while West watched her from behind with a faint smirk on his face.
"...Interesting."
â
Meanwhileâ
In a different location, Nina stood outside a quiet street corner with her arms folded lightly as she stared at the ground.
In front of her was her boyfriend Cross with red eyes and shaky voice.
"...You donât mean that."
Nina sighed.
"I do."
"No... no, you donât..."
He stepped closer.
"Youâre just upset."
Nina shook her head.
"Iâm not upset."
"Iâm done."
The words were like the sound of thunder clapping in his mind.
He looked like he had been struck.
"...Why...?"
His voice cracked.
"I love you..."
"Iâve always been there..."
"What did I do wrong?"
Ninaâs expression softened slightly but her resolve didnât.
"Itâs not about what you did."
"Then what is it?!"
She looked up at him with an expression of honesty.
"...Itâs about where Iâm going."
He frowned.
"...What does that mean?"
"It means my life isnât normal anymore."
She voiced with a calm but firm tone.
"I canât keep pretending it is."
He shook his head desperately.
"I donât care about that!"
"Iâll adapt!"
"Iâll learn!"
"Iâll stay!"
Nina sighed softly.
"...Thatâs the problem."
He froze while she stepped closer.
"You donât understand what youâre saying."
Her gaze softened.
"Iâm trying to protect you."
"From what?!"
"From me."
He stared at her silently, not understanding what she meant and refusing to accept.
Tears welled up in his eyes.
"I donât want protection..."
"I want you..."
Nina hesitated... not knowing how to respond for a brief moment.
"...Itâs better this way," she looked away.
"No, itâs not!"
He grabbed her hand.
"I wonât let you go like this!"
"I love you!"
His voice broke as he pleaded desperately.
Unfortunately, this wasnât enough to make Nina waver. She was no longer attracted to him and she couldnât keep pretending that she was.