Tao Yu glanced at the closed bathroom door and the wheelchair beside it. The image of Yue Linze standing, his physique impressive, his face handsome and aloof, flashed through her mind. She couldn't help but chuckle softly.

Considering their circumstances and current roles, she really did look like a woman plotting something. Caution was key. She had to avoid giving Yue Linze the impression she was harassing him. Getting fired for that would be utterly depressing.

With this thought, Tao Yu quietly picked up the remote, turned on the TV to a news channel, and began diligently watching, hoping to project an aura of upstanding respectability.

The bathroom's soundproofing was excellent; no sound escaped. Even so, Tao Yu kept the volume low, not wanting to disturb Yue Linze. She lounged on the sofa, idly playing on her phone. The click of the door latch made her sit up and turn, a practiced, professional smile already in place. "Mr. Yue, you…"

The words died in her throat. Yue Linze emerged, a towel draped casually low on his hips, his abdomen toned and powerful. Water dripped from his hair, tracing the sharp line of his jaw, down his neck, across his chest, over his abs, and disappearing beneath the loosely knotted towel.

Tao Yu blinked, quashing the dangerous images forming in her mind. Smoothly, she changed tack. "Mr. Yue, you seem to have forgotten to dry your hair."

Yue Linze glanced at her indifferently, then noticed the TV screen behind her. His eyes narrowed. "What are you doing?"

"Watching TV. I've enjoyed watching these kinds of programs for a long time," Tao Yu replied instantly. "While it's not directly related to my profession, I believe in being a good person before being a good professional. Expanding my understanding of the world, learning about truth, goodness, and beauty, and improving my moral compass allows me to better serve my patients."

Yue Linze was silent for a long moment. Finally, he looked at her and said, "Pointless. It won't work."

How could watching the news warrant such a response? Tao Yu turned her head and instantly understood. The news had ended. Now, a sausage commercial played, featuring a woman eating with an expression of intense satisfaction. Coupled with the tagline, "Thicker, bigger, tastier, one sausage is enough to satisfy you," the whole thing was undeniably suggestive.

And just two minutes ago, she'd declared her love for these programs and her desire to learn from them.

She turned back, forcing a smile. "If I said I was watching the news just a moment ago, Mr. Yue, would you believe me?"

"No." His reply was blunt. He glanced at the wheelchair, then grabbed a cane from nearby and walked toward the bed, a slight limp in his right leg doing nothing to detract from his upright posture and inherent grace.

Tao Yu sighed, watching him go. At least he hadn't fired her. Perhaps this had inadvertently reinforced her "Yue Linze admirer" persona.

Composing herself, she turned back to find Yue Linze sitting on a chair by the bed, reading. His hair was still damp, and the towel around his waist looked insufficient. Tao Yu felt a chill on his behalf.

"Mr. Yue, would you like me to get you a hairdryer?" she offered again.

He seemed not to hear, engrossed in a German book. Tao Yu hesitated, then fetched the hairdryer. It wasn't that she wanted to interfere, but his pride was so fierce, he couldn't tolerate any perceived weakness. His leg was already a constant torment. If he caught a cold, the resulting vulnerability would only amplify his already volatile temper.

Yue Linze continued reading, oblivious to the rustling sounds nearby, until a thick towel was draped over his shoulders. He looked up, expressionless.

Tao Yu offered a bright smile. "Please continue reading. I'll just dry your hair."

He gave a noncommittal grunt, which Tao Yu took as consent. She switched on the hairdryer, holding it in one hand while gently combing through his hair with the other, trying to speed the drying process.

The hairdryer was quiet, not disturbing his reading, so Yue Linze let her continue. After a while, Tao Yu's focus drifted, her movements slowing.

These past few days, Yue Linze's uncooperativeness during his physical therapy sessions had been draining. Usually, she'd be in bed by now, resting. Instead, here she was, at the Yue family estate.

She stifled a yawn, her fingers absently stroking his hair.

Yue Linze stared at the same page, unmoving. Her fingers were warm, gently massaging his scalp. It should have been pleasant, but her touch grew slower, more lingering, the atmosphere shifting, becoming charged.

Since her confession, this woman hadn't bothered to hide her intentions. From the TV incident to this hair-drying charade, every action was laced with innuendo.