Temporary Interrogation Room.
Nie Bing guided "Aya" to lie down on the long sofa in the room.
"Please turn over, back facing up."
Nie Bing's voice regained its professional composure, but upon closer listening, a faint undercurrent of... anticipation? seemed to linger beneath the surface.
"We may need to loosen the back straps or clasps of your dress for easier access and more accurate muscle assessment."
"Aya" slowly lowered herself onto her stomach, tilting her head to the side and flashing a languid, teasing smile.
"Officer Nie Bing, please be... gentle, okay? I'm quite sensitive to pain. If you're too rough, I might not be able to handle it~"
Nie Bing's fingers had just brushed against the dress's intricate hidden clasps when she heard this loaded remark. Her movements froze almost imperceptibly, and she couldn't help but scoff inwardly.
Hmph! Cifera, even at a time like this, you're still playing games?
You're not afraid of pain—you're afraid I'll expose your disguise if I move too aggressively!
You want me to let you go? Not a chance!
Nie Bing took a deep breath, forcing her voice to sound purely professional.
"Please rest assured, I'm a professional," Nie Bing said.
(Spy-...)
"The soreness you're feeling is a normal reaction as we release tension from your fatigued muscles and tight fascia. Try to relax as much as possible, and let me know if the discomfort becomes unbearable...
"However, since this isn't just a massage, but a test to see if you're maintaining your disguise, I would appreciate it if you could bear with the initial discomfort. Once the initial soreness subsides, you'll soon feel relaxed and comfortable."
As she spoke, she clumsily unfastened the necessary clasps, allowing the back of the evening gown to open and reveal the smooth curve of Aya's spine and the graceful lines of her shoulder blades.
"Alright, I trust Officer Nie Bing's professionalism," "Aya" chuckled softly, burying her face in a soft sofa cushion. Her voice, muffled yet somehow more languid, carried a hint of playful surrender. "Then I'll just... leave myself in your hands~"
The room's door couldn't completely block out sound, especially since they were some distance from the auction hall, where the surroundings were eerily quiet.
Hearing the commotion inside, Liu Shanhe and Lu Yue exchanged uneasy glances.
Without a word, they each took a half-step back from the door, their eyes darting nervously as they pretended not to hear anything.
Though the director couldn't provide visuals, they "professionally" amplified the audio, sending the live stream's Bullet Comments into a frenzy:
[Hand... what?!]
[I can't help but get the wrong idea about this conversation!]
[Nie Bing: Just a heartless bone-setting machine.jpg]
[Sister Aya is so smooth! If I were Nie Bing, I'd definitely lose it!]
[Director! I'm begging you again! Please! Just show us the footage! I'll give you as many chicken legs as you want!]
In the following minutes, occasional, barely audible clicks—like joints gently stretching open—drifted from the room.
But more often, there were the soft rustle of fabric and the intermittent, suppressed yet unmistakable moans and sighs of extreme comfort and relaxation that belonged to "Aya":
Mmm... right there... it's a little sore...
Oh... Officer Nie Bing... your technique... it's truly remarkable...
Ah... please... please be a little gentler... it's a bit... achy and numb...
Outside the door, Liu Shanhe's weathered face flushed crimson. He coughed awkwardly, clasped his hands behind his back, and paced a few steps away, pretending to study the decorative paintings in the corridor.
Lu Yue's face burned crimson, yet he couldn't resist straining his ears, inwardly ranting like mad:
This... this sound is way too easy to misinterpret!
What on earth is Nie Bing doing in there?!
And Sister Aya, show some restraint! This is a live stream!
I know you don't mean anything by it, but the netizens these days have such wild imaginations!
Night Shadow, being young and well-versed in internet culture, understood the current online culture all too well. Though the live stream lacked video, the audio left far more room for imagination. The bullet comments section had completely derailed, flooding the screen with abstract literature and lewd laughter:
[Ah... is this the kind of content I get for free? (doge meme)]
[Sister Aya's voice... my bones are already melting...]
[Old Liu: Just an old comrade passing by.jpg]
[Lu Yue: Just an innocent cross-dressing guy.jpg]
[Even without seeing the visuals, the vibe in there is totally different from outside, damn it!]
[Is this really just a massage? I don't believe it! Unless I see it for myself! (shouting)]
[Nie Bing: Professional bone setting, fair to all ages. Aya: Mmm~ Ah~ Yes~ Right there~!]
[The atmosphere in the live stream suddenly got very yuri-yuri!]
[I hereby declare! The "IceAya" couple is officially formed tonight! (whispering)]
[Damn it! The "Cat Ice" faction is furious!]
[System Notification: This live stream promotes green and healthy Bullet Comments. Please be mindful of your remarks.]
[We're being perfectly green! We're just discussing professional myofascial release techniques! (straight face)]
[Exactly! It's perfectly normal for myofascial release to produce those kinds of sounds! (firmly convinced)]
[Director, I'm begging you one last time! Just one peek! I promise I won't leak it!]
[The battle inside seems intense! Sister Aya looks like she's about to give out (referring to being pressed on a sore spot).]
[Im Stuck on this bus! Let me off!]
[The doors have been welded shut! No one's getting off this ride today! Hehehe...]
Inside the room, fine beads of sweat gradually formed on Nie Bing's forehead.
During the massage, her expression shifted from initial firmness to gradual doubt, ultimately settling into disbelief, shock, and confusion.
How is this possible?!
Her fingers meticulously traced the contours beneath her touch—the warmth and elasticity of the skin, the outlines of bones and the articulation of joints, the texture and strength of muscles...
Everything felt utterly real and natural!
There was no hint of foreignness, stiffness, or incongruity.
This was undeniably a genuine, undisguised female body!
Nie Bing even drew upon her professional knowledge of human anatomy, honed as a Criminal Investigator, to probe for any potential weaknesses in the Art of Disguise. Yet her efforts yielded nothing!
Could it be... my sixth sense was wrong after all?
She's truly not Cifera?
But... that overwhelming sense of familiarity... why is it so strong?!
As Nie Bing wrestled with her doubts, "Aya," still lounging on the sofa, was secretly reveling in amusement.
Little Bingbing, you've worked so hard~
But my Imposter Ability is a product of the Authority of Trickery, the most perfect form of disguise imaginable!
It simulates everything flawlessly, from the physical to the biological level. How could you possibly discern it with mere touch?
Still... your massage technique is surprisingly good. It wasn't a waste of time leaving you those tutorial videos. So relaxing!
About half an hour later, the door finally opened from the inside.
Nie Bing emerged first, her cheeks flushed from exertion, fine beads of sweat glistening on her forehead, and her breathing slightly labored. The massage technique had clearly taken a physical toll.
Yet, more than physical fatigue, a lingering sense of bewilderment and defeat was evident in her eyes.
Hot on her heels was "Aya," who gracefully adjusted the slightly wrinkled hem of her formal gown. She radiated vitality, her eyes sparkling with energy, as if all traces of fatigue had vanished. A contented, serene smile graced her face.
Liu Shanhe rushed forward, his gaze darting between the two women before settling on Nie Bing, his expression questioning.
Nie Bing pressed her lips together. Despite her intense reluctance, she forced the words out, her voice dry and strained:
"At least... from the examination I just conducted, I found no evidence of disguise on Miss Aya's body. The feel of her muscles and bones felt entirely natural and authentic."
She paused, almost grinding her teeth as she added:
"Therefore... it proves that she is indeed not Cifera in disguise."
Uttering those words seemed to drain her of all strength.
Upon hearing this, Liu Shanhe let out a deep sigh of relief, having long favored this outcome.
He turned to "Aya," his tone even more apologetic and courteous:
"Miss Aya, we sincerely apologize again for our intrusion and disturbance. Thank you so much for your cooperation and understanding. Please rest assured, the Pursuit Team won't trouble you further about this matter tonight."
Lu Yue chimed in cheerfully:
"Great news, Sister Aya! I knew you weren't Contestant Cifera! Let's hurry back—the auction started quite a while ago."
"Aya" nodded slightly to Liu Shanhe and Nie Bing:
"I'm glad the misunderstanding has been cleared up. Thank you for your hard work. I'll take my leave now."
She turned to go, but paused as if remembering something. Turning back, she flashed Nie Bing an exceptionally radiant and gentle smile:
"That massage was truly divine—I feel completely revitalized! Thank you again, Officer Nie Bing~"
The instant that smile registered on "Aya's" face, Nie Bing's pupils contracted sharply!
In a fleeting moment of disorientation, she imagined "Aya's" face transforming into Cifera's—that mischievous smirk, her lips silently forming the words:
"Little Bingbing~ Hehe, I've won again~"
!
Nie Bing's heart leaped violently, and she nearly blurted out her suspicions, but she forcibly suppressed the impulse.
This feeling is so strong! Why can't I find any flaws?
At that moment, Nie Bing silently screamed inwardly, consumed by frustration and bewilderment.