Lobotomy Corporation but with Simulation System?

Before getting into the bath, she usually cleansed herself first, washing away all the dirt before enjoying a nice bath. This was a habit, a routine.

Squeezing the shower gel, she caught the milky white liquid in her hand, then applied it, meticulously rubbing it until a thick layer of white foam formed.

The shower gel had a citrus and osmanthus scent. The Cologne series shower gel always had this light, cool fragrance— although it was usually for men.

But there was no rule against women using Cologne-scented products, was there?

This kind of androgynous beauty had a different kind of allure, attracting attention.

She applied the thick white foam to her skin, repeatedly washing and scrubbing away dirt and impurities. Then, she turned on the shower head. In the steamy heat, the hot water washed over her skin, carrying away the dirt and impurities, sending these unpleasant things down the drain.

Although she had short black hair, because it was wet and unkempt, the slightly longer bangs curled slightly, making her look even more like a Siberian forest cat, or perhaps, a lioness with loose bangs.

When wet, her hair clumped together. Damp and sticky. It actually looked a little longer than before. Once loose, it added a touch of feminine softness, as if she had changed her style.

The AI paid particular attention to X's hair, trimming the strands meticulously… After using a towel to absorb most of the water, she used her fingers to gently comb and separate each strand of clinging hair. She repeated this process again and again.

This scene was reminiscent of a large dog shaking itself after a bath, its soft fur exploding outward, requiring a towel to be pressed against it to avoid looking like a black hedgehog.

Short hair was easy to manage. X didn't pay much attention to it. But the AI Secretary was very patient, meticulously grooming the short hair.

When Angela was gentle, X found it difficult to look away— she seemed to like this kind of gentleness, whether it was the warm and bright sun or the gentle and subtle moon.

X was easily swayed by this kind of gentleness. Perhaps because she was somewhat assertive herself, X didn't particularly like overly assertive women. That controlling desire made her uncomfortable, at a loss.

Perhaps the AI had been too domineering most of the time, making her overlook her inherent charm.

It was unclear whether it was the hot water or something else, but X felt herself getting hot, her head hazy, as if she had a fever, becoming increasingly… irrational.

X was someone who trusted reason more than her desires. Most of the time, she chose to restrain herself, patiently suppressing inappropriate thoughts— she knew those thoughts were wrong, mistakes that should be condemned.

She couldn't do this…

But why did she want to indulge?

Was it because the water was too hot, making her drowsy…? Or was she too tired, having expended too much energy, causing her brain to malfunction, needing to close her eyes and rest for a while?

"Angela—"

[What is it, Manager?]

The AI was waiting, as loyal and considerate as before, appearing whenever she was needed.

"Nothing, I can do the rest myself… Being taken care of like this, I feel like a naive child."

X took the towel and wiped the water droplets from her skin. Her usually pale skin had a slight flush.

The AI had taken care of everything, even her bath. X felt uncomfortable and didn't know what to do. Wiping herself down was enough… She didn't need everything done for her.

If she didn't speak up, judging by the AI's posture and demeanor, she would probably…

As for what she would do, it wasn't something that could be easily put into words. X didn't like being managed or taken care of. Was this really a Secretary?

Although she had doubted it more than once, every time she saw the AI acting like this, X would question the AI's true identity and her own position.

It showed that she wasn't an adult, but a child who couldn't take care of herself, a baby who needed an adult's patient care, who needed her Secretary to feed her.

Didn't she need any self-respect? If the other Department Deans found out that she needed her Secretary's help even to bathe, wouldn't that become a new joke?

Oh, right… even her meals were fed to her by the AI Secretary.

But this kind of protest was useless. She was simply being teased by the AI Secretary.

[Aren't you naive? Every time you make a mistake, you don't sincerely apologize. Like a child feigning ignorance, trying to get away with it. I haven't pursued these matters.]

The AI smiled slightly, without any criticism in her tone.

Although the curve of her lips wasn't obvious, it was just right, bringing joy and pleasure. This seemed to be a genuine smile, not practiced or feigned.

X rarely saw Angela smile. Most of the time, the Secretary would either close her eyes and frown, or when she was "punishing" X, a malicious, perverse smile with an exaggerated curve.

Seeing such a smile, she was stunned, speechless.

"I do apologize! Even if what happened at lunchtime was my fault, it's different! That's a different matter!"

X instinctively retorted. She didn't know where she had gotten the courage to retort to the Secretary— but perhaps it was a good sign.

This could be interpreted as a sign that the distance between them had narrowed, that the barrier between Manager and Secretary wasn't so large, to the point where they could tease each other.

Of course, this was less like the relationship between a superior and a subordinate and more like the interaction between friends… or a more intimate relationship.

Although X didn't realize it…

[Look, you're being deliberately provocative. You aren't showing the maturity and responsibility of an adult. But you're much more interesting than previous Managers. Perhaps you'll be the best Manager our Corporation has ever had.]

The AI didn't get angry. Her smile was more pronounced, and she seemed more relaxed than usual… It was unclear whether she was encouraging X or scolding her for being stupid.

Perhaps it was both… It was both encouragement and teasing. AIs rarely praised people. She was probably in a better mood now and could say those things.

But X, once again, missed the point. In the AI's words, what she heard wasn't "best Manager," but "previous Managers."

Although she shouldn't have cared. How many Managers the AI had served was irrelevant. X just needed to do her job well, focus on the Corporation's achievements.

But… she still… cared.

"Oh, Angela… Would you do this for previous Managers? Like this, helping them bathe…"

[I am a Lobotomy Corp AI. I follow the Corporation's orders. As the Manager's Secretary, I assist the Manager and take care of the Manager's personal life.]

The AI didn't directly answer X's question. But the information in her words was very clear.

As the Manager's Secretary, theoretically, she would treat every Manager the same, regardless of good or bad… Well, those who were bad would be fired, like defective products that didn't meet the standards.

This was normal and logical. But X felt a strange discomfort. It was unclear whether it was resentment or something else. She didn't know. She just felt uncomfortable.

It was like having her favorite pudding taken away, like having a delicious watermelon, a sweet, red watermelon, having more than half of it eaten before she could even use a spoon.

"Oh— Oh."

A pathetic whimper escaped her throat. If she had cat ears, they would have drooped. X immediately sulked, like a child who hadn't eaten enough.

X felt very uncomfortable, very upset. She didn't know why she felt this way, why she had these thoughts.

This feeling was unfamiliar… But X couldn't articulate the reason.

But the AI knew why. She rarely saw such an expression on the black-haired woman's face— a slightly open expression.

This method seemed to work, even though it was a little despicable… Humans used despicable methods, and the AI had learned this, mimicking humans' shortcomings.

Should she continue mentioning "previous Managers" in front of X?

The black-haired woman was strong and competitive. She didn't like losing. She didn't want to see any achievements slip away. Because of this personality, she had repeatedly fallen into despicable traps. Every time someone used reverse psychology, she fell for it.

Perhaps she could learn a little from the Safety Department Dean's underhanded tactics. At least, they worked well.

Sometimes, feigning ignorance, or being willful, could yield better results… Making the woman uncomfortable wasn't a bad thing. After all that time outside, she deserved some punishment.

[Manager, does it still hurt?]

The AI gently touched the red marks on X's neck. The marks left by the bites were still swollen, and even more noticeable after being washed with hot water.

X's neck and collarbone were covered in bite marks, the result of some "inconsiderate" and "naive" Dean venting her emotions… and this was largely due to X's indulgence and bias.

Easily forgiving the Deans' casual bites… she really had no self-respect!

Just seeing these red marks, the AI felt her kindness had been trampled on. Her suppressed anger was rising. And if she looked closely, she could see the claw marks on X's shoulders.

Delicate white skin, covered in small scratches. These were made by a Dean who hadn't controlled her strength, venting her emotions… and X hadn't said anything, hadn't refused.

Shouldn't she have given the Deans what they wanted? With such a disparity in treatment, if she could find inner peace, that would be strange, even a little crazy.

Compared to resentment and anger… perhaps envy was a more accurate description.

Why was the woman in front of her being treated so unfairly? So unjustly?

Even though she had known this from the beginning, she still felt angry every time she saw it.

Her feigned innocence only fueled the anger. The bite marks were already there. What good would it do to scold her now?

It would only provoke a more rebellious reaction.

[Let me apply some ointment. This will help reduce the swelling… If it doesn't work, you can use the [Regenerator], although I don't recommend it.]

External wounds could be healed, but the trauma wouldn't disappear simply by eliminating the external marks.

The AI's smooth fingertips held the milky white ointment. After gently wiping away the moisture, she applied the ointment to the swollen areas on X's neck and collarbone. The ointment was applied evenly.

The icy coldness felt comfortable, especially while soaking in the hot water… this icy ointment felt soothing and refreshing.

Her muscles relaxed, a day's fatigue seemed to dissipate, washed away by the hot water.

For the first time, X felt that soaking in the bathtub could be so relaxing. Before, to save time and maximize efficiency, she would simply rinse herself quickly, spending no more than half an hour.

Just half an hour. That was probably unimaginable for most women… It was incredibly efficient.

Of course, there might be other factors. X had some resistance to bathtubs, not particularly wanting to soak. She didn't know why, but she simply didn't like it.

But with Angela by her side— she felt reassured, the thought, "This isn't bad," surfacing.

After much hesitation, X made up her mind.

"Angela… Angela, can I kiss you?"

Her face flushed intensely. She didn't know whether it was from the hot water or something else. Her tone was soft and hesitant, completely different from her usual naturalness.

She had kissed her Secretary many times before, yet she was asking this time.