You Really Are Hopeless

Jessica scrambled to her feet, her face full of shock.

"You clearly didn't use any strength! That wristband never went off!"

Wu Yanzu stood exactly where he was, not having moved so much as a step. One hand rested behind his back while the other crooked a finger at her.

"That's not how you use strength, Queen."

"You're a raging bull. And I..." Wu Yanzu smiled faintly. "...am the matador."

"Again."

"Go to hell!!"

Jessica was furious.

She charged at him again. This time, she threw sweeping kicks, hooks, even completely unstructured wild punches!

Bang! Smack! Boom!

The training ground echoed with the sounds of bodies colliding.

But every time.

Truly, every single time.

No matter how Jessica attacked, Wu Yanzu always neutralized it with only a hair's breadth to spare.

He was like an impossibly slippery loach, yet also like an unshakable mountain.

"Borrowing force to counter force."

Wu Yanzu caught one of Jessica's flying kicks and turned with it. Jessica spun through the air like a top before slamming hard onto the mat.

"Four ounces to deflect a thousand pounds."

The instant Jessica threw a punch, he flicked the sensitive nerve near her elbow with two fingers. Her entire arm immediately went weak and numb.

Ten minutes later.

"Phew... phew... phew..."

Jessica Jones lay spread-eagled on the floor, drenched in sweat. Her white bodysuit was completely soaked, clinging tightly to her skin.

And Wu Yanzu...

He stood beside her, breathing evenly. His hair was perfectly undisturbed, and he had not even broken a sweat.

That damned wristband had not sounded even once from beginning to end.

"I... I hate you." Jessica stared at the ceiling and spoke despairingly.

"I know."

Wu Yanzu walked over and held out a hand to her.

Jessica hesitated for a moment, but still took his hand.

Wu Yanzu gave a gentle pull and helped her up.

"What kind of magic is that?" Jessica rubbed her aching shoulder. "That wasn't karate or boxing."

"It's called Tai Chi." Wu Yanzu spoke the name of that ancient art. "Eastern wisdom."

"Do you want to learn it?"

Jessica looked at him, then at the bottle of Macallan she had yet to win.

"...If I learn it, can I beat you up?"

"In theory, yes. At the very least... it'll keep Hulk from tossing you around like a rag doll."

"...Teach me." Jessica gritted her teeth.

For that bottle of Macallan, and so that this blond bastard would not look down on her.

"Very good." The smile on Wu Yanzu's lips deepened.

"Come on, stand properly."

Wu Yanzu walked behind Jessica.

"Tai Chi emphasizes Listening Jin. You need to use your body to feel how your opponent's strength flows, not watch it with your eyes."

"Relax."

His hands settled on Jessica's shoulders.

Jessica's body instantly stiffened.

Homelander's palms were hot and large. Even through the thin bodysuit, she could clearly feel the lines of his palms and their warmth.

"I said, relax."

Wu Yanzu's voice was right beside her ear. His warm breath brushed against her earlobe, raising goosebumps across her skin.

"C-can you not stand so close?" Jessica shifted uncomfortably.

"This is close-quarters combat, Jessica." Wu Yanzu spoke utter nonsense with a perfectly serious expression. "Tai Chi is all about close-range strikes. If I don't stay close to you, how am I supposed to teach you how to use force?"

"Straighten your back."

One of his hands pressed against Jessica's lower abdomen while the other supported her lower back.

"This is the Dantian. Sink your breath into the Dantian."

"Pull in your stomach."

His palm applied a little pressure and pressed inward.

Jessica had no choice but to take a deep breath and tighten her core.

Their bodies were now almost completely pressed together.

Wu Yanzu's broad, hard chest was pressed tightly against Jessica's sweat-damp back.

As they breathed, the two layers of bodysuit created a subtle friction between them.

"..."

Jessica's heart was in turmoil.

She was an adult woman. Her life might have been a mess, but her body functioned perfectly normally.

The man behind her... was Homelander. The sexiest man in the world, and currently the strongest known male organism on Earth.

The powerful scent of hormones around him was like a net, wrapping her inside it.

"Focus."

Wu Yanzu sensed the stiffness of the woman in his arms and her quickening heartbeat. He secretly reveled in it, but outwardly, he acted like a stern father.

"Don't think about that kind of nonsense... feel my strength."

He grabbed Jessica's wrist and guided her hand through a circle in the air.

"This move is called Cloud Hands."

His movements were slow and gentle.

But he pressed the weight of his body against Jessica, guiding her center of gravity as it shifted.

"Spread your legs a little wider."

He gently nudged Jessica's legs apart with his knee, making her adopt a steadier Horse Stance.

This posture...

Jessica blushed. This posture was far too embarrassing.

"Are you sure this is... martial arts practice?" She bit her lip, her voice trembling slightly.

"Of course." Wu Yanzu looked utterly solemn. "This is called the Horse Stance. The foundation of all foundations."

"Now, follow my rhythm."

"Inhale..."

Wu Yanzu gave the command against her ear.

The vibration of his chest traveled through their bodysuits into Jessica's back, sending a tingling sensation through her.

"Exhale..."

His hand slid down Jessica's arm, correcting the angle of her elbow.

His fingertips brushed over the sensitive inner side of her arm.

Jessica shuddered all over and nearly went limp in his arms.

"Steady!" Wu Yanzu wrapped an arm around her waist. "See? Your lower body isn't stable. You still need more practice."

At that moment, Wu Yanzu's inner monologue was a completely different story.

Hehehe... Vought's bodysuits really are excellent quality. They feel amazing.

Damn, is this what a super heroine's physique is like? That waist, that elasticity... unbelievable.

Jessica usually looks so fierce, but when she blushes... that contrast is adorable.

This Tai Chi Grandmaster module was practically a dating cheat. What Listening Jin? This was basically "feeling up Jin."

But on the surface, he still wore the look of someone frustrated by her inability to improve.

"Jessica, your heartbeat is too fast. Tai Chi emphasizes Still Mind."

He criticized her in all seriousness.

"How are you supposed to achieve anything like this? How are you supposed to be the face of The Seven?"

"I... I'll try..." Jessica was mortified.

She wanted to push him away.

"Y-you stay away from me. I'll practice by myself!"

She turned around, intending to lose her temper.

But when she saw Wu Yanzu's azure eyes, she froze.

What kind of eyes were those?

Focused, serious, and even carrying a trace of sternness.

He really did seem to be teaching her.

There was not the slightest hint of frivolity in him. He was like a strict master instructing a hopeless student.

"..."

Jessica instantly felt that she had been too filthy-minded.

Homelander was busy with countless responsibilities, yet he had lowered himself to personally teach her such an unmatched martial art.

And she had actually spent the whole time thinking he was taking advantage of her?

Jessica Jones, you really are a hopeless bitch. She cursed herself inwardly.